Dear Family-
Mom yes I got your package ! Thank you so much :)
Elder Tovar was facebooking Nikki ? haha crazy kid!
So braedon is heading out now ? Dang ! Ill bet he is excited. His mom is prolly worried sick though. I know he will do great. Has Gus returned home yet ?
President Riggs is heading to D.C. huh ? I was hoping he would come out here ! haha but DC is a way legit place. My new mission President is Elder and Sister Hall. Bishop Neher knows him ? That is a small world. He seems really young and cool though.
I did get to see Elder Ackley this past monday. It was way cool to see him :)
This week was pretty uneventful until yesterday. It was Elder Okazaki's 21 birthday. We had to speak in Church yesterday. It was the first talk in English I have given since my mission farewell a year and a half ago haha but it went well. After which we had an amazing dinner with a member family. It is kind of crazy. Because Ridgecrest is on the Naval Air Weapons Testing Base, just about everybody here are engineerrs so they are way smart! After Dinner we visited a few families then had a district bonfire at a members house. The day before, we had bought virgin margarita mix so our district was sitting around the fire drinking non alcoholic margaritas.
We have not gone to see Elder Perry yet. He does not come until March 7th. Hopefully we will be able to go.
That is very exciting to hear about the temple !
Grandma, thank you for getting me the wool socks. I know they will help me a lot. Also could you send me Camille's email address again ? and yes I really enjoyed the jam :)
LOve you all!
- Elder Dutson
Monday, February 20, 2012
Week # 30
Dear Family-
My first week in Ridgecrest went fantastic. The people up here are a little different but awesome nontheless. Elder Okazaki is from Littleton Colorado. Mom, a transfer period is six weeks. So far I am warm enough but wool socks couldn't hurt. Today we are going to go up to Lone Pine and visit Manzanar, a japanese internment camp from WWII. It should be very interesting. OUr investigators up here are way legit. Elder Okazaki and I are shooting for two baptisms this transfer. Most of who we teach are part member families. The main people we are teaching right now is Alex Orilhuela. He is like 13 or 14 and he is the only one in his family that isnt a member. Then you have Alexa Moreno and she is like 12. Also the only one not a member in her family. This week we found a african american couple name Kasia and Gail and they are way legit. Super religious people. Church yesterday was awesome. It was weird mixing spanish and english but the ward is great.
I am glad Nate's show went well :) and I am glad that Nikki isn't being forced to pitch if she doesn't want to. I will definitely miss going to her games but look forward to catching most of her senior season and college if she chooses to play. You are going to Disneyland ? Awesome ! California has some pretty awesome weather right now. Up here it is a little colder but down closer to LA and the beach it's super nice.
So in President Martin's email this wseek he told us that Elder Perry would be coming to tour our mission and that there is a special meeting with the missionaries, but that our zone is excluded because distance. LAME!!! Our zone leaders are going to try and get permission because it would be pretty cool, but if not... oh well. Rachel thanks for the letter! I will be writing back today. I love you all and wish you a good week !
- Elder Dutson
My first week in Ridgecrest went fantastic. The people up here are a little different but awesome nontheless. Elder Okazaki is from Littleton Colorado. Mom, a transfer period is six weeks. So far I am warm enough but wool socks couldn't hurt. Today we are going to go up to Lone Pine and visit Manzanar, a japanese internment camp from WWII. It should be very interesting. OUr investigators up here are way legit. Elder Okazaki and I are shooting for two baptisms this transfer. Most of who we teach are part member families. The main people we are teaching right now is Alex Orilhuela. He is like 13 or 14 and he is the only one in his family that isnt a member. Then you have Alexa Moreno and she is like 12. Also the only one not a member in her family. This week we found a african american couple name Kasia and Gail and they are way legit. Super religious people. Church yesterday was awesome. It was weird mixing spanish and english but the ward is great.
