Wayside Lighthouse Love and Holiness

Amen everyone. I'm still alive in Natchez. Um. We had the um. Uhhh. Transfers. Were staying for a third. Which is pretty sweet. We lost 3 of the elders in the district though. Very sad. But we got some new punks in here so we'll see if they're cool or not. My memory is absolutely garbage and I have no idea what I've done the past like month. But that's okay. Cuz we found a dude who was a lady's son who we were tryna visit. And he's a minister. (Uh oh) He's mega wacko like they all are haha. But hes cool so its okay. When we first met him and were talkin to him it was super weird. He just went off on how we're all ministers and we need to blah blah blah. He wasn't mean or anything. It was just like...a pentecostal sermon where they're just yelling stuff and gettin wild. He was pretty chill though. Just like would not let us get a word in. But I destroyed him with the BOM mwaahahahahah. Jk. I just whipped out the story of Ammon cuz something he said reminded me of it and then he was like woah. Teach me more about this mormon book. And we got em. Anyways. We were gonna go to a bible study at his church. The wayside lighthouse love and holiness nondenominational church. Somethin else huh? But when we put it into our maps it couldn't find it! It was so dumb haha. We tried a bunch of times. We even called his mom and she was like. "Oh its uh west side life or something." And that didnt help at all. So we ended up not making it. But were goin this week. So it'll be good. We visited him again and apparently he looked up stuff on the internet as all these fruitcakes seem to do. BUT. luckily he found a video that talked about Joseph smith seeing heavenly father and Jesus Christ. Nothing anti I'm pretty sure. So we just explained like what the BOM is like 12 times cuz he kept thinking that it's just a remake of the king james bible. Like I read a scripture and he was like I remember that in the king James version. And I was like ...its not in the bible. And he got major confused. Anyways long story short hes slowly but surely learning. As are all our people. These southerners sure have a lot of faith but man they sure is dumb sometimes. Or just believe in false truths. Cuz that'll do it. And that's the hardest part is teaching them stuff and then they go and ask their preacher and he'll say to stay away from us. And junk like that. But it's fun anyways. The members are all super awesome. We still got all those Catholics who like us for some reason. Were living right next to the Mississippi river. It's a good time. Um. Yeah. Alright gotta blast. 

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: Galatians 3: 26-29

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

It's like 2 nephi 26:33. We're all children of God.

Pictures:

We went to a wedding

Blessed

Howdy y'all. Things be good down here. Alrighty. 

Okay so uh. Idk what happened. But we did get blessed by a catholic priest. And that's been the highlight of my week. But we've been having a good time. We found some people to teach and such. You know how it is. This one lady idk if I said. But we were going to see someone else and she waved us over and we were like uhh what. And she was on the phone so we sat there for a while but she was like gesturing for us to wait and stuff. Dang southerners. But anyways she got off the phone and turns out she was taught by missionaries like years ago and said she loved having them come over like several times a week. They helped her move and she cane to church a bunch too. The members even remember her. So it was wild how we just bumped into her. But uhh. We got to help mark some more the veteran man. And such. We went to church with him also... catholic mass is somethin else. And I thought the pentecostals were weird hahahaha. But it's the oldest church in Mississippi the st mary basilica. Its freakin wild lookin. All these statues staring at you. Anyway. We went to the actual saturday mass and man. Turns out the were taking communion. By the way I had no idea what was going on the whole time. Like they had a handbook to tell you what to do and say but man I couldnt keep up. First it was page 6 then you had to go to 105 then you had to go to 62 but it didnt say to do that. So I was just confused on what was happening and the priest man wasnt making much sense and like jeez. Anyways mark leaned over to me and was like you can either stay in the pew or go up, cross your arms, and get a blessing from the priest. And at that moment I was like oh yeah I'm getting a blessing. So we stood up with our pew and junk and man. There had to be a few hundred people in there. And here we are 2 "mormon" missionaries walking up to take communion with our nametags blazing. I felt no fear. But we were getting the funniest looks hahaha. But there was a big line where people would walk up and then take the cracker things and when we got up there I just threw my arms up and did the black panther wakanda forever sign. And the priest made a face like "oh boy" and I made a straight face smile so it was quite the moment. But he gave me a lil blessing and then elder Thompson. Turns out we were the only heathens in there that day cuz no one else crossed their arms. I saw a lady pound the wine back though. That was a sight to behold. Anyways. Going to other churches just reaffirms my testimony in the true church. Nothing else makes sense. And they say our church is weird hahahahahah. Let me tell ya it's the most normal one out there. But yeah. We went to our own church Sunday and it was very nice. I made funeral potatoes for the members and they really liked it. So now they're going to make me cook next week I guess idk. We'll see. But pday. Oh boy. The pineville elders tricked me into eating sugar free haribo gummy bears. I thought they were normal gummy bears. But a few hours later I was dying in the bathroom. The Amazon reviews do not lie. I was dying. This past week has been a wild one. Idk if this coming week will be as eventful. So. Keep your pants on I'll email you next week. 

