4.9.12

Being a trainer is the best thing in the world!!! Elder Andrew and I have such a blast together!!! I've been so blessed with my companions! They are so fun and love to work hard!! We are starting to see our area pick up with investigators! Right now our investigators are Steve, Katt, and Sheila. Steve is so golden, we've had two lessons with him and he's is just soaking everything up!!! He's the most excited to read the Book of Mormon than i've ever seen anybody! Katt is such a nice lady. She is 35 and we had a church tour and then she came to church this sunday but she only stayed in the chapel for 10 minutes because she said it was too overwhelming since she hasn't been to church in 14 years. Anyway she has had 13 years of Meth addiction and has been clean from drugs for 6 months. She's really nice. Now Sheila Donat is in her 50's and she's been taught for probably about 6 months. She is so close to joining the church. She is just waiting for an answer. We're going to invite her to set a goal date for a baptism so that she will receive an answer! We'll see how that goes.

We have TONS of potential investigators. We have been finding like crazy!!!

My Bishop here, his name is Bishop Mulloy Hansen. (Bishop Palmer was released which is Debbie's husband from Orem) Bishop Hansen told me one of his quotes and I absolutely love it. "Calling someone to repentance is not so much telling them to repent, but showing them that there is a better way to live." -Bishop Hansen

Bishop Hansen was also companions in France on his mission with Mitt Romney. Awesome eh?!

I don't know if I've ever shared this in Previous emails but this is like my mission motto. This scripture comes up in my mind every single day. Remember when Ammon and the servants were guarding the sheep and the Lamanites scattered the flocks?! Well Ammon and the servants would be put to death if the king found out. Instead of getting upset Ammon was actually happy that it happened. And I have no doubt that what he says is a sequence. In Alma 17:29 he says that he was happy they were scattered so "...that I may (1) win the hearts of my fellow-servants, that I may (2) lead them to believe in my words." Now that is what it is all about. It's changed the way I meet people and teach people. I have to show them that I love them and they have to begin to love me before they will even begin to trust in the message that I share. So I have been trying to win the hearts of the people first so that then I can lead them to believe in my words. And that is when the spirit can testify the truth to their hearts.

It's all about the Book of Mormon! I love that Book more than anything! Well I love my family a lot too of course! haha

I loved the St. Patty's day package!!! Thank you so much!!! The only thing is those bowler hats got glitter ALL OVER the apartment!!! hahah it was hilarious!!! Man I just loved Easter!!! I can't believe you guys didn't have a big easter egg hunt this year!? Maybe cause I wasn't there to find them all.

Love you so much!

Elder Whiting

4.2.12

Thank you sooooo much for the package!! That was the coolest package in the whole wide world!!! The Shirt is amazing!!! I'm wearing it today during basketball! And the magic tricks are so legit. We're going to baptize with those tricks!!! And I loved the warm fuzzies! . The only thing is... I threw away the candy in the package. It was hard to do but this transfer I'm 100% off desserts and sweets. It's tough but hey gotta stay fit. Elder Andrew and I ran 3 miles every morning this past week. Booya! I weighed myself yesterday and I was 145. which would mean I've gained 10 lbs. But i Think their scale was off. It was a cheap one. But I have grown half an inch since I left. Good news eh?! THe harder you work the taller you grow right?! Uncle Jeff must have worked super hard to grow an entire foot!

So one thing you never talk about in Mission Prep is Finding. These past two weeks we've been putting all our efforts into finding new people to teach. It's been a lot of hard work that doesn't seem too rewarding because the results are all later down the road but we've found about 15 potential investigators. But there is always the trial before the triumph so a big miracle is coming soon I know it!

Elder Andrew and I started what we call the "rejection book" since we've been knocking on so many doors and meeting so many new people we get a lot of rejections haha some of them include....

"Keep on movin boys, Just keep movin"

Man: Did you leave anything on my porch?

Us: No

Man: Good then you won't have to come back and get it.

"If I was a religious man I'd b a mormon. I've been Jack mormon for the last 70 years!!! Not interested."

"Yeah I know Mormons, you guys aren't allowed to eat pepper... or even have it in your house!"

"Sorry I don't agree with some of your beliefs, like how lizards can talk" hahaha never heard that one before!

"Not interested" Slam!

"Have a good day!" Slam!

There are also alot more colorful rejections of which I have chosen not to share.

Anyway being a missionary is so amazing!!! I love it with all my heart! I'll have some good stories next week! I'm so excited for Alex's baptism!!!! I can't wait! I have it written all over my planner and my calendar!!!

Love you so much family! Keep sharing the gospel with everyone you can!

Love, Elder Whiting

3.26.12

I love it so much that Great Nana is in PARADISE!!!!! She's probably a Zone Leader up there! ;)

So this week was so bomb!

So my new companion in mission terms is my son since i'm training him. And i'm his Dad! Elder Chambers is my Dad since he trained me! Your second companion is called your Mom. So get this.... since it's so unusual for a missionary to train his second companion Elder Andrew is not only my son but also my Mom! Yeah I know... weird! haha

We get along SO well!!!! We are pretty close to the same person, but way different at the same time!!! He rocks! We are always laughing and teasing each other or in other words (we whistle while we work) and it's a blast!!! I feel so blessed that I got to stay in Lewiston! It's the best place in the world!

So the first full day for Elder Andrew in the field he crashed on his bike. haha Poor guy! I was worried about him at first but he got up really fast and was fine but we laugh so hard about it now because he was trying to walk it off like nothing happened and he was limping so bad. No scratches no lost teeth no bruises. He's so lucky. After our studies we went with Elder Whitcomb and Elder Warnick and unloaded an entire semi truck full of Girl Scout Cookies. It was so fun!

