October 13, 2014.. 73 days til Christmas!

​ super busy week this week guys! On Tuesday, we had zone conference when we meet with the mission president and learn to be better missionaries :) well, we watched the Movie "Meet the Mormons" super good! :) i loved it. very touching :) also, during that meeting, we talked about the importance of obedience and he said "Are you the missionary your mum thinks you are???" and the room went silent. haha :) super funny but a really good way to put it into perspective :)

On Thursday, we had a zone training meeting with just our zone and the zone leaders. it was super well! we had a testimony meeting and a talk about the importance of testimonies and an elder who is going home in two weeks bore his testimony and it was just so strong. I desire to be like him at the end of my mission :) 

On Friday, I went back to the Drs and they took my cast off. THEY ACTUALLY USE A SAW!! people told me that they do but i didn't think that they really did. i was really in shock when she pulled out the saw. ahaha. so they re-xrayed it and it's still broken so i'm now in a pink cast for the month of october :) yay! :)

On Saturday, the Mabreys (one of my first families) took us to lunch! it was sooo good :) i loved seeing them :) it's nice that they're so close. i haven't seen them in 6 months now. but it was a good ol' reunion :)

That's about all that happened, it felt really busy :)

Love you :)

October 6, 2014

Wow. so there was an emergency transfer in the district. I don't know at all what happened. but Elder Kobbah and I moved appartments and we are now in a three pack. Elder Williams is my new comp. He's from Michigan. He's 24 years old. He's super funny. ALWAYS singing. haha :) even at door contacts. :) 

General Conference was this last weekend. It was sooo good! much needed. really lifted me up. I had so many different favourite talks. but I think the ones that REALLY stand out are Elder M Russell Ballard and Richard G Scott. :) Those two are always a personal favourite for me. Elder Ballard reminds me of Pappa, my grandpa on my mums side. and his messages are always really good :) ​

Nothing really happened besides these two thing this last week. Oh! but President Uchtdorf gave me a shoutout during the priesthood session! hahha he was talking about how we should "worry about our own salvation before we worry about others too much, like whether or not Brother Johnson was asleep in the back pew." ahahah thought that was funny :) but I love you all :) have a great week :)

September 29, 2014

Alright everyone. to start off, I went on exchanges with Elder Allen and we went to Grovetown cause it's in his area and I got to see the Kaspers. my first family I worked with. what a blessing. I got to take pictures and all that stuff. so much fun :)​

but I came home after the exchange and elder Kobbah told me great news. that Dixie wanted to get baptized this week!! so we made a couple of phone calls and got it settled that she would get baptized this weekend!

on Friday, I went to the drs FINALLY and got another xray. they said I broke my wrist so I got my blue cast on :) it sucks. it's my first time. it feels weird but I have to wear it for 4-6 weeks. so we'll be walking everywhere. :/ 

Saturday, we had Dixie's baptism! Her parents came which was really good cause they were super ANTI and didn't like the church at all but now they have answers, they're okay with it :) Dixie only had to get dunked twice so that's good :)

Sunday, I was honoured to confirm her. it's always a scary thing. but I loved it. her parents couldn't come up for that, but it's okay. Sunday night, we went to Wanda's house and she fed us pig ears and pig feet. Man. Never again. I tried to eat it but I only got half of it down before she noticed I Was struggling so she took my plate and ate the rest. hahaha. really gross. but that's really about it for the week. :) I love you all so jmuch. keep it touch.!

love, Jacob :)

September 22, 2014

so my face and scars are starting to heal up. my nose is still busted. and my hands and wrist are still pretty bad. i go back to the drs this next week. hopefully get a cast. :)

rained so much this last week. we got so soaked. my scriptures got pretty wet and now there's a bit of water damage on them :/ that's sad. 

i've been dropping weight like crazy. i came into this area t 225 pounds and now when i last weighed myself i am 202!! crazy guys. sweating and biking and walking like there's no tomorrow :)

This girl named Dixie. we met her at the Clietts reception.

she said a curse word and Sister Cliett said "this is Dixie" and Dixie said "i'm Dixie and i don't care." we walked away like... "alright..? haha!" well, she told Sister Cliett that she wanted to get baptized. so we started to teach her ad she accepted a baptismal date :) well Saturday night she got Anti-d by her mum and she didn't wanna get baptized but she came to church with us on Sunday. we get to Stake conference and after like 15 minutes into Stake Conference i told her "think of a question and i promise that it will be answered!!" and she said "it already has. and i'm totally becoming a Mormon. i'm excited." :)) so she's on date to be baptized on October 18th. and Elder Kobbah is going to baptize and she wants me to confirm her :)

It's going to be a good month. that's all for now. i love you all so much :) keep in touch :)

Love, Jacob :)

September 13, 2014

so i'm not going to put everything that hapened this week cause it hurts to type. this is why:
 hahaha. i was biking downhill and playing air guitar and singing to myself and i look back and there's a car so i scoot over just a bit, and my front tire starts hitting the sidewalk and i lean forward to grab my handlebars and it threw off my balance ad i landed on my face on the sidewalk and rolled into the grass. my glasses broke open the skin on my nose and my face was covered in blood and i ad bad roadrash and my wrist hurt really bad. this all happened on the sidewalk of the hospital. ahaha well about 5 cars stopped to help me and we get going to our appoitment with Wanda, we get there and she fixes up my face cause it was covered in blood and al my cuts. my wrist started to swell so she took us to the hospital and i got an xray and they said it's a fracture. so they put a splint on it and told me to come back next week.:) my glasses are really really scratched up now. :( so that sucks.

but good news is is that im staying in augusta for another transfer! :) i'm excited.  this last week, we helped the Cliett family with their reception. it really took most of the week. but it was fun. i got to wear a nice bowtie  :) i looked good ;) hahaha.

 the ward talent show was Saturday night. Elder Kobbah did a break dance and the other Elders in the ward sang the National Anthem. i sat and watched. hahaha. i couldn't think of a talent i have to put on a stage y'know?

but that's all for now really :)

i love you all :)

Jacob <3

September 8/2014

"Pretty eventful week,, Compared to last,, haha!"

