Cookin with the Spirit

Howdy y'all. Quite a bit has happened this week. Let's goooo.

Natchez

Okay so uh. Tuesday? We visited a bunch of people and had our interviews with president. We met a few cool people and cool stuff. We also got to eat with the Dollars. We went over the ward roster with them so now we know who to visit and who not to haha. 

Wednesday we had district council. We drive about 2 hours to get to Alexandria and then meet with the district. Pretty wild stuff. We met an inactive member who we visit after district council and it's pretty sweet. We also met a few more people that were previously being taught and set up stuff with them. It's kinda weird cuz you gotta tell them that there hasn't been missionaries around for months. But its chill. 

Thursday was straight visiting random people and trying to set up junks. But we did get to eat with a member who has a wild family. They have like 6 kids who are screaming the whole time haha. It was wild. We talked about enoch with them a bit. 

MTC Temple Men

On Friday we helped out with the veteran people for a good while. They give out clothes to veterans for free and stuff it's super cool. They're all catholic so we might get to go to mass with them sometime. They have one of those super old cathedrals it's super cool. We also helped a less active member move their ballet stuff over to a theater for a show. That was pretty cool. We had some other missionaries come and stay over for the mission conference on Saturday.

Cowboy Jay

Saturday we left early in the morning and drove down to Baton rouge for the mission conference. It was awesome. Every missionary in the mission was there. It was cool to see everyone and take a big ol picture and stuff. After that we got to hear from elder and sister martino, elder and sister Duncan, and elder and sister cook. That was probably the most spiritual experience in my life listening to elder cook. He gave the most powerful witness and it was so awesome. The chapel we were in was dead silent. It was the craziest thing ever. But it was awesome. I got to see the old MTC district too which was cool. Also elder obray and a few others haha. After that we went with some of the senior missionaries to canes and ate with them. We didnt have any missionary media so we were going with them to the mission office. We got our stuff and then also got a microwave! Sweet. Then we had the big long drive back. Yeahhh.

Icy Car

On sunday we watched the temple rededication instead of normal church. It was awesome. We also got to teach a kid who was recently baptized. His parents aren't members so there may be some good opportunities there. We later got to eat and talk with a bunch of members. They're awesome. They had a whole bunch of hot sauces. I tried one called like. Chocolate lightning. It didnt have any chocolate in it. It was just hot haha. But good. After that we watched the face to face broadcast with the members and it was good. The youth have a pretty lit program going on. I just missed it. 

Monday. We drove up to marksville and have been hanging out with the elder up here for exchanges. We got to go to an AA meeting. It was the testimony night or whatever they call it where the people say "Hi I'm Billy and I'm an alcoholic. Haha it was somethin else. Met a lot of people though. We need to go to that back in natchez. Good finding opportunity. But uhhh. Yeah. The mission conference was definitely the best. Yeah.

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: Roman's 5:11

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

This is the only verse in the new testament with the word atonement. It's really cool because the bible does mention the atonement but the Book of mormon really defines it. Not everyone down here even knows the word atonement. So we gotta help em out. 

Natchez!

District council with habaneros

Elder Checketts was transferred last week to Natchez, Mississippi so we received no letter. This is this weeks letter.

Bridge over the Mississippi

Bridge over the Mississippi

This business is actually a members house

Me and Elder Obray at the temple

So I'm out here in the Natchez. It is a very small like tourist town. There's a lot of cool plantation homes and things. uhh. We are right on the Mississippi river. It's pretty wild. The ward here is pretty small compared to Oak grove. I went from about 250 active members to about 40. So that's neat. so uh. yeah. Idk what happened before I got here. pday was pretty wack so that's why I didn't write last week. but hey i'm here now. so. yeah. super bummed to leave Oak Grove. I got to eat with my fav members though. But when we left we went to the transfer point and like. We didn't have a car for a bit and the senior missionaries thought they messed up haha. It was wild. but turns out they got it. And then turns out we didn't have anywhere to live. But we later found out that we actually have a new apartment. So that's where we live now. We also don't have a mail key...so don't mail me anything. until we get one. so uh. yeah. we got to our apartment and it was super empty haha. we have no furniture. besides our beds that we unboxed and our foldable plastic study chairs and tables. so yeah. we got some pots and pans and things too which is cool. we don't have a microwave right now though. which is a missionary's best friend. so we have to heat up leftovers and stuff in the oven. so that's been fun. but anyways. My Comp is elder Thompson if you don't know already haha. It's dope cuz we was in the MTC together. so like with us opening up this area and being doubled in and all that, it's nice to already know your comp haha. but yeah. we've just been going around hitting everyone we possibly can so its been wild. 

