Week 64--Evanston, WY

ZL is good. We have insane amounts of freedom. So theres is a lot of internal pressure to do the right because there’s absolutely no external pressure except from the other missionaries that we seldom see. We have a zone meeting the first friday of every month. For zone conference three zones meet up. We will give a thirty minute training. Zone conference takes place every third transfer. I love my companion. I think that he is my favorite one so far. He is very intelligent and a powerful missionary! He is going home at the end of this transfer. Area is good; we get many lessons each week. We regularly find new people to teach and we get baptisms around every week to every other week.

Elder Christiansen of the presidency of the seventy came and talked to the stake. He talked about the two fundamental pillars of testimony. Namely, jesus christ and Joseph Smith. When we know that they were true and honest people who did the things they say they did then your testimony is good! He told us to try and strengthen our understanding and conversion to these two people. He met and talked to a few of our investigators who came. I honestly don’t remember much about what happened this week. The people here are very in to rodeos and things of that sort. The number one calf roper in the nation has some friends that we will soon be teaching! Members here are not afraid whatsoever to talk to and invite their friends.

Ciera Bomer was able to be baptized this past week. She is a 9 year old girl and her family has now returned back to activity.They are a wonderful family who just fell by the way side because they werent as firmly planted in the gospel. They are willing and ready and they have felt super happy after they started keeping their commitments!

I love the gospel. I am currently trying to be more consecrated. I have seen amazing blessing for my small efforts to give little things up. Mostly in the way that i feel. I have had the spirits influence in my life in a much greater degree! I am very grateful for the Saviors sacrifice that enables me to have reconciliation with God. The more I give up and keep the commandments, the more fully I am cleansed and I then receive a more full presence of the Spirit!

-Elder Bass

Shells and cheese with moose me

Made the Newsletter!

At the beginning of each month, Alex's mission president's wife sends out a newsletter to all the parents and missionaries about what's going on in the mission. Alex made the page on "Mission Miracles" with his story about Derek. This is the story from his companion's point of view.

Week 63--Evanston, WY

Happy Birthday dad! That's so sad to hear about Micah. Hopefully he's doing alright!

This week has been good! Work has exploded in our area. We have many people to teach and many people to talk to! The members do missionary work! We taught Sergio this past week. He is 16 and he was very nervous to meet with us. He had some friends who were reading the Book of Mormon with him. We taught him the first discussion and after we shared the Joseph Smith story we asked him how he felt. He then proceeded to bear his testimony to us about what we taught him and the Book of Mormon and accepted the invitation to be baptized. Please pray that his parents hearts will be softened and let Sergio join the church! He is going to be a senior this year. 

We also met a yoga instructor who we will be teaching this week. She just went through a divorce, so we will see what happens!

We are putting a lot of effort into the zone. Half the zone left and so everyone is new pretty much. 

I am ever grateful for God and His outpouring of tender mercies. Without God, the work of salvation is non-existent. Even if we had all His words, nothing would happen without His help.

-Elder Bass

It's a Moose head

Week 62--Evanston, WY

Lexus' baptism

Life is good as always! Lexus' baptism was this week. It was a good experience. 

We met a very prepared lady. Her name is Myndi. Her husband is returning to activity. We taught them the first time this week. We taught them the plan of salvation. She said she believed everything we said. That usually never happens. 

We got a few new ward mission leaders. We visited a family last night and they have two twin 16 year-olds and a 15 year old. The parents introduced themselves as " he's not a member and not interested and I'm a Mormon but I don't go to church and I never will." We talked to them about two hours and during that time their hearts softened significantly. We will try to go and see them again. The kids all want us to come over, but the parents really don't want to be taught and really don't want their kids taught. They are really cool people. They are ranchers. 

Transfers are tomorrow and Elder Smith and I are both staying. Most of our zone is leaving so we will see how everything works out in the coming months. Elder Smith goes home  this transfer. Love you! Sorry didn't have a lot of time this week :(

-Elder Bass

"E" for Evanston

Our Truck

P-day Hike

Our District

Our District

Here are pictures from a Mexican party we went to to celebrate Louis' birthday. Louis is the little 4-year-old. The trailer is full of Mexicans and there are a few outside too. Like the whole town gathered for his birthday it was pretty funny!

Week 61--Evanston, WY

That was a good poem but unfortunately I can't relate all too much which is a good thing. My mission has been extraordinarily fruitful and enjoyable in every way! I love God. A lot of the times growing up I felt that I didn't see as many blessings from keeping the commandments as I was promised, not only have I realized that I was very wrong, but I have been blessed an hundred-fold of all that I have ever deserved on my mission.