​It was a fun week :)) oh my goodness!!  So the beggining of the week was a drag. No one to really teach and just walking around teaching on the street.  But on Thursday is when things started to pick up. All day it was boring with nothing to do. Pretty depressing actually. but!!! Branden and Brittany Patchett fed us! They were in my ward in Vegas and their in the Augusta ward now. So it was great to talk to them. She made some really good Katsu chicken or whatever. but it was pretty fantastic :) Bro Patchett shared some experiences from his mission that were just histarical. :)

 

After dinner, we were aimlessly walking around again and we were walking up the hill towards Walmart and Elder Kobbah says "Where are we even going??" "Dude, I don't even know. I'm just walking" We end up walking into the Walmart Parking lot, and this lady has a flat tire. She looked so distressed. No one would help her. (She was a worker and on her break). We go up and ask if we could help and she said "I wanted to ask but you both are so handsome..." "no we insist! We have plenty of white shirts! haha" so we helped her for the nest 45 minutes to change her tire cause the jack she had was itty-bitty. but she asked "Do you guys walk around all day?" "Yes ma'am!!" "Why....?!" "Cause we're missionaries from our Church.. The Church of Jesus Chri-" "I know that.. but... WHY?" "really? to just share the light of Christ with others." She just stood there in amazement. It was really interesting. but after we fixed her tire and all that stuff she gave us the nicest compliment I have ever gotten. "you two men are the nicest people i've met. I can truly see Christs reflection eminating from you two. Thank you." and she started Crying when she said it. Just so touching!! she wanted nothing to do with the church, but it was a needed experience :)

 

on friday, i bought some yogurt. Man. yogurt is so good. Vanilla. 2 pounds for 2 dollars. what a steal. well, I kind of got addicted to it last week and I bought some on Friday and ate it all. It made me realy sick. I was sick all weekend. It was a bummer. It actually made me mad cause I hate being sick. but we still went out and did work. also on friday, a lady from Waynesboro moved into Augusta. the Elders in Waynesboro told us about her and they took us to go meet her. Her name is Wanda. She's Puerto Rican and she's a flipping hoot. She jsut says what's on her mind. She does want to get baptized but she smokes. so we'll fix that :) She's super funny though.

 

oh man,on Saturday we went to go help Wanda move into her new house, but by the time we got there it was already done. So we sat and conversed and and got to know eachother. it was realy fun. we ate at the Fry's house. and she made the BEST Chicken!! wow!! there was a piece for everyone and then there was one piece left at the end. It was so good that we actually started to argue at eachother and threaten eachother with our steak knives for it! it was pretty crazy. we ended up splitting it up and dividing it out. but it was just ahhh-mazing. ALSO!!! i had my first taste of an actual watermelon!! Wow. pretty crazy. we walked in there and there was a bowl of watermelon and I knew Elder Kobbah was gonna call me out on it cause he found out this last week I've never had watermelon. so they all forced me to try some. It wasn't that bad actually. OH! And I also tried a prickly pear! like off of the Jungle Book. Kind of weird. Tasted like a Banana and tomatoe combined. I didn't like it. And the seeds are sharp so you can't chew on it. it was kind of sketchy to eat. so I only ate half.

 

I think that this is about it for the week. but it was better :)
I love you all :)

September 2, 2014

​Pretty good week overall :))

 

My bike was broken for most of the week so we walked a lot and i got a nasty blister. BETWEEN my toes. How doest that happen? but Elder Morris, a senior missionary, fixed my bike for me so now it's works like a charm :))

 

all of our investigators have gone missing. Stop returning calls and everything. so we're starting fresh. again. so we did a lot of street contacting this week. nothing exciting :/

 

OH!! GUYS!! I ATE MY FIRST PEANUT!! we were at dinner, and for dessert she brings out ice cream and peanuts and i'm all "Guys, this is my first peanut" and she screams "YOU'VE NEVER EATEN A PEANUT?!" "I have now" hahaha :) i said... "wow, it tastes just like peanut butter!" I know Peanut Butter is made of peanuts but i wasn't expecting it to taste exactly like it.. :)

 

ahaha. yesterday for P-day, we played volleyball and dodgeball (with the volleyball) and it was a blast! Jumping around everywhere an all that.

 

alas, I forgot my planner again so i'm going off my memory, which we all know isn't that good. so that's all for now :) but i love you all dearly and hope to hear from you soon :)

 

Love always, Jacob :)

August 24,2014

​What a fantastic week, guys!! First off. I ALMOST DIED!! literally!! I don't think i've ever been scared so bad. Biking. using Elder Yeagers bike (with no brakes at all) and going down a HUGE hill. So i'm picking up quite a bit of speed, right? We have to make a super sharp right turn so I go over to the left side of the road to try to fly over into the turn. and you know how there are those metal pole thingies that you have to go in and out of apartment complexes? well the entrance one is always open and the exit only opens from the inside. Elder Kobbah makes it into the entrance and looks back to make sure I make it as well. Well I make it, but I go into the exit lane. With the metal bar right in front of me. TIME. SLOWED. DOWN. I realized, I can either bail out or go flying. I look left and it was a SUPER sharp plant. Almost like a cactus. on the right, a generator. I decided to go flying, and right at that moment I screamed and the metal bar went flying! It came off the generator and the bar went flying. I still couldn't stop cause it was downhill. So I had to ride back up the hill to get to Elder Kobbah. and by this time we're both just busting up laughing. I don't know how it had happened, cause the handle bars weren't high enough to hit the bar, so it just flew off right before I hit it or something. Definitely the Lord's hand in that moment. What a tender mercy!!

 

it was a good topic for the entire week :) but that day I got a new bike! Elder Belliston, a missionary in the zone went home this week and gave his bike to Elder Nielson and Elder Nielson gave me his old bike :) what a blessing :)

 

but i am tired of biking. I sweath through 2 to 3 shirts a day, and I only have like 5 or 6 white shirts. So I do laundry 2 or 3 times a week. It's horrible.

 

We had Zone Conference with elder Kapishka from the 70's. really cool. he taught me a lot. so did President and Sister Cottle :) just such an inspired meeting! I saw Elder Hatch there too. I loved it! he makes me happy :) love it here :)

 

that's really about it :) i love y'all! :)

 

love Jacob :)

August 18th, 2014

​Man! what a crazy week. biking and biking and biking! i'm gonna have a fantastic butt and thighs by the time I leave Augusta! :) hahaha. But it was good. We taught a lot of people. a couple of people seem pretty cool but no one showed up to church this week :/

 

We had Zone training this week. which is just a bunch of missionaries teaching each other to be better missionaries. it's actually very beneficial :) I love it. 

 

Super cool!! I found out that Mike Hoernke, one of my first baptisms in Grovetown, moved onto Fort Gordon, which is part of the Augusta Ward!! so he's in our building :) This last sunday, Elder Kobbah and I taught Gospel principles. It was about Charity. Which worked out perfectly, cause earlier that week, a lady came up to us at Walmart and said, "Hey, can I buy your grocieries?" SO SWEET!! :) but we went to church in Augusta AND to the branch on Fort Gordon. So we had church for 6 hours yesterday :) haha it was exhausting but it was really cool :)

 

We really didn't do much except for walking around and talk to strangers. most of the people here are really nice :) but no one is really standing out at the moment. :/

Love you all, Jacob :))

August 11, 2014

I know I am really super behind.... life has been crazy, and for some reason my emails won't let me bring up july's emails from Elder Johnson! Dang it!!!!

here's his email from August 11

Wow wow wow. Crazy week guys. first off, I  got transferred!! Right to Augusta!! which is right outside of Grovetown! my first area!!​ So that's exciting :) but I'm on a bike. less exciting. Augusta is all hills too. Blarg. My thighs are already massive cause of it. I would rather bike 20 miles in Baxley, then 4 miles in Augusta. haha. but the very first day. we went into a store and there wasn't anywhere to lock our bikes up so I stood by the window to watch them. I turned around for not even 2 minutes, I look and it was gone. I was pretty upset. but I guess they needed the bike more than I did. I've called the cops. but no luck so far. :/ So we were the walking Elders. but the zone leaders let me borrow one of their bikes. it was really nice of them.

so the next day we're all biking around and my tire goes flat. I don't think i'm meant to be a biking elder at all. We did fix it the next day. so we're biking again.