Nature

 The ward has been super nice and has definitely missed having missionaries around. The area is really cool too haha. Literally its actually getting cold. and i don't mean like the 65 degrees cold i mean like its supposed to get down to 20 tomorrow. we might die. But it's been cool. we have to drive 2 hours to get to district council which is a bit different. We get to cross the mississippi river a lot though haha. its like right in the middle of our area. Shweet. but yeah. HEY! we also have a black person in our ward! its sick. in oak grove there was literally none haha. I feel like a minority down here its cool. but uhh yeah. I gave a talk on sunday and I was way nervous. Ive only been here a few days but i've met like the whole ward hahah. wild. but uhh yeah. more to come later. Keep spankin

Elder Checketts

Our car frosted

Ps scripture time: Jacob 4: 5-6

5 Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name. And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son.

                                               

6 Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

Jacob 4 is surprisingly yummy

The rains came 10-7-19

zone conference

So a lot happened this week. So. Uh. Elder Jensen got a haircut too. So now we both thugs. Jk. I look like a marine though. Pretty cool. But on Tuesday we walked dogs and visited people and stuff. We had Panzit and lumpia at the yuviencos. They're Philippino so they made us some philippino food. Super good stuff. But uh yeah. Wednesday. We ran over a rattlesnake.....and then grabbed it. And then skinned it. Yep. But anyways we have exchanges with the APs so I went out with elder jones and elder jones. It was really good. We got to go eat with bro duff. He remembered my name which he Apparently never remembers any missionaries names so that's cool haha. And we got to teach Jaslyn and bro thomley. They both really needed visits it felt like so they were super good. We had dinner with a member and then had interviews afterward. I'm not too sure president likes my haircut hahaha. It'll grow back though. 

Diamond Back we ran over

After that we visited some more peeps. Then on Friday we had zone conference. It was kinda boring because it was directed to the sisters. And the temple open house and stuff. So both president and sister Varner expect me to say something each conference now. I guess because a few conferences ago I bore testimony. Also the conference after that. And now they expect me to do it every time so theres a lot of pressure. But I did this time too and flippin president Varner called me out in a good way haha. It was kind of embarrassing but in front of the whole zone he was like "elder Checketts always says something good near the end, and we would be super unhappy if we didn't get to hear it." Something like that. But uhh yeah. After zone conference we went and ate with the garvens and then we went to do concessions for the oak grove football game. It was against their rival so it was big. Southern football is huuuge. They have a big stadium just for the high school. But. It started raining finally. And it was a big ol thunderstorm. So the game got delayed too late so we had to go. Wild stuff. But uhh Saturday. We watched general conference at the church. There were some members there. They're awesome. A ton of good stuff. I got a lot of notes. After the morning session we visited diane for a while which was good. We kind of clarified the restoration because I'm not sure she fully got it. But she seems super legit. Just slowly getting there. Then we watched afternoon conference at the biglers. It was good as expected. Then we went and did service at a band competition. That's a thing here. Marching bands and stuff compete. It's actually kinda cool. But. Weird how popular it is. Anyways. That got rained out too. Another huge thunderstorm hit and it got cancelled. Pretty wild down here in the south. 

A big ol honkin dog

Then church day. Minus church. We watched the morning session at the church again. The sunday conferences had a ton of good loot. I had a lot of notes. I really like everyone who spoke. But I guess theres never a bad talk. We watched the afternoon session at the yuviencos. They've been feeding us too much recently hahaha. It's awesome. I love the phillipino food they make. After all that we did a bunch of planning. So yeah. And today. A pretty normal p day. I bought a golden chef knife....it was like 3 dollars so. Why not. But uhh yeah. Got some groceries and played some games and stuff. We went to the old trussells and ate with them. We talked to bro trussell about the ward roster and got a bunch of good info on less actives and part member families and all kinds of good loots. We shared a cool message about alma 60 and 61. About how pahoran could have been super rude back to Moroni but was really kind and loving. So we can be like that too-christlike when things might not go our way. It always feels better to be nice right? Yep. Alrighty then. Gotta blast.

A cool sunset

Elder Checketts

Ps scripture time: 2 nephi 11:4-7

4 Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.

5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

6 And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.

7 For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.

It kind of speaks for itself but it's really cool to think in a missionary perspective where your soul delights in proving that christ should come. Super awesome. 

