Keep on, keepin on!

I'm sorry to hear about Richard. I do remember him and seeing him around church and Valley Mental. He was a really good guy, I loved his comments he would make in Sunday School. He seemed to have a very good understanding of the Gospel. Send my condolences to the family and tell them I'll be praying for them, and try to be a big support to Amy and his kids.
It's good that Kylee is doing better. Sister Wilde (the family we live with) has to get that surgery every two years. She has a lot of health issues. She said to get one of those Netti pot thingys. It's a spray type thing. Sister Wilde has Sampter's Triad. And like type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. She hasn't smelled anything in 15 years. She said when they pulled the packing out of her sinus', it was like the guy was a magician. Hahah. It just kept coming and coming. She's dope, though. When their homeshare closes out after this transfer, I will have lived with them about 6 months. That's crazy. 1/4 of my mission with them. I love that family and all the people in the Woodcrest Ward. I've gotten to pretty much know everyone on a really comfortable level.

We have a larger incoming next transfer, so I might train. That sounds fun and scary at the same time. Haha. President Mullen is such a baller. I love that man already. He thug hugs us. (Hans shake into a hug with 3 taps on the back). I'm going to see if I can get him to pound it after. He's like in his late 60's, and kind of reminds me of Grandma and Grandpa Greenburg. His wife is really cool too. This week has been a bit crazy since it was the 4th. From what I've gathered, everyone just kind of chilled out on the 4th. Just a few people were lighting off fireworks. In Riverside County they're illegal. But we were talking to some people in a Stater Bros. parking lot  in a not so good area of Riverside and someone lit off a super loud Arial firework and I thought someone was getting shot at, Haha. #FunTimes #ImOkayMom.. Working wise it was a little hard because of the 4th, but we did okay. We're going to try and place 8 Books of Mormon this next week. We placed 4 this last week, which isn't bad. We're really focusing on good, quality OYMs. (Open Your Mouth). We met with William again, and put him on date for the 13th, but we haven't seen him again and he missed church. Alex (his Uncle grows weed, and the people around his house think we're feds. #DruggyArea) is kind of on date for the 27th, but we're going to try and make it more solid. Vasti is still solid for the 20th, and we're going to try and get Corrina's mom to approve her to get baptized that day, as well. We're picking up a new investigator tonight named Isis. She's living in foster care with a family in our ward, but the family doesn't have guardianship, but they think Isis' mom will be okay with it. It's just one of those legal things that Satan loves to dig his claws into. We'll get it figured out.

But all is good in Riverside. This place is pretty sweet. I love Cali. It's starting to get hot here. Did you get Sister Michaelson's pic from the 4th? #Murica. I saw that photo you sent her of Andy. If you end up in Gunnison, you end up there. Hit up Snow College for reception work somewhere. Maybe the Institute by the college as well. They're expanding, I think. Just go with Snow and around Snow. I feel like there would be some jobs there. Maybe. I dunno. Think about it pray about it. The Lord approves more than he assigns. (D&C 8:2-4). I'm stoked to see the new baby as well. Maybe I'll be the first to have a girl in the family, but you're going to have to wait until I'm like 30 because marriage and the future freaks me out. #Single4Lyfe.

But seriously, this is important about receiving revaluation that people don't know about. The Lord approves more than he assigns. Instead of asking "Heavenly Father, do you want me to move to Gunnison?" Where is the free agency? Ask, "Heavenly Father, I am thinking about moving to Gunnison. Please tell me if I am wrong." Because then you are acting upon your own agency and including him. Where is the faith if you just come to him and say, "What do you  want me to do?" We learn that in Ether where the Brother of Jared (dats me!) has to light their ships but can't use windows (Those would break, ya dummy!), or fire (tard). So he makes clear stone and says, "Now, Lord, don't be mad at me for being a dumb human, but I know that you are all powerful and can light these stones, and I have the faith that you can. Would you?" and BAM! The Lord does it.
Just have  the faith that you will receive an answer, and be prepared to act on the revelation received. Moroni taught us that in Moroni 10:3-5 when he told us the way we can learn if the Book of Mormon is true. Search it out (D&C 8), pray about it (Moroni 10:3-5), bring it to the Lord, and do it (Ether).

