tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25816887324055055852024-03-13T21:11:41.463-07:00Elder Kirk AhrensElder Kirk Ahrens has been called as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and will serve in the Utah Provo mission for 2 years. This is his journey.J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-16973809520646798842015-11-29T21:23:00.001-08:002015-11-29T21:35:17.347-08:00<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
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A Savior is born!</h2>
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Hello family!</div>
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Sorry the email is so late! We've been doing stuff all day long! I still gotta grab some dinner before our lesson at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_954867662" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">6:30</span></span> so I'll make this brief!</div>
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The highlight of this week was probably Friday. It was pretty chill during day. Around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_954867663" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4pm</span></span>, we gathered as a mission at a chapel in American Fork to have dinner. After that, we headed over to the Alpine Tabernacle (about 3 mins away from the chapel) where we prepped for the 1st Semi-Annual Musical Fireside of the Utah Orem Mission! For the duration of the fireside, we had various talks from missionaries in the mission. He keynote speaker was President Matt Holland, President of UVU and son of Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In between talks, the Orem LDS Institute of Religion Choir sung various hymns and medleys which strengthened the spirit ten-fold. Towards the end, all of the missionaries joined the choir up front and we all sang the mission song "Send Me". It was soooo incredible! The fireside as a whole was something sweet and I can't wait for next time!</div>
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In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I would like to share just how thankful I am for my family, extended family, friends, and other loved ones. Dad, Mom, Jason, Jenise, Mandee, Granny, Grandpa Jim, Nana. I love you all more than you could possibly imagine. I am so thankful for all of the love, support, and strength I receive from y'all. Lee and Crystal, let me express how much I love the Edwards Family. Y'all have done so much for me. Everything from PG and onwards. </div>
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Mom, I hope you told Grandpa Jack about me when you were with him. I really wish I had gotten to know him better. At the end of the day, he's still hot blooded family. I appreciate the pictures. </div>
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Happy Thanksgiving!</div>
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With love always,</div>
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Elder Ahrens<br />
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<b>Utah Orem Mission</b></div>
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612 W 100 S</div>
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Lindon, UT 84042</div>
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J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-69583864494066557692015-11-21T19:02:00.003-08:002015-11-21T19:24:37.573-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;">The Plan Of Salvation! What a blessing it is!<br /><br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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District Activity today! We went roller skating! <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Left to Right: Sister Schademan, Elder Bradshaw, Sister Denning, Me, Elder</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> McCreadie, & Elder Morales</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Well, another week has whisked by. This week consisted of teaching lots, riding lots, and having lots of fun!</span><br />
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On Monday night, we had exchanges with our Zone Leaders. This time around, I stayed I the area while Elder Morales went to their area. I was put with Elder Bradshaw. Now, Elder Bradshaw is hilarious! Needless to say, we had a lot of fun on exchanges. Tuesday morning rolled around...and somehow we managed to plan exchanges on the only day of the week that had snow. Yup, Elder Bradshaw and I walked around...in the snow...for 4-6 hours. Granted, at about <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2069260404" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">11am</span></span>, the 4 of us elders went over to Mad Dog Cycles to pick up Elder Morales' bike so we could at least get some riding in there when the streets dried up. For the earlier part of the day, we did some contacting. Met up with some referrals. At 3 and 4, we had set lessons and dinner was at 5. Something I really like about dinner appointments is towards the end, we typically share the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have been doing it for quite some time now, but never with Elder Bradshaw. (Keep in mind, our ZL's are Spanish speaking elders.) Well, we got to sharing the message. I started it off, got to the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, then handed it over to Elder Bradshaw. From there he talked about the restoration through the prophet Joseph Smith. Now, he didn't have the first vision memorized in English...so he did it in Spanish! I've been working on memorizing it in Spanish too...but just the overwhelming spirit in that room as he shared that faithful experience of young Joseph. Sooo cool!</div>
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After dinner, we rode over to the stake center to have our monthly meeting with the stake president! Us, the Spanish sisters, and the senior couple were all in attendance.</div>
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After our meeting with the stake president, we happily rode over to our appointment with our star investigator! He's 9, and he's hilarious! His dad works for Snap-On Tools and he knows a guy I worked with in PG who also works for Snap-On. Small world! Well, this was essentially the last lesson before he can get baptized. Can't wait for that day!</div>
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After our lesson, we did some contacting before the night was over. We decided to make a pit stop at Krispy Kreme donuts. Well, when we got there, these two hot girls came over and started talking to us! Come to find out, they both spoke Spanish from their missions, so they and Elder Bradshaw started talking...and I was just listening trying to keep up with what they were saying. I can understand Spanish, but it takes me a while to respond. Either way, we talked, shared laughs, then went our separate ways. After that, we rode home, exchanged back, and went to bed!</div>
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Wednesday morning rolled around and we headed to Lindon to the mission office for a meeting for District Leaders, Trainers, and Trainees. Well, since my companion is the District Leader, I had to tag along even though I don't fall under any of those categories. Fast forward to that night! We had a lesson with a young investigator. And guess what?! Sister Killpack, President Killpack's wife, came to the lesson with us! We taught about the law of chastity. Sister Killpack loves kids, and when we told her about this situation a couple of weeks ago, she offered to come with us. We happily accepted! It was a great lesson! The spirit was there so strong. I definitely think this little girl feels better knowing just how important the Law Of Chastity really is.</div>
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Yesterday we had Thanksgiving dinner a couple weeks early with a family we're really cool with in the area. It was so much fun and there was so much food! Hey Dad! How bout dem Redskins! <img alt="😝" class="CToWUd" goomoji="1f61d" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f61d" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /><img alt="😝" class="CToWUd" goomoji="1f61d" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f61d" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /> 47-14 Redskins HAHA in your face Saints! I was ecstatic the rest of the day when I heard!</div>
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It's been a fantastic week and I'm grateful for all the blessings and tender mercies I receive on a daily basis from my loving Heavenly Father. This about does it for this week! I love you all! Thank you for all you do!</div>
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Elder Ahrens<br />
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<b>Utah Orem Mission</b></div>
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612 W 100 S</div>
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Lindon, UT 84042</div>
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J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-22174181900695594242015-11-21T18:47:00.000-08:002015-11-21T19:59:45.993-08:00<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
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Hello family!</div>
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Well, this has been a heck of a week! A lot of things happened that should belong in a journal, yet, I'm not too fond of writing, so I figure I'll collaborate all of my emails in to something when I get home. Elder Morales are chugging along here in Orem, UT. Anyways, on to the week!</div>
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Although we had several cancellations and the weather has grown colder, we managed to have a great, fun, and productive week. It all really started early Thursday morning when our district gathered at a chapel for interviews with the mission president. I was the second one to go. It was an awesome interview. I won't go in to depth about what was discussed, but it contained things I needed to hear. Things that I believe will help me continue to grow over these next 9 months that I have left. It's all becoming very surreal. I've been out for 15 months out of 24 months. I am now in the single digits when it comes to months left and it's blowing my mind just how quickly it has flown by. I can still recall, very vividly actually, things that happened in the MTC, Lehi, and Spanish Fork. Anyways! After interviews, our zone and some other missionaries gathered at UVU (Utah Valley University) and recorded our mission song "Send Me". We had Bro. Eggett, a music major/instructor, lead the recording session. It consisted of about 30 missionaries, and a choir based at UVU. I'm not sure when we will receive the recording, but when we do, I'll be sure to send it on. The spirit that follows that powerful song is incredible. It gave me chills!</div>
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The following day, we had Zone Training Meeting. At about <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2069260401" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:30am</span></span>, we, along with the Zone Leaders, went to a chapel to set everything up. It was pretty cool because they went and got 2 dozen donuts from Krispey Kreme as a little treat for ZTM. We set up the tables, placed napkins, cups, and sheets out in each place. It was very professional <img alt="😂" class="CToWUd" goomoji="1f602" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f602" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" />. It was a very good meeting. We have an awesome zone. Tons of good people, great missionaries, and we all have a lot of fun together!</div>
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So speaking of the zone, we had a little reorganizing of some missionaries in the zone. Our Polynesian elders, who originally lived in south Orem, were moved to Lehi. (In Elder Laffidy's old apartment, actually!) They were typically the ones who gave us a ride to early morning soccer.</div>
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Anyways! So after ZTM, I called up Bro. Simpson from Spanish Fork and went out to lunch with him! It was super nice to see him again. We talked about good ol' Palmyra and some of the changes going on in the ward/stake. He had been released as Ward Mission Leader and was placed in the Bishopric! So cool! </div>
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So, finally the best day of the week rolled around! Saturday morning rolled around, and Elder Martz, Myself, and Elder Laffidy got together and headed up to Lehi, UT and attended a baptism for someone that each of us taught while we were up there. It was so cool! None of us were expecting it to happen so soon. Elder Laffidy and I were the witnesses..and man...the difference between when she went down and when she came back up out of the water! Her countenance had changed. There was something special that I noticed...like a light emanating from her. It's times that like that help me understand more fully why I'm on a mission. To see that change in others and the betterment of themselves.</div>
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Anyways, that about does it for this week. Thank you so much! I love you all!<br />
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Elder Ahrens<br />
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<b>Utah Orem Mission</b></div>
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612 W 100 S</div>
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Lindon, UT 84042</div>
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J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-75236820432918978942015-11-02T10:46:00.001-08:002015-11-02T10:46:42.360-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugD6iBFB5410Z-_zVQvcVdXypl97X71TGF0e1m7HnStY_oAmzOnKtcnWK5q4YnqCHaFLces6hSnwkxdqUKati6BztRbEIDNm1u3ZtG6048u60ePp4qn4NPARF6TNSMu7kFtD3CT54WQ/s1600/Mt+Timpanogos+Temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugD6iBFB5410Z-_zVQvcVdXypl97X71TGF0e1m7HnStY_oAmzOnKtcnWK5q4YnqCHaFLces6hSnwkxdqUKati6BztRbEIDNm1u3ZtG6048u60ePp4qn4NPARF6TNSMu7kFtD3CT54WQ/s320/Mt+Timpanogos+Temple.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the temple. We got to do an endowment session.</td></tr>
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Hello family! </div>
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This has been one of the longest/shortest weeks on my mission! It doesn't feel like P-Day was that long ago. It's really consisted of a lot of walking, a lot of teaching, and me trying to figure out where everything is. I've kinda gotten the general feel of where the important streets are and I can pretty much navigate my way home from anywhere in Orem now. I really wish we were biking so I can use the beautiful brand new Cannondale I just bought a few weeks ago. However, Elder Morales doesn't have a bike so we're really getting out exercise! Orem is really making me really miss Spanish Fork! :) Another interesting fact about our area is that it extends of the Orem/Provo line, so I pretty much leave the mission on a daily basis to go visit houses in the stake within the Provo boundaries. Fun stuff!</div>
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So the real highlight of this week was Halloween of course! Around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_639647716" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:15pm</span></span>, we headed up to American Fork, UT to a chapel right next to the Mt. Timpanogos temple. There the whole mission got together and we all had dinner together. Around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_639647717" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5pm</span></span>, we split the mission half and half, walked over to the temple, and did an endowment session! I've never seen, nor has the temple staff, so many missionaries in the temple at once! It was pretty cool actually. But the Celestial room was kinda bustin at the seams! After that, we drove home and went to bed! We were wiped out! Yesterday consisted of meetings, meetings, and...oh! More meetings. I pray I never get placed in to the ward council or some crazy stake calling. :D</div>
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This week we have exchanges with our Zone Leaders...but they're pretty cool so it should be fun. We also have President Interviews so it'll be nice to talk to President for a little while. Speaking of PresDawg! So before he and Sis. Killpack came to the Halloween party, they were in Lehi at a stake conference. Guess which stake they were in? One that I covered! I was really bummed I had missed the whole of it by a week. On top of that, this brother from a family we're super cool with spoke at it. But overall, blessings in everything we do!</div>
J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-75240863473823407242015-11-02T10:38:00.001-08:002015-11-02T10:38:12.609-08:00<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">
Greetings from Orem, UT</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdGkD6uBBm4YcXbZdvsqNz9Tm9PeczOQB84Af6ayn7G12ocVZPkH7SbHF_UA9EnRrnB1O3IFMiA4FUxkYs0PzC-c3pHRqWNYzcrR-h8Bn2-k8_cuu_4h_eYaGdqTnk_XyxOqO8Tqk-w/s1600/Elder+Morales+and+I+at+our+new+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdGkD6uBBm4YcXbZdvsqNz9Tm9PeczOQB84Af6ayn7G12ocVZPkH7SbHF_UA9EnRrnB1O3IFMiA4FUxkYs0PzC-c3pHRqWNYzcrR-h8Bn2-k8_cuu_4h_eYaGdqTnk_XyxOqO8Tqk-w/s320/Elder+Morales+and+I+at+our+new+home.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Elder Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333; line-height: 30.6px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Elder Clayton, Senior president of the Presidency of the Seventy</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie</td></tr>
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Greetings from central Orem, UT!</div>
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Holy whip, talk about mixed feelings. Well, I'll just tell ya how transfers went! So we get there with all of our crap since Elder Calderwood and I both got transferred out of Lehi. Same with Elders Laffidy and Martz. So we're all chillen there waiting for the meeting to start. Pres Dawg stands up, introduces the greenies, and moves forward with transfer assignments. After much anticipation and anxiety of sitting there for the better part of an hour, it soon became apparent that I was going to be in one of the two Orem zones. "Elder Morales! Serving in the Orem LakeView area. Meet your new companion Elder Ahrens!" Now...when you hear the name "Morales"...you instantly think Latin America. Well, Elder Morales is from Vienna, Austria. The name comes from Peru where his parents are originally from. They moved from Peru about 25 years ago. Now, Elder Morales and I actually came out together on <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_639647714" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">August 6th</span></span>, but some complications led to Elder Morales being sent home for a short time, then he returned to the mission field. Anyways...here we are. In Orem. With almost a week down in the transfer. We taught 20 lessons last week. That's more than I've taught my entire mission! I won't lie, there is a ton of work to be done in Orem.</div>
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So on Saturday, the Orem and Provo missions gathered at a chapel in Provo, UT where we were addressed by Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! Talk about a blast of spiritual wind in the face! It was incredible seeing and hearing them in person! I'm so grateful that they came and spoke to us. They had so many inspirational things to share. They didn't have time to shake everyone's hand so we did a "air hand shake". Still good in my book! Hahaha Afterwards we met with President and Sister Killpack with the whole Utah Orem Mission and talked about the conference and stuff. It was great and I'm thankful I had the opportunity to attend!</div>
