Two Greenies Running the Area!

Hello all! 

I hope you are all doing well ! Hopefully you're all doing well in school, work, and all your daily activities!

 

This past week has been crazy! So we thought that we were gonna be staying together, Elder Edwards and I, but the first batch of visa-waiters got there visas! They were ones that came out 6 weeks before me! And so yeah, that happened Tuesday and transfers were Wednesday and they transferred Elder Edwards out to another area in Pocatello to be a Zone Leader...and they kept me in the Pocatello Highland Stake and brought in my new companion Elder Asay (pronounced Acey) here to Highland. He is great! He is just as fresh as me! He has only been out in the field for 6 weeks! He entered the MTC in August! So we are some greenies running the Highland stake! haha We are pretty much follow-up training each other! Its been awesome so far! Both of us combined have been out about 6 months haha...so its crazy but we love it ! Things are going well! We are finding more people and the same baptismal dates we have are still progressing so that's good! We're looking to set more baptismal dates this next week!

 

But yeah that's the big news ! We've been tracting a lot more just to try and find people to teach, whether they be members, non members, less actives! And ALSO I GOT A COAT! We were tracting and we met this russian guy named Frank, and his son. They're both in the army and they loved us and they were giving us stuff they didn't need and they had a winter coat...trench coat-ish style! Ha so Franks son gave it to me! It was a Huge blessing for sure! Its blue and its goes well over my blue suit! So yeah, no more worries on the coat mom and dad! haha it was perfect timing to because yesterday was like 40's and today is 30's and 20's with the wind chill! We're supposed to get snow tomorrow! Pretty crazy! haha and all the ward Trunk or Treats are this week...so we'll see if investigators and less-actives come out for that!

 

But yeah, Elder Asay and I spoke in church yesterday! I spoke about the Book of Mormon and the importance of it! I thought it went well! And then Elder Asay talked about how we can recognize the Spirit! So it went well!

 

No more golfing this year haha its gotten cold! But today were headed for a zone activiity to play volleyball...ha. But yeah as far as visa's, they're coming along. It's moving alot more smoothly now from what we here. It'll be crazy going from this weather, to Mexico weather! That'll be crazy...but yeah things are well! All is well! The gospel is true! My testimony of it grows every single day! Every time I testify to an investigator or whoever, my witness is strengthened and solidified! I would encourage that we all continue on reading the scriptures daily, praying daily, and attending ALL our church meetings! Doing these things will keep us close to the Iron Rod and will protect us from temptation and evil! When you get a chance, read Helaman 5:12. I think its  a scripture mastery, but its a great verse! It talks about building our foundation on the Rock of our Redeemer! If we do that, we will be blessed! I know this to be true! I love you all and wish you a Happy Halloween! Be safe and have fun!

 

I miss you all and I love you again! Choose the right always!

 

p.s. There's a picture attached of me golfing on last Monday.

 

Love, Elder Eliason

 

 

Baptisms & Exchanges (10-18-10)

Hello family! 

How are you all? I hope well! Family, sounds like you guys had a pretty good fall break down in St.George! I am glad to hear that and Dad I'm sorry for missing out and for missing that time with you! But I'll be back soon enough to go golfing and stuff with you and have those good bonding times like we used to have! But yeah! Glad you are home safe!

So this past week was good! As I told you in the letter, we have another baptismal date set with a girl named Gen Christian! She is married and her husband is inactive! But we were talking to them and we were seeing if he'd like to baptize her, and he said he would! So were gonna get him activated as well as baptizing her! It's been great to meet them and work with them so far! We have an appointment with them tomorrow night! Then our other baptismal date, Paige Finley, was at church yesterday which was great! But yeah I went on an exchange last week on Tuesday with Elder De Mola from Taranto, Italy! Haha he is hilarious! I love him! His accent is awesome. He has been out a year and his English is good. haha It was great to learn from him and be in his area. His area is the Alameda Stake. But yeah I'll send a picture of me and Elder De Mola! Make sure to click on the attachments! But yeah that was great then we got information that visa's may be coming through soon. There was a batch of Mexican visa-waiting elders who came out like 6 weeks before me and supposedly they should get theirs this week. Then I and some others should get ours visas in the next couple weeks hopefully! But yeah, we'll see!

