O Holy Night

Doug got an email this morning from his friend in Sherwood!!

Doug,
Your son did a bang-up job singing on Christmas day in our ward.  Here is a video of it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYdp7iRHYWY).  Its cell phone video, but thought you might like to see it anyway. 

You should be pleased with him, he's one heck of a missionary.  He has stopped by a couple of times and he always brings the spirit with him when he does.  Hope you and yours are having a happy holidays.  Take care.


This was his very first solo.  He said he was shaking like nobodies business, but he thinks that helped his vabrato!!  :)

It's great to have friends looking out for our missionary!!  and us!!!!

THANK YOU, CARDWELL!!

PS  I will get his letters from nov and dec up in the next couple of days!  sorry I didn't realize I was so far behind!

A Picture of Ben!

After a whole year I finally found a pic of Ben on the mission website!

I have no idea when it was taken, but here it is!!

Letter from Oct 24th

"Wow sound like a lot of medical problems in the family. I just got some sort of cold myself. I hope everyone gets better quickly. That's a big bummer for dad, I can't believe he got himself like that. And of course Steven would go and stab himself, he's such a "teenager." Hey, I can say that now! 

This week we taught Heidi (recent convert) and Scott  (investigator) Heidi just got in a bad car accident where the Lord saved her and it has jumpstarted her on the right path again. We were on splitz and we left them with a spiritual thought. I think Scott might be ready to take the lessons! We've been having a hard time getting lessons with a lot of people due to everyone being busy :-P.

Elder Fisher and I are doing really good. We are doing a lot with our wards and the zone. We are going to get things exploding around here hopefully pretty soon. It's a really neat experience to work with Elder Fisher. He's been a really awesome companion and I have learned so much from him already.

I am doing really good. I've been working really hard and have had almost no time for myself, but it feels so good. The only problem is that I have siblings back home complaining that I'm not sending them each individual letters ;-P.

Lots of Love,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from Oct 17th

"It's sad that every one is sick :-( I hope you all get better. I don't have my camera with me right now but I'll try to send the card over soon. We did get a video on my comps camera. A digital recorder would be awesome, it would be so much easier. I'm sorry to say that my journal is in such sorry shape. The baptism did go through!!!


This week we taught Benjamin (12) and Sarah (10) (PM family) about the plan of salvation. They just had a grandparent die and had a lot of questions as to where he was and what he was doing. We are going to be teaching them all the other lessons too. During the middle of the lesson Sarah asks, "So when can I be baptized?" It was pretty awesome ...We'll probably have to talk to just the parents to get things all figured out and set expectations. I'm pretty sure at least Sarah will eventually get baptized. Mike and Maria (recent converts now!) were baptized this Friday! It was an amaizing service there was tons of people there to support them, it completely filled the room! Mike was first, he came out of the water crying and stood in the font hugging Bro. Kasperian (the one who baptized him) for about 2 min. Then Maria went, she was crying before she got in. Then when she came up out of the water, Mike came back in and the three of them hugged for about a min. Sacrament meeting was pretty funny. There was confusion as to who was going to confirm them because the Kasperians decided to go home early. The Mike & Maria showed up a little late so we waited on either side of the overflow so we could catch them before they went in to ask them who they wanted to confirm them. Then we texted that to the bishop so he could announce it, it was pretty funny.


Elder Fisher and I are doing very well. Lately we have been setting up a lot with the ward and really working with them to get the work moving. We've been getting a lot of compliments from the ward right in front of us. I have just been so energized and so pumped since Elder Grow came to the mission. This is what missionary work is about! This week we talked to Elder Rawlings about his new position as district leader and it seems like he will be able to do what he needs to in order to turn them around and head them in the right direction. We also went on an exchange with Elder Quinn and Elder Kefu. I went with Kefu to my first area. It was amaizing to see the growth there.

 I am doing really great. One year has flown by, I wish this next one would slow down a bit so that I could get more done. Time is one of those special gifts that we've been given but we only have so much of it in this life. Every second counts! Use them to the best of your ability. Otherwise you'll have to look back and realize how little you've accomplished.

Lots of Love,
Elder Forsyth"

He sent me this one pic in his email today!



Elder Fisher, Mike and Maria, Elder Forsyth



Hump Day!!

Happy Hump Day, to Ben! 
a couple days late!

It was actually on October 13th!!

I was going to put this up on his actual Hump Day, but seriously just didn't make the time!  And now it's a few days over... I still can hardly believe that it has been a whole year, and all the crazy things we were going through this time last year!! 

Ben is half way through his mission!  Wowsy, Wow, Wow!!

Letter from Oct 10th

"Quite technically I only lost one to Pres. but I did lose my trainer after 6 weeks when he became a zone leader. I think it would be a neat experience to be an AP but at this point in time I don't know if I would be ready for the business or the responsibility. I also like being able to work in my area and as a zone leader I already lose a good amount of that time to other responsibilities. I don't think I ever thought before my mission that I would ever have this kind of leadership position, but I love every second of it!

We just had a talent show in our ward and me and Elder Fisher got thrown into one of the events. It wasn't as good as my last one but we got into a lightsaber dual with Darth Vader and taught some young jedi missionaries who converted Vader in the end. It was interesting.

This week was really busy so we weren't able to get out and work as much as we wanted. We taught Victoria (recent convert) part of the restoration lesson. I guess she lives in Newberg 2nd wards boundries but goes to our ward with her friends. She never recieved the after baptism lessons so we are trying to get those going. We also had Mike & Maria (investigators) interviewed and got the program ready for their baptism on the 14th! Mike and Maria, the parents, will be baptized and we'll continue to teach their 9 year old so she can be baptized soon afterward! They are such an awesome example to me of what pure faith really is. It has really streangthened my testimony to help them in their spiritual journey.

Elder Fisher and I are doing really great. We are starting off on a bang with both the wards. We are really getting involved with the entire ward. I already see great success in the near future. We've been invited to ward council and PEC and we already have schedualed teaching in two of the different auxilaries!

I am doing fantastic. I love my new companion. He's very different than my last one, some ups and some downs, but that's expected. I really like Elder Fisher's style of doing things. I love the time I have to be a missionary. I love the chance to serve with different companions who have been inspired by the Lord to help me grow. I love change. The ability to change, the necessity of change, and the growth that comes from the inevitable changes that come into our lives each and every day. May we always continue to change and conform to the Lords way!

Love ya Lots,
Elder Forsyth"

Wow!  Is that my boy!?!?  :)  He sounds so wise and grown up!!

Letter from Oct 4th

He was late a day this week and boy it's a short one!  Turkey!  Doesn't he know I need more details!!  Lol
I'm still waiting for pics for yet another companion!

"So things have been interesting! We just had another transfer. I'm still here, but Elder Yack my companion just became the new AP! So now I have Elder Fisher as my companion and he's a new zone leader as well. Five weeks as a ZL and now I have to teach someone else how to do it. Some of the stuff we only do monthly so I've only been there for it once ;-P. Anyway, my companion is from American Fork and was actually one of the district leaders in my zone just last transfer. I thought it was pretty cool to end up getting him as my companion.

You are doing awesome with the newsette letters, I like them a lot!

This week we had at least 7 lessons fall through some more than once. It just seemed to be one of those hard weeks. We did teach the Turners (PM family) about prophets and the great opportunity we have during general conference to have them speak to us.

Elder Fisher and I are doing great. We are already thinking really hard about ways to help the zone and new ideas to fix or inspire greater work. Elder Fisher is a real go getter, it's awesome!

I am doing really good. I don't know what the Lord has in store for me but I never really feel prepared every time I get a new assignment. It's kind of funny because just last week I was telling an Elder that sometimes in order to learn how to swim you have to jump in the deep end and try. That's what I've been doing my whole mission and I think I've started to become good at it. I find in every situation the Lord will never give you a test you cannot beat if you use his help.

Love Ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from Sept 26

"I did get my package on Wednesday and it was awesome. We had our own little Birthday party with Sister Delong for our lunch hour. She's such a funny lady my comp got some great pictures! IDK if or when we'll go out to eat most lunches we are rushing to get back out there and most dinners are filled with members. Not to mention we had a member take us to Red Robbin for my birthday! Then my comp was going to treat me to icecream at Polar Bear Yogurt that night but there were members there who took over and payed for both of us! I love the members around here!

If Steven dosen't shape up I'm gonna beat him a good one when I get home! ;-P I'm going to need a picture of him flexing so I can know what I'm up against. I'll get my pictures to you sometime ;-P I've got some good ones! I haven't been taking my camera with me everywhere and have payed for it a couple of times.