Elder Andrew and I are working extremely hard. We went through the ward list and made a giant list of all the Part Member Families and have been visiting them all day, everyday. So far we have found a lot of people who have invited us back. This has been just a big "finding" week! We've also started this thing called the Family Mission Plan and we are setting them up with each family in the ward and having them do missionary work instead of just giving referrals to us. Since the members are so important. Eventually if they really focus on their friends then we will teach them!

We went up to the Donat's which is about an hour drive then we hucked over 100 bails of hay! It was so much fun!!!! It had been WAY TOO LONG since I'd picked up something heavy and thrown it (the last time was in High School on the wrestling mat) We did that for 2 hours then went in and had dinner with them and then taught Sheila Donat a lesson on faith based out of Alma 32. We've already taught her all the lessons and she is in Mosiah right now still praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true. She is SO CLOSE!!!!! We'll just keep meeting with her each week and support her. She says she hopes it's true but she is just waiting for an answer!

So here's a sweet experience. Last night (Sunday) we had set up 2 FMPs (Family Mission Plans) One with the Hastings and one with the Bernatz Family. We finished the Hastings one 30 minutes earlier than we expected so we went across the street to the Bernatz' house and asked them if they would like to do it now or in 30 minutes at 8:30 like we planned. Brother Bernatz said "well Sister Bernatz isn't home yet so it's up to you. We can do it without her or you can wait till she gets here." We said "Hmmm..... We'll be back in 30 minutes we're going to go find a miracle or something" So we went out in the field and worked. About 1 minute after we left their house we got a call from a member in the ward saying "I have someone I want you to stop by and give a Book of Mormon to. He just moved here because he wants to change his life around and wants to read the Book of Mormon and look into the church!" (Miracle Number 1) Booya! So then we go to visit a PMF's (Part Member Family) and we weren't sure which house it was so we guessed. So it was the wrong house BUT.... we played it off and invited them on a Church Tour and they want to go sometime this week!!! (Miracle Number 2) So then we go next door which was the right house to see the Pare member Family and the guy we were looking for was asleep but we talked to his kids which are about 20 years old and invited them on a tour and they said they would like to and we'd talk more about it when we came back to see them this week. (Miracle Number 3) BOOYA!!!! Then we went back to the Bernatz' and set up their Family Mission Plan. It was so amazing! All of that happened because when we could've just chilled with the Bernatz' and waiting for Sister Bernatz to get home but instead we went out and worked even though we didn't really think we had any time to get anything done.

Get this one. We found out that a Grandaughter of one of the members moved in with them and she isn't a member. So we stopped yesterday to see if she'd be interested in meeting with us and we talked to the Grandpa which is an Active member and basically he told us that if she wants to know about the church she can ask him but he doesn't like how members of the church, including missionaries go knocking on doors and asking people if they want to know about the church. He said that if someone wants to know about the church they can just ask about it. Elder Andrew and I were just respectful and left after saying it was nice to see you and we'll see you next week at church. Anyway it was so ridiculous that he basically told us that we shouldn't even be out here on missions. Especially coming from an Active Member of the church. He makes it impossible for anyone to teach his Grandaughter. But guess what... The Lord won't let one person get in the way of his Children hearing His Gospel. So we were visiting some Part Member Families and we walk away from one of the houses and we see these teenagers walking by and we start talking to them. And she says hey do you know my grandpa?! This teenage girl was the same grandaughter we were trying to talk to! Can you believe that?! The Lord put her right in our path!!!!!!!! BOOYA!!! Nobody can stop the work from moving forward!

Love you!

Elder Whiting

3.19.12

I love Great Nana so much! Grandpa told me all about her going up to the spirit world in his letter this week. As soon as I read it I had the biggest smile and I could feel the spirit confirm that she was doing great in heaven! I'm SO HAPPY FOR HER!!!!! I can't wait to see her again in Heaven! Isn't it so exciting that she is up there teaching the gospel! I've always known she would make the best missionary. She always testified of the gospel! I know she's watching us!

Alright!!!!!!!!!! That's what i'm talkin about! Nana and Grandpa putting in their papers!!! Hey don't let me determine how long they stay out! I say they should serve 2 years then i'll see them just a few months after I get home!!! Might as well serve as much time as you can while you're already out on a mission!

Congrats to Trevin!!! that's so great! He'll be awesome! WOW that is so crazy that you found that translator! That's going to come in so much handy for them! That's a huge blessing!  

Oh man oh man oh man I'm so excited that Alex  IS ON DATE FOR BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh I just screamed and ran around the family history center saying UH-WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that's an amazing date to be baptized on as well!!!

Okay Okay DRUMROLLLLLLLLLLLLL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had transfer calls last night and the results are in............. Elder Chambers is being transfered to Moscow, Idaho as a Zone Leader with Elder Judd (Elder Jake Terry's companion)

and Elder Whiting is.................................................................. staying in Lewiston..............................................but there's a twist........... i'm TRAINING!!!!!!!!!!!! Or in Mission Lingo, I'm going to be a DAD!!!! Holy smokes I could not sleep last night at all!!!! So the training program is 12 weeks long. I just got finished being trained and i've been out for only 3 1/2 months and I'm already training a new missionary! I've been on my knees praying more than I ever have in my entire life!!! I'm going to need Heavenly Father's help big time on this one. I know it's a part of his plan and I'm ready to do it. I'll do what ever it takes to help Heavenly Father shape this new missionary into the missionary he is supposed to be! Sometimes you do feel a little inadequate (or a lot) for what Heavenly Father asks you to do but 1 Nephi 3:7 comes to mind. I will go and do the things that the Lord has commanded me for I KNOW that the Lord gives no commandment to his children without preparing a way for them to accomplish the thing which he commands them. Or as Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Booya!!!! I'm stoked for this!! I'm getting a little Greenie! Goochy Goochy Goo!!!