Also, I went on two exchanges last week, Wednesday and Thursday nights with Elder Moller. He is over the Spanish Branch here in Pocatello, and so I went out with him and talked to some people! It was great :) Our appointments fell through, but I was able to speak some Espanol to some hombres! haha but yeah! Other than that, things have been great! Its hard work for sure, but its worth it! I love helping these people out! We were tracting two days ago and we found this guy who is originally from Russia and he has a nice accent! And he knows 5 languages and was way funny! We're going back to teach him hopefully on Thursday! But yeah the work is good!

My mind reflected as well this past week on talks given by President Monson and Elder Holland on Gratitude...and I just want you, family, and friends, to know how grateful i am for you all! I love you all so much! When Elder Holland told the story of his parents working to support him on a mission, and that none of his money had been drawn out of his account so he could have some when he got home, it made me think of you Mom and Dad and how grateful I am for you and for the help that your giving me! I love you so much! and thank you for all you've taught me and for all you've given me! I wouldn't be here without your help and guidance in my life! Thank you all for your love and support!

I know this church is true! My testimony is strengthened every week as I have the opportunity to bear my testimony of the gospel! The Book of Mormon is true! It is truly written for our day! I know that as we read it, we will be blessed! I love you all so much and hope all is well! The weather still isn't that bad yet, so no coat needed yet! I have my sweater and suit coat! I'll let you know if otherwise. But I hope all is well with every one again! The church is true ! Go to church, study the scriptures, and pray often! If you do that, you will be blessed and protected from the temptations of the world! Helaman 5:12! Build your foundation upon the Rock of your Redeemer! I love you all so much again!

Love , Elder Jordan Eliason

PS Grammy thank you for your letter ! I will write you soon!  and Todd and Al thanks for the cookies this week!

I love you all! Everyone pray for missionary opportunities! Spread this wonderful gospel! p.S.S. these pictures are of me on the rock that Highland High School paints every week before they play a team ha ha..then the next is me and Elder Moller with the doughnut tire...he is the Spanish elder i worked with this week...then one with elder de Mola! the Italian!

(See Pictures - Not in order, sorry... from receiving the call to saying good-bye, to being in the field in Pocatello... and Mexico is not far away!) 

Jordan heading to his farewell...

Jordan & Grammy Dowd

Jeffrey, Uncle Steve, & Jordan

Jordan walking with Pop Pop... great picture!

Jordy and Dad...

Jordy at last FHE before leaving for MTC

Elder Eliason & The two proudest people in the world... his Mom & Dad!

The greatest kids ever brought to earth!

Brothers...

Jordan & Texas friend, adopted brother, and fellow RM from Mexico... Travis 'Bone' Pickup!

Jordy & Megan

The 2nd most taken picture at the MTC... Elder Eliason with the fam!

4 generation picture with Great Grandma Smith, Grandma Eliason, Eliason's and Jeffrey & Marina's boys!

Dad trying to be tough and keep his composure as he gets the luggage out!

Final hug for Mom... see you in 2 years!

Michelle taking her last breath as her son walks away on his MISSION

Elder Eliason & MTC Companion, Elder Hubbard (Cheyenne, WY)

Elder Eliason at the Provo Temple on P-Day... only 500 yards from Grandpa Eli's house!

The most taken picture at the MTC... has to be... standing in front of the world map!

Great friends made in the MTC!

Preparing for bed... or preparing to play after 9:30?

Elder Eliason's District

Jordy's Closet in MTC

Jordy & Michelle

Jordy & Kenzie

Dad giving his boy a final hug... with Adam's Apple ready to explode! 

Elder with a crazy member in Pocatello!

Elder getting greeted by the Elders at MTC!

Jordy's 1st Companion in Pocatello, Elder Edwards

Elder Eliason trying to hide from his companion...

Elder Eliason winding down, working on his putting...

Elder Eli can't get rid of the basketball as hard as he tries!

Posing, pleading to go golfing on P-Day!

Villahermosa, Mexico Temple

Picture of Villahermosa, Mexico

Picture of Villahermosa, Mexico

Ruins in the Villahermosa, Mexico area...

Jordan opening, reading his call from the Prophet!

Officially, Elder Eliason, just newly set apart by Pres. Lynn Scorsby... what a good lookin' kid!

Grammy & Pop Pop saying goodbye as we leave for MTC!

Getting in the car... 'could we just go?'  I'm sure that's what he was thinking!

"OK... thanks for everything... here I go!"

Elder Eliason with Jeffrey, Marina, David and Joseph before going over to the MTC!

Uncle Jordy with David!

Uncle Jordy with David and Joseph!

The family at Jordan's 'setting apart' as Elder Eliason!

