October 2010 Issue 47

Elder Christopher Martin
Santo Domingo West Dominican Republic 1-2011
Elder Martin is a busy Missionary. Here is what he writes: "Its the fourth quarter, its game time. Indeed, this is the jump stage of the mission. This week was awesome. I've been re-reading my diaries of the mission and it fills me with lots of insight, seeing inspiring moments, growth on the mission, seeing the hard times and comparing them to now is quite an awesome experience. Indeed, this week I have been pondering a lot. I'm very grateful for this experience . . . in this great cause that we are in.
My comp and I are working hard. We feel the spirit more abundantly. We are teaching a kid named Jorge who is not like the other kids. He reads and prays and pays close attention. Also, we are teaching a man named Andres, who is the only non member in [his] family. He is awesome! His brother is the branch president. The Spirit is strong in the lessons.

Elder Adrian Etherton
Idaho Boise Mission 8-2011
Elder Etherton is awaiting fall in Meridian, he said it was a warm summer. He and his companion had the opportunity to meet up with some of the local livestock for some great photos. He has been busy teaching the gospel. He says it's a privilege to be surrounded by so many faithful members that have helped to move the work along in Idaho. The people in his area have been so wonderful to him. He has grown close to a few families. He will be in Meridian for at least this transfer, but is not sure what will happen next month. He keeps his attention focused on the gospel and the influence that the Holy Ghost is in his life to direct him through the rest of his mission.

Elder Joseph Calcote
Georgia Atlanta Mission 10-2011
Elder Calcote says “Morning from GAM,” (Georgia Atlanta Mission). He recently had the opportunity to go on exchanges with the assistants. This put him with one of the Elder’s who trained him. One of the members observed that they worked really well together, and they make a good companionship. They got to share that Elder Meacham was one of those who taught him and how much he had learned and grown. He said when he was being trained he was a totally different missionary.
He shared we found that one of our potential investigators is dead, so we'll let the missionaries on the other side teach her. It wasn't really a surprise, she was 92 years old. But we ended up having a good chat with her son, John, who is a Unitarian but he said he would listen.
They recently had Stake Conference where some of their less-active members and investigators attended. The messages were very good and included being humble and patient with one another, and above all, show love. He said they had a long drive to attend and being with them and their faith was an amazing experience.
He closes with saying that his mission seems to be going so fast, with multiple areas and companions so far! He is doing great and we are so proud of him! Happy Hump Month Elder Calcote!

Elder Andrew Santiago
Utah Ogden Mission 1-2012
Elder Santiago continues to have a phenomenal missionary experience in the Ogden Utah mission. A local member sent us a note recently telling us how well he was doing, and remarked that, “I think Elder Santiago is having far different experience here in Utah than most missionaries.” This is evidenced by the constant opportunity he has to cross paths with various members of his extended family, meeting distant relatives in his local wards that he has never known, and finally the chance to meet and impact his future uncle that is investigating the church. All this combined with an ability to attend general conference in Salt Lake (outside the mission), and a busy schedule teaching the gospel should help you understand why he is so happy and loving his mission. In his last letter he mentioned that for their most recent Zone Conference, Elder Robbins of the 70 came and worked with them. He describes the experience as AMAZING and said he took some of the best notes ever. Elder Santiago is currently in Wellsville, just south of Logan. He says the pace is a lot slower than his time spent in Roy, but loves the people. It is hard to think that he has been on his mission for almost nine months. He sends his love to the 4th ward and appreciated the great support he receives coming from such a great ward.

President and Sister Martin & Adam
California San Fernando Mission 7-2012
President & Sister Martin & Adam: “Recently an unexpected visitor showed up. A painter working on the side of the mission home discovered a rattlesnake eating a rat. The back end and tail were still hanging out the rattler's mouth. It rattled it's tail nonstop. The painter came to the door and tried to tell me what he had discovered. Because he spoke little English and "yo no hablo Espanol," I called Elder Ibarra (a native Argentine), over to translate. We called Animal control who took their sweet time arriving. They finally came and took the snake out to the wilderness. So we have one less snake and one less rat here at the mission home. Adam is enjoying being back in school. He has his same job videoing the football games from the end zone. He gets to travel with the team to do this. We are enjoying our mission. It is so inspiring to work with so many Spirit-filled missionaries and see so many miracles.”

Elder Kenny Midgley
Ecuador Guayaquil North 9-2012
Elder Kenny Midgley had a nice journey to the Provo MTC: He got a nice tour of Temple Square and the Church Office Building from a family friend and then had breakfast with Bro. Santiago and Trey Nelson in Provo. He checked into the MTC at 1:15pm on September 22, and was welcomed by a new companion from Mesquite, TX. He is settling in for a short stay in the MTC, since he is in the advanced Spanish Class and will be going directly to his mission after 3 weeks, scheduled now to travel on October 13. Kenny is enjoying learning how to really use Preach My Gospel from the full-time missionary perspective, and is glad he took the missionary preparation classes. He sends an "hola" to everyone back in Plano.

Elder Kyle Midgley
Ecuador Quito 9-2012
Elder Kyle Midgley also got the SLC tour and got to spend time with Trey Nelson before checking into the Provo MTC. His new companion is a great guy from Broomall, PA, and attended the same chapel that Kyle attended 16 years ago. Kyle will also be leaving the MTC after a short stint and will either go to the Peru MTC or directly to his mission in Quito on October 13; all those Spanish classes paid off. Kyle is looking forward to experiencing General Conference while in the MTC. Did you know that there are 5 sessions of Conference? Amazing. Kyle really likes the http://www.dearelder.com/ letter delivery service, and getting news from home. He is very excited to get to Ecuador as soon as possible and get the show on the road.