October 31, 2011

Dear family,

It's good to hear from you! And I'm glad you enjoyed my letters :) I just try to send you what I can whenever I have the time. Remember this: I love ya!

Another week, another preparation day! Boy, sometimes it seems like years until the next preparation day, and other times it seems like a snap of the fingers. This week it was both. It didn't seem like I emailed you that long ago, and yet this week seemed to drag on forever.

First of all, you have to know that our investigator pool has been dropping like crazy lately. I haven't mentioned too many investigators the past few weeks because there really are none left. It's very disappointing to see people just not care anymore. As Elder Capitan came in, a bunch of our investigators were dropping off because of no interest, lack of keeping commitments, etc. It's actually quite the sad deal :( To make a long story short, I've been doing well, and I'm still happy, but the lack of investigators has really been weighing down on me and making me a little depressed. It's kinda tuff when you don't have any set appointments!

So we've been hitting the pavement. Big time. This past week we went through a whole list of potentials and a bunch of former investigators from a couple of years ago. This, combined with barely any miles left on our vehicle (which we share with the other elders) means that we had to put in the miles on our bikes. I've already gotten used to biking a lot (it was a full-bike when I first came here), but we rode ourselves into the ground. Man, my legs are so sore! But I'll survive. At least I feel like I've accomplished something this week...

It's tough to deal with rejection. Boy do I hate rejection. People in Springdale, AR just don't care! Maybe we're going to all the wrong houses... This coming week we're planning on tracting our guts out, and so I'm not too excited. It seems like I'm getting to the point on my mission where I'm no longer the little guy who barely knows anything. I have a big responsibility and a lot is expected of me. No more tagging along with Mr. Senior Companiero. I just feel kinda trapped and it's frustrating sometimes. Missions are hard! Why didn't anyone tell me this before??? haha jk, I knew it would be hard :) It's just all hitting me at once, you know? It's not a little summer camp. It's the real deal. 20% of a decade. 2 years sure seems like a long time... I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining all the time. I'm just learning a lot, and real fast at that. To be quite honest, I'm really out of my comfort zone. Heavenly Father is sure whippin' me into shape for something.

But don't worry. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. And that is preparation day :) Your letters and emails keep me sane. And hearing about April just makes me giddy! Thank you so much for sending me her email! I can't wait until she emails/mails me herself. I can't believe that she's already out in the field, doing missionary work. There's two of us! Two Atkins, "stopping the world" as my MTC president would say. I'm sure she's loving it so much already. I'm glad you had a good cry after you talked to her. Phone calls from your missionaries must've been precious moments.

Man, I haven't really had much to say lately. Like I said, there aren't really any investigators to talk about. We have a few potentials that we set return appointments with, so I'll update you next week. Betty's family looked so promising, but we just can't get a hold of them anymore. What did I do wrong?? I know it wasn't all my fault, but Satan's really good at making me feel that way sometimes.

Okay, I'm done venting to y'all. Life's good in the OTM!!! :) And it sounds like life is good back home. I really wish I could hug you all right now. I miss you! I miss my friends a lot too. I wish I could've been to Stake Conference so I could've seen President Monson speak! That's a way cool story that he shared.

Mom, I'm so proud of you for being a missionary. I'm so overjoyed to hear that you were able to share your testimony with someone who wasn't a member, even if you didn't know it at the time. I like to imagine you or dad in my place. Mom and Dad, tracting in Springdale, Arkansas :) Thanks for the words of advice and comfort. It really does help A LOT. While there may be negative forces trying to attract my attention, the good forces always prevail and give me strength. I know you're all praying for me, and I know that I can always count on you for support.

The Lord is shaping me. Little by little he's making me into the missionary that I've dreamed of becoming. It hurts sometimes! But the outcome feels oh so good!

I love you and I know this gospel's true. I plan on being more intersesting in my letters in the future, but I hope you know that I have a solid witness. My testimony is unbreakeable. My will to serve the Lord is as sharp as a knife. Satan can't get me down, because I know this is true with all my heart.