This week we taught Kim (PM investigator)  Elder Yack taught her once before in another area so we are using that to our advantage. The main thing is she hasn't gotten a testimony of the Book of Mormon, so we commited her to read every day and to pray about it each time. Nikki (investigator) We had a lesson with her about baptism,... she said it wouldn't be fair to herself to be the only one. After, there was about 20 seconds of silence and I played the Joseph Smith card followed right after with Jesus Christ. After that she stopped, and commited it was pretty cool. Jan (less active) we went in to find out what she wanted out of us teaching her. Her goal is to make it to the temple, so we'll focus our teaching in that direction. Allie  (recent convert) we taught her more about Joseph Smith and gave her some good material to study about him with. Mike & Maria (investigators) this family was taught in Utah and was moving back here so there were told to get baptized here. We taught them twice on Sunday and found that they are probably converted more than some active members. They are pretty much golden investigators. We set a baptismal date on the 14th of October where three of them are planning to be baptized! We are reviewing with the parents while teaching their nine year old and it's amaizing how solid they are! We went over  the restoration with them on Sunday.

Elder Yack and I are doing great we are finaly starting to see things pick up. It's great how the Lord blesses you when you ask for it and work hard to get it. Both are key parts to the plan! We went on an exchange with the Tigard 1st Elders. I had a great time with Elder Nickerson. For some reason he thinks I'm perfect and have nothing to work on (wrong, I have lots of things) but he is a great missionary and we taught some good lessons together.

I'm doing amaizing. I'm learning so much as a zone leader and seeing diligence pay off. The scriptures are so true Mosiah 2:41. A ll we have to do is test the Lord and guess what? He dosen't lie...amaizing.

Lots of Love,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter From Sept 19

Okay, I can hardly believe I let myself get so far behind!  I will make sure I do better from  now on!!
Here are all the letters I've missed over the last several weeks!  Enjoy!!  He's due to write again this afternoon, I'll make sure I post it in the next couple of days!!  Still waiting for pics from him, will post when I get them.


"So in the member's home we have our own room and bathroom, we even get to use the garage, which means we need to clean the car less often. The rest of the house is kind of shared space. I love living with Sister Delong, she's old and blind but she is a blast. Almost every dinner is filled with a member from the ward. I do however make my own breakfast and lunch just the same as I did back home. I've also been able to make cookies a few times on my mission. It's kind of funny but I pack around my own stuff to make cookies.

I actually was able to ride bike for the first time on my mission when I went on exchanges last week. It felt really good but I lost one of my badges while I was traveling on one of the main roads :-P. Now I've been having to use just my pin badge all the time untill I get a new one. It's really annoying but at least I still have one! ;-P

My companion is doing a lot better this week, he was going to see a specialist but they were making it really hard on him. Suddenly he stopped having troubles unless he eats too much junk. I'll keep an eye on him though.

This week we taught Rebecca (new investigator) briefly about the Book of Mormon and prayer. We also set expectations and it was a really good lesson. She totally seems golden! Nikki (investigator) we talked to her even more about scriptures and we are really trying to get her to read them. She commited to putting her scriptures on her bed stand so they would remind her. We also told her if she had to, to just start reading one verse every day. There were supposed to be a lot of investigators at church today, but only the ones who we haven't been able to teach came :-P. The Brennan Family and the Smith Family, but they are both planning on getting baptized or reactive!

Elder Yack and I are doing great. The only problem is that our area is taking too long to pick up so that it can be a good example for our zone. We went on exchanges with Elder Dixon and Elder Davis they are both doing awesome! Elder Dixon and I got a lot accomplished that was the day we got a lesson with Nikki and Rebecca. I had a great time and really felt the spirit from Elder Dixon.

I am doing great. I love working in Sherwood and also being a zone leader. I'm excited to get things going in the whole zone. I know there have been and will be lots of challenges but I can already feel the task helping me to grow spiritually. It is deffinatly helping me to be a better missionary.

Love Ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from Sept 12

"We also had Stake Conference this week. The first talk was about depression and how to make it through which probably really helped my companion this week (he has been pretty sick lately). There was a ton about missionary work and encouraging members to do their part, which was really good for us. President Morby came to it and he also talked and the members I talked to really liked it.

This week we taught Joe (investigator) about the Book of Mormon and getting an answer to prayer. We also told him a little bit about how Satan will work on him. He understood really well, I hope that we are able to go somewhere with him. Other than that we had 5 lessons cancel this week.

Elder Yack and I are doing great with our relationship but physically he hasn't been doing so hot, but we are going to be able to get him in to see a specialist probably this week. I think some of our lessons cancelled in order to give him a cussion that he desperatly needed. He needs prayers to be able to get over this so that we can get back to uninterrupted missionary work. Other than that we are trying to find ways that we can increase the work in our area.

I am doing awesome loving being a zone leader and being able to help all the missionaries in our zone. It is so awesome! I can't wait until I get good at it ;-P.

Love Ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter From Sept 6

"I don't have time to write much I have to fill out a survey today. We are still trying to get things figured out in my new area so, yes, I still haven't made the time to write the kids and might have a harder time doing that, but it is still one of my top priorities.

This week we taught Nikki (investigator) mostly about prayer, why it's important, how we need to do it, etc. We also tried to answer her question on modesty.  Allie (recent convert) we read 3 Nephi 18 with her and really got into the importance of Sacrament. Funny enough we ended up teaching it again in Gospel Principles class. We had a few lessons cancel but we've been able to meet a lot of people and find a few potentials tracting, so hopefully I'll have more to put on here next week.

Elder Yack and I are doing awesome. I love his strength as a missionary. He's made me realize that there is are some things that I need to improve on. I have learned so much from him already! I am excited to be able to be his companion for a little while, I just hope he can put up with me and my hard head ;-P.

I am doing great! So far I've loved being a zone leader and am looking forward to learning all the ropes. The thing I'm going to have the hardest time with is telling other missionaries not to do certain things they shouldn't be doing and being hated sometimes because I'm doing my job :-(. There are goods and bads to every calling but the harder ones provide more blessings!

Love Ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter From Aug 29

"Umm...aparrently...I lied... I'm not in Estacada anymore and I don't get to spend 6 more weeks with Elder Reed. I got a call from president on Thursday that I wasn't able to answer because I was driving to dinner, and he told Elder Reed that he needed to talk to me. So all through dinner and on the way back to town my mind was going crazy, wondering what president was calling about (I was sure that I was getting chastised for...something). I called him back at about 7 ready to recieve a verbal beating (what else would president call for?). So he started out in the worst way possible, "Elder, I'm sorry to have to tell you this but..." at that point I thought someone died. Anyway he told me I had to be packed Saturday morning I was going to be a Zone Leader. So, when I got here I found out I am basically cleanning up a zone leader area and my new companion (who has thankfully been a zl in another area) had only been there for about 5 days. So we are basically "whitewashing" as zone leader clean up crew. It's a lot of trust on our shoulders, but we are both ready for the job and excited for the opportunity. Sorry for the short E-mail but we are working on getting on our feet right now.

So since I've been here I haven't been able to teach much yet but we did teach Nikki Jenkins (investigator) she's living with an LDS family, she's been southern baptist her entire life but she is open to truth and even being baptized if (when) she comes to know that it's true. We kind of just did a get to know you lesson and it went really well. She was about to ask the missionaries to stop coming over but we turned around how the teaching was going and she is excited to be able to continue with us! Other than that we were getting to know people in the wards and Church on Sunday for about 6 1/2 hours. In one of the Sacrament meetings it was all about the First Vision and the bishop allowed us to get up at the end and share testimony (I love it when they do that) he really liked the angle that we took and we deffinitly got some trust built in that ward. Both wards are great and I'm excited to be able to serve in this area!

Elder Yack and I are doing awsome! We are excited for this opportunity and the trust placed in us for this assignment. We will do our best to prove worthy of that and will deffinatly need all the help and prayers we can get! I love Elder Yack and hope to be able to strengthen the relationship that is already drastically growing!

I'm doing great. I'm a little sad I wasn't able to spend more time with Elder Reed, but I believe he is ready to run (he probably was before I got him anyway). I'm excited to be able to move on and serve in this capacity with Elder Yack!

Love Ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter From Aug 23

"So the transfer is over and Elder Reed and I are still in Estacada, Yes! I'm guessing this is my last transfer here but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Tell the kids I'm really sorry I thought about writing them a couple of times but there just wasn't any time this last week. I'll try again this week. I should be able to find the time now on Mondays because there are no Elders in Sandy right now and they always wanted to hang out on P-days. Every week it was stressful trying to please everyone but still get things accomplished on that day. Now Elder Reed and I are excited that we'll probably get some P-days to ourselves! Today we are going with the Zone Leaders to Mt. Hood so we'll probably get some good pictures but I may not have time to write any letters.

School again! Oh my goodness I've almost been out a whole year! My Birthday's in only a month! 

