Week 38: 3rd transfer in Poteau!! 👌

Y'all!

Poteau didn't do so hot with this transfer call, they got stuck with BOTH Elder Swanson and I for another 6 weeks!! We are both excited to stay, I was expecting to leave, but what a sweet surprise!

The work is good here, the branch is growing, and it's spring! I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm living the dream!

I am SO excited for general conference this weekend, I used to be able to sleep through whole sessions with no problem, but now they captivate me! This one is going to be extra-special, because it's the first time that we will be able to sustain the new prophet, Russell M Nelson.

I invite all y'all to watch general conference with a purpose. Maybe that purpose is to see if the fruits of the prophet are good. Maybe it is to receive an answer to a question or a prayer. Whatever it is, coming with a purpose will make it so much greater of an experience :)

We also played a bit of a prank on our district, writing "just married <3" on the back of their cars!! They had fun trying to wash it off :)

Elder Eliason

There's not much more to add, but I will hunt for some things to add this week! I promise I'm not boring in person :)

Love, 

Elder Eliason 

 Our District - only one person is leaving this transfer!

A youth who was baptized this week!!

Washin' a dog!

Prankin'

Week 37: Sunny Spring, Happy Spring!

This week was fantastic! We had lots of sunny days and success! 

There was a baptism this week, a 12 year old girl who is being adopted into a member family. She took the initiative in asking us to teach her, and she is amazing!! She was baptized on Wednesday, and was able to enter the temple on Saturday. We were not able to be there, as the closest temple is 5 hours away, but she got up on Sunday and bore her testimony of the Spirit in the temple! She is showing the pamphlets to her friends, and they are interested in learning more! She is super sharp, and it's been great to work with her and other people. 

This week I was reading in Jacob 5, the story about the olive trees in the vineyard. Just as this girl was adopted into a physical family, as we all get onto and walk the covenant path, we are grafted into the House of Israel. How cool is that!

Missionary work really is the most important work we can do, and it is very achievable through the tender mercies of the Lord. I love all of you!

Happy spring!!!

Elder Eliason

Week 36: Popcorn is popping, and the Work is poppin' too!!

This week was amazing!!

We had tons of service, ranging from helping out at an animal rescue center to working on the farm. We were able to work and see the fruits from our labors, as well as the fruits of missionaries past.

Spring is in full force down here! The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and the grass is becoming ever so green. I think people are happier when the weather is nicer. It certainly seems that way down here. We have been received very well, and we are continuing to find lots of people to teach. We have seen many tender mercies of the Lord as we have tried to be diligent in serving our Lord.

We have had the opportunity this week to witness the baptisms of two children of a lady who was baptized last month. It was a very joyful experience. As with all baptisms, something went wrong! 

Earlier this year, their mother was baptized. The branch president told us to get there approximately 3 hours before the baptism, to make sure that the font would fill in time. We didn't believe him, so we only came around 2 hours early, and we had to haul water from one side of the building to the other in salad bowls to help it fill faster! This time, we thought we were going to be smarter! We got there 3 hours before and started filling the font. We checked it about an hour later, and the plug was broken and so it would not fill!!! It took a lot of ideas, but eventually we just figured that a small bowl would fit over it and get the job done. Everything worked out in the end, and the program went smoothly.

I have a firm conviction that Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and Jesus Christ in that sacred grove of trees as a 14 year old boy in 1820. Jesus Christ lives, and he has commanded us to do things, like be baptized, which are necessary for us to come back to Him. They help us to draw close unto our Father in Heaven, change our nature, and when performed by the proper authority bind us to Him forever. 

I hope y'all have a blessed week!

Love,

Elder Eliason

Pictures!!

 We helped a member out at his farm, and it was AWESOME!! We just exchanged the dirt from the tractor to us ;)

A flower, the daffodils are in full bloom here :)

Week 35: Cavanal

Heyyy!! 

This week was crazy fun!! Lots of miracles and lots of appointments. We are preparing lots of part member families for baptism. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and true happiness can come from sharing it!! 

One video that our mission is really taking advantage of is https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-01-150-working-with-members-retention-and-activation?lang=eng

It has really helped me gain a vision of another way to be an effective missionary!! 

I hope y'all have a great week, and look out for those rogue snapping turtles! 

Love, 

Elder Eliason

 ABM ftw!

Not only is Poteau above the ordinary, it's in preference to the ordinary!