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Last night, my landlord sent y'all an email saying hi and stuff. She's a super nice lady and she takes care of us. Tender mercies. Truly. The only downside to our set up is we don't have a car and our area is huge! At least I have a way to keep the weight off! <img alt="😅" class="CToWUd" goomoji="1f605" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f605" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></div>
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Anyways, we're gonna go do pday stuff. I'll send pics soon!</div>
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Love you all!</div>
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Elder Ahrens<div>
<b>Utah Orem Mission</b></div>
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612 W 100 S</div>
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Lindon, UT 84042</div>
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J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-51483595658344289332015-11-02T10:26:00.002-08:002015-11-02T10:28:07.795-08:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkyFMBY3sgAsaiffwL-KZpR4tk8ygC-kVCrQL81v1iFxzVBIBi7YNdqoObyPJOJrAraisHr21FBBXyGJx2-MrzBJEMOHj226CIUB8cCBtBYUk4qvZX0dEy1eKPCk_i2wgdvZCp10fbQ/s1600/My+new+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkyFMBY3sgAsaiffwL-KZpR4tk8ygC-kVCrQL81v1iFxzVBIBi7YNdqoObyPJOJrAraisHr21FBBXyGJx2-MrzBJEMOHj226CIUB8cCBtBYUk4qvZX0dEy1eKPCk_i2wgdvZCp10fbQ/s320/My+new+bike.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New bike!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Calderwood's pants!</td></tr>
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Hello family!</div>
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Well, a lot of things are on my mind right now. As you may or may not know, we received transfer calls today. Sometimes, if you are receiving a special assignment or certain things need to be relayed to you through a call or something, you typically receive a call from the assistants to the president, and in some cases, the mission president himself. Well, Elder Calderwood and I received a call from the AP's telling us that they're closing the area, we're both getting transferred, and that I might be a district leader. I'm still waiting to hear something from President Killpack. He's the one who usually informs you if you are being put in a leadership position. I know I don't want a car...I'll get fat again! Riding a bike all over creation has kept me in shape haha. We have a totally awesome district! A great group of missionaries who all have a good time together! So hoping to stay here in Lehi!</div>
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Anyways, moving on from the stress and unreality of transfers. The week has been good. Plenty of things have been moving forward in the Lehi East Area! Investigators getting close to baptism, less actives getting close to the temple. </div>
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I'll keep you posted on transfers and where I end up when the time comes.<br />
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+++later in the evening: <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">So we've been hangin out embracing our final pday in the area! We went to Thanksgiving Point to the Cornbelly's Fall Festival! There we explored a big old corn maze, messed around for a while..now we're here at our DL's apartment chillen and playing pool! No call from the President so I think I'm out of the woods.</span><br />
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With love always,</div>
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Elder Ahrens<br />
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<b>Utah Orem Mission</b></div>
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612 W 100 S</div>
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Lindon, UT 84042</div>
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J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-22562906551577747592015-11-02T10:19:00.001-08:002015-11-02T10:19:57.711-08:00<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bike didn't make it another year.</td></tr>
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Hello hello!</div>
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So this week has been filled with many different things that have no sort of relation to each other whatsoever. For example, on Tuesday night, we were invited to a chili cook off/fall festival! There we were asked to "judge" 15 different chilies and see which one was the best. Few were good in my opinion :D We were asked to find the top two. After that we awarded the victors with their prizes and off we went. That night we exchanged it up with our District Leader, Elder Paulsen, and his companion, Elder Tagg. Elder Tagg stayed in the area with me and Elder Calderwood went with a Elder Paulsen in to their area.</div>
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The next day we all got up at 6 and went to a stake center to play some basketball. It was fun. Taxing...since I kinda suck at basketball but all was well! From that point on, we went our separate ways from the day. Just shy of <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_639647707" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">noon</span></span>, we rounded up with the Lehi North elders and went to lunch. After that we started walking around. Why were we walking, you may ask? Well, when we were on our way to lunch (we were biking), Elder Tagg was riding Elder Calderwood's bike. As we were riding along, (bless his heart) Elder Tagg shifted to a higher gear and the next thing we heard was a big crunch noise and a bunch of bending metal. What had happened was the derailer had gotten caught on one of the spokes of the wheel and completely twisted it around and got it all caught up in the sprocket. Bad deal. So, Elder Laffidy called up one of his senior couples to give us a lift. Thank goodness....tender mercies...kinda. That's why we WALKED around. It took a tad bit longer to get around but that's okay. Used up time, I suppose. We visited a number of families, each switching off on who would do the door approach. We finally made our way to a less active family's house. (That's when we saw the black widow) We went in, he chatted for awhile, and finally it was time to go and have dinner! He was nice enough to throw our bikes in the back of his truck and haul them up the ginormous hill in our area. We had dinner, then got a ride down to our next appointment....which fell through...so we got another ride from a cool guy in our area to our lesson up north with our investigator. It was a super good lesson! The spirit was there as we taught the Plan Of Salvation. We also introduced the Book Of Mormon stories picture book to her since she is kinda struggling with understanding the lingo of the Book Of Mormon. After that, we packed it up and headed over to a ward mission leader's house to go in a couple of visits. We were able to set up an appointment which was pretty rad. After that, the WML took us home and we got ready to exchange back.</div>
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Aaaaand I've been typing this throughout the day and I'm running out of time! We had Zone Training Meeting on Friday. Today we had Zone Activity! The whole zone got together at a chapel in south Lehi and we played soccer, football, and basketball. It was pretty rad. Then our district went and got lunch. OH! So in ZTM, I found out that we won't be getting Facebook back until next year...so...I probably won't have it for the rest of my mission. Oh well....doesn't bother me none. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Anyways, today was a good day! I'm gonna jump on getting my shocks fixed. I'm so scared my bike is gonna fall apart every time I go over a bump hahaha</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Love y'all.</span></div>
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Elder Ahrens<div>
<b>Utah Orem Mission</b></div>
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612 W 100 S</div>
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Lindon, UT 84042</div>
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J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-36889934960220169012015-11-01T10:49:00.002-08:002015-11-02T10:49:55.956-08:00<br /><br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">
Families are Forever</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Leavitt and I were able to attend a family sealing!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hello family!</span><br />
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This has been a heck of a week! We have been running around like crazy with barely any time to catch our breaths! I guess you could say there was a lot of anticipation building up for General Conference. A lot of changes were made amongst the General Authorities and general officers of the church..but I'm getting ahead of myself!</div>
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So the fun really began on Tuesday when I got a call from Elder Leavitt telling me that a guy I worked with in Pleasant Grove, UT, Don, is getting sealed to his wife in the Salt Lake City temple on Friday and he wants me to come! Without any hesitation, I quickly called President Killpack seeking permission to leave the mission and attend this momentous event. I received the green light and off I went to PG on Friday morning to meet up with the family who we would be riding up to SLC with. Elder Leavitt and I jumped in the car and off we went! It was a very wet ride up the freeway. It was literally raining buckets! It was almost like we were driving through a river on I-15 headed north. When we neared downtown Salt Lake, the rain subsided. We grabbed lunch and off we went to the temple! We arrived at about only to find out that the sealing ceremony wasn't until later. We looked at each other and went off to do some initiatories to pass the time. We reconvened with the family around 3 in the marriage waiting room. They took all of us back to the sealing room (which was quite small btw). The sealer came in, gave them the whole spiel and performed the ordinance! Despite it being a brief performance, it is still one of the most profound ordinances held within the temple. To think that they are now sealed to each other for their time here on Earth as well as throughout eternity...like...forever and ever....is quite a feat to comprehend. Yet, it's super cool! Well, the ordinance was finished and we were filed back to the marriage waiting room. Elder Leavitt and I took another route to avoid the congestion all these slow moving old people were making... Well, we rounded a corner..and who walks by us? <i>President Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.</i> We stopped dead in our tracks like a deer in the headlights. We were so starstruck we didn't say a word until he rounded another corner. Though, I can confidently say that I was smacked in the face by the spirit as we walked by us. Man...the power coming from that guy...and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. A powerful moment I won't soon forget. Looking back now, I really wish I had said something...but oh well...maybe next time! (hopefully there will be a next time!) We joined the rest of the family outside of the temple, took some pictures, and headed back to Utah County. Well, so we thought. I-15 south bound was completely bumper to bumper from 4000 S in Salt Lake to Timpanogos Highway in north Utah Valley. Holy whip it was a very long drive. Fortunately, I brought my iPod so we had some music to help pass the time.</div>
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Saturday morning arrived and we went over to a family's house to watch conference. What a wonderful round of talks from Apostles and Seventies. We met up with the other elders for the afternoon session at another members home. This was the session we were all waiting for. This was when they called and sustained 3 new apostles to take the places of President Boyd K. Packer, Elder L. Tom Perry, and Elder Richard G. Scott. Warmly welcomed, Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Dale G. Renlund joined the holy apostleship on that faithful day. Sunday morning had to have been my favorite session! Amazing talks. The one that really got me going was President Monson's talk. I wasn't sure if he was gonna make it! He progressively got lower and lower on the pulpit, his words were drawn out and his breaths were shorter. Poor guy had to be carried back to his chair by his escorts after his talk. What really got me though was the power of his testimony. He wasn't about to give up. He was determined to finish his talk no matter what. He is a true example of the believers. I love President Monson. He is the man! </div>
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Well, that about sums up the excitement of this week! I hope each of y'all had an awesome week chocked full of the spirit!</div>
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Love you guys! Y'all are the best! Until next week,</div>
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-Elder Ahrens</div>
J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-71916829966963249512015-10-03T11:01:00.001-07:002015-10-03T11:06:20.151-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 October General Conference!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Hello family!</span><br />
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Where to begin? Let's start with Tuesday. So, early Tuesday morning, Elder Calderwood and I got ready and headed on over to Eagle Mountain, UT (about 20 mins east) with our Zone Leaders to attend the mission tour with Elder Wilson of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. There we joined our zone, as well as two other zones (so basically half of the mission), and sat and chatted and waited patiently for President and Sister Killpack as well as Elder and Sister Wilson to arrive. It was an 8 hour conference. President, Sister Killpack, and Elder Wilson had a lot of great things to say. Much was taught, much was learned. Elder Wilson actually got in to it quite a bit! Towards the end, he actually had us make "movie trailers" for chapters 2-4 of the Book Of Mormon which was pretty sweet I'd say! Only 3 districts were chosen to share their trailers and sadly ours wasn't one of them. That's okay though. So at different portions throughout the conference, there would be folks sharing different musical numbers...well, right after lunch, it was my turn. After much practice and anticipation, it was my time to shine. I got up there and things went really well. I messed up a couple times so I got a little frustrated with myself. I don't think it was because I didn't know the song...more along the lines of stage fright. I've always hated performing in front of other people...but now I'm pretty sure I found my way on to Sister Killpack's radar for future gigs such as this.</div>
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So on Wednesday we met with our newest investigator. She comes from a background where she had the church in her life, but had the choice of her own about getting baptized. She decided against it until she was more ready. Elder Calderwood and I have been invited to visit with her and we are excited to work with her!</div>
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So over the past couple of weeks, Elder Calderwood and I have made it a point to meet with and get to know each Stake President, Bishop, and Ward Mission Leader on a personal level. By doing so, we hope to develop a relationship and trust with these men as we each move forward hastening the work in their respective stakes/wards. President McCune drilled in to our heads on countless occasions: "These leaders will NOT direct you to the folks in their wards if they don' trust you first!" By meeting with each of these leaders individually in a formal Missionary to Bishop/Stake President/WML meeting, we hope to accomplish that. That's kind of what this week has consisted of. Being that I didn't really have the opportunity to familiarize myself with the East and Cedar Hollow stakes in the short 6 weeks I've already been here, things should start to look up for us now that we know each of these wards.</div>
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Lee and Crystal Edwards took me back to PG so I could meet up with Elder Leavitt to attend a baptism of someone whom I worked with while I was there. It's this little 8 year old girl. It was nice to see people who I knew back there. The baptism was something special! That's for sure!</div>
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So yeah...that's this week! Getting to know people. Evidently, it will probably continue in to next week. We've got 20 wards! That's a lot of tracking to do! It's keeping us occupied since people we teach like to cancel on us -_-</div>
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Anyways, thank you all so much! Until next week!</div>
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-Elder Ahrens </div>
J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-91238515549483318582015-10-03T10:45:00.002-07:002015-10-03T10:49:52.753-07:00<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never thought I'd do this!</td></tr>
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Hey family,</div>
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So this has been a great week filled with excitement, disappointments, and a whole lot of biking. . Ya know, you really start to appreciate the simple things in life..like a car...when you're forced to bike/walk around everywhere. Needless to say, I'm staying in shape! I'm going to have thighs of thunder and buns of steel!</div>
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So there was a copious amount of precipitation this week. Which, of course, made biking a challenge. Tues afternoon, we camped out in a chapel due to the insane amount of rain that day. We were there with the Lehi North Elders so it wasn't too bad. When the rain finally let up, we headed off to someone's house to do a quick pop in visit. While we were there, they fed their snakes some rats which was pretty cool. Following that, we committed the whole family to reading the Book of Mormon together. After that, we went to the ward BBQ and at there a with a couple of families that we know.</div>
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We finished off that night with a coordination meeting with the stake presidency and high counsellors of one of the stakes we cover. It was a really good meeting we discussed everything going on within the stake as well as things we would like to see through prior proper planning to prevent poor performance. The 6 P's. Anyways, we're hoping to see some sort of fruition from the plans we made. You best believe we'll be following up soon.</div>
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On Wednesday evening, we met with a family for the first time. It's a part member family. He's a member, she's not. She was blessed as a baby but not baptized at 8. She was one of those kids that was given the ability to choose whether or not she was baptized at 8...which is fine. In the past, she's met with missionaries. However, she didn't feel like it was something she wanted to pursue. We got to know her and her family! They are way cool and she is so ready to receive the gospel at this point in her life. We're excited to help her along this journey. </div>
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Some fast forward...we went to the Cedar Hollow 7th ward where one of our recent converts attend. The chapel where this ward meets is actually in the Lehi North elders' area. We were hoping to meet up there with them since Elder Laffidy had a pivotal roll in his conversion. Unfortunately, the other elders had other ward obligations and our recent convert was sick. So we just kinda hung out. That night, we went to a fireside in the west stake. It was from the movie, the Cokeville Miracle. If you haven't seen the movie, it's about an elementary school bombing in Cokeville, Wyoming. There, I met the filmmaker/producer for it, who has also filmed 17 Miracles, and a few other church films. Also, one of the survivors from the bombing 29 years ago was in attendance. She spoke to us and told us about the traumatizing experience she had on May 16, 1986. It was way cool!</div>
