So good to hear from you this week and to know that all is well! Sounds like you had a busy week with the kids there and everything else that you were doing. That's so crazy that there insnt very much snow!? when you say that what do you mean? are the ridges bare? they are here! dirt is showing every where down here! ;) surprise surprise.
Well we have had a great week and so much good stuff has happened! we are seeing miracles left and right and it seems like they are just being given to us. We have awesome trust with the members and leadership in both of our wards and i think that this is what it needed to take to get that back so God has really been helping us.
Tina and Crystal are good to go for this Saturday at noon. its always a little bit stressful the last week or so before the baptism trying to get everything in order and interviews lined up to meet every ones schedule but we got it all straitened out and they are good to go. such a blessing, we set a date with them and started teaching them our first week here in the area now here we are 5 weeks later and they are finally getting baptised! so sweet to see.
Another sweet thing happened from us opening our mouth and being bold. Juan's wife Erica has been coming to church with him sense his baptism and she has seemed to really enjoy it but has been kinda sitting in the back seat. Sunday we walked up to her after Gospel Principals class and told her that we would like to meet with her some time and talk about why this church is different than any other (in particular the Catholic church which she was raised in) and she said that she had been praying about that and feels like that would be a good thing. We taught her last night, we could tell from first impressions that she had something on her mind and she looked pretty tender. we said an opening prayer and then she told us how she has been reading the Book of Mormon herself with out Juan even knowing and had been to the Visitor Center by her self and has been doing lots of praying about it all. then she told us that she wanted to be baptised. we taught the restoration of the Gospel and she will be getting baptised January 28, next Saturday! she is so prepared and ready for this its cool to see. its really cool to see the difference in their relationship between Juan and her sense they have both started this process. They will do amazing things and go far.
Last night we also taught Shea and Destiny. they were the ones where they came to church last week and Shea (LA) bore her testimony on how she wants to come back and how destiny wanted to be baptised. it was such a spirit filled lesson! They both have had some pretty sweet experiences over the past 2 months that have prepared them for this return and for Destiny the desire to learn. they are Apache Indians and are such giving and sweet people. really humble and completely submissive. Destiny has a baptismal date for Feb. 11. excited to be able and work with them!
This past week we also set a date with a 9 year old who is a PMF for the 18th of Feb. we just got to get the whole family activated and hopefully they will feel the motivation from their kids. they are awesome. her name is Asriel Rodgers. We found them through Former Investigators in the area book. We are being blessed!
we went to the temple this morning and that was a great time. what a blessing it is to be so close to one pretty much where ever you are in the world. the church is growing fast and the only reason it is, is because it is true! How privlaged we are to be a part of it! :)
I hope you got the package i sent you and your all doing well! I dropped you a post card in the mail this morning so be looking for that! I love and appreciate you all and all you do for you me and your support over the past 2 years. couldnt ask for more. Thank You! hope you have a wonderful week and you see many aswered prayers!
Love,
Elder Lerwill
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Panter Boys Stay With Us
Yes call me an Indian Giver. The last time I was in nursery I would guess about 10 years ago or so I donated a bunch of our toys. The kids were big, we needed more room, and the thoughts of my kids growing up and having their own seemed like forever. I have regretted it several different times when I have been back in nursery subbing. I subbed here a month ago and they have so many toys and a friend of mine is the nursery leader. I told her that the farm use to be Dalan's. I wished I still had it and she said take it. There are so many toys! So I smuggled it out of the church that Sunday. Stacy saw me walking out with it under my coat and just laughed. I am so excited to have it back. Grandpa and Grandma Curtis gave it to Dalan when he was just little. Hard to believe that he could have his own kids in a few years, Wow! Bowdrie and Stockton both loved it and played with it when they were here.
Ready to go play in the snow!
Ready
Set
Go!
Got some doggie lovin, too!
What a cutie!
He did not want to come in but he was freezing!
Bowdrie eating yummy sweet potatoes!
What a cute bunch of kids. I miss the cute boys cheeks to kiss! We also really missed Macie!