Wow, that's really crazy what happened with Shawn's car! I've never heard of that actually happening to someone and of course it would happen right after he helped someone out. But if you think about it that probably would have happened anyway but it could have been a lot worse. Especially if he didn't take the time to help that person out. We may not realize how much he was blessed for helping that person out!

This week we taught Haley (PM investigator) about the word of wisdom it was a good lesson. She did pray to know and got her answer! Now we are having her pray to find a baptismal date. We had two lessons with Samantha (8 year old) right now we are reading the Illustrated Book of Mormon Stories with her. Tuesday we challenged her to pray about her baptism and on Thursday we were told that she got frustrated when she didn't get her answer. So we talked about patience and determination and told her if she kept trying she would eventually get her answer. The Bess family (less active) we read chapters 3 and 4 in the Book of Mormon with him and answered more of his questions. I never would have thought he would be the kind of guy that enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon but he really loves reading it with us, probably because he gets so much out of it. We did a bit of service this week as well and we're working on getting in with the rest of our investigators but they are making it difficult. We'll keep working at it though.

Elder Reed and I are doing really good. I keep trying to convince him he was really prepared when he came out but he keeps insisting that he learns a lot from me and he dosen't know where he would be without me. It's always great to be able to laugh with eachother over tracting experiences. This week we ran into a few that were acting like they were listening but you could tell they really didn't want to hear a word we were saying. It's funny how obvious it is when that is their attitude.

I love this work, time is going by a little too fast, I need more time with those I'm working with. It seems like half the time if not more is spent trying to set up lessons with them. The funny thing is though when you are doing your best you normally find yourself in places you're supposed to be at just the right moment. It's amaizing how that works!

Love Ya Lots,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter From Aug 15th

"I'm really slacking on letters, we're just so busy all the time, even on P-days. But I will try my best to get some off to the kids this week and to get those pictures off as well. 

This morning in my studies I was reading Jesus the Christ and I was around the Sermon on the Mount part, and the biggest thing that it talked about was sincerity. It talked about how when we aren't sincere it's hypocritical and it dosen't profit us anything except for maybe the praise of man and in that case that is our reward. I've learned a lot on how to be really sincere especially when I pray and how much more benifit it is when we make sure we do it that way.

This week we taught Haley (PM investigator) about the ten commandments. We had to help and comfort her about praying because she had a fear of what the answer would be but we were able to recommit her, so pray for courage for her. Samantha  (8 year old) we taught her about baptism and confermation being comandments. We've taught her all the lessons, now we are just waiting for her older brother Scott to be cleared to baptize her. We got a (new investigator), Colorado is her name, she's 17 and looking for a church in town. When we were over she informed us that her grandma just passed away that day. We were able to comfort her with our lesson and following the spirit. Afterwards, she thanked us and said that meeting with us really helped her out that day! The Bess' (less active) we read chapters 3 and 4 of 1Nephi with him and he loves reading the scriptures with us, because he gets so much more out of it. Ashley (investigator) we talked to her for a little bit she's finaly going to try getting out of her current situation wich means she might move out of our area but that's better than where she's at right now. We shared a couple of scriptures with her that really lifted her spirit. Alysa (baptized 8 year old) we taught her about tithing with an object lesson where after she payed her tithing we dumped a bag of candy on her head. Kids always seem to love those kind of object lessons. We had dinner with the French's (PM family) and were able to have a good spiritual discussion with them!

Elder Reed and I are doing very well, still no objections in our relationship! Yesterday while tracting we had a really great experience. We ran into Sandra and Elder Reed always starts out a tracting visit so well. He talked with her about horses and the nice house that we found out she was "house sitting." Then she talked about how a while back she was searching every religion for "something" didn't really know what it was. Then she said a key phrase "I haven't found it yet," that was so exciting. We told her about the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and answers to prayers. It was awesome we got her information and probably will have a new investigator in a little bit!

I'm doing great. My personal studies are becoming very meaningful to me. I'm learning how or just getting better at getting the most out of and enjoying the time I have to study. I feel my testimony getting stronger and stronger each day! It's amaizing!!

Love Ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from Aug 8th

"Yes, I got the pictures and the letter. They were both great. I loved all the pictures, especially the piggy back ones! Kim's and Aaron's are both super funny, Aaron's face (priceless struggle) and Kim (trying to show she isn't struggling). It's funny to tell other missionaries about it, they all seem to have different reactions. The weidest though is when I tell them Michelle is over at the house, about half will say something like uh-oh or well that's not good. I'm not sure what they mean by that, I've asked and noone that says that will give me a staight answer. A lot of Elders and their ideas about girls is interesting sometimes. I think it's awesome personally, Michelle taking time to visit my family, and help out where she can.

Yes I need to get some pictures off to you, I haven't had much time to take pictures. I have to go out of my way in order to get them. I'll take some of the appartment today and maybe a couple others and then try to get the memory card off to you soon!

I wish I could swim for exercise, I would be able to get so much more out of it. But that's a sacrifice I have to make being out here. I'll probably do it a lot when I get home again! Until then I guess I got to just keep pushing myself.

No, I haven't had a really "bad" companion but Elder Holli was really weird. It sure was interesting serving with him. I wouldn't change anything though, I've learned so much serving with each of my companions. I can only hope I never get one that I have to push to get him to work! There are a few missionaries that I would love to get the chance to serve with, but I guess only time will tell, right!?

This week we taught Zander (8 year old) about tithing and fast offerings. We used an object lesson to show that he needs to put aside some of his earnings for tithing before anything else and when he did that we poured a blessing of candy on his head ;-P. My companion on an exchange taught Ashley (investigator) and the Bess family (less active). both seemed to have been good lessons. Meanwhile I helped teach Kayla and Mike (investigators) and Sister Case (recent convert) which were also good lessons!

Elder Reed and I are doing very well. The exchange that I talked about this last week went really well. There were amaizing experiences on both sides, and afterwards Elder Pelham was telling me I had an easy job because Elder Reed is already so prepared. I guess I kind of did have it easy. It would have been harder if I had to deal with someone like me ;-P.

I'm doing great still loving the work. I've recently been doing something different in my studies. As I've been reading through the Book of Mormon, I've been marking the promises and conections to the Bible. I've found some really neat stuff, and I'm gaining a much greater knowledge and testimony of the scriptures. It's amaizing because in order to find those things, I have to be paying strict attention to what I'm reading 100% of the time. I get so much more out of it even when there isn't a promise or a conection!

Love ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from Aug 1st

"I'm excited for those pictures. Last p-day me and my companion went out and found a really good spot for pictures and got some nice ones. I'll have to work on taking more pictures still but I think you'll really like them. That's sad about Helen White, she was an amaizing lady. She was one that I would have looked forward to seeing again, but she's in a better place now. The next transfers are on the 22nd of August but I think I'll probably stay with Elder Reed because the new training program is supposed to take 3 months. I hope I stay with him longer than that though, he's really a good companion!

Tell everyone hi for me, especially Chrispy since he said hi to me! You guys have fun, okay!

This week we had some very good lessons. Ashley (investigator) we just asked her questions to find out how she was doing spiritually, and she opened up quite a bit about her struggle and challenges. In the end we left her with Moroni 8 and a Joseph Smith pamphlet and stressed praying to know if he was a prophet. We had a discussion with Karen (investigator) on repentance and from there it branched out to forgivness for others and even families being forever. We also found out that she's catholic mostly because of history (it's been there the longest I guess). Higley's (less active) we talked about the reading assignment we gave them last time and gave them a perscription to help them make it back to church. They have to read at least one chapter from the BOM everyday, say their prayers everyday, and have family home evening every week. Donna (investigator) we reviewed the first part of lesson 4 and continued with the word of wisdom and ten commandments. The cool part was that we really focused on prayer and got her to say the closing prayer for the lesson!

Elder Reed and I are doing amaizing. We have really been applying our companion studies into our actual lessons like with Donna and Ashley and were able to see a lot more progress out of them than I ever had before. It's interesting to see the difference in your investigators when you fix only small things within how you teach the lesson. It's awesome to see the growth in both of us as we've been working together both trying to do our best. Our relationship is the best I've had in a companionship before. I don't recall any struggles we've had with eachother and I hope that continues because when it's like this the spirit is so strong with us.

I'm doing great. I don't know that I can say much more about myself than what I've already said. I love this work and hope that it dosen't go by too quickly!

Love Ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from July 25th

Bro. Tolman is amaizing! He's the member in our ward who will take us anywhere. Most weeks he'll spend two or three afternoons with us to go visit nonmembers, less actives, part member families, and even teaches most of our lessons with us.  Anyway, I'm glad you loved the package, it was nice to be able to send it for free!

Sounds like it's been a lot of fun and it's still coming over there.