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This morning, we woke up and went to a member's house to burn a shirt for an elder in our district. It was his year mark today! Happy first day of Fall! Let the crisp mornings, bonfires, and pretty leaves begin!</div>
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Well, that about sums up my week!</div>
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Lee and Crystal, could you please help me with something? So this upcoming Saturday, Elder Leavitt is holding a baptism for someone he and I worked with in the Grove Creek stake. I was wondering if you could please take me to it! Pleeeeeease!</div>
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Anyways, that about does it! Thank you so much! I love each of you and pray for you every day!</div>
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Take care,</div>
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Elder Ahrens<br />
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<b>Utah Orem Mission</b></div>
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612 W 100 S</div>
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Lindon, UT 84042</div>
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J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-24601851885144686312015-08-16T11:11:00.002-07:002015-08-16T11:11:32.982-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTghvJxh1eC-CJNkbFziyDlg1JdRlsaod4Cumf35BWq3DPUSzHapt4IZtjyHQ8buRQQhIN4Sjh0i3J-yuyjRnXqWOjCs8cB4kNyDVkkm9NzDIbLqLSwJha4obx-FgRebE_Q0kVaQ_bpQ/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTghvJxh1eC-CJNkbFziyDlg1JdRlsaod4Cumf35BWq3DPUSzHapt4IZtjyHQ8buRQQhIN4Sjh0i3J-yuyjRnXqWOjCs8cB4kNyDVkkm9NzDIbLqLSwJha4obx-FgRebE_Q0kVaQ_bpQ/s320/IMG_1277.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself, Elder Laffidy, Will & Randy from VA</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlFscc48580PdB4fqsbV2ACDFIdINm44r_1AnCgEAD2D22-hMXvOsk7xnmSqsE18o5N2oQ0I6cPykgBOQO96FquzcfnkBiIux4BoW1Ez2cKEosiRIQ6LoxlDpDVhqtYl-hTPf0S0Gbg/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlFscc48580PdB4fqsbV2ACDFIdINm44r_1AnCgEAD2D22-hMXvOsk7xnmSqsE18o5N2oQ0I6cPykgBOQO96FquzcfnkBiIux4BoW1Ez2cKEosiRIQ6LoxlDpDVhqtYl-hTPf0S0Gbg/s320/IMG_1254.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hike to Mt Timpanogos Caves</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hello family!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Here is my weekly email...a day late...as thing a usually go! 😅</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So Elder Laffidy and I have been doing a lot of stuff here in the Lehi </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">North Area! Despite not having a car, some how we make it happen. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Whether it be walking, biking, or getting rides from local members, we </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">make it to our appointments! It's been really fun serving here with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder Laffidy so far! There's never a dull moment between us.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So yesterday for P-Day we hiked up the Timpanogos Cave Monument in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">American Fork, Canyon which was a ton of fun! Me, Elder Laffidy, Will, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Randy, and Crystal all set out around noon,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">1100 feet up in an hour and</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a half for the mouth of the cave! It was a pretty neat hike. We had </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the most incredible view of the canyon as well as the valley from up </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">there. Several rock formations as well as vegetation. Will and Randy </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">had struggled a little bit due to the elevation and air thinness. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder Laffidy and I did pretty well considering we've been here for a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">little over a year so we're acclimating to it all. The cave tour was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">pretty sweet! Lots of formations. It was pretty chilly in there! It </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">was nothing like caving in Boy Scouts when we could explore and go off and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">check things out. Here we all stayed on the path they had </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">created. Anyways, we finished the tour and went back down and went our</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">separate ways! It was really nice to see Will and Randy again. We were </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">reminiscing quite a bit and poor Crystal and Elder Laffidy had no idea </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">what was going on. Anyways...that's that!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So before the hike, we had a little extra time so we all drove up to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Tibble Fork Reservoir a few miles up the canyon and hung out there for </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a little while. While we were there, we hiked up to a higher spot and</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">enjoyed the view and talked for a while.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">That night we met with a inactive who is really good friends with one </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">of our families. We met in their home and this poor girl has </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">been through a lot and wants the direction of the gospel in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">her life...needless to say...it was one of the most spiritual lessons </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I've ever been in. It was incredible. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We shared D&C 18: 10,14-16 with her. Wonderful verses to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">discuss that God loves every single one of his children </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">unconditionally. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I'm looking forward to the awesome adventures that God has in store </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">for me over the next week! Until then...I love you all!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-34794894432730877452015-08-10T18:42:00.003-07:002015-08-10T18:42:40.053-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Transfers for necessary growth!</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAK9JRmrVQzl6sa-oL4cQmE8BplpWaa9LgXmPHTtLaHHhCGSXTIrrGbaf6zkla5mb33Inki7K4xY9Lbdx9dxS3zxF6IDZwXwEdi2gddrgQ8kFfHuvSP6vdqy_gPAjfpxrgpW_TKzacw/s1600/20150805_155338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAK9JRmrVQzl6sa-oL4cQmE8BplpWaa9LgXmPHTtLaHHhCGSXTIrrGbaf6zkla5mb33Inki7K4xY9Lbdx9dxS3zxF6IDZwXwEdi2gddrgQ8kFfHuvSP6vdqy_gPAjfpxrgpW_TKzacw/s320/20150805_155338.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new companion, Elder Laffidy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zLjwGnomje1ipCLVziU9L7pnCVVg3cvCDP-klZLzhSCDFfT117yeawUeC9dvrCq691d8wIhLNLOZQMc26Bl94J9xO4iyG1AyvNq2Vz1TBMkMhATEJYD_fvvNHHH9vGXJAZf3IrwNrA/s1600/IMG_6483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zLjwGnomje1ipCLVziU9L7pnCVVg3cvCDP-klZLzhSCDFfT117yeawUeC9dvrCq691d8wIhLNLOZQMc26Bl94J9xO4iyG1AyvNq2Vz1TBMkMhATEJYD_fvvNHHH9vGXJAZf3IrwNrA/s320/IMG_6483.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying good-bye to Pleasant Grove :(</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hello family!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Greetings from wonderful Lehi, UT! Yep, transfers were last Wednesday </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and I was put BACK in to Lehi. The same exact area that I started in a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">year ago! I'll tell ya what, it's really nice to come back and see </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">everybody again! So while I was gone, the area had taken over another </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">area...so right now we cover 4 stakes in Lehi....and we're on our bikes</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">...so that's fun. Makes getting to our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">lessons a little challenging.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So here's how transfers went. So we all gathered in this chapel in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lindon, UT. Transfers begun. President Killpack introduced the 3 new </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">guys who were called to the Utah Orem Mission! Could you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">imagine getting that on your call letter? Anyways, the areas started </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to come around. We finally got mine. "Elder Laffidy, serving in the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lehi North Area. Meet your new companion, Elder Ahrens!" He and I shot </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">up and was just relieved and excited! Gave each other a big ol bro </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hug and off we went! We couldn't get </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">over the fact that we were serving together! It was awesome! Over the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">past few days, he and I have had a great time catching up! Walking </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">around, seeing people. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder Laffidy and I have a lot in common. We talk openly, we aren't </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">afraid to talk to people. It's so nice! We really enjoy working together! I can't </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">think of a day this past week where we didn't have a few good laughs! </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I'll quickly tell you a little bit about Elder Laffidy. He's a great </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">guy. We hit our year mark together. He's from Hartsville, South </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Carolina. He's the oldest of 4. He's 2 months older than me. And he is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a fantastic missionary.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Which reminds me! On Saturday evening, we're gonna go up American Fork </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Canyon with a family and Elder Laffidy and I are gonna burn our shirts </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">together to celebrate our 1 year mark!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I'm sure gonna miss the folks of Pleasant Grove but I'm glad to be </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">back here in Lehi. I knew I had unfinished work to be done. Many </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">stories and experiences to come!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I love you all!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-18782662026549393412015-07-29T13:13:00.000-07:002015-07-29T13:14:47.993-07:00<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Final Days in Pleasant Grove, UT then transfers!</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL23olySMDEGXdPB9WM7w_DX8emC7f935d5TYZJnITcFDwT2Vrh0csdDXo3d8W0ywuSJhaqr37qrGKFs8kMbP-LWvscJjaMRvPu8GewaWp4VmO9qTUOliLhO0hThRRwrK_wV-RvmKw1g/s1600/received_10206670816785754.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL23olySMDEGXdPB9WM7w_DX8emC7f935d5TYZJnITcFDwT2Vrh0csdDXo3d8W0ywuSJhaqr37qrGKFs8kMbP-LWvscJjaMRvPu8GewaWp4VmO9qTUOliLhO0hThRRwrK_wV-RvmKw1g/s320/received_10206670816785754.jpeg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirk's spongebob imitation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running into friends from VA!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki6nTZI_QdxPzCH5Qw_04TIL4lpaDZb5SVSbpWU_zcyiXQ-FeQTKqav_jmPn3RXAiqfFTnpBZNQRz8FUq0EN1vvUK1oHgcme6LkcPuhssXXJj1xpGdrwRUigwxVApLV9Y39R4CgaC8w/s1600/holly+and+kirk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiki6nTZI_QdxPzCH5Qw_04TIL4lpaDZb5SVSbpWU_zcyiXQ-FeQTKqav_jmPn3RXAiqfFTnpBZNQRz8FUq0EN1vvUK1oHgcme6LkcPuhssXXJj1xpGdrwRUigwxVApLV9Y39R4CgaC8w/s320/holly+and+kirk.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More friends from VA!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnSCYSjZJt7DHDnCY_iJOetd6YQHh8jfJbHRZ9sGgHVEGNoAazA6S1x_Wf78ldREAEqhW0l9ojh99J0nRbqE7SVjVDhNRAmgyms5AiEVSesRhu5qi7u6xG9ivDZUpbDNWaW9xIZdzoQ/s1600/IMG951712+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnSCYSjZJt7DHDnCY_iJOetd6YQHh8jfJbHRZ9sGgHVEGNoAazA6S1x_Wf78ldREAEqhW0l9ojh99J0nRbqE7SVjVDhNRAmgyms5AiEVSesRhu5qi7u6xG9ivDZUpbDNWaW9xIZdzoQ/s320/IMG951712+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My companion Elder Leavitt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjPIs_j0BoY_U9-1smGGWT6OIKivHg3tpHa-sZVnGCuwolBcbgRqv0qdSMphX_zmD-TrlenHU4trxeoFfUap0AysZSsI7RweLiFyfWDL_Pv6a3hRypPES-XxNIcc_WcZn2XEsCwhDrQ/s1600/received_10206529704858044.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjPIs_j0BoY_U9-1smGGWT6OIKivHg3tpHa-sZVnGCuwolBcbgRqv0qdSMphX_zmD-TrlenHU4trxeoFfUap0AysZSsI7RweLiFyfWDL_Pv6a3hRypPES-XxNIcc_WcZn2XEsCwhDrQ/s320/received_10206529704858044.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Leavitt</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hello madre y padre!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So since yesterday was always on the move, I didn't have "time" to get </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a good solid email home! So here we go!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So last Monday night, we went to a Family Home Evening night with one </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">of our YSA wards. Their activity for the night was Life Lessons 101: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Auto Maintenance. I decided why the heck not? So I told the guy </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">running the show that I was a bit of a gear head and could help him </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">with anything he needed. This night consisted of taking this girl's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">car and inspecting the basic things. Oil, tranny, washer fluid,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">antifreeze, tires, etc. I soon realized that this car was on the verge </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">of killing itself. It was about 1.5-2 quarts low on oil and the tires </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">were over-inflated by about 20 pounds. Yikes! I ended up talking more </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">than I expected. I guess when you know your stuff, people expect you</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to use it! It was fun! Good people. I got to help a bunch!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So on Wednesday we had interviews with President Killpack for the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">first time ever! He took us in one by one, and interviewed us briefly</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, we met with one of our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">recent converts who has asked us to teach him the Temple Prep Lessons. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">It was kinda cool to go through those with him just because I never </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">went through them before I went through for my own endowment. There is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">some interesting insight shared in the manual. It was all stuff I knew </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">but it was cool to see what it said.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">On Friday, we had Zone Training Meeting. This is where our whole gets </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">together and we're taught by our Zone Leaders and Sister Training </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Leaders. It was one of the longest ZTM's I've ever been to but</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> was really good.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Saturday we had exchanges with Elder Carder and Elder Romriell. I went </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to their area with Elder Romriell and man did we have fun! Elder </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Romriell and I get along really well. We have similar interests and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">all of that good stuff. In the morning, we did some service from Bro.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Edwards. We took three loads of crap to the dump with his big ol crew </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">cab Ford. It was fun! After that, we did some contacting. I met one of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder Holland's mission companions! There is a story that he shared </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">that I'm going to have to put in a voice memo or something because </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">it's way too long to type. But yeah! After that, we had a few lessons. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">They went really well! After the lessons, we went and talked to Bro.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Capt (Elder Capt's father) who was outside working on his boat getting </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">it ready to head down to Lake Powell for the weekend. Elder Romriell </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">wanted to take a picture with his 1972 Dodge Dart Swinger. I asked</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Bro. Capt to back it out. I'll send some pics. Then we talked about a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">bunch of stuff! After that, I packed my stuff up and went back to my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">area with Elder Leavitt. Good day!</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Sunday was where things really were put in to perspective. Fast </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">forward to the evening where we had a fireside at the Alpine</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Tabernacle in American Fork, UT with the Alpine YSA Stake. President </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Larry Gelwix was the keynote speaker. President Gelwix is the head </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">coach of the Highland Rugby Team and he and his team are the ones</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">represented in the movie Forever Strong. He also presided over the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">California Fresno Mission. He told of several experiences that helped </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">him acknowledge the promptings of the spirit in his life. Another </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">experience I'll have to share in a voice memo because it's too long to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">type out.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So yeah! Better late than never, but there it is! My week! I love you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">sooooo much!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Sent from my iPad</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-16749639302026867252015-07-06T22:18:00.000-07:002015-07-06T22:18:18.511-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Greetings from the Utah Orem side of the Utah Provo Mission! Yes, I'll </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">admit it. I'm having a hard time accepting the name "Utah Orem </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Mission". Anyways, this morning at 8:00 a.m.