December 27, 2011

Dear family,

So what's new since two days ago?? Heh heh just kiddin' :)

Man, yesterday was probably one of the lamest days I've ever experienced. Nevermind that the days previous were some of the best that I've had. Yesterday was just quite boring. I usually try to make the most of my preparation days and stay busy, but neither Elder Jensen nor I felt like doing anything. I'm absolutely convinced that December 26th is the worst day of the year. It's not like I'm a kid back home, out of school, and have lots of toys to play with. There was such a build-up to our phone call, don't you think? It was so awesome to talk to you! But I do have to say that I'm glad that I've gotten through the first one. Hopefully future phone calls will be a lot more chill haha. I think that Sunday proved that I'm still a greenie :)

Well then. It's time to get back to normal life. Elm Creek's teaching pool is as low as ever, but we can only keep trying to find people. Last week we went through a list of like 30 potentials/formers and only one of them was interested. ONE OF THEM. And that one is moving to Cleveland (Oklahoma). A large part of the list lives in Catoosa (a small town in the bottom corner of our area), and so we had a Catoosa trip with our ward mission leader. We tried to contact about 10 people and guess what? Nuthin. The biggest success we had from our Catoosa day trip was a nice lady answering her door and kindly saying, "No. I attend the Kingdom Hall" when we asked her if she was interested. Usually Jehovah's Witnesses aren't the friendliest so I considered it a tender mercy. I'm so tired of people saying that they attend a certain church or that they're "Christian" like it means something. The lady might as well have said, "I attend the Kingdom Hall and so because of that very fact I can't listen to you...Even though I would love to." So many people are filled with junk about Mormons from their churches. It's ridiculous. Elder Jensen and I are trying to think of unique door approaches as to get past the initial inhibitions that are so often attributed to the white shirt and tie. Got any ideas? Anybody? We'll probably tract today after I send this...

Jim is probably still our closest (to baptism) investigator. But each week he seems to drift further away. We'll probably see him today or tomorrow with Bro. Kennedy (ward mission leader) and lay it all on the table. We've already met with him too many times with too little of commitment from him since I've gotten here. We've decided that we need to be bold with him. It's really sad when it comes to this point, but we can't just keep meeting with somebody that enjoys the company. I am planning on sharing Elder Uchtdorf's talk with him, Mom, so we'll see what happens with that. Hopefully you were inspired :) Elder Jensen and I are praying that we can just find and teach somebody. We want to teach someone soooo bad!! It seems like forever since I've actually taught a real missionary discussion. We've decided that during companion study we'll do some role playing once in a while to keep our skills up.

I'm glad to hear that Reggie is doing well. What a man! Extending his mission? Sweet! I've thought about that a few times, but I don't know if I could ever do that haha :) I'm still in the beginning of my mission so I don't need to worry about that yet anyways. Tell Frank that I'm super proud of him for going through the temple and getting his endowments. I miss going through the temple. I wish I could be there.

April and I had a wonderful conversation! We both talked at a million miles an hour and I still felt like I had so much to say. I flippin' hate that feeling. Either way it was so cool that we got to talk to each other though. I'm thankful that her mission president allowed her to talk to me.

Thanks again for all of the gifts that you sent me. It really was so perfect. I was as happy as I could be, but Christmas night we went to the Gaylords for dinner. When we arrived, we were surprised to see a TON of presents under the tree waiting for us. Apparently some members of the ward came together and bought Elder Jensen and I a bunch of stuff. I don't know all of the details, but it must've cost a lot of money. We had no idea it was coming. I couldn't believe how much stuff they had gotten us! Both Elder Jensen and I were so humbled. Man, I love Elm Creek :) I'll include a picture of all of our riches.

Well, I hope you had as great of a Christmas as I did. I will never forget it. Thanks for loving me and talking to me! Have a great week and be safe.

Love, Elder Atkin

P.S. Other pictures included: A sweet domino tower I built. Me talking to you on the phone with a gift in hand.

Elder Atkin talking to family and opening presents

Presents from ward members

December 19, 2011

Dear family,

Merry merry Christmas to you too! Boy, Sunday can't come quick enough. I have so much to say to you in so little time today, so I'm happy that in less than a week I can just pour out my soul into the phone. I sent Dad an email talking about some of the details, but I'm still not sure on everything. I just hope and pray that I can just call successfully and talk to my family. That is ALL I flipping want for Christmas, Santa. That is all I want for the rest of my life, too - to just spend time with family and hear your wonderful voices. I'm already satisfied anyway. I received probably the best present I've ever gotten in the mail the other day. You know, the picture chain. When I opened it I seriously wept like a baby. I just laugh about it now :) It just goes to show how much I miss your faces! I'm going to treasure those pictures forever. And all of my little nephews are looking so adorable!

