Week 105--Murray, UT

Hey Everyone!

This last week of mission was probably one of my hardest of my life. 

One tender mercy that I found out yesterday was one person that we previously taught named Melanie was baptized on the island of Antigua. I am very excited for her. She will be a very influential member.

I will miss my current companion Elder Archer. He's like a brother and one of my best friends.

I am now returning home Tuesday morning. I have loved the experience of my mission. Never before have I been so utterly exposed. Many of my weaknesses and shortcomings were made very apparent to me each manifesting themselves at different times during my mission. Before my mission, I previously thought of myself as self-sufficient and able to take care of myself and that I would be quite capable of doing the Lord's work. I thought I had a thorough knowledge of the gospel and that I would be fine facing rejection and the regular toils of missionary life. The reality that none of these things were true shook me quite a bit. 

The lessons and the experiences that God has used to teach me through the course of my mission have truly changed me forever. I now know that I can't be truly self-sufficient and that I need to look unto him in every thought and word. 

My mission has taught me how much I don't know and has given me a desire to learn of God's ways. My vision for my life has changed drastically and God has raised my previous personal vision immensely. I have gained much more depth in my understanding of the Savior and feel much more of a profound love for Him. I know that God is real; that He is aware of our circumstances. I know Jesus Christ lives; that He performed a perfect Atonement to save all mankind. I know that there is no way to be reconciled to God except in and through the Gospel of Jesus Christ which Christ and prophets since the beginning have testified of. As any person young or old, bond or free, black or white, learned unlearned and so on, sincerely and with full purpose of heart hearkens to the precepts of the gospel that man or woman will be saved. They will receive all good things and progression available and will experience joy beyond what our body is even capable of feeling in its fallen state. 

I love you all.

Week 104--Murray, Utah

The week was good. It was hard.... But good. We taught a bunch of
lessons this week and stayed super busy. One of the dinners we went to
had like 5 newly wed couples who had just gotten married not to long
ago. I guess it is a good foreshadowing to my next phase in life...
Courting.

It is interesting how some people you think are solid really aren't
and vice versa. TJ and Janelle were a couple that we didn't think
would work at all. He seemed interested but he has a lot of WoW
problems. They aren't married and she is married to someone else. The
first lesson the wife wouldn't even sit in. We started teaching the
boyfriend TJ. He was surprisingly really receptive. We invited him
to be baptized. He accepted. We said, "You know you're going to have
to give up all of your cigarettes, alcohol and weed right?" He said,"Yeah I know." We started trying to use some of the resources we have
in divorce. The girlfriend was super interested in this. We had a
lesson with one of the guys who helps us with divorce and they got it
all set up. She has since taken interest in the lessons.

It is very weird going home in a week. Very unreal. A lot has shifted
in my wants and desires.  A lot of my perspective has changed
immensely. I have had priceless experiences and trials and challenges.
I have come to know the Savior much more and have felt of his love and
power.

Also Oleg was baptized.

Love y'all bye!

God promised that he would tell me a field i could go into at the end of my mission. God sent many many coincidences my way notifying to me that i could go into the field of law. I saw the word lawyer everywhere. I started to connect the dots with my past that i would in fact be prepared with the study of latin and drama. Calculus and physics aided me with logic. A drunk guy said that he thought i was a pre-law student. Just a lot of little coincidences like that. All of these things were just confirming witnesses of my original answer. I saw that it was coming to the end of my mission so i prayed and asked God to tell me which career he was referring to. I had lunch with Bro. Wooley and he told me that he had studied the field of engineering and then when he graduated he realized that he didnt like the job. He decided to be a lawyer and he knew thats what he wanted to do. The spirit told me that that was the career that i could do. I hope to go to law school.

Departing Testimony

From June 2016 Mission Newsletter:

Week 103--Murray, UT

Hey Everyone!

Its been a pretty good week. Elder Archer and I have been pretty sick for most all of it. We are getting better though. Also the members take good care of us. 

