11/14/11
Dear family,
This week has been once again....awesome. We have had one more person accept the commitment to be baptized, so now we have 2 people being baptized on Dec. 10th!!! It's super cool. We have taught a ton of people and it's really really cool. Other than that we haven't had much happen.
Dad, you’re retiring?! WHAT?! I knew it would happen eventually, but i didn't think it would happen so soon! That's really cool. It would be so cool to be able to move to California because then we would be close to Cliff, and Gina! It would also be cool to move to Texas that way, after my mission i could come back and see how people are doing!!! Awesome.
Life for me is absolutely awesome right now. Thank you all for your letters and e-mails!
Love you all,
Elder Raymond the Younger
11/21/11
Dear Family,
Nothing eventful has happened this week. That's awesome that the Bowerman's came to visit. Do you know where in Texas they live?
11/28/11
Dear Family,
Hello, hello!!! I'm doing great and thank you for all the e-mails! Nothing really different has happened this week. We have 2 baptismal dates that we're working with, and they're doing awesome.
Mom, Yes, I’m still on my bike, and I’m holding up pretty well. I also got the box Thank You!
Wow, I kind of feel like there isn't very much to write about...We went to a member’s house for thanksgiving, and they fed us LOTS of food. It was nummy...Being away from you guys isn't as hard as I expected it, because i know that you all are ok, and that you love me so I miss you guys, but I’m not going to break down or anything...It did however make me realize how important families are and how much they are supposed to mean in the eternal scheme of things. Thank you all for teaching me so much and preparing me in all the ways that you did!
Keep being amazing,
Love you all,
Elder Raymond the Younger
12/5/11
Dear Family,
This week has been crazy!!! It was transfer week though, so it usually is. I am staying in my current area for another six weeks and Elder L is still my companion! We haven't been able to meet with one of our baptismal dates for a while unfortunately, so we're going to have to drop his date until he gets back into town...Another one of our Baptismal dates got a job in a different town, and she will most likely be off work on Thursday and Friday. Luckily, it is in our area though. We have a couple investigators, but whenever we get a new one it seems like they always end up leaving town, or the state, or even the country (he will be back though...hopefully..)! So that's what has happened on my end. Christmas is coming and I found a tree in a storage shed, so i set it up in our apartment! Heehee...It's shiny. Silver Tinsel=Awesome. I'm going to try to send some pictures.
12/12/11
Dear Family,
This week is going to be amazing. We have a baptism on the 18th!!! WOOT!!! It gets even better. Our baptismal date invited her daughter in law to be baptized, and she said YES! So now we are teaching her too! It's stinkin' amazing. I'm doing really well, and the weather is getting slowly chillier. Every morning i look outside for the hope of snow (I love snow) and alas, there is none. That's about all that is happening with me.
Alec is going home on Wednesday?! As in the 14th?! WHAT?! That means I’m going to be the only Elder Raymond!!!
Kimmee, Sounds like you have an uber busy life now! Trust me, it's better that way.
Caiti, how are you doing?
Mom, I can't really think of anything i really want for Christmas...Letters from my friends would be nice, but i don't know how you could arrange that.
Dad, it’s good to hear that you're doing well!
I love you all mucho much, and thank you for being the awesome family that you are.
-Elder Raymond the Younger
12/19/11
Dear Family,
First off, Welcome Home Alec. That's awesome that your home! It feels really weird for you to be home, but I’m super happy that you are and that you have done what you have done, and worked as hard as you have worked. These past few weeks I’ve actually been pretty excited for you to get home, and i don't know why hahaha. Surprisingly enough though, I’m actually not trunky at all. I'm mostly just glad for you. Thank you for being the example that you have been for me. There is one thing though...You CANNOT get married until i get home!!! I repeat, you CANNOT get married yet! Don't let him get married yet mom!
Ok, so as I’ve been talking about for quite a while....I had a baptism this week!!! Her name is Tina and she is absolutely awesome! My companion and i were the ones that started teaching her, and we were the ones that were lucky enough to baptize her! It has been an amazing opportunity and privilege to watch her grow and progress as she has learned more about the gospel. The best part though, is that it isn't even over yet!!! Suffice to say, it's stinkin' awesome. So, that is what's happened on my side of the mountain so far.
I'm super excited for Christmas too! I love Christmas. Everyone tells me not to be homesick, but oddly enough I’m actually not homesick at all! Yeah, that's about it with me! I'll talk to you all on Christmas!
Love you all!
Elder Raymond...sadly, the only one out....