Stockton had a bath two nights and the first night asked where Macie was. Wes and Katie said it was probably his first bath ever alone. How cute!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Christmas Thankfulness
This year Bailey wanted to do a thankful basket and have us write what we were thankful for every day and then we read them on Christmas Eve. It was a fun thing to do. Here are a few of our answers:
- Stacy
- Brenda
- Bailey
- Dalan
- Good Parents
- Missionaries
- Food, water, shelter
- modern appliances, washer and dryer, microwave
- church
- scriptures
- clean air
- trees, flowers
- camping
- phones
- stacy's cute wrinkles around his eyes when he smiles
- freedom
- prophet
- gospel
- earth
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
We are having the pleasure of watching the two Panter boys while their Mom and Dad escape for a few days and for several reasons.
As I started this post both boys were asleep. Bowdrie went down around eleven. goal get Stockton to sleep too. It worked for 5 minutes and now I am typing one handed and I am praying my couch does not get a pee bath. Stocktonwas not going to go to sleep let alone put a pull up on!Well Bowdrie is ready to eat. ha ha Life is great.
- time away together, call it Happy 10th year Anniversary! (Way to go guys)
- Denver Stock Show
- See John and Jayne Probst, good friends from Alaska
As I started this post both boys were asleep. Bowdrie went down around eleven. goal get Stockton to sleep too. It worked for 5 minutes and now I am typing one handed and I am praying my couch does not get a pee bath. Stocktonwas not going to go to sleep let alone put a pull up on!Well Bowdrie is ready to eat. ha ha Life is great.
E-Mail 1-9-2012 Doing well and more baptisms
Hello Hello!
Awesome things have happened both here and there it sounds like! so good to hear that you have all had a good productive week! You will have another one this week it sounds like, those boys will keep you hopping! :) that will be so much fun! I am also happy for Wes and Katie and the opportunity that they will have to get away for a bit and have some time! every body needs that time, a mission is so great for the simple fact of how planned out and organized you are with your time. if you don't get something done it is because you didn't make the time for it! and we get a day off once a week, rain or shine, this pday is well needed. i am exhausted and i can sure feel it pulling down on me, ill get a good nap in today. Last night i was snoring really bad, elder Hyrkas recorded it. I had only been asleep for 30 mins and i was gone. :) one thing that is easy to do on the mission, sleep! :)
Well we have an amazing week here! there has been so much that has happened and so many blessing have come to us just because we are out working and doing what we are supposed to. there have been so many people that we have got to talk with that are so ready to learn and lots of people that have found us. Yesterday was our wards fast and testimony meeting and in our 9o'clock meeting a lady that we didn't know got up to bare her testimony and she said how she really belonged to this ward but for the past year she has been going to other ward because she felt uncomfortable coming back after so many years of inactivity. her new year resolution was to come to the right ward. at the end of her testimony she pointed out her 15year old daughter who was sitting on the back row and said how she was wanting to be baptised! after the meeting they came up to us to set up a time and get things going! she said that she wants to get baptised in February! so amazing.
We also had another huge miracle happen. Saturday morning we received a phone call from Juan and he is doing great! he started to tell us that his wife had a problem with the church, i started to worry that something might be wrong or she got anti-ed or some thing like that. we have not been pushy at all with her about the church because that is how Juan asked us to handle it so we have just been letting things go as they come. she had been to church 2x's and has seemed to like it. Juan began to say how she had been studying the BoM that morning so he started to worry as well but then she told him that her problem is that no one has asked her if she wanted to join! Wow, i love problems like that. Juan received the Aaronic priesthood yesterday and Erika his wife was there to see and it was a touching experience for them both. she will be getting baptised within the month! so awesome!
On Wednesday i got a phone call from elder shafer who is in my salt river area and he told me that Earmaline Butler was going to be getting baptised on Saturday and they wanted me there for it. so elder Hiatt and I got to go back together and give a talk about when we first found them on the side of the road and the process of teaching them in the first 2 months of their journey. it was incredible to see them there and hear their testimonies. they are solid and doing lots of good in the church. it was cool to see all the members there again as well. So many good people and so many blessings. it was great to be able to see that!
Also this coming weekend Jeff Barrlett in A.j. is getting baptised. He is 17 and elder Hancey and i found him about half way through the transfer. he is doing great and hasn't missed a day of church yet. when his mom cant take him he walks to the church! great kid and i am happy for him to make this step!