A few days ago I had a good experience. We were just going through our plans and seeing a lot of rejection with everyone, but still pushing along. I got a prompting to go to this house that is off the road a little bit. I ignored the prompting a few times then decided to follow. Anyways we went down to the house. The lady opened the door. It turns out it was an active widow in one of our wards. Her son in law was currently there fixing something for her. We shared a message and a prayer with her. She was beaming and laughing the entire time we were there. I thought about the experience and wondered why God had prompted us to see her. We are ministers of the everlasting gospel sent to preach the first principles and ordinances of it. Typically it is those who are less active or nonmember. I realized that at that time He needed someone who would answer the call to visit a widow. Salvation is salvation. This experience gave me some foresight on a little bit of what my role will be after I return home. God will still need me to do much of the same things and it will be just as important and similar as my role now.

It's hard to press forward at the end. Thanks for the emails!

Love Y'all

Week 102--Murray, UT

This week was good. This will probably be pretty short today because I'm feeling pretty sick. I think I ate too many tacos last night....

We picked up a few new investigators. We have taught a lot of Muslims this week. It is pretty interesting. They believe in Jesus Christ as a prophet but not the Son of God. Their doctrine is very similar to ours except the absence of a few fundamental truths. My studies this week will probably be trying to figure out a way to present the doctrine in a way they will be enticed and motivated to find the truth.

The office ladies came up to me and said that apparently the iPad's have to be bought. Sorry about that. I didn't realize that we had to buy them. Y'all can have it. It's in really good condition.

Love y'all

I made crepes this week

Week 101--Murray, UT

Hey Everyone

This week was great! I have about a month left. 

Nothing too significant happened in teaching this week. We picked up a few new investigators. One is a black guy from Mississippi. He actually played in the NFL a little bit. He has concerns with blacks and the priesthood which we are trying to resolve. The Spirit really helped us in the lesson. He does have sincere desire to learn and know. We are excited for him to receive an answer to be baptized.

A few other investigators that we picked up: One is from Iraq. His name is Abbas. Another is from Venezuela. They are a couple that are going to get married at the end of the month. Abbas said that he is Muslim by birth but he said,”I eat pork. I love pork." He believes in God. He has read some of the Book of Mormon. We challenged him to pray about it. Carla, his Fiance, is also very open and friendly.

Time on the mission is coming to an end. I know now more than ever before the goodness of God and His mercy and longsuffering towards us. He anxiously awaits us to repent and come to know more happiness and also know him better.

Love y’all

Week 100--Murray, UT

The past few weeks have been good. It is somewhat scary that things are drawing to a close. I reflect often about the experiences I've had and if I have lived up to my potential. It is a scary question to ask at the end of your mission. The question: Did I fulfill my purpose?

Elder Archer and I have grown to love a man named Garrett. He is the father in a family of 4. They have two young children. His wife is a fireball with the gospel. We started teaching them a few weeks ago. We came over initially and talked about his BBQing abilities(he is ranked in the nation!). He invited us to try some so we ate dinner with him. He was very standoffish at first but eventually opened up. He agreed to be baptized last weekend. It was one of my favorite services on my mission. 

We recently started teaching a man from Moldova. He is a funny guy. He just showed up to a church and asked for a Book of Mormon on a Wednesday night. He later explained that when he first moved here he had the impression to come to church but he never did. 8 years later he got the impression to go again and this time he did. It really is a testament of the reality of God preparing souls.

It was fun to talk to everyone! Happy Mothers day Mom!

Love y'all

Elder Bass

Garrett's baptism!!

Cowboy with chins!