Also the award for Emailers of the month of September: Chris and Ariel Checketts. Wooo congratulations. But yeah y'all are awesome I read y'alls emails every week. And everyone else's too but they've been on top of it. Alrighty then. Maybe there will be a prize for the emailer of the month. Hahaha. Idk. We'll see. 

Thug Life

Yeehaa y'all. So. I got a haircut today. It was by a super dope black guy. But now. I look like a thug. Hahahah. Jk. Except he totally gave me a hard line on the side of my head. I didn't ask for it. But I got it. So now I look like vanilla ice. Alrighty then. Goodbye everyone I'll remember you all in therapy!

A big ol panorama of lake serene

 Jk so uh. This week felt like 3 in 1. I already wrote about going down to slidell. But uhh. Yeah. We has district council and such. Theres a pretty lit restaurant called cookout. It's good. Anyways after that we went and visited a whole bunch of people with not much success. But we got to see diane again and go over bishops storehouse with her and talked about the restoration. Shes progressing super well. So yeah. Then we had a very awkward encounter with a less active fam. Cuz like they know they're less active and we know...but they act like they're active and it's just weird. But anyways we invited them to the baton rouge temple open house. We have been doing that a ton this week. We've given out over 80 cards. Which is like. Half of the zone total. Yeehaa. And then after that we went back to the church and did a missionary board question thing. Where the young men asked questions and we answered and stuff. Like why are we out here and what did we do to prepare. That kind of thing. But pretty cool thing I met a sister from uncle Dave's mission in London. I sadly cannot remember her name. Shhh dont tell nobody. But it was cool how she talked about dave and debbie and how awesome they are. Low key jealous. But it's all good. Thursday we visited a whole bunch more people and then went out with bro Duff. He is wild man. Super eccentric. And one of the scariest drivers. We got to teach A guy named Johnny and also a lady named Brenda. Idk if I've talked about them before. They are both super legit though. Just need to get them to church. Johnny was really interested in the priesthood authority and where to find it so it was cool to talk about that. After teaching them we had dinner with the Newman's haha. We helped them move in a while back and they are super awesome. Bro newman really likes star wars so that's sweet. We invited them to give out some temple invites and bro Newman said he wanted to come teach with us so that's cool. 

a peacock

Then we drove around and visited some other members and gave them some temple cards. And finally we went to the yuviencos and talked to them about it too. Sis yuvienco gave us some lemongrass tea. It's like. Just boiled lemongrass. But its pretty good. We had bishops storehouse and stuff. Visited a ton haha. I dont remember friday too well. Saturday we went and cleaned up Amber's yard and stuff and invited her to the open house. She seemed really excited about it so that was cool. Then we got to go help Ron again at his store hahaha. Hes still crazy as ever. I got a wooden bear though. Super cool. I'll take a picture later. Apparently his Pentecostal church really liked us and wants us to go back. So uh. Guess we'll have to do that. But after that we biked so much I'm surprised I made it. Jk. But it was about 30 miles in all so it was pretty rough. Made it though. Church was good on Sunday. We had a few people come which was good. Also a bunch of less actives came which was super awesome. After church we went our with some youth and visited some people. And then we went to venture church later hahah. It was basically a Christian gospel concert. With a sermon afterward. They had some interesting insight but still. It's hard to beat the true church haha. 

venture churches stage

But uh so how this happened was on saturday when we were visiting we ended up meeting the pastor for venture church. It's supposed to be a super hip new fangled fun church. And it is. Its just... not church. It's like a concert. With a preacher after. So it was cool and I get why people go. But it seems more like an activity instead of an actual church service. But yeah. Now today. We got groceries. I got some new kicks. Uhh. We played some football and basketball. And a few board games. So then we went and ate with the van akins and after that... we went to Jeremy's. And hes an investigator. Who cuts hair. So if you bring this around to the beginning of my email. You will see that jeremy is the dope black guy that gave me the haircut. So now I have a black person haircut. It's pretty sweet. I'm not gonna show any pictures though. Maybe later. But yeah. That's this week. Gotta blast.  

 

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: Luke 24: 36-39

36 ¶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

Jesus has a body of perfected flesh and bone. Just like we will be able to someday. Super cool stuff.

