Birthday cake made by his companions.
Being silly with some old suit coats they found.
Missionaries or secret spies?
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Dear Family,
It is crazy how small the world is. Like with the Jardines, and the man visiting the Redfords. There is a man in the ward here who has a cabin in Island Park and so does my new companion! so we were all talking about Island Park and how much we enjoyed being up there.
My new companion is Elder Mason Larsen from Albany, Georgia. He was in the MTC with me. In our big group that left together from the MTC there were two districts.. I was the District Leader of one and Elder Larsen was the District of the Other.
He's a good guy and we're getting along very well. And because our area is SO hard to have the work progress we are working a LOT more with the ward. We are going to visit every member on our ward lists and see them, share a message with them, build a relationship of trust with them, and then ask them for referrals. I think it'll work a lot better than what E. Ah Kiong and I did.
We did get some snow finally on the 30 of Dec. It started snowing at about 10:30 am and by about 5 that evening we had about 5 inches. So the next few days we were walking everywhere because we can't drive when the snow is sticking to the roads. But Sunday, and today and supposedly tomorrow were are are going to be pretty warm and hopefully melt all the snow.
On New Year's Eve we had to be in our homes after dinner. And a few nights before the Bishop had given us a dvd with those Mormon Messages that are on Youtube. We came home and watched those with Sister Kevan (the member we live with). She reall enjoyed that. then after that I went downstairs and went to bed at about 10:30-11 ish. I wasn't feeling too well... I was pretty sick the next morning too. I called our Mission President's wife and told her I was feeling weak, sick to my stomach, had a sore throat, and light headed and she told me there were about 20 other missionaries with the same thing. So I was able to sleep from about 10:30 that morning until about 2:30 and we were back out working at 3. I still wasn't completely better but I was well enough to work. I'm fine now.. I just have a huge cold sore right now... its pretty massive... and gross.
I like your idea on how you studied on a specific topic. I recently started the Book of Mormon over again. A member gave E. Ah Kiong pocket sizes of the Book of Mormon. So I am reading that and highlighting that. But I am reading one chapter at a time and I am not gong on to the next chapter until I find something in every chapter that I can either use as a spiritual thought or something that I can apply in my life. Its been pretty cool and a neat experience so far. I'm enjoying it. I've learned a lot, and I'm only in 1 Nephi 8.
These next two weeks have some exciting events coming up. Tomorrow we have our Zone Leader Councils in Frisco, CO. then the Temple on Wednesday Morning. and then next tues we have Zone Confrence. And President has asked Elder Larsen and I give a training on an effective way of finding people. And in Gospel Principles we were given exactly what we're going to use.
We'll train on using Less active members as a finding method... because once you activate them, they usually have non-member friends and they will want to bring their friends into the Gospel. and believe it or not there is a perfect story of that exact thing in the Book of Mormon.
In Helaman 5 verses 35 to the end of the chapter, there's a story about a guy named Aminadab. This is where the Lamanites and the Nephites are having so many battles and wars. Nephi and his brother Lehi are preaching the gospel to both the Lamanites and the Nephites because they are both wicked. And then they are thrown into prison. The prison walls come tumbling down and then a darkness comes over the people in the prison and they can't move or see or hear anything until one man does soemthing... and that's where verse 35 picks it up... you should read it ... its cool. and fits perfectly with using Less active members. I am excited.
Well, that's all I can think of at the moment.. but thank you for everything I love you all and wish you a happy new year and I'll see you soon! before the year ends! I miss you!
Your son and brother,
--
-Elder Cameron Landon
It is crazy how small the world is. Like with the Jardines, and the man visiting the Redfords. There is a man in the ward here who has a cabin in Island Park and so does my new companion! so we were all talking about Island Park and how much we enjoyed being up there.
My new companion is Elder Mason Larsen from Albany, Georgia. He was in the MTC with me. In our big group that left together from the MTC there were two districts.. I was the District Leader of one and Elder Larsen was the District of the Other.
He's a good guy and we're getting along very well. And because our area is SO hard to have the work progress we are working a LOT more with the ward. We are going to visit every member on our ward lists and see them, share a message with them, build a relationship of trust with them, and then ask them for referrals. I think it'll work a lot better than what E. Ah Kiong and I did.
We did get some snow finally on the 30 of Dec. It started snowing at about 10:30 am and by about 5 that evening we had about 5 inches. So the next few days we were walking everywhere because we can't drive when the snow is sticking to the roads. But Sunday, and today and supposedly tomorrow were are are going to be pretty warm and hopefully melt all the snow.