Interviews with president went great. it was a awesome meeting and so enjoyable to just be there and not have to do anything! interviews took for ever, i didn't have mine until 3:30. took forever but it was great. got my temple recommend renewed which is kinda crazy and had a great time talking with president and hearing his wisdom and advice and council. smart and inspired man that's for sure. i feel so blessed to have been able to serve with him for this time. couldn't have had in any better. Crazy to think that Elder Hyrkas will have 2 mission presidents! time flys and things change fast. especially in missionary work, on a dime the whole everything can be turned around and going a different direction. President says something that needs to change or something he wants implemented and within 24 hours it is full swing. pretty cool to see it work and see the fruits as we follow our priestood leader!
Well I hope that you all have a great week and see lots of miracles as well. good luck with all you do and go through, your always in my prayers. keep up the good work. thanks so much for all your love and support, not only during these 2 years but all my life! Take Care
Love,
Elder Lerwill
Awesome things have happened both here and there it sounds like! so good to hear that you have all had a good productive week! You will have another one this week it sounds like, those boys will keep you hopping! :) that will be so much fun! I am also happy for Wes and Katie and the opportunity that they will have to get away for a bit and have some time! every body needs that time, a mission is so great for the simple fact of how planned out and organized you are with your time. if you don't get something done it is because you didn't make the time for it! and we get a day off once a week, rain or shine, this pday is well needed. i am exhausted and i can sure feel it pulling down on me, ill get a good nap in today. Last night i was snoring really bad, elder Hyrkas recorded it. I had only been asleep for 30 mins and i was gone. :) one thing that is easy to do on the mission, sleep! :)
Well we have an amazing week here! there has been so much that has happened and so many blessing have come to us just because we are out working and doing what we are supposed to. there have been so many people that we have got to talk with that are so ready to learn and lots of people that have found us. Yesterday was our wards fast and testimony meeting and in our 9o'clock meeting a lady that we didn't know got up to bare her testimony and she said how she really belonged to this ward but for the past year she has been going to other ward because she felt uncomfortable coming back after so many years of inactivity. her new year resolution was to come to the right ward. at the end of her testimony she pointed out her 15year old daughter who was sitting on the back row and said how she was wanting to be baptised! after the meeting they came up to us to set up a time and get things going! she said that she wants to get baptised in February! so amazing.
We also had another huge miracle happen. Saturday morning we received a phone call from Juan and he is doing great! he started to tell us that his wife had a problem with the church, i started to worry that something might be wrong or she got anti-ed or some thing like that. we have not been pushy at all with her about the church because that is how Juan asked us to handle it so we have just been letting things go as they come. she had been to church 2x's and has seemed to like it. Juan began to say how she had been studying the BoM that morning so he started to worry as well but then she told him that her problem is that no one has asked her if she wanted to join! Wow, i love problems like that. Juan received the Aaronic priesthood yesterday and Erika his wife was there to see and it was a touching experience for them both. she will be getting baptised within the month! so awesome!
On Wednesday i got a phone call from elder shafer who is in my salt river area and he told me that Earmaline Butler was going to be getting baptised on Saturday and they wanted me there for it. so elder Hiatt and I got to go back together and give a talk about when we first found them on the side of the road and the process of teaching them in the first 2 months of their journey. it was incredible to see them there and hear their testimonies. they are solid and doing lots of good in the church. it was cool to see all the members there again as well. So many good people and so many blessings. it was great to be able to see that!
Also this coming weekend Jeff Barrlett in A.j. is getting baptised. He is 17 and elder Hancey and i found him about half way through the transfer. he is doing great and hasn't missed a day of church yet. when his mom cant take him he walks to the church! great kid and i am happy for him to make this step!
Interviews with president went great. it was a awesome meeting and so enjoyable to just be there and not have to do anything! interviews took for ever, i didn't have mine until 3:30. took forever but it was great. got my temple recommend renewed which is kinda crazy and had a great time talking with president and hearing his wisdom and advice and council. smart and inspired man that's for sure. i feel so blessed to have been able to serve with him for this time. couldn't have had in any better. Crazy to think that Elder Hyrkas will have 2 mission presidents! time flys and things change fast. especially in missionary work, on a dime the whole everything can be turned around and going a different direction. President says something that needs to change or something he wants implemented and within 24 hours it is full swing. pretty cool to see it work and see the fruits as we follow our priestood leader!