  

Transfers and Junk Sept 24th

at the oak grove football game

Howdy y'all. So transfers happened and I'm staying in Oak Grove. Super awesome. I got a new companion elder Jensen. Hes really cool. There was a devotional by president Nelson and its really good if you haven't seen it. It should be on the church website. Also we got Elder Mickelson who is pretty cool. Hes with elder Juarez. But uhh so. Nothing wild happens throughout the week till transfers. And then on thursday we went out to USM in the morning. The Spanish elders were teaching spanish class and we had some stuff to do out there. It was kinda wild. Cuz they had a mission leadership call while we were driving and went to a lesson with diane. So me and mickelson went in there. She was super distracted so it was hard to teach. But she said she would come to church. After that we had lunch with a member haha. Hes crazy. But uhh. We tried visiting a bunch of people and no one was around. We interviewed randy for baptism so that was cool. We visited more people. We ended up visiting the Spiers. The young ones. And talking to them and teaching them a lesson. It was really good. We talked about the plan of salvation and a talk called his grace is sufficient. It's really good. We had district council on Friday and it was good. Sister Jones who I came out with is in our district now haha. Pretty lit. But uh yeah.

at beignet au lait with elder Amidan

We did some planning and then went and saw Anna grace. We talked to her about choosing the right. Pretty goood. Then we planned some more. We were planning for the week hehe. But we went to a place called Mario's with the yuviencos. It was super good. We taught a quick lesson in there too haha. A lady next to us seemed really interested so that's good. BUT. Then we went to the Oak Grove high school football game. We volunteered in the concessions. Oh man. I almost died. I've never done so much math in my life. Super intense. We got to watch a bit of the game which was super lagniappe. Also the first Book of Mormon video came out! It's so cool. Like man I'm excited for the rest. And its something we can watch haha. So Saturday. We had breakfast with bro Tolbert at a place called Southmouth. It was really good. We went home and studied and such. Then we went out with some youth and visited a whole bunch a people. It was super good. And then we proceeded to panda express as tradition. We ate there and then hurried over to the church to teach a guy we found in area book. Turns out. It was his member girlfriend. She doesnt come to church so I didn't recognize her. Definitely the most awkward interaction I've had yet. But uhh. We talked with her and then we went with bro Tolbert again haha. He took us to a choir concert thing for the high school. It was neat. Pretty wack though. There was a sorta famous guy there. Gary Gibbs I think was his name. Church time. We went to church. Diane came it was awesome haha. Also a few other nonmembers it was sweet. We talked to a bunch of members and got info and stuff. Then we went home and studied. Then we went and biked around. We have been giving out a buttload of temple openhouse invites. That's what's been going on. The baton rouge temple is having an open house October 26 through November 2nd. We saw a whole lotta members though. We ate at bro Mitchell's which is always fun haha. They made like lasagna...but with spaghetti noodles. It was so awesome. Then after that invited more members and got to talk to a black man named patrick. Freakin dope guy. He owns many horses. Pday. We uh. Got some groceries. And then we played some board games. And then we went and ate at the careys. They are awesome. We gave then a ton of temple invites to give to people.  But then we got picked up by the brandon elders and drove down to Slidell Louisiana. Which is where I am now. Which is why I'm emailing now. But uhh. I'm here with elder amidan who I came out with. So we have been going out with elder Lutz and elder Hamm. It's been pretty fun to be back in lousiana. I had beignets for the first time. Super good. But uhh yeah we've been visiting people down here and such. Alright gotta blast. 

Good to see lousiana houses again

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: 1 nephi 11: 11

11 And I said unto him: To know the interpretation thereof—for I spake unto him as a man speaketh; for I beheld that he was in the form of a man; yet nevertheless, I knew that it was the Spirit of the Lord; and he spake unto me as a man speaketh with another.

So nephi was talking to the spirit. And like it's cool to think that you can just talk to him like a normal person. Pretty sweet. Also helps kinda clarify that there are 3 separate beings. People in the south believe in 1 so. BOM proves em wrong. Haha

Diabetes

Howdy y'all. So I got diagnosed with diabetes. I'll be in the hospital for a bit. But yeah. Alright. See ya.

 

