I got a personal email from Ryan saying to stay up on the blog! hahahah Sorry its taken 2 months to get caught up. I have made myself a note to update the blog every week. I also told Ryan to send more pictures so hopefully he will soon!!! :)
Please remember to write Ryan and send him goodies in the mail.
Email - ryan.mortimer@myldsmail.net
Monday, October 3, 2011
September 25, 2011
September 25, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson Arizona
HEY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!
Lakeside Ward/Tucson Arizona
HEY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!
How are all of you doing? I sure do miss you all!!! How is the weather where ever you are? Here it has been really nice lately. I really like it because at night it cools down to about 75 or 80 and it feels so good. I just love that. Everything here is just dandy. Loving my companion and serving him in all ways. Also so everyone knows...I am keeping my hands on the handle bars while riding my bike, so no worries there. I am just enjoying this work soooo much. It is the best thing that I have ever done in my life yet it is the hardest for sure that I have ever done.
So my scripture this week is Proverbs 3:5-6. This scripture really hit me hard this week. I really am having to learn how to trust in him and let him do what he wants done on his time. None of this work is up to me, it is up to him and how he wants it done. We are just his mouth pieces. But...when we are obedient we can qualify for the spirit and be the best mouth piece that we can be. So that is why it is so important to be obedient. I believe that is what Heavenly Father wanted me to learn this transfer. BE OBEDIENT and the Lord will take care of the rest for you. I know that to be true. I have seen it already so much this transfer.
Elder Robison and I watched a video called "17 Miracles." It was AMAZING!!! It was all about the miracles of the Willy Martin Handcart Company. I have never heard of those stories and what happened to them except that they got stranded and needed help. When I watched it my heart went out to those people. I think to myself look what they went through and I complain that i am a little to hot. They were literally freezing to death and i can go into a store with air conditioning. It really brought a lot of things to perspective and how i can do better. I cried so hard in that movie it amazing you all need to watch it.
So an amazing experience I had. The gift of tongues really works for missionaries. Some of you might be wondering what that is...it is the power that god can give people to speak in a language they do not know for the benefit of others not yourself. So i had an experience with this. On Thurs I went on exchanges with the American Sign Language missionaries and went to teach with Elder Karlson. It was a day of a lot of driving and doing those kind of things. But at night we went to awomen's house and we talked to her. After Elder Karlson was talking to her she looked right at me and said something. All of a sudden I was signing and I didn't know what was going on. It just flowed so naturally. Afterward I found out what she asked and what I said. She asked what does this church mean to you, and I responded I know this church is true, I know Joesph Smith was a prophet and I know the Book of Mormon istrue. WOW. When I was signing all I could do was cry. I couldn't control my emotions. It was amazing. In the car, he looked at me I looked at him and we just smiled at each other said well I guess it works and went on with our day. In my heart I said a prayer of thanks because we both knew that a miracle just happened right in front of us. IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOL.
Well its been a great week and I love this work. I hope all of you are doing wonderful and I miss you all dearly.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Ryan D. Mortimer
September 19, 2011
September 19, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson, Arizona Mission
Hey there!!!!!!!-
How is everything going where ever you are? Things in Tucson are wonderful and I am in love with it here. It is a little scary though because my body is becoming accustomed to the heat. I was sitting in our apartment and it was about 70 or 75 degrees inside. I WAS SHIVERING AND I WAS SOOOO COLD. I HAD SWEATPANTS AND A SWEATSHIRT ON!!!!!!! That's not good hahahahahahaha. Oh well I guess I'm just getting used to the weather out here.So...I've decided to email a scripture every week about how it describes my week. I will be doing this for the rest of my mission. The first scripture I want to share is in the book of Alma which is in the Book of Mormon. If you do not have a copy of the Book of Mormon... You can get your own copy by requesting one online at mormon.org and you will have one delivered to you. The Book of Mormon is a volume of Holy Scripture comparable to the Bible, but it takes place in the Americas during the same time period. Read Alma 26:26-27. This scripture has meant a lot to me. WE as missionaries need to go out every single day with "an eye single to the glory of God" and go talk to every single person so that every one has an opportunity to hear about the gospel. Do you know what gospel means in Hebrew? It means Good News. So WE bring the Good News (gospel) of Jesus Christ. If you really think about it, this gospel is amazing news. We know that we have a loving Heavenly Father and we know that we have a Savior who knows us and what we are going through every single day. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have. That is why I am here on my mission away from my family. To spread this knowledge and Good News about Jesus Christ and His Gospel. This has brought me such happiness; sure I miss my family, but there is no other place or thing that I would rather be doing than spreading this Gospel to all the world.
So onto our investigators...they are all doing really well. We set a baptism date with Anthony the 12 yr old, for Oct 7. Hopefully that date holds up and we are able to baptize him. We pretty much told his mom (who is less active and smokes) that we will not baptize her son unless she shows her willingness to start coming to church and showing a commitment to live the gospel standards. We believe that she got the point. The reason for that is we do not want to baptize him to an inactive member right away. He needs a good support system, actually a huge one. But like it says in the scriptures "through God ALL things are possible." That is so true.
Another family we are teaching, well kinda teaching, we are just trying to get in the home and have a sit down lesson. We had a set appointment with themlast Sunday but they were not there so that was a bummer but its ok we will see them again. Kevin and Vivi are doing really good. Kevin knows so much about the Bible. It is amazing how much knowledge he has already. But the problem with him is that he is just going with an intellectual standpoint and wants to learn that way. Not spiritually so if anyone has any suggestions please let me know how I can help this man grow in the knowledge of the Lord.
Oh okay, so I found out something interesting. There is a Sister King in the area, AKA Hermana KIng, she is a spanish speaking missionary and her brother married a McAdams girl. Her sister in-law's parents are guess who... the KILBYS!!!!! They live in the Elkhorn Ward. It's such a small world here let me tell you.
No cool stories to share... just doing the work one day at a time. I am keeping both hands on the handle bars I PROMISE. hahahahah. I've learned my lesson for sure. It is so nice to be back on my bike. It sure makes you more tired but I feel like a better missionary when I'm on my bike. I think its funny when people have to shout things at us. We usually just smile, wave, and say God Bless You.
I love this work, I love this gospel, and I love my Savior. Thank you for all the support you have given me over the past 4 months. I can't even believe its been that long. 4 down 20 to go. I love you all and miss you dearly. You are all in my prayers and I think of you daily. God Bless you in all that you do and be safe.
Love,
Elder Ryan D. Mortimer
September 12, 2011
September 12, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson, Arizona
Hey everyone!!!
So another week down and a lot more to go :). This week was a lot of fun. I loved it. We taught a few more lessons and had some really good contacts with a lot of cool people. Some people are a little more interesting than others but oh well, we are called to teach everyone here no matter what thy look like or who they are. I'm so thankful for that wonderful opportunity to do that. I just love it so much.
Sorry I'm emailing you all today yesterday was so busy that we didn't have a chance to email. But I'm here now. Thanks for all of your support and love so far on my mission. It really means a lot to me and there is no way that I can repay you for all that you have given me thus far on my mission. I am so thankful that everyday I can call you my family.