I am glad Nate's show went well :) and I am glad that Nikki isn't being forced to pitch if she doesn't want to. I will definitely miss going to her games but look forward to catching most of her senior season and college if she chooses to play. You are going to Disneyland ? Awesome ! California has some pretty awesome weather right now. Up here it is a little colder but down closer to LA and the beach it's super nice.
So in President Martin's email this wseek he told us that Elder Perry would be coming to tour our mission and that there is a special meeting with the missionaries, but that our zone is excluded because distance. LAME!!! Our zone leaders are going to try and get permission because it would be pretty cool, but if not... oh well. Rachel thanks for the letter! I will be writing back today. I love you all and wish you a good week !
- Elder Dutson
Week # 29
Dear Family-
I apologize that this is coming late. I was transferred so I was moving all day yesterday. President gave me the option. I was able to choose between training again or him granting my previous request to be with Elder Okazaki( my buddy from Arleta) in Ridgecrest. I told him it would be really cool to be in Ridgecrest but that I would be happy to train again if he thought that was best. So here I am in Ridgecrest CA. like 2 hours from Mammoth Ski Resort. SUPER COLD but way nice :) I am also kind of in English work this transfer. Both Elder Okazaki and I will both prolly be up here for like a transfer or 2 and then both go down to the valley again. President wants back in Spanish work. The ward up here is an English ward but it has "Spanish accomadations". Basically we have to translate for the Latino people. But it is mostly english work. It is a completely different experience being in English work. But I do like it :) I am sad that I left my district in San Fernando but its super cool up here. Lots of interesting hiking and museums and stuff. Ridgecrest is a military town. There is a huge Naval base. Actually from what I have heard, the biggest base in the continental U.S.. .. It is a boomb test research facility and flight training base. So lots of cool airplanes and bombs going off. It is like in the 40's up here. No snow but very cold rain. There is actually a decent chance of snow tonight though. I am also in Elder vNathan Ackleys zone :) He and I are both very excited to see each other. Other than him, I am the longest serving missionary in my zone. Our zone leaders ahave been in the mission for 9 months and my district leader for 6 months. This is a really good zone and one of the coveted areas in the mission. :)
As for the Patriots losing... super lamee. Oh and my new address is 848D South NOrma Ridgecrest CA. 93555.
Nate BREAK A LEG!!!
Nikki... Buenos suerte. play hard and dont take advice from Burch :P
As for Hawaii, um I dont want anything in specific. Just if you see something good :) Well I love you all and hope that all is well !
- Elder Weston Dutson
I apologize that this is coming late. I was transferred so I was moving all day yesterday. President gave me the option. I was able to choose between training again or him granting my previous request to be with Elder Okazaki( my buddy from Arleta) in Ridgecrest. I told him it would be really cool to be in Ridgecrest but that I would be happy to train again if he thought that was best. So here I am in Ridgecrest CA. like 2 hours from Mammoth Ski Resort. SUPER COLD but way nice :) I am also kind of in English work this transfer. Both Elder Okazaki and I will both prolly be up here for like a transfer or 2 and then both go down to the valley again. President wants back in Spanish work. The ward up here is an English ward but it has "Spanish accomadations". Basically we have to translate for the Latino people. But it is mostly english work. It is a completely different experience being in English work. But I do like it :) I am sad that I left my district in San Fernando but its super cool up here. Lots of interesting hiking and museums and stuff. Ridgecrest is a military town. There is a huge Naval base. Actually from what I have heard, the biggest base in the continental U.S.. .. It is a boomb test research facility and flight training base. So lots of cool airplanes and bombs going off. It is like in the 40's up here. No snow but very cold rain. There is actually a decent chance of snow tonight though. I am also in Elder vNathan Ackleys zone :) He and I are both very excited to see each other. Other than him, I am the longest serving missionary in my zone. Our zone leaders ahave been in the mission for 9 months and my district leader for 6 months. This is a really good zone and one of the coveted areas in the mission. :)
As for the Patriots losing... super lamee. Oh and my new address is 848D South NOrma Ridgecrest CA. 93555.