First off, Welcome Home Alec. That's awesome that your home! It feels really weird for you to be home, but I’m super happy that you are and that you have done what you have done, and worked as hard as you have worked. These past few weeks I’ve actually been pretty excited for you to get home, and i don't know why hahaha. Surprisingly enough though, I’m actually not trunky at all. I'm mostly just glad for you. Thank you for being the example that you have been for me. There is one thing though...You CANNOT get married until i get home!!! I repeat, you CANNOT get married yet! Don't let him get married yet mom!
Ok, so as I’ve been talking about for quite a while....I had a baptism this week!!! Her name is Tina and she is absolutely awesome! My companion and i were the ones that started teaching her, and we were the ones that were lucky enough to baptize her! It has been an amazing opportunity and privilege to watch her grow and progress as she has learned more about the gospel. The best part though, is that it isn't even over yet!!! Suffice to say, it's stinkin' awesome. So, that is what's happened on my side of the mountain so far.
I'm super excited for Christmas too! I love Christmas. Everyone tells me not to be homesick, but oddly enough I’m actually not homesick at all! Yeah, that's about it with me! I'll talk to you all on Christmas!
Love you all!
Elder Raymond...sadly, the only one out....
1/3/12
Dear Family,
Nothing has really happened these past few weeks since I’ve talked to you all. That's awesome about everything that is going on! Sounds like lots of fun. Christmas was awesome and it was great to talk to you all! New Years was uneventful, we had to be back in the apartment by 5 p.m...Ugh...anyway, Happy New Year! I'm trying to think of things to type, but there isn't really anything to say beside I LOVE YOU!
Love,
Elder Raymond.
Nothing has really happened these past few weeks since I’ve talked to you all. That's awesome about everything that is going on! Sounds like lots of fun. Christmas was awesome and it was great to talk to you all! New Years was uneventful, we had to be back in the apartment by 5 p.m...Ugh...anyway, Happy New Year! I'm trying to think of things to type, but there isn't really anything to say beside I LOVE YOU!
Love,
Elder Raymond.
1/9/12
Dear Family,
First off, that's awesome to hear that Lilo decided to get baptized! It's too bad about her mom though. I am glad though that you were able to offer her a place to stay! I know that you guys will be a great source of strength and support as she continues to live the gospel.
I am doing great. I found out that i am getting transferred, and Elder L is going to be training! Transfers are on the 18th of January. I don't know where I’m going yet, but President Taylor called and told me that I would be transferred out. It's pretty exciting for me. I always look forward to having a new start and trying different things. The ward members here have treated us extremely well, and I’m going to miss them. I know however, that my Father in Heaven will take care of me no matter where I go, so I’m not too worried about it. It's starting to get cold here, and I keep hoping that it's going to snow! It hasn't yet though; unfortunately....Anyway, nothing really new has happened to me. My foot is fine, and nothing ever really happened to it anyway. Thank you all so much for being the amazing family that you are! Always strive to grow stronger in the gospel because it is the most true thing that we will ever have in our lives! Keep being amazing!
Love you all,
Elder Raymond the Younger
1/17/12
Dear Family,
I am getting transferred tomorrow! I am going up to a small town and it is about 15 miles south of Kansas! It's way up there. Anyway, my new companions name is Elder D and this will be his last transfer before he goes home! I'm pretty excited. I love going to new area's and getting to start over and meet new people. That's about all that has happened this week. Yesterday it got up to 70 degree's though....It was crazy.
Good luck on finals Kimmee, and Caiti! Don't stress out to bad or you will just end up going crazy. I will tell you more about my area next week when i get there. Transfers are on the 18th. Thank you all for being an awesome family! Keep growing strong! Tell Lilo i said hi.
Sincerely,
Elder Raymond
I am getting transferred tomorrow! I am going up to a small town and it is about 15 miles south of Kansas! It's way up there. Anyway, my new companions name is Elder D and this will be his last transfer before he goes home! I'm pretty excited. I love going to new area's and getting to start over and meet new people. That's about all that has happened this week. Yesterday it got up to 70 degree's though....It was crazy.
Good luck on finals Kimmee, and Caiti! Don't stress out to bad or you will just end up going crazy. I will tell you more about my area next week when i get there. Transfers are on the 18th. Thank you all for being an awesome family! Keep growing strong! Tell Lilo i said hi.
Sincerely,
Elder Raymond
1/30/12
Dear Family,
This week has been crazy! We have been super busy and we have been
finding lots of people, but don't really have anything solid going on
right now. Mostly we're just tracting and trying to find alot of
people to teach and get to know the branch. Our branch mission leader
here is awesome and he does a really good job. He makes sure that
there are always members to go out with us and he makes sure that we
get fed. He's really nice. That's about all that is happening with my
area.
