Good Bye College Place!

It's pretty insane, but, I'm getting transferred to Kennewick East. I seriously did not see this coming. I was almost positive that I was going to stay here in College Place. But I guess the Lord needs me there. What's even crazier is that we're being doubled out! Elder Shugart is getting transferred all the way up to Leavenworth. That means that he's going to be in the Yakima Mission and it looks like I'll being staying in the Kennewick Mission. Crazy stuff! Oh! And what's even more crazy is that we've also both been called as district leaders in our new areas. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that. I seriously have no idea what to expect. And this new area is going to be 100% Spanish which I'm also pretty nervous about. These last two areas I've been in have also had a lot of English work, but now it's solomente Espanol! So I could definitely use some prayers this week. But more than anything I'm just so excited. It's going to be so tough to say goodbye to this area. It's been incredible here. Especially the people. I love the people here so much and it's been an amazing privilege to serve here.

We met some amazing people this week! Just in time for us to leave... We were walking down the street one day and there was a lady who was carrying this big huge thing (not really sure what it was), so we went over to see if she needed help and it was this hispanic lady who told that she was already a member! She used to go to the Spanish Branch but now she works every Sunday. But anyways she called out her kids from inside the house. We had a really great lesson with all of them. We found out that two of the three kids are baptized and her youngest son, Carlos, isn't! We the next time we say them we set a baptismal date for Carlos for July 11th. He's a really cool kid and we're really excited for him.   

We also met this other girl named Emmy! It was a referral from the second ward Bishop and  we met her last Monday. She's twelve years old and she's been going to young women's in second ward for a while now. But she finally went to church for the first time last week. So they sicked the missionaries on her! She lives in College Place boundaries so she'll be going her, but she didn't have any problem with that because she already has lots of friends in College Place! We also were able to set a baptismal date for her for the 11th. She's so awesome!   

We haven't been able to make any more contact with Steve. He got back from his trip last Saturday. We've been pretty annoying to his family haha. We've been calling him a lot, going by his house, sending his fellowshippers to go by. But I guess he's still just recovering from the surgery. We're not really worrying about him at all though. He's the most solid/golden investigator ever. That's going to be one of the hardest things about leaving this area. Not being able to see Steve's baptism. My new area is pretty close so it is possible that I will be able to come back to see it. I really hope so!  We're going to go by to try and teach him again tonight. Pray that we will be able to see him!  

I gave a talk yesterday in the Spanish Branch. Boy, was I nervous. I barely had any time to prepare it so it could've been a lot better. But it was a good experience. I spoke on the importance of families. It was a really amazing principle to study on. It really made me grateful for my own family. About how loving and supportive they are. And especially the examples that they are to me about the happiness that we can receive by living this gospel. Love you guys! And happy Father's Day!

 

Thanks for everything!

Elder Scott

p.s.For now, just send ya stuff here... 

8202 West Quinault Ave. Suite D

Kennewick WA 99336

Teaching at the University

Elder Shugard and Me at the Temple

Alma 7

Jun 8 at 12:18 PM

Well, it feels like I just emailed you guys because it was only Wednesday since the last time we did! So I guess there's not too much that has happened since then. But it's still been really great! 

Good news and bad news about Dharma. Good news is is that she's now living permanently in College Place! The bad news is is that it's out of our area... Pretty big bummer. But it's all good! Because she's in 2nd Ward and our roommates cover that ward and they're great missionaries. They've already taught her twice since we've passed her over.  

Steve is great! He's off on his trip to Seattle right now for his crazy eye surgery. We had another amazing lesson with him this last Saturday though. And we gave him the Book of Mormon on CD for his trip. He's super excited to be able to listen to them, especially since his wife will be driving and she'll be forced to listen to them! Steve has been nagging at his wife this entire that he has been taught to have her involved too. We're praying that her listening to the Book of Mormon will help soften her heart. He told us something really cool the other day too when he was telling us about his reading in the Book of Mormon. He said how is now in Alma and when he read Chapter 7, he had to read it three more times! And each time had broughten him to tears. He told us that he feels so wearied down by his trials sometimes--especially with his physical ones. But to know that Jesus Christ has suffered those things and much, much more brought peace to his soul. He's still very excited for his baptism--and so are we!   

We were asked by our mission president to bear our testimonies during fast and testimony meeting of the four essential truths, which are: Jesus Christ is our Savior, the first vision happened, the Priesthood has been restored, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It was a great experience. I shared an experience that I had during our Zone Meeting this last week. At the beginning of the meeting we all read in unison "The Living Christ". It was such special experience for me. I could barely make it through reading it because the Spirit was so strong. I have a testimony that Jesus is the Christ and he is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. 

And I am especially so grateful to be one of His representatives. To serve God's children and help them closer to Christ is an opportunity that I am so grateful for.

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support!

Elder Scott     

A Testimony That Lives On

Hello everyone!

Hey sorry I'm a few days late. I forgot to let you guys know last week but this week we had our temple p-day. So we're emailing today instead of Monday. 

Not too much has happened. Or at least I can't really remember anything right now. 

We've dropped most of our investigators. There came to a point that a lot of them just weren't progressing at all. Of course we kept our solid ones. But most of them are OUT! So we're leaving a lot more time for some good ol' finding this week. 

Steve is still doing very well. He still hasn't come to church though because of health issues. He can barely leave his house sometimes. He told us a few days ago that he's having this crazy eye surgery next week and he's going to be in Seattle all next week. So that's kind of a bummer. But he's still so solid and we're so excited for his baptism. We also were able to give him a blessing for health for his surgery. As I was giving him that blessing I could feel so much love that Heavenly Father had for him, it was a very amazing experience. 

We got an unfortunate call from Coby yesterday. He told us that he wasn't sure if he wanted to continue meeting with us anymore. He just didn't know if this was the path that he should take. What made it really awful was that a few weeks ago he was more than ready. And he wanted it too! But a lot of things just got in the way and he hesitated. It really goes to show that when someone is ready for baptism, then do it! 

Dharma moved--again. But not too far. She's still within our zone but the place she's staying right now should only be for a few more days. Her mom informed us that she should be moving in with her grandpa who lives in College Place! So hopefully that will happen soon so that we can start teaching her again and get her progressing towards her date! 

Last week we graduated from the High School... to the University. After we taught the class at the high school, one of the university professors contacted us and wanted us to come and teach in one of his classes! It was actually a lot better than the high school. They were much more respectful and asked really amazing questions. What was also really amazing was being guided by the Spirit. There were times that they would ask a question and I would have no idea. But I would pray for the Spirit to guide me to what to say and my mouth was filled. Very amazing. The Spirit there was so strong. Especially when Elder Shugart and I taught about the first vision. It was hard not to get emotional because the Spirit there was just so thick. 

Well the temple was great! As always... And actually for the first time I saw a different video! Each time I've always seen the same one. It was an amazing experience. I always love going to the temple and feeling the incredible Spirit there. 

It was pretty sad hearing about Elder Perry. We found out a day later at church and realized that when he did pass away, Elder Shugart and I were giving the time of reverence for a baptism in the district. We played a Mormon Message on the Restoration with Elder Perry. I remember his testimony giving me so much strength at that time. It's amazing to see these men who are called of God who have such strong testimonies that it continues to live on, even when they leave. 

I love being a missionary! And I love serving others. There are so many amazing things happening in this area. And it's an incredible opportunity to be apart of it. 

Thank you for your prayers, 

Elder Scott