What if he has a girlfriend? What if he doesn't want to work? What if he has depression? What if he does't get up in the morning? There are a million what if's going through my mind hahaha

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!! I am so happy that I get to email you on your birthday! I love you with all my heart!!!

3.12.12

Hey everybody!

This week was amazing and kinda rough at the same time. For the past 2
weeks we haven't found any new investigators. Which kinda gets to ya.
But the good news is MT is on date for the 28th of April!
Pray hard for him! He just needs to overcome drinking and smoking. He
and his family got to meet President and Sister Palmer! They came to
our stake conference as well as Elder Packer (Boyd K. Packer's son) of
the Quorum of the 70!

I just love President and Sister Palmer with all my heart. I can't
explain how good I feel when I see them. Their love just radiates from
them!

So HAPPY EARLY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!! I finished the Book of Mormon in
exactly 21 days!!! It's all marked. The Book of Mormon is seriously
changing me. I love it with all my heart. My testimony will never
waver because I know that Book is true with all my heart!

Anyway enough testimony right? you guys already know that stuff! haha

Transfer calls are this sunday and Elder Chambers and I find out if
we're staying or leaving. For the past few weeks i've been so sad that
I might leave here but i'm slowing being okay with the idea that I
need to go wherever the Lord wants me to. It's just hard because I
love these people so much!!

Mike and Jen gave Elder Chambers and I each a flashlight that
has engraved on it "Thanks for bringing light into our family -The
Teigens" Man I carry it every where I go! It means the world to me.
I"ll keep it forever. I just love them so much!

There was a dog that followed me and Elder Chambers (a pitbull puppy)
for about a mile on our bikes. It wouldn't go away! It was outside the
Peter's house (a family we're kind of teaching) and it had been
outside their house for 3 days. Someone just abandoned it. So it
followed us all the way home and we aren't allowed to have pets so we
didn't bring it inside. It slept the night outside our front door then
in the morning followed us to all of our appointments. It was crazy!
We named him Teancum from the Book of Mormon! Because Teancum is
probably the bravest warrior in my opinion in the Book of Mormon. He
sneaks into the tent of Amalikiah and javelins his heart and does is
so quietly that none of Amalikiah's servants even wake up and he
sneaks back out. So cool!!! haha

So we had a guy on date for baptism this past 2 weeks and he's about
74 years old. So he came to church and we asked him how he liked
church a few days later and he didn't remember even going. He has
Alzheimers!! Dang!!!! So we aren't going to baptize him because he's
not really accountable at this point in his life.

We meet so many nice people here that invite us into their homes and
talk to us on their doorsteps but then they aren't interested in our
message. It kills me. There are so many people that I want to share it
with and give them so much more happiness but they aren't open to it!

March Madness starts tomorrow. So i'm sure you all will think of me.

I love you guys so much!!! I realize how blessed I am to have the
family I do. It's unbelievable the amount of love we have for each
other. Not many families have the friendship that ours does. It's
incredible!

Elder Whiting

3.6.12

1) So I didn't write the email yesterday because I switched P-day to today so that we could go to the Temple in Spokane. Which was phenomenal!!!

2) I am terrible at writing letters because by the time I get to the computer I forget everything that has happened this week so I have no stories to tell! I'll do better.

3) Transfer calls are on March 18th and I will let you know if I'm staying here in Lewiston or getting transfered the next day on Dad's birthday! Pray that I stay (or pray that the Lord wants me to stay here cuz I love it so much) haha

4) My address is 820 S. Pines Rd. Ste. 101 Spokane Valley, WA 99206 for my whole mission. Everyone should write there so that if I get transfered I will get my mail. Make sure it has that address on my facebook and not my other one.

5) I love you

okay so i'm trying to think of some stories to tell...

Okay so here is where my mind always is... on the T family. The T's were the first family I ever taught., the first night of my mission. HC the 13 year old Daughter was baptized a few weeks ago and we are working with her Step-dad MT so he can get baptized. BIG NEWS............... M and J are now officially MARRIED!!!!!! So now all he has to is overcome the word of Wisdom and he can be baptized. He wants to be baptized because he wants to have the priesthood for his family. He is such a good guy and is doing everything to raise his new family that he has just married into. I'm so proud of him and It kills me to see the cigarrettes stand in the way of him and baptism right now. It really is hard to overcome. This week we had a few lessons with them. We have daily contact with him it's awesome!!! During the lesson we read Alma 24 where they bury their swords deep in the earth and so we all wrote something on a piece of paper and burried it deep in the earth in the back yard!!! It was an awesome lesson! Compliments to Brother John Chatwin because we did that with him in Seminary! They loved it! He really is progressing so much. He called us this week two nights in a row and just thanked us over and over for bringing the gospel into his life and showing him the light. IT's not a matter of IF he'll be baptized it's just WHEN. He's going to start going to an addiction recovery class through LDS Family Services. He also has Home teachers that have both been addicted to cigarrettes in the past and have overcome it through the gospel.. THey are perfect for them. Our whole ward has really reached out to them. Every week a different family is going to have them over for family night. They are getting better at their prayers and they read their scriptures and they are coming to church.

Here's a story... so MT and JC have been wanting to get married for the last 3 weeks but they needed their tax returns to do it. They have been expecting them for the past 3 weeks waiting anxiously everyday and nothing ever came. So they planned to get married on Leap year (awesome eh?) and Elder Chambers and I prayed and prayed and prayed that the tax returns would come before that day or on that day. So it's Leap year day and we call them after the mail came and they said that it didn't come. So you know what we did?! Got on our knees and prayed... hard!

