May 25, 2015

Hi Family,

Elder Rasmussen is getting better from his Neck and Back pains, but now his stomach is killing him. He needs to see a doctor, but he doesn't want to.

We haven't had mission conference yet. It is Wednesday this week. It should be good though we probably won't get the iPads. Just training to prepare for them.

I like Dyersburg, so I am okay staying here. It will be a total of 7 and a half months here now. I don't think the cemeteries are that decorated. A lot of them are very old so no one brings flowers anymore. We do have a weird Sonic drive thru headstone though. It's just the Sonic logo. No idea why it is there. Weird advertising plans I guess.

The weather has been much warmer recently, but it is supposed to rain a lot this week. Good thing we had walk week last week. Now we are in a car again.

I sang a solo for the musical number in church on Sunday. I sang Abide With Me; Tis Eventide. It went well I think. I didn't know I was doing it until Wednesday though. That's all for this week. kloveyoubye.

Love, Elder Udy

May 18, 2014

Hi Family,

Our week was good, a little slow though. Elder Rasmussen is having some back and neck problems, so we had to deal with that for part of the time. Hopefully they will go away soon.

This Wednesday we have transfers. We got calls yesterday, and our entire district is staying the same. No one is moving, which is really unusual. That means I will spend a minimum of 7 and a half months in Dyersburg. Which I am fine with. I like it.

I didn't e-mail last week because I talked to you on skype the day before. We don't have any meetings this week because we aren't being transferred at all, but we have mission conference next week, so that will be exciting. We are getting our iPads hopefully. Nothing else is going on really. kloveyoubye.

Love, Elder Udy

May 4, 2015

Hi Family,

It's weird that it is May already. Time goes quickly on a mission I suppose. We didn't have any really cool experiences this week. Just normal teaching and stuff. Had some meetings. Just normal.

We have a special meeting this week with President Wakolo though. He is instructing us about all the things he was told at the mission presidents seminar last week, so that should be good.

That's funny that Emerson didn't tell you he was singing (He sang with the Utah State Institute choir for the Worldwide YSA Fireside in the Tabernacle). I will have to see how the devotional talk was. Elder Robbins usually does a really good job.

That's all for this week. kloveyoubye.

Love, Elder Udy

PS I finally got the pictures attached to last weeks email.

April 27, 2015

Hi Family,

I did have one kind of cool experience this week I guess. So I have told you before that we don't tract on our mission. We mostly just street contact and work through members and the area book. I can count on one hand the number of doors that I have knocked on without having some idea of who was on the other side. So earlier this week we were visiting an investigator and I got a strong impression to knock on his neighbors door. After we finished our meeting we went and did that. No one answered, so we left. A couple of days later we were in that area again and I got another impression to try and knock again. We did and no one answered again. So we went about our way. This happened throughout the whole week. Finally yesterday we tried again, and he was home. His name is Brandon and he is very interested in our message. He wants to know more about the restoration and how it happened, and what it was, and why it was important. So that was cool.

We go to the temple once a year now on the month of our birthday. The day of that temple trip actually falls on my birthday this year, so that will be an awesome birthday present. Funny story about the temple though. We had stake conference this week, and we were waiting for the Saturday night session to start, so we (the 4 Dyersburg elders) decided to go walk around the temple grounds. There are some benches back behind the temple that we went and sat down on to think and stuff. About 10 minutes later we got up and went to the front of the grounds to leave, and they had locked the gates. So we got locked into the temple grounds. It was pretty funny. We got some pictures of it I will attach (see below). It was pretty funny. We ended up calling the temple president and he told us how to unlock the gate and get out.

It hasn't gotten super warm and muggy yet. It's been pretty nice lately. That's all for this week. kloveyoubye.

Love, Elder Udy

April 20, 2015

Hi Family,

Yes, we do have people flake out a lot. That's why we try not to give them our number until the first return appointment, so they can't call and cancel. :-P

There is an electrical organ that they use. A pianist in the ward plays it.

This week was pretty average. We had Specialized Training on Thursday. It was good. They talked about working with members and the importance of a firm testimony because of all the anti in the mission. That's about all for this week. kloveyoubye.

Love, Elder Udy

March 5, 2015

We received a copy of the following letter to Chad.

March 4, 2015

Elder Udy
900 E. Tickle Street #3D
Dyersburg, TN  38024 

Dear Elder Udy:

Congratulations on being called to serve as a co- trainer to Elder Nathan Andrew Miner in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission.  As you know, the calling of trainer is in many ways the most important and essential a missionary can receive.  You are helping to establish the foundation upon which Elder Miner’s service in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission will rest as well as his continued service in Taiwan. I encourage you to make your experiences with your new companion both fulfilling and joyful.  Because of his special circumstances, you will need to use great patience and love.

As a trainer, you are expected to pay particular attention to the following areas:

      •  Obey mission rules with exactness. Show Elder Miner what is expected.  Follow the daily schedule
         diligently and help him understand and apply the material in The First 12 Weeks for New Missionaries
         and Trainers.  Review the Missionary Handbook and Arkansas Little Rock Mission Arrival Binder
         frequently.

      •  Help Elder Miner  acquire basic missionary skills through your example.  Focus your studies on the
         Book of Mormon, other scriptures, and the lessons found in Preach My Gospel, especially the lessons in
         Chapter 3.  Have companionship study every day for 2 hours, except preparation day and weekly

         planning day.

      •  Prayerfully work together in planning outlines of the discussions you will teach your investigators.
         Work together to teach by the Spirit. “Role play” with Elder Miner and practice being in teaching
         situations with your investigators.  Evaluate what was done well and what can be improved.  Avoid
         criticism and seek to lift and motivate.

      •  Use the weekly companion planning meeting to help Elder Miner set goals and evaluate progress.

      •  Make certain Elder Miner participates fully as a contributing member of the companionship.

Most importantly, in all of your dealings with Elder Miner, remember the counsel found in the Doctrine and Covenants 121:39-46.  Always lead, live and love like Jesus Christ.  May the Lord’s choicest blessings be yours as you faithfully fulfill this important calling.

Yours truly,

Taniela Wakolo,  

Mission President

April 13, 2015

Hi Family,

My new companion is elder Rasmussen. He is from Kennewick Washington. He actually came out at the same time as me. And we found out that we have the same birthday. So that was interesting.

I really liked a lot of the conference talks. One of my favorites was about the music of the gospel by Elder Andersen. He did a good job. Elder Renlund was good too.

We didn't have any tornadoes unfortunately. Just a lot of thunderstorms. They aren't as exciting. that's about all for this week. kloveyoubye.

Love, Elder Udy