Tell Michael congratulations for me, a mission is awesome and I'm sure he'll do well!  It's also great to get any other snail mail throughout the week. My companion has been getting around two or three letters a day, but that's normaly just because he's new.

Wow! Michelle is great,  I love her letters! They always give me an extra boost to do better when I get one from her. I'm so happy that she is taking time to be a good example to the family!


This week we taught Haley (PM investigator) part of the commandments lesson it went really well. We invited her to be Baptized and she said she would as soon as she knew for herself that it was true! Our lesson with Jodi (PM investigator) fell through this week but Nick came to church with one of his kids. They are going to get married begining of August. We taught a couple members almost 8 year olds again as well this week.

Elder Reed and I are doing very well. Our studies are awesome, they really make us think and keep us right in line with our purposes with our investigators. With our combined effort to do the right thing it seems our area is right on the verge of booming. Finaly we are starting to get a couple of referals from the members and before long we might get a couple of Baptisms! Our tracting is even really good. We always seem to find someone friendly enough to at least talk to us, and I haven't seen that to often in my experience.

I'm doing great, I think I realize how those like Nephi feel when they make a mistake. At one point in the Book of Mormon he kind of complains about it. Whenever I make a mistake I'm disgusted with it and do all that I can to make it better. But I realize that that is when we truly are on the right path. Of course we'll still make mistakes but they are completly disgusting and Irratating to us.

Love Ya Lots,
Elder Forsyth

Letter from July 18th

Yes Milwakee is still in Oregon. I'll have to admit the names of places out here are really weird and the only city I knew about before I came her was Portland. Ha ha! That's great that Michelle did that, she's a great person. When I get letters from her I always have a stronger determination for missionary work.

The first week as a trainer has been awsome!!! My companion Elder Reed is very prepared for the work, it's amaizing! They started this new program for introducing new missionaries into the field and I think I'm one of the first to try it out. For about 12 weeks we are given an extra hour of companion study each day and each week it has outlined different things to studie. As we've followed our studies I've deffinatly felt that these have been my best comp studies so far. We get a lot done but we are also really able to aply it to the investigators as we go. One of the things that it does is to get the new missionary to take the lead in different things, and that has been my stance as a trainer is whenever he is willing to take the lead I let him, and of course help him along the way. I've seen it make a lot of difference in him as he does, and he's one of those that almost naturally does it. The experience as a trainer has deffinatly helped me a lot as well. I do my very best to set an example he can look back to for the rest of the mission, but I can slowly feel it change my attitude for the better in a lot of areas. It also is setting an example I can look back to for the rest of my mission as well. One example is, I wanted him to be comfortable with tracting and talking to people so every day that we can we are going to get at least a full hour of tracting. As we've been doing that I've seen even though it may not be very productive in getting new investigators it's productive internaly and helps me to work on relying on the spirit more. This is an amaizing opportunity wich I am very grateful for!

This week we taught Hailey (PM investigator) about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and strongly stressed getting her own answer to her prayer and coming to church. She came to church this last Sunday wich was awsome! French's (PM family) we had a prayer and discussed the atonement of Jesus Christ. Brother French is the non member and he didn't talk but he stayed and listened and I think it was really good for him because I think he started to get teary eyed while we were talking. Ashley (investigator) she came to us with troubles she was having in her relationship and we taught the law of chastity in depth to her situation. We left her with The Family Proclamation and I think it helped her a lot. Bess' (less active) we read the Book of Mormon with them, we decided to start from the begining and explain it as we go. when we were wrapping up Brother Bess mentioned that he was just getting interested, so I think we're heading down the right path with him. We also taught a couple member's soon to be 8 year olds, which is a really great practice opportunity because you have to teach it simply and have to be able to define a lot of words.

I've been doing awesome, as a trainer I feel my strength to be a leader and my determination to do the right thing drastically increasing. It's deffinatly an amaizing feeling to grow this quickly. I love this work!!!

Love ya mucho,
Elder Forsyth

Letter from July 12th

Well, I haven't been able to way myself since the four dinners but last time I weighed I was 144, that's a little more than I was at home. I'm hoping that it's because I'm growing taller but I haven't been able to weigh myself. It may just be because my excersise habits have ben lacking. No I never have out eaten Elder Uluilakepa, and probably never will! I did feel like throwing up after the four meals. I tried to split wood once or twice at scout camp, but never did too great at it. It was really good news that the member had a power spliter or I might have looked really funny trying to do it.

So on to the big news! Elder Uluilakepa was transfered to Milwakee and I am a trainer for Elder Reed! 9 months and they made me a trainer. It's a big responsibility and I grateful for the chance to do it. Elder Reed is from Manila Utah, he's in the middle of a family of five. He's awesome so far.


We haven't taught much since my last letter we've been kinda busy: my comp saying goodbye, packing, transfers, and introducing my new companion. We've been making big plans for all of our investigators to help them start moving in the right direction. So pray for us to do well with that and that we will be guided by the spirit!

I am doing awesome. Excited for the opportunity to train. My goal is to be a great example as an obedient missionary. I love the Lord and realize his hand in this opportunity to be a trainer!

Elder Reed and I hit it off to a good start yesterday and this morning. We were able to meet Lisa our recent convert, Brother Pelton the first counselor, and the Risenmays who we had for dinner. We went down a windy road to get to dinner and before we got home for the night my companion threw up on his first day in the field. We are already laughing and joking about that experience. We had our 2 hour comp study this morning and I'll have to say with this new program for incoming missionaries I had the best comp study I've ever had out on my mission. We learned a lot and recieved a lot of inspiration for our investigators.

Love ya Much,
Elder Forsyth

Random pics

I'm playing catch up on this blog too, sorry for my lack of attention.  : /

Here are some random pics from Ben's last SD card.  On it are some pics of his apartment in McMinneville, and the baptism before he left McMinneville, and the baptism when he got to Estacada.

So Ben!



McMinneville



Estacada

Fun...This family had 3 generations baptized on this day!

Letter from July 7th

Wow! It sounds really busy at home. Sorry it took so long to be able to E-mail you after I wasn't able to do it on the 4th we've been pretty busy. The 4th was an interesting day, in the morning we went to the stake center for a flag ceremony and breakfast. Then we went to a members home and helped him split wood, he had a power spliter so it was pretty easy, then had pizza with them. After that we got changed and went to a members BBQ, and right after that one we went to another members BBQ. Four meals in one day, I was pretty full, I couldn't eat dessert after the last one. My Tongan companion had no trouble! LOL! Then we went to a carnival that was in town, rode one of the rides. It was just like back home at Lagoon we both screamed our heads off the entire time the ride was going. I love doing that, everyone laughs at you!!! After that the president gave everyone permission to stay out late and watch the fireworks with members. Estacada has a pretty darn good firework show especially for the size of the town. Tuesday, we had kind of a zone conference type meeting, to meet our new Mission President. They're both a bit nervous just like any other missionary is when they come out, it's kind of fun to see that, but we welcomed them with open arms and I'm pretty sure he'll be a great President! On top of all that, yesterday we had a district meeting, so that's why I wasn't able to write until today.

This week we taught Hailey (PM investigator) about the plan of salvation she understood it very well. She was able to put our diagram together and explain each part as she went. We are still working on getting her to come to church. Donna (investigator) we taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we have also started on the commandments. I gave her a promise that if she comes to church regularly, reads her scriptures, and prays often that she will gain the courage and testimony she needs to overcome her fear of water so that she can be baptized! The Higley's (less active) we went over our assignment we gave them last time (Jacob 5) and had a good spiritual discussion with them. Alex is getting baptized this Saturday and he's very excited for it, we wont be able to put him in our numbers but it's just as rewarding just to see it happen!

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing great. I love working with him, seeing his strength as a missionary and knowing that he didn't go to the MTC makes me respect him more. It's great to be his companion and I hope we are still working together after this transfer, but I know that the Lord knows what's best so I wont argue if that's not the case. LOL!

I'm doing great. Loving the work and I can't believe how fast it's going by, but I have no regrets so far and I'm going to keep it that way!

Love ya Much,
Elder Forsyth

Gift From the Mission Field

Just posted on our family blog about a gift I received from Ben in a fun kind of way!

Go have a look see!  just click on the link... ForsythBakersDozen

Letter from June 27th

Yes I got the package and the letter. Thanks. I'll find out more information on June hopefully. Thanks for the info on Brent.

Wow Andrea has a baby already! I'm going to need to see some pictures! I'm still working on pictures out here, I'm trying to get a clean appartment before I take those ones. It's getting there. I don't think I've gotten anything from Grandma James yet.

I just finished the Book of Mormon again. I'm starting to lose track of how many times I've read through it! It's amaizing how familiar I'm getting with it. I can almost fit the stories together in my head all the way through and when I'm given a certain story I can open pretty close to it and find it really quickly. It's awesome, I never thought I would be one of those people.

