January 28, 2012 - Willard!

Dear Family,

A howdy and a holler from here in Willard, Missouri!!! Population here is 5,288, but it seems even smaller than that. Everybody knows everybody here, and everybody is related too. But interestingly enough, there's a strong enough church presence that there are 2 wards here. Of course, us and Willard 2nd cover other small towns around the area, including bits of Springfield, but either way it's cool to see such a great amount of Saints here in small-town Ozarks. I was rightfully a bit nervous to get transferred to a small town area in the mission because I've served in big cities so far (Springdale, greater Tulsa area, Joplin), but since coming here I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I love it here! We've met nothing but nice people so far and the ward is even friendlier.

Adding to the awesomeness is the fact that I'm serving with Elder Heindel. Like I said in my last email, I was Elder Heindel's zone leader in Joplin for a few transfers. Even better was the fact that I knew he was a hard worker and was fun to be around. Elder Heindel is from Palmer, Alaska and he has two other brothers. While I am a bit jealous of him being from such an awesome place, it's already getting old having to tell people that I'm from Utah - totally not as awesome as Alaska. Not that I think that. I love Utah! It's my home state! But every time we meet people they ooh and ahh at this mysterious man from the Alaskan frontier. Then I tell people where I'm from and they're like, "Really?! Another Utah guy??" Or, "Oh. That's cool." Or, "Wow. You're one of millions of lame missionaries they send us from the most boring place on God's green earth." Okay, so I was kidding about the last one, but you get the idea. Being a Utah elder is very un-cool and average. Don't worry, I'm only kind of exaggerating and I really do love Elder Heindel. We've already had a blast together in the last 4 days.

So life has been good since I've gotten here. Our apartment rocks. It's a section of a garage right next to and owned by some members named the Birds. Very nice older couple. The apartment is nicknamed the "Garage Mahal" because of how huge and nice it is. In all seriousness it is the nicest apartment I've been in on my mission. I feel like we're living in a hotel and I don't want to get anything dirty. Man, I could stay in here the rest of my mission :)

The work here in Willard 1st is going great. We have two investigators set to be baptized on the 16th of February all thanks to many previous missionaries who poked and prodded them until they finally knew that baptism was right. We're just lucky enough to be here for the baptisms. Both investigators have been searching this out for a few years. We have a bunch of other investigators and less-active or part member families to work with, so that will be good too. The only challenge is that we don't know much info about anybody. Elder Heindel and I just plan on calling or dropping by everyone and starting from the beginning. Elder Nordine and Elder Denton both (previous missionaries who I happened to have served with at one time or another) left a few notes on people, but that's about it. We're just praying that the Lord will lead and guide us as to where to go and who to see.

So that's about it for now, but I'll update you next week. I love you all! Have fun in the snow :)

Love, Elder Atkin

P.S. Here's a picture of me at transfer points with some of my favorite elders in the whole world. I miss them so much! It was ridiculously cold that morning too, if you can't tell.

P.P.S. I can't remember if I sent you my address or not, but here it is again:

8463 W Bird Ln.

Willard, MO 65781

 

 

January 21, 2013 - Transfer calls

Dear Family,

Mom, don't worry - I wasn't depressed because I didn't get your email. Sure I was a tiny bit bummed, but I knew that I might not get it on time with how early we went to the library. The reason why we were so early is because we had a zone outing at the stake center starting at 9:30. We played basketball (I was the ref due to certain injuries) and had a pot-luck lunch consisting of jambalaya, fried chicken (Elder Jones bought a deep-frier), pizza, salad, and baked beans. Yeah, we're a strange bunch :) Well, that and we're poor. So yeah, I'm fine. I knew that you'd be really sad that I missed it. It's okay!