On New Year's Eve we had to be in our homes after dinner. And a few nights before the Bishop had given us a dvd with those Mormon Messages that are on Youtube. We came home and watched those with Sister Kevan (the member we live with). She reall enjoyed that. then after that I went downstairs and went to bed at about 10:30-11 ish. I wasn't feeling too well... I was pretty sick the next morning too. I called our Mission President's wife and told her I was feeling weak, sick to my stomach, had a sore throat, and light headed and she told me there were about 20 other missionaries with the same thing. So I was able to sleep from about 10:30 that morning until about 2:30 and we were back out working at 3. I still wasn't completely better but I was well enough to work. I'm fine now.. I just have a huge cold sore right now... its pretty massive... and gross.
I like your idea on how you studied on a specific topic. I recently started the Book of Mormon over again. A member gave E. Ah Kiong pocket sizes of the Book of Mormon. So I am reading that and highlighting that. But I am reading one chapter at a time and I am not gong on to the next chapter until I find something in every chapter that I can either use as a spiritual thought or something that I can apply in my life. Its been pretty cool and a neat experience so far. I'm enjoying it. I've learned a lot, and I'm only in 1 Nephi 8.
These next two weeks have some exciting events coming up. Tomorrow we have our Zone Leader Councils in Frisco, CO. then the Temple on Wednesday Morning. and then next tues we have Zone Confrence. And President has asked Elder Larsen and I give a training on an effective way of finding people. And in Gospel Principles we were given exactly what we're going to use.
We'll train on using Less active members as a finding method... because once you activate them, they usually have non-member friends and they will want to bring their friends into the Gospel. and believe it or not there is a perfect story of that exact thing in the Book of Mormon.
In Helaman 5 verses 35 to the end of the chapter, there's a story about a guy named Aminadab. This is where the Lamanites and the Nephites are having so many battles and wars. Nephi and his brother Lehi are preaching the gospel to both the Lamanites and the Nephites because they are both wicked. And then they are thrown into prison. The prison walls come tumbling down and then a darkness comes over the people in the prison and they can't move or see or hear anything until one man does soemthing... and that's where verse 35 picks it up... you should read it ... its cool. and fits perfectly with using Less active members. I am excited.
Well, that's all I can think of at the moment.. but thank you for everything I love you all and wish you a happy new year and I'll see you soon! before the year ends! I miss you!
Your son and brother,
--
-Elder Cameron Landon
Dear Family,
I was thrilled to hear all of your voices... even if I didn't recognize all of them... (BRAY!! STOP GROWING... I want at least ONE brother smaller than me when I get home) But it truely helped me. A LOT. Thank you for making that the best phone call on my mission so far. It really helped.
So Transfers are tomorrow and last night and tonight we are just going around so Elder Ah Kiong can say good-bye to people. He's been here for about 6 months. And last night we went and saw the Crellin Family and they have a 13 year old girl and she was so excited about what their family got for Christmas that she HAD to show us... each person in their family got Nerf guns.. and so for the next 20 minutes Elder Ah Kiong, myself, her, the older sister and her dad were running around the house shooting eachother witht the nerf guns. It was really fun.
Well, I am really sorry but I don't really have anything else to say I said it all on Saturday. I love you all so very much. I miss you all a great deal. Thank you for everything.
With all my love,
Your son and brother,
--
-Elder Cameron Landon
I was thrilled to hear all of your voices... even if I didn't recognize all of them... (BRAY!! STOP GROWING... I want at least ONE brother smaller than me when I get home) But it truely helped me. A LOT. Thank you for making that the best phone call on my mission so far. It really helped.
So Transfers are tomorrow and last night and tonight we are just going around so Elder Ah Kiong can say good-bye to people. He's been here for about 6 months. And last night we went and saw the Crellin Family and they have a 13 year old girl and she was so excited about what their family got for Christmas that she HAD to show us... each person in their family got Nerf guns.. and so for the next 20 minutes Elder Ah Kiong, myself, her, the older sister and her dad were running around the house shooting eachother witht the nerf guns. It was really fun.
Well, I am really sorry but I don't really have anything else to say I said it all on Saturday. I love you all so very much. I miss you all a great deal. Thank you for everything.
With all my love,
Your son and brother,
--
-Elder Cameron Landon
Dear Fam,
Well, life is chugging along here..... I am still surviving.. despite the cold weather.. its gotten down to about 30 degrees lately... haha. I say that only because I know its cold there. Its extremely unusual weather they're having here... they say normally its got a lot more snow. But I'm not complaining.
I am not sure what time I'll be calling but it'll be Chirstmas Evening. I can't wait to hear your voices, and talk to you. I can only talk for about 40 minutes. But I am excited. So be prepared.
Our appointment with Steve fell through.. he had forgotten he had a dinner plan with his daughter and he is busy until after the New Year.. (which is the case with a lot of people) So we're seeing him at the beginning of Jan.
