Elder Parkinson, Me, Saunders, Langford, Fletcher

Greatest thing ever; Being able to see some friends before I leave

Peace to Utah, you have been fun. But it is time I take my talent to the East Coast

Well I finally made it to my mission in Richmond, Virginia :) The mission president and his wife picked me up and we drove around Richmond for a while. It is very nice and very rich in American History. The are no mountains which is disappointing but it is very green and beautiful! I love the mission president and his wife, they are super nice and fun! 

So it turns out my first area.... Is super nice :) Me and 4 other elders live in an area called The Gardens. Very nice :) I love it!! The ward here is so awesome! We have 5 missionaries assigned to the ward so there is a lot of missionary work to be done! I have eaten dinners with members the past two nights here :) the members are so nice and willing to help you out. Many of the are RMs going to VCU in medical school. 

We have taught one lesson to a recent convert. He is super nice! We are working with him to get him to go through the D.C. temple! We taught about the temples and there was so much that I learned just from teaching him! We also are going to invite another Sister to be baptized today so wish us luck :) 

As we as missionaries sat down with the Bishop yesterday; He talked about one specific talk from this past general conference! Elder Ballard's. We all can do two simple things that he has asked to help make everyone more happy around this coming holiday season. Pray: pray to God to thank him and ask for his hand in your life more. Pray to be that willing "vessel". And the 2nd one; reach out. Not everyone is as blessed as us to have this wonderful gospel in our life. Reach out to everyone but especially those that don't, so they are able to fill God's love.

Elder Parkinson, Young, Saunders, Langford, Fletcher

Well I love you all and thank you so much! My new Address is:

Elder Young #204

4710 The Gardens Dr.

Glen Allen, VA 23059

Change of Plans

This week has been so awesome. Our last week in the MTC. I have been able to watch all of my sister leave for the Philippines. :) 

BYE bye shout out to Sister Viliami, Ribelin, and Haun

Don't look back when there is so much good ahead

But with that, I also have some big news.... About 2 Weeks ago I went and saw the doctor because my back started to bother me while I was teaching a lesson. Stuff happens, I do some X-rays, blood work, and MRI. The doctors and MTC President have decided not to allow me to go to the Philippines with these injures. They have decided that I will be going state side. They have said that if I am able to make it through Physical therapy and my back is 100 that they will let me go to the Philippines. 

Well I did finally get my new reassignment and it is: Richmond, Virginia

I am so grateful for this time in the MTC. I have loved it here. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it sucked. But there were so many more amazing times. I am grateful that I was able to stay in the MTC while I waited for my call! I have had 2 amazing spiritual experience with my teacher; since all the sisters left. 

I have learned through all of these ups and downs here that god has a plan for us. WE JUST NEED TO HAVE FAITH IN HIS PLAN. I invite everyone to watch this clip: http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-01-014-the-will-of-god?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2012

"The Lord will test you, try you, then raise you to YOUR glory."

I know that god has another plan for me. I am excited to see what happens in Richmond, Virginia  Thanks everyone for all of your support. Love you all and good luck!!!

Last Week in MTC

That is how we DEW

Great Group

Me, The Canadian Archy, Haun Solo and Elder Ellis from New Zealand 

Ahhhh YEAH

What up world?

Love these two sister! MY BEST FRIENDS

Feeling of the Pioneers

Kamusta errrbody. Hope that you are all doing great at home. Life is rolling along here in the MTC. It was a big week for me, my zone, and the world wide church! haha Conference was great, first time I honestly can say that I got something out of it :) haha and didn't sleep through it at all. My favorite quotes from it are:

 "Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord's vineyard, to bring souls unto him"  - President Monson

“Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit.”  - Ulisses Soares

 "We all need each other" - Carol M. Stephens

 "He loves us for who we are and for who we can become.” - Timothy J. Dyches

“Fatigue is the common enemy of us all-–so slow down, rest up, replenish, and refill.” - Elder Holland

"A friend cares. A friend shows love. A friend listens. And a friend reaches out." - President Monson

“We mortals do not become champions without effort and discipline or without making mistakes.” - President Uchtdorf

 “If you are humble, you will want to be obedient. If you are obedient, you will feel the Spirit.” - Randy D Funk

 “No one is a stranger to our Heavenly Father.” - Bishop Gérald Caussé

 "Never look back. Look at what we still have to do" - Edward Dube

 "As you lose your life in ... service, ... Satan's temptations lose power in your life."  - Elder Richard G. Scott

 "Our understanding of God's plan and His doctrine gives us an eternal perspective." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

 "Remember that all men have their fears, but those who face their fears with dignity have courage as well." - Elder Dallin H Oaks

"Spiritual illumination and perspective are poured out through the windows of the heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing"  -Elder David A. Bednar

Best!!!

"doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith" - Dieter F Uchtdorf 

My District on our way to Conference

Well as for the rest of the week, it has been a crazy mess! Sunday was a crazy mess after conference. ALL, like everyone, in my zone was leaving to the field on Monday. Since we are the only district staying, we helped out everyone as much as we could. Many were scrambling to pack their bags and make wait. ;) haha  

Well Monday morning came..... it was a joyous day!!! I was able to walk up with the first group leaving at 6 and help Elder Howe, the one with the broken elbows. The rest of the morning went about the same, a group left at 11 and then at 1. With each one, we said our goodbyes, took some pics, and wrote in each others' journals. It was so awesome to see them so excited to get into the field!

