Two month mark

Another week has come and gone! And today is my two month mark! Haha it's really not that much but it's crazy how much time has already passed. 

The days really are all starting to blur together, so it's pretty hard to remember what we've done this week! We were able to see Tom twice, I can't remember if I've mentioned Tom or not. We are teaching him and his wife up in Tanasket, so we can't see them as often as we'd like. But we were able to have some really good discussions with them and they're making a lot of progress. The only obstacle is that they're having a lot of problems with their marriage. But we're hoping they'll pull through! 

We got two new investigators this week. One's name is Clint. He's somehow related to one of the members in the ward--I'm not really sure. We tracted into him, and we almost didn't get to meet him. Because there are a lot pf areas in this town where it's kinda hard to tell if it is a house. And Clint's house definitely didn't... It's pretty sad to see the conditions that some people live in, but it's also very humbling! We were able to sit down with him and talk a little about the restoration and the Book of Mormon. And we're scheduled to see him again! Last night we met with Hailey, our other new investigator. we've been trying to meet with her ever since I got here but we've never been able to catch her at a good time. But last night we tried again and had a VERY good discussion with her. She's only 20 years old, but she has a lot of faith in God and has a great desire to know of the truth. During the lesson her mom popped in out of nowhere and said, "in this household, we don't believe anything should be added to the Bible." We tried to explain to her that it's just ANOTHER testament. She didn't agree. But it was very interesting because after that Hailey told her mom that "well maybe I want to believe that! And I want to hear what they have to say!" It was kinda funny, but it was so cool to see that she's very independent and she's wants to find out the truth for herself. So hopefully that will turn into something!

Well we're not giving up on Dorothy and Steve. We just feel that we need to sit down with them and have a good discussion about everything. Keep praying for them!

It's starting to get very cold here. It's been raining a lot which I love! It's very beautiful.

I love you and miss you all!

Elder Scott 

Two Elder Ians

Hello everyone!

Wait, didn't I JUST email you guys? Man, time really does fly out here in the field! And there were quite a few things that happened this week--good and bad. But that's the life of a missionary! 

We had stake conference yesterday. About a quarter of the chapel was filled. Much different than Utah. But it was still very good! They always put a huge emphasis on member missionary work, which is awesome because this ward could REALLY work on that. Hopefully we'll see more volunteers for member present lessons. 

We went on exchanges this week. And they were tons of fun! I went down to Coulee Dam with Elder Wilkey. He's an English speaking Elder and we got along very well. And it was pretty funny when we discovered we have the same first name! Haha his name is Ian... it was kinda weird. 

When we got back from the exchanges Elder Pullman had some bad news for me. They went and saw Dorthy and Steve when I was gone and they told them that they no longer want to be baptized. They did some further investigation on the churches stance on homosexuality. Their daughter who came to church (and loved it) is gay. And they decided that they couldn't join a church that would not be able to accept their daughter as well. We tried to explain everything: That she can be gay but she just can't practice, that this is her trial that she has to go through, the you wouldn't be abandoning her by being baptized, etc. We tried everything. Elder Pullman was telling me that it seemed like they didn't want to make the decision, is was a very difficult thing for everyone involved. So just keep them in your prayers! We think that they just need some time. Conversion requires a lifetime! 

Other than that, we've been having a pretty good week. Our other investigator, Martin, has been making a lot of progress. And, when we went up to Oroville this week. We got a referral from a member. So we contacted them and it was a very cool experience. This married couple, Tom and Rosemary, are going through a pretty difficult time in their marriage. Tom's best friend is a member and introduced the gospel to him. We met with Tom and Rosemary (separately) and had a discussion. So hopefully that will turn into something! 

It was pretty tough to see Dorthy and Steve get so close to the waters of baptism then have them turn away. But that's just apart of the work! People have their agency and it's especially when people are so close to salvation that the adversary will do everything he can. But it has definitely made me appreciate this gospel. And how much it has blessed my life, and even when we are tempted, we can always come back and yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

I love you guys! 

Mission Address

Elder Ian Scott

8202 West Quinault Ave. Suite D

Kennewick, WA 99336

or iscott@myldsmail.net

First week in Washington

 

Hello everyone! 

Well, I'm finally here in Washington. So what do you want to know first? My area? My companion? Well they're all great! 