Love,
Cody

Suppy!

Suppy.
That...looks...painful, Ky. You're killing it, girl. Stay strong and keep praying. (Ether 12.27) The Lord, Heavenly Father, and I love you. You're great. You're going to be able to breathe a ton better. It sucks now, but in the long run you're going to love it. Is Jared and Elder yet? If he is, get him and Mikey to bless her. Make sure to use the oil because it's for health. If Jared isn't yet, have some one from the ward come and assist. It will help immensely. 

The Lord is so good. We picked up a kid named Alex just a little while ago and he's progressing well. We found out that his Uncle is growing weed. A lot of weed. Haha. Like, 200 plants. It's all 100% legal here in California if you have the right license, but on a Federal level it's still illegal. Alex doesn't smoke or drink, do drugs, or drink tea or coffee. He's preparing to head into the military. He's really cool. We brought him to church yesterday and he liked it a lot, despite that fact that everything went wrong. Since it was a 5th Sunday, the Bishop taught all the adults in 3rd hour, and the topic was gay marriage. Holy crap. It was suppose to focus on the doctrine concerning the subject, but what really happened was that it turned into a political rally, which is unacceptable for church. Love for all people as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father took a back seat to political views and bigotry. We had to do a lot of damage control with some of our recent converts. It was a rough day, but it turned out well. #SatanSucksTellEveryone. Vasti got moved from June 22nd, to the 29th...then to July 20th. That was a hard call to make because we wanted her to get baptized as soon as possible. But she's going to wait to get her boot off, and in the mean time we can work with Corrina's mother to see if she'll approve her to get baptized too. I would push off 1 baptism for a month to gain 2. I guess the world is exploding over the World Cup. Not going to lie, I'm starting to get interested in Soccer more. Haha. I got Wendy's package. I can't remember if I told you that. It's good that you guys are going down for the 4th. We're having dinner with the Marquette's and I'm super stoked on it. I love that family so much. We have to be in by 7:30, though. Lotta of drunk people. Haha. Cali is fun. It's good that Riley was being good, and Gavin is having fun. It's good that Andrew is doing well, also. Tell Jared to finish paying off his Mini so I can drive it when I get home. Haha. #MiniSwag. How are Tyler and Allison doing? When do I get another nephew?
The work is bumping, the church is awesome. Missions are #MostDope.
Love you guys,
Cody

Week 5 transfer 3

Last Zone Conference with President and Sister Smart

Hey,
This week as been pretty great. We had transfer calls on Saturday night and I'm staying in Woodcrest for 7 more weeks. When that's done it will be 6 months in my Greenie area, and I'm staying with Hughes for that time too. We had Vasti scheduled for baptism yesterday, but she fell off date that Friday before because she felt like she didn't know enough. We've been teaching her since the middle of April. Haha. We don't have anymore to teach her. Haha. She's been moved to be baptized this coming Sunday. She said she didn't understand a lot about how church worked. She'll get baptized, though. No biggie. The plus side to staying in the Riverside Zone is I get to see Allen die. That's going to be sweet. Haha. We picked up a new investigator named Alex. He's really cool, but he might be YSA, we'll get it all figured out. He's joining the military soon.

So the pageant was good? That's good that everyone had a good time. The best part is I imagine that Les wasn't even really aware of what he was doing. He was just being Les. Haha. Yeah, I wrote Grandma and I got her letter on Thursday. That's the day that we had our last Multi-Zone with President and Sister Smart before they go home. We get President Mullen on the 30th. That Multi-zone was sooooo good. They gave us "10 Secrets to Living a Happy Life."
Here they are:

1) Commit to living a Christ Centered Life
The First and Great Commandment: Love God
The Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30)
Gratitude (Alma 37:37)
Christlike Attributes (PMG pg. 126)
Dating Tip: Run as fast as you can toward God, and if someone keeps up, introduce yourself
Find an Eternal Companion who is committed and trustworthy
The Family: A Proclamation to the World

