Hey All!

How is everyone doing? Alright my week…

7/21/09- P-DAY! And we had a major "Faith" day. Elder Norton and I really got taken care of! We had someone offer to buy our groceries, then buy us lunch, and drive us wherever we needed to go. It was awesome! And the guy that drove us around was from Canada, and he was driving a 2002 Mustang GT Convertible. It was so sweet, and fast!!!

Oh, and I got six letters that day, too. All from my friends! BooYa!

7/22/09-I went on a 24-HOUR EXCHANGE with Elder Fairbanks, one of our Zone Leaders. It was so awesome! Elder Fairbanks is a stud, and he loves what he is doing. He's been out for 16 months, and doesn't want to go back home to Canada. He was telling me that he would trade places with me so fast. Shoot, I wish I was in his spot. Haha. Maybe in 15 months I'll be the same. :D But, I do love it out here! It's amazing.

So guess who Elder Fairbanks and I met??

....Harrison Ford

Ok, I lied. We taught a guy who looked just like, and I mean just like, Harrison Ford! When he came to the door I about freaked out. :D

I had a lot of fun on my exchange. I learned a lot from Elder Fairbanks. I really look up to him, as does everyone in our zone.

7/23/09-MY FIRST ZONE CONFERENCE was today. I got to see Elders Smith and Whitby, two buddies of mine from the MTC. It was good to see them again. We also taught Barbara and her future husband Mike about the Restoration, and we committed Mike for baptism on August 23rd, and he said "yes". Ca-ching!

I also gave my first comfort-blessing today, and it was awesome! I don't remember what I said, but afterwards she was crying like a baby. The spirit was so strong. She was concerned as to what to do next in her life, she was at a fork in the road, and didn't know what path to take. So she called us Missionaries. It was awesome!

7/24/09-PIONEER DAY! I have never seen anything in my life like I saw today!

It was pretty sweet. Fireworks, big old parades, BBQ’s everywhere; Elder Norton and I got fed so much!!!

We also taught Maria, and she wants to be baptized, as well as her two kids. She's a single-mother with six kids. It's really sad, but she knows that the church is true, and that, in turn, will bless her life so much.

Ok, cool story here... I told you about Karen, right? The 37 year-old single, hippy-ish lady? Anyways, we taught her and we talked about the Word or Wisdom and after we taught her that, she stood up, walked to the kitchen, and came back with her unused tobacco and her lighter that she gave to us to get rid of.

It was so cool to see her change that fast. Oh man, it was awesome!

7/25/09-SUCKED!!! We ran into four “Anti's”. Like hardcore. One was a Wicken. He had on his chest the most Satan-ized pentagram tattoo, and the wing of Satan on his leg (in the Wicken church they refer to Satan as the One-winged Angel). We just felt so evil and empty when we were around him. He cussed us out, and the Book of Mormon, and left. Yeah. So, for the rest of the day we were depressed.

But, then we went over to check up on Karen to see how she was doing. We went inside and talked to her for a little bit, and she brought up the question of coffee. Well, we told her about how coffee is....etc.

She got up, walked to the kitchen, pulled out her coffee, and dumped it down the sink! Elder Norton and I were like "Ooh!" It was so cool, and she....SHE asked for a blessing. So we gave her one. Yeah, it started out as a crappy day, but ended up a good day. :D

7/26/09-ROCKED! We spoke in two wards. One being a 35+ singles ward....which was depressing as all get out, but it's all good. We also had a Youth Fireside and that rocked! The subject was missionary work, and how to be a better missionary. It was so much fun. We did role-plays with them and little activities and just really got to know them. Afterwards we had root beer floats (note-Elder Evans LOVES rootbeer floats!)...

...and all the youth came up to us, and told us they had someone they were going to share the gospel with that week. I love working with the youth! It's so much fun, and so spiritual.

7/27/09-WE TAUGHT another family named the Murphy’s, and it rocked! We committed the 13 year-old for baptism....she said "yes". Ca-Ching!

Tomorrow, I have another exchange with Elder Schanner, the Swede. He'll be in my area, so that means.....I'll be the senior comp! Haha. It's going to be sweet! Elder Schanner is so funny, and probably has ADHD (note-Gee, I wonder how he was able to make that possible "diagnosis" so quickly? ;-D), but he's so awesome!

Oh yeah, is my plaque up at the Church? I wish I could have put a scripture on it. Since I have come on the Mission, my favorite scripture is 3 Nephi 5:13...

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

I taped this verse to my study desk, so every morning I read it out-loud, and it helps me know why I'm here and what I'm called to do. It's such an awesome scripture! I hope that I'm everything you guys want me to be, and that my example is helping those back home who are getting ready to go on a mission.

The world doesn't matter anymore when you are carrying the name of Jesus Christ on your chest. Every morning I read 3 Nephi 5:13, and after I read it, I put on my name tag and that gets me through the day. I look forward to the day that you and Dad get to go on a mission and are able to wear the name of Jesus Christ on your chest, as representatives of Him. There is nothing better.

I want you guys to know I love you, and think about you all the time. May God bless you, and keep you safe.

Love,

Elder Evans, the 4th (note-following in the foot-steps of his father and 2 older brothers)