June 29, 2010

Hey family!

How's everything going?

Oh, and a happy 4th of July, by the way.

I hear the 24th of July (not a typo-- it's pioneer day) is a big deal here. Parades, parties, etc. I'm excited to see what all of that is about. :-)

BIG NEWS! I got an email from Kassie. :-o lol. But no email from Kellie. If she would have sent one, the whole family would have emailed me this last week. But nope, Kellie didn't. Not to put too much guilt on her. It's okay. I just thought that maybe an email from my other sister would have been nice. :-p lol.

So this has been a pretty good week, and the next week will be very good as well.

First of all, President Bassett met with us on Thursday to say good-bye and go through the temple with us one last time. It was a really neat experience. He took the time to take pictures with all of us individually, if we wanted (you better believe that I wanted to) and gave us all a card with his contact information for after the mission. After the mission I'm suppose to add him to facebook. And I have to add all of my companions. And all of the people that I worked with. Pretty much, I now absolutely have to get a facebook, which is funny because I don't really want one, lol. But anyway, it's really sad because President and Sister Bassett are actually gone already, from what I've heard. :-(

But President and Sister Ellsworth are here, and we will get to meet them on Friday. Wouldn't you know it, our zone is the LAST zone to meet them. I'm really looking forward to it. I feel kind of weird, too, because even though I joke about not going home, I'm going home soon so I won't really get to know him as well. I won't get to see any big changes in the mission. But at least I can help him get off to a good start. Hopefully.

Brandy was baptized this last Saturday, and Elder Lerwill baptized her. It was the fist time he had done a baptism, so it was really good for him. And she had a really great experience. The service was great, and a lot of people turned out to support her. The day was a little stressful (my companion was going crazy all day) but things actually went pretty smooth. I enjoyed it.

And guess who got to speak in church on Sunday? Yup! Elder Mace. I had to talk at a missionaries home coming. How awful is that?! Missionaries should never be assigned to speak in a setting like that, lol. But it was a lot of fun. I actually have come to like talking in church. Weird, huh?

Then yesterday I went on Exchanges with Elder Bickmore and Elder Fairbank (I went with Elder Bickmore to his area, and Elder Fairbank came to our area with Elder Lerwill). Elder Bickmore was in my Zone in Apache Junction, so I have gone on exchanges with him before. It brought back some good memories. And I got to do my first baptism interview in what seems like an eternity.

Today we also had a zone activity: Snowflake Zone versus the Painted Desert Zone in dodge ball. Snowflake is, of course, my zone. The Painted Desert zone is a new zone that was just created a few transfers ago because those areas will be leaving the mission to become part of the Farmington, New Mexico mission in a few days. This was our one last get together with them before they leave us. I was surprised at how many missionaries I knew that are going to be leaving, including an old Zone leader I had, some people from my zone in Apache Junction a while back, and Elder Rowe my old companion. (note... Elder Rowe is the Elder from Joe's ward in Blackfoot, Idaho). Dodge ball was a lot of fun-- we played for a couple of hours which in missionary years is a long time. ;-)
Sister Griffin? The members that I lived with in my second area? I was one of the last missionaries to live in her house. Missionaries were moved not long after I left. I loved their family! Tell her I still remember her free learning lessons. She'll know what that means. lol.

I'm not sure what more to tell you. It's been an interesting week, and another big one is coming up.

Love you all and hope everything goes good for you.

gotta go. See you all later.


Love,
Uncle Elder Jason Mace
Of the Arizona Mesa Mission

**** mom's note.... Kellie did not email Jason this week because her and Camren sent him a card in the mail last week. Obviously he didn't get it yet. Boy is he gonna feel bad when he gets that in the mail. lol

June 22, 2010

Hey family!

How's it going?

Dad, sorry again but happy late Father's day. . . lol. I'll try to get better at this. . . .