Nate BREAK A LEG!!!
Nikki... Buenos suerte. play hard and dont take advice from Burch :P
As for Hawaii, um I dont want anything in specific. Just if you see something good :) Well I love you all and hope that all is well !
- Elder Weston Dutson
Week # 28
Dear Family !
Buenos Dias !
I hope that everyone had a fantastic week. I certainly did. Well there wasn't any life threatening accidents this week so I would have to say it was pretty boring :P
But in all seriousness, my week went very well. We spent much of this week finding. We knocked alot of doors and talked to just about everybody we passed. We are also orgainizing a stake activity about missionary work. Whew it's hard work !!
Well, we had a stake conference last week that included a special broadcast from Salt Lake. Many of the church leaders spoke to us, among them was Elder Perry. It was wonderful and very uplifting. Yesterday was our ward conference, which also was very uplifting. Our stake president spoke on remaining pure from spiritual disease and how we can do that.
I recently heard an allegory,( I think that is what they are called in English that really hit home with me. It is about faith. It is of two farmers who really needed a good harvest. They both prayed to God that he would send rain to water his crops, but after which, only one of them went out and prepared his fields to recieve such rain. The question was posed, Which one showed more faith ? The answer is the one who went out and prepared his fields for rain. Sometimes we can be guilty of not doing our part. Their is a saying that says," Pray as if all relies on God, then act as if it all relies on you. " Heavenly Father loves us very much and desires to bless us, but he has also blessed us with capable minds and bodies to go out and work for desired blessing. For example, Elder Grose and I could pray all day and night to have baptisms, but if all we do is stay in the apartment and pray, we will never have even one. We have to go out and find, then teach by the Spirit, invite them to be baptized and prepare them for when that day comes. Back to the allegory, both farmers prayed for rain, both recognized the omnipotence of God and that he could send rain, but only one recognized the importance of works. In the book of James it says faith without works is dead. Many people we teach simply profess that Faith is all they need to have to be saved, that they simply profess Christ as their savior and they make it to Heaven. But that is incorrect doctrine. We HAVE TO put our faith in practice and do the works. I want to invite you all to strive to be like the farmer who prayed for rain and then went out and prepared his fields to recieve it.
I Love you all
- Weston
Buenos Dias !
I hope that everyone had a fantastic week. I certainly did. Well there wasn't any life threatening accidents this week so I would have to say it was pretty boring :P
But in all seriousness, my week went very well. We spent much of this week finding. We knocked alot of doors and talked to just about everybody we passed. We are also orgainizing a stake activity about missionary work. Whew it's hard work !!
Well, we had a stake conference last week that included a special broadcast from Salt Lake. Many of the church leaders spoke to us, among them was Elder Perry. It was wonderful and very uplifting. Yesterday was our ward conference, which also was very uplifting. Our stake president spoke on remaining pure from spiritual disease and how we can do that.
I recently heard an allegory,( I think that is what they are called in English that really hit home with me. It is about faith. It is of two farmers who really needed a good harvest. They both prayed to God that he would send rain to water his crops, but after which, only one of them went out and prepared his fields to recieve such rain. The question was posed, Which one showed more faith ? The answer is the one who went out and prepared his fields for rain. Sometimes we can be guilty of not doing our part. Their is a saying that says," Pray as if all relies on God, then act as if it all relies on you. " Heavenly Father loves us very much and desires to bless us, but he has also blessed us with capable minds and bodies to go out and work for desired blessing. For example, Elder Grose and I could pray all day and night to have baptisms, but if all we do is stay in the apartment and pray, we will never have even one. We have to go out and find, then teach by the Spirit, invite them to be baptized and prepare them for when that day comes. Back to the allegory, both farmers prayed for rain, both recognized the omnipotence of God and that he could send rain, but only one recognized the importance of works. In the book of James it says faith without works is dead. Many people we teach simply profess that Faith is all they need to have to be saved, that they simply profess Christ as their savior and they make it to Heaven. But that is incorrect doctrine. We HAVE TO put our faith in practice and do the works. I want to invite you all to strive to be like the farmer who prayed for rain and then went out and prepared his fields to recieve it.
