Elder Childs P Day

I am going to share Luke's email again.  He is just so funny and a great writer!

It's a good thing we teach one trillion times a day, because without that practice, I wouldn't have been able to deliver such an eloquent, faith promoting, heart wrenching discourse like I did this Sunday.

I am telling you, no one can even hold a candle to the power behind the words spoken at the pulpit. There was a visible aura in the chapel.

But not really, I just read a talk in creole this week in front of my Mission Leaders, their family, my first companion, and the 60% Haitian audience. Just 'bout threw up.

To get into the week, I am going to keep it rather short. My media manager (mom) probably isn't too happy with the crap I've called my last few weekly emails, but we ball.

Another Rundown:

• Had an exchange in Ironbound with Elder Ausman. It was one of the hottest days we've had, plus a walking area. Flash backs to my last exchange with Elder Taggart. It was good though, we talked with a ton of people & had a really cool lesson at the end of the day. I also ate 5 otter pops that day.

• We met with a lot of the recent converts in the area. Brother Derival is so sick, super humble guy who has a lot of faith. Same for Fotal & Fequire. They are so cool & Fequire just got the Priesthood on Sunday

• Found a lot of people this week, and have a few people progressing really well. Rosedaline and Dieudonise are praying about their baptism & hopefully will get baptized this week. Our friend Tyson is awesome, reminds me a lot of Jodenski, had a good lesson with him & put him on baptismal date. We met with a new lady named Shelia who is awesome, she is also on baptismal date.

• Met with a friend named Bigot Felix, he is a friend (?) Of one of the recent converts. When we met with him, his house was pitch black & there was some random homie sitting on the couch next to us snorring. Weird conditions, but great lesson. This guy is really cool.

• Taught a new friend named Billy who lives in Newark. We got to his house, and as we walked in, a giant rat the size of my shoe ran from behind his couch to his fridge. Needless to say, kinda not my favorite thing to see. Billy was cool though, very smart guy with genuine soul searching questions about the gospel.

• Like previously mentioned, I saw President & Sister Durrant as well as my trainer, now Brother Mower. It was super good to see them & realize that Mower's been home a year and a half now. Where has the time gone?

Ok ladies and gentlemen, the media manager won't forward the email to y'all if I don't include at least 1 spiritual aspect. 

Helaman 5:30

"And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul"

I had the opportunity to share this scripture a couple times this week with friends praying about baptism. The Holy Ghost isn't always a smack in the face, a loud voice, or anything like that. It usually speaks quietly, but in a way you can't deny. I know I have felt the spirit testify many times of this gospel, and I know through that spirit, that this work is true. It's such a blessing to be a missionary, even with the ups and downs. I'm thankful for my testimony of this gospel & the people who have strengthened it out here.

Until next time, Elder Childs out

Surprise Visitor

This Sunday Luke had to give a talk in sacrament meeting.  He was a little nervous since this would be his first talk in his new language.  As he was getting ready for the meeting to start he saw his mission president walk in and his trainer Elder Mower!  WHAT??  He has been off his mission for about a year and a half.  He is actually the nephew of the mission president and he came for a visit.  As if Luke wasn't nervous enough, now he has a bigger audience!  I am sure that Luke did an amazing job.  He was super excited to catch up with Mower.  Elder Mower was the best trainer for Luke.  He taught him how to work and I know that he played a big part in setting Luke's mission off right.  What a fun surprise!  

Tag's Date

We are FINALLY getting started on our dates that we gifted at Christmas.  All the kids were gracious enough to let Tag go first.  So nice of them.  This year we told the kids that they could choose what we did for their dates.  So Tag chose Nickel City of course!  It is one of his favorite things to do.  We put $25 on a card for him and we were there over an hour and a half.  He had the best time.  He even won the tower game 2 times!  Two hundred tickets each win.  He had over a thousand tickets and got all his desired prizes.  After all the fun we went to 7-11 for a slurpee.  Dream day for Tag!  I love spending time with him.  One date down, three to go...

