Baptism!!!

How are you doing??

This week truly has been a good one. 

Two major events happened:

1 Final interview with President Chesnut

2 Baptism of Robert Lopez

With the interview I essentially cried for over a half hour with President. We both shed many many tears as we talked about the last 2 years. He talked about some comments that I had made in meetings that had been having an impact on other missionaries. He told me that I was being quoted across the mission.  That was really neat to hear. Then he paid me the highest compliment that I have ever received and it was an answer to prayer. Everyone wonders if their mission had been a success and accepted of the Lord. I've never really struggled with knowing that, but The Lord still told me an answer that I was starting to want. 

On Saturday we had that baptism for Robert Lopez. Elder Wegelin was able to come to it too! I wanted to share with you something that Robert said while we were changing after performing the baptism itself. We walked in and he said "Thanks for baptizing me. I've actually been baptized before in my Mom's church, but thanks for doing the one that counts" So I said "Thanks for picking me to baptize you. It was a privilege." Then he said something along the lines of, "Well I picked you because with you I changed the most. You helped me to overcome a lot of different things and change to become how I am now. I had a lot of missionaries, and you made the difference." That was something that I've been told once before, several years ago. That struck a cord with me. It brought back memories of a mini mission when I was a punk 17 year old kid. I know the Lord has a reason for where He sends us. I was sent here to this area for a couple reasons. One of the chiefest, was Robert Lopez. I told him, "You definitely aren't the same person who I met 3 months ago." And Robert Lopez truly isn't the same. He has changed. He has brought forth the fruits of repentance. He has desires to go to the temple. He has a hope for what can happen in the future. He wants an eternal family. He reads his scriptures on his own. He prays so many times all day long. When he first met the missionaries about 6 months ago, he was an atheist who was talking to the Sisters more out of curiosity than anything. I got to the area right when he had an experience where he felt the spirit. He felt some pain go away. That was his first chance that he had to know that the power of Christ's atoning sacrifice can do something. From there he spiraled downward for a little bit. But he has recovered completely on his own. He asked us to be baptized. He asked us how to go to the temple. He asked us about receiving the priesthood. And now, he stands at the beginning of his new life. He is a new person. He has been born again, and EVERYONE can see it. They can see the stark contrast of Robert Lopez six months ago and Robert Lopez today. He is someone that I hold as a close friend. 

He was confirmed yesterday. It went well as friends and leaders stood in the circle. It was a great occasion. One I do not wish to forget anytime soon. 

Pretty much, it was a good week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That took me forever to type.. 

I love y'all and each y'all!

In the 60's in January

So how are things going for you? Things are going well over here in the YSA. We are really really enjoying our time here. We seem to be having success. We are teaching people. We are helping them build their faith. So it works out pretty well. Also, in contrast to my last winter, this one has been SUPER nice! It's been about 60 for the past 3 weeks or so. Not bad for a supposedly cold climate!

We have a baptism coming up this week for Robert Lopez! We are really pumped for that! He has changed so much since I've first been here. When I got to the area, he wasn't sure if there was a God. Now he has a testimony of the atoning sacrifice of our Lord. He has felt a token of that power. He has passed his baptismal interview(again). He asked us to be baptized. He is ready. He is committing himself to do things. He is reading the scriptures on his own. He is praying on his own. He comes to church on his own, and all the activities. Many of the people in the ward think he is already a member... So we are EXCITED for this week and to see the support that he will get. 

Going to MLC this week was eye opening. As we talked about 1 what I've learned as a leader and 2 what traits are in my favorite leaders, I've been able to figure out what things I still need to develop in myself. As I've looked back on my favorite leaders, Young men's leaders have come to my mind, my parents, my uncle and aunt, my Bishop and so many other people that I can't even list. But they all have traits that I love. That I want to emulate. That I NEED to figure out how to emulate. They are all friends. I feel oh so confident in saying that they are all friends. That is what has been the biggest impact on me in my life, is having someone that I could talk to. Whether for 3 hours or for 3 minutes. And as I thought back on what I've learned as a leader, it's that very thing. That being a missionaries friend will go a lot longer and further than being anything else. Not their "pal", or their "best bud", but a friend. Someone they can trust and they can council with. With my leaders that has been the thing that I've desired the most. 

Looking through who the Lord has placed in my path at what times has been really cool. I've loved to see which people I've connected the most with. Whether it be companions, or members of the zone, or whoever. I've got a lot of people that I would name among some of my best friends who I've met on the mission. I have companions who know who I am on the inside, as well as the outside. Who I trust that no matter what the situation is, they will say the right thing. That no matter what the problem is, we can work together to figure it out. Both on and off the mission. It's funny how the Lord puts people in your path like that. 

I love being a missionary. I love the joy it brings as we participate in the great work of gathering souls unto Christ. It means everything to me. 