I have a missionary friend that wants a copy of Uncle Randy's music. He's kind of a cowboy and he says it's the only music he's been able to listen to on his mission that dosen't make his ears bleed. LOL. Him and his companion would just not listen to music almost the whole time he's been out!

Kim:
Love you lots more!!! See you (in about 15 1/2 months) later. ;-P

Emily:
It's awesome that you became a great cookie maker. My cookies become famous in every ward I go to. In my last ward I think there were a few families that wanted the recipie. My current companion quickly learned how to make them, though he's kind of a sloppy cheif because he's lazy, they still turn out okay. It was kind of funny, I was teaching him how to make grilled cheese sandwiches and he got impatient waiting for them to cook, turned the heat up all the way, and burned them. Love ya lots!!!

Nattie Bug:
I love your thank you letters, but this last one sounds like you don't want me around. ;-P Love ya lots!!!

Tiff:
I'm having loads of fun on my mission and yes your reeses comment did make me laugh. Keep being a good girl. Love ya lots!!!

Aaron:
Sounds like you had a lot of fun at scout camp, and it sounds like your a very good aim. Guess what, I was born first and I loved you before you were born so, therefore, I love you more!!!

This week we taught Karen (investigator) it was very brief but we found out a lot about her struggles and how we can help her. Hailey Rivers (PM investigator) she's young but has a lot of questions and enjoys being taught by missionaries in our first lesson both parents helped us teach the lesson and it was awesome because her mom is Lutherin. Lisa Thoen (recent convert) we took on a temple tour and she really enjoyed it. Samantha Warren (less active family) we taught the law of chastity and the word of wisdom. She's ready for her baptism they are just waiting for her older brother so that he can baptize her. Other than that we've been finding some good potential in our part member families I think we'll be able to start teaching some of them by next week!!

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing good. It's great when people will talk to you on the door step and ask questions. We were able to answer questions and testify on this one ladies door for like half an hour.

I'm doing awesome. Because I haven't been able to find time during anyother part of the day I've started cleaning up a lot during our lunch hour. I might turn into a clean freak by the end of my mission. ;-P That's weird!!!

Love ya Lots!!!!
Elder Forsyth

Letter from June 20th

So I've run into a couple of people in the ward here that we might have some ties to. I was wondering, since I don't really have any resources to do so, if you could find out some stuff, unless you already know. One of the ladies in the ward had a sister that died a little bit ago who married into the Forsyth family. Her name was June H. Forsyth. I was just wondering how closely we are related to this sister in this ward. Also I think I found one of uncle Brent's companions on his mission. What mission did uncle Brent serve in? This guys name is Zchon Jones. It's just kind of cool how small the world is!

It's kind of sad but great at the same time that our buddie Travis Hartung is heading out for his mission this week. We've spent a lot of time with him, we even took him with us for a whole day this last week. It was a lot of fun and I think he will make an awesome missionary!!! I will definitly miss him.

This week we taught Karen (investigator) we tracted into her and found out the missionaries used to go by and have religious discussions with her. We started on the gospel of Jesus Christ and spent a lot of time on faith. She says she's a "stonch catholic" but enjoys discussions on religion. Anyway if we get anywhere with her it will probably take a long time. Samantha Warren (less active family) we taught her the ten commandments and obeying the law. Donna Rude (investigator) we have been calling and texting her for some time now trying to get a lesson, she's been really busy. We finaly got one and started with lesson 1 and it went well but she didn't come to church. Other than that we have been visiting a lot of people trying to set up lessons this week.

I am doing great. Sometimes I wish I was't human so that I wouldn't have to make anymore mistakes but then I realize that is one of the ways that we learn and grow while we are here. But I'll still try to be a little less human than yesterday ;-P.

Love ya Lots,
Elder Forsyth

Oh, I haven't done any of the questions yet but my profile is up on mormon.org. If you search "freerunning" in the key words you should find it easy. It dosen't have to be anything amaizing. Just so that people might be able to relate to you and can feel the spirit through your testimony.

Letter from June 13th

Wow! Sounds like you've had a lot of fun lately. Graduation, Birthday, Lady, and even Nattie running away. I did not hear about that story by the way, that's crazy. Who was it that would just walk into the neighbors houses?

So we went to do laser tag last week and after we got there found out that they were closed on Mondays. Sometimes it would be nice to use a computer to find that stuff out before we go there. Oh well, it worked out anyway, we just found a bowling place and did that and some pool instead which was still fun.

Emily:
Goodness your finaly going to start not liking school, just wait, it gets harder and less likable. I'm doing great, going on a mission is actually pretty rewarding, I learn a lot in a short amount of time and feel lots of blessings for the service I'm doing for the people of Oregon even though sometimes they really don't want me here. Ha ha! I guess I've been a part of 8 baptisms that I can count, but I've also helped teach some 8 year olds who have been baptized also. Love ya lots!

Kim:
Sounds like you're having a lot of fun with some new games. I've gotta admit, I'm surprised that you like chess. That can be a long and boring game sometimes. You'll have to wait a little longer than 1 year to see me I still have 1 year and 4 months to go. It will be about a year when you are back in school! Love ya lots!

Aaron:
It wouldn't be possible to love me more because my love for you is infinite, you could only possibly love me equally but that would be really hard! Keep reading it will make you really smart, especially if it's the scriptures. Remember to read your scriptures daily by yourself, it will keep you on track for your mission! Basketball camp huh, you are going to be really good by the time I get home, but hopefully I'll be able to dunk. I'm praying for height but I'm working on my hops as well! Love ya lots!

Tiff:
I probably wont see Lady when I get home, but I'm sure she would choose my bed over Aaron's. Keep reading you'll get really smart too! I really like to read as well especially the scriptures. I love to teach people about the gospel it's way better than tracting! Love ya lots!

Nattie Bug:
Don't run away from home anymore!!! I want you to still be there when I get home!!! Lady still loves you even though she sleeps in Aarons bed. I love ya lots!

This week we taught Ashley (investigator) about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are working on getting her to come to church. The Higley's (less active) we spent almost the whole time in Ether 12 the spirit was really strong. I think if we keep having those kind of lessons the spirit will finally convince them over their fears! Other than that there were a few service projects that came up this week.

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing great. He's an awesome companion, he's one I can talk to about some of my concerns. It really helps me get some things off my chest and helps me to think of what Christ would do.

I'm doing awesome still doing my best to work hard and love the Lord!

Love ya lots,
Elder Forsyth

Letter from June 6th

He wrote a little earlier than usual this week, I almost missed him.  I was writing my letter to him when his came through.  So I sent mine mid sentence so he would get something.  Then quickly sent another one to let him know I would finish it on paper and send it snail mail this week.  I then waited to see if he would reply to let me know he got my emails.  Sure enough, almost 5 minutes later, I got one!  It was kind of cool to know we were both on a computer at the same time writing to each other...kind of like text messaging!

Anyway, here's this weeks letter...

"We went to Spring Fling, an end of the year musical thing the Estacada High School puts on. It was amaizing to see some of the talent the kids in the ward and community have. The drummer did a solo in the middle and goodness that was amaizing. Also David Wiseman from the ward sang footloose. He reminded me of Jonathan, of course Jonathan would blow him out of the water, but he was really good.

Today for P-day we are going to go laser tagging with Travis. It's amaizing the stuff you can still do on your mission. It isn't all work, but even the work gets to be enjoyable the longer your out!

This week we taught Alex Domres (investigator) we finished the commandments. Now we are working on handing him over to the ward he'll be in. We set a baptismal date with him for the 21st!!! Ben Sudul (investigator) we brought a member along and he opened up with that member. He commited to pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true and I think it might actually get somewhere. The Higley's (less active) we taught the rest of the commandments and are working on helping them resolve the issue that is holding them from church.

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing really great. It seems like we just get closer and closer as time goes on. It's like we were ment to be companions...oh wait, we were, it was inspiration from the Lord!

I'm doing awesome, I think I hit a point when out of no where I majorly recommited myself. Out of the blue I just starting fixing some things I've been lacking on. One of the biggest accomplishments is that we drastically increased our finding hours to 9 1/2!!! We could have still gotten more but there is next week!

Love ya lots,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from May 30th

"Goodness! Sometimes I just don't know how to put things into words, I don't know what to say sometimes when I E-mail. It's really different in Estacada than it was in McMinnville but I've really liked both so far. Our mission president is going to change next month, I hope he's as cool as the one I have right now!

I can't believe schools almost over already. I loved the end of the year, when school was just fun. I'm a little jealous right now. It's been a full year since I graduated?!?
I forgot to tell you last week that I would love a photo album for my pictures. I was also wondering if you had made a mormon.org profile yet, they just told us missionaries to make our own so mine should be up in a couple of weeks!!