So I was glad to hear that brother Ross called. He's a great guy, and a really on-the-ball ward mission leader. AND I AM NOT SHY!!! People said that a lot because Elder Dursteller talked a lot and it was hard for me to get a word in. lol. Sorry I never told you about Corey, by the way. He's awesome too, and I have no doubt that he'll be getting baptized very soon. Having him teach us was not my idea, though. I just presented it to Brother Ross. The idea was Elder Moore's and mine, probably more Elder Moore's. And no, I didn't tell him that I was going to be a district leader, I don't usually mention that except to ya'll (I had to use "ya'll" :-]). I don't know if I even told the members that we lived with. I don't think I did. I didn't tell them that I was a Zone leader in my last area either, until Sister Allan complained that Elder Mackie didn't tell her he was an assistant to the president before he came into the area. She said it took him a whole three weeks to tell her. I figured since I had been there for three months I might mention it, lol. Anywho. . . .

Sometimes I do want to throw it out there though, because some members have no faith in missionaries and question everything we teach and do. Last night was kind of funny, for example. We were teaching someone named Jenell, and her friend was there who is a member. We started to set a baptismal date and the friend cut in and said "Wait! How long have you been teaching her for?" I know what I'm doing! lol. It's hard to leave a Zone Leader area because all of the members trust you and stick up for you. In other areas, not so much.

And speaking of cars-- though we weren't-- district leaders don't need cars, so I evidently don't need a car. . . . Only Zone Leaders and Assistants have a car no matter what. I hadn't thought about how I was the only one in my district without a car until you all mentioned it, so thanks a lot! lol. This area is crazy too-- it's really windy and there are hills everywhere. No matter where you go it's either uphill or down hill. Usually uphill, and against the wind. Man! Luckily it has been beautiful weather up here. It feels sooooooooo much better than Mesa. My companion complains a lot though. He's from Idaho and can't take the 80 degree weather. . . . :-p

It's a really small town, too, with nothing close by. I'm not used to that at all. There's no Wal Mart! There are a ton of members here, and so there is obviously a lot of Less Active work going on. But actually, the "teaching pool," or the number of people that we are teaching, is a lot higher up here than it was in Mesa. Amazing, huh? The missionary that I replaced was a REALLY good one, so the work is going great right now. My goal is mostly not to ruin it.

And mom: you would be so proud. I used a coupon for the first time a few weeks ago, and savde some $15 on a razor and some blades and some shaving cream. (I had to stop using the electric one when I was back in Phoenix; it was so dry that my skin couldn't take the electric one. I can't wait to get back to some humidity.)

And it's crazy that Nathan's coming home soon. Tell Nathan's family not to get too trunky. Or at least not to sound like it when they email him. :-)

We had a great day yesterday, too. We started teaching a family: Lamondo, his son Miles, and his grandma. His wife is a member, which is part of the reason why he wants to learn about the gospel. It was great talking to him. We asked him at the end if he would mind saying a prayer to close, but he refused and wanted Elder Lerwill to say it instead. After the prayer he said he was sorry, but he wanted to hear us pray, because that was how he could hear our conviction and our beliefs. I thought that was kind of profound. Anyway, great family.

And we have a baptism coming up this Saturday. Yay! Brandi is getting baptized, and she's of course really excited. We're going by today to get everything finalized for the baptism.

And on Thursday we have a temple trip in Mesa with President Bassett. I think it's kind of a farewell for him. I've really loved working with him. He's an inspired man. It'll be a 3 hour drive there that we'll make Wed. night and we'll head back Thursday afternoon.
As far as the new mission is concerned.... I know the reservations are out of the mission,(will be in New Mexico mission). Snow Flake is in the Arizona mission still. That's about the extent of what I know, lol.


That's about it for my week. I love you all and hope things go well for you.
Ok, I gotta go, but be on next week. Love you.

Uncle Elder Jason Mace
The coolest biking DL in all of Snowflake, Arizona, USA, Earth.

June 15, 2010

Hey family!

First of all:

SORRY DAD! Happy Birthday. I completely forgot to tell you. But, on the bright side, you are the only one who's gotten a birthday card from me, lol.

Now to less important things. TRANSFER NEWS:

So, you should have gotten a phone call already from a guy named Dave Ross. He asked for your phone number and said that he was going to call you. He was my ward mission leader in the singles ward (Mesa 54th ward, Maricopa North stake). But just in case you didn't get the update from him, I'll tell you the big news: Yes, I did in fact get transferred. (Hence why I am emailing you so late. This will probably be my last area, so I had better like it, huh?) I am now in the Africa Ghana South Greek Speaking mission. No joke. Really. I'm serious. It was a surprise to me too. Okay, so I'm in Snow Flake.