I Love you all
- Weston
Monday, January 23, 2012
Week # 27
Dear Family-
HI!
This week was interesting... :)
It has been raining here for like the last week or so and they dont want us riding our bikes in the rain anymore. Sister martin told us on rainy days we should walk. That means a little less effective days because it takes longer to get around.
We had interviews with President Martin on Wednesday. As always he gave me some inspired counsel. I also was hit by a car this week on my bike. Nothing or nobody was harmed though. We were riding to our dinner appointment when a car without lights on that we didnt see turned into a parking lot right in front of me. I was going pretty fast but as soon as I saw it i slammed on the brakes and tried to lay the bike down. I almost stopped in time but due to the baldness of my rear tire, I slid a little too much and I collided with the car. The lady was very apologetic and frightened and tried to offer me over $100. I rejected the offer, apologized for frightening her and we were on our way.
It made for a fun story at district meeting :)
Mom, of course the Patriots are going to the SuperBowl :) Figures.. eh oh well.
Nate is driving huh ? Sweet :) I am sure he loves that. It is crazy that my youngest brother is already in high school and getting ready to drive!
Ok well that is about all there is to update ! I love you all and Dylan.... stay bundled up!
- Elder Weston Dutson
HI!
This week was interesting... :)
It has been raining here for like the last week or so and they dont want us riding our bikes in the rain anymore. Sister martin told us on rainy days we should walk. That means a little less effective days because it takes longer to get around.
We had interviews with President Martin on Wednesday. As always he gave me some inspired counsel. I also was hit by a car this week on my bike. Nothing or nobody was harmed though. We were riding to our dinner appointment when a car without lights on that we didnt see turned into a parking lot right in front of me. I was going pretty fast but as soon as I saw it i slammed on the brakes and tried to lay the bike down. I almost stopped in time but due to the baldness of my rear tire, I slid a little too much and I collided with the car. The lady was very apologetic and frightened and tried to offer me over $100. I rejected the offer, apologized for frightening her and we were on our way.
It made for a fun story at district meeting :)
Mom, of course the Patriots are going to the SuperBowl :) Figures.. eh oh well.
Nate is driving huh ? Sweet :) I am sure he loves that. It is crazy that my youngest brother is already in high school and getting ready to drive!
Ok well that is about all there is to update ! I love you all and Dylan.... stay bundled up!
- Elder Weston Dutson
Week # 26
Dear Family-
All is well here ! I am glad that Kayln's funeral had tons of support. It just shows how many lives she touched. I hope that her family was able to realize how much she meant to the community.
Mom that story about George Lopez doesn't suprise me. He is HUGE in this area and I have heard several similar stories. It seems like he has genuinely tried to make a difference in the community in which he grew up.
Ragen Riggs is pregnant ? wow I bet President Riggs feels super old now ! That is way cool though :) Tell her congrats for me. Courtney I DO expect a nephew by the time I get home though ! jk... take your time with that. I am sure mom and Dad are in no hurry to feel even older than they already are :P
As for Kevin, he didnt come to church this past Sunday because he visited his dad for the last time. His dad is being deported back to El Salvador on his 3rd DUI offense. We didnt feel like we could really make a big deal out of him not coming because Elder Grose and I both thought we would have done the same thing in his position. But hopefully he will come this Sunday. We have made him a Book of Mormon reading chart that would have him read the BOM from start to finish by September. It is more intense than the one the Twelve came up with but Kevin loves to read so we know he can do it. We have him reading in between 20 to 30 verses a day on average. As for the Saldana family, well they accepted a baptismal date. The mom( Lourdes) finally came forward with us and told us that she has a testimony and so does her 14 year old daughter Kimberly. But it is hard for them to go against ir change all those Catholic traditions. That is a common challenge within the Hispanic missionary work and so we are working through that with them.