 Skyping with Alex:

Email from Brother Penrod

Dear Brother and Sister Bass:

My name is Mark Penrod.  I am the Ward Mission Leader in the Ridgecreek Ward in Murray, Utah.  For the past couple of months it has been my privilege to work with your son, Elder Bass, in the work of the Lord in our ward.  Your son is a very fine young man.  I can tell he was raised in a good home.  You'll be pleased to know he is very respectful,  loves the work, and works hard each day.
He is obedient to the mission rules and consistently strives to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost at all times.  He has been a great boon to the work in our part of the Lord's vineyard.  I have had many occasions to accompany him and his companion, Elder Archer, on teaching appointments.  He bears pure testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and the divinity of the Atonement of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

We were so pleased to hear that he will be staying with us for another transfer, as we need him here.  He, Elder Archer, and the Lord are working miracles in our ward and stake.  I am always strengthened after spending time with him.  I know he loves the Lord and loves serving Him here in Murray.  When the day comes for him to return to you I know he will return with honor.
Your sacrifice has made, and will make, an eternal difference in the lives of many people here.  Thank you for sending such a worthy, prepared young man to us!
Best regards,
Mark Penrod

x

Week 98--Murray, UT

Sorry Mom for the indecision. It is not within myself. It is a battle between what I decided and what the spirit wants. 

I'm spending most of my computer time signing up for classes.... Sorry

Here's a few pictures:

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

"Two handsome Elders eating a lot! We really appreciate Elder Archer and Elder Bass. They work hard and have strong testimonies. Thanks for raising great men!" -Steve & Renee Scheidell

Mission Pictures

Murray Zone Hike

Week 97--Murray, UT

I originally wanted to fly back on my own, but i feel inspired to say I would like y'all to come and pick me up and fly back with me. I honestly don't want y'all to but the spirit has been bugging me. I don't want it to be a financial burden or anything but I really feel God wants y'all to come for some reason. I think he would give you a confirmation if you pray. Sorry to put extra stress on your back.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! LOVE YOU!

I don't feel like writing a letter this week. We found a family this week. That was about everything exciting that currently comes to mind.

I do want to write 5 things I appreciate about Mom:

1. You have written me every week regardless of how much sleep you did or didn't have and regardless of stress and everything else.

2. I loved the way that I was raised. I know that child raising was never something that you took lightly. I know that your child raising was aided with God's hand! THANK YOU for taking the time and energy and dedication to receive God's guidance.

3. I know that no matter what I do or don't do that although I may receive a scolding or something like unto it I will always be loved.

4. I always know that you would give up almost anything for our(me and my siblings) happiness and welfare.

5. I appreciate your dedication to keeping God's commandments that set an example for us to follow.

Hope you have a great day!

Later notes:
At some point i met with a drunk guy named Caleb. I had an interesting experience where we gave him a blessing and messed with Terra cards. I was stupid and let him give us a terra card blessing where cards chose us and he interpreted those cards. We had originally left and then i chose to go back because i was interested. It was a mistake because i remember God taking away his spirit for a portion of time afterwards. We even said to each other that it was evil when we left the first time but decided to go back anyways

Week 96--Murray, UT

This week was good and I experienced an intensity of many emotions.

Joy- Autumn was baptized and I love see people's baptisms and helping people get there it fills everything with joy. 

Love- I had an experience this week where I felt a little of what it's like to feel the love God has for one of his children. I wept.

Disappointment - the same person who I felt that love for, later that the week we found out she was abusing drugs.

Discouragement - many of our investigators have suddenly dropped us including Melanie who realized her only way to progress was move out of her boyfriend's home and fly back to Antigua where she can convert her children.

Love y'all!

Elder Bass

Also on a comical side note. We went to one of our wards and this was what the program said. I told elder archer when she was trying to remember my name tag to put on the program, she must of gotten distracted with the memory of everything else.

Autumn's baptism

Later notes:
It is hard to describe what i felt that night for Raquel. I explained it the best i could in my journal so ill just refer you there. In synopsis of that experience, I felt a very pure and powerful love as i was teaching raquel and expressing my desires and feelings in the lesson. As i was riding my bike back to the apartment, I realized that a day before i had prayed for God to show me his love.