 

Mom, I loved hearing about your story with the Napolis. That scripture you shared is awesome :) Your story reminds me of Jim - the geneology buff. His mother is going through a lot of pain in her very old age. He just doesn't understand why she's going through this and why she's still here. We met with him last night, and we talked a little bit about the Plan of Salvation. Jim agrees with basically every doctrine our church teaches, and he loves the Plan of Salvation. I've mentioned before that he thinks that Mormonism is the closest to the truth. It's just frustrating that he's still not doing anything and refusing to accept our beliefs. He submits names to the temple, he loves our church and the missionaries so much, and he dearly wants to have the ordinances of salvation for himself. But there's just something holding him back. We think that it's his mother. She was a preacher for another church for basically her whole life. He feels like he'd be betraying his family heritage (even though his dad has had temple ordinances done for him). Golly, Elder Jensen and I just don't really know what to do. At least Jim loved the William Atkin journal.

 

This week wasn't the best number-wise, but we're still happy as ever. Elder Jensen and I are still pals, and we're working super hard. It's a little frustrating at times, especially since this area hasn't had a baptism since 2010 and we haven't had any new investigators yet, but the Lord blesses us in other ways. We've done a bunch of tracting, but it hasn't been successful. Everyone out here is Baptist. I mean EVERYONE. At least they're all pretty nice to us. It's just that I ache to teach the Restoration. I've seriously only taught a new investigator a couple of times. That's another thing that I want for Christmas - someone to teach!

 

We did a lot of service this week for the local Community Resource Center. They do a Toys for Tots sort of a thing and we helped give presents to people in need. It was so much fun! I loved seeing all of the peoples' faces light up when we'd hand them a bag of toys and goodies. Charity never faileth, my friends :) We also got to talk to a man (who was also helping with the gifts) who is a member of the Community of Christ church. It was really interesting to talk about the priesthood and the Book of Mormon with him. It was really cool to talk to someone who isn't a member of our church, but still believes in the same stuff. But at the same time it was really frustrating. Flipping PROPER AUTHORITY. Ugh...

 

Well, I'm about out of time. I look forward to talking to you on Sunday! Don't cry too much when you answer :) Haha have a great week!

 

Love, Elder Atkin

December 12, 2011

Dear family,

Man, I feel so jolly today!! It's a dark and cloudy day and it's chilly outside (my favorite weather by the way) and Christmas is in the air. I never thought it would feel like winter/Christmas in Oklahoma, but it surely does. I guess I'm just getting used to things out here. Can you believe I've been out over 5 months?? Not like I'm counting or anything, but I just can't believe that 2012 is right around the corner.

So how are y'all doing? It's so fun to hear from you each week. I'm doing more than fine, Mom. In fact, I absolutely love Owasso to pieces already. Elm Creek is such an awesome ward, and everyone's all ready to help us out with the work. You should see our meetings with the Ward Mission Leader. He's a convert of 3 years, and he's ready to burst with his testimony. Nothing against Springdale, but I feel like this ward is more ready/willing/capable of helping us out. Right now we're planning for the 2012 ward mission plan and organizing events to help bring the missionary spirit to this area. We're going to get the youth involved and we're even planning on having President Merkley either talk in church or talk in a fireside. Owasso's about to light on fire!!! I'm not trying to brag or anything (I'm serious), but I think the ward really likes me. There have been lazy/trunky missionaries in the past here, and they're all really excited about me coming in. Elder Jensen and I are pumped and ready to go.

Speaking of Elder Jensen - We're already the best of friends. It's only been a week and a half and I would already give an arm and a leg for the guy. I feel like I've known him forever! I have to admit that we might joke around a little too much, but that's what makes things great. We have such a good time haha :) I feel like I can tell him anything/everything and we trust each other big time. Think of this: We actually are excited to have companionship study and to weekly plan for 4 hours. What. The. Flip. I could go on talking forever, but just know that I have a new favorite companion (don't tell my past companions).