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: Alma 7:23

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

Good loot

Pictures

I haven't taken any in a good while....uhh.... you'll have to use your imagination.

January 2 2020

Happy new year.

So uh we didnt do anything real special for new years. I went to bed on time haha. But it feels like we had ri wait a long time for pday. Cuz we had pday on christmas eve and then on new years. But this next week pday will be back to normal. We had district council right after christmas and uh yeah. We counciled and such. We went to the VFW and helped the veteran peoples and I built a model uss Missouri. Haha pretty sweet. I got some pictures so ill send em. Um. We went and played the piano at a funeral....well I just pressed the button....and the piano played itself. Anyways. That was neat.  We got to teach a few people who are progressing slowly but surely. It's been kind of fun. The guy we teach Moses said that my hair looks like Rocky Balboa. And I felt pretty good about that. But then I got a haircut so I guess not. Anyways. We got to go to Alexandria to do some more exchanges. We had a super fun pday down there too. Then we had district council again haha. Its been a mess with the holidays. Except the holidays just feel like normal days....kinda lame. But it's all good. Sorry it's a small one but I'm kinda tired...think I'll go home now. -Forrest Gump. -Elder Checketts

Ps scripture time: 2 Nephi 4: 17-20

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

Sunset over the Mississippi

Nephi goes on and its dope but it's really cool to think that a great prophet like nephi had problems too ya know? Like we're all normal people in the end.

Pictures 

1-3 Boat

4 sunset over the Mississippi 

5 a road

December 25 Happy Christmas!

Howdy y'all folks! I totally forgot to write last week haha. I thought I did but uhh. Woopsie. Thanks for all the loots by the way! The ward sent cards and stuff so it was really cool to read all of them. I haven't opened any of the gifts or anything yet though. That's for tomorrow. But uhhh. These past weeks have been freakin wild. We had zone conference and other junk. It was really cool haha. I have the dopest christmas sweater. It's an elf in a baby carrier. Hehehe. I'll get a picture. But it was really cool. We got to be with 2 other zones so I got to see a whole bunch a people. We also watched the fighting preacher. It's really good. But we drove down to marksville and then to baton rouge for it. And then we went back to marksville and drove home. But then we were only back for saturday and sunday before we drove down to alexandria and have been here for exchanges and stuff. So we will be going back up to Natchez on Christmas and then were gonna be coming back down on thursday for district council haha. So we've got too much traveling going on right now. Alright its christmas. So we drove back up here from uh. Alexandria. We ate breakfast with the kerrs and our district. It was nice to all be together for Christmas. We drove back here to natchez after that and I got to call home for a bit. We just got back from eating with some nonmembers. They are too kind to us hahah. They gave us some candy and things for christmas which was awesome. Also mark made funeral potatoes hahaha. I gave him the recipe and they were like "the mormons are keeping delicious secret potato recipes from us." And I was like uhhh. No. But it was a fun time haha. I've enjoyed all the things and the cards I've gotten. Theres been some wicked cold going around so I'm hoping i dont get sick. Its spreading all around the south i guess. But uhhhm yeah. Nothing too crazy this week. Just a ton of traveling. Aight gotta blast. 

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: Mosiah 5: 7-9

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.

I was reading this and I was like YOOOOOO. Idk how I never noticed it before. Good stuff. Alrighty then Happy Christmas!