The Garvens

 Haha JK I dont have diabetes I'm fine. But man. I sure feel like I do. We've had 5 guys like 3 times this week and I'm gonna die. But uhhh. So we went on exchanges on tuesday. I went out with good ol elder Juarez. We went to USM and then biked around. We saw Randy and jason and Ron. We went with Ron to a bible study at his church. Turns out it was a sermon....and it was a Pentecostal church. Holy guacamole I've never felt so uncomfortable in my life. There was a lady going ham on the organ though. That was cool. They gave us some pamphlets that explain some false doctrine. Gotta love them untrue churches. Anyways that was freakin wild. I got to drive so that was cool. Still got it. 9/11. We had District council. The last one with the district so we took pictures. But uhh. There was a fam history event mock. So we went to that and practiced the run through type of thing. We talked with the youth for a bit. After that we visited an inactive man. He didn't want us there so that was fun. But uhhhh. Yep. Thursday we uh. Studied with the Spanish elders and did our house inspection and stuff. After that we went out with bro mitchell and visited a few people. Diane the book a norman lady is awesome. We invited her to come to the family history event again and this time she actually listened I guess haha. After that we went to the garvens and ate. Turns out were 9th cousins haha. Actually turns out I'm like 10th cousins with everyone here. But anyways friday. We did the bishops storehouse and did all that jazz. Then we floored it to waffle house haha. It's actually really good. Then we studied and did some indexing and such. Then we went out to eat with the child's. They super dope. After that we went and helped set up the discovery day. Or the fam history thing. But more importantly we had smoothie king haha. Every friday. It's a tradition. Then on Saturday woooo. We had the uhh. Discovery day. Yeah. We brought diane and had her go to some classes and stuff. It was really cool. A ton of people came. Like 200. We taught an introduction to indexing class haha. Some people enjoyed it Apparently ha. But uhh. Yeah. It was awesome though. Family history is cool stuff. But uh after that we went to a fiesta.

Fiesta Time

 Good loot. Church time. Some talks went on forever. We ended like 15 minutes past the hour. I almost died. BUT. After that we went to Sunday school with the youth and that was dope haha. Oak grove has the biggest youth of the whole mission so it's pretty sweet. We read 2nd Corinthians and stuff. I've been reading through a lot of Paul's epistles and man. That's some good literature. But we did some quick exchanges and went with Randy to his Sunday school. Hes super legit. But uhhh. After that we went to the trussells had some lunch. And talked about testimony and such. I found the coolest scripture on that. I'll save it for scripture time though. But we got called for transfers. I'm staying here haha. But I'm getting a new companion. Elder Jensen. I've heard hes super cool. So I'm excited. And monday was a normal day. We walked dogs at the shelter which was cool haha. Uhhh. I cant remember at all what we did after that though. But we did go see a super cool member fam. Turns out their sister is a missionary out here hahah. Super wild. But they gave is a referral and it was lit. But uhh. Today we went to treasure hunt. It's like a dirt cheap. Or like. A thrift shop in western terms. But I got some awesome ties. Annnnd yeah. We ate with the thomleys. And yeah. So it's been a wild week. But uhhh yeah. Giddy up. Gotta blast.

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: D&C 62:3

3 Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you.

WOOOO! I read this and I was like woah holy crap. That's awesome. But yeah. Gods cool. The gospels cool. Alrighty

Da Book a Norman

Howdy y'all. So. I don't remember what I did. Alright. Goodbye.

  

Big ol Spiders

  

Alright I'm back. Okay so. Uh. I cant remember what happened on Tuesday hold on. Well. All I remember is that we went out to eat with a cool member and we had tacos. And then uh. Cookies. I feel the diabetes is upon me brethren. But. Not yet. Anyways we had district council on Wednesday and junk. We went to Leathas. That hole in the wall restaurant. It's literally a house....behind a dairy queen. Its freakin awesome. But uhh. After that we went and did fam history junk. I indexed a whole bunch. Uhhh. Then we uh. Went and shared a message with the Herringtons. Except they basically just talked for like an hour. These southerners talk forever man. But then we slept over at the Spanish elders apartment wooo. We got up and went over to a nearby member and trimmed some of her trees. I hate using hand saws but it's all we got. Bro Herrington whipped out his chainsaw and cut down a few trees though which was nice. After that we helped sis curry a bit. And then we went to the bishops and I spanked them with the spirit. Hahah. Jk. But for real the message was wicked good. Theres a video called "ask of God". It's a Joseph Smith first vision video its sweet. But yeah I showed them that and bore testimony and stuff. Good loot. Then, the next day. Uh. We had a lil birthday party for Randy. It was super weird but fun. Then we had some splits and tried visiting a few people. And then we got to teach english class. Man Idk Spanish. I just say "yo entiendo muy pocito." And that does it. Then we barely made it to smoothie king before it closed. So it was a good night. Then uhh. I mopped the floor. That was neat. BUT. There was a stake youth activity going on and we went there and talked with a bunch of youth and had some good ol BBQ. Also apparently some of the youth wanted to ask me to dance but they couldn't cuz I'm a missionary. Hehehe. A handsome young man. Then we went and visited a lady named diane. She needs help so we took her some food. Shes cool. 