Har's turn at FSY

This week Harlee got her turn to go to FSY.  She went to the University of Utah with Miah.  I was so excited for her to have a do over.  Last time she went with Ari and Ari left her once they got there to go hang out with other friends. So this time is going to be much better.  They ended up having a good time.  They were for sure some of the oldest ones there but they did manage to meet a few cute boys including a guy named Matt who is 6'6.  She did say that there was also one great teacher so they enjoyed going to his classes.  And even though they felt old, they had the best time together.  So grateful for their friendship.  It has really been such a blessing for Har.

Missionary Monday

Here is Elder Childs rundown of his week:

As another week comes to an end, I find myself recollecting and remembering the great week I had & how much I don't feel like writing about it. 

The creative spark, the Elder Childs special zest... maybe not that, but the fanciful flare I used to have is dwindling. Instead, I'll leave you guys yet again with a rundown!

Now, this may be devastating to you 2 avid email readers, but to the majority that skim or skip to the photos, this will come as a wonderful surprise. 

The Rundown:

• Elder Betancourth joined me and Elder Galindo here in Irvington for a day. Absolutely insane. We taught all day, which days like that have helped my creole a ton. Elder Betancourth helped make it fun too, love that guy.

• We taught so much, this area is crazy. It's seriously just lesson after lesson.

• Had service at this pantry which took 3 million years, and some lady was yelling at everyone in the line because someone "cut in front of her". Good times.

• Was able to teach our friends Dieudonise & Rosedaline with Frè Labbé (one of the coolest members I've met).

• Went on a mini exchange with Elder Berroa, a missionary from the Dominican Republic. He is hilarious, and works hard. We street contacted in East Orange for a while which was fun, however maybe it's because I have "Hai-dar" now (Haitian radar, I don't know... humor me), but there were so many Haitians compared to last year.

• We taught some more, including our friend Fabiola, who is super elect & working hard on being baptized in the future!

• Got a parking ticket

• Caught a mouse in our apartment (hence the title, I don't know)

• Met with a cool homie in his backyard, only at the cost of getting eaten alive by mosquitos

• Had a dinner as a Zone

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

This week I studied a lot about the spirit and the peace it has brought me on my mission. I have found a lot of peace and comfort, even in difficult times, because of Jesus Christ & the Spirit. I know that this church is true & we have the authority to make binding covenants with God. I know that because I have felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost through my baptismal covenant. I know He lives, and I'm grateful to be serving and preaching His gospel every day.

Until next time, Elder Childs out

Nash's turn for FSY

This week was Nash's turn to go to FSY.  He went to the University of Utah with Gabriel and Luke.  Nash and Gabriel were roomies and Luke was supposed to room with Costa but he forgot to sign up.  So Luke had a random roommate.  They were able to spend almost all the time together though which was good.  It was especially a blessing when Tuesday night Gabriel slept walked.  He got locked out of the room and kept trying to call Nash.  He was too asleep to answer, so Gabriel called his parents and they came and picked him up.  I was a little bugged.  This left Nash without a roommate.  Thank goodness Luke was there so he had someone to hang out with.  He did not love his group but his counselors were fun.  He did have some cute ladies in his group but they were all 17.  He ended up having a great time and I love that he gets to have these experiences.

The night where dreams came true

Anyone that knows me well knows that one of my favorite singer/songwriters is Lori McKenna.  I have loved her music since Joey and I were first married.  We also have a lot in common and I feel like she writes songs about motherhood, marriage, and life that speak to me.  She is just amazing!  When I found out that she was coming to the Bluebird Songwriter Series I knew this was my opportunity to make my dream of seeing her live come true.  And who better to enjoy the night with than my best friend!  We went and grabbed some sandwiches before heading to Sundance.  It was the most amazing venue surrounded by mountains.  Beautiful!  I was so excited when Lori walked out.  It was her, Lee Bryce, and Liz Rose.  They all took turns singing and tell stories about their songs.  Minus Liz having one of the worst singing voices, it was perfect.  Lori told a story about how her oldest son just moved to India for 7 months and she wrote a song called "Tied to You".  I for sure got choked up as she sang.  So touching and her voice is just so amazing.  Lori did not disappoint and I really hope that I get the chance to see her in concert again.