Pictures 

1 our district at zone conf

2 our zone at zone conf 

3 all zones at zone conf

4 me at zone conf

5-8 wreaths across america at the natchez national cemetery

9 70 degrees on christmas

December 1 - 21 years ago

The Mississippi River and bridge

Ahoy! It's been a minute. I didn't really write last week cuz I called home a whole bunch of times for my birthday and for Thanksgiving and stuff. Its was pretty dope though. A lot of junk happened. But uhh. So we found a few people to teach which has been super dope. Umm. We went to the catholic cathedral and watched a Christmas choir concert from alcorn state. We went to Thanksgiving with nonmembers and it was super wack. Wine smells awful if you were wondering. Um. Yeah. Last pday we went bowling and that was sweet. I bowled pretty bad as usual haha. But I got a few strikes in a row which was cool. I dont use the finger holes, ya just gotta palm it. But uhh yeah. We played some best board games and all that jazz. We had district council and junk. We visit julie afterward everytime it's cool. We helped out some veterans and we helped mark put up Christmas lights. But they didnt work too well so we took them down and put up new ones yesterday hah. We found a man named moses who was taught in the past. He let us right in. It was sick. I low key spanked him with the spirit. Cuz he was saying he didn't have any questions, but then I kinda asked him a bunch of things and he doesn't understand some gospel topics so we got em. We helped habitat for humanity lay down some sand and stuff for a new house. Also we helped the veteran people assemble some model boats and stuff. It was cool cuz I like makin model cars and such. But uhh yeah. Kinda cool to be 21 and stuff. Kinda. Not really hahah. But me and elder Thompson are both staying in Natchez. Actually our whole district is the same has. Except were getting 2 sisters so we are no longer a pure elder district. Sad I know. It's okay though. Were gonna be helping out a soup kitchen too which will be neat. We're gonna try to help out a bunch a peoples. But yeah. Nothin too crazy. There might be more next week haha. Alrighty then see yall later.

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: 1 peter 3: 14-16

14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Neat.

Pictures 

Bowling and A whole bunch of bridge pictures haha

November 25 Ahoy

Ahoy everyone. Another week has happened in this here southern mission. Alright. See y'all later.

Mona Lisa

Alright I'm back. So. We went up to Marksville for exchanges and for p-day last week. With the AA meeting and all that. It was super cool. A member up there gave me a whole box of playing cards from the casino nearby. So now I have 12 packs of pretty nice cards hahaha. Other than that we got to talk to a lot of wild people and teach them a bit and such. We also had district council. Pretty neat. We got our new missionary handbook type of thing. It's called missionary standards for disciples of Christ or something like that. Its really cool though. It's not too different but like it's cool. If you wanna know then ask me later. Um. So after district council we had the rest of exchanges and such. Then we drive back here Thursday and got to visit this member we met. They haven't been to church in forever and stuff but they love it when we come by now. Pretty cool. Cuz past missionaries thought they moved or died....but we got em hehehe. Anyways they're super cool. After that we went to an elders quorum thingy. It was neat. We had gumbo and got to meet and talk with some more members. Like man I'm trying to figure out all these people but when you and your companion both dont know anyone it's hard to remember. Anyways. On Friday we went to an interesting veteran presentation. This dude mark does it and we help him a lot. After that we got a referral from salt lake and zoomed over to this guy named Jamie. He is wicked cool. Like he knows and believes everything we do. Except that he has been reading other literature and stuff. Turns out he read the BOM like 20 years ago and remembers it super well. But hes well versed in the bible and all kinds of stuff. But like. He knows the truth. Like actually. I was pleasantly surprised. After that we visited all around. Gave a lady a bible. Neat stuff. Saturday we planned and junk. Then we went and met a dude named uh. Kadarrian who's actually pretty cool. We were the only white people around for a good mile or so. And theres a ton of people out and around everywhere. Something that doesn't happen in Utah hahah. After that we tried some other people but no success. We talked to bro dolla for a bit and then yeah. Sunday was cool. A whole bunch a nonmembers were there. Cool stuff. We're teaching a recent convert the lessons. He's 8 but his parents aren't members. He really likes us haha. Kinda sad he thought we were gonna be here for our whole 2 years and he was excited. What can ya do. We had a Thanksgiving thing after church with the ward. It was super cool. It's just wack because I can't tell if someone's a member or not a lot of the time. So that's been interesting. And we got to eat with some super dope members after. So a good day. Annnd now today. Kinda weird I can drink beer in like 5 days...... hahahahahah jk. But anyways the marksville elders came down and we hungout and played board games and junk. Pretty sweet. Uhm yeah. Thats all folks. Seeeeeeeya.

Elder Checketts 

Ps scripture time: James 2: 17-18, 2 Ne 25: 23

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

Some scriptures we shared with Jamie that are real cool.