So about the health clinic visit. To make a long story short, I had a big ol' nasty in-grown toenail. Yes, I'm sorry I didn't take care of it before the mission. I thought that maybe it would heal, but it didn't. It's just been getting worse and worse until I couldn't handle it anymore. But one day I saw Elder Jensen's big toe and how half his nail was missing. I was like, "woah, did you have an in-grown toenail in the same exact place that I currently do?" And he was like, "why yes, dear companion, we are going to get yours taken care of this Wednesday whether you like it or not." And I was like, "Oh my heck I'm scared to death, but okay." And that was that. On Wednesday we went in and they stabbed me with a bunch of needles to numb it up (yes, I freaked out a little bit. I'm a baby) and then this really nice lady dug it out and cleaned it all up. It actually wasn't too bad. But we had to take a couple of days off to let it heal. It hurt worse than I thought it would afterward, and I had to elevate it all the time. But don't worry, it's getting better! And you don't have to worry about me breaking a limb or anything haha.

But even lamer was the fact that both Elder Jensen and I got sick on Friday. Yeah I know - sick again! We don't know where it came from, but we both were puking our guts out. I was the first to puke. We were actually in the car and so we had to stop on the side of the road so I could open the door and heave. Ugh, it was nasty. We had to stop twice. Elder Jensen puked like 10 times the next morning. The result of all of this was horrible colds for both of us. We both have tons of phlegm and we've been coughing like crazy. It's been getting better, but we had to take a couple of days off for that too. Talk about an unproductive week. But hey, Tuesday was a good day! We saw Jim (the family history buff) and we shared some of our family history with him. I brought the "William Atkin Journal" and shared the story about their little family crossing the river and not wetting the axle tree of the cart. Jim was literally on the edge of his seat. I offered to let him borrow it and read the whole thing on his own time and he about peed his pants in excitement. This guy will do anything for stories about peoples' ancestors. Jim has been taught for years, and he just can't let go of his Baptist beliefs, even though he believes that Mormonism is the closest to the truth. So we've been trying to provide anything to give him that extra push - that really spiritual experience. Who knows - maybe William Atkin's conversion and testimony will touch Jim's heart. If you have any other sweet stories about our ancestors that you think would be good, let me know. I also told Jim about Atkinville and such and he thought that was super cool too. Hmmm... We'll see what happens in the future.

Besides Jim, there aren't really any solid investigators. Sure, there are some people that have been investigating for years, but nobody really willing to change. Elder Jensen and I have been studying in the scriptures and PMG to try and receive inspiration on what to teach these various people. Golly, I wish everyone would just accept the message of the Restoration! It's not always perfect though. We're planning on tracting/finding this coming week, even though Owasso's been tracted out in the past. We've knocked on plenty of doors already (before my toe and sickness) where the people were kind of bugged and told us that the missionaries knock on their door like 3 times a year. At least most people are nice about it. Most everyone out here is Baptist. There's a baptist church on every corner. There's a Baptist church that's a movie theater and the congregation watches the latest movies together. Weird, huh?! But overall, Owasso is a pretty nice area. It's cool to see the high rises of Tulsa in the distance. I just love the city feel. Today we're going to go on a Tulsa trip to visit a member and do some fun stuff. Cool cool.

Man, I'm so stoked for this area! There's just so much potential with the members and such. Elder Jensen and I have clicked big time, so that certainly helps. I thought we'd get sick of each other because we were stuck in our room for most of last week, but it was quite the bonding experience. We've set goals to read Doctrine and Coventants all the way through together this transfer and to memorize a scripture together each week. We've also decided to recite 3 Nephi 5:13 each morning in epic voices. Because we're that epic. And it's epic being Christ's disciples. Ooooohhhhh yeeeeaaahhhh!!!!

So life is good. The other day I received a package from the Wilkes family. They sent me a nice card and the MOTAB/David Archuletta CD you were talking about. Isn't that so nice of them?? You'll have to call them up and thank them for me. And isn't the CD so good? I love it!

I'm glad you finally got the Christmas tree up. I'm so happy that the Stapleys have an awesome Christmas tree. It wouldn't be Christmas without one.

As far as what I want for Christmas, I really can't think of too much. But I do want a nice dark sweater (good for a missionary). My red one's nice, but I want something a little more conservative. Either gray or black. And I also want a CD case. You know, one that can fit a bunch of CD's or DVD's. It would also be great if you could send some great music. Hey, surprise me! Piano or guitar (soft of course) would be nice music to listen to. We have a CD player. I also could use another tie or two. Once again, surprise me. Y'all have great taste anyways. And lastly, if you can't think of anything else to send me, money always works. Haha :)

Thanks for letting me know about Sacrament Meeting on Christmas. I'm still not sure on when I'll call y'all but I'll figure that out for next week, okay? It'll probably be in the afternoon.