 

My new companion is Elder Kobbah. He's from Texas. He's a pretty cool guy. He's pretty stern. Much like elder Blain, my first companion. but he's chill. he's been out for about 5 months now. 

 

Of course I forgot my planner today. So sorry if it's a short email..

 

All we truly did was knock this last week cause we whitewashed in the area. Neither of us knew the area. so we biked around and knocked trying to get to know people. It's a nice little area :) Wish us luck. it's already rained on us twice. hardcore. hhaah :) but y'all know I love the rain.

 

Love much Jacob :)

July 15, 2014

Totally forgot my planner this week so I don't remember what we all did... hahaha

 

We had 4 people come to church this week! :) That was pretty fantastic :) it was a really good Sunday too :)

 

We had a Zone Conference this last week! Which is just a way for missionaries to be better missionaries :) But at this one, one of the trainings, someone said "The Spirit doesn't testify to dumb analogies" When I teach, I use analogies like crazy. but now we're "not supposed to teach using them" but then I started thinking, Did not Jesus use parables, which is just a fancy word for analogies? haha. SO! I thought it was funny :)

 

On Saturday, we made signs that said "Mormon.Org" And we were twirling these signs at the street corner, and no one was really reacting. so I'm all "we've gotta change something up.." So we go to the CVS store and use a sharpie, and on my sign I wrote "HONK IF YOU LOVE JESUS" And we got a lot more enthusiasm :) ahaha we were out  there for a couple of hours. From like 12-5! haha :) I got so sunburned! a preacher came up to us and tried to bash with us, so I just walked away and kept twirling my sign :) hahaha :)

 

I'm sorry this is so short, I can't remember anything at the moment..h hahaha :P
But I love you all so much :)

 

Love, Jacob :)

July 7, 2014

Hmm... pretty busy week. We did even more knocking haha but we've found some pretty sweet potentials. A couple of really cool people. This guy came up to us and said "I've got a question, who is Joseph Smith?" We were all, "That's a GREAT question. let me tell you about him.." haha :) it was pretty gnarly.

 

We helped Ruth out a lot this week. We went over on the 4th of July and helped with her house. We got all the Trim off of the baseboards and stuff. Then Her husband gave me a hammer and said, "Have fun" I was like "Whaaaaa?!?!" So Elder Hooper and I totally started to DEMO on their house. haha :) It was a blast!! I was COVERED in soot and ash and drywall. hahaha. I plowed through a couple walls too! it was so much fun. we started at like 10:30 and did it until 5:30.

The next day though I got sick. it sucked. I was coughing up soot like crazy. That did suck.

 

But we taught a lot this week. it was good and mostly productive :)

 

On Sunday I bore my testimony at church. I've had this question on my mind a lot lately... "What would have happened to Anakin Skywalker if Qui-Gon Jin trained him like he was supposed to and not Obi-Wan Kenobi?" It's a legit question! haha, But I kinda related it back to the gospel, and how much relies on one person sometimes. Like Joseph Smith, or Paul, or the person who compiled the Bible! It's all just mind blowing! What one person can do, can and will change a million lives! Just take a second and think about it! it's crazy. but I love it :) haha

 

We went over to Russ' on Sunday like we do every Sunday. I helped make dinner with Shelli :) We made pancakes and eggs and sausage :) it was delish :) afterwards we watched some Bible Videos and started a discussion :) it was really good and beneficial.

 

Also, we ran into a Less Active member who won't come to church now. He goes to a Baptist church and plays in the band there and he has constant seizures and a lot of health issues. we went over to talk to him and fellowship him and we were talking about faith. Elder Hooper stood up and commanded him to be healed. and this guy stood up, walked around and even bend down and touched the floor! And this guy is a fairly large man who could hardly walk before. An actual healing in an instant. it was amazing. Hopefully it was enough for brother steve to come back to church. I love him. I love the people of Georgia. I really do. 

 

but that's about it. I love you all as well :) Thank you all for everything and all you've taught me :) keep strong :)

June 30th, 2014

Dangggg.

 Okay, so Elder Hatch got transferred to Hinesville as a zone leader over the Savannah West Zone. Crazy. haha :) my new companion is Elder Hooper! What a swell guy. He's a bit uptight. But man is he diligent and hardworking. He is always in a rush and trying to talk to as many people as possible. He is almost done with his mission. He's only got 2 transfers left! he goes home is September! crazy. He's had it pretty hard. His mum died of cancer back in December. He told me that that's one reason why he works so hard, is cause he wants to help as many people as he can while they're still here before they pass on. He's super optimistic. We spent a couple hours sorting out the area and map. Now it's almost ready. We plan to knock most of our area in the next couple months. we've been knocking here this last week like crazy. Talking to everyone. Getting new investigators and starting to be effective missionaries, not just busy :)

 

BUT, the highlight of my week? Saturday. we got a call on Saturday morning from the sister missionaries. Saying, "Elder Johnson, Cindy wants you to baptize her tonight!" I'm all.. "Whhhaaaaa-?!" Cindy is a lady that the sisters have been teaching for about a month or two, and I've only met her a couple of times and talked to her at church :) but it was just amazing! she was so sweet. and then I got to stand in during her confirmation. Very fun experience :)

 

I've found my motto of what I want to focus my mission on :) "Come forth into the light" :) I just want to help people do just that!! I want the m to expel all darkness in their lives and come forth into the light :)

 

Most of our appointments this week have fallen through so we've been knocking a lot. I'm not the biggest fan of it. but that's mainly cause of the gnats here! They're so irritable. haha.

 

Elder Hooper and I are determined to get ripped this transfer! we have a picture of Arnold Swartczenegger I snatched from a magazine, we laminated it and we have it next to our workout station. haha we're going today to buy a bunch of healthy foods. I'm tired of being fat I decided. hahaha but wish me luck with everything :)

 

I love you so much :) Keep in touch <3

 

Jacob :)

or Elder Johnson :)

June 23, 2014

Well good golly! what a week! I forgot my planner so forgive me for leaving things out this week. But anyways, Elder Hatch is getting transferred!! But he's gonna be a Zone leader! I totally called it! hahaha super funny. :) He doesn't want to be zone leader  but I know he'll love it :) haha. It'd be hilarious if he become the new Zone leader in our zone! cause there's only two zone leader spots open. But it'll be fun :) I don't know who my next companion is yet. I really hope he's chill. I told Hatch, "If he's a loser I'm gonna be mad at you" hahahaha :)

 

We had a lot of other lessons this week with investigators, but every one in the branch was busy all week. So we didn't get any lessons done with a member present :/ So that stank pretty hard, but we did get a lot of good lessons with our peeps :)

 

Hahaha, I tried to patch up my tire on my bike and no matter what I did, it wouldn't work. I came to the conclusion I'll have to buy a new tube, but I have no idea where to buy a tube like mine. hahaha so pray for me still :) cause we've been driving everywhere and our miles are gonna be completely gone soon. haha

 

 Man I'm having a hard time remembering our week....

