Dear mother, father, family and friends,
I love and miss all! First off please send my parka and some ear muffs too.
Missionary work here is dry but that's what I wanted. It's the driest place on the mission but that just means it's challenging and I'm up for the challenge. We work hard to find people and we fast and pray. It's paying off. We now have a baptism of a mother and son on December 12th. The mom, Sabrina, and her son Jace have finally seen the light of Christ. It took a lot of pushing for them to break free, but they did it. My companion will be baptizing them. It's amazing what sacrifice does. We are currently going through our investigators and finding who we need to keep and who we have to let go. It's sad but we can't focus on the field that ain't white yet.
I love it here!!! I have experienced so many tender mercy's from the Lord. One of our recent converts is Peter. He is a native and has an internal problem with his legs. Eventually as time passes, he won't be able to walk. We visited with him and he is a super smart guy and gave me the best advice ever!!! He talked about "holding fast to the rod and not looking back, and to go into this work with all the love I can muster." He is truly a spokesman of God. Another recently baptized member is Kaylee. She is super awesome and loves the gospel. This past week she was able to go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. "How great thou art!!"
We grow everyday as a companionship, the Atonement is real. When I first arrived in the mission, I was told a story about a boy who lost his way and started selling drugs. He was committing crimes and was put in jail for a couple of years. This young man has tattoos and was a rough guy to be around. That same young man stood and welcomed me to the mission at the airport and later that day he bore his testimony and it was so powerful. He is one of the mission president's assistant.
I love this work! There is SO much to learn here and grow from. Another missionary that was leaving the day I arrived was an Elder by the name of Elder Justice. He pulled me aside before I even met him and said "The biggest lie that Satan puts into your head is that you have time as a missionary" he continued, "you don't!" I took that advice and planted it in my head. I must do what the lord directs and bring all unto Christ. I love this mission and the people here are awesome. I love the work here and the field is now white and ready to harvest.
Thank you brother and sister Bach for the care package. You're the best and I really appreciate it!
Kayla, you are beautiful and awesome and you need to read and pray to find the answer. You are not alone. SH, you are strong! Read this scripture...Mosiah 18:9, ponder and pray. The scriptures will help you better than I can. I pray for you and my Kayla all the time. I continuously pray for my family and friends and ones in need.
BB, stay strong! Don't give into the tempters pit. Stay fast to who you are and see the light of goodness in all and I promise you that you will grow to be an amazing and happy man and you will succeed in life.
I Love you all!
love, ELDER ORTON!!!!
IN THE ANCHORAGE ALASKA MISSION "WE BAPTIZE!"
I love and miss all! First off please send my parka and some ear muffs too.
Missionary work here is dry but that's what I wanted. It's the driest place on the mission but that just means it's challenging and I'm up for the challenge. We work hard to find people and we fast and pray. It's paying off. We now have a baptism of a mother and son on December 12th. The mom, Sabrina, and her son Jace have finally seen the light of Christ. It took a lot of pushing for them to break free, but they did it. My companion will be baptizing them. It's amazing what sacrifice does. We are currently going through our investigators and finding who we need to keep and who we have to let go. It's sad but we can't focus on the field that ain't white yet.
I love it here!!! I have experienced so many tender mercy's from the Lord. One of our recent converts is Peter. He is a native and has an internal problem with his legs. Eventually as time passes, he won't be able to walk. We visited with him and he is a super smart guy and gave me the best advice ever!!! He talked about "holding fast to the rod and not looking back, and to go into this work with all the love I can muster." He is truly a spokesman of God. Another recently baptized member is Kaylee. She is super awesome and loves the gospel. This past week she was able to go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. "How great thou art!!"
We grow everyday as a companionship, the Atonement is real. When I first arrived in the mission, I was told a story about a boy who lost his way and started selling drugs. He was committing crimes and was put in jail for a couple of years. This young man has tattoos and was a rough guy to be around. That same young man stood and welcomed me to the mission at the airport and later that day he bore his testimony and it was so powerful. He is one of the mission president's assistant.
I love this work! There is SO much to learn here and grow from. Another missionary that was leaving the day I arrived was an Elder by the name of Elder Justice. He pulled me aside before I even met him and said "The biggest lie that Satan puts into your head is that you have time as a missionary" he continued, "you don't!" I took that advice and planted it in my head. I must do what the lord directs and bring all unto Christ. I love this mission and the people here are awesome. I love the work here and the field is now white and ready to harvest.
Thank you brother and sister Bach for the care package. You're the best and I really appreciate it!
Kayla, you are beautiful and awesome and you need to read and pray to find the answer. You are not alone. SH, you are strong! Read this scripture...Mosiah 18:9, ponder and pray. The scriptures will help you better than I can. I pray for you and my Kayla all the time. I continuously pray for my family and friends and ones in need.
BB, stay strong! Don't give into the tempters pit. Stay fast to who you are and see the light of goodness in all and I promise you that you will grow to be an amazing and happy man and you will succeed in life.
I Love you all!
love, ELDER ORTON!!!!
IN THE ANCHORAGE ALASKA MISSION "WE BAPTIZE!"
These pictures are from P-Day. Elder Rider is our pancake chef. He is funny and does a lot of impersonations. Elder Timmons is on the couch in a white shirt and tie. He is quiet but he is also a funny guy. Elder Garver is at his desk writing home. He is awesome! P-Day equals pancakes😍😍😍😍😍