First Baptismal Date! Update 10-11-10

Hello fam!

 

How are you all? Hope all is well! Wow this past week has been busy! Cant believe its already pday again! But yeah ill go ahead and let you know whats been going on this past week!

So we found a new family to teach, I don't know if i mentioned it last week or not, but were teaching the Yabute's! There a Filipino family that are interested and so we are teaching them the first lesson this week! And then we have our/my FIRST baptismal date! :) Its for Paige Finley an 11 year old girl! On November 13th! We're working on getting her 9 year old brother and there mom who is inactive, back to church, and the little brother to be baptized too! So that's great huh?? Then we have been working with Roxanne who has been talking to the missionaries for 2 years and has a drinking and smoking problem, and we committed her to stop those habits and were taking her Goat's Milk today because she says that can be her new "drink" haha! She says it gives her a buzz...and its healthy i guess? maybe? haha i don't know but Roxanne is coming along! Also we went golfing this morning for Pday! And I shot a 52 through 9 holes! Pretty good eh dad? We went with Brother Excell and his son who just got back from Brazil! It was great..the weather wasn't so good but it was still great ! and I drove the ball well surprisingly! But it was fun to be able to go golf.

 

But yeah I went on two exchanges last week and they went well! Last Tuesday I was with Elder Rasmussen from San Diego and he is in the neighboring area of Alameda...We taught 6 lessons that day! and committed a girl who's like 28 to be baptized! She has known there has been something missing in her life for a while, and she felt like the church was it! So we gladly took that and ran with it! She is working towards a baptismal date on November 20th! It was a great day...I got to teach a lot and Elder Rasmussen is a wonderful missionary...I learned alot from him! Also I went on exchanges with Elder Rudd, one of our ZL's and he came to my area, and I had to run the area cause he didn't know the area..haha it was a bit scary but Elder Edwards left me a map and we got things done! We taught the Yabute's that day about baptism and the book of Mormon and we asked her to be baptized, but she isn't quite ready which is OK!

 

But yeah, that's pretty much the week for ya! It has been getting a little cold, but not too bad! I think I'll be good for at least two more weeks! I have the sweater and suit jacket which is good for now. Keeps me more than warm! But Ill let you know if it gets colder. But I sure do love and miss you all! Its a wonderful thing to be able to teach these people and to teach them to see how the gospel can change there lives! Yesterday was a long day of meetings, as we attended three ward sacraments, and 5-6 correlation meetings! haha they're long but great days! I love serving the Lord! I know that this church is true ! My testimony grows every single time i bear testimony of a principle, or just bear my testimony! I know that as we follow the teachings and heed to the counsel of the prophets and apostles, who spoke to us a week ago, that we will be blessed! The Lord wants to bless us!

 

And so no we haven't heard anything on our visas ! But transfers are on October 20th! Elder Edwards and I already know that we'll be staying together through another transfer, or until im gone at least ! So we'll be working the Highland Stake here in Pocatello for a little while longer! :) So that's exciting huh? I will attach pictures to this email so you can see us golfing this morning!

We're also going to play basketball after we email which should be fun :) Don't worry dad, i just sit on the three point line! Promise! But yeah we've been hearing from some members who find out that I'm going to Mexico eventually and then they tell us whats going on with floods and then the drug cartel stuff that continues to go on in the north ! But I know that I will go down when the Lord needs me there!

 

I hope Kenz and Meg are tearing it up on the hard wood! I'm sure they were! And dad, who cares about those parents..you're the best coach i ever had! I love you! Parents will be parents..haha that's ridiculous! But anyways meg and Kenz, continue to press on and work hard with school and basketball! I'm praying for you and thank you mom for the FHE lesson! Me and Elder Edwards are gonna do that tonight after our lesson with the Adam's family haha ...They're a less active family. But yeah I love all the cards and support that I get through the mail! It pumps me up and gives me fuel for the week! I love you all and hope all is well! Keep on 'keepin' on!

 

I love you all!

 

Love, Elder Jordan Eliason

 

PS the pics are of me and elder Edwards then me driving a ball 900 yards ;) haha jk

Elder Jordan Eliason's Update - 10/4/10

Hello all!

How are you all doing?? I hope well! How about this past weekend of General Conference?? Amazing huh? Its crazy how much more you look forward to hearing from General Authorities on your mission haha...It's like the Super Bowl or the NBA Finals...You so look forward to it and it definitely lived up to my expectations ! Every single talk was great...my favorites were President Uchtdorf and Holland and then the English guy from the Seventy. I forgot his name but he spoke in Priesthood session! And he was awesome! But yes, it was great! Hopefully you all felt the spirit and loved hearing those talks as much as I did!