So here's the news: I'm getting transferred. After all the good times here in Joplin for the better part of 9 months, I'm finally moving on to Willard, Missouri to be a zone leader with Elder Heindel. I just knew that it was coming, and yet it was still really sad when the call came. First of all, I was pacing back and forth and sweating bullets because it took the assistants longer than an hour to call us. Transfer calls start at 9:00 pm, but we didn't get the call until after 10. That may not make sense to you, but I was flipping out. There seems to be even more build-up to transfer calls these days because President Shumway moves missionaries in and out in a seemingly random way. Of course, it's the Lord mission and he moved his missionaries where he wants them. But there have been a lot of changes recently and many new areas are being opened. It's hard for anyone to get comfortable in an area these days.

My replacement is Elder Wheeler coming from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Interestingly enough, he was in April's MTC district and Elder Richards was in the neighboring MTC district. I'm pretty sure he has a crush on April or something, because he always mentions her when I see him in Tulsa at ZLC. Hopefully the members here like him. I'm really going to miss Elder Richards. Sure we were together only for 6 weeks, but I learned a lot from the guy. He's very humble, he works really hard, he's very obedient, and he loves to tract. When I really think about it, this transfer has been one of the most successful of my mission. Time flies when you're working hard and being obedient. What really hurts the most though is leaving behind all of the investigators/less-actives that we were working with. We found so many cool people from tracting that I won't even get to see be baptized! Both Cameron and Charlie are set to be baptized next month, with more getting close to setting dates for baptism. Oh well, I did my best. I can confidently say that I'm leaving the area better than I found it. And that feels good.

Another person that I'm really going to miss is Bro. Everett. We've slowly but surely become best friends with the 71-year-old Native American man. This week a miracle happened. As we were sitting there teaching about the Savior and his Atonement, Bro. Everett finally manned-up and admitted that his smoking was really holding him back. Sure, we've talked about it before, but he would get really uncomfortable and dance around the subject. I think he finally noticed how much he really could trust us and he flat out told us that it's preventing him from feeling the Spirit and receiving revelation. Cautiously, I suggested that he pick a date in the future to quit smoking. Bro. Everett then told us the story about the first time he quit smoking for his baptism and how one elder in particular told him to give him his cigarettes and then he crushed them. I then knew that we weren't being bold enough and I said, "Should we do that again? Is that what it will take?" Bro. Everett hesitated, then he slowly handed his last pack to Elder Richards, who then crushed them in his hand. Bro. Everett has been smoke-free for 4 days and is happier than ever. He tells us all the time that he loves us and that we saved his life. We, in turn, tell him that we love him too. I hope to go through the temple with Bro. Everett some day.

Gosh, we taught tons of lessons this week, but I hardly remember any of them as they all seem to just mesh together into one long spiritual experience. Mostly, I remember the good feelings through the Holy Ghost as we taught truth to people young and old. We did a lot of tracting and met wonderful people - many of whom went through the tornado. As I listened to their miracle stories, I felt such a sense of God's love for his children. He really does care! Even when people are very selfish and forget about love and respect, the Lord takes care of them. I know that Heavenly Father is just that - our loving, literal father in heaven.

Well, wish me luck in Willard. I hope and pray that I'll find those who are being prepared to meet me. I don't say that because I'm so amazing or all-powerful. But I want to bring about the Lord's work and be an instrument in his hands. It's truly satisfying. I'll do my best, I promise! Take care and don't freeze to death :) Talk to you soon.

Love, Elder Atkin

P.S. The good news: Elder Heindel rocks. I was his zone leader while he was in Parsons, Kansas and he was one of the best missionaries we had. He's super funny, easy to get along with, and he loves to work hard. You should see his shoes! The Lord continually blesses me when I don't deserve it. Tender mercies...

January 14, 2013 - Snow!

Dear Family,

Guess what? It snowed! After a long day of freezing rain and sleet, it finally snowed on Saturday night. Of course, it was only a skiff, but I sure was a happy camper. I miss puttin' on some boots and trudging through a foot or more of the white stuff. But on the other hand, it was pretty cool to see freezing rain. Everything was covered in ice the next day. It was awesome because Sunday was a clear day so the sun was shining and everything sparkled. As we would walk down the streets, I would sometimes kick weeds or grab tree branches because they would break off like it was nothing. Neat!