Well I hope that you all have a great week and see lots of miracles as well. good luck with all you do and go through, your always in my prayers. keep up the good work. thanks so much for all your love and support, not only during these 2 years but all my life! Take Care
Love,
Elder Lerwill
Elder Hiatt, Brother & Sister Butler, Elder Lerwill
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Year E-Mail January 3, 2012
Wow sounds like you all have had quite the week. I felt a little overwhelmed reading about it all and I'm not even there! glad you survived! The kitchen looks completely different, looks so good! I am sure that you are loving it. Looks like a completely different place and its crazy how the memory fades over 2 years on the way things look around there, not even including that people change! haha, crazy!
That's so fun that you were able to spend the new year with Wes and Katie! I am sure the house was bouncing all weekend long! those little stinks sure have changed a lot it seems like. Bailey too. I don't even hardly recognize her in her new pictures! they look great and i will be praying for you during your finals and all that fun stuff at school! glad you all had a good new year! :) Our new year was really exciting!! We taught a lesson at 7p and then talked to some people until 9p. planned for the next day until 9:30 and i went to bed and 10 and when i woke up it was 2012 and i didn't even count down or anything! haha, its weird what holidays are recognized as a missionary! :) it was good though.
so about talking to Aunt Annette, we were at dinner with the Wilson's and they asked where we were from and i said Idaho and they both said that they were raised in Idaho, i asked if they knew the Lyons family there and they about fell off their chairs. Sis. Wilson's stake Primary president when she was a kid was Ruth Lyons! Both of them grew up there, high school sweethearts and they both knew Grandma Curtis and Kent and the whole clan there, so he asked me if i had talked to Annette in the time that i had been down here and i told him no, so he picked up his phone and called her and handed it to me. haha, so that's how it happened! crazy how small the world is!
We had a really busy week, lots of lessons cancelled and lots went through, you cant win them all but it is cool to see how you are put in places and situations for a reason and it leads you to someone else. we are being blessed.
Last night at 8 we contacted a referral of ours. it was for a less active lady who was somewhat interested in coming back. that's all we knew. we knocked on the door and a man answered and said come it before we could even introduce our selves. his name is Thomas and he has had a really ruff life, lots of drugs and alcohol issues but has recently tried to quite and has been clean for 1 month. He told us that right before they heard the knock they were in a big argument and after that is when they both go and use so it was confirmed in their minds that we were there at that moment for a reason and that they needed what we had to share. we had the opportunity to teach the first lesson and Thomas is really open and ready to learn. everything seemed to click with him in his mind and how it all is supposed to be. he said "Two months ago I was the guy that when I saw missionaries walking down the street I would cross to the other side to get away from you I would never hold a book of Mormon is my hands let alone read it because everyone told me that it was evil. thanks for proving them and me wrong and showing me the truth!" it was so cool to see hearts soften and hear how they have been prepared for this in their lives right now. we are being blessed and slowly the work is picking up! :)
We have a busy week planned and we are going to be running like crazy. we have a bunch of meetings this week. we have ZDM, our interview meeting on Friday so that will be awesome! doesn't feel like it has been to long sense we have had it but i guess it has been 3 months. It feels so good to not have to plan it or have to do anything for it except show up and be there! aahaha, I love it. Cant believe that this will be my last interview. I remember elder Stewart doing this 2 years ago and honestly thinking that it wouldn't ever happen to me...well i guess what...haha its happening and it seems like i am have been having lots of these dawning moments in the last month or so. all's good though.
Elder Hyrkas and i are doing well and working hard and getting lots done. he is awesome and i couldn't be more blessed! he hasn't been showing too much apparent home sickness but i am sure it is there. he is great and will go far if he will stay humble! :) we got the package of suckers you made for us on monday and they are really good! enjoyed having those and they make a great study snack! thanks.
Well hope that you all have a good week and keep safe, healthy and warm. dont have too much fun skiing! Ill be emailing you before we know it again. the weeks fly by. Have a great week and we will be in contact soon. thanks for your support!