Week 95--Murray, UT

This week was awesome!

Trent was baptized on Tuesday. It was a great service. There was a few
people that bore their testimonies and Elder Archer and I shared the
restoration in the middle of the service! Trent is a great guy and
hates attention but I think that he thoroughly enjoyed the service. He
denies it, but I saw him shed a few tears!

Melanie watched conference with a family from the ward. It was awesome!They cooked a big breakfast that was super good! She also went to a black fireside where there was singing and dancing and shouting and praising the name of the Lord. She was excited to see some of her culture integrated into the church!

I had a unique and touching impression during conference about one of
our investigators named Raquel. I really have a love and caring for
her. She has had a crazy life and is in the perfect position to learn
about the gospel. I felt the impression that when she saw what her
life was going to be like down here while in the pre-existence, she was
pretty upset about all of the hardships she would go through. One of
the highlights of her life was us bringing the gospel to her. It was
like I could see Elder Archer and I through her eyes. I could see the
light she saw in us and the mantle that qualifies us to be representatives
of the Savior. Upon further thought, I realized things have worked out
very favorable for us to teach her. Things that normally wouldn't
happen and doors that typically wouldn't open.

I have seen many mighty miracles on my mission for which I will praise
his name forever. (Alma 26)

Sent from my iPad

Later notes:
One of the nights, i remember meeting my future family. I went to a dinner appointment where i saw a family. It was a warning for me. I could tell that the mother was yearning for something that was missing from her home. They had a bunch of great kids and the husband was apathetic. Thats what the wife was yearning for a father in the home. The dad just seemed disconnected lazy and apathetic. I reasoned that i had the possibility of turning out like this if i didnt do a few things. This man was an engineer so it naturally deterred me from the field of engineering. It was a quite testimony to me that i should pursue the field of law.

Week 94--Murray, UT

Hey! Life is great! Brittany was baptized this past week and it was
such a sweet experience. The last song was "Families can be together
forever". When we were singing that at the end of the service, all
four of them were holding their hands and crying. Things don't get
much better than that on a mission.

We are excited about Trent getting baptized tomorrow. He decided not
to do it in the Jordanelle Lake because it was too cold. Haha. There is
still ice on a lot of it so it was a pretty good decision.

I have thought a lot about the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know it
happened. It can be very real for each of us if we use it!

Week 93--Murray, UT

This week....hmmm.....

I went to a Christians United Choir performance this week. This is a group that represents a number of different Christian churches. One of their goals is to promote friendly relations between all religions through the praising of our Savior. They get together every Easter season to perform their program, “Jesus is the Christ”. It was really good. There were pictures of Christ up everywhere. I remember looking at one during the performance and thinking the words, “Learn of me". We have a book called "Jesus the Christ" written by James E. Talmage. It is a very deep and insightful book, close to 800 pages. This one of the books in the approved missionary library. I have avoided it most of my mission, but I decided to go for it after the concert and the thoughts I had. So far, so good!

We started teaching this lady named Raquel. She is 23 and living with her boyfriend and they have a few kids. Their lives are kinda broken up and there is a few drug problems. We are trying to help them piece things back together. So far they are keeping commitments and striving to follow the gospel, so I am very happy and hopeful for them.

I am staying with my companion for one more transfer so another 6 weeks. I'm pretty excited; he's a great kid. Here's a picture of him and then us during one of our study sessions in the mornings!

Love y’all!

Later Notes: One of the things i tried to do in my areas was get to know everyone and know people at each residence. Get to the point where I had established a presence in the community there. I feel like by the end i really had accomplished that goal. 

Week 92--Murray, UT

This week has been pretty sick. After a whole transfer of going out of our comfort zone and working our butts off, we are seeing some fruit!

Trent, a person who has been working with the missionaries for a year now, set a date this week! We watched Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration with him. He picked a date. He said "I want to be baptized the 29th". We thought he was going to say the 29th of September or something. Haha! Then he clarified by saying the 29th of March! He wants to do it in a lake. Hopefully we can find a semi warm lake for him. We just have to get it cleared through a few people but we should be good.