We had a weird experience lately. We were going to visit a potential investigator and there were goats on their porch. As we were walking up it looked like they were charging us. My companion turned around and almost started to run. I was getting prepared to grab it by the horns. They slowed down before they got to us, they had collars and acted a lot like dogs but without the bark, sniffing us in uncomfortable places. After we knocked on the door one of them jumped up on my like a dog would. I got it down and started scratching it's head. Then it started nibbling on one of my zippers. No one answered so we walked away and they followed us to the car. It was crazy!

Tiff:
I am having fun and learning a lot, a mission is awesome! Tell me what Pajamas you wear for pajama day. I love you a lot!!!

Nattie:
You're welcome for the birthday card. I'll bet that it rains more here in Oregon than it does at home ;-P. I'm sad that I miss getting to watch you grow big, but I'll see you later. Your note to me kind of sounds like a prayer. I love you a lot!!!

Aaron:
No, I love you more!!! I'm glad you're excited to go on a mission, keep that! It will help you even if you have a hard time when your older. I love you a lot!!!

Kim:
You're going to have to wait until I get home. You're so funny too and I miss it. I wish I could hear you play the ukulele and the recorder, I'll just have to wait until I get home. I love you lots!!!

Emily:
That's great to hear you were able to do a 5K. Keep up the physical activity, or else ;-P. You're excited for the last week of school?!? You were the one who was always praying for the sumer to go by faster! I can't believe you are already going to be in 8th grade. Everyone is growing up to fast!!! I love you lots!!!

Steven:
WHERE IS YOURS!!!! ;-P

This week we taught Alex (investigator) the first half of the commandments still working on a baptismal date but he said he wants to do it as soon as possible! Arango's (less active) we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ran into a former investigator at their house. We'll probably be able to teach him again and might be able to fly through to baptism. He would have been baptized the first time but went off to the military before it happened, so we'll pick him up! Warren's (less active) we taught Samantha about tithing and fasting and she's making progress with her mom by sitting in her lap to read her scriptures. Higley's (less active) we taught part of the commandments and they accepted a commitment to make goals for certain days to come to church until they come regularly. I hope it works, they'd make really good active members! Lisa (recent convert) we taught her the first of the after baptism lessons with brother Cameron. She and Marisa and family actually came to church.

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing really well. I love him like a brother, and most of the time we act like brothers around each other. I don't know what else to say?!?

I'm doing great, loving the mission, and working on making every day better than the last. Once again I don't know what else to say?!?"

Letter from May 23rd

"To Aaron:
Hi back, I love you too. I'm having an awsome time serving my mission. Decide now to serve yours it will make the decision easier because you already made it. Be good and continue to listen to mom and dad.

To Kim:
I miss you too, love you lots and I wont see you in two years...I'll see you in one and a half years!! I guess!

To Tiff:
I'm glad that you're so excited about school, you'll get really smart really fast with that attitude. I love you and miss you lots too!!!

To Nattie Bug:
I love you too!!! I guess it will seem like a long time before I get home to you but that will just make it even better when I do come home. Just remember Your my sister, I'm your brother and I'm not dead. ;-) Love ya!

Nope, I haven't gone into primary yet but it seems like I have a lot of interaction with them anyways. In this ward a lot of the members have their eight year olds take the lessons from the missionaries to prepare for baptism, and most of them really like it when we came over. Our last lesson my companion started teaching the lesson and I noticed her undivided attention as we taught her. Whenever we were talking her eyes never left the one who was talking. When the lesson was over we checked what she learned and it was amaizing to see that she got the lesson perfectly! The strength in the younger generation is amaizing!!! I've heard stories from members that let their childrens friends come over for dinner and say a prayer for dinner. They go home and insist a prayer for dinner before they eat!

This week we taught Alex (investigator) the gospel of Jesus Christ, he's still doing very well he wont be baptized on the 28th of May because he works on Saturdays but we told him to pray about a day he should be baptized and he was excited to persue that! Kim Paluck (investigator) she's always really busy and we've gone by a lot but recently we went by at the perfect time. She was working on her schedual and just set up two appointments right there. We taught her part of lesson two and helped her to understand the backround of the Book of Mormon. The Bess family (less active) we taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and put an answer to his faith question out, desire. I told him he would never be able to have faith unless he wanted it first. He didn't argue that one. It was a good lesson and we are still working on them! Samantha Warren (less active family) she's their eight year old. We taught her obedience, scripture study, and follow the prophet. She was very attentive and learned the concept.

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing great. We ar working on increasing our trackting hours, it seems like everything gets in the way of it making it so you never get around to it, but I'm happy to report that we improved two and a half hours from last week, but there is still room for improvement! If there wasn't I would be unhappy!

I'm doing awsome still trying to work my hardest. I conqoured Satan recently, we've been parking at a members house to trackt and my companion had to use the bathroom so we went in and it ended up killing the trackting time we had planned. So yesterday we parked there to tract and I had to use the bathroom and decided to ignore it and trackt anyway as soon as we walked away from the house I didn't really have to go anymore. We went back later to go after trackting an hour and I'm happy to report we were in and out of there in no time!

Love ya lots!!
Elder Forsyth"

PS I'm still working on writing in my journal, but I don't write on days that I have nothing to write about. I hope that's okay!"

Letter from May 16th

"I'm glad Zack is doing great, goodness Nattie is funny. I love younger kids and their inocent behaviors. I love it even more when they aren't shy and will laugh and smile when you play with them. We have a lot of those here in Estacada, it's awsome!!!

This week we taught Alex (investigator) about the plan of salvation. He actually did what we asked him to do before our appointment! The progression that comes when they do everything you ask is amaizing! He had great insight on the chapter we left him, meaningful questions throughout the lesson, and said that everything we taught him just seemed to make sense. We set a baptismal date for the 28th of May, but he's out of our area so we'll have to find out which ward he's really in and go from there. The Bess family (less active) we spent a lesson trying to answer his question about faith, We'll keep working with them, but until he's ready to get down and pray for answers I don't know how far we'll get.  The Higlie family (less active) we taught the gospel of Jesus Christ and got into why they don't come to church. They gave us their honest concerns and they know they have to overcome them but it seems it may take some time. They love us coming over and want to eventually make it back to church. Jodi (PM investigator) taught part of the plan of salvation, but answered more questions than anything else. Ashley (investigator) we taught the plan of salvation.  The Belin family (half less active) missed church so we taught the gospel principles lesson on exaltation.

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing great doing our best to work hard and teach those who are willing to hear the message. Dogs are our biggest challenge right now, you never know what they are going to do. A little bit ago we were trying to contact a referal and they had this big dog outside. We just kept walking to the house showing no fear, the whole time he was barking at us and when we knocked on the door he would go crazy. As we were walking away I felt the dog nip at my hand, but I didn't freak out and we were able to escape. Just yesterday while we were tracting three dogs come running towards us as we approach this house, we keep walking and I held out my hand. They sniffed it started being friendly, then they looked at my companion and went beserk. He must have showed fear or something, I started to continue to walk to the house but they just got worse so we decided to turn around and slowly walk away. Then the guy came out of his house and saved us, he wasn't interested but admired our bravery!

I'm doing great still working hard and trying to be as obedient as I can. I love the work and sometimes wish it would slow down, so I could get more done.

Love ya much,
Elder Forsyth"

Ward Talent Show Video

Finally, the video I promised!  This is the first one with them performing the Haka.  I don't know if  I spelled that right. 

Here's video #2, This one is not very good quality.  

 I think who ever was taking it, didn't realize there was more.  : )
This is the missionary rap with Ben being is usual goofy self!!

Letter from May 9th

I am working on getting caught up, really no excuse as to why I got so far behind.  Sorry.

We had a GREAT visit on Mother's Day!  It was so Awesome to hear his voice and talk with him for a little bit.  I was very selfish and didn't share him with his siblings, only his Dad!  He sounds so great and I am so grateful for his example of absolutely loving the work he is doing!!

I have this weeks letter to post, but I want to put up his video that he mentioned in one of his letters.  I'll get that up in a day or two, I hope.  Then I 'll post todays letter.  Enjoy!


"It was awsome to be able to talk on th phone with you yesterday. I'm at the point in my mission where I tell people how long I've been out, and get one of two responses. Either they say, "Oh wow, your still a bit green then!" or they say, "So your not green anymore." It's kind of funny really, everyone has a different opinion I guess. In my opinion I wasn't a greenie after about 2-3 months or at least I didn't feel like it anymore.