Love,
Elder Lerwill
That's so fun that you were able to spend the new year with Wes and Katie! I am sure the house was bouncing all weekend long! those little stinks sure have changed a lot it seems like. Bailey too. I don't even hardly recognize her in her new pictures! they look great and i will be praying for you during your finals and all that fun stuff at school! glad you all had a good new year! :) Our new year was really exciting!! We taught a lesson at 7p and then talked to some people until 9p. planned for the next day until 9:30 and i went to bed and 10 and when i woke up it was 2012 and i didn't even count down or anything! haha, its weird what holidays are recognized as a missionary! :) it was good though.
so about talking to Aunt Annette, we were at dinner with the Wilson's and they asked where we were from and i said Idaho and they both said that they were raised in Idaho, i asked if they knew the Lyons family there and they about fell off their chairs. Sis. Wilson's stake Primary president when she was a kid was Ruth Lyons! Both of them grew up there, high school sweethearts and they both knew Grandma Curtis and Kent and the whole clan there, so he asked me if i had talked to Annette in the time that i had been down here and i told him no, so he picked up his phone and called her and handed it to me. haha, so that's how it happened! crazy how small the world is!
We had a really busy week, lots of lessons cancelled and lots went through, you cant win them all but it is cool to see how you are put in places and situations for a reason and it leads you to someone else. we are being blessed.
Last night at 8 we contacted a referral of ours. it was for a less active lady who was somewhat interested in coming back. that's all we knew. we knocked on the door and a man answered and said come it before we could even introduce our selves. his name is Thomas and he has had a really ruff life, lots of drugs and alcohol issues but has recently tried to quite and has been clean for 1 month. He told us that right before they heard the knock they were in a big argument and after that is when they both go and use so it was confirmed in their minds that we were there at that moment for a reason and that they needed what we had to share. we had the opportunity to teach the first lesson and Thomas is really open and ready to learn. everything seemed to click with him in his mind and how it all is supposed to be. he said "Two months ago I was the guy that when I saw missionaries walking down the street I would cross to the other side to get away from you I would never hold a book of Mormon is my hands let alone read it because everyone told me that it was evil. thanks for proving them and me wrong and showing me the truth!" it was so cool to see hearts soften and hear how they have been prepared for this in their lives right now. we are being blessed and slowly the work is picking up! :)
We have a busy week planned and we are going to be running like crazy. we have a bunch of meetings this week. we have ZDM, our interview meeting on Friday so that will be awesome! doesn't feel like it has been to long sense we have had it but i guess it has been 3 months. It feels so good to not have to plan it or have to do anything for it except show up and be there! aahaha, I love it. Cant believe that this will be my last interview. I remember elder Stewart doing this 2 years ago and honestly thinking that it wouldn't ever happen to me...well i guess what...haha its happening and it seems like i am have been having lots of these dawning moments in the last month or so. all's good though.
Elder Hyrkas and i are doing well and working hard and getting lots done. he is awesome and i couldn't be more blessed! he hasn't been showing too much apparent home sickness but i am sure it is there. he is great and will go far if he will stay humble! :) we got the package of suckers you made for us on monday and they are really good! enjoyed having those and they make a great study snack! thanks.
Well hope that you all have a good week and keep safe, healthy and warm. dont have too much fun skiing! Ill be emailing you before we know it again. the weeks fly by. Have a great week and we will be in contact soon. thanks for your support!
Love,
Elder Lerwill
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year 2012
Bowdrie is getting so big. I am sure he will be crawling the next time we see him.
Cute but tired Bailey
Kids couldn't wait to go play in the snow and get the chicken eggs.
Good exercise.
On Friday night the 30th Bailey had a Stake Dance/Party in St.Anthony. So we got up that morning and left around noon and did some shopping and hanging out and then we went and watched the movie War Horse and then we took her to St. Anthony to the party. We went in and visited with Ryan and Kalle and others. Stacy ended up going into the bouncy house and being on guard for a 1/2 hour or so. It was a fun night for the kids. We then drove home in the nastiest storm. It was horrible. The power lines kept wrapping up together and letting off huge sparks and balls of light. It was crazy. I was so thankful to get home o.k.
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