2) Be Obedient - it is as easy today as it was when Moses told the Isrealites to look at the brass serpent and live (Numbers 21:6-9). This was very simple; too simple for some (See Alma 37:46). We need to look to the Savior and live. Today the simpleness of the way includes:
Reading Scripture (daily)
Pondering / Meditating (daily)
Praying (daily)
Go to Church (Weekly)
Attend the Temple as often as your circumstances allow

3) Attitude: Choose to be Happy
“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13: 17
“But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi.” Alma 50:23
Don’t worry, be happy scriptures: D&C 100:15, D&C 98:3, D&C 121:7, D&C 122:7, John 14:27, John 16:23
Keep a good sense of humor… (Trust Fall)

4) Be Flexible and Adaptable

5) Work Hard
“Sir, I am a true laborer. I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness, glad of other men’s good…” (William Shakespeare)

6) Have a Purpose: define a Vision, Goals, and Plans for your life. "Dominate Chapter 8"

7) Take Care of Your Physical Body
Eat right
Exercise
Wash your hands
Get the right amount of sleep

8) Control Your Thoughts
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)
"If you think you’re beaten, you are …" (Poem)
Recognize a bad thought and push it out
String Activity - the mind is a very powerful tool
Don't Get Too Caught Up in What Other People Think

9) Have a Forgiving Heart
It has been said, “A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.”
"Be quick to admit wrong, even when you are not." (President Uchtdorf)

10) Serve Others
Model your life after the Savior

It was such a spiritual privilege to have them as leadership. They're really great people. I'll miss them, but I'm excited for President Mullen and his wife to get here. 

Hopefully Kylee gets her surgery in soon so she doesn't have to wait around. Yeah, I sent home some stuff to de-junk so that I'm not carrying around a lot of stuff. The albums I just picked up and sent home, and the missionary packets I don't need, but keep them safe. Keep it all safe. 

I did get that package from Wendy and Jerald. It's great to have new music. Haha.

Thanks, 

Love and miss you all
Cody

Transfer 3 week 4

Hey,
This week has been good, but slow. Kind of hard depression wise, but oh well. That's the downside to baptizing your investigators; you have to go find new ones. Haha. So Kylee is pretty much getting an overhaul? Haha. It's going to suck at first, but it's for the best. Just get it all out of the way while she's still covered. You did tell me about it.

I'm sorry to hear that relatives are passing away. But what great joy we can feel knowing what happens after we pass. The Plan of Salvation is real, it's also the plan of happiness. While we're mourning the passing of loved ones, we're mourning not being able to see them for a long time. We will see them again, though. The Lord and our Heavenly Father wouldn't put so much emphasis on families, then make it so that we couldn't ever see them again.
Also, new rule: Anything that I may have said before my mission, just go ahead and throw that out the window. Not relevant anymore. Haha.
Jared just shared a good experience with me about his Bishop. I don't know if he's shared it with you as well, so I won't say too much. But I will say that the Lord is going to call him to labor soon. I feel like he's going to go South America. I don't know why, but I feel like he's going to go foreign. You're right about having to get everything figured out.
Very cool about the Manti pageant.  Ben and his YM will be down there for the pageant some weekend as well. They're crashing on Grandma's front lawn. Haha.

Life in the mission is going to get a little interesting. We get a new mission president on July 1st. It's going to be hard to see President Smart go, but I'm excited for President Mullen and the changes that will happen. We're baptizing Vasti Gutierrez this coming Sunday, and I might stay in Woodcrest for this next 7 week transfer. We'll see this Saturday. I have mixed feelings about being transferred. I kind of don't want to be transferred because I love the ward, and this is Elder Allen's last transfer and I want to serve around him when he dies. He's such a good guy, I love that kid. But on the other hand I feel like my time is coming to an end in Woodcrest. We'll see where the Lord puts me.