I really like my P-days in this area. I finaly found some people that enjoy playing volleyball every week like I do. It's only two on two but it's a lot of fun and we are all good enough that we actually get some good plays in. My whistle has been broken since birth and I finaly stared to fix it, I can now whistle. I'm still working out the bugs but it's coming along really well. I had just for some random reason started whistling while we walk from house to house, and one day it started coming out ;-).

This week we taught Alex (investigator) about the restoration, he wasn't able to come to church this week due to work, but it seems he's really excited about our lesson with him tomorrow. If I were to make a guess he's going to be the next to be baptized! If his attitude about it stays the same, it could be another fast one!!! The Arangos (less active family) we taught the Plan of Salvation.   If it isn't raining we are going to play B-ball with Bro. Arango for some of our P-day. We taught Lisa (recent convert) more on the commandments and recommited her to live them. She is doing really well and Marisa (rc) is doing good as well. We still have daily contact with them and their determination to follow the gospel is starting to show.

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing great. We set some really good goals this week to work towards being more obedient and more dignified servants of the Lord. I like the phrase obedience is our quest found in the Oregon Portland Mission Culture, it really puts emphasies on the fact that none of us are perfect or can become perfect in one night. It's a journey, something we work for. To me a quest is a noble task that could take a long time to accomplish, maybe even a lifetime, but it will be more than worth the time spent to accomplish it. The biggest things in life are accomplished by small steps. I know that as we take these small steps and apply the atonement of Jesus Christ, using his help in every aspect of our lives we can become perfect thus fullfilling the commandment "be ye therefore perfect" and reach our potential to become like our Father in Heaven.

I'm doing great loving the work and my new area. I miss my old area but I think that just means that I was doing my job there. It was awsome to walk from one baptism over there to another over here. No matter what kind of opposition there is the work will progress, we just need to do our part by handing our lives over to God and following the promptings of the Spirit.

Much Love,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from May 2nd

"Wow! It's amaizing the things that happen at home while I have been away. There are going to be a lot of Forsyth's out on their mission too, that's awesome!!! I'll pray for Zach's surgery to go well.

The baptism happened on Friday!!! It was great, all three have potential to be great members. It's too bad John, the other child, will have to wait until October, he's only 7. I got to conferm Willow who is the 9 year old daughter on Sunday! That was a neat experience.

The ward had a talent night on Saturday, and we participated. We were told ours was the best. My companion, me, and Travis who got his mission call to Arizona performed the Haka and rapped a little bit. I got a video of it and you'll love it!!! Sorry it has taken so long to get the memory card back to you, I haven't been able to find any time to take care of mailing stuff but I should have time today.

This week we taught Lisa, Marisa, and Willow (investigators) the last of the commandments and they were baptized on Friday! Warrens (less active family) the plan of salvation. Higlies (less active family) plan of salvation. Ashley (investigator) we tracted into her mom then when we returned we met Ashley, who said she had taken lessons with the missionaries in another city about a year ago and enjoyed it. It was kind of an interesting lesson 1 with her kids and dogs running around but it seemed she felt the spirit. Leon (investigator) is getting more used to us and is harder to teach now, he goes off randomly whenever he can and he picks apart words, we didn't get much of anywhere with that lesson so we're going to try to aproach it differently.

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing great. We are working on budgeting our time better so that we are more on time to things, especially home so that we can plan and get to bed. We got a compliment from one of the ward members saying that we are very good teachers so that's a plus.

I'm doing great, learning how to lead missionary work in an area that my companion knows more than me. I love missionary work, and some may try to take that away, but I don't think that's possible!

Love ya much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from April 25th

"So I'm glad you decided to write me earlier than Tuesday, I think I forgot to tell you that I will now be doing it on Mondays because libraries are open around here. They did put two completely new Elders in McMinnville, I hope that they are obidient missionaries and don't ruin the area that I just fixed! ;-P It's okay about my package, my companion hasn't gotten anything that I know of either. We'll just have Easter when I get my package. :-) I did get to color eggs at a members house though it was fun and I got pretty creative as usual.

I still don't remember my whole adress I forgot to write it down. :-\ Tell dad and Nattie I'm sorry, I didn't forget them, I had everything ready then I procrastinated and the transfers threw everything off but I do have birthday cards for them. Hopefully I'll be able to send them today.

Nope I'm not a greenie and past 6 months you lose the greenie title anyways even if you're still in your first area! But I didn't feel like a greenie after three months anyways. Greenie feeling comes back when you get put into a new area again, but that's been fading fast. I guess I'm used to getting thrown into a new situation suddenly.

So for teaching we are working with Lisa Thoen, Marisa Smith, and Willow Smith?(investigators) we are finishing up the comandments and their baptism is scheduald for Friday the 29th!!! Leon (investigator) found him tracting around a retirement home,  He lives behind the retirement home in like a camping trailer because he dosen't like the noise.? We taught him the first lesson it went very smoothly and when we were explaining how the spirit speaks to us he said that that was how he felt right now! We taught the second lesson and he acted a little differently, he was picking apart a lot of our words to argue but the lesson still went very well.

Elder Uluilakepa and I are doing great. I'm amaized at how good he is even though he didn't go to the MTC. He teaches very well and loves the work. 

I'm doing awsome, as usual. I'm just starting to get the hang of my new area, realizing where things are at and how to work in the area. It's amaizing to see the difference in areas.

Love Ya Much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter from April 20th

"Holy Cow, things have been crazy this last week!!! To answer your question we were able to get Bobbie baptized! It was awsome to finaly have a golden investigator that I taught completely. It seems a lot like she will be a strong member, she's really commited and I think she'll do great. Specially since the ward is just eating her up ... in a good way! I had the opportunity to baptize Bobbie, and took part in the confermation which Elder Holli did!

On to more news. I did get transfered to Estacada, and I don't know my adress yet. :-( My new companion has only been out 6 weeks and that's one thing that he dosen't know. I'll have to get that and snail mail in to you. My companions name is Elder Uluilakepa ... he was born in Tonga and he's from Seattle. He's pretty sweet and I think I'm going to love serving with him. We have a car and I'm the driver!!! I'll have to find out what it is all I know is that it's a Subaru and it's really nice! Oh, and it's interesting to get used to a car starting out on the freeway! Wouldn't recommend it, but we arrived safely, it was just really weird.

Cooking is great I've mostly been having grilled cheese and quesadillas, but I have made cookies a few times and I did make that sweet potato pie. It turned out great!

That's crazy what happened to TJ! I'm glad he's okay and I hope I don't have to deal with anything like that!

So for our investigators I don't know all the names of our investigators yet, but we taught the Bess family (less active) they are awsome but Brother Bess claims to be agnostic but they let us come over and "practice" teach them the lessons for Elder Uluilakepa's sake. It went well and I think the spirit was strong in that lesson. We gave Lisa Thoen (investigator) a blessing she's having a surgery today I think, but it seems like the family is almost ready for baptism! Connie Zoller (less active) we taught the plan of salvation. She is an awsome lady who is trying to make it back to church but has to relearn a lot, but apparently she made it to church last week! We talked to a lot of our investigators and introduced me to them but I'm still working on remembering names.

I love Elder Uluilakepa, he's awsome. We already have had one of those side wrenching laughs together. He's doing great at introducing me to the area. It's deffinately going to be different than McMinnville in terms of how we are going to accomplish the work partially due to the fact that I only cover one ward now, but I'm already getting used to it.

I decided to turn over a new leaf and not care about what people might think if I retract into them. Because Estacada is a very small town and a lot of country roads. So I'll end up having to tract out the area a couple times before I leave! I love the work and hope to continue to grow in order to become a better instrament in the Lord's hands!

Love ya much,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter to Michelle May 5, 2011

Dear Michelle,


So a while back we were trying to get in contact with a former investigator. We went by their house and knocked on the front door. Apparently the door was almost completely blocked on the inside but we were directed to go around to the other side. So we went to the back door and knocked, it was kind of weird because someone completed different answered the door. We asked for the people we were looking for and they told us that they had moved, so we asked is they had time to talk and they told us they weren't interested. A little while later we had someone just out of the blue come to church 2 weeks in a row. Her name was Bobbie Anderson, We got her a Book of Mormon but didn't have much time to talk to her. Luckily one of the ladies in the ward got her information for us. We called and asked if we could come by her house to let her know more. She was excited and told us we could come by the next day. Come to find out is was the exact same house, but to make a long story short, we taught we all the lessons in a couple of weeks and I had the opportunity to baptize her today! Elder Holli will get to do the confirmation tomorrow on Sunday! All this actually came about because a friend of hers from California started talking with her about the gospel. So keep up the missionary work!! 


You're welcome for my penmanship! :P and thank you for yours! (I have this friend on a mission and I have the hardest time reading his letters.. they are like chicken scratch. Ben has good hand writing and I am extremely grateful for that.)