 

Yesterday I showed Elder Hatch the book I have people write to my future wife, an idea I stole from my good friend KoozKooz. Where people write a letter in a book to this girl about how lucky she is to have a fantastic man like me as her husband :) ahaha, so Elder Hatch started making one as well. It's really funny to read what people write in it :)

 

This lady in our branch, Sister Sherri, reminds me so much of Aunt Cindy, she kind of looks the same way Aunt Cindy did a couple years ago :) hahah it's really trippy. So I call her Aunt Sherri hahah :)

 

 On Saturday, we helped Ruth Walters clean more of her house cause it's still all burned and stuff hahaa. and she gave us Boxes and boxes of food and soap and a bunch of other stuff. Such a blessing! hhahah it was much needed :) we helped her out for like 4 hours. and we were able to find her Large Print book of Mormon that I found under a pile of other burned stuff, the Book of Mormon was untouched! super cool :)

 

 I've sat here looking at the screen for 15 minutes trying to remember, but this is what I came up with :/ I'm all burned out. Sorry

But I love you all :)

Love, Jacob :)

June 16, 2014

I can't believe I've been in Baxley for 5 weeks already! This has been probably the fastest transfer for me! Mainly because we're striving to always be effective and busy! I love it :) But  A LOT happened this week :)

 

For instance? There was 3 tornadoes in Baxley this week, 1 was just a mile and a half away from our house! But it was so tiny that no house got hit. BUT STILL... A TORNADO!! haha :) That storm was crazy! We got home at like 9:20 (driving home surrounded by huge lightning strikes) and our power was out.. So we got our CD player, some Christmas music, and listened to it, drinking chocolate milk, and sat on the back porch and watched all the lightning surround us :) It was a beautiful experience :)

 

Lol, this isn't as cool.. but we ran out of milk, and we're out of food pretty much except for cereal. and no milk. so we go to "The Girl Next Door." Who's a total "Georgia Peach". Hahaha. But we asked her for some milk. It was just funny to me :)

 

But one of our potentials, Ruth Walters, her house set fire!! This house is massive! It even has an elevator! But we went over on Saturday and helped her move things around and throw stuff away. It was really sad. We only helped for a couple hours or so, but they were so appreciative and awesome :)

 

But after that, we got home and shower and change and all that jazz, and to save miles, we decide to go bike around and try to talk to people on the street, and we were doing so good!! We had a lesson with someone on the street, and like 6 contacts in like 15 minutes!! just awesome, and we head over to GoodWill to contact more people.. and maybe buy a tie or two or whatever :) but we got like.. not even 10 feet from GoodWill... and my tire pops.. I can't help but just laugh. but when my tire is stopped leaking I still heard some air leaking, I look at Elder Hatch and say "Dude, I think your tire popped too." He's all "Nah, that was just yours." "No man, I promise it's yours." I grab his tire and it's popped as well!! Hahaha. So we end up walking home for 2.5 miles. It took us almost an hour! Flippin ridiculous :P We were walking home and we felt so defeated.. cause we have no money to fix our tires either! hhahaha so we'll be walking or driving everywhere!! SO just wish us luck :D haha

 

OH! Ok, this is probably the highlight of the week. Reggie, an excommunicated member who is more faithful than most members, comes out to teach with us. and we ran out of people to go see and he's all "We could go see my friend Evelyn" So we go talk to her (this is a couple weeks ago) and we've been going back to teach her every week. She's the most sweetest and cutest thing in the world!! She has a problem that makes it so her body can't absorb almost any Vitamin D and her bones are so very brittle. She can't lift her head up and down and she stays in a wheel chair. She's just so... amazing. I've given her a blessing, Which was one of the most heartfelt blessings I've given. and she's feeling tons better. But yeah, I love her so much! but we pull up to church yesterday, feeling defeated cause no one was going to be at church, and we see Reggie pushing someone in a wheel chair, and it was Evelyn!! We were just awe-struck! She loved church too! She was participating in sunday school and everything :) just a great Sunday :))

 

In Sunday school, I was in super deep thought... We were learning about the Life of Jesus Christ, and I was super quiet the entire time. But I was reading and listening deeply. I had found this scripture which I'm sure is my absolutely new favourite scripture. John 15:13-16

"13 Greater love‍ hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life‍ for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command‍ you.

 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard‍ of my Father I have made known‍ unto you.

 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen‍ you, and ordained‍ you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that‍ your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."

It just hit me really hard out of nowhere.

I just love Jesus Christ so much. We went over to Russ's house again (We go over every Sunday) and we watched Bible Videos about the life of Jesus Christ and this death and resurrection :) I almost started crying. Hahah. It was just such a good day yesterday :)

 

I know that Jesus Christ died for all of us. He suffered and bled for each and everyone of us. He was hung on the cross. But more importantly, than all of that, he rose again. He came back from the dead, resurrected. So that we may be resurrected as well to live with Him and Our Father AGAIN. So we may have eternal joy :) and everlasting peace :)

I love you all so much :) I miss you all. I hope y'all are making right decisions and I Hope y'all miss me a lot as well :) hahah

 

Love always, Jacob :)

June 9th

It's all gravy baby!! :)

Allllrriiggghhhtttyyy then! :) so this was one of our best weeks in Baxley Georgia!! We had a bunch of lessons! :) We got members to come out with us and members make such a big difference!! Their testimony strengthens the lesson tenfold!! :) We brought Brother Beverly with us this last week twice! What a swell guy! Very cool story about him, is that he can't read (not a lot of people can read down here). He was sharing this story with a person we met. "I can't read. you could put me in front of the Bible and I can read a couple of words here and there and same with the book of Mormon. But Paul (a member who moved away recently) gave me CDs that read it for me as I follow along. and I got to the point that I can read the Book Of Mormon without the CD's! " This man who can't read the newspaper, was given the ability to read the Book Of Mormon and parts of the Bible now with the grace and power of God :) It was just so reassuring to hear that from him!

 

I talked this last week in Sacrament meeting. Very difficult without 24/7 access to LDS.org and stuff. hahaha. I talked about 2 prophets in particular. Noah and Enoch! Noah preached repentance to people and they didn't listen and they all died. Enoch did the same. He preached repentance to people, but these people listened, and became so righteous that God took the entire city into Heaven, cause they were of one heart and one mind. Great stories :) I compared it to now, how we have a prophet on the Earth today, preaching the same thing the prophets of old did. We need to listen to their words and hearken and act upon their words if we plan on living with God again :)

We hosted a blood drive at our chapel, for a member, Jerry Branch... He's in the hospital in Savannah, with Leukemia. It's a very sad story that I don't have or remember all the details. But it was looking really bad for a while.. We had a branch fast, and this blood drive, and the doctors are now saying he's got a 60% ish of living now. Which is improving.