The finger is doing well. It hasn't hurt at all recently and I'm looking forward to getting a smaller splint or cast later this week when I go in for a checkup. I've really been taken care of, in fact sometimes I'm kind of embarrassed at how much people have taken care of me for just a pinkie. I'm sure Elder Richards is tired of hearing me explain time and time again what happened to my finger. He's such a great companion :) He'll just patiently sit off the side and smile while people flock around me at church and demand a detailed story. I always apologize afterward to Elder Richards. "Sorry, Elder... I... they.... the pinkie.... yeah...." I hope Elder Richards doesn't hate my guts. He seems like the type of guy that could really be bugged by something but just hold it in because he's too nice.

Well, transfer calls are coming up this Saturday. As always, I'm a bit nervous. Who knows what will happen! I have a feeling that I might finally be done here in Joplin, but I've already said that 3 times before. I could see Elder Richards and I staying together 1 more. Either way, it will be hard to leave. There's a lot of great things happening right now in our area. I'm motivated more than ever before, which is a good thing. Elder Richards and I have been working so extremely hard lately that I don't want to miss out on the fruits of our labors.

This week we had some great success from tracting. We met this really nice Native American family as we knocked doors near Erin and Ruben's place. Haha it was so funny because as we walked up to the door, one of the sons who is 18 woke up from a nap on the couch and saw us out the screen door. He kind of flipped out and ran calling for his mom. Come to find out later, he thought we were the FBI or something and he didn't know what to do. Later, we assured him that we were just servants of the Lord :) They reluctantly let us in, but after chatting for a bit and realizing that we were nice guys they warmed up to us. Janetta (the mom) told us a bit about her religious background and Sequoia (the 18-year-old son) stood off to the side and listened. We taught about the Book of Mormon and a little bit of the Restoration. Feeling prompted, I told them about the specific promises and blessings for the latter-day Lamanite people. They thought that was pretty neat. Overall, the lesson was one of the most perfect lessons I've ever taught. Man, there's no better feeling than teaching a first lesson that goes that smoothly and invites the Spirit so strongly. As we left, they agreed to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it. We plan on seeing them again this week.

We were also able to tract into a guy named Zachary yesterday. Though he goes to Ignite Church (an exciting, new-age church with a preacher who used to be a DJ), he expressed his interest after we taught a little bit about the meaning of the Book of Mormon. He's a very open-minded person and he also agreed to read a pray. It was especially neat because we had Tucker (a priest in the ward getting ready for his mission after he graduates) bear his testimony and help us teach. Tucker is my pal :) He's totally ready to serve!

Other than that, we have a bunch of potential investigators from tracting and we've had some success in contacting part-member families. Bro. Everett is doing well and we're going to help him quit smoking this week. Erin and Ruben and the Coxes are really not progressing right now, but we're still teaching all of them and we're determined. I know the Lord will help us solve peoples' problems in our area.

Well, my time is up. I love you all and I hope you're having as great of a time as I am. Life is good! This Gospel is so true and I love it.

Love, Elder Atkin

January 7, 2013 - Broken finger

Dear Family,

Yep, I broke my finger. I'm glad Sister Shumway called you and kept you updated. She's the best! So is Sis. Evenson, who sent you the picture of me. Rest be assured, I've been taken care of. And you're right Mom, it's going to be hard to right my email today. Sorry if it's a small email.

So here's the story. Last Monday we were playing basketball as a district at the church with a few YSAs. Nothing out of the norm, just having a little bit of fun. It wasn't even that competitive. And y'all know how much I love basketball. I was right in the thick of things playing my heart out. We had only played for about 15 minutes when it happened. Somebody passed the ball towards me. But right as I was about to catch it, somebody just barely deflected the ball. Instead of catching it, the ball slammed right into my pinkie. Instantly I grabbed my finger as the pain set in. It hurt pretty bad, but I had jammed fingers before playing the same sport. After a little bit of examination I thought that it could possibly be broken, but more likely just a really bad jam. I ran to the kitchen, grabbed some ice from the freezer, and was the ref the rest of the game. Surprisingly enough, after icing it for a while, it didn't really hurt that bad. I couldn't bend it, but I was certain that is was a bad jam. The first picture included is of my finger that night after coming home. Now that I look at it again, it was most definitely broken.