Cali Life

Love and miss you guys,
Cody

Transfer 3, week 3

That's crazy about Kylee. I hope all goes well. I know that it will, but for sure do a blessing before hand. Always include the Lord's help. Satan is very good at making us think that we don't need to use our Heavenly Father's and Christ's help.
This week was good. We hit Standard of Excellence again, and Mark and Diane got baptized! They're super awesome. I love Mark. He has such a dry humor and is really sarcastic. Their daughter Lauren (in the green dress) got baptized about 3 years ago, then she married her husband Ryan (in the grey suit) last month in the Manti Temple. So they've been investigating the church off and on for a couple of years and we finally got them. We were just the guys who tipped them over the edge after years of other missionaries hard work. It was a weird week as well.
We dropped William because...well, he's racist, sexist, and a conspiracy theorist.  Haha. He's a 24 year old black guy that refused to make and keep commitments. He believes that the white man is keeping black people down by controlling the food industry and feeding everyone crap food that is making us dumb. Now, I love conspiracy theories as much as the next guy, but that's just waaaayyyy out there. He told us that Mormon's are cool because we practice what we preach, but that it "hurts his spirit when there aren't a lot of black people at church." He said that he just needs to draw a line and say, "What's Africa is Africa and what's Europe is Europe". So I told him that the Bible was translated by European's and that if we're following his line of logic, he didn't believe in the Bible anymore. He told us that the Bible really came from Africa. It was...interesting. Haha.

We have Vasti on date for the 22nd this month and she's really solid. She's just waiting for her cast to come off, and just has to keep coming to church. It's been a good, but weird transfer so far. Elder Hughes is a good guy. He taught me have to play a card game called "Golf". We play that a lot on lunch hours or at night before bed.
I might get transferred, I might not. If I don't, it'll be a hard 7 weeks because we'll be going back into finding mode. That's the price of baptizing all of your investigators.

We witnessed some lady back into another car on a street outside Azuree's house on Wednesday. The police didn't get involved because Cali police just don't care. Haha. Everyone speeds because they know that the cops have better things to do than to give speeding tickets. I've gotten used to driving in Cali. I'd probably be considered a jerk driver in Utah. Soooo many last minute lane changes. Cutting people off doesn't even scare me anymore. "Oop, there's that guy's finger. Byeeeeeee." Haha.

Yeah, I ran into my friend Jeff Hofeins old companion selling Vivint outside Mark and Diane's house. He was comp's with Jeff for 6 months, and Jeff was his best man at his wedding. They also taught Al Fox. So...they're dope. Haha. I haven't got that package yet, but I'm sure it'll get here.


Pictures of Baptisms 2 and 3.. The kid is hot!

 Mark and Dianne's Baptisms

 New Hair cut
Sexy beast, or little DelMar?

 Getting Pedi's with other
Missionaries.. #Dontjudge

Transfer 3, week 2

Hey,
This week was good, but hard at the same time. Mark and Diane are still on date for this Sunday. We confirmed Azuree yesterday. We picked up a guy named William as an investigator. He's cool, but a little odd, just like everyone else in Riverside. We have a possibility of 5 baptisms in a 5 week transfer, which is freaking dope. I'm excited for it because a lot of them are really solid. Vasti is just waiting until her cast comes off, Mark and Diane just need to be interviewed, Azuree is taken care of and done, then we just have to finish teaching William, get him interviewed and he's good to get dunked on the 15th. Busy, busy, busy, which is good, but tiring. We have fun with other missionaries, which is good. I'm around a lot of older missionaries that are finishing up. It's weird to see them go when it feels like I'm never going to end, but at the same time, I'm almost at six months, and looking a head to where my year mark is. It's insane how fast time moves when you're out. Elder Hughes is doing well. He's a good guy and we get a long well. He's a good teacher and I learn a lot from him.
Hope all is well at home. It's exciting out here, but I do miss home from time to time.
Elder Hughes and I were talking the other about agency the other day and he brought up and interesting thing. Justice cannot be robbed. It cannot be done, but what brings judgement and therefore bring justice? Agency. It's understandable that agency can dictate justice. Just like it says in verse 24, if we do what our Heavenly Father asks us, he immediately blesses us. Heavenly Father has armfuls of blessings he wants to give us, but we have to follow all the commandments he gives us. The commandments are to make us happier. Our Heavenly Father will never give us a commandment that will make us miserable. He only asks that we follow.