Being a Zone Leader isn't bad... but I REALLY would prefer to be just a normal missionary because I don't have to worry too much about other people and if they're doing what they're supposed to be doing. I don't really like that. but The Lord needs me to do it so I wil.
I love you all very much and I miss you tremedously... sorry this letter was a short one but I'll fill you in on Sat. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
I love you
Your son,
---Elder Cameron Landon
Well, life is chugging along here..... I am still surviving.. despite the cold weather.. its gotten down to about 30 degrees lately... haha. I say that only because I know its cold there. Its extremely unusual weather they're having here... they say normally its got a lot more snow. But I'm not complaining.
I am not sure what time I'll be calling but it'll be Chirstmas Evening. I can't wait to hear your voices, and talk to you. I can only talk for about 40 minutes. But I am excited. So be prepared.
Our appointment with Steve fell through.. he had forgotten he had a dinner plan with his daughter and he is busy until after the New Year.. (which is the case with a lot of people) So we're seeing him at the beginning of Jan.
Being a Zone Leader isn't bad... but I REALLY would prefer to be just a normal missionary because I don't have to worry too much about other people and if they're doing what they're supposed to be doing. I don't really like that. but The Lord needs me to do it so I wil.
I love you all very much and I miss you tremedously... sorry this letter was a short one but I'll fill you in on Sat. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
I love you
Your son,
---Elder Cameron Landon
Sunday, December 19, 2010
2 weeks in 1.
December 6, 2010
Family,
Things have been going here. I know its never a coincidence but it still amazes me how the Lord works. Last week I emailed President Maynes and told him about me having a hard time, but the thing was, he was in Grand Junction having interviews and a short training, so he didn't get my email. Then the next day I had the chance to go to the Temple, which was amazing!! I was so excited.. it had been way too long since I've been there. That really helped me out and helped me realize a bigger picture. Then the day after that we had our personal interviews and training and it was ALL about what makes a mission "hard" and what makes a mission "incredible" and how we can take our mission from hard to incredible. And it really helped me out and I talked with President Maynes and I am doing a lot better... just trying to let things get me down... I don't know why I have been having a hard time with that lately but its definately getting better. Thank Heavens..(which I do multiple times daily)
I'm sorry I can't really think of anything else to say either... just I love you and miss you all so much.
Thanks for everything I LOVE YOU!
--
-Elder Cameron Landon
December 13, 2010
Family,
Before I forget, I've forgotten to tell you the past two weeks... THANKS A LOT!!! You just HAD to tell the Fields that I sing and act! I was nervous for two weeks... because here I am sitting in our PEC meeting and the Bishop says.. "I hear the Fields got to see you mom. And she said that you would LOVE to sing for sacrament or our Christmas Party."
So I had to sing for the Ward Christmas Party. I sang Oh, Lord My Redeemer. It went fairly well despite the fact that I haven't performed like that in over a year... I was pretty nervous.. but it was okay.
I actually miss doing that.
A funny story about that is. In that ward there is a boy named Zach. He is 11 and he has Cerebral Palsy.And he LOVES singing. When I was singing the chorus he came up and sang it with me. It was great.. He's such a good kid. Everyone in the ward loves him. That was a good experience and it was pretty fun.
Well, it sounds like you are all keeping very busy. We are too. We got a referral from the MTC the other day saying that there was a man who has friends that are members of the church and he's been to several church activities , and he's even been reading the Book of Mormon. It gave us his name, address, phone number and also told us that he is wanting to take the missionary lessons. Which was a definate answer to Elder Ah Kiong's and my prayers... we don't have that many people we're teaching and those that we are, are all very busy with the season.
So we called Steve, that's his name, and set up a time to see him on Wednesday. I'm very excited about that.
So next week I will still email you on monday. But our P-day is going to be on Christmas. So if you could let me know when you're going to all be home so I can call I'd appreciate that. Just so we can coordinate that with the members who said we could call from their house. Thanks.
Also President Maynes doesn't want us proselyting on Christmas Eve evening or on Christmas at all.. He did say we could go caroling though and if we have set up appointments or can set up appointments to go to those but if we have neither just go home. Elder Ah Kiong and I are going caroling with the Assistants on Christmas Eve, and then we are trying to find a member with a 15 passenger van or something and go caroling as a district to all of our investigators houses on the evening of the 22. I am really excited about doing that and I hope it works out.
Elder Ah Kiong got it approved by President to have a Ukelale, that a member gave him. So we wrote our own Christmas song that we'll be singing. I am really excited about that I'll see if I can send short videos over the email and show you.