I'm doing really well, and I’m loving my mission still! The gospel is
truly amazing and it is a wonderful privilege and opportunity to have
it! Thank you for all that you have done for me and i love you all
mucho much!
Love,
Elder Raymond
This week has been crazy! We have been super busy and we have been
finding lots of people, but don't really have anything solid going on
right now. Mostly we're just tracting and trying to find alot of
people to teach and get to know the branch. Our branch mission leader
here is awesome and he does a really good job. He makes sure that
there are always members to go out with us and he makes sure that we
get fed. He's really nice. That's about all that is happening with my
area.
I'm doing really well, and I’m loving my mission still! The gospel is
truly amazing and it is a wonderful privilege and opportunity to have
it! Thank you for all that you have done for me and i love you all
mucho much!
Love,
Elder Raymond
2/6/12
Dear Family,
This week has been pretty good. We are constantly trying to find people to teach and we are actually making some progress! It's pretty fun to shotgun an area because you get to start over from the very beginning! Not much is happening other than that...oh! I'm getting a new apartment! There wasn't anything wrong with the one we were living in, but they wanted to renovate it, so they offered us one they just renovated and we said yes! It's exciting. That's about all that is happening in my neck of the woods...
I love you all mucho much!
Love,
Elder Raymond
This week has been pretty good. We are constantly trying to find people to teach and we are actually making some progress! It's pretty fun to shotgun an area because you get to start over from the very beginning! Not much is happening other than that...oh! I'm getting a new apartment! There wasn't anything wrong with the one we were living in, but they wanted to renovate it, so they offered us one they just renovated and we said yes! It's exciting. That's about all that is happening in my neck of the woods...
I love you all mucho much!
Love,
Elder Raymond
2/13/12
Dear Family,
I'm doing pretty well. I actually got my box last week when i got home from e-mailing hahaha. If you sent the box to my physical address it probably would disappear... Guess what happened up here? IT SNOWED!!! YAY! I love snow. I'm actually staying really warm and it has been lots of fun lately. We found a really promising family. We found them on Saturday and they invited us over for dinner tonight! It was awesome. I will have to let you know how it goes. This week I also went to a wedding! It was an older couple that the elders down there were teaching. They got married so that they could get baptized!!! Lots of exciting things are happening here in Oklahoma. I went to a leadership training meeting a couple of weeks ago and it was awesome. That's about all that is happening up here in Oklahoma! Thank you all for your boxes, and e-mails! I love you mucho much!
Love,
Elder Raymond
2/18/12
Dear family,
this week has been pretty good. I'm emailing today because the library will be closed on Monday and I will not be in my area on Tuesday or Wednesday..Which brings me to my next subject....I'm training this next transfer...and going to be District Leader! Yikes....The dinner with the new family went well last Monday. We were able to answer alot of questions and it just seems like their super prepared! It is always awesome to find families like them. Hopefully everything goes well with them in the future too. Other than that not much is happening in my neck of the plains.... (There aren't many woods...). How are all of you doing?
Love you all,
Elder Raymond
P.S. The tie was a very good green!
this week has been pretty good. I'm emailing today because the library will be closed on Monday and I will not be in my area on Tuesday or Wednesday..Which brings me to my next subject....I'm training this next transfer...and going to be District Leader! Yikes....The dinner with the new family went well last Monday. We were able to answer alot of questions and it just seems like their super prepared! It is always awesome to find families like them. Hopefully everything goes well with them in the future too. Other than that not much is happening in my neck of the plains.... (There aren't many woods...). How are all of you doing?
Love you all,
Elder Raymond
P.S. The tie was a very good green!
2/27/12
Dear Family,
I am doing well. I haven't gotten any letters from dear elder, and I am not getting dads e-mails....I did however get the card! Thank you! It was stinking awesome. I'm doing pretty well. This transfer I am staying in my area and my new companion is going to be straight from the MTC. I'm looking forward to training and being District Leader but am feeling a little under qualified as well; however I know that the Lord will provide a way. Thank you for all that you do for me! Nothing much is happening other than transfers this Wednesday. I love you all and the church is absolutely true. There is a definite power in living the gospel and following the commandments. Thank you for guiding me in my life and teaching me all that I must do to gain that spiritual power in my life. Once again, I love you all mucho much!