 

I don't know if I drank something weird. But I've been having the CRAZIEST dreams lately. It's been hysterical truly. But it was a really good week :) I love the people here. It's a pretty hard area. There are over 250 different churches in our area, and not a single one of them is The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! So it's pretty hard to get people to drive 20-30 minutes away to come to church for 3 hours, when they can go in their backyard and start a church (some people do) or walk 2 minutes and go to church for 45 minutes. So it's actually a pretty difficult area. But It is progressing I feel like :) President Hester (branch president) gave Elder Hatch and I the idea to fast for the area's progression like Alma the younger did for his area. haha :) so we tried it out and it must have worked, cause We got someone to church :) Her name is Deedee. We've been teaching her for about a month and she hasn't really made any commitments, but she came to church! She enjoyed it too!  That's the extent to my week I believe :) Have a fantastic week and I love you all! Find people to write me cause I'm lonely and bored on P-days :(

 

Love much, Jacob :)

June 2, 2014

Crashed my bike! hahaha. I hit a trashcan and I flipped over the handlebars, I landed on my elbow and realized I would get hurt doing that so I maneuvered so I would land on my helmet so i didn't get hurt :) it worked surprisingly haha. the bike is okay too! but that's not the worst story about the bike. So we were on exchanges, I was with Elder Hunsaker, and Elder and  Sister Foster (senior couple) and they were giving us a ride to our appointments cause we were out of miles. well, something came up so they had to go back to McCrae, so we had them drop us off at our apartment and it was about 4:30. We looked at our planner, and we had an appointment at 6. I looked on the map... IT WAS 11 MILES AWAY. I was pretty upset... So.. we started biking. haha, We got there at like 4:40 ish, but when we got there, they weren't even there!! can you believe that?! but their son was there and we taught him the first lesson. he really liked it all :) we'd teach him more but he leaves for the Army on June 11th.

we had interviews with President Cottle on Saturday, and since we didn't have miles, we got a ride to McCrae and had the McCrae elders give us a ride there. but we get back from interviews and all that, we got dressed to do service in McCrae, and Elder Hatch locks the apartment door cause he thinks everyone is done. BUT, he locked the keys and phone inside the apartment.. So that was fun. Lol.

We got a ride from the Fosters to take us back to Baxley, and when we get to our apartment door and the Fosters have driven off... elder Hatch mumbles "Uhm.. I forgot the keys." !! So we were locked out of our own apartment for 1 hour. We had to have the landlord come and unlock it. Within 5 minutes of us getting inside it starts pouring rain. The streets were flooded pretty bad. and it was recorded that within 1 hour there was about 280 strikes of lightning. It was really crazy, but very beautiful at the same time. Wish I had taken pictures of the lightning. 

The Branch is so tiny! It's so different to me! I'm used to a fair sized ward where you only talk once like every 6-8 months! I've been here for 3 weeks and I'm talking next Sunday in Sacrament meeting! I get to speak on following the prophet, so it shouldn't be too hard. I just hate public speaking with a passion. But I did bear my testimony yesterday. :) It was a really good meeting! I really enjoyed it! The only downfall here, is that one of the sister Missionaries reminds me of a close friend I had back home and that makes me trunky. The way she talks, looks, acts, her attitude, everything. hahaha. I complain to elder Hatch about it every day. Elder Hatch is the best! he's such a good example! He's always trying to find ways to improve and he loves everyone! 

In my testimony, I shared the thought I've been thinking about lately about a blacksmith. When a Blacksmith is making a sword, he gets it really really hot and then puts it on an anvil and gets a hammer and beats the crud out of it and whacks it! I shared my thoughts on how I feel like I've been beaten and whacked a lot. But when a blacksmith is done, he picks up the sword and looks at it. he'll know it's done when he sees his own reflection in the sword. Heavenly Father is our blacksmith and we are his sword! He's going to let us have our trials, but when it comes down to it, when we're finished, He should see His reflection in us. and others should see that we are His sword with His reflection when they look at us! and then I shared the scripture Doctrine and Covenants 24:8 (I'm paraphrasing) "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many, but endure them, for lo, I am with the, even until the end of thy days." This scripture has meant a lot to me on my mission cause I memorized it and then a week later it was quoted in General Conference several times. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want to be with us. We just have to open the door. He's already suffered for us. We need to do our part and follow his commandments and He will make all things easy. Cause through Him, ALL things are possible :)

Our main investigator, Russ, told us yesterday "Guys.. I'm really thinking about being baptized soon. Who do I talk to to get that rolling?"  We were in awe! we were like "US! TALK TO US!" hahaha, it was really cool cause he's been taking lessons for like 3 years or something like that :) but I've come to love the people of Baxley, mostly. They're really loving and caring. And everyone likes to talk about Jesus! hahaha. That's really the best part about the South!! you just have to say "Hey, y'all wanna talk and learn about our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ?!" and every one likes it :) but there are a lot of different faiths and religions that are reallllllyyyy out of wack. hahaha. I'll leave it at that. but these peeps be CRAAAAZZYYYY .

That's really all. I loveyou :) Live long and prosper.!! <3

May 26th

Fun fun week! Went on Exchanges with Elder Young! we were in Douglas and we just talked to everyone. A lot of people were super funny and really nice. We ran over and killed a possum. Really cool :P

 

Elder Hatch and I are super super low on miles, so we've been biking everywhere. just on Saturday alone, we biked around 20-ish miles! But It's all gravy baby :) We're going to join the gym today and start going hardcore! He's going to take some legal steroid pills and I'm going to take a dietary thingy. hahaha.  We've been talking to everyone we possibly can. It's been fun but a bit difficult. It's hard to just open your mouth and just speak. But we're getting better.

 

We went to Russ Carters house. He's an eternigator. Lol. He's been looking at the Church for a while. He's an eternal investigator. He goes to church every week and knows all the doctrine. He just hasn't been baptized. We had a very good discussion about the church while we were over there. He's a fur trader or something like that. He catches his own animals, skins them, fleshes them, dries them out and sells them. We were helping him out with that :) We staple the Hides to a board and hang board up and that's how it dries. haha. He catches Beaver, Racoon, Coyotes, and Hogs. We just help him out with the beavers. but it is a lot of fun. Elder Hatch put a beavers face on his and I took a picture of it. It's very weird cutting a beavers face off. ahah.

 

But I forgot my planner back home. So I don't remember much of what happened this last week. sorry for the short email. but I love you all :)

 

<3/ Jake :)

May 19th 2014

Well then!! Got transferred!! Hahaha.