So a neat experience for ya. Yesterday and this morning I was having a rough time. Just thoughts of mine and feeling that I was failing as a missionary because some of our recent converts are not doing what they should be doing so its a little hard for me. So in the middle of personal study I decided to go and pray. I went into our room and shut the door so I could be alone and I just knelt down and begged heavenly father to help me. I had the same experience I had when I was 16 in Michigan. I knew that Heavenly Father was there and that he was watching over me. So I kept kneeling there and pondering many things. Thoughts and impressions came to my mind that never had before. So after that I went back to reading the scriptures and the very next verse i read was 2 Nephi 2:27. WOW. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I have read that many times before but never did it hit me like it did this morning. I have to realize that people do have their agency to chose if they want to accept the gospel or reject it. Some days I wish I could just shake the people into believing this because I know what it can do for them. I love this gospel so much. It means the world to me. I know that I am who I am today because of it. I'm so thankful that I was raised on the principals of the gospel, without them I do not know where I would be. Every day I see people that can use the gospel priciples in their life but they choose not to. Its so sad. It breaks my heart every day.
A really great experience that Elder Robison and I had. So we were coming back from the Bishop's house or a dinner appt. I don't remember which one, but we stopped at a Walgreens to look at where we wanted to go. So as we were stopped there. I was on the phone and Elder Robison was just standing there. Then out of no where two girls come up to us and said are you mormon missionaries? I said yes we are and we started to talk. They said we used to be Mormon. I said ooohhhh reeealllllyyyyyy. Then they went inside to go get something and we stayed outside and I told Elder Robison that we need to find out who they are. So when they came back we started to talk to them again. I found out it was a less active family that Elder Stapley and I have been trying to see for the past 2 months. Yesterday we met up and we talked and they promised us that they would read the Book of Mormon again and pray about it. The reason they gave why they stopped coming to church was they really didn't understand it and they felt they were forced to do it so they backed off. Now we are going to help reactivate them and I'm so excited. I love this work. Also, after we met them for the first time, they said they felt like they needed to talk to us. I WONDER WHYY AHHHHHH. I love it.
Well thats pretty much how my week has gone. I promise I have been keeping both hands on the handle bars and I am staying safe.
I love you all so much.
Love ya,
Elder Ryan D. Mortimer
So another week down and a lot more to go :). This week was a lot of fun. I loved it. We taught a few more lessons and had some really good contacts with a lot of cool people. Some people are a little more interesting than others but oh well, we are called to teach everyone here no matter what thy look like or who they are. I'm so thankful for that wonderful opportunity to do that. I just love it so much.
Sorry I'm emailing you all today yesterday was so busy that we didn't have a chance to email. But I'm here now. Thanks for all of your support and love so far on my mission. It really means a lot to me and there is no way that I can repay you for all that you have given me thus far on my mission. I am so thankful that everyday I can call you my family.
So a neat experience for ya. Yesterday and this morning I was having a rough time. Just thoughts of mine and feeling that I was failing as a missionary because some of our recent converts are not doing what they should be doing so its a little hard for me. So in the middle of personal study I decided to go and pray. I went into our room and shut the door so I could be alone and I just knelt down and begged heavenly father to help me. I had the same experience I had when I was 16 in Michigan. I knew that Heavenly Father was there and that he was watching over me. So I kept kneeling there and pondering many things. Thoughts and impressions came to my mind that never had before. So after that I went back to reading the scriptures and the very next verse i read was 2 Nephi 2:27. WOW. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I have read that many times before but never did it hit me like it did this morning. I have to realize that people do have their agency to chose if they want to accept the gospel or reject it. Some days I wish I could just shake the people into believing this because I know what it can do for them. I love this gospel so much. It means the world to me. I know that I am who I am today because of it. I'm so thankful that I was raised on the principals of the gospel, without them I do not know where I would be. Every day I see people that can use the gospel priciples in their life but they choose not to. Its so sad. It breaks my heart every day.
A really great experience that Elder Robison and I had. So we were coming back from the Bishop's house or a dinner appt. I don't remember which one, but we stopped at a Walgreens to look at where we wanted to go. So as we were stopped there. I was on the phone and Elder Robison was just standing there. Then out of no where two girls come up to us and said are you mormon missionaries? I said yes we are and we started to talk. They said we used to be Mormon. I said ooohhhh reeealllllyyyyyy. Then they went inside to go get something and we stayed outside and I told Elder Robison that we need to find out who they are. So when they came back we started to talk to them again. I found out it was a less active family that Elder Stapley and I have been trying to see for the past 2 months. Yesterday we met up and we talked and they promised us that they would read the Book of Mormon again and pray about it. The reason they gave why they stopped coming to church was they really didn't understand it and they felt they were forced to do it so they backed off. Now we are going to help reactivate them and I'm so excited. I love this work. Also, after we met them for the first time, they said they felt like they needed to talk to us. I WONDER WHYY AHHHHHH. I love it.
Well thats pretty much how my week has gone. I promise I have been keeping both hands on the handle bars and I am staying safe.
I love you all so much.
Love ya,
Elder Ryan D. Mortimer
September 6, 2011
September 6, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson, Arizona
Hello All :)How is everyone doin today? I hope all of you have chosen today to be the very best day of you life. If not...why not? You should make every day better than the last one. This is something that I have learned today. Today was a day of a lot of reflection, sorrow, pain, yet happiness. A sister missionary named Venessa Bentely was killed on her mission in Uttica, New York. She was from the Tucson area and she actually is from our Stake. Her father is the 2nd Counslor in the Stake Presidency. Our Mission President asked all of the Missionaries in the surrounding area to attend to support her family and the work that she was doing. We had over 90 missionaries in attendance. Hearing her family speak was humbling to say the least. She was 13 months into her mission and she was 5 months from coming home. You can tell that her family loved her so much. After one of her sisters spoke and her mom and dad, the stake president spoke and then an area seventy spoke. But then a member of the first quorum of the seventy spoke. His words were so amazing. You can tell that he really did have a firm knowledge of the plan of salvation and the power of the atonement in someones life. As I was reflecting about you my family, I was brought to tears when I thought about you. I want to say to you all that I love you all so much. I'm sorry if I have ever hurt someone that is reading this, or if I have every offended someone. That was not my intent. I am truly sorry for any hurt that I have caused anyone. I love all of you my friends and family so much. I am so thankful for this wonderful support that I have from every single one of you. I feel your prayers every single day, every single moment in my ministry here. So thank you from the bottom of my heart thank you for everything. I have seen the miracle or missions and what they can do for your life.
On a happier note :) Things here are going really well here. I am in love with my area and I love serving Gods children. A bummer though is we had a really good lesson with Reggie (the black guy) and we had to drop him a few days latter because he wasn't progressing forward. He just would not listen and he was very firm in saying that he had the Holy Ghost in him already. We tried to discuss with him about the proper authority and things of that nature but he just would not listen. So we had to drop him and hopefully later on some missionaries can touch him in a way that I or Elder Robison cannot. This week has also been a lot of decision making for me. I have decided on many things of how I want to be as a missionary. I also received a call from the Mission President and he said I am now the Senior Companion so I make all the decisions in our companionship. This is a very scary thought. I have only been out 3.5 months. I am very scared about this, because every single person in this area is under me. It is a huge responsibility. I am so humbled and ready to get to work. I know t with the Lord by my side all things are possible and I can't wait to get to it. Elder Robison and I have some really good ideas on finding. We decided to have a scripture study class, so hopefully that will work out good.
