La pimienta picante

Hola amigos! You may be thinking Elder Laudie you're not a Spanish speaking missionary, what are you doing? Well, let me tell you. We ran into some construction workers the other day and tried to strike up a conversation, but there was only one problem. I don't speak spanish and they no hablan ingles. Long story short, I was falling asleep during companionship study so I ate a really spicy pepper, and now I can say "Lee el libro de mormón!" 

Holy cow, this week has flown by. We were visiting one member's house and they were complaining about the new rule that missionaries can't have meals at member's homes. He said that missionaries can't cook very well on their own so Elder Ellsworth and I were like challenge accepted! Just look at the picture below. Yes, we made all of that. No, I'm not joking.

As far as missionary work goes, so much has happened this week. I decided that I don't like doors getting slammed in my face, but we did have some pretty neat experiences. Our mission president tells us to pray for miracles, and they definitely happen. We met this one guy last week after a long hard day that didn't seem very productive. We were both kind of discouraged, but this guy said that we could teach him later. We tried to get ahold of him all this week, but with no luck. 

Then, just last Friday, we met him on the street and had a good talk with him. He opened up a lot and told us that he had made a lot of mistakes and just wanted to start his life over. The thought baptism came to my mind and in about five minutes, we had him on date to be baptized. Already, he is starting to make changes in his life, and it is so cool to see the Atonement work helping him to find peace. Seriously, that is probably the most rewarding part of being on a mission. I know with all my heart that this truly is Christ's restored church on the earth, and nothing can change that.

Love you all,

Elder Laudie

Just in case you want to send me stuff, here is my adress:

4455 Allen Ln Ste 140

North Las Vegas NV 89031-220 

United States

A Pleasant 110 Degrees

Hello from Vegas! I know you have all been anxiously waiting to hear from me this week so wait no longer. Since I am in the field now, P-day will be on Monday for the next two years. I think that Las Vegas is actually just a giant oven. It is really hot all of the time here. My first area is the Shadow Ridge and Steeplechase wards, and my companion Elder Ellsworth and I are on bikes so that's loads of fun. The heat is both a curse and a blessing. Everyone takes pity on a couple of poor kids walking around in white shirts and ties so everybody offers us water. The members are super awesome here, and the missionary work is steadily getting stronger. 

One thing we do is pray in faith for miracles every day. Last Friday night, after a long day of referals and nobody wanting to hear our message, we were kind of discouraged heading back to the Casita (a one room house behind a members home where we stay). We met this guy named Marcus on the street. He said he was athiest but we got to know him a little better and he is really cool. We shared a brief message with him and then left him with a prayer, and he said we could come back, so we are teaching him tonight! 

The missionaries before Elder Ellsworth and I started teaching this one kid named T. He has been taking the lessons for a while now and would be baptized, except his parents won't let him so we need to wait until he turns 18 next year. He knows that the church is true and doesn't just come to church every Sunday, he goes to two three hour church services every Sunday! He actually gave a talk in the Steeplechase ward yesterday and did a great job. I know that this is Jesus Christ's restored church, and through the Holy Ghost, you can know for sure that it is true.

Love you all,

Elder Laudie

Bro

Two weeks down! First of all, I love the MTC and going on a mission is the best choice I have ever made. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! So it turns out, you can't iron nylon pants on high. The iron actually melts straight through them in about half a second. There is this new Elder in our zone named Elder Casto. He's basically the coolest guy ever, and when you look at him, the first word that comes to mind is bro. We have this thing going where we just pick up random stuff, look at each other, and say bro really slow. I don't know why, but it is really funny. The food here is good, but just a warning, don't buy and eat a whole pack of duo mints because they actually have a laxitave in them. The breakfast burritos are good, but you'll probably pay for them later. They aren't worth it!

Yesterday, we got about 50 new missionaries in our zone and now we are at a record high of about 90. It's huge! when I got here, there was only 36. We are basically a whole mission becasue there are so many new missionaries and they all are super cool. 

Amazingly, I am still learning so much. I think I have learned more in two weeks here than in 12 years of school. The Spirit is just so strong here. Yesterday, Elder Sonnenberg and I were teaching this one person. We taught her on Monday as well, but it didn't go very well because we were just trying to teach her and not listen to her concerns. We decided to take a step back in our lesson yesterday. We were planning to teach about the plan of Salvation, but we realized that she needed  to learn about the gospel of Christ and Faith. The Spirit just told us so clearly what she needed as we taught, so we just followed the Spirit. It was exactly what she needed and the Spirit was so srong. I know with all of my heart that this is Christ's restored gospel. God, the literal father of our Spirits, has blessed us with the Gospel as a way to return to live with Him some day. If you read the Book of Mormon and pray about it with a sincere heart, God will tell you by the Holy Ghost that it is true, and I know that it is absolutely true becuase He has told me. 

Love y'all

Elder Laudie

Isaac Needs New Socks

Hello Everyone!

One week down. First, I should explain the subject line of this email. Right before I left home last Monday, I grabbed some last minute ahtletic socks out of Isaac's drawer. They all have massive hole as you can see in one of the pictures. I also have learned that dove shampoo works great as laundry detergent in the sink becuase I havn't been able to do laundry for almost two weeks.

I'm having the time of my life. I can't believe how much fun I'm having while learning so much. My companion is Elder Sonnenberg. He and I get along so well and we are on fire when we teach investigators. Elder Nelson, my district leader, is also super cool. Elder Nelson's companion, Elder Ellis, is by far the funniest person I have ever met. You can probably figure out which one is Elder Ellis in the pictures, but if you need help, he is the one with a flower in his hair. We started making a quote book for things Elder Ellis has said because he is so funny. Here are a few: "About halfway through that lesson, I put on the full Southern charm with a good mhmmm hhmmmmmm". Heres another: "I decided that she needed the bad cop experience so I was like faith without works is dead!" -This one was after Elder Nelson had tried to help an investigator who was not keeping their commitments by showing love (the good cop). On the second day, our district was on the way to class. We passed some Korean speaking elders and started talking about their nametags. I had the bright idea of what do ASL missionaries have on their nametags? Elder Sonnenberg was like "wouldn't they have brail?" We all had a good laugh over that one and now it's a really funny inside joke. 

On a spiritual note, I have learned and progressed more in the last week than ever before. I feel like a completely new person. Serving a mission is, by far and without question, the best decision I have ever made. The spirit is so real and will guide you whenever you seek it. I'm already teaching several invesitagors and I love it. The most satisfying thing ever is getting out of a lesson and knowing that I followed the Holy Ghost and taught what Heavenly Father wanted me to. There was one lesson where Elder Sonnenberg and I had planned out the whole Restoration and we were like ready to convert this guy. About ten minutes in, the Spirit was like STOP! You are teaching the Plan of Salvation. I was like "but I don't even know how to teach the Plan of Salvation yet." The Spirit didn't care so we taught the Plan of Salvation and it was one of the most powerful experiences of my life and it was exactly what this guy needed. We were all tearing up as Elder Sonnenberg bore his testimony of Heavenly Father's plan for us. One of the biggest lesson I have learned here is that this work has nothing to do with me and everything to to with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know without a doubt, that this is Christ's restored church. I have been humbled so much over the past few days, and the Spirit has taught me so much. Always remember that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you can overcome any challenge or trial. I love the Gospel with everything in me, and I love ya'll!

Elder Laudie