 

 Got sent to Baxley Georgia!! It's a teeny tiny place! There's not even a building for church here. The nearest one is like 35 miles away. And with Hazelhurst and Baxley combined, it makes a huge branch of like 35 people. hahah. I didn't know that branches actually existed!! I thought they were just a little myth! But yeah. Tiny little branch. They had me go up and introduce myself and all that Jazz. It's a nice place here :)

 

Stupid me forgot my helmet in Grovetown... So we're driving everywhere and now we have almost no miles left. haha It really stinks.

 

Elder Hatch though! Oh my gosh! He's fantastic!! He's from Spokane, Washington! Super cool guy :) We hit it off right away! I love it!! On the ride back, the member who was giving us a ride asked Elder Hatch if he'd ever marry a black lady and he said yes so brother McCall yelled "AHHH!! YOU NIG--R LOVER!! YOU'RE DIRTY!" HAha! I almost died! Everyone here is pretty much racist. It's flipping hilarious :) Elder Hatch is like my twin I swear! He's the best :) He calls me Whinnie the Pooh a lot of the time, or his little friend in Spanish. :P He's just hilarious :)

 

But it was a good week! Met a lot of nice people! Very busy! Taught a lot of lessons :) People are so nice here, most of the time.

 

Elder Hatch got pulled over! hahaha! He did a California Stop at a stop sign, and right as he went, I saw a cop and was all "Oh crap. Copper." and right as I said that, his lights went on. So Elder Hatch got a citation. $196! Geez! We're so poor!! We've been living off of burgers and bread! hahaha. I forgot all my food in Grovetown and I spent all my money. But this lady at Church came up to us and gave us 20$!! What a blessing! We were able to buy groceries today :)

 

Wish me luck :) Love you all!! :)

 

Jake <3

May 12th! Mother's day!!!

Hey guys! Busy week! Jeff is super excited for his baptism on May 31st! He's asked me to baptize him as well! Hopefully I can :)

Transfer calls were this last week. Elder Shelton and I both thought we were leaving cause he's been here for 6 months and I've been here for almost 5. :) but, much to our surprise, we both are staying! Crazy awesome :) he's been one of my best friends these last 5 months. He's done so much for me. 

Talking to everyone was awesome! Definitely wasn't expected at all :) but it was a blast. Lol. Ended up talking for about an hour and a half or so and Elder Stilson kicked me off, then he ended up staying on for 3 hours. Haha. But i made dinner for the Kasper family. :) made some cheese burger macaroni and also cupcakes for dessert :) it was fun. It was my good deed cause I couldn't make dinner for Mum back home. 

That really was all. But I'm at a members house and using his iPad so idont wanna take up too much time. I love you all. Thank you for everything you've done. :)) 

Elder Johnson

May 4th, 2014

Okay. Not a lot happened this week. BUT!! On Wednesday Jeff texted us and said "Guys, I have something to tell y'all" and this worried me. Cause he's a pretty hardcore Southern Baptist. So nothing more than the Bible. and nothing less. But he did let us give him a Book Of Mormon. We gave him reading assignments and he read them and seemed to like them. We watched a movie that was about Joseph Smiths life. After the movie he turned to us and said "Wow. That makes so much sense now. He translated the book of Mormon through the power of God." So I wasn't too worried about his thing he had to tell us but I was enough to not prepare a lesson. Lol. We took Brother Jesse Norris, an ex Southern Baptist Anti Mormon Preacher, with us to go see Jeff. and The first thing Jeff says is "Guys. I know the Book of Mormon is true! Now I just have to give up Coffee and Smoking! Then I can get baptized!!" I was awestruck!! haha :D He is preparing for baptism on May 31st! I really hope I'll still be here for that!

This last sunday was super good! Something funny: After church, I was standing next to Brother and Sister Jennings. and Brother Jennings owns the little ceasers around town and we get it for free. So I was thanking him for being so nice! Sister Jennings looks just like my sister, Kenzie, and I've never really talked to her. But I told her that she looked like my sister, and brother Jennings says "Is she super hot?" lol. flipping awkward! I was all... "I'm not answering that cause if I say yes, I'm saying my sister is hot which is weird and that your wife is hot. and if I say No, I'm saying your wife is ugly. and so it's a lose/lose for me" They both laughed pretty hard at that :) hahaha She was all "just ignore him. Act like He didn't say anything" haha :) but this dude is MASSIVE! He's just a massive steroid pill! He's super funny!!

I bore my testimony this last week. I felt impressed to talk about the Saviour. This last week I was watching a video. It had President Monson quoting a Hymn. "Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives". It hit me out of no where. Jesus lives! like. he has a body of flesh and bone. That could talk to me like I am talking to you! He breathes and moves like we do! as does our Heavenly Father! :) Just hit me like a brick wall out of no where!! :) 

This week is transfers. So I'm really worried I'll leave :( *knock on wood* I don't want to leave Grovetown. I'm really enjoying it here. I just want to stay one more transfer if I could! But I find out on Saturday. So if you write me this week, write it to the mission home just in case. 

I love you all! :) Be safe and love the Lord!

hmmmmmmmmm (april 28th 2014)

OKAY! So on my 2nd day in the mission, I taught this guy named Jeff. His GF is a member of our ward but has never came since I've been here. We taught them the one time and we never got a hold of them ever. But this last week she called us and rescheduled an appointment.So we taught them again :) He came to football this morning and played with us. We're going over there again tonight to teach them again. and He's so cool! Surprisingly open-minded for being a Southern Baptist! Loves his bible. :) He's an ex-marine and just super polite! One of the most polite people I've met so far.

During my down time, after 10 oclock, after i've written in my journal and all. I've started to write my book!! I haven't told a lot of people this. but I plan to write a couple books :) and I've finally started it! it's very very difficult. I give authors a lot more credit now. hahaha. 

nothing else happened at all this week. Sadly enough. but it's awesome that we finally have a solid person to teach :) It makes me happy :)

Sorry for no big long email. But, I love you all :)

Live Long and Prosper :)

Love Jacob :))

We all have rough weeks,, here's Elder Johnsons

So this week was especially horrible!!

I had to go to the Dr's 3 different times. Ended up going to the ER, and getting an ultrasound (Felt so so funny and awesome! ) but I almost had a hernia. I pulled a groin muscle really well. they said if I don't take it carefully it will become a hernia. So I stayed inside most of the week cause it was really hurting. (This is the short story of the experience) lol

On Thursday, I was taking the pills they gave me and I wasn't feeling good. So we ended up staying inside Friday and Saturday, but then I was puking at church. It was just a rough week. :/ 

but on Thursday, Sister Kasper gave me a blanket and Brother Kasper gave me a tie :) He's giving me some more today too!! But this blanket is just awesome!!!! :)) It makes me so happy. Its all fuzzy. 

This was the extent to my week really. Very boring. very petty. hahaha.

April 7th email

Hey Y'all! Transfers were this last week! Got a new companion! Elder Stilson from Pleasant Grove Utah! He is a bit odd. haha. He means really good though. He checks the phone like my Mother. I'll read him the conversation WORD FOR WORD and he still checks it. It makes me laugh. We hit a rough spot on Thursday and so last night we talked for about 2 1/2 hours together so we could get to know each other a lot better. Just talk about everything. So that we can become the best set of missionaries in the Macon Georgia Mission!!