This is of my pinkie the night of basketball. Broken? yes

The next morning I woke up to even less pain. I could slightly bend the finger. It was New Years Day and I knew that a bunch of church members would be playing football at MSSU. I didn't want to miss out. It was right then that I decided to tape my pinkie to the ring finger, deal with a bit of pain, and play some football. What could go wrong? Big mistake. Although I was able to catch a couple of touchdowns, my downfall happened when I dived to bat the ball away while on defense. I landed on the ground, thus catching myself with both hands. Instantly I felt intense pain come from my finger. I ripped off my glove and saw how black and blue my hand was. It was then that I decided that it was probably broken. The rest of the day I iced my finger and Bro. Wilstead helped us pick out a splint at Walgreens to keep my finger straight. He called Sis. Shumway and asked if he could take x-rays at his Chiropractor clinic to make sure. She said no because she wanted me to wait until the next day to go to the Urgent Care. We visited people the rest of the day and taught a few lessons.

This is of my pinkie right after football. Worse.

 

Day 3: Lots of pain, but splint definitely helps. I was basically waiting for the word from Sis. Shumway to tell me what to do. Finally around noon Bro. Wilstead called me into his office to just get it x-ray'd anyway. As he was firing up the machine, he took a medical tuning fork of sorts, hit it on his knee to get it vibrating, and ran it along my finger. No pain. He said that if it was broken it would've hurt really bad. But he decided to take x-rays just to be sure. Good thing he did, because as he retrieved the x-ray from the printer he said, "Oh wow. It's definitely broken." He held it to the light and I looked. My finger was broken right through at an angle and it was displaced to the side. "No wonder it hurts!" Once again we spent the rest of the day teaching and went to district meeting in Pittsburg.

Day 4: Still in a splint, but after a bunch of phone calls, Bro. Wilstead and Sis. Shumway were able to get me an appointment at an orthopedic clinic out in Galena. The Lord continued to bless me as I was able to get in with a really good doctor who knew his stuff. Ever heard of Grant Wistrom? He was a famous NFL player for the St. Louis Rams who had his knee fixed by this doctor. Yes, I was in good hands :) And to make things better, Dad faxed our insurance info to the office right as I was signing in. Thanks, Dad. After more x-rays, it was decided that I would have to go into surgery to get a couple of screws to keep things in place. They scheduled an appointment for the next day at noon. We spent the rest of the day helping with food orders at the church and visiting people. Also did our weekly planning.

Day 5: I couldn't eat anything for 8 hours before surgery, so I was super hungry. I was also a little nervous because I'm not a huge fan of needles or of surgery. We went in at noon and I got undressed and dressed into a gown and a cap and slippers. Gosh, I looked like a goof! As I sat in the bed, I told Elder Richards to not laugh at me. Soon enough I had an IV in my hand and after a little longer they wheeled me into the surgery room. The next 2-3 hours went by in the blink of an eye and I woke up in the recovery room with a cast on my hand. A lady helped me get dressed (awkward) and then they wheeled me out to the car. We went home and the rest of the day I spent on the couch napping. That's when Sis. Evenson took a picture of me.

So, since then I've been drugged up on Hydro's and have been feeling great. I've been well enough to visit people too. Despite all that happened with my finger, we were still able to teach 9 lessons, pick up a new investigator named Charlie, set a date with Cameron, and I even bore my testimony in sacrament meeting. I have no idea what I said because of how drugged up I was, but Elder Richards reassured me that I didn't say anything too weird haha.

I hope y'all are doing well and that you don't get too cold. It's pretty chilly here, but bearable. Thanks for the great phone call on Christmas and for being the best family ever! I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I love you. Wish me luck as I continue to work my hardest.

Love, Elder Atkin