Wait! I'm in SNOW FLAKE! Cool weather, away from the 150 degree desert that I was in before. lol. And guess what else? All of the areas up North are car areas, because they're too big for bikes. Trucks, actually. Except for one area-- only one-- a small bike area in Snowflake. Guess who's in that one bike area? Yeah, me. Go figure. lol. I'm still biking. I don't know where in Snow Flake I am, I'm really lost and confused right now. I may give you more information on my area later on.

And the letter you got was probably because I was assigned to be a District Leader up here. I'm pretty excited about that-- never been one before, but I think it will be fun. It's a lot more involved than being a Zone Leader (ZL's do more background stuff). So it will be fun to give this a try. I kind of did this whole leadership thing backwards, being a Zone Leader and then a District Leader. But oh well.

My new companion is Elder Lerwill (I think that's how you spell it). He's been out for 6 weeks, and he's from Idaho.

And you can tell president Eullit that I have no "great grand kids" 'cause my son won't have any kids! He's too busy being a zone leader. lol. It looks like I won't train again, so he's my only shot at great great great grand kids.

So, before I left, Jaime got baptized. He was really excited, and the service was great. The whole ward really participated and made it a great experience for him. I wasn't able to go to the confirmation the next day, as I had to go to another ward that meets at the same time, but I heard that was also really good.

It's been really hard to say bye to people, too. I'm really going to miss people in my last area. It was a really good area, and I really grew to love the people there. Hopefully the same will happen here. I can't wait to hear about what's going to happen over there in the next transfer or two. Big miracles are going to be happening all over, no doubt.

Well, not much more exciting going on here. I am really tired after the 3 hour drive up here, plus the all-night packing that I had to do to be ready to come here. But I won't be able to sleep 'cause I already don't have enough time to get everything done that I need to today. Oh well.

I love you all and hope your week goes good.
Jason

June 9, 2010

Hey everyone!

How's everything going? Sounds like things are good. I would just like to start off with a small --==THANK YOU!!!==--(This was actually in HUGE letters, but wouldn't copy for the blog) for the package that I got in the mail. (It's not really a small thank you, by the way!) It was by far the best one you all have sent. Thanks. I loved the shirts, by the way. They were awesome. We spent a few minutes just laughing at them. :-) And the book of pictures/testimonies was great too. The candy flowers almost made it in one piece. It was pretty close. It only took me a few minutes to figure it out.

And it is officially transfer news week! Yes, the next email that you get from me should have some exciting transfer news. I'm not really sure what is going to happen any more. I could end up just staying here since Elder Moore came into the area late in the transfer. And if I do stay, I might as well just stay for my last transfer as well. Who knows. Whatever happens, it'll be exciting.

But my week has been good. (I believe it's improper grammer to start a paragraph with the word "but," and yet I don't care. :-] Random thought.) We had a great lesson with James yesterday. James is having a really hard time quiting smoking, and so we decided we would talk to him about fasting. When the lesson started, a scripture-- or rather a story from the scriptures-- came to mind. It's in Matthew chapter 17: (pasted in from lds.org)

14 ¶ And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

We talked about how faith + prayer + fasting = Miracles. It was a great lesson and all of us are fasting together to help him, and tonight we are going to talk about priesthood blessings and the help that it will give to him as well, and hopefully we'll give him one tonight. He has a great desire to quit, and I know this will help him a lot.

Jaime is getting baptized this Saturday as well. He had to go out of town, so we were going to move it to the next weekend, but at the last minute we ended up getting things set up enough to have it done this weekend. That's a miracle in and of itself. We're really excited for him, but not as excited as he is. His family hasn't been too interested in the church, but his sister seems to be getting more and more interested in what her brother is doing.

We also had Zone Development meeting, and guess what? I had to conduct the music. But I don't know how! I just waved my arm the best I could in that triangle shape, and it was working well. And then the 6/8 time happened. . . .