But Anyway! This past week has been good! Just work, work, work! I went on exchanges with Elder Nelson this past week ..He is in the neighboring area of Alameda! Reminded me of an Alameda I know from Texas! Haha Grammy and Pop Pops Alameda! But yeah it was a good experience to be with a different elder! He leaves in November and is from Sacramento and is crazy good at yo-yoing haha ! But yeah my comp and I are getting along well and learning from each other! We are currently teaching one family who are from the Philippines but speak English and then a girl who is 11. Those are our current progressing investigators that may have a baptismal date soon! and then we are also trying to progress other investigators named Roxanne and then this lady named Katy Liechty ! So we are busy! Meanwhile when were not teaching, were hitting up referrals and tracting! But yeah! I dont know if i mentioned this in my last email but I am English speaking here. I do have language study in the mornings for an hour and a half to keep it with me but yeah, they didn't have any Spanish areas to put us in when we got out here.. BUT I am going on an exchange next week with Elder Moller who is a Spanish elder in a Spanish area so that ll be good! Haha Elder Moller is hilarious...goofy kid! But yeah the work is good and I am growing a lot, in terms of spirituality! I learn something new everyday from the Book of Mormon. It's amazing how the Book of Mormon applies to us so well...It was truly written for our day!

But yeah other than that, we had conference this weekend like I mentioned...and OH! We had dinner with the Lewis Family last night and they had a son who returned in August from serving in the Dallas Texas Mission and he told me he served in the Melissa Ward.........And i sat there and thought a sec "I think that's Grammy and Pop Pop's ward!" and so i asked him if he knew a Brother and Sister Dowd and his face lit up ! He ran down and got his laptop and showed me a picture he had taken with Grammy and Pop Pop and said they were awesome ! and that they had the missionaries over a couple times! So here I was in there kitchen, staring and my grand parents with this elder and it was crazy! Ha we talked about Texas for a while and it was so awesome to listen to him. Who would of thought that would have happened in Pocatello, Idaho eh? haha but that was a cool experience and yeah Mom and Dad we rode with the Geisler's parents last week for Pday! They drove us around! So its been fun to meet and relate to these people! The members here are amazing as far as rides, meals, etc...and referrals! We rarely tract because of the ward's help ! So its awesome!

So how is school and work for everyone?? I hope well! I heard Josh finally got his call to Dallas Texas!!!! QUE FUE???? haha i cant believe that! That is so awesome! I will be writing him today and congratulating him, as well as prepping him for whats to come in the MTC and the field!! Dad told me he sent a nice text to him...that's nice and I'm grateful that he has the opportunity to serve ! I know he wont regret it!

But yeah we have three exchanges this week so ill be in different areas for three days this week! Kinda crazy! What were your favorite talks this weekend?

By the way I have some pictures to send to you...i will attach them to this email! Hopefully they work!

But yeah other than that, it's just been work, work, work! And question: is this where the Langhaims used to live?? Saw some kids playing lacrosse the other day and was wondering...i cant remember! Also we've been teaching about the Spirit World alot lately and how those who haven't heard or accepted the gospel yet will have the opportunity to be taught and accept it and it reminded me of Austin Langhaim...I know he is engaged in the work over there - and he has been on my mind actually quite a bit as I have been here in Idaho - knowing they lived here and also seeing people play lacrosse - but i know he is helping others just like I am here on earth. My testimony of the plan of salvation has grown so much as well. Just teaching and reading over it so much, I am so grateful for the opportunity to return to my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and live with my family forever. Let us all strive for that goal everyday. Never let it leave your sight...He loves us and wants the best for us, and I am so grateful for that opportunity. It also wouldn't be possible with out the Atonement of Jesus Christ. What a marvelous gift we've been given! It is by the Atonement by which we can return to Heavenly Father and live forever! I'm so grateful for it!

Well...I must go, but I love you all and pray for you everyday. The gospel is true...my testimony strengthens everyday as i get the opportunity to bear my testimony of the gospel day by day. I KNOW its true...and I know that Jesus Christ lives. Let us take the things we learned from general conference and apply them in our lives...and to also "REFOCUS" as mom said in her email to me, on what we need to be doing in our lives! I love you all dearly and hope all is well!

Love, Elder Jordan Eliason