Caught me fishing

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY. I got sick. Hahaha. I have like a cold or something. Like a sinus infection. Kinda sucks. But uhh. Church was good. I loaded up with hand sanitizer and fist bumped everyone. I almost died. But we visited D-- again and man. She is wack hahaha. She does not stop talking. Also she calls the BOM "da book a norman" so that's why the title is that. But yeah she seems really legit so we'll see what happens with her. We're going back on Thursday. But uhh today. We went to Cavenders. It's a western outfitter. I was gon get me some big ol cowboy boots. Turns out they're flippin like 200+ dollars. I'll get me some after the mission or somethin. Then we went to TJ Max. I got a dunder mifflin shirt. It's awesome. But uhhh. Yeah. We ate at Tophers with bro trussell. The old one. And then we went to Randy's and uhh. Yeah. Alrighty. That's all. 

A funny picture of a greedy man in the Jehovah's
witness bible thing

Ya'll punks need to email me. Or somethin. Alright gotta blast.

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: Freakin Ether 5 the whole thing 

1 And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.

2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;

3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.

4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.

5 And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God.

6 And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.

Hahha its only 6 verses. But woooweee. It's crazy to think that Moroni and the prophets prophecied all these things happening. Like the 3 witnesses and how we can read the church history and see all the different witnesses of it all. Cool stuff.

Pizza Time

My Painting

Howdy! Sorry I don't have a ton of time. But uhhhh. We went to Whitney's and painted. I painted a cool picture of a dream I had. It was the resurrection and Jesus pulled me out of my grave and it was the coolest thing ever. So I'll send a picture of it. After that we did some family history stuff where we taught the youth and junk. We also played chair soccer with the youth it was lit. We had exchanges with the Collins elders. But we helped with the bishops storehouse before. 

Duffs Private Room in their restaurant

After that we went with the Collins elders to the Duffs restaurant. The duffs are like the richest family in Mississippi. And they're in our ward. So that was pretty awesome. Then we went and helped out at Ron's haha. It was awesome we had 6 elders mobbing in there. After that we had some pizza. Then we biked over to Bro. Norton's. He was super dope. I hadn't met him before. We burnt elder mills tie for his 6 month mark haha. That was cool. Then the next morning we ended exchanges and went to the Spanish elders apartment. We read about jehovah's witnesses and man. They are wack. 

Robo Cop Glasses

We went over to Ron's and then we all went to a baptism. It's been really awesome to be able to see one every week. Like I feel like i had no idea what it meant before. But now it's really cool to understand and see people take that step. But uhh yeah. After we went to Randy's. We taught him the 10 commandments. He is super legit. After that we had some smoothie king. Haha I'm like addicted to that stuff it's so good. They make wicked good chocolate smoothies. Fast Sunday was cool. I bore my testimony on the atonement t and how the sacrament is awesome and stuff. It was good I got quite a few compliments afterward hehehe. We got to talk to a ton of people in the ward afterward so that was good. After that we went out and visited some people. We got to go visit with ron for a bit too haha. Then we went with the Spanish elders to the Biglers. We had a lit testimony meeting. It was super good. 

Duffs backyard

Duffs backyard

And here we are. We went to the Duffs grandmas house today and had some food and a message. Pretty awesome. Not a ton this week. But it was good. Oak grove is pretty awesome. Just not too many interested people so it's hard. A lot of anti. Anyways. Keep spankin. Alrighty gotta blast.

Elder Checketts 

I've become a true southern man

Ps scripture time: 1 Corinthians 14:19

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue

Its awesome cuz Paul's talkin about the gift of tongues in the chapter and about understanding what's being said. Powerful stuff.

No more Panda

In the Rain

In the Rain with Elder Obray

Ahoy y'all. I dont got a lot of time so this'll be quick. But uhhh. Last weeeek. We went to Ron's and painted his homemade clothing hangers hahah. They're super wack. After that we went and taught Charles. He was tryna get away and go be catholic. But we spanked him with the spirit and he was like hmm maybe y'all could come back and share some more. So we totally got him. After that we saw amber. She was super drunk. So. It was a weird time. But yeah. I made pasta afterward it was super good. We had district council. I gave a wicked good spiritual thought. It was too good to remember though. Hahaha. After that we did some family history junk and planned for a big event and then we got the espanol elders and drove them to the church and stuff. But uhhhhh. We biked to the Spanish elders apartment. It wasnt actually too bad. In a strong young lad now. We all went to Ron's and helped him organize his store hahaha. He has so much stuff. It was crazy In there. I got some shades and a cool ball bag. So that's neat. After that we biked to help move in a member and this dude just ran out of gas right next to us. So we helped him and a lady pulled over and we got the guy some gas. One of the weirder things I've experienced here. But uh. Yeah that happened. After that we kept goin and helped the members move in. That was the most well packed truck I've ever seen. It was magical. Then we biked back. Its slowly but surely not so bad anymore haha. My morning workouts are paying off finally. Then we saw whitney! Shes back. It's been weeks. Shes been at camp shelby for like ever but were gonna see her on Wednesday again so that'll be sweet. We went to another baptism and had interviews with president. Stake conference happened too. It was pretty good. 