Dylan, I am not training another one yet... Our transfer does not end until the 6th of February. But that is something my mission president has talked to me about and so we will see. I am perfectly happy with Elder Grose though. He has been a huge blessing to me. I hope everything is going well. please tell nate that I love him !!
- Elder Dutson
All is well here ! I am glad that Kayln's funeral had tons of support. It just shows how many lives she touched. I hope that her family was able to realize how much she meant to the community.
Mom that story about George Lopez doesn't suprise me. He is HUGE in this area and I have heard several similar stories. It seems like he has genuinely tried to make a difference in the community in which he grew up.
Ragen Riggs is pregnant ? wow I bet President Riggs feels super old now ! That is way cool though :) Tell her congrats for me. Courtney I DO expect a nephew by the time I get home though ! jk... take your time with that. I am sure mom and Dad are in no hurry to feel even older than they already are :P
As for Kevin, he didnt come to church this past Sunday because he visited his dad for the last time. His dad is being deported back to El Salvador on his 3rd DUI offense. We didnt feel like we could really make a big deal out of him not coming because Elder Grose and I both thought we would have done the same thing in his position. But hopefully he will come this Sunday. We have made him a Book of Mormon reading chart that would have him read the BOM from start to finish by September. It is more intense than the one the Twelve came up with but Kevin loves to read so we know he can do it. We have him reading in between 20 to 30 verses a day on average. As for the Saldana family, well they accepted a baptismal date. The mom( Lourdes) finally came forward with us and told us that she has a testimony and so does her 14 year old daughter Kimberly. But it is hard for them to go against ir change all those Catholic traditions. That is a common challenge within the Hispanic missionary work and so we are working through that with them.
Dylan, I am not training another one yet... Our transfer does not end until the 6th of February. But that is something my mission president has talked to me about and so we will see. I am perfectly happy with Elder Grose though. He has been a huge blessing to me. I hope everything is going well. please tell nate that I love him !!
- Elder Dutson
Week # 25
Why hello !!
I hope all is well. Well first off to address the sad news that you shared with me mom; Kayln passed away... well, I am glad that it is done. I am sure there are alot of people grieving for her, and she certainly will be missed. But for such a wonderful person to be done suffering as she was is good news. Like you said, she is now back in her Heavenly Father's presence. Of course, please send my love to her family.
Ok :) well,this week was a normal one.. Nothing unusual to report. I dont think I told you but one of my new Zone Leaders is Elder Banuelos whom I served with when I was in Panorama City. He was Elder Okazaki's companion. It certainly is good to be back serving around him again as he is a good friend of mine. Unfortunately, I will only have him for one transfer as he leaves for home at the beginning of February. We found one new investigator this past week. His name is Martin. He is a really nice guy and he has a very sarcastic sense of humor at times. He let us in and we taught him and and his 80 something year old mother in law. She was funny. She kept repeating over and over again that she had visited Elder Grose in the hospital a couple months back. Elder Grose has never been to California before this so we just laughed and Martin had to explain several times to her that we are missionaries and that Elder Grose hadn't been in the hospital. Very sweet lady but a bit senile haha but Martin is great. We gave him a Book of Mormon aand set a return appointment. We continue to struggle with Kevin and the Saldana family. the thing with Kevin is that his mom will not let him be baptized until he goes to church 5 times, but his mom is also stopping him from going to church, literally telling him he can't go because they have stuff to do. After which, he ends up sitting around all day because they really dont have stuff to do. We are thinking about confronting her about it and asking her why she is doing what she is doing, to see if we can help. With the Saldanas, I dont know. We really enjoy going over there, but they really are not progressing anymore.. We might have to drop them. they really like when we come over and teach, but they still have never gone to church and rarely do they keep the reading assignments we give them. I think they believe it's just a free Bible Study class no matter how many times we have told them that it is not!! haha Well I can't believe that It is already halfway through my second transfer training Elder Grose. The second transfer with your trainer is usually your last in this mission but we will see. Elder banuelos, (the zone leader I talked about), told me on Saturday, that President wants me to train another new missionary next transfer. I guess he came to them and asked if I would be up to it and if it would be ok for the zone. They told him yes, so we will see. Training has been a wonderful experience for me as Elder Grose has taught me so much. Sometimes I wonder if he has taught me more than I have taught him. But anyways, I am glad you like your new sunbeams Mom. I really love and miss kids. Everytime I see a baby, I want one haha even though I am not quite ready to be a daddy yet. Speaking of which,Courtney...?? :) any news in that subject yet ? hahaha
Ok well I love you all and Mom, tell the new Elders I said hi. Everybody else, I love and miss you and wish yuo the best till next week.