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> our mission divided right on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the Provo-Orem line. Orem consists of north Utah County, stops at </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Point Of The Mountain on the east side of I-15, however continues on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">past the point on the west side of I-15 tracing up to Herriman, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Bluffdale, and Riverton. The Mt. Timpanogos temple is the only temple </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">in the Utah Orem Mission! The Utah Provo Mission </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">will keep its original boundaries but expand south in several </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">directions. It will be acquiring Price, Nephi, Mona, and Moab. The UPM</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">will have the Provo Mtn, Provo City Center, Payson, and Vernal temples </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">within its boundaries. The Manti temple will just be outside of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">boundaries, much like Oquirrh Mtn and Jordan River are just outside of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the Orem boundaries. Crazy stuff happening! Me, as well as 96 others </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">from the Utah Provo Mission are leading the pack as far as being the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">first missionaries ever in the Utah Orem Mission. Ya...we have </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">bragging rights.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So over the course of last week was Strawberry Days here in PG. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">One of the biggest community events of the year. There was this huge </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">carnival set up in town that had tons of people and little shops to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">check out. It was a great contacting tool! We got a few referrals from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">it! Also, if you haven't tried strawberries and cream, I recommend you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">do so now.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So last Tuesday, I was talking to Jason R. from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Spanish Fork, UT and he and his Priests were coming up to American </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Fork, UT to have a celebratory dinner for one of the priests, Dallin,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">who left on his mission to Indianapolis, Indiana last Wednesday! Jason </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">wanted us to come with them since I was really close with him and the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">priest quorum...so we went! It was a lot of fun! It was nice to talk </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and hang out like the good 'ol days.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So on Thursday we went to the Pleasant Grove Rodeo! Now, you gotta </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">understand that I LOVE rodeos! Elder Doherty and I went to one like </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">every week in SF. They are so much fine and the environment and vibe </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">is just fun! To compare it, it's almost like going to NASCAR race. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">People are fun, the music is crazy, and the only difference is they </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">aren't drunk because we are in Utah! So in this rodeo, there was this </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">famous rodeo clown that would come every year! He was a crackup! At </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">one point, he had this horse that he was messing around with. Talk </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">about the tamest horse ever! He had it do yoga (put its face down and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">legs extended forward), it had it roll on its back and he sat on it, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">raised his front arms up like pretend motorcycle handles and pretended </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to "ride" the horse. It was hilarious! After that, he jumped up on the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">horse now standing and it picked up his whip from the ground and</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">handed it to him with its mouth! It was awesome!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">On Saturday, a guy who we had been working with who was excommunicated </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">from the church was re-baptized in a member's pool! It was sweet! Once </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">he was baptized and confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">again, we could literally see a light emanating from him. It was so </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">rewarding and humbling to see him re-enter the waters of baptism to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">make those sacred covenants with our Heavenly Father.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Fast forward! Now we're back to this past week! On Tuesday, the entire </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Orem portion of the Utah Provo Missionaries gathered together in AF to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hear President McCune address us one last time. After that, each of us</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">had a few minutes to speak with President, Sis. McCune, and their son,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Daniel. It was so rough. I love the McCune's! President is such a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">great man. He lead the Utah Provo Mission to great things over the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">past 3 years. It was truly a humbling experience to serve with him. I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">look forward to all of the reunions in the coming years! I'm going to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">all of them!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">On Wednesday evening, we had the privilege of attending an Eagle Scout </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Court Of Honor for a member in one of our wards. Elder Leavitt and I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">had the privilege of sitting in the Eagle's Nest. The Scout Council </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Member for the area also happened to be the stake Young Men's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">President. So...go figure...he recognized our presence in the Eagle's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Nest and he thanked us for setting a good example for the youth. Not </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">that I'm bragging or anything, It's just cool for these boys to see </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">two missionaries sitting up there. I would want each of them to reach </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">that great accomplishment!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Sunday was probably the busiest day of the week! We attended the Ward </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Council of one of our YSA wards, stayed there all three hours, went to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">coordination meeting...and then things slowed down. We had dinner,</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">taught a lesson...THEN! we joined one of our recent converts in his </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">conferral and ordination to the office of Elder in the Melchizedek </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Priesthood! I've mentioned this individual in the past. It</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">so great to see him move forward with this! Now he has the opportunity </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to go in the temple and receive his endowments! We're super excited</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">for him!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Okay...my fingers are wore out now....that does it for this weekly</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">email x2! Until next week!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Love you all!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-62362957171197973252015-06-26T15:21:00.001-07:002015-06-26T16:57:48.079-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Do you know what The Book of Mormon is?</span></h2>
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It is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is another witness of Jesus Christ and confirms the truths found in the Holy Bible. Both volumes of scripture are a compilation of teachings as recorded by ancient prophets. The Book of Mormon documents the lives of the inhabitants of the ancient Americas, while the Bible details events in the eastern hemisphere, Far from undermining the Bible, the Book of Mormon supports its testimony of Jesus Christ. One passage says that the Book of Mormon “shall establish the truth” of the Bible “and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved”.(1 Nephi 13:40). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Visiting awesome families!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Awesome families!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1ZGczoiTaYqA4qjPlwyC8xl39QMPNsbwM2gXHQ37DNB4oXPQYUvCZiVtF003tUHfI_M9HaLd1P6b2ZmtIJX0jHiMCTRotXSwzKDaxuHeKXpNhP0O9ZJVzkvDo_FrzvaU8BsAnLhGrQ/s1600/Emily+in+pg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1ZGczoiTaYqA4qjPlwyC8xl39QMPNsbwM2gXHQ37DNB4oXPQYUvCZiVtF003tUHfI_M9HaLd1P6b2ZmtIJX0jHiMCTRotXSwzKDaxuHeKXpNhP0O9ZJVzkvDo_FrzvaU8BsAnLhGrQ/s400/Emily+in+pg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mom met this gal on the plane and she found me!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2Ia2TfYoYDRRL2sVB-aq6bqIgWzOw6Do6U07P1vHDX-MJ_MwjC4ra-nf3recVxQutsVxU6moLAFHAtd0bZ_E1eccsle-tF5LkpOEM-ohWen5djvj-lrIo84AzYK5X8LybTyZpZS_PA/s1600/june+16+2015+hiking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2Ia2TfYoYDRRL2sVB-aq6bqIgWzOw6Do6U07P1vHDX-MJ_MwjC4ra-nf3recVxQutsVxU6moLAFHAtd0bZ_E1eccsle-tF5LkpOEM-ohWen5djvj-lrIo84AzYK5X8LybTyZpZS_PA/s320/june+16+2015+hiking.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hiking with my missionary mom & family.</span></td></tr>
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Hello<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> family!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So it's a wonderful 9:30 p.m. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and I finally have time to sit down and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">write an email home! So being that it's getting late, I would like to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">share with you the greatest day this week which was Friday.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So it started with District Training Meeting. There we met the new Elders and Sisters</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> who arrived in this area on Wednesday after </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">transfers. Our District leader, Elder Carder, received a new companion </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">named Elder Romriell. Now, Elder Romriell had been serving in that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">area 6 months ago, So he was called back here! I had heard stories about </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">him, but had never actually met him. Well, I'm glad I had the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">opportunity because he is a really cool guy! We actually have quite </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a bit in common. Apparently, Elder Romriell is in the Army. He had </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">been doing so for a little over a year before his mission and had been </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">deployed to South Korea - border patrol, he had been stationed in Fort </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lee, VA, and a few other places. This kid has seen the world! He also </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">likes guns. Apparently airsoft guns are mission approved so he has </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">this big ol' sniper rifle airsoft gun. This thing is LEGIT! It is way </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">cool! We set up some cans as targets are proceeded to plink em out. He </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">let me take a few shots! It's actually very accurate! He also likes c</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ars!. When I showed him my collection of nice car encounters on my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">mission, he stopped at the burnout in the Challenger video Dad sent me </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a while back and he watched that a few times hahaha. It was very cool </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to meet him and I look forward to working with him further.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So after that we all had a great district lunch! Post lunch, we went </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">back to our flat to do some weekly planning. Typical for Friday </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">afternoons. We then </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">decided to go walk around for a while. Well, while we were doing so, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">we were called over by this guy who I hadn't seen in months. He is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">really cool and loves the missionaries as well as the gospel. This is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">someone who has seen both sides of the fence, and realized that he </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">lacked the light and happiness of the gospel in his life and wanted it </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">back...so he did just that. He kind of told us of the things he </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">realized once he allowed God back into his life. He says things just </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">worked out. Do your part and the Lord will do his. Plain and simple. I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">shared with him that I wish everyone else understood that...things </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">would be so much easier for everyone. After that we decided that it </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">was very hot and that we all need slurpees...so off we went in his big </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">monster Cummins Dodge to Sonic to get some slushies! It was so much </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">fun! It was really nice to kind of hang out with him again. He is a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">shining example of how the gospel can change peoples' lives.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">After that we continued up the street to one of our less active </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">families who has a daughter who has not been baptized yet. Well, come </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to find out, her cousin returns from his mission in a few weeks and is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">going to help us teach her and baptize her! Super awesome!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">After that, we had dinner with a family from England. It was nice to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">be around some of the British banter again. Needless to say, I miss </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder Greenacre hahaha!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">After that, we found out that our buddy was going to be working on his </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">truck that night and we offered to help. So we got in normal clothes </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and off we went to his house to help him change the right front wheel </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hub bearing. I had helped him do the left side a few weeks ago so it </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">was nice to help him out again. Also, it was nice to get my hands </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">dirty again doing what I love! After that we had scripture reading </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">time with the whole family! Good times!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Then we went back to the flat to retire for the night..</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So yeah that was a pretty bangin day! I appreciate everything that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">y'all do for me and the support I've received! I'm sure it was fun for D</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">dad to finally meet the Edwards family. Good stuff!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, until next week!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-72748108999455926292015-06-15T14:16:00.001-07:002015-06-15T14:21:52.077-07:00<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Develop Our Talents to Serve HIM!</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4W7JF6FIGD51PHJ_88O9Uz7SCzkOsQXDPip8fwDD7eejD4GWC4OUTKYISmmik9JWS1eu3pNP2d7DlW94ELcnJ0UaFEVy5SjNTvsZ6W3gUhsDUxCgxPf8MVcgVqC4jzb6dAO12xI5AQ/s1600/11349031_10206993297535772_49849211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4W7JF6FIGD51PHJ_88O9Uz7SCzkOsQXDPip8fwDD7eejD4GWC4OUTKYISmmik9JWS1eu3pNP2d7DlW94ELcnJ0UaFEVy5SjNTvsZ6W3gUhsDUxCgxPf8MVcgVqC4jzb6dAO12xI5AQ/s320/11349031_10206993297535772_49849211_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music invites the spirit like nothing else!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px;">President Spencer W. Kimball said: “God has endowed us with talents</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px;"> and time, with latent abilities and with opportunities to use and develop them in his service. He therefore expects much of us, his privileged children” (</span><span class="emphasis" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-size: 18px; font-style: italic; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Miracle of <a class="no-link-style" href="http://www.lds.org/topics/forgiveness?lang=eng" style="background: 0px 0px; border: none !important; color: #2f393a; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Forgiveness</a></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px;"> [1969], 100).