Have a great week!Pray!Read the scriptures!
Love,
Elder Mortimer
August 30,2011
August 30,2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson, Arizona
So to begin with...I DIDN'T GET TRANSFERRED!!!! I am still in my first area and I just love it. I'm so glad that I still have this opportunity to serve in the Lakeside Ward. I just love it here. So...my new companion is Elder Robison. He is from Nampa Idaho. He is a way awesome guy. He actually was semi trained by Elder Stapley so that is really cool. I already like him and he is awesome. Elder Stapley got transferred to the same zone but two wards down. He was supposed to train again and whitewash an area (which means they transferred out the two sisters so he is starting with nothing, and he got bumped up to District Leader.) A lot of stress on him. But last night we got a call from the Mission President, and his trainee did not leave the MTC. He is having night seizures and he can't leave yet, so he is staying until he gets those under control. Now, he has a new companion that has been out for 9 months, he is a district leader and is still white washing.
My face and elbow are doing so good. After this week I will be back to a full bike area, that means no car :(. Oh well...I actually do miss my bike, but don't worry I have learned my lesson, both hands on the handlebars at all times!!!!!! I got it.
I forgot my camera again, so next Monday I will remember to bring it so I can send pics of my baptism. It was so amazing. I never knew that this sacred ordinance could feel so amazing. Right now we are working with the mom of the children we baptized to get her into the waters of baptism. The father is still being a little harsh but what can you do. We found three new investigators this week...so I'm really excited about that. It is a family of three. A mom with a 17 year old son and a 12 year old son. The 12 year old seems the most interested right now. But a cool family none the less.
So a really cool experience for all of you...our zone leaders had a baptism and we invited Reggie our black investigator to it. He thought for a moment and he said YES!!!! So Brother Elrey picked him up and we went to the baptism. This man is amazing. He asks some really good questions. One of them is "What will I get from this church that I don't already have or will get from any other church?" Wow...that was a shocker when I heard that from him. He asks some good other ones too. Anyways...so after the baptism we took him on a church tour and showed him around the building talking about the pictures and what they represent and what they mean to us. Dad your favorite picture of "Christ Coming Again" was his favorite. He took a picture of it with his phone. Elder Stapley and I decided that we needed to take him in the Chapel and talk about baptism with him. When I say this I mean this literally...when we opened the chapel doors...and walked in...it felt as if we walked through a wall. It was the most amazing feeling I have ever had. The spirit was so strong in that chapel. I just loved it. The feelings of love, peace, happiness, joy, and so many other things. Those feelings reconfirmed my testimony that this church is true. When I walked in, tears started to roll down my cheek because of how I felt. That is the closest I have felt to being in the Temple without being in the Temple. I just loved it. So...we started to talk to him and bear our testimonies about baptism. We invited him to be baptized and he thought about it for a minute and he said that he would have to think about it more, read and pray about it. We asked him how he felt that night and the feelings I had were the same feelings that he had. We explained to him what that was and why he felt that way. My new companion and I will continue to work with him. I just love this work so much.
I think and ponder about my mission and what I have done daily to this point. Every single night I have the opportunity to pray to Heavenly Father and tell him about my day... what a great thing that is. How wonderful that is. During the day, all I think about is work, work, work, work, work and work. At night, I calm down and review my day and my mission. I have seen the growth in me. It is amazing to see how, if you let it, the mission will change you. I still am the goofy Elder Mortimer that is weird, but when its time to preach the gospel, it seems as if I am completely different. I am so thankful that I have this opportunity to serve God. These past 3 months have meant more to me than anything else in the world. I just love it. I am so thankful that I have the knowledge of this gospel. Thank you to all that continue to sent me letters and say Hi to me. I really love them. I will try to write back as soon as I can. This gospel is true and I know that. I love you all and hope you all have a wonderful week.
Love,
Elder Mortimer
My face and elbow are doing so good. After this week I will be back to a full bike area, that means no car :(. Oh well...I actually do miss my bike, but don't worry I have learned my lesson, both hands on the handlebars at all times!!!!!! I got it.
I forgot my camera again, so next Monday I will remember to bring it so I can send pics of my baptism. It was so amazing. I never knew that this sacred ordinance could feel so amazing. Right now we are working with the mom of the children we baptized to get her into the waters of baptism. The father is still being a little harsh but what can you do. We found three new investigators this week...so I'm really excited about that. It is a family of three. A mom with a 17 year old son and a 12 year old son. The 12 year old seems the most interested right now. But a cool family none the less.
So a really cool experience for all of you...our zone leaders had a baptism and we invited Reggie our black investigator to it. He thought for a moment and he said YES!!!! So Brother Elrey picked him up and we went to the baptism. This man is amazing. He asks some really good questions. One of them is "What will I get from this church that I don't already have or will get from any other church?" Wow...that was a shocker when I heard that from him. He asks some good other ones too. Anyways...so after the baptism we took him on a church tour and showed him around the building talking about the pictures and what they represent and what they mean to us. Dad your favorite picture of "Christ Coming Again" was his favorite. He took a picture of it with his phone. Elder Stapley and I decided that we needed to take him in the Chapel and talk about baptism with him. When I say this I mean this literally...when we opened the chapel doors...and walked in...it felt as if we walked through a wall. It was the most amazing feeling I have ever had. The spirit was so strong in that chapel. I just loved it. The feelings of love, peace, happiness, joy, and so many other things. Those feelings reconfirmed my testimony that this church is true. When I walked in, tears started to roll down my cheek because of how I felt. That is the closest I have felt to being in the Temple without being in the Temple. I just loved it. So...we started to talk to him and bear our testimonies about baptism. We invited him to be baptized and he thought about it for a minute and he said that he would have to think about it more, read and pray about it. We asked him how he felt that night and the feelings I had were the same feelings that he had. We explained to him what that was and why he felt that way. My new companion and I will continue to work with him. I just love this work so much.
I think and ponder about my mission and what I have done daily to this point. Every single night I have the opportunity to pray to Heavenly Father and tell him about my day... what a great thing that is. How wonderful that is. During the day, all I think about is work, work, work, work, work and work. At night, I calm down and review my day and my mission. I have seen the growth in me. It is amazing to see how, if you let it, the mission will change you. I still am the goofy Elder Mortimer that is weird, but when its time to preach the gospel, it seems as if I am completely different. I am so thankful that I have this opportunity to serve God. These past 3 months have meant more to me than anything else in the world. I just love it. I am so thankful that I have the knowledge of this gospel. Thank you to all that continue to sent me letters and say Hi to me. I really love them. I will try to write back as soon as I can. This gospel is true and I know that. I love you all and hope you all have a wonderful week.
Love,
Elder Mortimer
August 22, 2011
August 22, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson, Arizona
Hey everyone!!!!
