May 23 to last weeks letter.

Family,

Well, can I just tell you how much I love my family. I about died laughing when I saw and read what you did on the "rapture" day. The librarian came over and asked me to be quiet. It made me laugh. Thank you for that.
My companion and I had an idea of what we could do.. we were going to soak ourselves with rubbing alcohol and then light our selves on fire and run down the street. But we decided against it.
It was funny because on that day we were asked by one of our less-actives to come and teach his fiance because she wants to join the church. And during that lesson we made several jokes and references to the "Rapture". Especially how that man does not know when that day will come. Not even the man on the earth who has the Priesthood authority of God knows when that will be. (Our lesson was on the Restoration and Priesthood authority).

But thanks again for that laugh. It was duly needed.
So things have been going pretty well.. we've got some issues in the Zone that Elder Akaka and I have to try and settle and help people realize what they are doing is wrong.
We've got an Elder, who only has three weeks left of his mission, and a Sister Missionary who are texting each other WAY too much. And we've got to talk to them today about that... So that's a pain in the butt.. but it has to be done.

And then also today, even though its our P-Day we've got to help a Less-active move all of her belongings into a storage unit. So once we're done here that's where we'll be going.
So, even though its our day off we still have to help the work progress.

We had President Maynes and Sister Maynes coem to our Ward Council Meeting yesterday, because the ward just doesn't get the Ward Mission Process. And while he was there the Bishop asked him if he could come and speak to the ward. So Pres. Maynes looked through his schedule and said that the only two Sundays he has open next are either Sept. 24 or Oct. 9. So they set it for the 9th. And I leaned over and said to Pres. Maynes, "You know, President, you are always speaking in the wards that I am serving in AFTER I leave them!" He quick reply really made me laugh. He said "Obviously you aren't in tune with the Spirit Elder. You don't know that you won't be here."
So apparently I am going to be here in Grand Junction 9th ward until Oct. 18 and then go to one area for only a transfer. But I am sure he was kidding.

I love you!
--
-Elder Cameron Landon

June 1 letter

Family,

So, I'm sorry about not sending an email on Mon. or Tues day. Monday of course was Memorial Day and the Libraries were closed and because of that they asked us to email during lunch.. and we had a lunch appointment yesterday so I am emailing today.

we've helped several people already here plant their gardens and some trees and stuff and this morning we mowed the back yard of a part member family. It wasn't too big so it made for a quick job.

So.. things have been going pretty well.. we have two of our investigators that will be baptized as soon as the people they want to baptize them are ready. They are working on the worthiness part now. But its coming along really well..

Last night we met our new High Councilor in the Stake. The new one over Missionary work anyways. He's a really good guy. We had our weekly meeting with him. That's one of the responsibilities of a Zone Leader. We have to meet with the Stake Leaders.

So not much new has happened.

On P day I bought two HUGE space bags and tried them out. In on of them I can fit three suit jackets, six pairs of slacks, a towel and that little pillow I have and there is still quite a bit of room. I am very excited about having those. It'll make packing so much easier.

A few days ago (Mon. May 30) I realized that in exactly six months I will be sleeping in my own bed.. that is crazy. I really want to finish these last six months stronger than ever. So I am going to be working harder.

In District Meeting we watched a GREAT talk given at the MTC in Jan. by Elder Holland. It was amazing. It talked all about when the Apostles asked Peter what they do next after the Savior had been crucified. He just went back to his fishing. And Christ asked him Three times "Lovest thou me?" (Elder Holland said that Peter became the greatest apostle because Christ asked him three times in a row, the three being significant to Peter denying Christ three times before the cock crew) He finally said "Then feed my sheep"
He made it the point of .. not going back to the things we used to do.. if we do we haven't really repented.. we haven't become better.. So I am going to try as hard as I can to continue reminding myself of that great question "Lovest thou me?"
It was a great talk and I've got a copy of it.. I am very excited.

This past Sunday Elder Akaka and I taught the Fifth Sunday discussion in church. it was all about how the missionary work is pointless unless there is member involvement. It went really well.. We even had a member from our Mission Presidency come and observe us. He said it was great. So I hope he wasn't just being kind.
We're hoping that they will take what we shared with them and run with it. But we'll see.