It's time to hit the pavement. It's time to bring souls to Christ. It's my time!!! (epic music) Tell everyone hi for me! I'll talk to you more later.

Love, love, love,
Elder Atkin

P.S. Here's me in my biking legit-ness. Enjoy!

October 24, 2011

Yokwe family!

 

Wow what a week! It seems like forever since I last read your emails and responded. So much has happened this week, and so last Monday seems a month ago. It's been a week full of lots of changes, so hopefully I can fill you in. But just know that I am doing great and that I am happy.

 

Thursday was the big day. The day that seemed like it would never come finally came and went in a jiffy. We loaded up all of Elder Navratil and Elder Rodriguez stuff and drove up to Bentonville to the transfer point. In a matter of a few minutes Elder Navratil and I said goodbye and Elder Capitan was dropped off. No time for tears. No time for cheers. Just the way I like it :)

 

It was kind of awkward at first, because we didn't really know what to say, but we soon hit it off like old pals. Elder Capitan is so awesome! Just a little bit about him: Elder Christopher Capitan is from Aneth, Utah (near the Four Corners area) and has been out for 17 months. He's a veteran, but he isn't too trunky yet, so I'm not worried. He's full-blooded Navajo and he even speaks Navajo. How legit is that?!? His whole mission has been spent in back-woods small towns, so Springdale is his first city. He is a funny guy and so we're going to get along just fine. I'm sure there's more I could say about him, but overall he is a really cool guy who loves the work.

 

It's only been a few days, but our apartment has already bonded big-time. Elder Latrik also got a new companion named Elder Jones. President could not have made a better choice to replace Elder Rodriguez in the Marshallese branch. He's humble, full of love, and up to the hard task of fitting in with the Marshallese culture. What a man.

 

So yeah, I'm excited for this transfer. I'm officially not a greeny any more and the work can only progress from here. I'll miss Elder Navratil and Elder Rodriguez, but it was time for each of them to move on. I'm excited for both of them, but I'm also excited to not have to talk about them any more. Hooray!

 

Speaking of transfers... At the transfer point I met a couple missionaries who met April in the MTC. Elder Golder was in her district and had only the highest of praise for her. He seems like a really good guy, and I was so happy that he spent the time looking for me just so he could tell me about April. He also said that their whole district knew about me because apparently April said a lot about me. Oh boy... It was just really cool to meet someone who's seen my sister more recently than me. Man, I miss my family!

 

I'm so stoked for April to leave. Elder Golder said that she just can't wait to get out of the MTC, and he thinks that she'll do great in the field. He said that she was the most prepared missionary out of anyone there. Yep, that's my sis :) You'll have to tell me all about the conversation you have with her on the phone (if it happens). I'm sure she wants to talk to y'all so bad. I remember when I talked to you in the airport in Denver. I almost cried like a baby because it was so good to hear your voices. It's crazy how much a simple phone call meant to all of us. I can't wait until Christmas, then I can talk to you again. 2 months baby!

 

Frank is going to Armenia???!! HOLY CATS that is so fantastic!!! Tell him that I am so excited for him and that I'm so proud of him. Frank is going to touch many lives over there, I just know it.

 

That's so neat that Michael and Jennifer came up! I wish I could've been there to play with Sunny and the kids and have a good time. It sounds like you had a blast. Except for the dog poop part... Haha the back yard is a mine field :) You'll have to pet Sunny for me today, okay? Wow, they sure have a ginormous motor home! That must've taken up the whole driveway. Fun times, fun times.

 

That's cool that you're feeding the missionaries next week. Feed them well. I totally have a new understanding of what it's like to be fed by members. Missionaries need meals or else they starve. I also really like the breakfast idea. I've had breakfast a few times for dinner while I've been out and it's like the best thing ever! Man, that's making me hungry... Most the members out here include dessert, but it's not an essential part of the meal. Don't worry about it too much. I have to admit that I've gained a few pounds while I've been out, but my legs are sure getting strong. Imagine that - a pot belly and muscly biker legs haha. I'm going to start doing more sit-ups in the morning. Keep me accountable, okay?