Zone Conference

Um. Yesterday was zone conference. It was super cool to see some missionaries that I haven't in quite a while. But uhh. Yeah. I bore testimony and junk. Pretty neat stuff. Today we went fishing way early in the morning. I caught a big ol catfish hahah. ALSO! It was with a pole I found in our garage and I fixed it up. Works real good. I caught a few fish with it so it was sweet. We hungout with the Spanish elders and it was real fun. We had panda Express and played that haunted house board game. Funny thing is that we had panda Express again with blake hahaha. We went and helped sis curry again and then went to panda. I think I might die. Mainly because we have had it several times this past week. Also theres another youth taking us tomorrow. Oh well. If I die, I die. But uhh. Yeah. That's about it. Gotta blast. 

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: John 17:11 & 4 Ne. 1:17

11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God

Theres a ton of cool stuff about becoming one with christ and stuff like that. Like how partaking the sacrament is taking his flesh and blood. And when we eat and drink it becomes part of us. Like our body digests it and takes the nutrients and all that. But as we follow christ we can become one with each other and with him. Read 4 nephi. It's good loot. Also president eyring said we will increase our love for God if we do. It's super awesome.

Spanked with the Spirit

We built a flippin tire rack

Ahoy y'all folks. The south is good. Alrighty gotta blast.

 Okay so for this week. Uh. We went to the chiropractor and walked dogs with the bois. Pretty sweet. Some of them dogs are wack. Tryin to pull my arm off and such. We went and taught anna grace with the sisters for the last time. Kinda sad. Kinda not though cuz shes crazy. Hahahah jk it was sad. We went and ate at sweet peppers. It's like a hip young new fangled Sammich restaurant. I had a Turkey bacon avocado. It was good. But they put some weird healthy junk in there too. So. Ehhh. We helped prep some bishop storehouse stuff and uhh. Yeah. I sewed my pants. It probably wont last long. I'm pretty thick now. We got to see the Keith's which was super sweet. The daughter isn't baptized so it would be really cool if that happened. Also she's kinda pretty so thats a plus hehehe. BUT. We had exchanges and I got to go out with elder obray hahaha. It was sooo fun. We built a flippin tire rack for Ron. He said he would give us those motorcycle boots so. Worth it. We talked to a kid named randy that they are teaching and he really liked the word of wisdom so it was really cool. And finally we ate at one of the Spanish members homes and they bore some wicked cool testimony about missions and stuff. So that was sweet. We did the bishops storehouse stuff the next day. I was baggin everybody's food. Should've been a bagger back home. We taught Tavis which was really cool. We had chris a returned missionary go with us. So that was sick. Um. On saturday we had wars correlation and then went to the tolberts and fixed their dock. So me being the freakin humongous man I am. Picked up like half of it and tore it off hahaha. I'm as strong as an ox. Anyways. When I dropped it, it tore through my pinky haha. So uh. That hurt. I took a picture later so I'll send that.

My pinky haha

It's not too bad at all. But we got to stop by the bounds and charles which was really nice to see them. Gotta be careful and get them to church and such. The bounds are so close. Just need time. After that we went to panda Express with some youth haha. Sick stuff. Church day. Tavis came which was super sick. Church was good though. Kinda a mess cuz we were tryin to help the other elders with an investigator and also go to a meeting but it worked out. We got to eat at the spiers which is always fun. Brother spiers is the chiropractor. Hes freakin funny haha. BUT. We got to go and fill the font after that and be witnesses for a baptism! It was for this super dope guy named Lynn. Hes from Michigan but he was her for a few weeks and got baptized here hahah. Wild. But yeah it was sweet. Also got to be apart of giving him the gift of the holy ghost. Super awesome. And yeah. Today we got groceries and junk. Me and elder obray have matching silver chains and also jackets hahahaha. I'll try to get him to send me the pictures. But we played a board game today called uh. Betrayal at the haunted hill house or something like that. It's super fun. But after that we went to a hibachi place with the bishops family. Throwin the knives and spatulas around and lighting fires haha. Super awesome. But um yeah. If yall haven't read saints I would recommend it. I've been reading it before I go to bed. It's on gospel library. Its suuuuper cool. Talks about Joseph smith and stuff. But uhh yeah. Gotta blast.