We get a text from M an hour later: "Have you guys been praying that our tax returns would come today?" we texted back "YES...... why would you say a thing like that?" he replied "They came. Would you like to come to our wedding at 2 today? We'll pick you up in 20 minutes!" 

They called the tax office and they asked if their returns were there and the lady said "We aren't really supposed to check but i'll do i just for you. Yep they're here, you can come pick them up if you'd like"

What a miracle! So Elder Chambers and I shined our shoes, put on matching ties (as close as we could match) and went and saw them get married at the courthouse!!! It was so exciting!!! We are teaching them tonight again. I'm excited!!!

Love you

Elder Whiting

2.27.12

My favorite thing about this week was going into the Primary and
speaking to the kids about times in our life where we chose the right
and they all raised their hands and told us which choice was the right
one and which one was the wrong one. It was so funny!!! All of the
little kids know us and when we walked in the yelled "ELDER WHITING
and ELDER CHAMBO!!!! haha Kids are the best thing in the world!!

My mission is just absolutely incredible!!! And just so you know don't
ever drink Alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Because they are Satan's tool
to stop you from progressing. Man it just traps people. And EVERYONE
DOES IT!!!! It kills me! We have a few investigators that are so close
to getting baptized right now but they just have a few hurdles to get
over first. I am doing everything I possibly can to help them.

Sometimes I feel like the Lord of the Vineyard (Jesus Christ) in the
parable of the Wild and tame olive branches in Jacob 5. In verse 47 He
says "But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened
mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and
I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it;
and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long" In other
words "But what more can I do for my investigators? Have I not taught
them everything, have I slacked in giving them all the tools and
nourishment they need? No, I have taught them all I know, I have
served them in every way that I can, I have been there every step of
the way; and I have stretched forth my hand almost all the day long."

I will continue to serve and nourish the people that I love with all
my heart here in Lewiston. I do whatever it takes to help them find
the Light that Christ has to offer. I just love being out here on a
mission. I wish I could stay here forever. As Ammon said to King
Lamoni after Lamoni asked him "if it were his desire to dwell in the
land among the Lamanites (Washington Spokane Mission) or among his
people (Gilbert, AZ; Home) I say just as Ammon "Yea, I desire to dwell
among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die."
Alma 17:22-23

The Book of Mormon is changing me. I feel different, My prayers are
more sincere with my Heavenly Father, When I testify I feel it coming
from my heart. In the simplest way I can put it, my testimony is going
from my Head to my Heart.

Loves,
Elder Whiting

p.s. By the way the neighbors lambs had baby lambs this week!!!! They
are so cute!!! haha

2.21.12

Mothers Day is coming up and I have a gift. I am going to read the Book of Mormon by Mother's Day. I want to know if Mom will join me starting today! I started on the 17th!!!

Book of Mormon challenge
Highlight every time:
1) Christ's name is mentioned

2) Christ's attributes are mentioned: Faith, Hope, Charity and Love, Humility, Patience, Diligence, Obedience, Virtue, Courage, Trust, Honesty, etc.

3) Christ is quoted or his voice Ex) Thus saith the Lord...

4) Christ's Gospel: Faith, repentance, baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end

*Read by Mother's Day

I started this on the 17th and I have not stopped reading since. At the rate I am going I will probably be done with the Book of Mormon in about 8 days. I can't put it down. I have it in my hand 24/7 and I have to force myself to eat during my meal hours because all I want to do is read the mark the Book of Mormon. (I may read it twice before mother's day but Mom you only would do it once)

The Book of Mormon is changing me. I feel the spirit's presence more and more each day. I have a different perspective on everything. I have more charity for the people I teach and meet. I can't explain in words the power that the Book of Mormon has for me.

I AM SO PUMPED!!! I'm on a spiritual high!!! I had my first Zone Conference this week and the training was on the Book of Mormon. There are a few things that I learned that will CHANGE MY LIFE, and my mission!
1) "Get out of the way of the Book of Mormon in the conversion of others" -President Palmer

2) Use the Book of Mormon to respond to every objection (In my opinion Dad that is the most important thing you can teach any one for mission prep. That everything comes back to whether or not the investigator has read and prayed to know if the Book of Mormon is true.

3) Become coverted more today than you were yesterday

4) Read the Book of Mormon with your investigator

The Book of Mormon is the most important thing that we have on the eart! It is proof that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of all mankind! It is proof that God still talks to us today through prophets and personal revelation. Because of the Book of Mormon I know that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are 3 separate beings because it proves that Joseph Smith truly saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in the sacred grove. I know that the Priesthood authority of God is here on the Earth and that I have been baptized by that authority into the Kingdom of God. I know that with that Priesthood my family can be together forever. I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, all people can be saved and return to the presence of our Loving Heavenly Father and know complete joy.

And all of that comes from knowing one thing. That the Book of Mormon is true.

I really wish I could tell you all of my experiences but they are just impossible to put in words in an email.
I probably won't be sending very many letters this week only because I can't stop reading the Book of Mormon and so I'll be reading it the entire day today (P-day) rather than writing. But I will write everyone soon that I haven't already written back to!!!

P-day was switched to Tuesday today since Monday was a National Holiday and was great for Proselyting since everyone was home!!!

