July Photos

Elder S. at Charlotte's wedding. She is a beautiful bride!Elder S. turned detective... finding the missing key.Elder S. enjoying the heat!Elder S. with the Mission President and the President's wifeElder S. and his companion at a recent baptismjust looking cool in his shadesenjoying the 4th of July parade

June 30, 2008

The work here in Tracy is still going really well. This is really going to be an exciting week. We have a Baptism set up for July 5th and then we will have the opportunity to meet our new Mission President. We have a family of 4 that we hope will be getting baptized sometime in July. I'm so excited.

I can't believe I have been serving for 12 months. My companion Elder H is on his second week in the mission field and is a pretty amazing missionary.

Our old apartment was so crappy we had to move. Our new one has some issues like the dryer squeaks super loud and we discovered while trying to bake brownies that the oven doesn't work. But we will survive! We went grocery shopping today so at least we actually have food now.

My mission is going great. I can not only notice a huge difference in my life, but in the people I'm able to teach. I know the Lord needed me to serve in this area and if I just put everything I have into serving, I'll be blessed. I believe strongly in Alma 26:12. (That's my favorite scripture.)

Keep reading the Book of Mormon!
Love, Elder S

July 9, 2008

Elder S. and his companion went over to a member's house to mow the lawn and plant new grass in the 106 degree weather. After they finished they went inside to cool down. Elder S. wanted to learn to play the piano and ended up teaching himself the first 3 pages of a beginner book. He was pretty proud of himself (and Sister Larson got a good laugh). Thank you Sister Larson for the FUN update and taking care of our Elder S.
We love and miss him so much!

July 5, 2008

We are so pleased to inform all of you that we received two letters from Josh's Mission President. In the letters it announces that Elder S. is now the District Leader in Tracy. President H. said that he is "grateful for the example that Elder S. is to the other missionaries in the district and that the position is one of trust and responsibility." Elder S. will work in close association with all the missionaries in his district to find, teach and prepare individuals for baptism.

The second letter made us aware that Elder S. is also a trainer for new missionaries, which is extended to trusted and effective missionaries. The role of trainer has more influence on the future success of a missionary than any other single factor. President H. informed us that Elder S. was given this responsibility because of his "outstanding example of faith, diligence, and his ability to teach the gospel."

President H. also asked that as a family we continue to send letters that uplift and inspire Elder S. in this important work.