As Zone Leaders we have to do splits with the District Leaders and I went with Elder Borg, He's from Boise but the rest of the "Borg Family" are in Idaho Falls. He told me from everyone of his realtives houses you can look out the window and see the "Beer Temple" I laughed because I knew exactly what he was talking about. haha.
Anyways.. he is into musical theatre.. so we talked for a long time... it was great. He was telling me about this theatre about an hour outside of Boise called Starlight Mountain Theatre in Garden Valley. Its owned by members, and its an outdoor theatre. They live there and work and perform. They house you and feed you and everything. I really want to do that the summer I get home... it sounds so much fun.
I know why I'm out here and I know it'll be tough but it'll be worth it.
I love you all so much and miss all you too,
--Elder Cameron Landon
But I wanted to thank you for "throwing me under the bus" ;)
Family,
Things have been going here. I know its never a coincidence but it still amazes me how the Lord works. Last week I emailed President Maynes and told him about me having a hard time, but the thing was, he was in Grand Junction having interviews and a short training, so he didn't get my email. Then the next day I had the chance to go to the Temple, which was amazing!! I was so excited.. it had been way too long since I've been there. That really helped me out and helped me realize a bigger picture. Then the day after that we had our personal interviews and training and it was ALL about what makes a mission "hard" and what makes a mission "incredible" and how we can take our mission from hard to incredible. And it really helped me out and I talked with President Maynes and I am doing a lot better... just trying to let things get me down... I don't know why I have been having a hard time with that lately but its definately getting better. Thank Heavens..(which I do multiple times daily)
I'm sorry I can't really think of anything else to say either... just I love you and miss you all so much.
Thanks for everything I LOVE YOU!
--
-Elder Cameron Landon
December 13, 2010
Family,
Before I forget, I've forgotten to tell you the past two weeks... THANKS A LOT!!! You just HAD to tell the Fields that I sing and act! I was nervous for two weeks... because here I am sitting in our PEC meeting and the Bishop says.. "I hear the Fields got to see you mom. And she said that you would LOVE to sing for sacrament or our Christmas Party."
So I had to sing for the Ward Christmas Party. I sang Oh, Lord My Redeemer. It went fairly well despite the fact that I haven't performed like that in over a year... I was pretty nervous.. but it was okay.
I actually miss doing that.
A funny story about that is. In that ward there is a boy named Zach. He is 11 and he has Cerebral Palsy.And he LOVES singing. When I was singing the chorus he came up and sang it with me. It was great.. He's such a good kid. Everyone in the ward loves him. That was a good experience and it was pretty fun.
Well, it sounds like you are all keeping very busy. We are too. We got a referral from the MTC the other day saying that there was a man who has friends that are members of the church and he's been to several church activities , and he's even been reading the Book of Mormon. It gave us his name, address, phone number and also told us that he is wanting to take the missionary lessons. Which was a definate answer to Elder Ah Kiong's and my prayers... we don't have that many people we're teaching and those that we are, are all very busy with the season.
So we called Steve, that's his name, and set up a time to see him on Wednesday. I'm very excited about that.
So next week I will still email you on monday. But our P-day is going to be on Christmas. So if you could let me know when you're going to all be home so I can call I'd appreciate that. Just so we can coordinate that with the members who said we could call from their house. Thanks.
Also President Maynes doesn't want us proselyting on Christmas Eve evening or on Christmas at all.. He did say we could go caroling though and if we have set up appointments or can set up appointments to go to those but if we have neither just go home. Elder Ah Kiong and I are going caroling with the Assistants on Christmas Eve, and then we are trying to find a member with a 15 passenger van or something and go caroling as a district to all of our investigators houses on the evening of the 22. I am really excited about doing that and I hope it works out.
Elder Ah Kiong got it approved by President to have a Ukelale, that a member gave him. So we wrote our own Christmas song that we'll be singing. I am really excited about that I'll see if I can send short videos over the email and show you.
As Zone Leaders we have to do splits with the District Leaders and I went with Elder Borg, He's from Boise but the rest of the "Borg Family" are in Idaho Falls. He told me from everyone of his realtives houses you can look out the window and see the "Beer Temple" I laughed because I knew exactly what he was talking about. haha.
Anyways.. he is into musical theatre.. so we talked for a long time... it was great. He was telling me about this theatre about an hour outside of Boise called Starlight Mountain Theatre in Garden Valley. Its owned by members, and its an outdoor theatre. They live there and work and perform. They house you and feed you and everything. I really want to do that the summer I get home... it sounds so much fun.
I know why I'm out here and I know it'll be tough but it'll be worth it.
I love you all so much and miss all you too,
--Elder Cameron Landon
But I wanted to thank you for "throwing me under the bus" ;)
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