 

AAAAHHH!! I just looked and I only have a couple minutes left! For some reason this short letter took forever to write. But don't worry, I'm planning on writing you all individual letters today just because I feel like I need to. Like I said, I'll try to do it every few weeks.

 

Thanks for all your prayers and support. It really means a lot to me :) I love you so much! I agree with you Mom - I do feel like I'm growing spiritually just a little bit each day.

 

Talk to y'all later!

 

Love, Elder Atkin

 

P.S. Thanks for sending pictures! I love it. Here's a picture of my own. It is Elder Capitan and I just chillin'. Enjoy!

October 17, 2011

Dear family,

I'm doing great, as always! You have to know that I'll say that I'm doing great pretty much every letter unless I had an absolutely horrible week - which hasn't happened yet. So I guess to be more realistic, I'm doing just average. But don't worry, that's a good thing :) I'm just truckin' along out here in the OTM and I'm still alive. I'm not sick anymore, so don't worry too much. But yes, I'm a happy missionary and I love life.

Before I forget, transfer calls were this past Saturday!! Any guesses?!? Any guesses??? Hmm???????? Haha jk :) I'm staying here in Springdale and my new companion's name is Elder Capitan. I don't know much about him, but from what I've heard he's a fun missionary with lots of experience, he's Indian, and he's from the Four Corners area. We'll see if that's all true this coming Thursday, but the one for sure thing is that Elder Navratil is going home. It was super funny when the Assistants called us because they told Elder Navratil that he's "being called home and you'll be junior companion to the woman of your choice." It was pretty funny. I'll tell you more about Elder Capitan and his awesomeness and diligence and un-trunkiness next week.

Anyways. Thanks for sending the Ensign! It's seriously one of the best Ensign's ever! Our apartment has one (it has to stay in the apartment), but it will be nice to have my own copy wherever I go. I love it when you send me stuff in the mail :)

I'm sure jealous of your little kabob get-together. Sounds fun! We get fed well out here, but I could always go for a kabob. And that's sweet that Daniel gave his farewell talk. I wish I could've been there. He's going to be a great missionary. Wish him luck for me!

Elise is engaged? To a redhead? Hahaha sweet :)

Wow, I'm really impressed with the cake, Mom. I really like it. But I wish I could've had some of the cake trimmings. It's little things like that that make me miss home...

As to answer your question, every Sunday we go to Gospel Principles for class, because that's where all the recent converts/investigators go. Sometimes we teach the class because Bro. Lieutard (the teacher) is gone for work a lot. The story of Paul is sure a great one. It must've taken a lot of courage to preach the gospel in such hostile environments. That makes the OTM sound like a cake walk. We use stories like his (as well as other apostles) to show people that people were converted to the gospel through awesome missionary work, but eventually the apostles were killed off, thus leading to the Great Apostasy. Interesting stuff. Mom, I'm proud of you for bearing your testimony. It just shows that sometimes it's hard to harbor the beast of a testimony you have :)

This week was stake conference for the Springdale stake. Elder Navratil and I sang in our ward choir, and so it was double legit. It was one of the better stake conferences I've been too, and the spirit was very strong the whole entire time. Man, the members here are so awesome! President Phillips (1st counselor in the stake presidency) gave a really great talk about missionary work and being examples to those around us. He brought up some of the stuff that's been said about our church lately. I really loved one of the analogies he shared, so I thought I'd share it with you:

Just imagine yourself walking into the forest. You're carrying a jar full of honey. You walk for a long time, until you are in the middle of the woods, and you place the jar on the ground. Then you walk away. Now imagine yourself walking back the next day and finding the jar again. It's honey is all gone and you notice that the jar is even tipped over. Whoever ate the honey must've really liked it and gotten quite a good share. Maybe there were multiple partakers of honey.