2.12.12

BOOOOYA!!!!! Such an amazing week!!! So this weekend (Saturday) we had
two baptisms!!! Man it was the greatest day of my life! I was so excited!!! One asked
me to baptize Harlee and Steve asked Elder Chambers to baptize him and then
they asked the other to confirm them and give the Gift of the Holy
Ghost. So we each got to baptize and confirm! The priesthood power is
absolutely amazing. I could not stop smiling the entire baptism. I
smiled so much my cheeks were red. So when I was baptizing Harlee
(She's a cute little 13 year old girl) she started laughing as she
came out of the water. I asked her why she laughed and she told me
that she was smiling so big she couldn't help but laugh! She has the
strongest testimony! She really gets it. We asked her a while ago why
she wanted to be baptized and she said "because I want the constant
companionship of the Holy Ghost!" Her soon to be step-dad Mike
should be getting baptized really soon! I love them so much!!! I would
do absolutely anything for them.

Brother Osborne is so incredible too!!! He is so excited to be a home
teacher. It's like his highlight of the church! I just love the
enthusiasm and zeal of TRULY CONVERTED converts to the church. They
both really "get it" they understand that this isn't just a church but
it's a way of life and salvation.

There is no greater joy than bringing another soul to our Savior Jesus Christ!

Elder Whiting

2.5.12

I just finished my first transfer!!!! It's unbelievable how fast time
flies!!!! I love lewiston so much! So every six weeks we have
"transfer calls" and last night was my first one and the
results........... Elder Chambers and I are...... staying in Lewiston
together! uh-WOO-HOO!!!!! I'm so happy because we have a ton more work
to do here together before we leave.

Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting and the 1st councilor of the
bishopric got up and bore his testimony on missionary work and bore
his testimony on "How blessed the ward is to have Elder Chambers and
Elder Whiting who work hard and follow all the mission rules exactly."
Then two other people mentioned us in their testimonies and said that
"it's easy to send these missionaries to your friends and family
because you can trust them."

Man I was so happy because the members are beginning to trust us more
and more so the work is moving forward!!! It made me feel like Ammon,
Aaron, Omner and Himni (sons of Mosiah) when the King of the Lamanites
converts to the church then he sends a decree to all the land and
basically says "Nobody harm the missionaries and listen to every word
they say" So then the sons of Mosiah go in and baptize thousands. Now
Elder Chambers and I aren't going to go out and baptize thousands (as
much as we'd like to) but when the 1st cousilor in the bishopric said
that everyone should refer their friends to us, it opened up a lot of
doors for us just like The king of the lamanites did for the sons of
Mosiah!

There were just so many miracles this week. We have two more people on
date for baptism for March 10th!!!! We also have 2 baptisms this
saturday! I'm so excited!!!! We have 3 students from the college that we are
teaching that are the elect!!! One girl is on fir,  she fasted
yesterday to help get an answer on the Book of Mormon. We had a lesson
saturday at 1 and she started her fast at 2 while working 8 hours at
Subway making subs, on her break she read 3 chapters of the Book of
Mormon and then she came to church and broke her fast at 2 on sunday!
She fasted for 24 hours!!! She keeps saying during our lessons, "I can
feel the answer coming!" She said that she can feel the Lord softening
her heart to this church.

As much as I love everyone outside of the Spokane Mission I never want
to come home. This is the best thing in the world being on a mission!

Loves,
Elder Whiting

Family,

You guys would be such incredible members to go on lessons with the
missionaries and you would be the best fellowshippers. The best thing
for spreading the gospel is to be a friend to the people the
missionaries are teaching. Go out with the missionaries as much as you
can! And really be friends with the people you teach with them. Don't
think of them as people you're teaching but rather friends that you
are bringing into the gospel. Life long friends.

ATTENTION blog readers: we are making this blog private . please comment and leave your email address so you can be invited .. or email jmariepattee@gmail.com
thank you.

First baptisms!

Another incredible week!!! I just can't believe all the stuff that can
happen in 7 days! So I had my first 2 baptisms this weekend!!! She
 has been wanting to get baptized for 8 and a half months now but
had to wait for her husband to finally give her permission. Anyway
through prayer and fasting that happened and she was baptized!!! She
is in her 50's, looks way younger, blonde, prissy, cute and hilarious,
and crazy enough she LOVES to hunt!!! If you met her you'd be shocked
that she's an avid hunter. For example, she grew up in Las Vegas and
started a career in professional ice skating and traveled the world
for 20 years doing that! Now she breeds and shows horses. She cooks us
Elk "backstrap" meat every sunday for lunch. As soon as she was
baptized and came up out of the water she raised her hands and shouted
"I DID IT!!!!" Everyone just loves her and we all clapped. The spirit
was so strong at her baptism. She is so wonderful!! Her testimony is
so strong and she has a trip planned to the temple 1 year from now.
Elder Chambers and I stood in when she was confirmed and given the
gift of the Holy Ghost. That was probably the only baptism that i'll
see people clap. It was funny.

So after that we had another baptism, stake baptisms, and last sunday
a grandma in the ward asked me to baptize her little grandson who was
9 years old. It was so cool. And considererd a convert baptism because
he was older than 8. I loved being able to dress in white and baptize
him in the font. I asked him how he felt after and he said in his
little voice "I feel weird. I just feel really clean!" It was so cute!
The only people in his family that are active are his grandma and
great grandma. They take care of him and bring him to primary every
week and he just loves it. His favorite primary song is "I love to see
the temple."

So we have 5 other people that should be baptized within the next 6
weeks. We'll see. Heavenly Father has been blessing us so much. He
really has been leading us to his elect. From day one I asked the AP
Elder Smith was the secret was to finding the right people. He said
"Hard work." and "Talk to everyone." So that's what we do!!! The
harder you work, the more the members trust you and want to help by
being part of the missionary experience and refering their friends and
family for you to teach.