</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLYuo0FV2kILeL9_FfOVF1CbOs8SWiMqHUy_nK_Oj02Cn1zc1uS9_Pw2bTr_8aebQuio9b0d6d3JgC4mMPLollF-XVdDG98IbO2To-h9yKBhWu1ya7cz32raHfotR2tdzKiXQmpZV7g/s1600/11350242_10206959057399790_1207721174_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLYuo0FV2kILeL9_FfOVF1CbOs8SWiMqHUy_nK_Oj02Cn1zc1uS9_Pw2bTr_8aebQuio9b0d6d3JgC4mMPLollF-XVdDG98IbO2To-h9yKBhWu1ya7cz32raHfotR2tdzKiXQmpZV7g/s320/11350242_10206959057399790_1207721174_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking the "G"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3gtMOpIslk6yZo6QXcBnzxgrQ3tk9GbAHYGyntoYCCzMIHYuqFetsx4hlTBXmgFOhmzYyjiebTiAbmrcj9fcNgxQTYntUNN_07JquJ6iHzhs9uTAjxCuDIngdBOg1UdJuGgdidhpoA/s1600/11271999_10206902142656957_996107424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3gtMOpIslk6yZo6QXcBnzxgrQ3tk9GbAHYGyntoYCCzMIHYuqFetsx4hlTBXmgFOhmzYyjiebTiAbmrcj9fcNgxQTYntUNN_07JquJ6iHzhs9uTAjxCuDIngdBOg1UdJuGgdidhpoA/s320/11271999_10206902142656957_996107424_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piano Music!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hello family!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So a few select occurrences from this past week!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So on Thursday we had our district temple trip! This time around, we </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">had the option to attend either Mt. Timpanogos, Provo, or Payson. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So we just opted to going to Mt. Timp. Which I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">completely fine with by the way. Timp probably my favorite temple in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Utah! So this temple trip was unlike any that I've ever experienced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">before! It was so great to be in the temple!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">On Friday morning we had our Zone Training Meeting! It was really good </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and we learned a lot! It's kind of nice having a good relationship </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">with your Zone Leaders because that makes things ten time easier. Yeah </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">it was great!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Saturday morning we had a baptism! W</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">e are really close to this young man's family. They're all </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">active but because he is autistic, they had held off his baptism </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">until he was older so he would understand it more and so he wouldn't</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">freak out going under the water. So now is like 10-11 years </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">old. We had been teaching him for quite some time now. Just short </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">powerful messages to help him learn. It was a really good baptismal </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">service! So many people came! Afterwards, there was a yogurt parfait </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">get together after party at their house. Good times!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So speaking of baptism, another one of our investigators had asked to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">postpone her baptism. Why you might ask? She was talking to her older </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">brother who had been baptized about a year ago and he asked her why </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">she wanted to be baptized. She responded with "I don't know". Being </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">that she hasn't received an answer to her prayers yet. She doesn't </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">know if this is something that she needs to do yet. So the last lesson </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">we had with her yesterday, we talked a lot about prayer and how the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Holy Ghost works. And we testified to her that the Lord does answer questions we have if we ask him in faith and truly have a desire to know. I admire her for wanting to know for herself that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in it's fullness with Priesthood authority to baptize her. At this point, it's between her and the Lord now. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hoping for the best!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Yesterday was also the stake conference for the Alpine YSA Stake. They </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">all gathered together in the Alpine Tabernacle in American Fork, UT. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Needless to say, they were packed in there like sardines! People </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">coming out the gills there were so many people! It was unreal!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Now...the moment you all have been waiting for! Transfers. So after </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">much anticipation and plenty of prayers regarding staying in the Utah </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Provo Mission, it turns out that I will be staying in the Pleasant </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Grove Creek area with Elder Leavitt for another 6 weeks! At this </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">point..I don't really care which mission I'm in, I'm just happy to be</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">serving. Besides, President told us that no matter where you end up,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">you'll always still be in the Utah Provo Mission...just another part </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">of it. Will I consider myself a Utah Orem Missionary? Nope. UPM till </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the day I die! So....don't change anything on my missionary wall or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">plaque, please. So yeah...at the end of the day, I'll have been in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">this area 6 months by the time this transfer finishes. At least I'll </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">be able to march in the Provo Parade on 'Murica Day!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> Good </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">stuff. So yeah...that's kinda it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Yeah...we're going to go re-hike Kiwanis park up to Battle Creek Falls </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">today just for fun and just because we can. Until next week!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span></div>
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J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-22369949575027669192015-05-25T15:58:00.000-07:002015-05-25T21:20:22.609-07:00The Spirit of Revelation is Real<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The spirit of revelation is real - it can and does function</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> in our individual lives </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and in the Church.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiw7N_b08sc_RTiTduizoVZ_MwF1aP1aAJZYW7VNvZ27BG-gtSQx6oQ7Z0clRpQN77HB5e2SkjpeHE-hTs0qVURuuGzxtiRshBx16vTN2XeB4DjTUpUcv6H_eOC5wy0GY_aZGlDwiMLw/s1600/Elder+A+and+Elder+L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiw7N_b08sc_RTiTduizoVZ_MwF1aP1aAJZYW7VNvZ27BG-gtSQx6oQ7Z0clRpQN77HB5e2SkjpeHE-hTs0qVURuuGzxtiRshBx16vTN2XeB4DjTUpUcv6H_eOC5wy0GY_aZGlDwiMLw/s320/Elder+A+and+Elder+L.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Leavitt and I</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6-mhkQAOGOumsLYF2BrPN7ahdRIwJNdIpWmrI_82wNK3jZrKmvXg53Bj4LTis-l2zVyjmOfVMsL7w4UKJwMXIWWKVF2VF5ZHDox3_MHb72VTiGRIBm-L_UIIEkj8k9_IkgBlisD3KQ/s1600/IMG_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6-mhkQAOGOumsLYF2BrPN7ahdRIwJNdIpWmrI_82wNK3jZrKmvXg53Bj4LTis-l2zVyjmOfVMsL7w4UKJwMXIWWKVF2VF5ZHDox3_MHb72VTiGRIBm-L_UIIEkj8k9_IkgBlisD3KQ/s320/IMG_0678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today we honor those that died for us</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAy8l4uNzxKsaPjJZZudb58FuVzBw287z4-IUwN9aluvWN6liK9anj4wiwkHuN6ovBWITg2qu8XiBFHkMaQTvSJzHJa8HJtEmMo0O64iBRx-2Dkmyclofa7ZWdMGlNLUcv759-IGz1Q/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAy8l4uNzxKsaPjJZZudb58FuVzBw287z4-IUwN9aluvWN6liK9anj4wiwkHuN6ovBWITg2qu8XiBFHkMaQTvSJzHJa8HJtEmMo0O64iBRx-2Dkmyclofa7ZWdMGlNLUcv759-IGz1Q/s320/IMG_0665.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the great outdoors in Battle Creek Canyon</td></tr>
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<div class="" id="p2" style="background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00784314); border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 30.6000003814697px; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" uri="/manual/teaching-no-greater-call-a-resource-guide-for-gospel-teaching/lesson-9-recognizing-and-following-the-spirit-in-your-teaching.p2">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hey y'all! So this has been a very </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">productive week! And I felt the influence of the spirit so strongly!</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So starting from the beginning, last Monday for our activity, we got </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">together as a district minus the sisters and had a huge nerf war...okay! I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">just noticed autocorrect changed "nerf" to "nerd" and I don't blame </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">it. I felt like such a tool haha. What in the world? A bunch of 19-20 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">year old Elders jumping around a gymnasium shooting each other with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">foam bullets....REALLY?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Tuesday morning we had exchanges with our District Leader and his </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">companion. Elder C is the DL and his companion is Elder J. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder J came into my area with me for the duration of the day. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We had a good time together! Elder J is a pretty cool guy. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He's an awesome guy </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and it was super cool to get to know him and spend the day with him. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Great missionary!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wednesday </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">morning rolled around and we exchanged back. The real </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">highlight of that day was with our investigator. So this is someone </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">who we've working with for about a month. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Well, we're teaching about the Gospel of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Jesus Christ and in the lesson is a section about baptism. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">After we taught the principle and importance of baptism, the spirit just completely overcame me </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and it was almost like it was yelling at me to invite her to be </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">baptized...well, I obliged...and she said yes! We were so excited! We </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">were so happy for her! We knew she had a testimony and that she really </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">wanted this. We're going to do everything we can to help her prepare </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">for baptism. So yeah...highlight! So exciting to witness one of God's children as they desire to follow Him!</span><br />
<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_338519077" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;"><br /></span></span> <br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Thursday came and we jumped on exchanges again. This time Elder C </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">came into my area with me. We had a pretty good day. Elder C. is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a great missionary and I learned a lot from him.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Saturday, we went back down in Payson planning on taking 3 different </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">people through! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Shortly after, I found out that it was the Spanish Fork West Stake's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">turn to volunteer running the shindig...that was one of the stakes </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">that I covered and knew pretty well in SF so I got to see and talk to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a ton of people I knew from there which was awesome! That night we </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">had a lesson with this investigator we're working with. Now, this young man</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> kid has been through so much...so we're doing everything we </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">can to help and support him the best we can. Well, when we went to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">their house, I remembered as we were walking up to the door that they moved...so I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">was like "awh crap what do we do now? We have no way of finding him or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">getting a hold of him!" Then a thought came into my mind...I had </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">remembered seeing him and his brother in an area nearby and I wondered what's the chances that we would see him.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> I got the strong impression that we should try...and not a minute goes by and they walk out of business where we were at</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. Can you say Holy Spirit? Good gosh talk about being guided! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">That was so awesome! My testimony of the Holy Ghost had been amplified </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">right there. So sweet! We then had a sweet lesson with them both.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">On Sunday, we went to the Grove Creek 4th Ward and listened to our senior </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">couple give their farewell talks because they're going on another </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">mission to Austria/Germany/Switzerland. That night we had another </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">lesson with our investigator that had committed to being baptized. It was super awesome and she committed </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to living the Word Of Wisdom in her life! We then had dinner with a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">family I knew really well in Lehi. They came down and met up with me </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and some family who lived in the area and we all had dinner and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">chatted together! It was so great!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Friday, we exchanged back following district training meeting. Then </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">we had weekly planning, then we had a lesson with one of our members</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. Well, this led to a spur of the moment trip to the Payson </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Temple Open House! Hahaha how about that?! It was such a good time </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">going down there with them! Well, afterward we went to Spanish Fork to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">get some ice cream. We went to Rita's (a popular frozen custard place </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">in town) and I saw a few people I knew which was kinda cool. Then we </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">went back to PG and went to bed hahaha.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">After that, we went a member's house. They had two returned </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">missionaries from this mission visiting with them. These two had </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">served around each other for a while (elder & sister) and now they are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">engaged! One is from North Dakota and the other is from Tennessee..so </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">obviously I had to ask them how this all happened. Turns out that they </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">both went to BYU-I, or as they put it "BYU-I DO" LOL. So that was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">cool...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Well...that was a lot! That pretty much sums up the week! I love you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">all! Take care until next week!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Today we remember those that died for our freedom in this great country! 'Murica rocks! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Dad, Mom, J, Grandpa Jim...y'all </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">weren't military but you were public safety. That still counts in my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">book and I'm grateful for your service and sacrifice to the folks of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Fairfax, Palm Beach, Clearfield, and DC. Love you all! You're my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">heroes!</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-30192793502513204272015-05-06T14:23:00.001-07:002015-05-06T15:52:20.540-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Payson Temple Open House</span></h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ever Wonder why the angel Moroni is placed</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> on Temples of the Lord?? </span><br />
