Elder Lyons, Kerry, and Elder Call

My District!

Alright so the baptism was amazing! Kerry was in tears as she stepped in the font, and she was so happy afterwards! It was incredible! It's a really neat experience to see someone take those steps and progress in their relationship with our Heavenly Father! The service went really well. The ward did a great job accepting assignments and organizing. We still had some crazy running around setting stuff up moments, but the ward definitely did their part! It seemed much less hectic than Shicona's baptism!

Confirming someone is just as terrifying as I remembered. But I think it went better than Shicona's cause I was more prepared this time. It was kinda insane, though. Elder Call and I only got to church 5 minutes before sacrament meeting started. Yeah, I don't recommend it! To make things worse, Kerry wasn't there yet! So we were sweating, but she walked in just as bishop opened the meeting. Whew!

Oh, another neat experience. Sister Anderson in our ward gives out pass along cards to pretty much everyone. Yeah, the Anderson's are basically full-time missionaries. But anyways, she gave a card to a man at a gas station. He just says,"you gave me one already, and I can't find your church." So we talked to him. And the Anderson's brought him to church. He really liked it! Our ward really took him in.....but he lives in the Lewvan ward. However, he is from Pakistan, and a man from India who lives in the Lewvan ward is going to take him to church. So I guess it works out! AND the Anderson's invited him over for dinner!

For the baptism, we brought a bunch of ice cream sandwiches, but pretty much no one ate them. So we have 2 boxes of them. When we brought them home I said, "these will last us 2 weeks!" Elder Call just says, "or 2 days." I'm pretty sure he's already eaten about 10 of 'em, so they may not make it 2 days.

Today, a Chinese investigator from YSA played bball with us. Yeah, he crushed every single stereotype. He got passed the ball, and no one really went out of their way to guard him. Next thing we know he drives it in for a reverse layup. It was out of control! Everyone was just kinda like, "Whoa!' The man had never thrown a football in his life, within 5 minutes he could through it the length of the basketball court! It was a lot of fun!

I can't really think of much else to write. Most of this week was getting ready for the baptism. I sent a couple of pictures. Hopefully you get them. I should probably get better at sending pics. Sorry

Well, I love you all!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

June 11, 2012

This week has been pretty intense. We started off pretty busy on Monday evening. We had a lesson with Kerry. It was sort of to help her be prepared for her baptismal interview. We really focused on the Book of Mormon and why it is important. It was a really solid lesson. I was struggling trying to find out what to share, but we eventually got there. So now we have no doubt that she is ready for her baptism! Plus she passed her interview with flying colors! Elder Duford said she was one of the best investigators he's ever interviewed!

We actually had some of my first service opportunities this weekend. On Friday, we got to help out at the Relay for Life. I was so excited! I had no idea that was what the service was going to be. We were just told by Pres. Walton to go to this park. Turns out it was this amazing track, and there were loads of people helping out. It was the best! We got free shirts and sunglasses. It was neat, for most of the time I was directing people to the survivors registration. I was really great to see all the people who had overcome cancer. Then, we also got to help set up the memorials for all the victims. It was great. Definitely one of the highlights of last week!

We helped for a little bit on Saturday morning taking stuff down at the Relay for Life. And then we helped Bro Schroeder set up his pool. (He's Kerry's boyfriend.) It was pretty funny, Elder Call and I were trying to set up the filter, and Elder Call was trying to screw it on. But it wouldn't catch. He was starting to get frustrated, so of course I started to tease him! He just looks at me, "Yeah, then why don't you do it yourself there, Heman!" It was hilarious. Basically, that's how that whole service opportunity went. It was fantastic.

We tracted a whole bunch this week and found some pretty good potentials. I'm pretty excited cause I called this headquarters referral named Olakunle. Yeah, he's African, and basically I can't wait to teach him tomorrow! He just really, really wants to learn more about Jesus Christ. It was great cause that's what I'm here to teach people about! We'll see how that goes.