Oh and morgan, I dont know if it was japanese food or what but I ate octopus the other day. We had a member take us out to an all you can eat asian buffet. It was really yummy!!
- love you all
- Elder Weston Dutson
I hope all is well. Well first off to address the sad news that you shared with me mom; Kayln passed away... well, I am glad that it is done. I am sure there are alot of people grieving for her, and she certainly will be missed. But for such a wonderful person to be done suffering as she was is good news. Like you said, she is now back in her Heavenly Father's presence. Of course, please send my love to her family.
Ok :) well,this week was a normal one.. Nothing unusual to report. I dont think I told you but one of my new Zone Leaders is Elder Banuelos whom I served with when I was in Panorama City. He was Elder Okazaki's companion. It certainly is good to be back serving around him again as he is a good friend of mine. Unfortunately, I will only have him for one transfer as he leaves for home at the beginning of February. We found one new investigator this past week. His name is Martin. He is a really nice guy and he has a very sarcastic sense of humor at times. He let us in and we taught him and and his 80 something year old mother in law. She was funny. She kept repeating over and over again that she had visited Elder Grose in the hospital a couple months back. Elder Grose has never been to California before this so we just laughed and Martin had to explain several times to her that we are missionaries and that Elder Grose hadn't been in the hospital. Very sweet lady but a bit senile haha but Martin is great. We gave him a Book of Mormon aand set a return appointment. We continue to struggle with Kevin and the Saldana family. the thing with Kevin is that his mom will not let him be baptized until he goes to church 5 times, but his mom is also stopping him from going to church, literally telling him he can't go because they have stuff to do. After which, he ends up sitting around all day because they really dont have stuff to do. We are thinking about confronting her about it and asking her why she is doing what she is doing, to see if we can help. With the Saldanas, I dont know. We really enjoy going over there, but they really are not progressing anymore.. We might have to drop them. they really like when we come over and teach, but they still have never gone to church and rarely do they keep the reading assignments we give them. I think they believe it's just a free Bible Study class no matter how many times we have told them that it is not!! haha Well I can't believe that It is already halfway through my second transfer training Elder Grose. The second transfer with your trainer is usually your last in this mission but we will see. Elder banuelos, (the zone leader I talked about), told me on Saturday, that President wants me to train another new missionary next transfer. I guess he came to them and asked if I would be up to it and if it would be ok for the zone. They told him yes, so we will see. Training has been a wonderful experience for me as Elder Grose has taught me so much. Sometimes I wonder if he has taught me more than I have taught him. But anyways, I am glad you like your new sunbeams Mom. I really love and miss kids. Everytime I see a baby, I want one haha even though I am not quite ready to be a daddy yet. Speaking of which,Courtney...?? :) any news in that subject yet ? hahaha
Ok well I love you all and Mom, tell the new Elders I said hi. Everybody else, I love and miss you and wish yuo the best till next week.
Oh and morgan, I dont know if it was japanese food or what but I ate octopus the other day. We had a member take us out to an all you can eat asian buffet. It was really yummy!!
- love you all
- Elder Weston Dutson
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