Love,
Elder Raymond
3/5/12
Dear Family,
This past week has been crazy! I am training a brand new missionary, Elder M. He is from Washington (western Washington) and he is pretty cool. He already knows alot which is good, and he wants to work super hard, which is even better! We have been finding alot of people to teach lately so that has been going well. I also became a District Leader this past transfer and I'm not quite sure what I’m doing, but I haven't been yelled at yet for anything so I must be doing okay....The trees are already starting to bloom and flowers are starting to pop up super early because the weather here doesn't know what it wants to do...hopefully it doesn't get too crazy...We should be having a baptism on the 17th of March for a woman that we have been teaching. She has been wanting to get baptized for the past 20 years, but for whatever reason, she was never able to make the date...but she's going to make it this time! It is really exciting. We should also be having another baptism on the 31! We will see how things turn out. Thank you for all the letters and e-mails that you have given me!
Love you all mucho much!
-Elder Raymond
3/12/12
Dear Family,
I got dad's letter!!! Thank you for taking the time to type them dad it is always awesome being able to read them! I am doing alright and we are having a baptism on the 17th of March! She has been investigating the church for 20 years!!! It's really cool. We also have 2 baptisms on the 31st of March and they're boyfriend and girlfriend (she is trying to convince him to get married!)! That's about the highlight of what is going on over here. The weather has been consistently nice and I don't really worry about it too much. We pretty much didn't even get a winter. It only dropped below 35 a couple times! My area is doing really well and I feel glad to serve here. A mission is completely worth going and I would not give it up for anything! Thank you all so much for all that you guys have done for me and do for me even now. I love you all more that I can say! The church is absolutely true and the gospel is something that we must have in our lives if we want to be truly happy! Thank you mom and dad for raising me in the church and being the kind of people that I can (and still do) look up to!
I love you all,
Elder Raymond
3/19/12
Dear Family,
This week has been awesome! We had a baptism on Sunday for a woman who had been waiting for 20 years to be baptized! It was slightly unorthodox though...When she was about to be baptized the person performing the baptism was standing super close to the wall so my companion and I told him that he might want to step away from the wall a little bit because she would hit her head. The woman that was being baptized is a VERY outspoken individual and she looked at us and said "I ain't goin' backwards! I'm terrified of going backwards! I'm going forwards!" My companion and I looked at each other and I was just thinking...ok, I don't know how that's going to work and there isn't anything doctrinally wrong with it sooooo, ok. So the prayer was said and then she knelt down and did a faceplant into the water. It was the very first forward baptism that I’ve seen and that I’ve even ever heard of! It was still pretty neat though. The work here in this small town is going pretty well and we are planning on having another baptism on the 31st! The weather isn't too bad yet. It's just raining and thundering and lightning right now. They say we're supposed to have tornados at some point so that's kind of exciting. I am doing pretty good and thank you all for all of your e-mails! I love you all mucho much!
Love,
Elder Raymond
3/26/12
Dear Family,
This week has been pretty good! I actually got sunburned for the first time this year which is annoying...but it gives me an excuse not to wear long sleeve shirts! We are trying to find new people to teach and to teach the ones that we have found. Congratulations on 1st chair Kimmee! Caiti, why do you want to be a social worker? Nothing really interesting has happened this week so it's going to be a short letter. I love you all mucho much and thank you for all that you all do for me. I was wondering if I could change the scripture on my plaque...just curious. The one I want is Ether 12:27...I'm finding it to be the theme of my mission because I feel weak at alot of things, but I know that through faith in Christ he can make those weak things become strengths through him. The gospel is absolutely true and the best part is that we can know for ourselves and not have to rely on anyone but God. Once again, I love you all!
Love,
Elder Raymond
4/9/12
Dear Family,
Easter week is always fun. We had the opportunity to eat at a member’s house and they fed us this pork and stuffing that was actually pretty good (you know how much i love stuffing...). Then our branch mission leader made a small Easter egg hunt for my companion and I which was really cool because this is Elder M's first holiday away from home and he was feeling homesick so I think that helped alot. He had alot of fun running around looking for eggs. It was pretty funny. When I found the last one I didn't tell him and I let him look a little bit more before I told him that I found it. We had a good laugh about that. I am doing well and I am loving my mission more every day that I have been out. It has been a privilege and opportunity for me to meet all the people that I have met and have yet to meet, that have shaped me into the person that I am today. I can definitely see the difference that the Doctrine of Christ (2 Nephi 31) has had in my life. Thank you for all you all do for me and I hope you all had an amazing Easter holiday!
Love you all,
Elder Raymond
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