We can relate this jar of honey to ourselves and even more specifically - members of the church. We've got the honey. And people wonder about our honey. It's a very peculiar honey, and a very special honey. Some people can say bad things about our honey, but others take a taste due to curiosity. Some even taste it when we aren't looking. Are our jars full? Full enough that if you tip it just the slightest bit, honey drips over the edge? (I laughed at that one. He was VERY descriptive and just overall hilarious) We need to have our jars full, because we never know who's watching. And yes, there are many watching. Some are watching our every move. For others, we are "the only Book of Mormon they've ever read", or the only honey they've tasted. Keep your jars full, place them out in the open, and let people have a taste. Remember, we have the honey :)

We weren't able to get any investigators to stake conference, but at least we got Nichole to bring Kevin. As I've mentioned in the past, Kevin has slowly but surely been coming back to church. Yesterday was his first Sunday back at church, and I could tell that he absolutely loved it. He even got emotional sometimes. Either way it was a perfect stake conference for someone like him. They're totally going to get sealed in the temple! We've been making plans with them to make a "map to the temple." They're thinking about a date next year when they can go, and the map is to help them achieve that goal. I'm so excited, and the ward is too. There are quite a few less-actives out here, but when we get a couple like Nichole and Kevin, the ward gets excited.

We tried to get Betty and her family to stake conference, but they weren't able to make it. It's starting to look like they weren't as golden as we originally thought, but our hopes are still high. She had to cancel our appointment yesterday afternoon, but she mentioned that she has a lot of questions after watching the Restoration DVD again with her kids. She's still very interested and very intrigued. We'll see what happens.

On Saturday I got my first flat tire. Hooray! I hit a curb too hard and it slowly went flat. It took us a while to get back home, but I was able to repair the tire when I woke up this morning.

I love you so much! Thanks for all you do and for your prayers. 

Talk to you soon.

Love, Elder Atkin

October 10, 2011

Dear family,

It's Monday... again!! This morning I kept on chanting, "email email email." I'm pretty sure I was bugging the other elders, but I just couldn't contain my excitement. Email email email email email email email

It's been another great week. Not too many crazy experiences, so I'm sorry if this letter is a little short. I'll try to make it exciting and include some cool pictures. Either way, I'm doing fantastic! I've gotten sick the past couple of days with a sore throat and enough phlegm to fill our apartment, but I'm doing alright. I just feel really tired all the time, so it's kinda hard to bike, but at least Elder Navratil isn't too bent on working hard haha :)

I'm definitely becoming more comfortable each week when it comes to teaching. Each year the church is coming out with better material for missionaries, so I've been trained really well. Elder Navratil has a trainer checklist that we go over in companionship study and we're getting close to getting done with it. Pretty soon I won't be a greeny anymore! Haha I'm pretty sure I said that last transfer, but it will be legit this time. Transfer calls are coming up this Saturday, and so the week after that is when the new missionaries arrive and the old missionaries leave. Which reminds me of something awesome! Elder Navratil's parents are picking him up from the mission home and they'll be driving all the way back to Canada. They're going to stop in Kansas City/Independence to look at church history sites and the new temple, and so they'll probably go to the visitor's center. I'm not quite sure if April's going straight to the visitor's center, but wouldn't that be sweet if he saw her there?! On like her second day on the job???!! We just thought it would be so funny if he saw a Sister Atkin, walked up to her, and said, "I'm your brother's daddy." Haha we had a good laugh about that one :)

We were able to meet with Betty and her family last night. We met with Betty a week ago and she loved what we shared about prophets and revelation. She wanted her whole family to sit down and listen, and so we brought over the Spanish Elders to translate for her husband, Jose. We're still deciding on whether we'll hand them off to the Spanish Elders or keep them ourselves because Jose doesn't speak very much English, but the kids don't really know Spanish. Hmm... But anyways, the lesson went really well. We watched the Restoration DVD (which gives me chills EVERY time, by the way), and talked about why the Book of Mormon is important. The kids actually paid attention, and I could tell that Betty totally felt the Spirit. She even said that she felt "warm" while watching the video, but she doesn't know if that was the Spirit. Jose was a little skeptical, but I think he liked what we shared. We plan on meeting with them again next Sunday, and so hopefully they'll start reading the Book of Mormon as a family. Man, I have high hopes for Betty and her family!