Elder Chambers told me that we are unbelievably blessed right now
because normally there are not this many people progressing toward
baptism. Elder Chambers and I could very possibly have 7 people join
the church while we're together. And it's not us. It's just how
amazing the people are that the Lord has led us to. You wouldn't
believe how prepared these people are. Every day we see multiple
miracles!!!

My favorite thing to do is "Campus contacting!" we go to the college
campus and just talk to all of the students on campus and invite them to
come on tours of our church building. It's just so fun because we get to teach
people our age! And man we are finding so many amazing people!! It's funny
because we have been teaching this girl who is progressing so much. She texted
us last night and said "So do you guys ever hang out without the missionary
title?" haha my first thought was uh-oh! We just replied "No we do
this every day for two years, but sometimes we go to the young single
adult activities on monday nights" So maybe she'll come to those
activities. Which i'm sure she would anyway.

It's SO funny when we are campus contacting whenever it's a gorgeous
girl I have to do the talking because Elder Chambers can't breathe and
get's tongue tied. He's so funny! He grew up in the Utah bubble, but
he's completely aware of it. I love him so much. We are so close. I
wish everyone could meet him. You'd love him.

I love you family!!!! I have a great idea. Every sunday you all should
write me!!! And send the letters on monday!!! how cool would that be?!
Just an idea! ha! Well I sure love you guys. Don't worry about me,
just being blessed by the Lord every second. No big deal.

Be safe,

Elder Whiting

Word.

Testimony

In case it is not clear I would like to let everyone to know: I love the the Book of Mormon!!! I know with all my heart that IT IS TRUE. I have been studying the Book of Mormon every chance I get. I study it for the full hour of my personal study. During every meal time I hurry and eat really fast so that I can read my Book of Mormon for the rest of the hour. And whenever we're waiting for an appointment to show up I pull it out. I know that our Savior LIVES! We talk about all the time that we will live with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father again but do we really, really take the time to think about that we will SEE Jesus Christ and hear his voice? Just as it says in D&C 50:40-46 "And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am." I know that I will see Jesus Christ some day and that He loves me. I feel his love. It burns in my heart. I am so thankful for the Plan that Heavenly Father has for our families. I know that I have eternity with my family and to see my investigators follow Jesus Christ and take steps toward the temple makes me happier than anything ever could. I am more than thankful for a young 14 year-old boy, Joseph Smith, who had a simple question, which church was true and I know that He got an answer. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in that grove of trees. And do you know how I know that?! Because the Book of Mormon is proof of it. The Book of Mormon, if read and sincerely prayed about will be the confirming witness through the Holy Ghost that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church. This is the same church that Jesus Christ set up on the Earth and we have a real Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who guides the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. I know that Heavenly Father hears each of our prayers and that he will answer each one if we ask in faith, which means that we are willing to act on the answer we receive even if the answer is not what we want. I love my Father in Heaven. He is continually throwing things in our path to bring us closer to him and His Son, Jesus Christ. As said in Philippians 4:13 "[We] can do all things through Christ which stengtheneth [us]." I know that two people can do ANYTHING, if one of them is the Lord. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6) I know that if we build our foundation upon the Rock of our Redeemer then we will not fall (Helaman 5:12) It is the only foundation whereon if men build they cannnot fall.  I am a Child of God and He has sent me here.
Elder Whiting

Recent Pictures & Letter

Hey Hey Hey!
So basically my life ROCKS!!! 2 days ago Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to Spokane and spoke to us. More like Roared. He is amazing!!!! I just couldn't believe I was in his presence! The best part is, I got to shake his hand!!! I asked him if he would tell Kristen and Elder Oaks I said I love them. He said he will. It's so amazing, when Elder Holland chastizes you it feels like he's saying I love you over and over again. I wish I had the gift of calling someone to repentance and they say afterward thank you so much!!! That was so loving of you. haha On top of that we have a new man on date for Baptism!!! I just can't believe how elect this man is!! So the Zone Leaders in Clarkston were teaching one of their recent converts about faith and her friend, who just went through a divorce (He's in his 60's) sat in on the lesson. The Elders directed the lesson to him and he just soaked it all up. They invited him to go to church on sunday and he excitedly said he would. So after church that sunday he stayed for 30 minutes and asked the Gospel Principles teacher a million questions. The Zone Leaders called us and said hey we found a man in your area who is super interested and so we are going to do an emergency exchange to hand him over to you. So I went with Elder Neeley and taught him in his home. Keep in mind that this is his second lesson, and second time ever hearing about the church. We asked him what he thought about church. (His family has recently disowned him through the divorce) and he said it didn't feel like a church but more like a family. I just felt so loved there. We gave him the First Lesson and after we gave Joseph Smith's account of the first vision we asked him "how do you feel after hearing Joseph Smith's experience?" He said "I don't see why a 14 year old boy couldn't receive an answer to a prayer and also the 1800s seems like the perfect time for the church to be restored. If it was nowadays people would never believe a 14 year old boy because of all the drugs" His Faith is so strong. We taught him how to pray and invited him to pray for the first time and ask Heavenly Father if the things we talked about and the Book of Mormon are true. His prayer was this: "Heavenly Father, I just want to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Thank you so much for bringing these people into my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." I asked him how he felt after he prayed and he said "I just feel like jello! It's the same exact feeling I get when I do something good for someone" We explained how the Holy Ghost works and testifies of truth and he knew he had received an answer. He is excited to read the Book of Mormon. We invited him to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the proper authority of God and he wants to be baptized on February 4th. We promised him that we are here for him every step of the way to help him prepare for that date. He said "What is there to prepare?" Heavenly Father has truly prepared him to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I feel so blessed to be an instrument in the Lord's hands in bringing closer to Christ. What a miracle. He came to church and loved it once again yesterday. We're seeing him tonight and also Wednesday. So Elder Holland told us that we are not nearly as bold as missionaries. So that's what I am working on. Being more bold. I could NOT sleep all night last night because I kept waking up thinking about my investigators. We met this wonderful family and we are taking them on a Tour of the Church this week and they were on my mind all night. I just can't wait to tell them that their family can be together forever. So Elder Chambers told me I talked in my sleep last night and said "I'm going to knock okay?" haha I guess I was dreaming about tracting. He also thought it was hilarious that the first thing I said when I woke up (half asleep) "I'm just trying to figure out how I can be more bold" I just want you to know that I love my mission. Every second of it. I hate the fact that everytime the sun goes down I'm one day closer to leaving these amazing people. The members here are so wonderful!!! We finally have gained their trust and the work is increasing big time every week. It feels so good because we are breaking out goals!!! I want you all to remember that Jesus Christ's atonement has two parts to it. The redeeming power and the enabling power. Not only can we be forgiven for our sins (the redeeming power) but we can be given the strength to accomplish anything and get through any hardship we face through the enabling power of the atonement. I love what Elder Holland said to us 2 days ago and I stand right by him when he said it: "I can more easily be told that all of you are a mirage or a fantasy before me than that this isn't the True Church and Kingdom of God on the Earth and that it will succeed."
Elder Whiting
 p.s. I am so excited that today Elder Whiting and Sister Whiting (Grandpa and Grandma) have started their mission to the Philippines!!! I need their mission email.