I love all y'all and each y'all!
Elder Miner 

Happy New Year

This week was a little strange for us. Because of the holidays, there are not many YSA's at home... But we've been doing our best to stay busy and stay effective. It has been a little difficult for us to do that. Also the stress of the holiday's seem to be getting to our investigators. A couple of them had strange issues this week... But, we set up a TON of lessons for next week! We are SUPER pumped for that!!! 

We picked up a new investigator this week from the Sister missionaries His name is Louis. He is from China! So we are looking to see a repeat of Ming from the district 2. He doesn't have a huge background with Christianity. But he is willing to keep learning. He is a mechanical engineering grad, so he thinks pretty logically. We are super pumped to help him come close to the Savior and also to find out who the Savior is. Also his English is pretty funny. He is a cool guy. He loves church and enjoys the activities that the YSA ward does. 

With everyone that we've been teaching who've left out of town, we've managed to stay in touch with them. We aren't gonna let them escape!!! 

I was able to go on an exchange into the Rama Sierra this week with Elder Whetton! It was a fun exchange! I was able to do a little YSA work while there for the Spanish speakers I am super glad that will be my only exchange into a Spanish area though, it was SUPER strange to not understand what was happening! He is a good missionary, and I would consider him a very very close friend. 

Last week I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Judd and Elder Sorochan. Both of those were into my area, and we had a ton of fun! Elder Judd and I got to talk a lot about Fallon and Arizona. Still super strange to be around him. Turns out, him and I are VERY similar people. I am super excited to have him with me later on in life. Elder Sorochan and I got to enjoy our time together and get to know each other a lot better. Both are also good missionaries and good friends. I love being able to do these exchanges because I get to make so many close friends. You get to see another missionaries perspective for the day! It's super sweet! 

Christmas was also GREAT!!!!! I love Christmas as a missionary! We played a LOT of Catan and watched Moana.(A WAY good movie) It was a good day to be able to spend with Members and Missionaries! 

It was a good week. Strange, but GOOD!

I love all y'all and each y'all!

Elder Miner 

Christmas!!!!

I HAVE ONLY 30 MINUTES!!

I LOVE ALL OF YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

So cool things real quick, we set our investigators Sophie and Robert with baptismal dates. Sophie in February and Robert in January. We went on two exchanges this week. One with Elder Sorochan up here in the YSA and also Elder Judd in the YSA. Both were tons and tons of fun! I was really lacking on sleep after both of those and I don't have enough time to do either of them justice. ​​​​​​​​

But the week was good! Miracles happened and now we are enjoying our Christmas. Yesterday we didn't get to proselyte because of Christmas eve, and today it's the same thing! Super strange days!! 

I love all y'all and each y'all!

Elder Miner 

Merry Christmas

Hello Family!
This week has been good! Elder Steck and I have really tried to hit the ground running. We've been out contacting and talking with everyone that we possibly could. So many different less-actives. There are a TON that are YSA age in the Reno area. So that has been waaaayyyy sweet!! On Friday and Saturday I think we had maybe one or two hours open each day. They rest of the day we were teaching and testifying. We've been operating a #LIGHTtheWORLD booth on the institute where we normally did the Waffle Wednesday stuff. We offer out free hot chocolate to everyone we see. Since we usually do this at night when it's pretty dang cold, we have a good amount of takers. Then once they come we tell them that their cups have a link to a website with a sweet video about Christmas. We usually give them a little calendar that a lady at the institute had printed off . We met quite a few people by doing this. And we had a good amount say that they would be interested in attending a service. The Sisters are also seeing a lot of success with this as well. 

Elder Steck is a solid missionary! He is from Richfield Utah. He has been out as long as Elder Wegelin. I really like him. It's kinda strange because he was in my zone about four transfers ago when I was in Reno North. But that has been nice to know about him and know him beforehand. We get along well. We seem to do the work well together too. He has jumped into the YSA work and he loves it. 

Winter Break is nearly upon us. It will run from December 22 until January 22. So the rest of the transfer we will have a closed campus.... But, many of our people that we work with are local! So we won't really be losing much of our investigators or Less-actives! We are happy about that. We hope to continue seeing miracles! 

Last night we were able to participate in the Reno stake Sing-along. It was well done, and didn't take too long either! At the very end the whole stake divided into Soprano's, Alto's, Tenor's, and Bass's. Then we all sang the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah. It was sssssssssssssssssooooooooooooo sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was powerful to sing praises to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. It brought the spirit in a big way. As we stood together as missionaries, we were able to stand as his soldiers and representatives, bound by covenant to serve him. We gave glory to him who deserves it all It was a first and it was spectacular! 

I love all y'all and each y'all

Elder Miner 

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Transfers!!!!