I can't think of much else to tell you all, other than I love you very much and miss you all! Please take care!
Moroni 8:3

Your son and brother,
-Elder Cameron Eric Landon

June 6 letter

Family,

So things have been going pretty good here. Elder Akaka and I had the best week, working wise, last week. We taught 23 lessons, found three new investigators, and had three investigators and three less-actives at church. It was awesome. We've also been teaching the Gospel Principles and Elder's Quorum Lessons the past couple of weeks. So that's been pretty sweet.
However despite all that... last week was the hardest for me as a Zone Leader. I am just so tired of having to baby sit other missionaries and fix problems that have been going on. A Sister Missionary and I got into a huge argument.. and she's really upset with me because I asked her to stop doing something that she was doing wrong. But things are being worked out.

Transfer calls are already this week. I cannot believe how fast each six week period comes and goes. It still astonishes me how fast two years can go by and yet how much can change in that time. So either we will be getting a call on Friday night or Sunday night. So I'll let you know what happens next week.
I've decided that I really like being in an area longer rather than a short time. I think two transfers is too short and three still not long enough to be in an area. So I am going to ask President Maynes if he could either transfer me now, so I can stay in my last area for four transfers (six months), or keep me here for six months.
I am going to talk to him about that tonight. We are going to Denver today and staying at the Mission Home tonight for a Zone Leader Meeting tomorrow morning. Then we'll be coming back tomorrow evening. I'll talk to him about it there.

I don't know if I told you but a few weeks ago we helped with two moves. One we moved a lady's whole house into a 10x10x15. It was pretty tough to get it all to fit but I was about 8 feet off the ground on top of boxes and other items throwing other things up on top. it was pretty hot and tiring but we got it all to fit. I was so proud of myself.

I've got to go now.. my time is almost up on the computer.. the computers here shut off if when our time limit is up. So that's why my letters have been a bit shorter lately..
But I love you all and miss you very much.


Take care.

Love your son and brother,
--
-Elder Cameron Landon

June 13 letter

Family,

The baptism went really well. It was kinda just thrown together and I was stressing out about it but it turned out really good. Kris was the boy's name. His mom Sherri is a member, in that she was baptized, but the church cannot find her records. They have had a VERY rough life. Kris just turned 9 and so we've been helping him get ready to be baptized for about two months now. The missionaries have been working on this family for a while now. And I know that Kris' decision will really help this family. They're pretty .. dis functional.. but good people.
Elder Plunkett was the one in Craig for a long time with me. He is in Grand Junction 2nd ward and before that he was in the 9th ward so he knew the Taylor family really well.. And Kris asked Elder Plunkett to baptize him. It was a good night.


Transfers are here. I am a little upset about it but... I didn't ask the Mission President like I wanted or said I was going to, because I did already know that the Lord is in charge.. but I did tell him how being a Zone Leader is really stressful, and frustrating for me... and asked how much longer he's got planned to keep me as such. He told me to hang on a little longer.. I still really wanted to be released... but nope.
I am still going to be a Zone Leader and staying here. Elder Akaka is being transferred, but not only transferred, he is also being released after only one transfer here and one transfer as a Zone Leader! Apparently President Maynes needs him to help a struggling missionary out and Elder Akaka is the guy for the job.
So I'm not too happy about it... and from what I've heard my choices of who my new companion will be either it'll be really good or really bad and I won't get along with him at all.. because I've already served around him and I didn't like him at all. So I am a bit worried about tomorrow and finding out who my new companion is. But we'll see.

I also asked President about why he made me a Zone Leader. I told him that Zone Leaders are supposed to be an example and baptize people to be that example. I told him that I've only had one baptism as a Zone Leader and that was after 7 months of being one. He told me that I was made a Zone Leader to be an example of how to take a ward that's struggling and build the relationship between the ward and the missionaries and help the ward's become stronger in Missionary work. He then told me to look at the wards I've been in as a Zone Leader and look at a before and after. So I guess that's why I've been called as a ZL. It made me feel a little bit better but I am still not sure about this next transfer... we'll see.