We have a pretty busy week planned with a lot of lessons. It will be the last full week of this transfer. Sorta crazy. I have no idea where this transfer has gone! Anyways, I should find out on Thursday or Friday what will be the plan for next transfer.

I love you all, and I hope you have a great week!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

 

6/4/12 It's already June?

First off, how on earth is it already June? This year is flying by! I feel like this transfer just started. It sounds like you all will have a really busy summer. That's exciting that a new family moved in. I'm sure Natalie's excited, and probably Mom, too.

Well, I legitimately thought I was dying this week. I had some really bad chest pain on Monday, I thought it was just heartburn, but it just got worse and worse throughout the week until I was starting to get shooting pain from my chest to my shoulder. I was eating antacids like they were goin out of style, but it still hurt. So I called Pres Walton (1st councilor in the mission presidency) on Saturday, and he came to see what was up. Turns out I did something to my ribs, so basically, the antacids wouldn't be very helpful. And I also didn't need to be eating just plain white rice. But now I've been on ibuprofen, and I'm no longer dying. But it hurts like crazy to laugh! So it may be a boring week.

Even though I was a little out of it this week, we were able to find 2 new investigators! It's pretty great. Cole and Sean are seniors in high school, and pretty much they just want to know that God is there. It's going to be really great teaching them!

And also, Kerry's baptismal interview is this Thursday. We'll see how that goes down. I know that planning baptisms is stressful, but definitely rewarding! Speaking of baptisms, I actually found out this week that one of the investigators that I was teaching in Prince Albert got baptized on Tues! Mary Ann from the Philippines. Also, 2 other investigators told the elders in Prince Albert that they got their answer, and they got baptized on Friday! That was pretty great news. 

I really can't remember this week too much. I know we were walking a whole bunch cause we were low on k's. That's probably why I don't remember much cause all I could think was, 'ouch.' When I'm in pain that tends to dominate my thoughts.

Anyways, Cole and Sean are a neat story. We had planned to meet with Cole on Monday. We had set the appointment when we found him on Friday. We even called and confirmed. But he wasn't there on Monday. Turns out he loaned his car to his friend's dad, and he couldn't walk back to his house on time. So he rescheduled and asked if he could invite some friends, too. We thought that was OK, so Sean came along. We're really looking forward to meeting with them again.

We also have a really solid appointment with a referral tomorrow. Joy was referred to us by her brother who is a member. She's kinda having a rough time, and she's really appreciated the guidance her brother's given her. So she's agreed to meet with us. Yeah! It's pretty great! Now basically we just can't do something green and mess it up! It should be a great lesson!

I know this is pretty short, but I really can't think of anything else. I hope that everyone has a great week. I love you!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

Crazy Rain!

So the weather this week has been really crazy! It's been raining SO much! On Tuesday, we thought we were low on our allotted k's, so we were walking. It was just pouring! We got soaked! Unfortunately, we found out it was for no reason cause we're not low on k's at all! Yeah, there's been several instances so far this transfer that have made me feel really stupid! We even were walking all over on Thursday. We were exhausted!

We had specialized training in Saskatoon this Wednesday, so we drove up on Tuesday evening. The training as all about finding. It kinda made me feel like dirt cause I'm really not confident in my finding abilities. Of course during practice, Pres. and Sis Paulson were evaluating Elder Call and I. Yeah...I felt stupid! But I'm starting to see a little progress, so there's hope. I was also able to see Elder Zohner again. That was pretty fun!

We went on exchanges with the assistants Tuesday morning, and we found a new investigator! His name is Shane. He's into philosophy, so he's a thinker. He's really solid. However, he may be a ysa turnover. Oh, well.

I also went on exchanges on Saturday with the zone leaders. I stayed in their area, so I went street contacting for the first time. I was absolutely terrified! The first couple contacts were really rocky, but afterwards, it went better than I thought it could. I actually like it more than tracting. I learned a bunch about finding, so it was really helpful.