Our first night we stayed in Kennewick. Sister Ware made a huge dinner for us. It was honestly some of the best food I've ever eaten. Only because anything other than cafeteria mexican food is a good option. President Ware is an amazing man. I've only had a short interview with him. But he is so kind and very inspired. 

So my area is the most northern part of the mission, it's also the largest. And it's covered by me and my companion. We're over two wards the Omak ward and the Oroville ward. We live here in Omak and then we go up to Oroville once or twice a week. They're both English wards. Omak is amazing. It's a cute little town surrounded by a bunch of lakes, trees and cliffs. And I absolutely love it! The people here are so amazing. Since our area is so huge, and it's only covered by me and my companion, we do a lot of driving. We had a zone meeting last Saturday and it was so far away we had to drive the night before to another companionship's apartment and spend the night just so we could be there early enough for the meeting.

My trainers name is Elder Pullman. He's a really cool and calm guy. And guess what, he's from Benjamin! So he went to Spanish Fork High. Small world, huh? But yeah we get along very well and I've learned so much from him already. 

I gave a talk in church yesterday. It wasn't too bad, we just had to talk about general conference. And it was in English. I actually have been speaking barely any Spanish here. Which I have very mixed feelings about. Because on one hand I'm able to communicate very well with everyone, but on the other hand, I can't practice my Spanish! But it'll all work out. 

There is much work to be done here in Omak! We are always very busy keeping up with everyone. And we already have two people on date for baptism! Elder Pullman and his last companion received a mormon.org reference and it was from an older woman named Dorthy. She had been investigating the church on her own for about a month. Then she finally requested the missionaries. In between Sunday sessions of conference they invited Elder Pullman and his companion for lunch, the first thing she told them was that she and her husband (Steve) had received a witness that President Monson is called of God and they wanted to be baptized. I just met them last Saturday and they are amazing. Steve used to be a Baptist minister and Dorthy used to teach the anti-mormon class at their church. They've certainly come a long way! He actually just lost his job too which is really sad. But he's relying on the gospel and his faith in Christ to help him. They also came to church yesterday, and they brought their daughter and Dorthy's sister. After the meeting we asked them how they liked it and their daughter (Beck) had tears in her eyes and she said that it has been a long and painful journey for her, but she knows that she's in the right place. So we set up an appointment with her this thursday! Steve and Dorthy will be baptized on the 25th of October. 

Well I'm absolutely loving it here! The people are amazing and there's so much work to be done.  

I love and miss you all! 

Elder Scott  

He's Here!

Dear Missionary Family,

 

We are delighted to inform you that your missionary has arrived safely to the Washington Kennewick Mission.  We already love them and are excited to serve with them.  We have enjoyed becoming acquainted with them and are confident that they will become an effective instrument in the hands of the Lord in sharing the gospel with the people of Washington and Oregon.

 

We have assigned them a companion who is an experienced, devoted, and motivated missionary.  All of our missionaries understand that one of the greatest privileges available in the mission is to train a new missionary.  This first companion will be a special person in your missionary’s life and will help give them a great start here.

 

We feel that our greatest responsibility is the care and welfare of your child.  We want to assure you that we will be in regular contact with them.  We will be observant of their physical health, happiness and spiritual well being.  We will work closely with them throughout the mission to help them succeed and fulfill their calling as a representative of the Church and as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

Please be assured that we will be in contact with you if we encounter any concerns that would call for your attention.  We see you as a great asset to the success of your missionary while they are serving here and will work closely with you if the need arises.  You would help us immensely by informing us of any changes to address, phone number or email for you, your bishop or your stake president.  We want to keep our records current so that we can keep in touch whenever necessary.

 

Attached are photographs of your missionary taken with us at the welcome dinner at the mission home, along with a map of the mission.  Please feel free to contact us at the mission office with any questions that you may have.

 

Thank you for the sacrifices you are making at home to have your missionary in the field.  We have seen the Lord bless the families of missionaries who are serving in untold ways.  We know that His blessings will be upon you as well.

 

With love,

                                           

President Boyd S. Ware                                                       Sister Linda P. Ware

 

Washington Kennewick Mission                             

8202 W. Quinault Ave., Ste D

Kennewick, WA  99336

Office Phone (509) 734-5443

Office Fax (509) 734-5475

Office Email: 387991@ldschurch.org

 

MTC District

Three Amigos

Elders Scott, Elder Rasmussen, Elder McInelly

All friends from Spanish Fork and all at the Mexico MTC together