How are things in the world???? Things are going just dandy over here in Tucson. Transfers are coming up so I'm getting a littler nervous for that. I really love this area and I think I might be leaving. I'm not really sure, its all up to the Lord. I have really gotten attached with this ward. It reminds me of the Kettle Moraine Ward and how they treat the missionaries. But guess what???? WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!!!! The mother did not get baptized and that's okay...she wants to mend fences with the dad and things of that nature. All four kids that were able to get baptized did indeed get baptized so that was a really cool experience. I had the privilege to baptize the oldest daughter, and then I confirmed the oldest son. That was such an amazing experience. To see the family that Elder Stapley and I teaching for so long to finally see them be baptized was an amazing feeling. I'm so happy for this calling to be missionaries right now. I wanted to give the daughters and the mom a hug so bad but I couldn't so I told them to imagine it. After they exited the font the light in their eyes changed. It seemed as if they were a whole new person. It was such an amazing experience to witness. Confirming them was a scary experience. I felt really nervous in the beginning but then when I laid my hands on his head, I felt this cooling calmness come over my body. It was something that has never happened to me before it was so cool. I confirmed him and it was amazing. Elder Stapley and I went back to their house the next day to see how they are doing and the house felt so different. The spirit was there. I loved the feeling in the home. Now, because the mother has the spirit in the home, you can tell that she wants that feeling her kids have now more than ever. The father is still being a little hostile but we are praying for him every day to soften his heart. It will happen and I have the faith that it will. I also have to remember that I can't make people do something. I know that it will help them so much but, I can't force anything. The spirit has to work through them to have them understand what is best. Something that our zone leaders keep telling us is to become invisible. We need to be there to speak the words, but then we need to be invisible, and let the spirit do all of the teaching. Sometimes that is so hard to do. The natural man comes out and wants to do it all, but we have to remember that we are the Lords missionaries not our own.
Zone conference was so good. It was all about prayer and how we can improve our personal prayers and also improve our prayers with our investigators. If we don't pray with them there, how and why would they do it by themselves when we are not there. Prayer is such an important part of this gospel. Through prayer we receive so much strength. How amazing is it to know that our loving Heavenly Father hears our prayers, but not only does he hear our prayers, he answers them. Someone that you can fully rely on and say this is how I am feeling, please help me. WOW. What knowledge that is. I am so thankful for that knowledge. It helps me everyday in my life and especially here on my mission. This is hands down the most exhausting thing I have every done in my life. But this is also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. To see the change in people is just amazing. I'm so thankful that the Lord trusts me to teach and work with the people here in Tucson. Its kinda scary, but if pray and ask to have the spirit with us, which we must qualify for, we will be alright. I've seen the changes in peoples lives here so much already.
Right now...Elder Stapley and I are in a huge finding mode. We only have 3 investigators. Which is low. We are doing all that we can do to try to find people. Its so hard sometimes. Some days I wish it was as easy as saying GO HERE. That would be so nice. But Heavenly Father is teaching us a lesson. That is have faith and all will work out. I really like this quote "Work as if it depends on you, have faith like it depends on the Lord". This is so true. I see it everyday. He is teaching me how to work, but also how to work smart.
After labor day, mom your gonna love this, I GET TO RIDE MY BIKE. YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really miss my bike. I feel so much more like a missionary when I'm on my bike and I love it. I'm so ready, But mom don't worry I will use both hands the rest of the time I promise.
I'm so jelaus that you are going to Cancun. REALLY!!!!! It's all good. I promise. I hope you all have an amazing time. It will be so cool. I can't wait to see pictures of it. I'm sorry I'm not sending any pics this week, I forgot my camera at the apt. so that's a bummer next week though.
I miss you all like crazy. I love you all so much, more than my fingers can type. I hope you all have an amazing week.
Remember, if you don't know this church is true. Find out for yourself. Honestly search for the truth and look for it with a sincere heart having real intent, having faith that God will answer you. If you have those few things, you will get your answer. I know you will. Having a relationship with your Heavenly Father and knowing that He knows you, loves you and He will be there for you. He will give you strength when trails come your way. Knowing this will also give you peace. It happened for me, my companion, and now the investigators we baptized. Please do this search, ponder and pray.
I love you all,
Elder Mortimer
How are things in the world???? Things are going just dandy over here in Tucson. Transfers are coming up so I'm getting a littler nervous for that. I really love this area and I think I might be leaving. I'm not really sure, its all up to the Lord. I have really gotten attached with this ward. It reminds me of the Kettle Moraine Ward and how they treat the missionaries. But guess what???? WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!!!! The mother did not get baptized and that's okay...she wants to mend fences with the dad and things of that nature. All four kids that were able to get baptized did indeed get baptized so that was a really cool experience. I had the privilege to baptize the oldest daughter, and then I confirmed the oldest son. That was such an amazing experience. To see the family that Elder Stapley and I teaching for so long to finally see them be baptized was an amazing feeling. I'm so happy for this calling to be missionaries right now. I wanted to give the daughters and the mom a hug so bad but I couldn't so I told them to imagine it. After they exited the font the light in their eyes changed. It seemed as if they were a whole new person. It was such an amazing experience to witness. Confirming them was a scary experience. I felt really nervous in the beginning but then when I laid my hands on his head, I felt this cooling calmness come over my body. It was something that has never happened to me before it was so cool. I confirmed him and it was amazing. Elder Stapley and I went back to their house the next day to see how they are doing and the house felt so different. The spirit was there. I loved the feeling in the home. Now, because the mother has the spirit in the home, you can tell that she wants that feeling her kids have now more than ever. The father is still being a little hostile but we are praying for him every day to soften his heart. It will happen and I have the faith that it will. I also have to remember that I can't make people do something. I know that it will help them so much but, I can't force anything. The spirit has to work through them to have them understand what is best. Something that our zone leaders keep telling us is to become invisible. We need to be there to speak the words, but then we need to be invisible, and let the spirit do all of the teaching. Sometimes that is so hard to do. The natural man comes out and wants to do it all, but we have to remember that we are the Lords missionaries not our own.
Zone conference was so good. It was all about prayer and how we can improve our personal prayers and also improve our prayers with our investigators. If we don't pray with them there, how and why would they do it by themselves when we are not there. Prayer is such an important part of this gospel. Through prayer we receive so much strength. How amazing is it to know that our loving Heavenly Father hears our prayers, but not only does he hear our prayers, he answers them. Someone that you can fully rely on and say this is how I am feeling, please help me. WOW. What knowledge that is. I am so thankful for that knowledge. It helps me everyday in my life and especially here on my mission. This is hands down the most exhausting thing I have every done in my life. But this is also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. To see the change in people is just amazing. I'm so thankful that the Lord trusts me to teach and work with the people here in Tucson. Its kinda scary, but if pray and ask to have the spirit with us, which we must qualify for, we will be alright. I've seen the changes in peoples lives here so much already.
Right now...Elder Stapley and I are in a huge finding mode. We only have 3 investigators. Which is low. We are doing all that we can do to try to find people. Its so hard sometimes. Some days I wish it was as easy as saying GO HERE. That would be so nice. But Heavenly Father is teaching us a lesson. That is have faith and all will work out. I really like this quote "Work as if it depends on you, have faith like it depends on the Lord". This is so true. I see it everyday. He is teaching me how to work, but also how to work smart.
After labor day, mom your gonna love this, I GET TO RIDE MY BIKE. YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really miss my bike. I feel so much more like a missionary when I'm on my bike and I love it. I'm so ready, But mom don't worry I will use both hands the rest of the time I promise.