We also picked up a new investigator named Brittany. She recently moved back from Chicago. We went over and asked her where she stood with everything. She said, "I believe it all." We asked her if she wanted to be baptized and she responded, "yeah." She is planning for the 26th of March. 

We also were able to pick up another investigator. Her name is Raquel. This was pretty cool. We met her a few days ago. While I was thinking about her I felt like I should bring up something that she had done. Anyways, when I saw her again, I said, “Thank you for her not going a little ways off to smoke." She then opened up and we started to talk to her and get to know her a lot better. We shared a Mormon message and opened up a discussion about spiritual experiences. She shared an experience of how she came to know that the God was real. She talked about the feeling she felt when she came to that realization. We told her about the things we teach and invited her to look for those same feelings as she listened to the things that we said in the first discussion. We are planning on seeing her this Tuesday.

I am very grateful for the opportunities and experiences that I have had this transfer. They have made me grow and stretch a lot. I know that there is no growth in the comfort zone. I know that God is real and that his son Jesus Christ lives and the power of his atoning sacrifice is available to "all men if it so be that they repent and come unto him." (1Nephi10)

Love yall!

Week 91--Murray, UT

Life is good. Murray is good. I don't think I'm getting trunky. The bike is working good and locked up most of the time. My companion is good and is helping me out a lot. I'm excited to use my bike to be biking around Provo at BYU.

Our teaching pool is alright. We were supposed to have a baptism this weekend but things come up, like always. We are taking some people to temple square this coming Tuesday. We'll see if it works out! We are teaching people who are on drugs and recently returned from prison or jail. I get home June 14th. 99days left!

Love you!

-Elder Bass

Later notes: Im not sure the exact time that it happened but i started keeping a little notebook of all the things that i learned and some of the inspiration i received. 

Week 90--Murray, UT

This week was good. I went on exchange with some elders this week. We found a lot of potential investigators on exchanges and a few investigators. 

We knocked on this one door when I was on exchanges with Elder Leaaetoa.  He is a Tongan elder who goes home this transfer so I’m just trying to keep him going. Anyways, the only information we had was it was a new move-in. We initiated small conversation with the lady and we started talking for like 2 minutes. Elder Leaaetoa pipes up and tells this story just out of the blue. It wasn’t related to the conversation at all. He starts and 10 minutes later he is still telling the story. The lady's sister came out and said, “Hey, I need you to do something for me”, in an effort to get her away from the conversation. Surprisingly, she told her sister that she wanted him to finish the story. He speaks for another 5 min. The story was about this guy who originally rejected the missionaries but eventually accepted them. It got very spiritual toward the end of the story when the guy in the story reconciles with God. I felt the spirit and I knew that she did. They said that we could come back and teach their family. I walked away from the door humbled.

Another story that was pretty funny happened. Ask me about a drunk guy named Caleb when I get home. I know that I will remember.

Another cool story. An Armenian guy named Hyke moved here a few years ago. He told us about an experience that he had where he has recently been praying for more direction in his life. He said he’s prayed twice and after his prayer each time he walked outside to take a smoke. Both times, he saw missionaries passing by. He took that as a sign. He agreed to meet with us. The other guy that I was on exchanges with at the time served in this area last year. He said he remembered talking to that guy and he was the furthest thing from interested. 

Love ya’ll bye

P.S. As far as the career goes, I have been informed through the spirit that I will be a small pastry baker.

Week 89--Murray, Utah

Gosh I don't like emailing.... I only have a few more months though!

I don't know what to email today..... Life is good we have like three investigators. The area is super small. They're all going to be baptized hopefully. Things are hard with walking but I thoroughly enjoy it. I don’t know what else to say... I'll keep y'all in my prayers. 