Yesterday was a really great Sunday. Our ward decided to hold Fast Sunday the week after Conference. The combination of being sick and fasting really made me weak, so that might not have been the best idea. But I really felt humbled and I was able to have the Spirit with me all day long. I was so eager to share what I felt about Conference that I just had to get up and bear my testimony. I kinda got a little emotional, but it was legit. Elder Navratil got up after me and immediately said, "Well, not to be outdone by my companion..." Haha what a guy :) He thanked the ward for their kindness and made sure to make it known he was leaving. It's funny because we've had a hard time filling up our dinner calendar this month, but after church we were able to fill it up until Elder Navratil leaves. Now that's the way to get a ward to feed you: tell them you're leaving.

I'm so stoked to get the Conference Ensign next month! Each companionship get's the Ensign every month, and so you don't have to worry about sending me one. I just didn't know we got them each month because the mission office has been shirking the past couple months with our supplies. Hopefully that changes.

That's so sweet that you were able to make it to Melissa's farewell. I'm so excited for her! Haha it's okay to tell me about "America's Got Talent". Man, I wish I could've seen it! I remember that I totally loved that guy. I'm glad he won. And I totally hope that Vocal Point wins. They are really good.

The story about the pastor from Dallas just breaks my heart. I just don't understand how somebody could feel that way about our church. So many people claim that we believe in "a different Jesus" and that we are a cult. To be quite honest, it bugs the dickens out of me. I don't believe in a "Mormon Jesus." I believe in THE Jesus Christ who perfomed miracles and died on the cross at Calvary. Satan is really good at using that as a tool to make missionaries like me angry. But I just have to always remember that God loves everyone more than I can comprehend, even if they are a knucklehead who believes anything they hear over the pulpit at their local church. But when a well-known pastor decides to spew off like that... I totally agree with you when you say that they're just digging themselves into a hole. Betty is a prime example of someone who hates hearing about other churches from a pastor, and just loves The Word. Of course there are people who will take the side of the pastor, but there are quite a few people that hate hearing negativity about other churches and will drift away from him.

I love the Church's response to the whole fiasco. Yay for us!! But like I've said many times to my companion, I really don't think that the true church on the Earth today would have leaders proclaiming crazy things like that. Can you really imagine Pres. Monson saying something like, "Jehovah's Witnesses are so far from the truth that we shouldn't associate with any of them. They have achieved cult status, and should be shunned." Uh, yeah, right. And the funny thing is, Webster dictionaries simply define cults as: "a system of religious beliefs and ritual." Well, according to good ol' Webster, all churches are cults. So Mr. Pastor, is Webster wrong? Are you not part of a cult yourself? Do you even know what a cult is?? The hole will only get deeper, and he will fail. God's work will only keep getting stronger.

It makes me sad too, Mom. While the church is exponentially growing, so will it's enemies. It's a sign of the times. But in all seriousness, if one hasn't read every single page of the Book of Mormon and sincerely prayed to know if it's true, they can not claim that it's not true, or that we all belong to a cult. God has promised that he will reveal the truth and divinity of the Book of Mormon to any true seeker. Now that is pure religion - going to the source of all truth.

Anyways. Sorry if I sounded like I was preachin' :) I just love our church and am becoming more defensive of it. Conference sure helped with that, and hopefully it doesn't become a negative thing or a weakness of mine. I just know it's true, that's all!

Thanks for emailing me and tell everyone hi. I love my family so much! I sent April a letter last week so hopefully she responds. It's sounds like she's doing well and loving it so much. Thanks for your testimony and your prayers!

I also know that the Savior lives. I know that this is His gospel, and that "no unhallowed hand can stop the work." The priesthood authority to act in sacred ordinances and covenants is very real, and it is on the Earth today. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. And the only way I know these things are true are through The Comforter himself.

Talk to you later!

Love, Elder Atkin

P.S. Thanks for the pictures! Here's some pictures of companion study in action. Yeah, pretty intense, huh? I'm totally rebuking Elder Navratil in the 3rd picture haha. Enjoy!

October 3, 2011

Dearest Family,

Hola! Estoy bueno! (I don't know why I speak Spanish sometimes. It's legit) Holy cow have I really been out for 1/8th of my mission? That sounds like a lot at first, but when I think about 21 more months it still looks really long. But hey, that's a good thing! More nations baptized!