Being brave and Hearding cattle!

I think i'll get a little closer..

Our heater broke, so we kept warm with the oven!

Lets just say, dogs don't like missionaries..

"Men Working"

Playing darts on P day.

Coolest Picture!

Doing service!

1.9.12

Dear world (the small amount of people who may read this letter), I HAVE A NEW COUSIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yeah baby!!! Get it?! Yeah baby!! Anyway I'm so happy for Tommy and Holly! I can't wait to meet him.DRUM ROLL PLEASE..................................................... THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 14th ALL THE MISSIONARIES IN THE WASHINGTON SPOKANE MISSION ARE GATHERING IN SPOKANE TO HEAR FROM A SPECIAL GUEST...................... ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man we are so excited!!!! We got that text and we were going nuts! The lion is here to ROAR! His enthusiasm and boldness for missionary work will fire up this mission more than anything! And I get to shake his hand!Man the mission is the best thing in the world. I never want to leave. I'm dying that one and a half months have already gone by... I want to stay here for the rest of my life. I'll have you know that I got chased off someone's property for the first time yesterday. We knocked on a door and it took about 5 minutes of us hearing little kids on the other side of the door saying "Listen I think I know who it is..." and another little boy said "I KNOW!!! IT'S SANTA!!!!!" we were laughing so hard. Finally we realized that no one was coming to the door and we walked toward the street and about 5 feet in front of us there was a man in the dark with his hands on his hips just waiting for us. (He snuck out side through the back door and around to the front instead of answering the door) He said "WHAT are you doing on my property?" "Get out!" and i kindly and boldly said "We're sorry sir, before we go, Is there anyone you know that may be having a hard time that we could help or any one who needs a visit?" He said "Get off my property NOW! THERE'S THE STREET! (as he pointed off his property. So we left. He yelled "I told the last ones the same, DON'T COME BACK!" Funny thing was is Elder Chambers said hey let's knock on this door, I've always wanted to. haha good times.So we have another person on date for BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!! She is so excited!!!! She is getting baptized on January 28th!!! She is amazing! She already wants to do visiting teaching even though she's not a member yet. Oh man we're so happy for her. Not because she's just getting baptized but because she will receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost!!!Man everything is going perfectly!!! I kind of think it's unfair because Heavenly Father is just blessing and blessing and blessing us every second. All we see is miracles and blessings all over the place. Lately everyone we meet is really excited to see us. All of our appointments have held strong. All of the people we are teaching are progressing and we are gaining so much trust and friendship from the members. Everyone is sending us to see their friends and family to teach because they trust us. I've really been striving to get to know the members. I gave a talk in the Young Single Adult Branch and that went great. It was so funny because after I shared the story in my talk: "When I was 3 years old I took my Book of Mormon and put it in the back of my tricycle and said "Bye Mom I'm going on a mission!" The Branch President stood up and said "Elder Whiting has been on his mission since he was 3 years old. We're lucky to have him." What made me feel so good is that while I was giving my talk I could see a few of the students in the branch taking notes."For the past two weeks I've asked Bishop of the Lewiston 2nd ward to let me give a talk so that the members can get to know me better. He promised me I could sometime this month!I loved the letter you sent me about having Dallin H. Oaks and Kristen for dinner!!!! They are so awesome! I really hope they come to Spokane so I get to see them! I'm going to tell Elder Holland to tell Elder Oaks I said hi! It sounds like you have had the craziest week. The Oaks over for dinner, Jake's wisdom teeth, Holly's baby, Snowboarding, man what else?! Last night we went over to a less active families house. They come to church very frequently but not all three hours. For a while they were preparing to go to the temple but then they stopped. We gave them a lesson on temples and the spirit was so strong. It was the most peaceful and powerful lesson we have ever given. I showed a picture of Laurisa and Grafton in front of the Temple in her Wedding dress and our family picture and talked about each one of you and how important my family is to me and that I know that because of the temple I will live with my family forever. As I talked about the feeling in the celestial room I shared the story of Uncle Jeff (Nana's Brother): When Jeff turned around his life he joined the church and he went through the temple. When he went into the celestial room he said "I feel like I've been here before." As soon as I said that I started crying. I couldn't hold it in because I know that the celestial room is the closest thing to heaven. It's home. (I'm tearing up while I'm just typing this, gosh!)Family, I love you with ALL of my heart. I am so thankful that I have eternity with you. I just can't imagine how happy we will all be when we are in Heaven together and we all know that we passed the test of Earth Life together. And then we have Eternity together! I can't put in words the feeling that brings my heart. I want everyone to be able to go through the temple and be sealed to their families forever. So that's why I'm out here on my mission. To invite others to come unto Christ so that they can make it home, to the closest thing to Heaven, then home to their Heavenly Father. Families are Forever.
Love,
Elder Whiting