Our mission president is leaving us soon, and President Ellsworth will be coming in. A moving truck came to the mission office yesterday to start packing them up. Strange to think that's happening in just a few weeks. I'll miss president and Sister Bassett. They're awesome. A lot of the Senior couples in the mission office are also leaving, which is really sad. We love them all, but we look forward to meeting the "new guys."

Yay for modern video recording technology! I'll watch the videos when I get back in a year and a half.

Well, I love you all and I hope things continue to go well.

Love,
Uncle Elder Mace
(It's pronounced Ma-say from now on, so you know)

*** mom's note to explain the 1st paragraph of the letter. For a Family home evening a couple weeks ago, Kellie and KD planned for us all to make "Trunky" t-shirts, a candy flower bouquet, and got a small photo album, which we all took updated pictures individually. On one side of the book page was a picture of each of us, and on the opposite page we wrote our testimonies. Also, we grouped together and made the t-shirts. (Kassie and Joe, our artists, had to be on different teams). And we all designed two t-shirts for him. One was about BYU Hawaii and the other was a face with another funny scripture. It was great and I guess Jason loved it too!
.... and the last sentence about the video... We told him we video taped Camren doing Tae Known Do Kicking and punching with one of his floor mat toys. Jason refuses to admit to himself that he is nearing the end of his mission and tells us that he still has 1 1/2 years left!

and the final from Jason,

I gotta go, c-ya!

And tell Kaydee to keep playing the Geetor, not the gooter. :-) She'll get it if you don't.

Love you!
Jason

(this is because the twin we babysit insists that he "plays the geetar on his shoulder like a Gooter".) You just gotta be there..... We know what a "geetar" is, but no idea what a "Gooter" is. (we are guessing a violin????)

June 1, 2010

Hey family!

How is everything going? Sounds like things are good there-- except for dad's anemone (spelling?) sting. lol. Things aren't too bad here either. :-)

I am impressed with the sister missionaries there. Sounds like they are doing a good job of talking to everyone. Sisters are always really good. Well, never mind-- they're usually really good. Anyway, talking to everyone is definitely something that we are trying to do as well, although I'm not as good at remembering names of people and what's going on with their families. lol. That's awesome though.

And things are going well here. But is REALLY GETTING HOT. Again, who's pulling for me to go to snow flake over the summer? Anyone? I'll even take Payson. Heck, I'll take a car area if I have to. Just something cooler, lol.

Things have been going good here, though. We have a baptism coming up a week from Saturday-- Jaime. He's all set for his baptism and he seems really excited for it as well. Unfortunately the other people that were going to be getting baptized soon had some things come up, so we'll have to see what happens with them. We'll probably have to move their baptisms back so that they have more time to get ready for that. For the most part, though, things have been going good and I'm excited about all of the good stuff that's going on.

And an update on some of the people that have recently been baptized: Russell just got called to be a ward missionary, which is awesome! He comes with us all the time to help us teach. I really can't describe his testimony-- you just have to hear him speak and the stories he shares and the conviction that he feels. It's amazing. Also Robin and Serena got called a few weeks ago to be primary teachers (don't know if I told you that). They really are enjoying that calling, because it's helping them to learn about the gospel right along with their kids. Josh was ordained a deacon last Sunday. He's really, really, really excited to pass the sacrament (I think he's still a foot off the ground. Maybe more.) And I think that's about it with all of them.

As great as it is to see people get baptized and start on their "path," it's even better to see them moving along. Some people in the Mesa 5th ward who were baptized last year by Elder Seaborn (my comp in AJ) just went through the temple the other week and their family was sealed together for time and eternity. That pretty much the highlight of any missionary's life, I would expect.

We got to teach Earl (the dad who just went through the temple) how to give his family blessings. That was really neat. We helped him give his wife a blessing as she's been having some knee problems. The priesthood is a truly a gift that God has given us to help our families. I was happy to be a part of showing him how to use it in behalf of his family.

Most of our lessons fell through this last week, so that wasn't really good, but on the bright side, we still found opportunities to teach and to do some good. Over all it was a pretty good week.
Well, I gotta go. I'll catch you all next Wed. probably, as we have Zone Meeting next Tuesday.

Love you all and hope your week goes well.

--Jason