(9/28) No Subject...

This past week has been a journey through the valleys of shadow and the spiritual mountain tops. There as been many trials and temptations that act as roadblocks. The adversary is working hard to create hedges of thorns. But as me and my companion have pushed through it all, miracles have happened.

On one of those days, nothing was going right. Our appointments were falling though, plans kept dropping, people were too busy to speak with us. It was just terrible. Soon the late hours of the night approached where missionary work goes down the toilet. Especially in this area where people become heavily intoxicated. We were contemplating just going in for the night and study. But something overcame us and we kept going. Then at the last hour we knocked one more door and found a solid new investigator. It truly was a blessing from the Lord.

On another evening, after a long day of biking around, we were heading in for dinner and saw a guy holding a sign that read "Free Hot Dogs!". We thought, "why not?" We followed the sign and turned into a park with lots people. Immediately two guys on motorcycles stepped towards us. I had no idea what was going on here. Next thing I know the two guys offer to say a prayer with us. Apparently this whole thing was a free dinner put on by a local church ministry. The hot dogs weren't all that great, but while we were there, we encountered two less active members from Kentucky. They had fallen away a bit, but are wanting to come back. God really guides us to where we need to be. Even it is through the incentive of free food.

This past Sunday we got to hear a missionary farewell talk for a sister preparing to serve in Croatia. In her talk, one thing really stuck out to me. This sister said, "A soul of someone in Illinois is no less valuable than someone in Australia, or Europe, or any other foreign mission." The worth of ALL souls is great in the eyes of God, whether that soul be in Arkansas, or Italy, or any where else. No matter where you serve, the Lord assigned you to those specific souls. No mission is any less important than another; foreign or stateside.

"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die." - Ezekiel 18:4 

Elder Price

A delicious stir fry I made!

My companion holding a chicken

Arkansas farmland

(9/21) Now I know what it is like to be a service missionary

Hey family!

This past week we did very little proselyting. It just happened that way. But we did get to do a whole lot of service. On Tuesday most of our day was spent doing yard work for our ward mission leader. He was putting in a summer kitchen and a green house. Me and two other Jonesboro Elders helped measure and set wooden beams and pour concrete for the frame. My job was to use levels and make sure the beams were straight. Meanwhile, my companion was digging a trench for water runoff, and laying down stones for a path. The Schelins, our ward mission leader, have an awesome backyard. There are plants and trees and flowers of all sorts everywhere. There are pathways you can walk around on, a small pond, and arches made of vines and plants. It is the coolest backyard I have seen. 

Then on Saturday we helped unload a semitrailer full of food and then we had to load it back up into smaller trailers that would take it to food pantries across Arkansas. I carried box after box, can after can, container after container, for over three hours. There were many times that I felt my arms would give out but I was somehow able to continue. I know that God was giving me strength beyond my own.

For the rest of the week, if we weren't doing service or attending a meeting, we did less active work. Most of the people either moved or the address doesn't exist. As far as reactivation goes, not much success there. But because of our efforts, we found two awesome new investigators. No effort is wasted in missionary work.

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." -Mosiah 2:17 

Keep on enduring through life! Love y'all!

Elder Price

My district hanging out at B-dubs!

(9/14) Slow Week

How are things going back in Utah?

This week was fairly slow as far as the work is concerned. The culture here is one of very little commitment, making our job as missionaries difficult. We are called to bring others unto Christ which includes inviting them to make changes in their life. Extending commitments is way to help people repent. But if they are not willing to keep those commitments, what more can we do? It's been a week full of return appointments falling through, investigators avoiding us, and an overall lack of progression. It erodes my spirit and wears away my motivation.

It was particularly difficult after getting hardcore dropped. We stopped by an investigators house and he thrust the Book of Mormon into our hands telling us it was a false book, that Joseph Smith was a liar, and that he didn't want us coming back. This came completely out of nowhere. Afterwards, my companion suggested we say a prayer. Not two minutes later we ran into DJ walking the streets. We met DJ weeks ago and he was quite interested in the message we shared. But we lost contact and hadn't seen him at all until now. It was a tender mercy from the Lord.

God is aware of our trials. He knows just how to bless us and does so in His own time and in accordance with our faithfulness and obedience. A mission has brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ than ever before. Despite how challenging things may be, I am grateful for every single day.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:28-30 

I got the package you sent. Thank you for the candy and the wonderful notes. I greatly appreciated it. Tell everyone I love them!!!

Elder Price

Sent from my iPad

(9/7) No Subject...

Hey Family!!