1.2.12

First of all, I SPANKED A BULL!!!!! So I went on exchanges with one of
our Zone Leaders, Elder Grenko (Elder Austin Randall's last companion)
and we spanked the bull that is part of the ranch they live on. I also
herded all the cows, in a suit. Booya!!!

Let me tell you, as a missionary I get to see Miracles every single
day. And let me tell you somethin' else, IT'S AMAZING!!!!!

At the same time sometimes it's hard. The only trial I face on my
mission so far is realizing that people have their own Agency. We
taught a man and we totally has a testimony. He knows that
this is the true church and that he needs to be baptized and follow
Christ's example. He told us all that! Then he said "BUT... I'm too
comfortable where I'm at. It's just up to me to get off my lazy butt
and change my life, but I don't want to do it" That broke my heart. It
just made me so sad I couldn't stand it. He said "It's almost like I'm
in jail and everyone is saying come out here it's so much better out
here, but in reality I'm comfortable sitting in jail"

Elder Grenko gave me a talk by Elder Holland about "Why missionary
work is so hard" and it talked about the same exact feelings that I
was feeling. The reason it's so hard is because in a sense I've had to
go through a little bit of my own Gethsemane. Now I dont' want to
compare my pain for others choices to the infinite sacrifice of the
Savior but I felt just a glimpse of what the Savior feels. When He has
given us everything we need to return and live with our Heavenly
Father and we choose not to use His atonement. Man it seriously kills
me to see that. And to imagine how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
feel?

I now understand how hard it would be for Heavenly Father to give all
of his children Agency because he knew how much pain it would bring
them but ALSO how much happiness once they have faith in Jesus Christ
and His atonement, repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and endure to the end by keeping the commandments and going to
the Temple to be sealed to their families for eternity.

As far as Miracles, We've been teaching this family. The Mom is a
member but she has been less active for years and she has two kids;
one girl, 11 years old and one boy, 5 years old. She met a man and
they moved in together and he is awesome. Some missionaries Tracted
into him and we have been teaching him and he has brought the Mom, his
girlfriend, back into the church and he and her daughter are getting
baptized this month, January 21st!!! They are getting married this
month too so that they can be baptized!!!

And guess what! He wanted to pay tithing before we even taught him
about it! And they went to the church store called Families are
Forever and bought a book of Family Home Evening ideas for FHE every
week. (without us telling them to) They've been coming to church and
here's the best part, He went out on his own and bought his OWN QUAD
of SCRIPTURES WITH HIS NAME ON IT!!! Man we were so excited!!! And his
soon to be wife asked us where she could get a calender with picutres
of the Temple on it. They are on FIRE! Families like them make it all
worth it. Seeing the change even in their countenance is amazing. They
feel like family. I love them so much!

Funny story: Elder Chambers and I got kissed by a 4 foot 8, 95 year
old lady. hahaha we were like oh crap that's not good! She grabbed me
on the back of my neck and kissed my cheek. Then Elder Chambers knew
he was done for and she did the same to him. haha Elder Chambers was
like "Ah dang it I just got my first kiss from a 95 year old woman!" I
was laughing so hard.

I met a girl named Tia Smecker. She was one of Jennifer Rollender's
roommates at BYU-I. That was kinda fun.

So we have another lady who has wanted to be baptized since May but
her husband won't give permission. But they are legally separated now
so we are trying to see if she can get permission. I fasted for her so
I know it'll work out.

Our heater broke in our apartment so we've had to use the oven to warm
us up! it's so funny in the morning Elder Chambers and I huddle up
next to the oven together and hold our hands out in front of us till
we're warm.

Dad, will you send me some more magic tricks, the people LOVE THEM!!!
I have the one with the tissues and also the lights. but they want
more!!! haha I teach the Plan of Salvation with it.

I bore my testimony in church the last two sundays and this next week
I'm giving a talk. I hope the ward will start to feel that they can
trust me with teaching their friends!

Oh yeah our apartment got sprayed by a skunk. haha It was terrible.
The crazy dog downstairs must have scared it.

I wish I could tell you all the amazing things that are happening but
I haven't got time. I love you everyone. Hey don't be afraid to share
the gospel!!! Oh yeah and send me letters.... and pictures if you can
;)

Loves,

Elder Whiting

Pictures of my first area

Stinky Paper Factory in Lewiston

 My Dad carried this coin in his pocket his entire mission 28 years ago and has given it to me as a token to remember my commitment.

"I show unto you a more excellent way." 1 Cor. 12:31





My bedroom all decked out for Christmas with lights and all.

 My mom made me this missionary stocking and my family filled it with Christmas presents and all my favorite goodies.  I even got my favorite chocolate Christmas orange.

My family sent me our traditional matching Christmas P.J's so I could match all the way in Lewiston.

Christmas day with a part member family.

They took us to dinner on Christmas Eve.  My comp-Elder Chambers.