I love you all very much thanks for everything.
I miss you.
Moroni 8:3

Your son and brother,

--
-Elder Cameron Landon

Family,

Well, things have been going pretty well lately. There is one bonus to be living with the missionaries who are now serving in a previous ward that I did because I am able to easily find out the progress of those people that I was close to. I don't know if you remember when I asked for you to send me the Work and the Glory dvds for Sister Hunt, but anyways.. while I was there we started to teach her granddaughter. But it was always so hard to get a hold of the family. But she was finally baptized this past Saturday. It was cool to be able to see her go through with that. Elder Franklin, Sister Wilkerson, and myself sang a three part harmony of I Need Thee Every Hour for the baptism. It went pretty well. Elder Franklin is a pretty good singer. I enjoyed doing that... I was nervous because I haven't done anything like that in a while, but I survived.

I also have a question.. I have ripped a hole in the slacks that I bought from a thrift store and there aren't many close here and they take way to much time getting to them on P-days. So I was wondering if you could, when you get the chance, maybe let out those slacks that I got from Missionary Mall in the waist a little bit and send those to me? Would you do that, for me? For your loving son, who loves you so very much? (Man, I miss doing that.) I really would appreciate it a lot though. Thank You!

So things have been going very well.. I really think that the ward is warming up to the missionaries more here. When I first got here the ward and the missionaries relationship wasn't that great for some reason... I do not know but its getting better which is awesome.
We had four less-actives and one investigator to our Gospel Principles class yesterday which was cool.. it was a great lesson. I thought we did great. The lesson was on Faith. And then we taught in Elders Quorum about Missionary Work.. so we've been doing a lot of teaching. Its good though. I love teaching.

So that's about it.. I can't think of much else to tell you..
OH! besides our investigator has an 8 foot pet boa constrictor. and he let us feed him a rat! it was disgusting but so cool at the same time! I'll show you the video sometime! it was sweet!

I love you and take care! Thanks for everything.
Oh and on Wed. I hit 18 MONTHS! that's so crazy! But that's life I guess..

Your son and brother
-Elder Cameron Landon

Family,

Well, another week has come and gone. And I don't think I have too much new news to tell you..
Besides Transfer calls were last night and I am staying here in Grand Junction 9th ward for at least one more transfer. Elder Sherman is leaving though. Which is sad because although not many other missionaries liked him, and he does have a few personality quirks that are different I really enjoyed serving with him. He really helped me become a better missionary. So he is leaving in the morning. Also Elder Franklin (we all live in the same apartment) is training a new missionary, so we will be getting two new missionaries in our apartment tomorrow.

Also some other exciting news.. We went on exchanges with the 6th ward Elders, (6th ward was my Greenie ward) so I could see a few people that I got to know back in the day. I saw the Whites, we tried to see the Brooks but they weren't home, and we saw the Jarvis', and then I saw the Hills. I saw Trent before at the General Priesthood meeting and at Stake Conference but I didn't see his wife, and apparently he forgot to tell her I was in town. So we stopped by and Trent answered the door.. he told me to walk into the kitchen and surprise Sister Hill. So I did. She was very surprised to see me. She really wanted to give me a hug, but sadly I couldn't.
I wasn't too involved with the teaching of Trent but they kept referring to Elder Englund and I as "their missionaries".
Apparently the Stake here asked Trent to write his conversion story down for their quarterly Stake Newsletter and he did and it was 10 pages! I asked for a copy by the way.
And it really was inspiration and guidance of the Spirit to go and see them that night. Our appointment after dinner had canceled on us and so we stopped our bikes at the intersection near their house and tried thinking of someone to go and see.. we BOTH at the same time thought of the Hills. So we went to dinner and on our way back stopped and visited them. We asked him if he were interested in learning about the church, and he agreed because, the NIGHT BEFORE he out of the blue said to his wife (who was the YW Pres. at the time) "I think I'd like to start and just learn about your church." Then we show up. (He thought she had called us because he said that)
Another amazing part of the story is that they had been trying for a couple of years to get pregnant and couldn't. They seriously considered going to Denver to have this 20,000 dollar fertilizing operation down, which would only allow a six percent chance. But they said not three days after we first showed up she was pregnant.
So they named him Ryder Trent Hill. I teased them saying they should have named him Daniel Landon Hill (Daniel is Elder Englund's first name) They said that they really liked that and are seriously considering it if they have another child. I laughed..
But what I meant to tell you about this whole thing is: Yesterday morning Trent received the Mel. Priesthood and blessed his baby boy. It was awesome to hear. I, sadly, wasn't able to go because our ward was at the same time as theirs in another building.
But another cool thing is.. they might be moving to Ogden. So that's closer for me to go and visit them. I am so excited.