I think that I discovered my career. God told me and you'll never guess what it is. Thanks for the bike I got a really good deal. $200 dollars off. I'm excited to go bike contacting. I'll try and take some pictures this coming week and remember some stories.

We had a lesson where I had to choose fearing God over fearing man. I did it and the lesson turned out well! Oh yeah and we met elder Ballard. It was nice to shake his hand.

Week 88--Murray, UT

Hey everyone!  

Thanks for the package! Ya'll are awesome!

This week was good. A lot of my thoughts this week were directed toward greatness. I read an article in the Ensign. It was written or paraphrased from Howard W. Hunter and it talked about true greatness. It talked about how greatness is perceived very differently in the world compared to the Lords view. President Hunter talked about how Gods view of greatness is the small acts of goodness and kindness that make up who we are. 

Serving here I have seen so many different types of families: Families that work, Families that don't work, and every thing in between! I have such a testimony that greatness and happiness in a family setting is dependent upon how well the principles of the gospel are applied. Everytime. God is real. Jesus Lives. This is his work. 

-Elder Bass

Week 87--Murray, Utah

Teaching a lesson after a member dinner

I am now in Murray UT. I cover half of the Murray South Stake which is 4 wards. It is a great mixture of wealthy and poor in the area. I love my companion, Elder Archer. He is a great missionary. We lived in Evanston together for a little bit. We have so much fun together! We are making a lot of progress in our area. I love the opportunity to contact people on the street all the time because the car is no more. I am determined to go out hard my last 4 months.

This stake does something on Tuesday night called finding night! It is amazing. All the ward missionaries and ward mission leaders in the stake gather together at the stake center. We go out in a total of about 15 companionships and contact and tract! It is amazing!! This stake is a model for the world how missionary work should be. Everyone is excited and always thinking about who they can invite to meet with the missionaries next. I'm trying to figure out how they implemented this program and got everyone to do it. These people legitimately care about the people we teach and take personal responsibility for them.

I love walking! It's my first walking area haha

-Elder Bass

Zone Conference

Week 86--Evanston, WY

I am leaving. I will be a district leader. I am happy because weight is taken off my shoulders! Bruce didn't get baptized. He is still hesitant. It was very weird for him to go back and forth like that. Other than Bruce shutting down a little bit and said he needed to review the Book of Mormon a lot more when I asked if he would set a date, yesterday was good. I got to visit all the families and recent converts that I love. I am excited for my new area. Love you! 
-Elder Bass

Week 85--Evanston, WY

This week has been great! I feel my time in Evanston is drawing to a close. It has been amazing though. We found many new investigators this week including a family of four who has accepted the commitment to be baptized late February. They are very prepared. I am learning more tips and tricks to missionary work. One is the importance of not holding on to investigators that aren't ready. Once we figure out they aren't ready it is easy with the iPads to leave a note for future missionaries to stop by and check up on them. God always provides more people to teach it seems. 

One event that happened was my companion changed my password Saturday night. Sunday morning I tried to get in and it wouldn't work. With the iPads if you try 9 times and it fails the iPad completely shuts down and wipes the memory clean. So all pictures, notes, and everything else you saved is no longer there. I tried a few times to open it and my companion must of typed the password in wrong because it wasn't the one he though it was. Anyways, the iPad shutdown and wiped all of my memory. We were giving talks in one of our wards and my talk was on the iPad. So Sunday morning I rewrote my talk. Elder Fallin felt pretty bad. Everything was saved on iCloud so it's ok.