We saw Derek on Wednesday and he was very unsure about his date and everything. He said that he would continue to read and pray to see if it was Gods desire. He quit smoking a week previously. He said that he would text us if he wanted to or not Thursday morning. He didn't text us Thursday at all even though we texted him. Friday came and still no contact. Half-way through the day he texted us and asked if we were gonna stop by that night. We came over and he said,  "So I decided that I believe and I want to be baptized, no actually, I KNOW that I want to be baptized." I gave him a big hug! He was interviewed and baptized the next day. He epitomized being born again, in the words of my companion, to which I whole-heartedly agree. He is so confident and sure. He has repented of his sins and has seen the marvelous light of the gospel. As of last night, he looks forward to a life-time of dedicated service. I love Derek and his two little kids so much!

Another cool miracle happened with a YSA girl named Lexus. She said earlier last week that she wasn't going to get baptized because she was going to go to college and it was against her mom's wishes. She said that she needed a little more time to get things figured out. We thought it was hopeless at this point since she leaves in like 2 weeks. Anyways, Elder Smith Tuesday of this week, felt like we needed to go over there. We did. We were talking to her and we started teaching lesson 3. My companion showed her the Jesus' baptism video and I felt strongly prompted to ask her to pray right there for her baptism. I did and we knelt in prayer. She asked and there was a quiet peace in the room. She paused for a little bit and then said that she knew that God wanted her to be baptized on Aug 15! It was crazy! She is going to UVU so I will see her when I'm at college and stuff! I will be performing her baptism for her this weekend!

Another little miracle is a guy that we are teaching named Eric. He has a had a crazy divorce and is recovering from his addiction to alcohol. He is such a great guy. Anyways, he wanted to have a blessing before he went to court for his son. Miraculously, the spirit told me that he would get full custody of his son. This is very unheard of in WY and especially because of his conditions. He said that the judge was on his side for every thing that it seems that he will get full custody. We are excited for the coming few court dates!

Anyways, God lives. Miracles are real. God directs every aspect of the work. He dearly wants as many children to receive his gospel and ordinances as possible. They bring so much fulfillment and happiness.

-Elder Bass

Derek and his two little kids at his baptism

(Here is the poem that I sent him that he was referring to in the beginning of the email in case you were curious as to what he was talking about).

He's Been There Before

The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets

A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago, I was able to shut my eyes
The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much

"We have a super day planned,"
My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath,
"Yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to
Face another day of humidity and heat
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box"
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say

"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"

"And what about my family: They don't have much to say
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?"
The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see
Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ"
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
"Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"

My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"

"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me"
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through,
When we feel we can't take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ,
He's been there before!

By Elder Troy Whittle
Texas Houston Mission

Dinner Appointment Pic

Hi Sister Bass,
Loved having Elder Bass in our home this evening for dinner. He's such a great young man!
You should be proud!
Love
Bishop and Sister Smith
Evanston 2nd Ward

Week 60--Evanston, WY

Wow this weeks been pretty crazy! We have seen many ups and downs. We are excited for a baptism that should be happening this weekend! His name is Derek. He has two kids and a crazy ex-wife. Derek has full custody of the kids which attests to the person he has chosen to be. He started to become interested in the church because he wanted to be a good Dad. We had a very spiritual lesson with him last night. It was all the Spirit. He has stopped smoking the past few weeks and he has been coming to church consistently. The night before last, he committed to fast for his baptism. He still had concerns about the divinity of Joseph Smith's calling. He fasted and during the sacrament meeting almost everyone that went up talked about Joseph Smith and the divinity of his calling. Everyone testified their heart out about it where in the other wards we went to his name was mentioned briefly if at all. We read to him in the bible dictionary that "Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Rom. 10:14–17)." We told him that this is how God answered his fast. He said it was hard to believe that Joseph Smith found the plates. We explained that if he believed that a man parted the Red Sea and that another man commanded his own spirit to go back into his body and rose from the dead and went to heaven and back and appeared a bunch of times in a cloud of light to people, it is very possible that a man can find and translate and ancient record by Gods power. He is continuing to pray about everything but we have faith that everything will work out like it's supposed to!

The zone is doing well. Our vision for the zone this month is that Missionaries "labor diligently... persuading others to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was." It was very inspiring to imagine that Jesus is coming at the end of the month! What would you do to be better? What would you change about your life? We felt God confirming what we have found when we read that passage in the book of Jarom. 

Take care! Love you all!!

-Elder Bass

Wyoming...there's a pretty girl for every tree. :)

Biker Gangs