December 07, 2009

We had some pretty crazy weather this week. It started off with a bad wind and rain storm and ended with 3 inches of Snow. Both are peculiar for this area, at least during this time of year. Anyway that kind of got in our way for doing mission work so it was a very slow week. We were able to go see the first presidency Christmas broadcast. It was good to hear from the prophet again. I really liked what President Uchtdorf's talk on the distractions that keep us from seeing the truth. I love you guys , but I gotta get goin'Talk to ya soon.Elder Jose.

December 21, 2009

OH MAN!!!Where do I begin?Friday we had district meeting in Big Stone Gap, about 30 minutes from our apartment in Wise. After district meeting we headed to Pennington Gap (40min from Big Stone), we had an appointment with a new investigator there at 5:30, so we were going to go work there until then. It was raining pretty hard so we decided to see a recent convert there to see if the rain would let up a bit before we started tracting. We visited for a bit but before we left we heard word that the storm was getting worse so we left a note for our new investigator and split town. Before we left town the rain turned from rain to freezing rain mixed with snow.It took about an hour to get back to Big Stone Gap and the weather didn't change, but between Big Stone and Wise is an elevation change of 1,100 ft and as we ascended into Wise everything turned into a whiteout. Traffic was backed up and we were stranded on the highway for 2-3 hours before we started moving again, and after another thirty minutes of driving we made it back to our little trailer.We ventured out to check mail and stores for a few supplies. (I did get every ones packages, Thanks!) On our way back, we watched the sky light up green and red as transformers exploded and power lines fell in the distance.When we arrived back to our apartment we lit some candles to get ready for bed (the power was out). We bundled up the best we could and were warm the first night.The next day we spent most of the day on checking members in our immediate area to make sure they were alright. Most of them had gotten out before things got too bad.The second night we warmed up in our car for a short time before we went in for the night. The third day we went to a nearby public shelter with some neighboring members. We had heard that big stone still had power so and was still selling gas so Bro Bradshaw took us with him as we went to gas up his car we left the rest of his family at the shelter just in case. Fortunately the trip was a success and we made it back safely. After we got back I volunteered to go with a rescue truck to find some recent converts with small children living about 5 miles out on old country roads. The roads were impassable and we returned empty handed. It was about this time the Bishop showed up at the shelter. Apparently they did have church that morning. Bishop and 3 members from Kentucky staying with him had a sacrament and testimony meeting. They were out checking on members as well mostly everyone had been accounted for.We were tired and cold, when one of our members in big stone offered to take us in for the night so we took them up on the offer. Last night we showered and stayed in a warm house.We were warm on the third night.Today we are back in Wise. Half of the town has power, but not our trailer. It is estimated that we will not receive power until Wednesday or later. We will not be staying at our trailer until we get power back.I will be calling early on Christmas day. With the time zone change I will try to call about the same time Andrew gets up.I love you guys and I will take care of myself so you don't have to worry.I will TALK to you soon.LoveElder Jose

November 30, 2009

November 30, 2009
Hey Family So how was every ones Thanksgiving? I know my family went to New Mexico. Hopefully they will tell me about that next week. But I never heard what happened with the Cammack or Johnson Families. We had Thanksgiving with a couple of families in the ward who didn't have family to visit. It was really fun, and they Really know how to cook. We ate (and are still eating) very well. I hope to hear from you soon, until then Enjoy your leftovers!I know I will...Love Elder Jose

November 23, 2009

November 23, 2009
Hey family,I wanted to apologize for last week’s e-mail, it was not a good week. I was frustrated with myself and others and was losing my patience. Transfers were last Wednesday and I got a new comp. Elder Young hails from Layton UT, He has been serving for about 5 months. He is tall, skinny and looks very bookish... in a good way. He is an easy going guy and is very easy to get along with. Elder young has been kind of sick for the last few days, so we have been taking it pretty easy. Hopefully he will get better soon; I am getting tired of sitting around.Anyway, this should be an exciting week we have Thanksgiving. I think that is part of what has gotten me out of the slump I was in last week. I have been a bit more grateful in my prayers and it has improved my outlook on things. I remember when mom got that electric Keyboard and we started to toy around with it, trying to learn a few simple hymns. But the only one we could seem to squeeze out of that thing was "Count your Blessings". Ever since then that hymn has seemed to bug me because we played it repeatedly until it became obnoxious. But the principles it teaches are true. I love you guys and hope that you all have a good Thanksgiving.Love Elder Jose

November 16, 2009

November 16, 2009
We are just about to reach the end of another transfer and my companion will be going somewhere else. I am going to be in Wise for the Holidays. I don't think we have anything planned yet for Thanksgiving, but I am sure we will figure something out. I will inform you of my new companion next week. As for this week past, we have not made much leeway with the work here, and so I don't have to report on. I apologize for the short letter; I wish that I had more to write about. It is frustrating to try and reach the people who don't want to listen. Sometimes I feel like Alma when he said 1“O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!”2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me." I guess I am not the only one who has felt like that, we read in priesthood this Sunday that Joseph Smith had similar feelings.“There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn-dodger [a piece of corn bread] for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle [a wooden mallet]." (He was talking about the saints, but I feel it is equally as applicable to teaching others)Anyway, although it's hard, it's not impossible and someone’s gotta do it. Love you guys.Elder Jose