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.

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.