Farewell to my zone brothers

Well, everyone was off and I was alone.... literally. NO ELDERS in my zone. Which means no elders on the same schedule as me. At first I thought it was going to be awesome having some real alone time.... but no, it sucked. I felt so alone, like never before, no one to talk to.  

I know that this was all a learning experience though. It forced me to kneel in prayer and asked for comfort, something I have never really done before. I definitely found the power of prayer to be amazing! So after having lots of time alone, the sister and I meet up for our last "study session" before we all went to bed. SISTER MISSIONARIES ARE THE BEST! I love these sister so much. They turned my scared attitude into one of hope and comfort. I know that I couldn't have made it through this experience without them, I am meant to be here with them at this time!

Well on Tuesday we found out some big news! WE WERE MOVING ON WEDNESDAY. Wow, now you understand the title of this blog. I really felt like a pioneer, having to pack everything up so fast. We found out at 5 o'clock at night and had to get packed and moved out by the next day at noon. So now, my district and I are back at main campus for the remainder of our time here.... we hope :/ I do have a new Address/unit number so check that :)  

On the move again

Elder Young unit 260

Oct 21 PHI-BAC

2011 N 900 E

Provo, Ut 84602

I also got the opportunity to welcome in the new international missionaries to our zone. There were about 16 of them. From New Zealand, Australia, India, Kitabus, Canada, Tonga, and Samoa. It was cool to meet them all and hopefully they felt less worried after :/ We got the rest of our 50 new missionaries yesterday (Wednesday) so that is good. New people = Bigger social life after mission, haha..... NOT! I meet the rest of my zone on Wednesday which was way cool.There are some awesome elders going to serve in the Philippines. I will update you more on my roomates half companions when I finally learn stuff about them, haha. Well I am excited to be at the MTC, I am mad that I am back at the main campus, but I have become more excited to go to the Philippines since being here!  

Oh and if you have time, plz watch this: http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-005-same-jersey?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2011   We are all on the same team.

Lets stand together as friends and families to strengthen each other!   I

Love you all and hope life is going well for you back home or wherever you are! I would love a Starbucks Vanilla Frap before I go if someone wants to bring me one :) HA HA HA Good luck in life errrbody

Me studying

Pictures from week ending October 3, 2013

We walk all over Provo, Utah. It so pretty here! I’m glad that it snowed, so I can see the awesome mountains before I leave to the Philippines.

This is a classic learning time in the classroom at the MTC.

The District at the MTC. Sister McKee; Sister Char; Elder Young; Sister Haun; Sister Luke; Sister Viliammi; Sister Ribelin.

Pictures from the week ending October 3, 2013.



Elder Howe: my best friend at the Provo Utah MTC! Elder Howe broke his arm on Friday, September 27, 2013, though. Elder Howe went back home for a few weeks to recover.

Sister Tamang, my teacher.

Sister missionaries loving the Bountiful Utah Cutler's cookies.

Elder Gavin; Elder Oaks; Elder Howe; Elder Manely; Elder Hoche; Elder Young. My favorite people at the Provo Utah MTC.

Well the MTC is going awesome. I finally feel like I have got into a grove and honestly this past week flew by! I love my district so much. Four of the Sisters from my district where able to sing in the Relief Society Broadcast. It was cool to see them on TV. Look for them if you get a chance.

We have had so many good talks here at the MTC. Getting all of us super excited for conference.... haha never thought I would ever say that in my life :/ To start off, we had an awesome fast Sunday. We heard from the the MTC presidency about many things. Two things I took away from it: Patriartical blessing are like North stars, you should always look to it for direction. Also, "there are two dates on the mission plaque, but the only thing that matters.... it is the DASH in between." I LOVE that so much. I hope I am able to accomplish the most stuff possible out in the Philippines.

Another talk we heard was just this past Tuesday! It came from David S. Baxter. He is an awesome man. He is from Scotland and has tons of knowledge. He talked on so much, I wish I was able to get a copy of his talk. Key points I took out of it were: we are not able to be perfect till after resurrection. Anyone ever doubting the power of the LDS church, look at their service record. He listed off some of the most amazing statistics I have ever heard. Remember everybody, This is what the LDS church does, this is what your church does.

A good quote from this week is:

"Commandments are the application of the gospel"

The language is going great. I love it!! A simple rule when learning Illonggo and many other languages: Take out all of the crap you put in normal english, reconstruct the sentence backwards, and the translate it. I learned this week that I will be preaching in four langauges!! English, Cebuwano, tagologa, and Hiliguynon! I can wait to see all those different Books of Mormon.

My whole zone is leaving this coming week. It is going to be sad. I love them all so much and have taught me tons. Elder Howe (who is suppose to be leaving this coming week) broke both his elbows playing basketball last Friday, and so he has to go home for 5 weeks. It was an unlucky experience, I love that elder, best of luck to him. So with everyone leaving its my districts job to welcome everyone. Its going to be a crazy Wednesday this coming week!! HAHA pray for me :) I am not able to be the zone leader though because I don't have a companion.... but I still have to train the new zone leaders, its a weird situation ;/

I love it here so much. Thanks for the package Spencer, Hoody, Maddie and whoever else put stuff in :) love you guys. Really gives a boast to a missionary when he receives stuff from his best friends.

P.S. Send me lyrics to songs through a dearelder. I miss my jams. Love you all