"John the Revelator 'saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people' (Revelation 14:6). That angel has come. His name is Moroni. His is a voice speaking from the dust, bringing another witness of the living reality of the Lord Jesus Christ" (President Gordon B. Hinkley in Conference Report, Sept.-Oct. 1995, 93; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 70).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEQJ4Zii1ZYXCm9Qz00CxNkVCMcVz8LGz9RHzcp1mfvpSx-tzTPlECx6Gb6goGVuoDkfH56QYaTVRci3Tok2LBlkBRd0FrlvCOAaJRMGbUEWVtKekhJ6w7scVYQOZKUZoPga1HiAX5w/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEQJ4Zii1ZYXCm9Qz00CxNkVCMcVz8LGz9RHzcp1mfvpSx-tzTPlECx6Gb6goGVuoDkfH56QYaTVRci3Tok2LBlkBRd0FrlvCOAaJRMGbUEWVtKekhJ6w7scVYQOZKUZoPga1HiAX5w/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moroni on top of Payson Temple. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYit43EDsD0UPPGgWcQDN85afeI05ygqholIjtDVg_bNSF9FpydtIyWBgtBA7RwewWdK_BWTDrtNR6XT59cKB_qUk21bc47qTrYjVX_TnAIt10x2CLSMGQODS60sRbbymiZiZTM3fjqA/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYit43EDsD0UPPGgWcQDN85afeI05ygqholIjtDVg_bNSF9FpydtIyWBgtBA7RwewWdK_BWTDrtNR6XT59cKB_qUk21bc47qTrYjVX_TnAIt10x2CLSMGQODS60sRbbymiZiZTM3fjqA/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attend the temple!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEFX-5ZTCY5rNl1CWbJoET2lNZU_4s1EVt-o3pWr7D4RY7LyShozEEkaAg4vR5Sq0HieuDfY6RMrVMcA5rpa5dyQPAg3W4KBpLQAtoCIEdp_nLGLcpjQQVN62I09RTf4N7yGjEPYG5Q/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEFX-5ZTCY5rNl1CWbJoET2lNZU_4s1EVt-o3pWr7D4RY7LyShozEEkaAg4vR5Sq0HieuDfY6RMrVMcA5rpa5dyQPAg3W4KBpLQAtoCIEdp_nLGLcpjQQVN62I09RTf4N7yGjEPYG5Q/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Payson Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxLfiBPfko3SwF8A4ZyjzIOpHx3IZMOOCsUuBC-DKa_Ckeg1qdxZ90vEcfWRhr310IIkR47aK1FQIdM0XZITfYB5eYC9zjdKydpVmUOReBvQcSVZsrMTEouWa5CU8-LDjEJ9m5lbTTQ/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxLfiBPfko3SwF8A4ZyjzIOpHx3IZMOOCsUuBC-DKa_Ckeg1qdxZ90vEcfWRhr310IIkR47aK1FQIdM0XZITfYB5eYC9zjdKydpVmUOReBvQcSVZsrMTEouWa5CU8-LDjEJ9m5lbTTQ/s1600/IMG_0436.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the photo bomb!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDAI4gF22ff23gfGtjKmBcFSN88zSX25ifPjgAvbARqZ6QDxpV-q8qcOgk5wnXGuyD5MVvnXbw-8T1XcaCcZ1O_QEYsVKfGTA5sOSJjRK0y7tOqAwOW6ztcBizNsagLUTO9tCgc5ovg/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDAI4gF22ff23gfGtjKmBcFSN88zSX25ifPjgAvbARqZ6QDxpV-q8qcOgk5wnXGuyD5MVvnXbw-8T1XcaCcZ1O_QEYsVKfGTA5sOSJjRK0y7tOqAwOW6ztcBizNsagLUTO9tCgc5ovg/s1600/IMG_0456.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome companion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtBFy3TY9dN7Jy5BKNiCl0LUncemz-cMiMocHul6bImoMcXG6vAkNbhWL4kYzJtDj4cv1SACbcF2rIQpxLZpuA8DR3pG-SueA0bb_i9I02ytnML52doRpk0wMMNQ6NhAHAjQ30f4LRQ/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtBFy3TY9dN7Jy5BKNiCl0LUncemz-cMiMocHul6bImoMcXG6vAkNbhWL4kYzJtDj4cv1SACbcF2rIQpxLZpuA8DR3pG-SueA0bb_i9I02ytnML52doRpk0wMMNQ6NhAHAjQ30f4LRQ/s1600/IMG_0457.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on, ask us a question!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbpXvMfQeOws11Lxyx0DPxCUl4dn5aC0y2SC8J43xNU5JBqDddd3rs6tmU2jMKHmloylB-trh3YFJgmKhMHrpaTcY1ndl18wWkzbBhHSMr72lP0m5YBgowNFoKTX4ktnLaoeayjbnrQ/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbpXvMfQeOws11Lxyx0DPxCUl4dn5aC0y2SC8J43xNU5JBqDddd3rs6tmU2jMKHmloylB-trh3YFJgmKhMHrpaTcY1ndl18wWkzbBhHSMr72lP0m5YBgowNFoKTX4ktnLaoeayjbnrQ/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM-mhbFPM94Bx2bf-PHFGtUxhow4G7qn3uAIY-aQH0dmFnry3TsqKYUaMTq1kRdTfGf7SHCWcx8FW4NmYjvbq6wy9bTZehWgzPsN0KbTGqAV350ypS9tmOTop40myZkaadhKtzj1nVA/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKM-mhbFPM94Bx2bf-PHFGtUxhow4G7qn3uAIY-aQH0dmFnry3TsqKYUaMTq1kRdTfGf7SHCWcx8FW4NmYjvbq6wy9bTZehWgzPsN0KbTGqAV350ypS9tmOTop40myZkaadhKtzj1nVA/s1600/IMG_0464.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZMb8QsDPyCWDPN6gO6U5UjfG_q7JyP4qyB2br8IpQUprAtaoW7CFH_Xdnb2NRo9hWRRZ2i1hwIr5ycsGlFWuX7PY1nX2ylWb7W_Dr24L9gLRrBP8WyYMLaPcT1fla06xQ1LgHcPRmw/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZMb8QsDPyCWDPN6gO6U5UjfG_q7JyP4qyB2br8IpQUprAtaoW7CFH_Xdnb2NRo9hWRRZ2i1hwIr5ycsGlFWuX7PY1nX2ylWb7W_Dr24L9gLRrBP8WyYMLaPcT1fla06xQ1LgHcPRmw/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Families are Sealed for all eternity.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYECEC3Q8U4zW7mjfH8STToLG5FXUS9HlW3y6_BE4fZ1w-9r5f0BnNB4U1fZFsNi1jvi_eutoqdgoDJ_h2c_7CQ2A_d0F_ds2Wfumc9qrJ9yWOiutpL-V84D5pqJ7-xVHJ8NK0n3M-w/s1600/IMG_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYECEC3Q8U4zW7mjfH8STToLG5FXUS9HlW3y6_BE4fZ1w-9r5f0BnNB4U1fZFsNi1jvi_eutoqdgoDJ_h2c_7CQ2A_d0F_ds2Wfumc9qrJ9yWOiutpL-V84D5pqJ7-xVHJ8NK0n3M-w/s1600/IMG_0498.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Payson Temple - House of the Lord where we enter into sacred covenants with the Lord.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8qPGEyR_0mGOuih0yyAtpgtlPL0bBasqSnPOZH-UHGRWxAfWvlYY9-X6wLT6R3ebfRZMR0mYJudX_nqHVYQSulHy5G4hmFTwwrH4tS5pU4OWShKTXh9PdPnY6m0q1FpA0l88ETJMpA/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8qPGEyR_0mGOuih0yyAtpgtlPL0bBasqSnPOZH-UHGRWxAfWvlYY9-X6wLT6R3ebfRZMR0mYJudX_nqHVYQSulHy5G4hmFTwwrH4tS5pU4OWShKTXh9PdPnY6m0q1FpA0l88ETJMpA/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple Grounds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXScdmJu8STcsIKUIFKUvdrXDH9L320EHSsFVVjQ2PARFH86dANtuibD3EfhinEtinDbaEpACKYT3sc2ybUikxvLg0Ooz2fy_Nsevrkb16owk8A3yNbYHC1zwPI0E4HPu_9mHdCwFLA/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXScdmJu8STcsIKUIFKUvdrXDH9L320EHSsFVVjQ2PARFH86dANtuibD3EfhinEtinDbaEpACKYT3sc2ybUikxvLg0Ooz2fy_Nsevrkb16owk8A3yNbYHC1zwPI0E4HPu_9mHdCwFLA/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Payson Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoidyEX6Jmy2z20_Ty-wc0fw3z4lqXahowpqGRenZVqsZEraIYOcskvMzN7HXeQHtm5RujOSxoJY444XXO8ogC0sJ_WxXn_APtpqQ3z4KhXm4YhpAyEa5K8O4H5DU15moX_b1pA5ydw/s1600/Name+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoidyEX6Jmy2z20_Ty-wc0fw3z4lqXahowpqGRenZVqsZEraIYOcskvMzN7HXeQHtm5RujOSxoJY444XXO8ogC0sJ_WxXn_APtpqQ3z4KhXm4YhpAyEa5K8O4H5DU15moX_b1pA5ydw/s1600/Name+Tag.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Ahrens on a mission to teach about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.</td></tr>
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<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> Transfer Week Offers Big Opportunities to Stretch - April 29th, 2015</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So this has been a very interesting week! The weeks of transfers </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">typically are. After we found out that Elder Greenacre was getting </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">transferred, the many, many visits to families he knew </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">began. We spent all of Monday and Tuesday visiting and seeing the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">families that he knew and got close to over the course of the past 6 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">months. It was nice to see everyone.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Well, Wednesday </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">morning rolled around. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We headed off to transfers to find out the news of where everybody was going to be assigned. It was nice to see </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">all of the Elders and Sisters that I became good friends with. We found out</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> Elder Greenacre was transferring to Roosevelt, UT and I was assigned </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to serve with Elder Leavitt! At first, there's always a little anxiety meeting a new companion for the first time. I'm sure he felt the same way about meeting me. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Well, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">we pretty much laid everything out about each other regarding our missions </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">when we got back to the apartment. Well, turns out Elder Leavitt is really a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">pretty cool guy! He is</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> from Pierce City, Missouri. He grew up on a farm, was home </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">schooled, and loves street hockey. He hits his hump day this month so he and I are pretty close as far as time in the mission field. I definitely feel we'll be great companions</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Things are going pretty well here in the Grove Creek area! I'll have </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the opportunity to go to Jordan Capt's wedding reception.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So as far as Mother's Day goes to talk with you, I will only have access to Skype. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, I think that about does it for this week! I love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-37573708814243873432015-04-29T21:08:00.000-07:002015-04-29T21:29:55.073-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Baptism is the first saving ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yJyCzGf2-YSK5wzxMQOHQvmTJpuz99yzbeJBIPbOPUevQL1xUs_LnXOCiyzAhxylaI3V2MLo53L2FKjTrWxNQ9TGJr9neMLiOjJwNFLhuAbb6eEP5OG4FK9EMIVCkCnWOCJrxv7fkA/s1600/baptism-boy-asians-37810-gallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yJyCzGf2-YSK5wzxMQOHQvmTJpuz99yzbeJBIPbOPUevQL1xUs_LnXOCiyzAhxylaI3V2MLo53L2FKjTrWxNQ9TGJr9neMLiOjJwNFLhuAbb6eEP5OG4FK9EMIVCkCnWOCJrxv7fkA/s1600/baptism-boy-asians-37810-gallery.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the first saving ordinance of the gospel and is necessary for an individual to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and to receive eternal salvation. All who seek eternal life must follow the example of the Savior by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.</td></tr>
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Hello<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> family!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The highlight of our week was the baptism on Saturday! Oh, what a wonderful Saturday morning. We rode over to the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Stake Center (they only have fonts at stake centers here </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">in Utah) and met up with the Ward Mission Leader. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I was so excited for the young lady I was going to baptize. As</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> we stepped into the baptismal font, dressed in white, the spirit was so strong.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> It was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">incredible! She held my wrist as I raised my arm to the square, said </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the prayer, and baptized her. When she came out of the water, she </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">opened her eyes and looked at me and all I could see was the pure joy in her eyes. What a wonderful experience to be able to baptize someone as they enter the waters of baptism and follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. On </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Sunday, Elder Greenacre did the confirmation. As we</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> laid our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hands on her head and confirmed her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Elder G </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">conferred the Gift of the Holy Ghost upon her, then</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> left her with a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">wonderful blessing. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">It's moments like those that truly remind and inspire me why I'm serving a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">mission. To see folks like her and her sister make sacred covenants </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">with our Heavenly Father, and eventually go to the temple. We're </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">planning on a day when all four of us can go to Timp Temple and do </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">baptisms for the dead.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, I figured I would say this now since its in three days...but </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! 21 years strong! I love you both! Do </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">something special for me.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">On another note, I saw a bright yellow Lamborghini Gallardo LP-540 a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">few days ago! It was moving so I couldn't snatch a picture but it was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">HOT! 🔥</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, I think that about does it for this week! (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I didn't inform you last week, but after I emailed you, we met up with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the rest of our zone in Lindon, UT and played soccer for at least 3 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hours. Serving with a Brit for this long has made me develop a love </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">for fútbol. Yeah good times!)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-</span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> Ahrens</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Sent from my iPad</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-91476917532301262152015-04-15T08:00:00.000-07:002015-04-29T20:40:31.385-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have to align with the correct frequency in order to hear the music of the Spirit. <span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">♬♬♬♬♬</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hello family!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So this has been a pretty quick week! Things are moving forward in the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pleasant Grove Creek area!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> we met a young man who was referred to us by the Ward </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Mission Leader of that YSA Ward. We were informed </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">about some of his history, but the bottom line is that he wants to turn his life around</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. A fellow member was recommended to go teach with us but he ended up not being available. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So guess who I called who just so happens to be in that same YSA ward? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Jordan Capt. It was awesome! So he went with us to teach. This young man</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> has one of the most firm and unshakable </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">testimonies that I have ever heard! As went about teaching The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Restoration, the answers he was giving to our questions carried </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">insight that I have never heard before in my entire mission. It was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">incredible! The spirit was so, so strong in that room! He expressed </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">some of the ways that he gained his testimony and they were very </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">unique and interesting but true nonetheless!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> He's an</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> amazing young man and I look forward to continuing to work </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">with him! I think one of the coolest things was the fact that Jordan </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and I basically switched places! Usually it would have been me going </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">with him and Elder Edgington or Elder Musso! So cool to teach with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">him!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Speaking of Elder Edgington! Well, and Jordan. So Jordan is getting </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">married.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> He said that both Elder Edgington and Elder Musso </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">will be at his reception here in PG! I just have to hope I'm here next </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">transfer so I can go and see them! Super cool!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So I thought I would share this just because it's funny. So on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Saturday we had a lesson with another guy. So when we got there, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">he was trying to get his truck started because the battery had died. I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">offered to give him a jump with our car and it fired right up! After a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">few minutes, he shut it off and we went inside. I was a little </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">concerned about this just because there was no way it was long enough </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to charge the battery enough for another start. Unfortunately, I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">right. At the end of the lesson, we waited for him just to make sure </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">it would start. It didn't. We then jumped him again. Only this time, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">we had the contacts on the battery, we waited a minute, and it </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">wouldn't start. Wouldn't even click. No noises or lights inside. DEAD. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">At this </span>point<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> if he had to ride his bike, he would have been late </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">because his work is at American Fork Hospital about 4 miles away. I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">had one last idea pop into my</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> my head! I informed him that if I put the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">positive contact on the starter directly bypassing the battery, it </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">would turn over and ignite. He replied that at this point, he had </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">nothing to lose so we proceeded. Thanks for teaching me that trick, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Dad! It worked like a charm! Cranked over a few times and roared to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">life! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Redneck start-up: Mission Accomplished</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">✔</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So I assume you would like to hear about our investigator! Her and her sister</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> go to church </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">every week, read their scriptures, and have daily pr</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ayer. Well we </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">currently have her on date to be baptized next Saturday, the 18th</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. She has asked that I baptize her. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We are so excited for this wonderful</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> occasion in her life! Watching her enter the waters of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">baptism will be one of the most rewarding feelings of being on a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">mission! After which, the 4 of us are planning on going to the temple </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to do baptisms. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We're just so happy for the recent decisions that she and her sister have both made in their lives. I know their lives will be blessed by committing to be a disciple of our Heavenly Father.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So during the week, we had our quarterly interviews with President </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">McCune. They went really well. The only bumming part is that we were </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">informed that it will be the last time we meet with President McCune </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">formally before he is released in July. A bittersweet experience. With </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">all of the changes in the mission, things are definitely getting</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">prepared for a greater thing!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, I think about sums up this week!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Until next week!