It was also Stake Conference this weekend. 4 other elders and I had to sing at the adult session on Sat night. I wasn't really nervous at all because of the size of the group (both our singing group and how small the audience was!). Plus I just had to sing melody. I think it actually sounded pretty good! We sang 'Be Still my Soul'... A Capella. Yeah.

Kerry's baptismal interview is coming up. She's pretty funny. She likes to tease, but I feel like she's ready. Elder Call was really excited cause yesterday she said that she had forgotten the questions she had when they first started teaching her. I guess she had some pretty major concerns about like polygamy and stuff. So, yeah, I'm glad I didn't have to deal with that. I guess Elder Call and Elder Brower just shelved her concerns, and she resolved them herself! That's the way it's supposed to be.

So for the food section, we ate at Wing World in Saskatoon. Yeah, I ate another deep fried mars bar. I had to eat a celery stick to get out of the food coma! And at a meal appointment yesterday, I had some killer hot sauce! It was called "Colon Blow". It was pretty bad. It doesn't help that my tolerance is way low cause there's zero spicy food in Canada.

Well, I love you all! I hope that everyone has a fantastic week!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

Greenie Power! 5/21/12

So it sounds like Jason's had a pretty crazy week. When did he end up in the hospital? He's supposed to be released today? I would like to be kept up on whether or not he decided to have more tests done. Poor guy.

This week has been really crazy. The Wascana area doesn't have very many steady investigators, at least not as many as Prince Albert. We matched the largest number of lessons Elder Call has ever seen in the area this week. Mostly cause we're working like crazy. It's the second lowest total lessons I've had in a week, but this is also the hardest I've ever worked just to have lessons. So basically what I'm getting at is we've done an insane amount of tracting! And it's been pretty hot. I don't do well in the heat. So that combined with both of us being new equals crazy tracting experiences!

I think probably the funniest was on Thursday. We had been tracting for about two and a half hours straight. Also, we had tracted for 2 hours in the morning. That's a lot of tracting! So it was about 80 or 90 degrees, and I was dehydrated! A bunch of people were saying no. The nicest person we talked to was a 94 year old lady, but bless her heart, I doubt she completely knew what was going on. So this combined with a bunch of other stuff is the preface to this door contact. I walked up to the door and knocked, and I nice looking old man answered. He asked, "You Mormons?" He seemed pretty friendly, so I smiled and answered, "Yep, we are!" "So why don't you go back to Utah then?!" he snapped. Without even thinking I said, "Actually, I'm from Idaho." He didn't really know what to say to that. So the conversation ended somehow (I can't really remember how), and we left. Elder Call was really trying hard not to laugh, but basically we both lost it afterwards.

Friday and Saturday we really started to see some blessings come. After spending most of our time this week tracting, we are starting to see the potentials come. It's crazy how that works. After we give it everything we've got, to the point we're about to lose it, that's when Heavenly Father begins to bless us. And, on top of that, I'm not really afraid to tract anymore! Elder Call and I are actually starting to really enjoy it!

So a little about Elder Call. He is the oldest in his family with 2 little sisters and 2 little brothers and 1 on the way. He is from West Haven, Utah (just outside of Ogden). Basically, combine Ben Moore and Alan Bloxham and you get Elder Call. I didn't think that it was possible, but that's the best way to describe him. We get along great! We both can joke around and stuff. Which is great cause there's sort of a lot of pressure on us. He's pretty funny and also a great missionary. He's incredibly diligent and always wants to do what's right. It's fantastic serving with him.

A little about Regina. I've had so many meal appointments. It's ridiculous. I'm gonna get huge! Anyways, Wascana is a bigger ward than Prince Albert, so I don't think I'll get to know the ward as well. Unless I'm here for a while. This seems like it's a really well off area. Like we got taken out to dinner by this couple who the guy works as a radiologist. I don't know. It's crazy. Basically, I look around at church and nearly everyone has an iPad or smart phones and stuff. Regina is the second largest city in Saskatchewan, but it's still a pretty small town. We don't really tract in the "rich area" but the "not rich area" is basically like the rich areas of Prince Albert, but you don't know what that means....oh well.