I'm so jelaus that you are going to Cancun. REALLY!!!!! It's all good. I promise. I hope you all have an amazing time. It will be so cool. I can't wait to see pictures of it. I'm sorry I'm not sending any pics this week, I forgot my camera at the apt. so that's a bummer next week though.
I miss you all like crazy. I love you all so much, more than my fingers can type. I hope you all have an amazing week.
Remember, if you don't know this church is true. Find out for yourself. Honestly search for the truth and look for it with a sincere heart having real intent, having faith that God will answer you. If you have those few things, you will get your answer. I know you will. Having a relationship with your Heavenly Father and knowing that He knows you, loves you and He will be there for you. He will give you strength when trails come your way. Knowing this will also give you peace. It happened for me, my companion, and now the investigators we baptized. Please do this search, ponder and pray.
I love you all,
Elder Mortimer
August 15, 2011
Hey Family and Friends!!!!
How are you guys doing? I really miss all of your bright smiley faces and love to read your emails and letters that I receive. I want to thank you all for those and the personal prayers and thoughts that you have sent my way. Thank you so much for that. I can feel your prayers and know that you are helping me.
So...this week has been the biggest emotional roller coaster of my life. The family that we were going to have the baptism for this Friday (all passed the baptism interviews), we are not really sure what is going to happen next. The father has been tricked and fooled by the adversary and has made him and twist things that we have said. It is so sad to see a wonderful family be damaged by the adversary. The father is trying everything in his power to stop this family from being baptized. He even told the Mom that he would take her out to dinner on Fri. night so she could not even go to her own baptism. Wow. It is so sad. Now we just got a text from the Mom saying that the Father is looking to get a divorce. I tell ya...the adversary is doing everything in his power to stop this family from entering the waters of baptism. When i heard this, I was pondering to myself why? Why? WHY????? From this question, I went to the scriptures for help; it is because the adversary knows that this gospel is true. He wants every single person to be as miserable as he is. When I see this family, i see how the gospel has changed their lives. It is amazing to see the progress that they have made. I love this family so much and I plead and beg for out Eternal Father in Heaven to help this family. I know that He can. I have heard from many missionaries and families that the week before they are baptized is the hardest week of their life; and i can see that right now. From these experiences I have learned what it means to plead with Heavenly Father; what it means to humble yourself, and beg for other people. I am reminded of the story of Enos in the Book of Mormon. He said he "wrestled with the Lord..." I have done this in my prayers for this family. I see them as my family and I love them so much. So if you can please pray for them, and help them with your thoughts.
Our other investigator who is 12 is doing very good. He just got back from Sahuarita and wants to talk to the missionaries again. Man that's so weird to call myself the missionary. His mom is seeing the blessings that this gospel is doing for their family. I love to see how this gospel does it. The Lord does bless his people, and want the best for them. We might have to move his baptism date back a week or two because he learns at a little slower pace then some. But it is okay.
I have learned and seen how God himself views his children. As literal children. How amazing is that. Our loving Heavenly Father sees us as children, and he wants us to become like them. I love that so much. We are so blessed to have a Father in Heaven like that. I am so amazed at how personally he knows every single one of us. He knows us by name, our weaknesses, our problems, and so much more. What great knowledge that is. You are able to personally talk to someone that knows who we are, actually knows us better than ourselves, and what we are going through. Its like in Alma 7:11-13. He really did suffer all of those things for us; and I know that by myself. No one influenced me to believe in this gospel but the spirit himself; not my parents, friends, or religious leaders. I read it for myself to come to the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ. Our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer and through him and only him, we can then return to live with our Father in Heaven again.
For the first time on my mission I read the Book of Mormon all the way through. What an experience ! To read the very Book that I am bearing witness to each day. My testimony of this Book has deepened so much that no one or anything can shake my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know this to be true. Joseph Smith was called of God to restore this Gospel, the same Gospel that Jesus Christ himself had when he was here on the earth. I have prayed about it. I have questioned it. I have sought guidance from our Father in Heaven if this is true. I received my answer and that is why I am here in Tucson Arizona. This work as a missionary is the most exhausting work I have ever done in my life. But there is no other place I would rather be then right here. I love you all so much, but I am needed here more than I am needed anywhere else at this moment in time. I challenge members and all non-members that read this email...read and pray from the Book of Mormon. Get out of your comfort zone, and put faith in God. What do you have to lose if you read and pray about it. God will not lie to you because he cannot lie. If you take Moroni's challenge in Moroni 10:3-5 you will receive your answer. When you do pray, do not seek the truth with an agenda of proving something. Seek for the truth with an open heart and an open mind. Because if you do this "...ye may know the truth of all things."
I know this gospel is true. I know that it is God's kingdom here on the earth again. I love this church with all of my being. It is because of this church that I am who I am. I love you all so very much and I pray for all of you. I love you all so much.
With all of my love,
Elder Mortimer
How are you guys doing? I really miss all of your bright smiley faces and love to read your emails and letters that I receive. I want to thank you all for those and the personal prayers and thoughts that you have sent my way. Thank you so much for that. I can feel your prayers and know that you are helping me.
So...this week has been the biggest emotional roller coaster of my life. The family that we were going to have the baptism for this Friday (all passed the baptism interviews), we are not really sure what is going to happen next. The father has been tricked and fooled by the adversary and has made him and twist things that we have said. It is so sad to see a wonderful family be damaged by the adversary. The father is trying everything in his power to stop this family from being baptized. He even told the Mom that he would take her out to dinner on Fri. night so she could not even go to her own baptism. Wow. It is so sad. Now we just got a text from the Mom saying that the Father is looking to get a divorce. I tell ya...the adversary is doing everything in his power to stop this family from entering the waters of baptism. When i heard this, I was pondering to myself why? Why? WHY????? From this question, I went to the scriptures for help; it is because the adversary knows that this gospel is true. He wants every single person to be as miserable as he is. When I see this family, i see how the gospel has changed their lives. It is amazing to see the progress that they have made. I love this family so much and I plead and beg for out Eternal Father in Heaven to help this family. I know that He can. I have heard from many missionaries and families that the week before they are baptized is the hardest week of their life; and i can see that right now. From these experiences I have learned what it means to plead with Heavenly Father; what it means to humble yourself, and beg for other people. I am reminded of the story of Enos in the Book of Mormon. He said he "wrestled with the Lord..." I have done this in my prayers for this family. I see them as my family and I love them so much. So if you can please pray for them, and help them with your thoughts.
Our other investigator who is 12 is doing very good. He just got back from Sahuarita and wants to talk to the missionaries again. Man that's so weird to call myself the missionary. His mom is seeing the blessings that this gospel is doing for their family. I love to see how this gospel does it. The Lord does bless his people, and want the best for them. We might have to move his baptism date back a week or two because he learns at a little slower pace then some. But it is okay.