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-79003048343850714792015-04-07T18:13:00.001-07:002015-04-07T18:13:56.556-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am sooo excited to hear a Prophet of the Lord!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CO6Ybd8fAcI0ODJYJTAvy-pmRVkpaA2pZug452FLchn7Eehz26466k9nOdGkZLh5dssgr3diDIlEPn3xc2UvuYdAysTOUSSW0tPUIoCdfN3wcot70maMYzyMZaO_cCGtiUqRd_hoqw/s1600/Elder+Ahrens+and+Laffidy+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CO6Ybd8fAcI0ODJYJTAvy-pmRVkpaA2pZug452FLchn7Eehz26466k9nOdGkZLh5dssgr3diDIlEPn3xc2UvuYdAysTOUSSW0tPUIoCdfN3wcot70maMYzyMZaO_cCGtiUqRd_hoqw/s1600/Elder+Ahrens+and+Laffidy+(4).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for General Conference to start.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYpMyPh3y9GJuXF3OkBYGDZUA3DRkXostOvVGhL-gEDW6fOi7rmMGyRSxoM2dfWJ9H35DkgFi_kQYfhyYXQBeT102mCT38k_oARrPhuujCUzjeVV1-ApAdzFZuNAzFe7e8e50CwmI6A/s1600/Salt+Lake+Temple+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYpMyPh3y9GJuXF3OkBYGDZUA3DRkXostOvVGhL-gEDW6fOi7rmMGyRSxoM2dfWJ9H35DkgFi_kQYfhyYXQBeT102mCT38k_oARrPhuujCUzjeVV1-ApAdzFZuNAzFe7e8e50CwmI6A/s1600/Salt+Lake+Temple+(5).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt Lake Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeP1pdv7hhXRDVMiVOSG6j-qj6zYZvovv1wo_DQ4lC-SbizFWb7Ro9EbdFwOxRVfdvODfTxh8XQlm34qgjbruy35FZfvQL4Mc_HfBavVz4ZS7SvJNeoRcZ2KgU5t-ER26Ysu91Pn1CQ/s1600/Groupd+of+missionaries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeP1pdv7hhXRDVMiVOSG6j-qj6zYZvovv1wo_DQ4lC-SbizFWb7Ro9EbdFwOxRVfdvODfTxh8XQlm34qgjbruy35FZfvQL4Mc_HfBavVz4ZS7SvJNeoRcZ2KgU5t-ER26Ysu91Pn1CQ/s1600/Groupd+of+missionaries.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Committed to serving the Lord!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqTzEFAN6fmIuxSBbniTYSs087M5Aec_cFdRDcGxeE5rDlEFWY7S-xIrUESKpVsvoUc9qRA6ICS-t2OJtTxHvDcDY1EusdBf9i0bhTUiFipvV7m97ip0F92uLNKnscaSOQSs9yFSkEg/s1600/Hike+on+P+day+(5).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqTzEFAN6fmIuxSBbniTYSs087M5Aec_cFdRDcGxeE5rDlEFWY7S-xIrUESKpVsvoUc9qRA6ICS-t2OJtTxHvDcDY1EusdBf9i0bhTUiFipvV7m97ip0F92uLNKnscaSOQSs9yFSkEg/s1600/Hike+on+P+day+(5).jpeg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome companion, Elder Greenacre.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hey Family!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> This has been a productive week. One of the highlights was when we went on exchanges. I went in our district leader's area and we did plenty of walking around, talking to everybody, sharing the #BecauseHeLives video and handing out the pass along cards. We were walking around and we literally talked to everybody! Some of our appointments fell through, so we walked around and did some contacting. I think one of the highlights of that day was when we had dinner. Elder Evans had talked to this family previously inquiring about breakfast for dinner. But since he wasn't in the area at the time... I got to have it! While I was in the area we taught a young boy who is 9 years old and he's been talking about baptism. We talked about faith, repentance and also about the promises we make at baptism. It was actually pretty easy teaching him because of the copious amount of 9 years olds I taught in Spanish Fork! We also shared the video Because He Lives. It was a pretty good lesson. </span><br />
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So the sister of our recent baptism is on date for baptism!!!!! When she left to go back to her hometown for a week, we asked her to pray about a date for baptism. And she replied in April. We are pretty excited about that!</div>
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Now to the real deal of the week. General Conference! It was a lovely morning. Got up, got prepared for the day ahead, jumped in the car with a few other missionaries, and drove to Lehi to meet up with President McCune and the other missionaries who were also going. From there we jumped in the car with the APs and off to SLC we went. We arrived a couple of blocks from the Conference center. As we were walking we saw numerous protestors and anti-christs. Then we went into the Conf Center and found our seats and took a bunch of pictures. Talked for a while and then watched as General Authority after General Authority walked into the Conference Center. I wished that I was down in the front row talking to all of the Apostles as they greeted everyone. After a few minutes went by, the entire room went silent as President Monson, President Eyring and President Uchtodorf walked into the room. You wouldn't believe the spirit that just floods the room as they walk in. It gave me chills! Then conference started and we had the opportunity to hear the talks in person. Listening to each one of these folks who were called of God speak to us testifying of the gospel is a life changing experience! I'm thankful that we get to re-watch/re-read these talks on Gospel Library. I'm going to have to re-read President Packer's talk being that no one could understand a word he was saying. Watching him sit there in his chair giving his talk..man I felt so bad. He looks terrible! I fear his time may be coming. It's kind of cool to think that when he passes, he will be greeted by God without a single fear. Serving as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ for many years...and he's still coming along! It was so cool to listen to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Their singing combined with the power of the volume of that incredible pipe organ! I'm sure Sister Harris would kill to play that thing! Amazing! I think one of my most favorite talks was from Elder Perry. As I watched him stand at the pulpit....check-TOWERING over that pulpit....he is TALL! 6'5, 93 years old, and flippin awesome! Elder Perry is still chuggin along!</div>
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As conference came to a close, we all gathered outside with President and Sister McCune for a picture! This is kind of crazy but as I walking down the street to temple square, I was walking with Elder Laffidy (an elder who was in my MTC district), he noticed this young lady who, to both of us, looked very familiar! I don't know if I've told you already but Elder Laffidy is from South Carolina, and so he went to EFY at Southern Virginia University just like I did. This young lady whom we noticed was a counselor at EFY when he and I went! Her name is Hollie and it was super crazy to see her again! She said she recognized our last names and we were reminiscing the good days. Anyways, we continued on to temple square! We saw person after person...even saw a dude dressed up like Satan standing outside the gates talking bogus stuff about the church. There were a few people who I knew that I bumped into there. Pretty cool! Took plenty of pictures! While we were hanging out there it became very apparent to one of our group leaders that we needed to get to the Front Runner (train) station quickly otherwise we would miss it back to Lehi, UT! He gathered all of us and we literally (I'm not joking) ran all the way from Temple Square to the train station! We got there with only 5 minutes to spare....holy moly. I bet we looked ridiculous. A bunch of Mormon Missionaries running through the streets of Salt Lake hahaha! All in all we got back in time.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> We then watched the remaining sessions of conference. It was a really good time! Spent that time with a few of our favorite awesome families. Good times!</span></div>
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Anyways. Good week! Fantastic weekend! I won't ever forget it!</div>
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We have a fun hiked planned today for p-day so we're off to do that!</div>
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Until next week! Love you!</div>
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-Elder Ahrens </div>
J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-19728707912989038262015-03-31T17:29:00.000-07:002015-03-31T19:18:46.076-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">New Zone - Aspen Grove Zone (Week March 23 & 30)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5ErJldMZCQxAxlIo5Y3OBhWY88nHxkVy2VGOrc5n2DX7p8Uq9mJylVfz_pNALsIxLQJhP0maOi1-eRyPIw-45_QRkfp71RpEcYMhgFtEkXHhW6tQvCdUO76Ijn5M4ihHYsDgqqz-Eg/s1600/Elder+A+overlooking+God's%2Bcreations%2B(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5ErJldMZCQxAxlIo5Y3OBhWY88nHxkVy2VGOrc5n2DX7p8Uq9mJylVfz_pNALsIxLQJhP0maOi1-eRyPIw-45_QRkfp71RpEcYMhgFtEkXHhW6tQvCdUO76Ijn5M4ihHYsDgqqz-Eg/s1600/Elder+A+overlooking+God's%2Bcreations%2B(2).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome family we visited.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo2JIWjL74jIdoNfU2QrwvaHvJ29IZTCE-zVBEpwuEuoIUx3jqFlVt6rc5nIR-0CWyaR2QEtsSdMMl5S3_-furg-HZ_rTQ85yOe_FAV8w3DeVSx4xU1hyphenhyphen9gE8wcWBvWnrL1EFEPZzJQ/s1600/Jaccard+Family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo2JIWjL74jIdoNfU2QrwvaHvJ29IZTCE-zVBEpwuEuoIUx3jqFlVt6rc5nIR-0CWyaR2QEtsSdMMl5S3_-furg-HZ_rTQ85yOe_FAV8w3DeVSx4xU1hyphenhyphen9gE8wcWBvWnrL1EFEPZzJQ/s1600/Jaccard+Family.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome Family!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD32enlzRCO-n3MAXg5-dL3nvVCZ4n4rvEYtx5_SFOWGjRdTKJEUfdEtZ4UJL7r8rU1hQwJbStBI1gdrUvI1ebcJqpF2aihOtoKkj3G_3aRskhNdWfgh4AI2KSDsgE5ZQ-QPwq9xWnA/s1600/missionaries+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD32enlzRCO-n3MAXg5-dL3nvVCZ4n4rvEYtx5_SFOWGjRdTKJEUfdEtZ4UJL7r8rU1hQwJbStBI1gdrUvI1ebcJqpF2aihOtoKkj3G_3aRskhNdWfgh4AI2KSDsgE5ZQ-QPwq9xWnA/s1600/missionaries+002.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome Family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7v0NWe1k1P0KOjOfX6JcvyTBMko4zv1tdd0zxOS14QkRznpbcJzq1iFyCAgjhSn5ZD70EVHRU7x_fa3_sIIY_TVMU75pEKNKi4wWt-cnNPVMM-HJSFbNpNLGxzldS2SPyi_wdB_MROA/s1600/Elder+A+overlooking+God's%2Bcreations%2B(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7v0NWe1k1P0KOjOfX6JcvyTBMko4zv1tdd0zxOS14QkRznpbcJzq1iFyCAgjhSn5ZD70EVHRU7x_fa3_sIIY_TVMU75pEKNKi4wWt-cnNPVMM-HJSFbNpNLGxzldS2SPyi_wdB_MROA/s1600/Elder+A+overlooking+God's%2Bcreations%2B(3).JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Greenacre and myself.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CQHZG6h1JNkaFVXja1xDyP4MG0JKWYFFSNnDHA5mO9OkfnE6Zgb-C8p2WjXgJKnke504Teo31kcIdSFi14bpDKxMSe6deIi7rcVXEy_Psy41F37sGPkMxRFratSsJGcByLKtc6AKoA/s1600/car+pics+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CQHZG6h1JNkaFVXja1xDyP4MG0JKWYFFSNnDHA5mO9OkfnE6Zgb-C8p2WjXgJKnke504Teo31kcIdSFi14bpDKxMSe6deIi7rcVXEy_Psy41F37sGPkMxRFratSsJGcByLKtc6AKoA/s1600/car+pics+(2).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can always go to the Lord when faced with uncertain directions!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneX7SVsAUgKa_k_50QhY57VnteFRP9Mh8X8idGXAAVIxVJ_oAeV3X7Tw_Sxdt2qsIpWLCUvjfb9tWcjEZBCoE1DHeN0-vohijQASs9pD0GpBV2GaaJi7VIdcyHk7gJzo3jH5dcmUM2A/s1600/car+pics+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneX7SVsAUgKa_k_50QhY57VnteFRP9Mh8X8idGXAAVIxVJ_oAeV3X7Tw_Sxdt2qsIpWLCUvjfb9tWcjEZBCoE1DHeN0-vohijQASs9pD0GpBV2GaaJi7VIdcyHk7gJzo3jH5dcmUM2A/s1600/car+pics+(1).JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe88MgQw9PIIYLHOPvChQ3YSqmZY_oD5pLJeWVNl4585W_Tq0z3KCd1rK7mPo3SuAAliDDxanwdpTXHfK5Y1Lh3Hpq0_AwkHfl0tUqgcZx_fmDAe9BBIfRMI84E4yAxhAYup5Y6twng/s1600/Mt+Timponogos+Temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe88MgQw9PIIYLHOPvChQ3YSqmZY_oD5pLJeWVNl4585W_Tq0z3KCd1rK7mPo3SuAAliDDxanwdpTXHfK5Y1Lh3Hpq0_AwkHfl0tUqgcZx_fmDAe9BBIfRMI84E4yAxhAYup5Y6twng/s1600/Mt+Timponogos+Temple.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the temple. Families are sealed together forever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mt Timpanogos Temple.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfofUlxjdfNujf2ayBryuaYHTuxYD77V_APClMvwtIyktM9ztL_mEz_eWGbqoelvFdyikoyBsewUjcGyrVqpyD8TzR-63YfDXkypFdvoIZIeU9NfucD1kf2y1szfm3gAkgZYiPmlTHA/s1600/11081767_10205753100963432_1911484501_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfofUlxjdfNujf2ayBryuaYHTuxYD77V_APClMvwtIyktM9ztL_mEz_eWGbqoelvFdyikoyBsewUjcGyrVqpyD8TzR-63YfDXkypFdvoIZIeU9NfucD1kf2y1szfm3gAkgZYiPmlTHA/s1600/11081767_10205753100963432_1911484501_n.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"P" Day (Preparation Day) requires a little rest.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Well hello everyone! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder Greenacre and I are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">still companions. Yea!!!! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Last Monday, me and my companion moved to a different house. It's really nice. We have our own kitchen and private entrance. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">And we </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">are now closer to the Edwards!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> saw Jordan Capt last Sunday, which was awesome. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">When we went to his Ward, I had no idea he was in this YSA </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Ward...we're sitting there and I look over and there he is with his </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">fiancé! Go figure haha!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">This morning we played soccer with the Elders </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">in our district. We are going to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">start playing every MWF at 6 a.m.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">.So I may come home with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">some mad soccer skills!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So during the commotion of transfers, several missionaries had gone </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">home but not many came out so several areas were combined </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">into other areas. Me, Elder Greenacre, and Elder Carder (Our District</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Leader) were essentially moved out of the Timpanogos zone (which was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a totally awesome zone btw) and put in the Aspen Grove Zone. One of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">our zone leaders, Elder Simonsen is actually from Chesapeake, VA! We </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">get on pretty well and we informed each other that we come from a good </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">part of the country haha!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So far in the Aspen Grove Zone, we have had some amazing opportunities to teach people about the Restoration.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Mom, thank you so much for the Nike+ FuelBand! I love it and it is so </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">awesome! Works great, looks good, and keeps me motivated! Learn more </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">about Nike FuelPoints and you'll know why!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So Sister Edwards has been spoiling me and Elder Greenacre. She's made me chicken </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">enchiladas, banana bread with chocolate chips, scotcheroos, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">chocolate chip cookie bars! Holy moly she's the best haha! Even more </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">motivation to work out! Haha</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So Dad tells me that y'all are planning on selling the house in Ogden to get another. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Last night I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">prayed to Heavenly Father that he would help you all as you make these </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">decisions. I know and have experienced the power of his hand in my life </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">as I make decisions here in the mission field and I know that he can </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">help you in this time.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">What else....uhh I saw a Nissan GTR, and an Audi R8 this week haha!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I'm sure Sister Gerber will tell you, but I saw her this past week and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">actually taught a lesson with her! It was kind of cool. Mom, she </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">talked about how much she adores you lol. I mean...what's not to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">love?! ❤️</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I think that about sums up the life of a missionary for this week! A big </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">shout out to Brother & Sister Edwards for all they do for me. Sister Edwards told me </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">about y'all's conversation yesterday. Glad she's there to keep me in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">line and keep you informed haha!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways...love you all! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Looking forward to what the future holds! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Oh, by the way, I'm going to the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> Morning session of General Conference!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-89322810986869785592015-03-09T11:44:00.002-07:002015-03-09T12:54:48.692-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Greetings from Pleasant Grove, Utah</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AgifdvJDfJ61mVBHVGgP4M0NL3VzfHt8K9NptKIKK4lKYTjgCoxpIvXa2pdgJzYPLTcIFs074NmQcdtoHOxXhSPLlBivlLDxxiOzFvcRG1hBKz4ZrXDHFcpGBMq_nRgtvOMjwHjI2w/s1600/Jenna's%2Bbaptism%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AgifdvJDfJ61mVBHVGgP4M0NL3VzfHt8K9NptKIKK4lKYTjgCoxpIvXa2pdgJzYPLTcIFs074NmQcdtoHOxXhSPLlBivlLDxxiOzFvcRG1hBKz4ZrXDHFcpGBMq_nRgtvOMjwHjI2w/s1600/Jenna's%2Bbaptism%2B2.jpg" height="400" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The courage to follow the Savior's example.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneUg2vroGbhGIOXyvgzxmTvh1NNoY7GMps9J09Y30Dx9gOPyGJFcxqCSRpKIDuy3wPebAbcDSa3orhhixm1GNz2EiojDOSMZyB7NMIgnQ5eCl85fOaA6oV5Dnk8bXMYp-HXeXJaqyXQ/s1600/Jenna,+Elders+Ahrens+and+Greenacre+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneUg2vroGbhGIOXyvgzxmTvh1NNoY7GMps9J09Y30Dx9gOPyGJFcxqCSRpKIDuy3wPebAbcDSa3orhhixm1GNz2EiojDOSMZyB7NMIgnQ5eCl85fOaA6oV5Dnk8bXMYp-HXeXJaqyXQ/s1600/Jenna,+Elders+Ahrens+and+Greenacre+2.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous Gardiner Sisters</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hello family!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">This has sure been a very busy week!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">To start it off, we had a mission-wide conference in Provo with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">President McCune, Elder Clarke of the Seventy, and President Donaldson </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">(previous San Diego Mission president). It was the kick-off of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">integration of mobile devices in missionary work. UPM (Utah Provo </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Mission) has had iPad's for a little over a year now, and that's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">because we were a pilot mission. We have now left the pilot stage and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">are in the integration stage and several missions throughout the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">world are slowly incorporating iPads into their areas. W</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">e will be trained on how to use Facebook so we can testify of the Savior and invite all to Christ</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">All in all, it will be a powerful tool for us to share the gospel. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The Lord is truly </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hastening his work!