Sorry for such a short email last week. Our P-day was crazy! Somehow we had managed to schedule two appointments that day, one in the morning, and another in the afternoon. Then we received a call that someone in the hospital wanted a blessing. So we went and did that. In the evening, our ward mission leader organized a dinner. Except us missionaries were the ones making the food. We started at 4:30, and ended at 7:00. That was just to make the food. We made teriyaki BBQ burgers with curried onion rings. It was delicious!

I have a lot more time today. I can't wait to get that package that you have been talking about for weeks. I have definitely had to develop more patience. Especially since my companion has gotten eight packages in the last 10 days. Speaking of which, you probably want to know a little about my companion. Our personalities are quite polar. Elder Barker is very task-oriented and enjoys leadership. He is very much a Red personality. Quite outspoken, likes to talk, constantly has to be doing something to feel productive. Yet we still work together quite well and get a lot done.

Like this past Saturday. Elder Barker got his foot ran over by a piano the previous day, and his toes were a little swollen. But we went out anyways had miracles happen. Many new investigators were found that day. It shows that when we are willing to sacrifice, God will bless us.

In answer to your question, me and my companion did not have a baptism. We don't have any dates...yet. We are working with some real good people right now. One of the other sets of missionaries baptized recently, though. There are actually three different sets of Elders here in Jonesboro. Two sets of English: Elder Barker and me; then Elder Hamblin and Croft. And a set of Spanish missionaries: Elder Geddes and Ceron. Its lots of fun hanging out together.

Things are still going good. I love y'all and hope you have a fun Labor Day!

"For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?" Ecclesiastes 2:22 

Elder Price

p.s. I am jealous you guys are getting Hires hamburgers.

Picture of me and my companion from my new camera

(8/30) No Subject...

This week is going to be a quick one. Don't have much time!

Once again this past week has been filled with lots of finding and trying to build up a decent teaching pool. We have actually been able to have good success with that. One of the other sets of missionaries was had a baptism this past Saturday. It was great to be able to see the work progress so well in this area. Each of the three sets of Elders here in Jonesboro currently has a baptismal date scheduled for the upcoming month. Things are going really well here. The ward is quite involved in missionary work and is a great blessing to us missionaries. I hope we can be a blessing to them.

I recently looked at all the letters I received over the past year. It really helped me realize the support and love I have been given. You all truly are a blessing to me. It gave me a greater desire to serve as a missionary. It is a way to show my Heavenly Father how grateful I am for the family he has given me by helping others to experience the same. Thank you for you words of encouragement and love. I hope to receive more!

Elder Price

ps. I plan on getting a new camera today. I'm sure all y'all are excited to start getting pictures again.

(8/24) Transfers

What's up!!

It is almost unbelievable that I have been on my mission for a whole year. Now I'm on the down hill. It is such a weird feeling. I am excited that I will get to return home in just a hear, but at the same time it makes me sad I only have a year left to be on a mission. We'll see what adventures the next 365 days hold.

Nothing too exciting happened here in Jonesboro. Just a lot of finding to build up our teaching pool. A few days ago we talked with some drunk guys fixing a car. That is completely normal in Arkansas. The ward is here is pretty awesome. They are very missionary minded and have a strong fellowshipping network. Members are the key to missionary success. We don't need everyone to be a member missionary so much as we need every member to be a member. I also enjoy all the dinners we get here.

Hope everyone enjoys their new year of school. I will hope to enjoy this new year of my mission!

"Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the Lord have spoken it, and will do it." -Ezekiel 22:14 

Elder Price

(8/17) Transfers

As y'all know, I got transferred.

As to why it happened so fast, I am not entirely sure. Part of it has to do with the fact that my previous companion was called to train a greenie. So that meant one of us had to leave. Anyways, I am now serving in Jonesboro, Arkansas with Elder Barker. I really miss Batesville, Good things were starting to happening. One of our investigators just out of the blue wanted to be baptized, and another one just started to progress. It was my favorite area so far. But Jonesboro seems like a good place. It is very different, though. The population is over 50,000 so it doesn't have that small town feel. That seems to happen with a mission. Just when when you get situated and comfortable, the Lord throws something at you to keep you on your feet. Never a dull moment.

I honestly had no idea about the severe weather and tornadoes. It must not have been in my area. So don't worry, I am doing all right. Mostly. A few days ago while riding our bikes home, I took a nasty crash. It was dark and the mailbox just came out of nowhere. I am a little sore and scraped up, but nothing serious. The wreck also managed to break my camera. It sucks a lot. Looks like I'll be camera shopping.

Also more with transfers, me and my companion are opening a new area. We have had to start at ground zero; square one. Its been an adventure.

Here's my new address:

111 Daybreak Dr. Apt D-10
Jonesboro, AR 72401

 Its going to take a lot of work to get this area going. But we can do it.

Elder Price