I have learned and seen how God himself views his children. As literal children. How amazing is that. Our loving Heavenly Father sees us as children, and he wants us to become like them. I love that so much. We are so blessed to have a Father in Heaven like that. I am so amazed at how personally he knows every single one of us. He knows us by name, our weaknesses, our problems, and so much more. What great knowledge that is. You are able to personally talk to someone that knows who we are, actually knows us better than ourselves, and what we are going through. Its like in Alma 7:11-13. He really did suffer all of those things for us; and I know that by myself. No one influenced me to believe in this gospel but the spirit himself; not my parents, friends, or religious leaders. I read it for myself to come to the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ. Our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer and through him and only him, we can then return to live with our Father in Heaven again.
For the first time on my mission I read the Book of Mormon all the way through. What an experience ! To read the very Book that I am bearing witness to each day. My testimony of this Book has deepened so much that no one or anything can shake my testimony of the Book of Mormon. I know this to be true. Joseph Smith was called of God to restore this Gospel, the same Gospel that Jesus Christ himself had when he was here on the earth. I have prayed about it. I have questioned it. I have sought guidance from our Father in Heaven if this is true. I received my answer and that is why I am here in Tucson Arizona. This work as a missionary is the most exhausting work I have ever done in my life. But there is no other place I would rather be then right here. I love you all so much, but I am needed here more than I am needed anywhere else at this moment in time. I challenge members and all non-members that read this email...read and pray from the Book of Mormon. Get out of your comfort zone, and put faith in God. What do you have to lose if you read and pray about it. God will not lie to you because he cannot lie. If you take Moroni's challenge in Moroni 10:3-5 you will receive your answer. When you do pray, do not seek the truth with an agenda of proving something. Seek for the truth with an open heart and an open mind. Because if you do this "...ye may know the truth of all things."
I know this gospel is true. I know that it is God's kingdom here on the earth again. I love this church with all of my being. It is because of this church that I am who I am. I love you all so very much and I pray for all of you. I love you all so much.
With all of my love,
Elder Mortimer
August 8, 2011
August 8, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson, Arizona
Hey Family and Friends!!!
How is everybody doing? I'm doing just great!! I am loving life here on the mission. Guess what?! I'm almost fully healed! It’s so crazy but the Lord really does protect his servants. I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father knows who I am and what I am doing. He loves me and I love him. I love to get up every morning and pray and read my scriptures. I wish I had done it more regularly. My eye does have some scars on it but its ok, and my elbow is doing wonderful. Sometimes its gives me so troubles but I pray and the pain goes away so that I can do the work. I also am driving now :). We texted our mission president and asked him if in could drive, he asked how my elbow was feeling and I said just fine, he then replied ok Elder Mortimer but make sure when you go over speed bumps go over it with BOTH hands on the steering wheel. VERY FUNNY PRESIDENT!!! We have a Chevy Colorado truck its ok, but at least we have AC and we can listen to music now!!!! It's so great.
SO...some experiences for you...we taught the Cortina’s family, and the mother said she had some great news for us so we were really excited to see what was up. The dad said I quit smoking! Elder Stapley and I were so thrown back, we couldn't believe it. He said he bought an electronic cig. And it is helping him a lot. It was so crazy. It was like a spiritual nuke bomb just went off. But then the oldest daughter looked at us and said I need to tell you something. She said I’m not getting baptized. SPIRIT GONE!!! We just couldn't believe it. We kept asking why, and she wouldn't give us a good answer. She said that it was because her mom kept going back and forth and that she made her decision and she was going to stick with it. Elder Stapley, Elder Bradley, and I were so shocked. So then the dad looked at us and said, I’m not getting baptized either. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!! The Lord just blessed him to quit smoking and now he said no I’m not getting baptized. I just couldn't believe it. He said that he still had some doubts and questions about the church. The rule for missionaries is to be back in your apt at 9:30 PM at the latest. We didn't get back till 10 we felt really bad about that because we stayed out so late. Our district leader and zone leaders were worried but we saw them and we explained the whole thing to them. When I talked about it I just started to cry I couldn't handle it. I just felt so bad. I couldn't sleep because of it. We didn't see them for like 2 or 3 days and then we saw the kids and talked to them one on one and they all said the want to be baptized. Even the oldest daughter changed her mind, so that is good. Tears of joy now. So the baptism is set for Aug 19. and we are setting up the interview. We also have a new investigator, a 12 yr old boy, whose mom is less active. She hasn't been to church in 20+ years. He accepted a baptism date for Aug 26. We are really excited about that experience. A couple days after we met with them, the mom has been looking for a job for months and we got a call from her saying she just got a job. She said look at how the Lord is blessing me after I start talking with the missionaries. It was truly a day of strengthening my testimony of the work that I am doing.
A family that we were teaching just dropped us because of the dad. He is a hard core catholic and he only goes to church 2 times a year. He goes to "Mother of Sorrows" (I like the name of the church). We asked her when we could come by again and she said my husband was really mad that she was meeting with us and wanted us to not come by again. Man, that was so disappointing. Something that will give them so much joy in their life and they just shove it away and want nothing to do with it. But oh well, what can you do? We just have to keep on keeping on.
How is everybody doing? I'm doing just great!! I am loving life here on the mission. Guess what?! I'm almost fully healed! It’s so crazy but the Lord really does protect his servants. I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father knows who I am and what I am doing. He loves me and I love him. I love to get up every morning and pray and read my scriptures. I wish I had done it more regularly. My eye does have some scars on it but its ok, and my elbow is doing wonderful. Sometimes its gives me so troubles but I pray and the pain goes away so that I can do the work. I also am driving now :). We texted our mission president and asked him if in could drive, he asked how my elbow was feeling and I said just fine, he then replied ok Elder Mortimer but make sure when you go over speed bumps go over it with BOTH hands on the steering wheel. VERY FUNNY PRESIDENT!!! We have a Chevy Colorado truck its ok, but at least we have AC and we can listen to music now!!!! It's so great.
SO...some experiences for you...we taught the Cortina’s family, and the mother said she had some great news for us so we were really excited to see what was up. The dad said I quit smoking! Elder Stapley and I were so thrown back, we couldn't believe it. He said he bought an electronic cig. And it is helping him a lot. It was so crazy. It was like a spiritual nuke bomb just went off. But then the oldest daughter looked at us and said I need to tell you something. She said I’m not getting baptized. SPIRIT GONE!!! We just couldn't believe it. We kept asking why, and she wouldn't give us a good answer. She said that it was because her mom kept going back and forth and that she made her decision and she was going to stick with it. Elder Stapley, Elder Bradley, and I were so shocked. So then the dad looked at us and said, I’m not getting baptized either. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!! The Lord just blessed him to quit smoking and now he said no I’m not getting baptized. I just couldn't believe it. He said that he still had some doubts and questions about the church. The rule for missionaries is to be back in your apt at 9:30 PM at the latest. We didn't get back till 10 we felt really bad about that because we stayed out so late. Our district leader and zone leaders were worried but we saw them and we explained the whole thing to them. When I talked about it I just started to cry I couldn't handle it. I just felt so bad. I couldn't sleep because of it. We didn't see them for like 2 or 3 days and then we saw the kids and talked to them one on one and they all said the want to be baptized. Even the oldest daughter changed her mind, so that is good. Tears of joy now. So the baptism is set for Aug 19. and we are setting up the interview. We also have a new investigator, a 12 yr old boy, whose mom is less active. She hasn't been to church in 20+ years. He accepted a baptism date for Aug 26. We are really excited about that experience. A couple days after we met with them, the mom has been looking for a job for months and we got a call from her saying she just got a job. She said look at how the Lord is blessing me after I start talking with the missionaries. It was truly a day of strengthening my testimony of the work that I am doing.