Thanks so much for everything! I've ran out of time so I'll talk to y'all next week.

Have a wonderful week! I love you so, so, so much!

Love, love, love, Elder Atkin

Elder Jensen and Elder Atkin

December 8, 2011

Dearest Family,

 

This is your long lost son emailing from Oklahoma. Remember me?? Haha jk :) Oh man, I don't even know where to start! Hopefully I can fill you in on everything that's in my mind right now. But, as always, I'm okay Mom. In fact, I'm absolutely excellent! I always need to address that question first.

 

So yeah, I got transferred. Holy moley. I packed up all of my stuff Wednesday night, and within 24 hours I had arrived in Owasso Oklahoma, met my new companion, and moved into the Stapley's home. What fun!! It was quite the whirlwind of events, but I couldn't be happier right now because of where I am. Owasso is right next to Tulsa (Elm Creek is the name of the ward haha) and it's got that city feel. There's a little bit of country side, but it's mostly suburbs and busy streets. I love it! There's an older part of town, but the part we live in is actually pretty nice. Compared to Springdale, Owasso seems super wealthy. And if you remember anything from my marching band years, Owasso High School was a huge marching band school. We pass by the school all the time, and the football stadium is just MASSIVE. It looks like a college stadium. But I hear that it's that big for the marching band, even though football is big around here. Cool stuff!

 

Like I mentioned, we live with some members here. I love them so much! It's only been a few days, but I already feel at home with the Stapleys. I'm pretty sure you and Sis. Stapley would be best friends, Mom. She is WAY into decorating and being cutesy and stuff like that. It reminds me of you so much! And Bro. Stapley and Dad would get along too. His dry humor is seriously the funniest thing I've ever witnessed. Oh man, what a good time :) We live upstairs in a nice big room with big beds and a big bathroom with 2 sinks. Boy am I getting spoiled. I'm already super sad to hear that we might be moving in with some different members before Christmas. Noooo!! Oh well, I can't complain.

 

All the members here are really cool. Church was awesome yesterday. There are about as many people on the ward roster as Springdale, but more of them are active, so the chapel was pretty full. I already love a few of the families already. We ate dinner with the Sadweeks last night, and all their kids were there with their kids. It felt like a family reunion. We ate Hawaiian Haystacks (chicken sundays) and I was seriously one happy camper. I'm sure you understand, family :) They were so nice to me and I felt like part of the family.

 

Now it's time to talk to you about Elder Jensen. Elder Jensen.... (pause) OOOOOOHHHHHHH YEEEEEAAAAAHHHHHH. What a man. What. A. MAN. He's seriously my favoritest already! When we first met at the transfer point in Tulsa, we clicked right away. Elder Jensen is from Ammon, Idaho (near Idaho Falls) and he went to school at BYU-Idaho. He loves sports (we talked forever about our favorite teams), he loves girls (don't worry, we're trying to not talk about that too much), and he loves music. Sounds like me right? We get along so well, and we have similar goals. His trainer was a lot like mine (trunkiness, laziness, etc.) and so we're both ready to tear it up. We've already done some tracting together and walked a bajillion miles in the rain on Saturday, so we've bonded big time. Sure, the tracting was unsuccessful, but it was a lot of fun and we met some funky people. The area has been tracted hard core in the past, so we're now brainstorming new ideas for finding. Got any cool ideas of attracting people to the gospel? We're thinking of setting up a hot chocolate stand. It's been quite chilly around here, ya know... But oh man, I love Elder Jensen so much already. He's super nice and he has an awesome family back home. I don't even feel like his senior companion, because we've agreed that we're both going to be equal and keep each other accountable. The area is in need of some awesomely obedient elders, and so we've set the bar high. The Lord will bless us and this area.

 

I'm already out of time! I only get an hour here at the Library in Owasso. I love you so much and I look forward to telling you more about the work and such when I meet more people. There's so much to do! Love you so much!

 

Love, Elder Atkin

 

P.S. my address is:

13128 E. 80th St. N.

Owasso, OK 74055

 

P.P.S. My favorite Christmas treat is cookies. Snickerdoodles. And frosted sugar cookies. Oh boy! And no, we don't get the New Era. I would love it though...