We also had a lesson with Bruce this week. Bruce is someone I've been working with the entire time that I've been here. We thought going into the lesson on Saturday that he would commit. After we talked for a little bit, he told us that his best friend has died the day before. He also told us that one of his wife's relatives had died and there was a funeral being held in CA. At that point we had given up hope of him getting baptized before transfers on Feb 2nd. We read Alma chapter 40 with him and had a discussion about some of the verses. We eventually were talking about being cremated. We invited Bruce the lesson before and others. He said that he would be going to both funerals the coming week. As a side comment at the end, he said, " and I'm going to try to do it before you leave, I find out the funeral time on Monday for my friend." I was super excited. Written, the words he said don't sound very convincing but Bruce is a country guy which when he says he'll try it actually means he'll do it. It will be a very good ending climax. The closing of the first presidency message in the beginning of PMG says, "More happiness awaits you than you have ever before experienced as you labor among his children." It really is true. Driving home that night from Bruce's lesson, the sky was dark and gloomy, snow was falling in big clumps everywhere, and the roads were snow covered and terrible, yet my heart was filled with more joy than I had ever before experienced and a love for God.

Also the zone will baptize more than it has in recorded history of the mission for the month of January. 

Love y’all!

Week 84--Evanston, WY

Carson and Taryn's baptism

It was a good week. Carsen and Taryn got baptized! I am super happy for them. 20 minutes before the baptism, we had to move into the chapel because so many people came to support them. Their cousins came to the baptism and we are now going to start to work with them. Also, some of the youth that we have been working with brought friends to the baptism. It was all in all a wonderful experience. Their mom and dad were in tears. It was very memorable for me. The rest of the day we were on a spiritual high.

Before February 2nd(transfer day), we are hoping to have one more baptism. His name is Bruce. He is still in the process of making the decision to get baptized. Keep him in your prayers. It is someone that I have been working with the entire time that I have been here. I have loved Evanston. I love the families here. I will be sad to leave if I go. I absolutely love Evanston. 

-Elder Bass

Week 83--Evanston, WY

Sandy's baptism (Sandy is the one in the middle left)

We weren't able to get in much contact with Sandy until Thursday when we stopped by his house. It was a miracle lesson and Sandy decided to get baptized this past Saturday. It was a great experience. Bishop gave his confirmation blessing. The words he used were,"I bless you with a desire to serve a mission." Chills went through my body. He would be a good missionary.

I am super excited for this coming weekend. Sunday night is scheduled for Carsen and Taryn's baptism. They are some my favorite people that I have worked with. The parents are returning back to activity and the kids are in high school and middle school. They are a prominent family in the Almy area. I love them so much. They are so funny.

-Elder Bass

Week 82--Evanston, WY

This week was a little bit of a harder week. We recently went through some MLS lists from the clerk. There seems to be a bit of potential on there so hopefully we can meet and teach some of these people! We were hoping many people would be home for the holidays but everyone seems to drive to Utah or somewhere for them instead of staying here.

We had interviews with President this week which was great! I am so happy I get to keep my mission president for my whole mission. I lovehim! He is such a kind and loving man. A good model for where I want to be someday.

Solan was baptized this week! He is a 9-year old boy whose family is full of recent converts and they hadn't been to church in a while and then we found their family with one of their kids who wasn't baptized! They have like 8 kids total.

Sandy was supposed to be baptized as well but we texted him like 30 minutes before to make sure he didn't need a ride or anything and he texted us back and said he was in Utah! We called everyone and cancelled trying to reschedule it later in the day, but the guy who would be baptizing him went out of town. So then we cancelled everything again and are trying for this coming Saturday! We are going to sit down with him this week and figure out what's going on.

We have a few good lessons set up for tonight so hopefully they go well. We may start teaching a new family tonight and also set a baptismal date for someone I've been working with the entire time I've been in Evanston! I'm super excited!

I started reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning recently and I have once again really appreciated the story of Nephi and his quest for the plates. The thing that stuck out to me most this time was the realization that Nephi and his brothers weren't much different up until they left. I believe that it shows that at some point in our lives there will be something hard and crazy that will happen that will force us to choose follow God and leave behind the world or to follow the world and leave behind God. Surely you can only have your feet in both worlds for so long before they come crashing together and you have to make a decision. I pray that each of us (myself included) will have the faith to make this decision long before we have to!

Love you all and hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Years!

-Elder Bass