A family that we were teaching just dropped us because of the dad. He is a hard core catholic and he only goes to church 2 times a year. He goes to "Mother of Sorrows" (I like the name of the church). We asked her when we could come by again and she said my husband was really mad that she was meeting with us and wanted us to not come by again. Man, that was so disappointing. Something that will give them so much joy in their life and they just shove it away and want nothing to do with it. But oh well, what can you do? We just have to keep on keeping on.
I want to share some things that in learned over these past few months of being on my mission...
1) the Lord really does know who we are. I love telling that to people because I know it to be true. If it wasn't true I wouldn't be here right now.
2) The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ in America. It is his word and his book. An evil man could not write such a book, and a good man wouldn't. Only a man called of God could have done such a thing as translate the Book of Mormon.
3) Without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are nothing. His Atonement is something so special to me. I hold it so near and dear to my heart. I just love this gospel so much. It means the world to me. There is nowhere in the world would I would rather be than here in Tucson Arizona serving for two years teaching people how to make their way back to Christ.
This is his gospel. I know this to be true. President Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet and President of this church. How wonderful is it to know that there is a living prophet on the earth today to let us know what God wants us to do. Man, I just love it.
I love you all so much thank you for all the prayers and letters that you send my way. I love you.
Elder Mortimer
August 1, 2011
August 1, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson, Arizona
Hey everybody,
How the heck are ya? I'm doing so good!!! My face is healing and so now I’m only 1/2 broke. My elbow is still broken but its ok no surgery needed. My stitches are out, Sister Killpack (Mission Pres. Wife) took them out for me. It hurt because they were in so long and the skin started to grow over them but its ok I didn't cry and I was a tough missionary ;). SO...what’s new with all of you? I miss you all dearly and think about you often and pray for you often.
I had an experience to share with you all this week. So...on Thursday we had a lesson with the Cortina’s family and Elder Stapley and Elder Bradley took the kids into another room while our missionary and myself stayed with the father. I had the most spiritual lesson of my life. We are trying to get him to quit smoking and it is so hard. He says he wants to quit but his actions are different. But it’s ok because I shared with him so of my personal experiences of my life and I helped him. After the lesson we offered to give him a blessing and I gave it. I told him "Richard I command thee to smoke no more, and if you do, the cigarettes will tasted different to you, the lords tells you these things so that you can be baptized with your family." WOW. It was the most powerful blessing that I have ever given. I was just filled with the spirit. After the lesson, we went back to our apartment, and I told my companions that I needed to be alone, so I went into our closet and I shut the door, and I started to pray. I prayed so hard. I just pleaded and begged the lord to help us and to help him and I fasted as well. When we went back the next day his whole persona changed. It was amazing to see that change. The power of God is real and I know this. It is amazing to see and feel. I love the gospel it so much.
Also, another cool experience was when we were out tracting (going door to door) and a JW (Jehovah Witness) came up to me and was like hey I do this too. I'm a JW, and my companions and I thought oh boy. So we went back to her house a few days later and guess what, she accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. From what I’ve heard if she has read it, I guess they can be excommunicated for reading it. It was crazy so she gave us her info and we promised to read it, if she read our stuff, and prayed about it. Man it was so weird to read their pamphlets. We went back and she had her minister there and it was so strange, but she said she will stick with her faith because ours was only inspirational. What ever that means.
Family and friends I love this gospel. It is true and I know it to be true. If you do not know this, please I beg you to pray about it. It can and will change your life for eternity. This is not just a Sunday going church this is a church for eternity. Families can be together forever, not just for time while here on earth and I know this to be true. The power of the priesthood is real. It has helped me become a better missionary and helped heal me. Miracles do happen because I am a witness of it. Read from the Book of Mormon it will change your heart for the better and I know this because what it has done it for me. I love you all so much, and I pray for you every day. I hope everyone is doing great. I love you and miss you.
Love, Elder Mortimer
How the heck are ya? I'm doing so good!!! My face is healing and so now I’m only 1/2 broke. My elbow is still broken but its ok no surgery needed. My stitches are out, Sister Killpack (Mission Pres. Wife) took them out for me. It hurt because they were in so long and the skin started to grow over them but its ok I didn't cry and I was a tough missionary ;). SO...what’s new with all of you? I miss you all dearly and think about you often and pray for you often.
I had an experience to share with you all this week. So...on Thursday we had a lesson with the Cortina’s family and Elder Stapley and Elder Bradley took the kids into another room while our missionary and myself stayed with the father. I had the most spiritual lesson of my life. We are trying to get him to quit smoking and it is so hard. He says he wants to quit but his actions are different. But it’s ok because I shared with him so of my personal experiences of my life and I helped him. After the lesson we offered to give him a blessing and I gave it. I told him "Richard I command thee to smoke no more, and if you do, the cigarettes will tasted different to you, the lords tells you these things so that you can be baptized with your family." WOW. It was the most powerful blessing that I have ever given. I was just filled with the spirit. After the lesson, we went back to our apartment, and I told my companions that I needed to be alone, so I went into our closet and I shut the door, and I started to pray. I prayed so hard. I just pleaded and begged the lord to help us and to help him and I fasted as well. When we went back the next day his whole persona changed. It was amazing to see that change. The power of God is real and I know this. It is amazing to see and feel. I love the gospel it so much.
Also, another cool experience was when we were out tracting (going door to door) and a JW (Jehovah Witness) came up to me and was like hey I do this too. I'm a JW, and my companions and I thought oh boy. So we went back to her house a few days later and guess what, she accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. From what I’ve heard if she has read it, I guess they can be excommunicated for reading it. It was crazy so she gave us her info and we promised to read it, if she read our stuff, and prayed about it. Man it was so weird to read their pamphlets. We went back and she had her minister there and it was so strange, but she said she will stick with her faith because ours was only inspirational. What ever that means.
Family and friends I love this gospel. It is true and I know it to be true. If you do not know this, please I beg you to pray about it. It can and will change your life for eternity. This is not just a Sunday going church this is a church for eternity. Families can be together forever, not just for time while here on earth and I know this to be true. The power of the priesthood is real. It has helped me become a better missionary and helped heal me. Miracles do happen because I am a witness of it. Read from the Book of Mormon it will change your heart for the better and I know this because what it has done it for me. I love you all so much, and I pray for you every day. I hope everyone is doing great. I love you and miss you.
Love, Elder Mortimer
July 28, 2011
July 28, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson Arizona
Hey Everyone!!!!
So I’m still broken but I’m ok. I want to thank everyone for all of the prayers and thoughts sent my way. They did not go unnoticed. I love you all and am so thankful you took the time out of your day to think of me and pray for me so thank you.