But all we've done this week is go knocking. It's annoying. We've knocked SO many houses, with a couple potentials that end up not even being interested. Pisses me off. UGH.

But Every one that says "I already know Jesus, so I'm good" I always reply with "WOW! ISN"T HE THE BEST!!??" Lol :) It's fun to talk to people about faith. It's only awkward if you make it I figured out. But I'm still shy at first. 

Momma K took us to olive garden and I tried Shrimp! It was good. But of course it was covered in seasonings and other crap. lol

CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME!! I think my favourite talk was my Russel M. Nelson! Man, what a talk. Go listen to it!! But we stayed at the church all day Saturday and Sunday. In between sessions, we played volleyball and I ripped a pair of pants. lol. I sewed it up to the best of my ability though :) So I hope it holds. hahaha

  

My knee has been hurting a lot this last week so Momma K gave me a bunch of essential oils to help me out and it's definitely been a blessing :) That entire family brightens up my day any time of the day :) 

One thing I noticed that I've changed about since being on my mission is that I definitely recognize blessings a lot more. and I state it too! haha :) It makes you feel very grateful and you notice how well Heavenly Father cares and loves you. He pours out blessings to His children, so I encourage you all to try and notice blessings and state them too :) You'll definitely feel a lot more grateful :)

love always, Jacob :)

OOPS!

Why didn't someone tell me I was behind! OIY!!!!!

March 31 email:

Nothing really happened!! hahah Boring boring week! We had to drop Jenice cause she just wasn't keeping appointments so now we have absolutely nothing to do.. haha :/ But Transfers are tomorrow!! Elder Blain gets transferred tomorrow! (bittersweet moment) We don't know where. But it's his last 6 weeks then he goes home. ahah. So I'm a bit nervous of who my new comp will be. :l Wish me luck!

I went on exchanged again with Elder Cherry! Man what a guy! We spoke in a Canadian accent all day just for the heck of it! it was the funniest thing! Cause we made "Strange Brew" references the entire time! haha :) But he's from Arizona. he's gonna be the new District Leader cause Elder Blain was. 

I remember when I was little, I always say the adults at the table making jokes and laughing and I wished so badly to be a part of that!! Now I am. So it makes me happy :) hahaha. We ate at the Simmons this last Saturday and we just shared stories for a while and we did more laughing than anything! haha :) What a blast. 

Elder Blain and I went on Fort Gordon to do the Physical Fitness Test for the Army with Rick! Man, it's harder than I thought!! I could get into basic training. But that's all. hahaha. But it was really fun at the same time :) 

Elder Shelton is getting a new companion too! So it'll be 2 new people in our apartment so it is gonna be weird. haha :) but I'm excited for a little change!! 

Y'all could pray for us missionaries to have success..? :) That'd be fantastic :) haha

Love you all!! :) Jacob<3

He's sooo excited!....

ERRRRMEEEHHHHGERD!!!! ALANNAH IS PREGNANT!! I'M GONNA BE AN UNCLE!! haha :) She told us and I got so so happy! :) They're so excited about it :) It's adorable! haha :) we went and bought them a balloon that says "Welcome Little One" and it's got a cartoon of lion king on there with Baby Simba. :) we crossed out One and put Mabrey. So it says "Welcome Little Mabrey" :) hahaha

This week was a drag but it went by really really fast :) On Tuesday I was on exchanges with the zone leaders again. I was with Elder Poti in Augusta. we taught a bunch of lessons and contacted a lot of people too :) Elder Poti asked me "What do you expect to get out of this exchange" and I told him I was having a hard time with confidence when I am teaching. so we had an AWESOME companionship study that went longer than it was supposed to :) but we were jumping around scriptures and it was really neat. cause he pointed out that even Moses was afraid. He wasn't confident at all about what to do. He even called himself a little child. then a couple of other Prophets. It really stuck out to me that I need not confidence in me, but in the Lord. Cause it's through Him that I'm teaching. and I'm not really even teaching. It's the Spirit and I'm just there to bring the Spirit there :) It totally changed my point of view on that too. 

We had a ward picnic this last week. It was really fun to just be with the members out of church :) played some football with them. I threw my shoulder out and it still hurts. lol :P I'm never careful enough. My knee has been bugging me for the past couple weeks. So I bought a knee strap that fits under my pants that you can't see. it helps a lot actually. I feel broken. lol :P

We helped the Allens get some more rocks. again. lol. It was a flipping ton. We were there for 4 and a half hours helping them!! She gave us a drink and halfway through it I realized it was tea. hahaha so I stopped drinking it. It was like a V8 energy thingy. it was gross anyways. 

Sister Brenay made the best food! Oh my goodness. It was rice and gravy and beef! Best thing I could have wanted :))) hahahahah. her and her husband both served missions, so they say "Tell me what you don't like. Or you might get it." and she like interrogated me. hahaha xD but I ate bananas too so it was somewhat healthy :) he's in the Marines and he will tell us stories that he's gone through. It's so funny cause she hates the stories but we love them!! haha :)

This is all that really happened this week. :P

love you all!! <3 Jacob

BUSIER WEEK! * he makes me smile so much*

We got like 4 potential investigators that we knocked into that we're gonna try this next week.

We did get one new investigator. Her name is Jenice. She's like 25 and has a little baby boy. She let us in and we taught her the first lesson (the restoration) it was very spiritual and just awesome!! The Spirit was very strong! She told us afterwards, "I've been praying for help cause I haven't gone to church in like 8 years. So I'm pretty sure you're sent from God" :D IT WAS AMAZING! 

We also had interviews with President Cottle! it was really fun. I love him so much! After talking with him I could tell that he definitely was called here for a reason as well :)

Elder Wilde (Shelton's Companion) and I went on exchanges and we went biking!! We biked like 8-10 miles. I had to come back and change my entire attire!! I was soaked with sweat. It was AWESOME :) haha 

I had the worst meal I think I've ever had... I felt so bad. It was like these nasty stringy noodles that were lemon flavoured. Then it was a salad with lemon dressing already on it. It had red AND yellow tomatoes, PURPLE POTATOES (WHAT?!) and a palm tree heart (which was the worst thing I've ever tasted..)

We were helping Brother Allen and his wife dig up rocks and break them so that they could outline their garden with them. Well I broke a really big one and went to pick it up and it cut me halfway across my palm. It stung like a bee.

