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

Week 59--Evanston, WY

Ella and Cashae Brooks baptism

This week has been good. There is so much work in WY. There were some awesome kids who were baptized this week. Their names are Eli and Cashae Brooks. Their parents had some major divorce problems but we were able to be the mediators and get things worked out. I went on exchanges in Rock Springs and some of my recent converts put on a lunch for me! I found out the one of them (Marianna) is pregnant! Her and her husband serve in primary! I was so excited and happy to learn that!

We met two people this week who want to be baptized. One is a girl who is about to go off to college at UVU, so I will see her in a year or so. Another is a guy who just showed up at church. We met with him afterwards. Its was a very spiritual lesson and many of the people there were in tears! His name is Eric. He is insanely prepared and he is a very nice guy. He had a lot of drinking problems from a crazy divorce. He has been sober for a while now and we met him at the perfect time! I think that God's hand is perhaps most manifest in coincidence and opportunity. We have seen so many of them of them both lately. Our zone had 11 baptisms this past weekend which is record-breaking for our mission. I feel like we are so undeserving of all that we've been given.

My companion and I get along well. He is an outstanding missionary. He is very receptive to the spirit and boldly follows it's promptings. I am trying to be more like him. We get along well and he is very excited about exercising. We get up at 5:40am most days to work out. We have a crossfit gym and another full gym that are free to us. I love God. I love the work. I know that Jesus truly has power to forgive sin. I constantly strive to be more grateful, more humble, and more converted.

-Elder Bass

Week 58--Evanston, WY

We went on a mission hike yesterday so we are emailing today. Evanston is great. I love it here. I've honestly loved all of my areas. I really want to stay in this one for 6 months but we will see what
happens! We cover 6 wards here and a YSA branch. It is pretty fun all in all. The members here are really good about sharing the gospel. We have received so many referrals in just the short time that I've been here. Some who will be baptized very soon. We are teaching a lot and have a lot to do.

There is one family that we are working with that I already love to
death. Their last name is the Buhmans. Missionaries have taught them in the past and didn't keep good records of what happened. They like the church, they have taken all the discussions, yet something is holding them back that we have no idea. They are known to shut off when talking about it, so we are trying to build a relationship with them. Anyways, Saturday we went to the rodeo with them which was a blast. We had a lot of fun, but a crazy miracle happened. Their two daughters brought a friend to the rodeo. We were thirsty so we went to the concession stand and got a drink. The daughters and their friend came with us. We saw a bishop in one of the wards and started talking to him. He went up and introduced himself to them and for some reason he asked for their last names. The friends last name was hornicker which is the last name of a YSA girl that we are trying to get in contact with. We ask the Buhmans about the girl and it turns out that bro Buhman is the brother of both the friend and the YSA girl. They offered their home for a place that we could teach his younger YSA sister. So we will now be teaching the Buhmans and that YSA girl! It was just a lot of crazy, God-orchestrated coincidences.

Again, I love it here. Things are going amazingly well. I feel great
as I strive to be obedient and work hard. I realized that it isn't about being perfectly obedient, but it is about trying to be and following the spirit of the law. Take care everyone!

-Elder Bass

Jesus plaque

Mission Hike

In a meeting with Elder L. Tom Perry, the mission presidents were encouraged to help their missionaries experience a little of the local culture. July 24th is a major holiday in Utah - Pioneer Day. Today, the mission president and his wife took all the missionaries in the mission (who wished to go) on a hike on parts of the Mormon Trail. Imagine 200 + missionaries hiking 4.5 miles uphill over the same mountains our Mormon pioneers did. 2 1/2 hours later they made it to the top of Big Mountain - all accounted for! (I got this information from the mission Facebook page). 

Elder Bass, center

Elder Bass, gray t-shirt, middle, in front of second bus