Oh. My. Fruitcakes. General Conference was simply incredible. I ate up every minute of it. Elder Navratil and I have been looking forward to it ever since we became companions, and so it was truly epic. As a missionary, we really only have a few things to look forward to: General Conference, calling home twice a year, Zone conference... The rest - such as baptisms, spiritual experiences, etc. - just come when they come. So you have to know that I was probably more excited for this conference than any other conference in my life. I seriously sat on the edge of my seat the whole entire time, took notes like a madman, cried during almost every talk, and laughed too hard at every joke. It seriously was so amazing! I felt so happy during Conference that I wish it could've lasted forever. It meant so much to me that I wanted to grab every person on the streets outside the church and have them come in and witness for themselves a true prophet of God. I guess I could almost say that I was carried away by the spirit. Man, the church is true.

Last night Elder Navratil and I were sitting around before bedtime. I was sitting at my desk just pondering. I suddenly became very sad. Conference was over! I literally felt so empty. I realized that this was probably my favorite General Conference so far in my lifetime. They talked about missionaries and the Book of Mormon and all sorts of stuff a missionary would love. It was just what I needed to hear. None of our investigators showed up so I was kinda sad, but hopefully we can still get them to church. And I totally agree with you mom, when I was watching conference I could imagine everyone in our family watching it at the same time. It made me feel like I was close to you, even if it seemed so very brief. Conference is the perfect event to make a missionary homesick, but it's also the perfect event to build a missionary up. I also loved Sis. Dalton's talk on Fathers. I'm such a bawl baby :)

I loved Elder Scott's talk on scripture study. I loved it when he talked about memorizing scriptures and how they become old friends. I realized that I love my scriptures so much. They are truly dear to me. If I were to lose them somehow, it seems like I would just fall to pieces. So many marked scriptures and so much personal revelation make them so special. Of course, i could always get a new set, but there's nothing like well broken-in Sticks.

I also loved Elder Callister's talk on the Book of Mormon. Man, if only every BOM doubter could've seen it! Nobody can truly say the Book of Mormon isn't true until they've READ EVERY PAGE. Dave can't claim that. Many anti-Mormon's can't claim that. God will reveal the truth and divinity of the Book of Mormon to any and every sincere reader, wherever and whoever they may be, if they it and truly pray about it. It doesn't replace the Bible, but it only goes hand-in-hand with it so there is no mistake that Jesus is the Christ, that this is His true church, and that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God.

I know that we'll get a copy of the Ensign when it comes out, but I kinda want my own copy if you could possibly do that. I want to mark it up and use it as a tool. I seriously covet one right now haha! And yes, you can send me a copy of the Oct. Ensign. I would truly appreciate it.

Well, hopefully you can see that I was edified by Conference. Because of Conference, Interviews with President Merkley on Thursday (awesome! I love President Merkley), and lots of service (mowing lawns), we weren't able to do too much missionary work this week. We did have an awesome lesson with Betty (the lady who cut my hair) and picked her up as an investigator. She is so excited about what we share that she is going to have her whole family sit down and listen to us next time. MONEY IN DA BANK. Haha I'm super stoked :)

That's so great to hear about April! I look forward to someday meeting some of the Elders in her district. I'm sure I'll see one of them. A tripanionship? Holy cats. I hope she likes it.... I sent April a short email telling her that I love her and that she needs to watch out for the flirtacious elders in the MTC. Trust me, I know how it is. Sheesh.

Oh and one other thing: I read the whole William Atkin journal and thought it was amazing! I love our family history! Personal study time is now my favorite time. There is also another elder in our zone who has Atkin ancestors from St. George and Hurricane. We couldn't make an immediate connection, but we'll find out more in the future. I'm sure we're distant cousins.

I love you so much! I'm out of time, but thanks again for emailing me. Thanks for the pictures and thanks for everything. Talk to you soon.

Love, Elder Atkin

P.S. This is what happens when you have a lot of time on preparation day. Enjoy!