I love you all and I'll talk to you Sunday
Your son,

--
-Elder Cameron Landon

A little late, sorry.

Family,

Well.. that was a great phone call. I was very excited to hear all of your voices. I am glad things are going well despite the fact that.. not much is going over there... but hey at least what little is going on is good.

So while Elder Akaka was talking to his family I fell asleep in Bro. Smiths recliner.. I was apparently asleep for about an hour and a half.. But it felt awesome.. It was nice to finally get some needed rest.

So last night was a good night as well.. after we got back to our area from calling we realized that we were very close to running out of gas.. so we parked the car.. just in time too.. and started walking the rest of the evening.. it was a warm night though..
Today we woke up to rain and clouds.. but that's okay with me because I love this weather. Its nice and cool.

Well I'm sorry I don't have too much else to say.

Thanks for everything you all are always in my prayers and I love you all very much.

I love you.
Your son and brother,
--Elder Cameron Landon

Happy Easter, Family

The past week was amazing! It really made me feel like I am doing some kind of good.
When everyone talks to us and tells us that we have no idea the good work that we are doing, but I suppose us still being the natural beings that we are, are looking for the immediate gratification that we human beings strive for. But this past week has really helped me see a very small portion of the results of what I've been doing.
Part of that happened a week ago, yesterday at Stake Conference. I don't know if I told you this yet but I'll tell you again. There were two people that were brought before the congregation for sustaining to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. One was a young man in the Grand Junction 6th Ward, and the other was Trent Hill. The man that Elder Englund and I started teaching. It was amazing to see that, and to be able to sustain him myself. It was great.
And then when I went up to Craig and Baggs this past weekend the missionaries there went with me to see some people.. that was great. But we went and saw Theresa Weeks...
As a missionary its great to get baptisms but its kind of "iffy" when you think that this person might not stay active.. so that's sad. And to be completely honest, I thought that with Theresa.. she had a really hard time trying to quit smoking, and her husband wasn't too supportive. But it turns out she's still going to church and is working in the nursery, and is talking with the Bishop about getting her Patriarchal Blessing. It was great to see her and to let her know that I am still praying for her.
And the "icing on the cake" was when I surprised the Clarks walking into the Branch Building to surprise them. I heard them say when I walked in "There he is!" It was amazing.
It really made me feel like what I am doing is worth it, and that I am accomplishing something.
A lot of people in Baggs and in Craig that I saw kept asking when I was going to move up there.. I told them I wasn't exactly sure...
I was going to email you some pictures at the baptism but I left my camera in the car up there. But I already talked to them and they are coming down on Tuesday and the McGruders will bring it to me.
It was an awesome weekend.

This past week we were able to set two more of our investigators with a baptismal date. Craig Carton, and Brian Doyle. So that's exciting and just added to the week. We're looking forward to helping them get baptized on May 21st.

So next by Next Monday we'll find out about transfers again.. we'll find out Sunday night for sure.
So that'll determine whether or not I'll know an exact time on when I call you on Mother's Day.. But I'll try and let you know as soon as possible.

I don't know much else that's been going to besides I've had the reason why I am out here reaffirmed to me. Its been the best thing I've ever done.

I love you all and miss you. Please take care, stay strong and I'll talk to you sooner than you think! Moroni 8:3
Your son and brother,

-Elder Cameron Landon