I'm running out of things to write. Oh! We do have 1 baptismal date named Kerry. We had a great lesson with her yesterday. Her baptism is scheduled for the 16th of June, and we think she'll make it. Yeah....I hope all is well at home. I love you all!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

Craziness!

       Alright, so first off it was great to talk to all of you yesterday! It sounds like you are all doing very well! It was no small miracle that we made it to the apartment to call cause our low fuel light came on when we were half way across town! Pretty crazy!

Elder Call is a great missionary. We're both just eager to work. The only problem is we keep getting lost! We get lost at least twice a day. On Thursday, we got lost for at least 20 minutes looking for some street I'm convinced doesn't even exist! Needless to say, it's been a very exciting past few days! I think this transfer will be a tremendous learning opportunity for both of us. Elder Call's really laid back, so we are able to really bounce ideas off each other and work together.

I'm sorry I don't really have any pictures of Regina yet. I'll be sure to send some by next week. I also still have no clue what or address is. I'll work on that, too. I'm sorry Dad, I'm not sure how to describe the size of Regina. It seems like a pretty big city, huge compared to PA. It has some tall buildings and a university. Mostly, the best comparison I have is the amount of people. I'm pretty sure I've talked to more people in the last few days than I did all transfer. So, yeah, Regina's a pretty big city. It's the capital of Saskatchewan, and the second largest city in the province. However, this province has a very low population!

P-day activity was fun. We played basketball and football. Turns out I'm still terrible at both, so nothings changed. However, the only difference is now I actually get SO tired. I'm too fat to do physical activity.

Umm...the drive to Regina was as terrible as I remembered. It was pretty sad saying goodbye to PA investigators and members. It was especially sad saying bye to Rob. He's changed so much, and I will miss seeing him continue to make changes. But I will get to see the people of Regina making changes, so it's all good.

Hopefully, this week will be a good one for all of you. I love you lots!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

Transfering

Well, first off, I will be transferring to Regina! I've only been
there twice. Once on the way to PA, and the second time was for zone
conference. It seems like a great place, though. I will be serving
with Elder Call who has only been out 1 transfer more than me....yeah.
So when President called us about transfers he said,"now I know you're
both young, but you'll just have to show us how it's done, alright?"
Okay, President, if you say so. Elder Call and I will be co-senior
companions, yeah! The clueless leading the clueless. No, I'm sure
Elder Call knows what he's doing. Anyways, the best part is that I'll
be by the temple! And there will actually be other missionaries close
by, so I can go to p-day activities! Don't get me wrong, PA's great!
But being outlying also has it's downsides. Mostly, I'm just super
excited to go to the temple!

Mom, you're talk sounds incredible! I can see why President Cambell
chose you! Way to go!

Wow! I can't believe it's already May! Weird! Well, we haven't been
able to do very much cause Elder Zohner's been sick. Let's just say I
got some good reading in this week. I wish we would have gotten the
new Ensign, that would've been nice.

I've said some goodbye's. I had one last meal appointment at the
Wright's and the McCallum's. The Wright's just sent their son to the
MTC. They're a riot! They have little chickens, and we got to see
them. One of the Wright girls, her name is Andie, she kinda reminds me
of Rachel, anyways, she asked what chickens they were going to eat.
Bro Wright without a second of thought answered, "the fat ones of
course!" It was hilarious! We ate a buch of bannock (fry bread) at the
McCallum's. It was great. I'm going to miss natives. :( By the way the
McCallum's came to church! That was exciting! They hadn't been in
forever. It was great to see them! I guess their family had been
praying to see if God really wanted them to go to church. Then we
called to see if they needed a ride to church. Pretty neat!

I can't wait to talk to all of you on Mother's Day! I love you so
much, and I hope you have a great week. I have no idea when I'll be
calling, but we're in the same time zone, that's nice. I'll let you
know what my new address is when I find out. Have a great week.

Love,
Elder C. Lyons