Then we also helped Mamma K power wash her fence cause they're getting it stained this week!! We were there for like 3 hours and barely got like 15 feet!! It was ridiculous. I got so wet from the washer. I might as well have jumped into a pool xD 

Mike got the Priesthood yesterday too!! I was able to stand in on that and it was a blast. He's so excited to do the sacrament next week :) We might help him with that. He's come so far. It's awesome! He came and played football with us this morning too cause he didn't have work.  :)

So on my mission I've been "diagnosed" with like 8 diseases. I have ADD (very possible), an Eating Disorder, Studders, "Dwarf Hands".. haha and Much more :P Elder Shelton says I had ADD Cause "I laugh at his jokes and his jokes are horrible cause he has ADHD. and I can't keep a thought straight and my train of thought is just crazy"

Apparently, the women in the relief society were talking about how much I eat. hahah xD This last week for one dinner we ate at the Lerches and she made a pizza with everything on it.. Olives, mushrooms, pepperoni, onions, carrots, and so much more. It wasn't HORRIBLE. But I saw that Strawberries were for dessert. So I had 7 pieces of pizza so I wouldn't be lying when I say I'm too full for berries.... Strawberries make me sick. I don' tknow why. It bugs me cause they're huge down here..

That's really about all that happened but it was a total blast :))

Love much, Jacob :)

Random Text messages from a Momma K? WHAT?!?!?!?!

Todd and I are at the Dialysis clinic on Thursday, when I get this random text from a out of state number.. Here's the conversation: my responses are in blue

We have your son!!! Lol
(surprisingly I remained calm and didn't immediately jump to "The Saratov Affect")

THAT BOY NEEDS A SHAVE!!!! Slap him for me, then give him the BIGGEST FREAKING HUG!!,, Who is this?

This is Momma K.  We are out to dinner with them.  My name is Debbie

Hi Debbie!!! Thank you so much for looking after him! I'd love to see a pic of the two of ya!!
I'm Momma J! LOL Aka Rhonda! (all our elders call me Momma J, started about 2 years ago)
Is that Elder Blaine with him? I got an email from his mom last night!!

I'll take one later with him.  No that's Elder Shelton

Oh you tease!  Hi Elder Shelton.  Exchanges today?   

No we didn't get new ones.  Elder Shelton has been here for awhile

Love it!! Is that you Debbie?

No, we are eating with all four of them!!

WOW!!! Look at you being all excellent!!!!  If possible I'd love a pic of all 4 of them!

No, that's my daughter Alexis.  
Thank you.
Not a problem,, I will take one when we're done with dinner.

Here's a pic for him, Mom, Dad and Erma, our Dialysis queen!!!
 Thank you for taking such good care of these boys!We love you and your family!!!!

Aww, thank you so much for letting him be here with us.  He is such a wonderful man.  You guys did a good job with him, but don't tell him I said that!! LOL
We love you too!

*que proud mum tears*
 Enjoy your dinner!! And what the heck hug him again for me!!! He seriously gives the BEST hugs!

Will do








Now for dessert



ok this is everyone!

 
Love it! What a great looking group!!

TY, (thank you)


Here are all the guys!!

Awesome, I love it! My phone is going to die and we are in Dialysis, so I'll charge it as soon as we are done and respond to anything you send me,, Thank you!!!!!

Sadly, that was the end of our conversation, but I'm pretty sure I'll hear from her again!!  What an excellent surprise!!! Especially since we were at the Dialysis clinic!!
          

Oh I was meaning are they on splits?

KNOCK KNOCK!! (march 10,2014)

I know some of you might hate this short email (Mum) but I did nothing. I knocked all week. Literally. Hours and hours of knocking. Nothing happened. We had a few potentials and we tried them back but they didn't answer! Ugh.

We did run into a guy named Barry Morris and he went to mormon.org and thought we don't believe Jesus Christ is the son of God. So we had to clear that up. We gave him a Book of Mormon. Hope he follows through. :) 

Last week we gave Mike a blessing, cause he's had hip problems for the last 4 years. We went over and gave him a blessing. This last Sunday he said that he hasn't had any pain since :) What a miracle! I'm so proud of him and how far he's come :)

Speaking of miracles!! Man, so a rule is that if it's not above 75 degrees, we have to wear a sweater or jacket. It was 72 degrees. We were so mad. But we said a prayer for the temp to get hotter or have the car at least says it got hotter. and we say amen, and it jumps up to 75 degrees and then to 80 degrees in a flash!! What a miracle!! we were so happy :)

Sister Kasper (Kaylee's mom is just like mine..) haha I call her Momma K!! She bought us Mcdonalds for dinner this last week :) They're the best family. I love them so much!!

On Thursday, we went out with Brother Norris, a recent convert, and tried to go see some inactive people and potential. But Every single one fell through. So we pretty much spend the day with Grandpa Norris! haha :) Then we ate at his house and had lasagna :P She makes it really good though :)

Oh! Cosmo, the one who was in jail, got out of jail. We went to go see him and he told us that he gave our number to every inmate he talked to.. haha. I guess they need the gospel too though right?! :)

That's all for this week really.. But I LOVE YOU ALL :) 

Love always, Jacob :)) <3

Meh:

Not a whole lot happened this week. We knocked Every single day. for hours on end....

No one is interested. Lol This girl answered the door (opened it) and said no one is home. Wow. hahahahahaha. 

But there is this guy, Cosmo. He's been taking the lessons for a couple years but not progressing. He's on probation so he can't get baptized. Well, he called us and we missed the call, we call him back and a lady answers and says "Grovetown Police Safety" HAHAHA xD

We check our voice mail and Cosmo left one saying "Hey Guys. Uh, could you go to my house and tell Tonie (His Wife) to bring me underwear, socks and my Book Of Mormon."  So we go to do that and she asks when the visitation hours are. So we're under the impression he is in jail or something lol

Elder Wilde, Elder Shelton's new companion, and I traded ties. He had one I particularly liked, and I got it. I wore it the next day and it turns out that it originally belonged to Elder Blain! Elder Blain gave it to Elder Snyder (His older companion about a year ago) and he gave it to Elder Wilde and he gave it to me! hahah we found it was pretty funny :)

The new sister missionaries in our area are irritable. Okay, so we have 3 pairs of missionaries in our area. The Bike Elders get the immediate area cause it's close. and the sisters and us split the area. THEY WON'T STAY IN THEIR AREA. They went to all the inactive people we're teaching in our area, stealing the bike elders area as well. It's just a hassle. Ugh.

AND THEN, while the sisters were in the bike elders area, they ran into a lady that already rejected us, and she asked for their help to paint her house. and of course they volunteer us :) It wasn't that bad really. Except the house was probably the worst house I've ever seen. Okay, actually no, I've seen bad houses, but it was pretty bad. and the lady is pregnant! Cockroaches everywhere. I felt horrible for them. We started painting at 11 am and didn't finish until 3 pm. Brother Allen bought us Chinese Food after. It was like Heaven. oh man :)haha

This last week, dinners were really good. A lot of mexican food. AGAIN :/ hahaha.

but we ate at the Allens house, and the wife is a vegetarian or something. But we had a tuna casserole which was DELICIOUS :D but we ate there again two days later and she made a vegetarian dish with broccoli and colliflour and other spices and stuff.. it was soooo good. I don't know how she made a meal without meat taste good....

That's what this week consisted of :) 

Love, Jacob :)