Here is the ominous news........ I"M BEING TRANSFERRED!!! TO CARSON CITY!!!! jk I'm staying. But Elder Wegelin will be leaving and going to Sparks! My new companion is Elder Steck! He is a cool guy. I took his spot in Fallon when i got transferred there. He is a great missionary! Elder Wegelin is taking his spot in Sparks, so they just switched places I am super super pumped! 

So this week, I honestly can't remember what happened actually? Something happened! I know we did a TON of #LIGHTtheWORLD stuff! So every Wednesday we go on campus for 2 hours and essentially yell at people to come and eat some free waffles This week we did Light the world stuff too! Gave out free hot chocolate!  

But I honestly can't remember what happened? I don't have my planner from last week?

It was great! let me tell you that! 

So everyone keeps making jokes about me going home. It's a pretty common thing to do in the mission. Make fun of those who are soon to "die". So a ton of missionaries have been saying that to me, expecting me to react in a certain way. Something along the lines of "Heck no I'm not leaving! I'm staying out forever!" But my normal reaction is "Yeah, so?". And to that they have no response and it's super super funny! The mission is the best decision of my life. I don't know who I would be without it And I don't feel stressed at all. it's pretty whatever actually. I don't feel different than when I did when I came out. Except I feel more confident . I know I can handle any situation the Lord places in my path. I know where I stand. But gosh dang it I'm old. I've been out for a while. But I love this life. It's the best way to live. Focusing our entire lives on Christ!! I love it! I would use so many crazy to describe how much I love it, but I'm terrible at typing now.... So I can't do that haha. 

I love all y'all and each y'all!

Elder Miner 

NRM

PS

I actually just remembered something I did! We were able to have about half of the zone go to the Grand Sierra Resort ans we got to collect food donations for several hours in the shadow of the largest Casino in Reno! So that was pretty cool! It was a ton of fun! Super dang cold! But good times all around!

pps-  Here are some funny pictures.

December

So on Monday, we had our weekly FHE. We were able to run this one and to create the program. We had a musical number and also some speakers. A recently returned missionary spoke about the success he had with #LIGHTtheWorld last year. And then we had President Perry speak about Christmas and #LIGHTtheWORLD. The spirit was so strong as both of them spoke and testified of the validity of this initiative! Then after they spoke, we watched the video together. We then passed out two pass-along cards to each of the members there. We told them to write down a good deed, or a way to #LIGHTtheWORLD. Then we gave each of them balloons with LED lights in them. They attached the cards to the balloons and we filled them up with Helium. Then we all proceeded to walk to the campus, from the church building, and we gave out the flashing balloons and cards to people we saw on the street! So at first there was this MASSIVE mass of glowing balloons, but slowly you saw single balloons walking other directions. Our giant group got smaller and smaller. We had so much fun wandering around campus inviting people to participate with #LIGHTtheWORLD! The ward really really loved it!

On Tuesday I was able to be on exchanges with Elder Whetton! He is a super super good Elder! I would also say we are now close friends. We hit it off super well earlier in the transfer. He payed me probably what has been the highest compliment I've ever heard. A couple p-days ago he asked me, "Do you know what I see when I look at you Elder Miner?" I said nope! He said, "I see myself in one year". Now I don't think that I am a good goal to have in mind of someone to emulate, but apparently he does. I've never thought of anyone trying to follow my example before. Anyway, Elder Whetton understands the doctrine super well! We had a stellar lesson with one of our investigators named Richard. Elder Whetton jumped right in and we had a blast! Also, we had all you can eat sushi too.

On Wednesday we had another exchange. This time I was down in Damonte Ranch. I got to know Elder McBride super super well! I really like him a ton! He has only been out for 3 transfers, but he has the attitude of being out for much much longer! We did a lot of walking and we set up many appointments.

I've been sick for most of the week, and on Saturday Elder Wegelin told me that I wasn't going out. And to top that, he arranged splits with other Elders to cover our appointments for the day while I was in the shower... So I had to stay in. I feel better, but still not terrific.

On Sunday we did this super cool activity in Elder Quorum and I wanted to share it! We had to come up with a name for the Savior for each of the letters of the Alphabet! Here is what we came up with:
Advocate, Adored, Alpha
Beloved
Christ, Counselor, Creator
Divine, Deliverer
Emanuel, Eternal, Everlasting Father
Father, Finisher of our Faith, Friend
God, Good Shepard
Healer, Holy one of Israel
Instrument, I AM, Imanuel
Jehovah, Jesus, Judge
King
Lord, Lamb of God, Light of the World, Lion of Judah
Messiah, Master, Mediator
Nazarene
Omega, Only Begotten
Prince of Peace
Quieter of the sea of Galilee, (Un)quenchable fire
Redeemer, Rock, Rabonni
Savior, Shepard, Son of Man, Son of God
Teacher
Upholder of all things
Victorious one, Vine
Wonderful
(E)xalted
Yaweh, Yeshua
Zion

I love all y'all and each y'all!

Elder Miner 

Elder Miner and Elder Coronado