The break in my elbow is not as bad as they thought so no surgery. Also my face isn't swollen anymore :). I still have the stitches in my face so those will come out soon. I’m doing just fine. My bike is also fine. I got a prescription for no bike for two months, best prescription ever :). I don't have any more scabs, only around my eye. Sister Kilpack (Mission Pres. Wife who is a RN) looked me over and said that I’m looking good. For sure this past week has been the craziest week of my life! On Mon I broke my elbow and face, on Wed my district leader and his companion were in their car driving in the church parking lot. They hit a metal plate, popped it up and it punctured the car. You can see the parking lot from inside the car. and then Fri we got another elder in my companionship. Him and his comp got ET (emergency transferred) not sure why, and they do the American Sign Language program in the area. So maybe this is my chance to learn some ASL... So yeah its been nuts! Thurs, Fri, and Sat, I had to be on exchanges b/c we didn't have a car so I had to be with someone with a car. I went with a Spanish Elder one day and it was so fun. We went to the ghetto of ghettos I mean like we heard gunshots. It was so awesome. It was in south Tucson and we were with all the illegals. It was so much fun. I loved it. I even spoke some Spanish no joke it was legit. I loved it, now my dream is to learn some Spanish and try to go Spanish even for a little bit. The other days I just bummed with the Zone Leader, but it was a lot of fun with a ton of confusion. It was crazy.
So today we went to the temple. It was the most amazing day of my life. The feeling of Gods love was so amazing to me. While I was lying in the hospital bed, I was in a serious amount of pain, I prayed so hard to have the Savior help me. I wanted mom there, I wanted to have the pain leave me. The biggest help was Brother Draper our Ward Mission Leader and he just sat by me calming me down and helping me out. What a great blessing he is to me. I had some big moments of ah ha there but some I will not share because of how personal they are to me. But one experience I will share is this; as I was lying there I wanted the pain to leave. Just talk to my mom, give her a hug, and I couldn't do that, I couldn't even hear her voice. I wanted something familiar to me in a place that was so confussing to me and chaotic. So all I know that I could do was pray. So I did just that, I prayed and a miraculous thing happened to me. I felt the Savior's love so strong that day. I felt him hug me and say everything will be ok and I knew that it was going to be ok. A thought came to my mind that said I protected you today, you are one of my servants and I protected you. He did, he really did. When I came in to the Emergency Room I was in bad shape, I didn't know what was going on. They rushed me in because they saw the condition I was in. I was rushed to get a CAT scan and an X-Ray on my arm. When they came back, they said that my elbow was broken and that I didn't break any bones around my eye. They said I don't know how you did it, but your eye socket should be collapsed with no eye and your elbow and shoulder should be dislocated. But none of those things happened to me. I broke down in tears because right then I knew that God protected me. He really does protect his servants; I know this to be true because it happened to me. I should've been a ton worse than what I was. I feel so blessed and humbled right now compared to where I was on Mon night and Tues to where I am today is completely different. In one week all of the swelling has gone down, no black eye, and my elbow doesn't need surgery or a cast just a splint and sling. What a miracle it truly is. Something funny though is while I was getting stitched up, my companion and I gave the doctor the first lesson. We bore our testimonies and shared the first vision. She couldn't just leave me so we decided, why not ya know. All of these memories flooded back to me while I was sitting in the temple. I felt that love again surge through me like a wave. I was hit by emotion and I couldn't help but cry. I was also pondering about the investigators that we have right now. I knew that Heavenly Father helped me understand where they are at and how I can help them reach that next point and how I can help them come closer to Christ.
I feel impressed to bear my testimony right now. Everyone that reads this email know this; CHRIST LIVES!!!!! He is our Redeemer and Savior. He loves us and knows who we are as individuals. I know this because never have I felt it so strong than this past week. Joseph Smith saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ that day in the Sacred Grove. I know this to be true because I myself have prayed about it. No one has influenced me otherwise. I made this decision to go on a mission. Not my dad not my mom and not my friends. I did. It is the best decision I have ever made in my life. I love this gospel with my whole soul and all of my heart. If I didn't not know this gospel to be true with out a shadow of a doubt I would not be here. This is His church. This church is not run by man, but by God. If you do not know that this is his church I plead with you to pray about it. Read from the Book of Mormon. I beg you. It can and it will change your life for it has changed mine in ways that I cannot even describe. Since I’ve been on my mission I have the opportunity to read from the Book of Mormon every day and it is honestly the highlight of my day. I learn so much from it. I now know what it means to feast on the words of Christ and not to nibble here and there. The priesthood is real. It heals and gives miracles every day, and I am a recipient of one of those miracles. I love this gospel so much. Read from the Book of Mormon, pray about it, and seek for yourself. For God will not lie to you. This is His church and His kingdom on the earth today with a living prophet on the earth today.
I love you all so much and miss you dearly. Love, Elder Mortimer
Ryans Accident
July 20, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson Arizona
Dear Family and friends,
We didn’t hear from Ryan until Wednesday this week. I felt something was wrong yesterday and was trying to put all those emotions aside. I was going to call the mission office on my way to work. Then, I got a call from the mission office… This is the second call from them the first call was when his first bike broke after being in Tucson for one week. I have to say I was a little worried. Elder Mortimer had an accident while riding his bike on Monday night the18th of July. He has officially been in the mission field for two months as of the 18th when his accident happened. I have included his short letter below which was typed by his companion. I got a few details and have not talked to him yet. He will be seeing an orthopedic doctor in a few days after the swelling of the elbow goes down. Possible that surgery will be needed. Then I will be able to talk to him if surgery is needed. He was blessed that he did have his helmet on because he has injuries to his face. They did a CT Scan and an MRI of the head and facial bones. The ER doctor said he is blessed not to have any facial broken bones especially around his eye sockets and he is banged up really good with facial swelling and thirty stitches. He also has scrapes and cuts on his arms and hands.
I will share this story from Elder Mortimer’s past. We lived in Milwaukee on 83rd Street on the corner and he was practicing riding his bike with no training wheels. We think he was 5 years old. We will have to pull out the photo album to confirm the date. He had his first bike accident and hit his head hard and cracked his helmet. He had a head concussion and broke his right elbow. When we took him to the ER at Children’s Hospital they said it was a good thing he was wearing his helmet.
He will be on exchanges for a while with an Elder who has a car and not on the bike. We haven’t heard yet about the damage to the month old bike. If anyone who wants to send him a get well card I am sure it would cheer him up. The healing process and restrictions will get old quickly.
Elder Mortimer 939 Chapala Drive Tucson, Arizona 85704
Note from Elder Mortimer…
Well I am broke! I fell off my bike and received 30 stitches in my face and have a broken radial head on my elbow. I am doing great. I have a lot more time for studying which I really need. Thanks for your prayers. I know I will have a speedy recovery. My companion takes really good care of me and cleans my face wounds. We work and teach really well together. I didn't get transferred this week. That's all about my accident and fun p-day.
How is everyone? I miss you all. We gave a blessing to one of the Cortinez daughters because she was super sick and the next morning she was healed. What a cool experience! We are trying to get a baptismal date with the oldest daughter and father soon.
For answer of questions: Send some contacts. I'm doing fine with razors. I need a new white shirt because my other one got destroyed. My daily schedule... I'm getting used to it. I really can't type much because my arm is in the way. Just know that I'm ok and that the Lord blesses His missionaries and takes care of them. So have no fear. When I email next I will share more. I'm having another Elder type this for me because I deleted the first one because of by hand that is all splinted up.
I love you all,
Elder Mortimer
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