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