Gotta Jet, Love and miss you guys,

Cody

Pictures!

Freakin Taco Bell!

Also,  L Tom Perry and Elder Higham visited the Riverside mission.  Elder Higham is the Seventy over the mission.  Cody didn't get a chance to talk to him, but hopes he comes again so that he can have a chat with him and find the link that we are related.  Should be interesting.

Transfer 3, week 1

Hey, sorry no email yesterday. All the libraries were closed because of Memorial Day. It was a good day though. We played a lot of games for P-day, some basketball, and soda pong, then had a really good dinner at our Young Men's President's house. Azuree's baptism  was great. There were some complications about making the program at first, then there was a mix up about the building it was suppose to take place in, then Azuree's ride (her family) got into an argument over something and they wouldn't take her, so Sister Marquette and her family took her, and everything rolled fine after that. We had the 85 year old librarian in our ward speak at her baptism as well and she pulled out McConkie's "Mormon Doctrine" Hahahahaha. That book is some super in-depth look at the Gospel. It was so funny. So, I got into the font first, and when Azuree was about to get into the font she looked at me and said, "You know black people can't swim, right?!" and everyone started laughing. She then said, "Oh, crap. Did everyone hear that?" Haha. All I could think was, "Azuree, you're standing in a room made out of tile. They can hear you blinking." Hahaha. It was a good first baptism. I love that girl. She's really, really solid. We taught her everything in a week and a half, then just helped her along. She's read a bunch from the Gospel Principals manual and has bookmarks and highlighted passages. I'm super excited for her. We hit standard this last week, as well. It's been a good week, but a stressful one as well. I keep going through weird phases of depression again, then I'll be fine, then I'll dip down again. I'm going to ride out this transfer and see what happens next. I'll probably be transferred, which is good. I feel like my time in Woodcrest is coming to an end, but not my will, but the Lord's.

Elder Hughes is a good missionary. He's really good at being clear on Gospel Doctrine and isn't afraid to tell people what needs to be done. He's a pretty funny guy as well. We have Mark and Diane's baptism scheduled for the 8th, then Vasti and Corinna's  scheduled for the 22nd. We're going to slam those. It's been a good, hard week. It'll get better.

Also, also...I may or may not have played too much soda pong, got white girl Mormon wasted, ended up at a mall, and got a pedicure with 3 other Elders and Sister Pierce, the mission secretary that goes home this week. #DontJudgeMeBecauseImBeautiful.

Cody

                                        "No Fats Allowed"

                                       The Knechts

Transfer 2, week 6

I got a new comp. His name is Elder Hughes. He's from Gilbert, Arizona. He's a cool kid. I'm really going to like him. He's been out about a year. I've heard great things about him.
I'm about to kill off McClain in the next hour or so, and I'm super bummed. Like, this is going to be a hard week. He's one of my best friend's.
I have my first baptism next week. Her name is Azuree. She's really cool and just eats up the Gospel.
I'm staying in Woodcrest for at least one more transfer. It's a short transfer this transfer. Only 5 weeks to get President Mullens in on the 1st of July. But the next one is 7 weeks to make up for it. It's going to be fun, we're going to work hard and close out a lot of the potential baptisms in this area. The work is going. Hughes and I are going to slam it this next week and get back into the groove of things. It's been a weird few days with somethings that have gone down with other Elder's in my zone. One went home, the other's grandfather passed away, and McClain is bouncing, people are moving. It's just been hectic and I haven't felt like a missionary too much over the last couple of days. Sorry this is so short, I'm just really stressed and bummed out about this p-day because of transfers and McClain leaving.

 We have a few baptisms lined up. Mark and Diane are probably going to get baptized at the end of June. She had to go into emergency surgery last night for something minor. She's doing alright now. We'll see if we can drop by tonight after dinner. It's going to be fun.
 I hope you have fun in Gunnison. The Santoni's moved to Salina about two weeks ago. They're the one's who know Burke and Jolene. They're really cool.

Life rolls on,
Cody

 

Happy Mothers Day!