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We had Zone Training Meeting. That's when the Zone gets </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">together and we talk about missionary work and tools and doctrine and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">stuff like that! I really like going to those because our zone leaders </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">are really cool and we have a pretty great zone! I learn a lot from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">those meetings and I feel the spirit so strongly!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Jumping forward to the weekend...the sister I mentioned to you was baptized! We had a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">wonderful baptismal service at one of the stake centers. There were a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">lot(!) of her friends there. To see the support she had with this choice </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">in her life is incredible. It gives me comfort knowing she has that much </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">support. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Elder Greenacre performed the baptism and I had the privilege </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">of confirming her the next day in Sacrament Meeting. It such a neat </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">xperience! We could feel the spirit so strongly in both events! I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">truly cherish the friendship and relationship we have with her and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">her sister. They're strong. They've managed to stand firm </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">against the adversary's ferocious winds of discouragement. A true </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">testament of faith and hope in Heavenly Father.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Jump ahead a few hours. This is when we went to the Lindon YSA Ward. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We sat with the Gardiner Sisters in sacrament meeting then </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">afterwards we talked for a bit</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. Hailey, Allie, and Mandi are super cool and I'm really glad I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">got to meet them! I will probably see them around again.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Backup to earlier in the week. There is a young woman who </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">lives in the stake. She has been preparing to serve a mission in the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">England London South mission...which also happens to be Elder </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Greenacre's home mission! How about them apples! Anyways, Tuesday </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">night was her setting apart. She invited us to be a part of it! Before</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hand, President Gleason (Stake President) gave a little shpeel about </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">serving and it was kind of like what President Dionne told </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">me...it was kind of nice to hear it again because it reminded me why </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I'm really here. Anyways, It was so cool because I had never been in a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">setting apart circle for a missionary! You could feel the spirit just </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">flood the room! Wicked cool.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Welp....today we have Zone Activity. That's where the whole zone gets </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">together and does stuff and has a good time! Looking forward to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">getting out there and getting active! That about sums up this week.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pics will soon come! Love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-40140411071675830752015-03-05T15:52:00.000-08:002015-03-05T16:09:49.794-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphentOvseLQDW0YdBAuVoAClPV3KMO_pOsjWbpGnPFbW24NXdfSlg7FuF_jbEE-T7fSOD2wBDYFJ2b9LQmnGOGMDu49I115foIdeQAuynUoY5RFeCT3p2sPB_iYzzumdfu-VMRy8pPA3Q/s1600/Uintah+Mtns+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphentOvseLQDW0YdBAuVoAClPV3KMO_pOsjWbpGnPFbW24NXdfSlg7FuF_jbEE-T7fSOD2wBDYFJ2b9LQmnGOGMDu49I115foIdeQAuynUoY5RFeCT3p2sPB_iYzzumdfu-VMRy8pPA3Q/s1600/Uintah+Mtns+(7).JPG" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unitah Mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscNZzTJxpbpiaVItUQSeApCkUeVJmAR1ZghFjGloMWsWDvvY31hKZy9QYyuIVO2NTiPDIOrVBGnn7f3opKw2v2EPfkAKHeTtnpQh1gi3qheDtexVySo4o41dJU5Mh_zRGAehEYS2sUw/s1600/Uintah+Mtns+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscNZzTJxpbpiaVItUQSeApCkUeVJmAR1ZghFjGloMWsWDvvY31hKZy9QYyuIVO2NTiPDIOrVBGnn7f3opKw2v2EPfkAKHeTtnpQh1gi3qheDtexVySo4o41dJU5Mh_zRGAehEYS2sUw/s1600/Uintah+Mtns+(1).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm amazed at these mountains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6ezL42XgnbCC33Z03CxaHYYNOtNLZ3X_2ZcLbRhNijYksGdd1jJAh2wK3MUjcW4Tq7FzdAjiXMmHq85QyMX6yzhUz1fS3nHipDtV8EcjsLbclpJXf6YiMgI25O-1OYG_Zqmb4MjVUA/s1600/Dry+Canyon+Overlook+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6ezL42XgnbCC33Z03CxaHYYNOtNLZ3X_2ZcLbRhNijYksGdd1jJAh2wK3MUjcW4Tq7FzdAjiXMmHq85QyMX6yzhUz1fS3nHipDtV8EcjsLbclpJXf6YiMgI25O-1OYG_Zqmb4MjVUA/s1600/Dry+Canyon+Overlook+(2).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from Dry Canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry Canyon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTNz3HK1GMTJodQifmYRyz5xtOJWeeQr7CPbYa3eYbn9wLlRZy2jpV3Ea6blDyXbAz74xlbwCTJAHcNMMXDgm9ZxFen9Eqv1yNej7ti0RjP0rHZwSpC1n7w4nv3T4Z7clzHt8ytHJOQ/s1600/Dry+Canyon+Overlook+(1)%2Bcropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTNz3HK1GMTJodQifmYRyz5xtOJWeeQr7CPbYa3eYbn9wLlRZy2jpV3Ea6blDyXbAz74xlbwCTJAHcNMMXDgm9ZxFen9Eqv1yNej7ti0RjP0rHZwSpC1n7w4nv3T4Z7clzHt8ytHJOQ/s1600/Dry+Canyon+Overlook+(1)%2Bcropped.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a view!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Aloha!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">How are we doin? I hope everyone is doing well! I know I am! Things </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">are going pretty well here in Pleasant Grove! I'm loving all of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">pics that y'all send me! I like to see how the fam bam is doing! I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">heard mom ended up with a brand new Samsung Galaxy S5! Yet, for some </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">reason she gave granny her S4....so we'll see how long that lasts! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Love you Granny! Dad, glad you're holding fast to the rod of Apple. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">iPhones do it better!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So about 2 weeks ago, an elder in our district became very sick. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">This past week we did exchanges with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">them because he's been so sick. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Basically, we swapped for 3 hours each. Elder Greenacre took the first </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">shift, then I took the second shift. After that, we went back to our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">usual areas. W</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">e're </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">keeping him in our prayers that he'll recover soon.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I've mentioned our </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">mission parents in the past. They take really good care of us and help us out! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Dad" is actually the High-Councilman over missionary work in the Mt.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Timpanogos stake. (The other elders' area). We see them pretty much </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">every day so it's kind of nice.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Y'all remember our</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> investigator who is getting baptized. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We're super happy for her and are looking forward to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">this momentous occasion! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We're still praying for her parent's hearts to be softened. I really enjoy working with the YSA's because we can relate to each other. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">W</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">e have a g</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ood friendship with her, her sister, and her </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">boyfriend. Course....Her boyfriend and I get along because we're both </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">car guys. Haha</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">, we had another exchange! This time with the Zone </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Leaders! They are Elder Cox and Elder Jiles. Elder Jiles was my zone </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">leader when I was in Spanish Fork so I know him pretty well so it's a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">good deal. This time, Elder Cox came into my area with me. I had </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">never really talked to the guy prior to that..but it turns out that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">he's like the coolest zone leader ever! Also, we have a lot of similar </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">interests. He's from a small town in central Oregon. We went and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">talked about guns, trucks, hunting, four-wheeling, and girls for hours </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hahaha! We both have that "country boy" mentality so we got along </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">really well! I would not mind serving with him at all! Course...he's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">been out 17 months and he's a zone leader so I highly doubt it will </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ever happen haha. Who knows!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So while we were on exchanges, the night previous we got an invite to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">a YSA Ward breakfast. We figured it would be a good opportunity to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">meet some people, get ourselves known, and maybe get some referrals. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, we were sitting there, and after the breakfast portion, they </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">played a game. So as I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">looking around I looked towards the other side of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">the room and saw someone familiar. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">went to throw our plates away, and I noticed two more people who I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">recognized. You may not know them...but it was the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Gardiner Sisters! (They're sisters who sing together and they're </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">awesome. I've seen their </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">videos on YouTube but I never thought I would see them in person!) So I was </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">like...holy crap. So I started talking to them. They're </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">super nice.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">If you don't know who </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">they are, Google them or search them on YouTube. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> It's crazy that they live right here in my area! T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">hey've worked </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">with The Piano Guys, Lindsey Stirling and other YouTube famous </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">others in the past.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Well...that pretty much sums up my week! Pretty good week I'd say. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Mom and Dad, I wish you luck back in the tundra that is the east </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">coast.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581688732405505585.post-14176630399685193882015-02-24T16:51:00.003-08:002015-02-24T17:37:46.351-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Great week in Pleasant Grove, UT</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3-EUigVmlwa0Ww2iAO9dE9_fwwUM77p_CJ5llxJIFgDF7t_jrZGKMG8072D0u-RkyRBjf8PhtsKZy-K-7IoSyPucD10j8bKUiOA1L-GSJt1tnoEptfOLsZu_XTOvRC4eMJWpQGeP7Q/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3-EUigVmlwa0Ww2iAO9dE9_fwwUM77p_CJ5llxJIFgDF7t_jrZGKMG8072D0u-RkyRBjf8PhtsKZy-K-7IoSyPucD10j8bKUiOA1L-GSJt1tnoEptfOLsZu_XTOvRC4eMJWpQGeP7Q/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M&M - Mormon Missionary 200 days out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFVAzOkv5CXBhM2-pA9d-nmfzbE53nD-_N1N6MA-UEsvEphgvhP4pX8BVeeNqrG38Qo_D6QBTczzFV_nNEobEEXQqrm-QBUHnZ1zdlzKegzOBPsWKKzhGqMIvhvg0Cj_OMbvmtbiZFQ/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFVAzOkv5CXBhM2-pA9d-nmfzbE53nD-_N1N6MA-UEsvEphgvhP4pX8BVeeNqrG38Qo_D6QBTczzFV_nNEobEEXQqrm-QBUHnZ1zdlzKegzOBPsWKKzhGqMIvhvg0Cj_OMbvmtbiZFQ/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Timpanogos Zone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc9QaDMMYVWM5TDXRULrjvLg0alnQ94LQKhXcJEhJ0p7tuZ93H_AUzmj_qUVyxY7qMyhiG153KOraDxU1JCd3UUVdzPwnlGQS28sj1sgq2AEtZuJ7Tgn20e7SpTPRXfX-kdsyI2JBig/s1600/With+the+Clarks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc9QaDMMYVWM5TDXRULrjvLg0alnQ94LQKhXcJEhJ0p7tuZ93H_AUzmj_qUVyxY7qMyhiG153KOraDxU1JCd3UUVdzPwnlGQS28sj1sgq2AEtZuJ7Tgn20e7SpTPRXfX-kdsyI2JBig/s1600/With+the+Clarks.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome family here in Pleasant Grove!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hello family!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So things have gone really well this past week!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We had what's called Zone Training Meeting. This is where </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">all 3 districts of the zone gather together and we have a big meeting </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">where we are all able to learn new things. It was a very spiritual and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">uplifting meeting and I'd probably say it was one of the best that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I've been to!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">So over the course of the past week, we've been meeting with an amazing investigator that I mentioned to you previously. She i</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">s still committed to her baptismal date of March </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">7th. She knows that what she's doing is right and she believes it to be true. Her sister has been sitting in and listening to our lessons</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">. The sister's boyfriend is a member and served a mission in Bolivia. He is so awesome and a great example to others! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyway, her family </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">is struggling with her decision to be baptized but we are praying that they will feel the spirit and desire to know about the</span> gospel.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">As far as baptisms go, I had the opportunity to go back to Spanish </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Fork </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to witness a baptism of someone who I worked with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">right up until I left. It was so </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">cool to see her get baptized!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Unfortunately as typical missionary life goes, we had several lesson </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">cancellations this week. People get busy with life. So I don't have a lot to report on. However, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">as far as the missionary work goes on the Stake level, we're getting the Mission Leaders involved to help increase our missionary efforts here</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> in Pleasant </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Grove. Can't wait!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">What else....oh! So next month, the mission is taking all of our iPads </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and giving us brand new ones that is funded by the families of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">missionaries.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The pictures that I'm getting sent are so nice! I love seeing how </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">y'all are doing. Jenise sends plenty of pics of the little man. How is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">baby Rox doing? I don't hear much from J and MJ so I'm mainly going </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">off of what's on Facebook.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, today we're gonna go play some indoor soccer. Guess what! A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">couple of days ago, I found out that I'm exactly the same (if not a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">little lighter) weight as when I left home! I put on like 10 pounds in </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">SF and I lost in all in a period of 2 weeks haha. I'm now back at </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">170lbs haha. So that's my highlight of the week. Elder Greenacre and I</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">are more health and fitness oriented together so we make it work. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Saw Elder Capt again this week. He's doing well. He's getting married soon.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Anyways, Dad, when you sent that email about the Daytona 500, I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">couldn't help but run around the room screaming in excitement! That's </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">going to be such an awesome race a few years from now! Looking forward</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">to it!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I can't believe how much snow the east coast has gotten! They've taken </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">quite a beating this winter and I've been out here chillen with 50 </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">degree weather and sunny!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Pics will follow this email.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hasta en la proxima semana!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">-Elder Ahrens</span>J_Ahrenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16194893107031350492noreply@blogger.com0