 

My swagger

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: Alma 48:11-13,17

11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;

12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.

13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood.

17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

I don't know if I've shared this but man. Captain Moroni is the coolest. 

Chili 2

Old MTC pic

After biking

Looks like red face paint after biking

Howdy y'all. The chili be good eats here in the south. We got a new elder this past week. Elder Juarez. Nothing else changed for transfers. Only the Spanish elders. We biked quite a bit too. My back handled it well so I'm getting better hehehe. But. We biked really far. So I died a little on the inside. Anyways! There's this chili called uh. Like wolf chili or something. But I made rice and put the chili over it and yeehaa. It was good lemme tell ya. So Thursday at this point. We went with the other elders to go help Ron. Turns out he wasn't home and he was flippin far away. So we went and walked dogs for the dog shelter instead. That was good. After that we went and saw a recent convert. We read and talked with him and it was perfect timing cuz he has been having a hard time. So we gon be seeing him once a week now to help him out. Also hes around my age. And a studly young black man. So that's pretty neat. After that we tried seeing Jaslyn. We only talked to her for a few minutes though. We could have a ton of people be baptized. It's just their parents dont like us.

USM Campus

Like the traditions and junk. Also the anti mormon classes some of the churches have might be a problem. Oh well. So Friday we had district council and we played a question game that I made up for the new boi. It was super fun. We went to eat at Sam's club after. Its like Costco. But not. We don't have Costcos here in the south. We take what we can get. After that we saw Tavis and read and talked with him. And then taught a girl named Anna. She bonkers. She is like 8 years old and is crazy. She was trying to smack me the whole time. But we good. After we went and ate some good ol Mexican dinner with the humpherys. It was awkward. So I had to keep the conversation going. I took my family for granted cuz we talk during dinner and it's cool. But some families just don't and its awkward. But if you get then talkin its okay.
So Saturday we went and helped Ron. Man he is wack. He has a ton of high quality stuff. And I have no idea how he gets it. Like we helped him move all his stuff to his store. He let us have some colognes cuz he had so many. And it's like the good stuff. So now I have a few nice colognes hahah. Also I might get some brand new motorcycle boots soon. We'll see. After that we tried seeing

USM Campus

Tyler and his fam. We even made cookies. But no one was home. So dang. After that we ate at the sumralls. They are super awesome. A bunch a kids. I did some tricks on the tramp for them. So hopefully they think I'm pretty rad now. After that we picked up the Spanish elders. And ate Spanish bread Haha. It was pretty good. Also theres a drink called jarritos. They're pretty sweet. Also Mexican soda. They sell them at the Spanish markets. And the Spanish  elders know where they are Haha. Church was good. We had some people come who we had seen in a while. So that was nice. We later went and ate at a members house. They have a ton of kids. Who are all crazy. I feared for my life the whole time. Jk. Sometimes. So that was fun and after that we went to a members farewell cuz he has a ton of nonmember friends. So that was good. They ain't really want to talk to us though. Oh well. Someday. And today. I got a cool jacket. Oh and a sick watch for like 5 bucks. Yeeyee. I tried sending my email once today but it deleted itself after I sent it. So. I tried rewriting it as best as I could. So yeah. That's all folks. Gotta Blast.

Elder Checketts 

My Wallpaper of Tom to remember my roots

Ps scripture time: 3 nephi 18: 3-12

3 And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread and brake and blessed it; and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat.

4 And when they had eaten and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitude.

5 And when the multitude had eaten and were filled, he said unto the disciples: Behold there shall one be ordained among you, and to him will I give power that he shall break bread and bless it and give it unto the people of my church, unto all those who shall believe and be baptized in my name.

6 And this shall ye always observe to do, even as I have done, even as I have broken bread and blessed it and given it unto you.

7 And this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.

8 And it came to pass that when he said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it.

9 And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink, and they were filled.

10 And when the disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them: Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you.

11 And this shall ye always do to those who repent and are baptized in my name; and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood, which I have shed for you, that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you.

12 And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.

A "tasty morsel" as Joseph Smith would say.