Hey,
This last week was really great. We had 5 investigators at church. We finally hit the Standard of Excellence. It only took us 11 weeks, but we're finally starting to see what happens when you work hard for the Lord. We picked up Azoree (As-or-eh) this last week, and she is so dope and elect. When we taught her the first discussion and invited her to get baptized, she was like, "Can we go and do it now?!" It was really cool to see her interested in the Gospel like that. Then Mark and Diane came to church this last week, and they want to get baptized as well. They just don't have a date set, so we're going to go bike over there tonight (we're on bike until Thursday and it's going to be hot as balls...yay.) and see if we can put them on date for like this weekend. No baptisms yet, but we have a couple on date. If we get all of them this next transfer, that will 9 in 6 weeks. That's a ridiculous amount of people for one companionship to baptize. Hopefully we get them in May. Vasti and Corrina are doing alright. They're just hard to get a hold of because they're 12 and 9 years old. So when the parents are gone, the kids are probably with them. We'll get them though. Same with Rylee and Lexi Bishopp. They're 9 and 12 and it's just scheduling. We're pretty sure that Lexi believe's in God now, so that's fine. We just have to get her in the font now, Lord willing.
I don't know what's up, but today I just don't feel like working. It's just one of those days. It's not that I'm homesick, or wishing I was home with friend's or anything like that, I just don't want to do anything. But it doesn't matter. The Lord doesn't call us to work when we want to, he called us to work because he needs us to, and that's what we'll do. Not only has he asked us to endure, but to endure well.
P-day went okay. We played kick ball in a gym. Some Elder's just take sport's way too seriously. That's annoying.
Anyway, we're going to slay it this last week of the transfer, see if we can dunk some people this coming Sunday. It was good to see everyone yesterday.

Love you guys


Cody



Went 2-steppin' in the wrong hood. #ThugLife

May 5, 2014

Hey, thanks for the pictures. We heard about that train coming through SLC and I thought that Tyler and the boys would like it.  I can see why Ashley wouldn't be happy about going back to work. She didn't really like her job environment to begin with. It's good that Jared gave his car to them, but what is he driving now? Ashley has helped us out a ton.

Andrew is getting really big. I'm excited to see him this Sunday. That reminds me: This Sunday, 7 o'clock our time. That's 8 o'clock your time. We'll Skype. So get it set up so that it works well so we don't have complications. It's good to see that the boys are doing well, and Allison is starting to show. It's crazy how much everything is changing, but I'm not worried about it.
What's Grandma's address? I can write her a letter. My penmanship can be good when I want it to be.
This week has been pretty good. We met with Lexi and Rylee Bishopp. They're 11 and 9 years old and we've been working with them for 10 weeks. Since I've been out. That's crazy. Anyway, we've seen a huge change in them and it's starting to go well. Rylee is totally down for baptism and is on date for May 11, so I might get my first baptism on Mother's Day. That would be cool. We had to use a lot of the Spirit when teaching them this last week and we figured out that Lexi doesn't really know if there is a God, so now we're working with her to gain a witness.

We also picked up Jeremiah's (the one with the shorter arms) mother as an investigator this week as well, but he's in jail, so...Life is weird. Haha.

We almost hit standard this last week with all our indicators. We're getting closer and closer and the work is improving. It's fun out here with McClain. I'm bummed he's going home in two weeks. I've been nervous but anxious to see who my next comp is going to be. I really hope I don't train. Haha. That's two transfer's and I just don't feel prepared for it. But I'll do it if the Lord asks.

This coming week is looking to be great. We're going to slam it and get McClain to go home in white.

This is the face our home share's dog makes when we catch him licking himself. He knows what he's done.
There is Elder Figueroa and I. He's McClain's comp before me, so he's actually my mom in the mission. Haha. He's Assistant to the President. He's dope.

Then there is Figs and Jensen. I love Jensen. He's Spanish Speaking and out of my zone now, so I don't see him often.

Then me and a kid named Kio. He's on his mish in Dominican Republic.

So super tight street art in the Woodcrest area.

Hope I didn't forget anything.
Love you guys,
Cody