Noah Kahan with my favorite girl

Months ago we bought tickets to Noah Kahan for Har and I to go.  In order to be Har's concert date, she told me that I needed to learn all of the words to his songs.  So she sent me his set list and I went to work.  I really do love his music and I would give myself a 95 on my lyric learning!  It was seriously the funnest night!  We went to Goodwood for dinner and then made our way to meet my siblings.  We did not have tickets by them but they were nice enough to let us drive with them since they bought the gold parking.  It was so nice to have great parking.  We got there right as the opening act invited Noah out for one song.  It was perfect timing!  Noah came out about 30 minutes later and sang for almost 2 hours.  We stood, danced, and sang along for the whole show.  It was seriously the best!  I am so grateful for Har.  She is truly a blessing and I am so thankful that she likes to spend time with me.  It was an amazing night!

Another P Day

Transfer week!  He started his email by saying his exchange in Irvington with Elder Galindo must have been a test run.  He was transferred to Irvington or "Dirty Irvie" as Luke refers to it.  He is a little apprehensive about the area just because it is so close to East Orange which gives him a little bit of PTSD.  But he is super excited to serve with Elder Galindo.  They have a super nice workout set up along with some mice and bed bugs!  Not fun.  Also, Elder Everton is now an AP and Luke loves him.  The amazing thing about this area is the work.  He said that they are teaching non stop.  This is really helping him to continue his language learning journey.  He also said that they had 10 friends show up at church.  Just amazing!  How great to been thrown into so much work and I am sure that he will see so much success for the last little bit of his mission.  Can't wait to hear more next week.

Favorite Tradition

Happy 4th of July!  We really had the best day.  We went to Chili's for lunch and minus Tag being in pain from getting his mara on, poor guy, it was so nice.  I love being with my family.  That night we went over to Jamie and Mindi's for dinner and swimming.  We brought our pizza oven and everyone did their own pizza.  It was so fun.  We packed up the treats and made our way to the baseball field.  It was so fun to sit and visit before watching the very impressive fireworks.  I love this tradition.  The fireworks are amazing but after five minutes I think we all would be good to go.  When the show was over after 30 minutes Tag yelled "Finally"!  He always seems to say what we are all thinking.  Regardless of the fireworks being a little long, it really is one of my favorite traditions.  I love Joey's family and it is so nice to be with them.

Starting his last July in NJ

Our missionary had another great week on the mission.  He got to go on a transfer to Irvington with Elder Galindo.  He said it was crazy how much teaching they did.  Plus he said that Elder Galindo pushed him with his Creole which was scary but good.  So grateful for great examples!  He also got to do an exchange with Elder Christopherson, one of his favs, and Elder Larsen.  Busy week.  I thought for this post I would share the last part of his email for the week.  He just amazes me!

That's it this week folks, and we are at the end of another transfer! Time is flying, and I hate it. This week, during MLC we talked about Elder Renlund's talk from the most recent General Conference. It was a good reminder as to the importance of momentum & helping everyone build positive spiritual momentum. Not to trunk out, but that's been one thing on my mind concerning going home. I don't want to lose the momentum I've built out here. However, one thing mentioned during MLC is that there is always a guide helping us along the path. I am so glad to have Jesus Christ with me as I walk this Covenant path. I have seen His hand in my life and I know He'll continue to guide as long as I keep following Him. I know Jesus is the Christ, and through Him we can have true happiness here on earth and Eternal happiness in the life to come.

Love you Elder C!