It's crazy what happened in Japan! That's all everyone wanted to talk about for a while. I had one guy who was drinking try to get me to tell him the end of the world was coming within the next few years and I wouldn't give him a straight answer. I did give him a mormon.org pass-along card though. :) I'm not scared though. if I were to die on my mission that's a sure shot at the Celestial Kingdom, right? (haha :] he says that stuff, it makes me laugh ) The only thing I'd be bummed about is that I don't have and eternal companion yet :( :( :( !!!


You're linked to my family blog!!! :) Ohhh boy!!! That's about as good as your mom getting me socks for Christmas, which are really good, by the way!


Wow, sorry I wasn't able to finish this letter and send it but since I was transfered I have had no time for anything so anyway, I'm in Estacada now with a Tongan Elder Uluikakepa I also walked into a baptism 3 people and they are awesome. 


Anyway so my superpower is a little villainous also. I would have control of time meaning, fast forward, rewind, and pause. So before I die i want to get married in the temple and raise a family but that's probably not the answer you wanted haha. IDK, skydiving sounds pretty cool, I'd also like to go surfing. If You had to go to war, what field of battle would you go into?
So something interesting That I didn't know about Alma I found in Alma 45:18-19 Check it out, It's pretty cool. 


Love, 
Elder Forsyth

Letter From April 12th

"Yeah, I can see them being astounded in Utah. Are there even that many nonmembers? JK! I bet they could easily contact 80 members, Ha ha! I talked to President at Elder Holli's interview and he pretty much told me I was staying in the area! There's only one problem with that, We are going to run out of miles for the car!! We had to go to multiple meetings over long distances already this month and Elder Holli still has to travel to the temple tomorrow.

I'm excited for the new mission president, C. Jeffery Morby. Although he has massive shoes to fill, President Dyches is amaizing! I'm sure the new one will do awesome but it's hard to see President Dyches go! :-(

Yeah, those we have been teaching have changed a lot, but I think we get Herman back next week! We'll see if he's studied like he was supposed to or if he watched General Conference. Just so you know we have a baptismal date with Bobby Anderson this weekend!!!! There's only one problem we might have to fix first wich might move the date but she's deffinatly legitement!

Yesterday I had the best P-day yet!!! We went to Sky High, a trampoline place, they basically line the floors and walls with them and you can bounce from one to the next (maybe even adding flips with each jump)! The coolest part was we got to do it with Elder Lawrence, he was in my district at the MTC! He's awesome and I hope I get to serve with him sometime.

This week we taught Stacy (investigator) we tracted into her a little bit ago and she started telling us there were too many differences with our church and her church and we asked her what those were. She used that we thought that works saved us, Elder Holli then explained to her the concept of faith and works and she really opened up and let us come back. When we taught her it seemed to go really well and she agreed to read the Book of Momon and pray about it, so hopefully something will spark there! Elise Browning (less active) visited and gave a spiritual thought. Terry Noreen Jr. family (PM less active) we are teaching the kids Book of Mormon stories and they really enjoy it when we come and the parents seem to sit in more everytime we come. Bobby Anderson (investigator) we finished the commandments with her and she said she would live them! By the sounds of it we might have to talk about the trinity next time, but the Baptismal date is set for the 16th right now!! Holly Pittman (investigator) we taught the plan of salvation. Judy Talmage (investigator) we taught the first lesson finally and now we might start moving somewhere with her. Brandon Martin (exmember) we came in on him reading the Miracle of Forgivness and he had a lot to say about it, but I think he's about to buckle up and just start to church!

Elder Holli and I are doing awesome, we've been very busy lately and he's been working hard untill the end! I'm proud of him and hope I can have the dedication he has at the end of my mission as well! I hope we get that Baptism before he goes!

I'm doing great, loving the work and looking forward to a new companion this next transfer. He better be a good one! Or he will soon be!! Ha ha!

Much Love,
Elder Forsyth"

Letter From April 5th

"I did get the snail mail and the pictures and I also had time to read your E-mail. With the 80 contact it seems like we've had a lot less time to do so lately. We've been getting a lot more appointments so I guess it's only good. Elder Holli had an interview with president and asked him about it, president said that there were some areas where it would be completely impossible for the missionaries to contact 80 people in a day. He said that it was more the idea behind it of trying to talk to everyone we see/run into. That wont stop us from trying but we've been getting the blessings for it so I think in presidents way we are doing our part! Transfers are on April 18th

Conference was great, we spent the entire day before running around and calling to invite all we could to watch it in hopes that they would feel the spirit watching it in their homes. Then know what we are about and want to know more! We're waiting to see the fruits of that still but there were a few that showed interest in watching it! I really enjoyed watching it, it's funny seeing certain parts and hoping that certain people were watching at that time. I watched each session at different members houses, some with kids some without. That was fun just to see the difference! My favorite parts are when the apostles make their little wise cracks in their talks. There were a couple in the priesthood session.

This week we taught some twin 6 year olds from a (PM) less active family some of the Book of Mormom stories and we are going back again today. Holly Pittman (investigator) she's one that was taught before but came to church out of the blue so we went by and started teaching her from the begining again. Bobby Anderson (investigator) was challenged by a friend to check out our church and she ended up going twice, we picked her up this last week and she is really interested. She mentioned crying whenever she described her experiance about coming to church because it felt like coming home. She's moving really rapidly and I wouldn't be surprised if she is baptized before transfers are up! Felisha (investigator) tracted into her and she allowed us to come back into her home we taught about the restoration, and the spirit was very strong when we relayed Joseph Smith's story, but she wasn't open to praying to know because she felt she already had the truth in her church. We couldn't get her to open up again, but she said she might watch conference and read the Book of Mormon. So hopefully something sparks her attention! Brandon Martin (exmember) is still off smoking, and he told us he was planning to come to church this week. Sadly we had to tell him that it was General Conference but he said he'd watch conference. Fry Alexis (investigator) tracted into him he was one of those we only had time for one door sort of things, we found him and returned yesterday and taught him a little bit and he said we were welcome whenever! I know it's been a while since I've mentioned Herman Torres (investigator) but he's still out fishing in Alaska and sounds like he wont be back until next transfer.

Elder Holli and I are doing really great, trying to get Holli to go out with a bang. I really want to get Bobby baptized before he goes, I think that would be really awesome for him to have that experience right before he goes home. I'm working really hard at making him realize that he has accomplished so much on his mission and especially while he's been here in McMinnville and Amity. This area really has grown since we both have been here and it's amaizing to see the difference two people can make.

I'm doing awesome and hope to be able to continue to serve the Lord to the best of my ability. I'm excited for zone conference tomorrow even though I don't think I'm prepared for the scripture mastery portion, but I'll do my best!

Much love!!!!
Elder Forsyth"

Letter From March 29th

"I'm working on getting pictures of the appartment right now, then I will send the memory card.

Lately I was reading in Jesus the Christ and it was talking about when Satan was tempting Jesus after his 40 day fast. It was kind of like a trick question every time he said, "If thou art the son of God," then do this. Kind of saying if you don't then you doubt your the son of God. Every temptation Jesus backed up why he didn't do it with scripture and finaly saying, "Get thee hence Satan" thus defeating him. It's interesting to note that it brings up that Jesus was tempted before and after that and it wasn't one fatal swing and Satan was done. It was like in our lives we have to continuously beat him through out our lives. We must keep hacking at the enemy all our lives, until at the judgment day we will recieve our reward!

This week we taught Patty Mcleod (investigator) probably for the last time, she had to move out and says she will seek out the church wherever she goes. Elise Browning (less active) visited with a spiritual thought and will continue to visit her with spiritual thoughts until she can start making it back to church, she has to work on Sundays. Bob Walker (investigator) we taught how to get an answer by studying the Book of Mormon and Prayer, he said he will be watching General Conference with his member friend! Brandon Martin (exmember) had been off smoking for 5 days last we talked with him! He is now trying to get over his fear of coming to church. Mike Mead (PM less active) is doing better and better every week, last time we read the Book of Mormon with him he tried to follow along and seemed to have done pretty well. He also said he would try to make it to church, didn't see him there but he decided to make that step before we even invited him! The Almonds (PM less active) we talked about baptism and how to seek to find answers to prayer, to know if the church is true. Shannon Cacson (investigator) talked about what Jesus taught and invited him to watch General Conference, he said he would.

Elder Holli and I are doing great, we are finding it hard to get 80 contacts in one day though. This last week we spent almost a whole day tracting the longest/busiest street in our area talking to everyone along the way and only ended up with 46, but we'll keep working on that. We are promised a new investigator if we contact 80 people in one day.

I'm still doing awesome. I can't belive how long I've been out, and it seems like it has only been a short time. But I guess that's what happens when your doing the Lords work. Time flies when your having fun!!
Love Ya!
Elder Forsyth"