Christmas Eve in Dallas...

Elder Wagner, Christmas Eve, (I seriously tried to edit the red eyes... no luck. This blue-eyed family is red-eye prone.)

Dear Family,

It was very good to talk to everyone!!! Riley and Andrea's voices sound a lot different and in all the pictures they are so big now. Don't worry, I haven't crashed the bike since we talked. Don't worry about clothes for me Mom. I don't think I sound like a mexican/texan but it'd make sense. Thanks for sending those pictures, it looked like a fun Christmas. The picture of Dad and Riley in the snow looked super fun, lots of snow!!!

For all who didn't get to talk to me on Christmas, Christmas Eve Dallas got hit by a snowstorm. About an inch stuck on the ground. It was windy, Icy and cold. As we rode our bikes, we slipt a lot and I fell pretty good once. Last monday, as we were heading to a dinner apointment in the bikes, I got hit by a car. I'm fine but it was a shocker! I think its just really funny (my mom doesn't). I was riding fairly rapidly on the sidewalk and as I crossed the alleyway a nice lady pulled out and hit me. I flew a little bit and landed onthe grass on my shoulder. She stopped and asked if I was alright. I was laughing and I made sure I wasn't bleeding and that no bones were sticking out. The bike and her car were find as well. It was quite the experience.

So we had a good weekend. The family I was telling you about from Bakersfield came to church on Sunday. He really liked it and said that the three hours flew by. His wife said it was long but that its just because she isn't used to it. Their three kids loved primary!!! It was a rewarding Sunday. The other family who came last week, they had a birthday party already planned so they bailed on church, but next week they'll be there for sure. Both families are really receptive. Miracles are happening here.

Honestly this area has been hard for me but I'm learning to trust more in God and less in me and my abilities. When we got here it was a dead area but things are happening and the Lord is blessing us. I'm very excited for the coming weeks.
At church there were a few talks about goals and how at the beginning of the year and throughout the year we should be setting, reviewing and adjusting our goals, individually and as families. While everyone is how you should sit down and set some family goals. Goals can be spiritual, physical, academic and fianicial (and spelling...). But anyways. Set goals. Specific and realistic goals and then make them a part of you. Read in Preach My Gospel chapter 8, there is a section about goal setting!!! Its great!!!

I'm excited for this year. I plan to learn and grow as much as I can in the time I have left as a full-time missionary. The gospel is true and the power of prayer is real. I love you.

Love,
Elder Wagner

P.S. tell Grandma Wagner to feel better! I wish I could have talked to them too.

Feliz Navidad!

Dear Family,

Thanks for the Christmas package. I opened all the presents this morning when I got it. Just kidding!

So we interviews last week with President Smith. I feel like I hardly see him now that I'm out of leadership but it was good to see him.

We had an awesome new family at church. The whole family came to the Christmas Party on saturday and everyone but the dad came on Sunday (he had to work). Its a big family of seven. Erica and Victor are the parents names. We taught them the restoration and they really liked it. They were really interested as we talked about prophetic dispensations and the great apostasy and when we got to Joseph Smith's story it was just perfect!!! They are very receptive. Their kids are way cute too. They have a 15 year old daughter who has downs syndrome then a 13, 10, 6 year old girls and a 4 year boy who is the coolest. It was awesome because they took up like an entire row at church!!! Definetly one of the highlights of missionary work. Its stressful but very rewarding. Well Christmas is this week.

We haven't entirely figured out when/how we are doing phone calls but I'm imagining we'll do it in the morning? like 9-10 am here so like whenever that is in California. So plan out what you want to talk about because we only have about 1 hour (the missionary handbook says 30-40 minutes). Prepare questions and I'll prepare answers??? Anyways.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Love,
Elder Wagner

Feliz Navidad!

Feliz Navidad!!

Thanks for the Christmas cards. I'm excited to send them out to converts and investigators in my old areas. It should be something to brighten their day. I'm proud that Jacquie did well in We the People. Its weird that it was so long ago for me. Honestly it was something that really helped me grown and learn.

We had a good week this last week. There are a bunch of families we are teaching, but we haven't managed to get them to church yet. With one family of 7 we brought popcorn and watched Finding Faith in Christ. It went pretty well. The kids loved it.

One of the coolest things that happened last week was with Wilfredo. He is a member from El Salvador, but hasn't gone to church in like 10-15 years. He just came here three months ago and is living with is brother-in-law who is a less-active we have been working with. So about three weeks ago we met him, but hadn't been able to visit him since then. Then one day we were studying and we got a phone call from Wilfredo. He asked if we could go over there. He apparently went to a seventh-day adventist church because he was invited. It left him with some doubts and so he called us. It was neat because we were able to answer his questions and teach him the Restoration. He was baptized when he was 10 but stop going when he was 14, so he never really gained a testimony. We had a few really spiritual lessons as he is realizing and learning about the Gospel now that his heart is open to it. He came to church yesterday as well, first time in many years. It was a neat miracle to witness.

I hope you have a wonderful week. Use this special time of the year to share the Gospel. I love ya'll and pray for you.

Love,
Elder Wagner

10th Transfer!

Dear family,

So the transfer is over. By the way it was my tenth transfer. (scary!)Elder Olson and I are going to stay here in Rowlett Third West. Elder Richins is getting transferred so it will be a change in the ward.

Last week it snowed here. It didn't stick but needlessness to say it is cold. I'm glad I have a big coat and gloves. We were riding our bikes to a dinner appointment because the member's husband was working late and no one could pick us up, and on the way I hit some glass and popped my tire. It was kindy windy and cold and almost dark but I was prepared!!! I had my little repair kit. We popped the tire off, took the tube out and patched it. At least I had the patches though. And it wasn't raining.

So Elder Olson's spanish is coming along. Its really funny to watch him make phone calls. Usually it involves me overhearing what they tell him and then me telling him what to say. Its a real challenge to understand people on the phone, especially in another language. Anyways. I'm not really suffering here. Just thought I'd share a little experience of what can happen while you're on your mission.

I'm excited for a new transfer. A new opportunity to start fresh, do a little better and be a better missionary. Hopefully we are more successful this transfer.

Have a great week preparing for Christmas. If you want to get me the english audio CDs from last general conference, that would be great!!! You could download the audio from the church website for free and burn them yourself. Just an idea. That would be cool.

Take care. I love ya'll.

Elder Wagner

Dia de Pavo!

Elder Wagner and his zone!

Dear Familia,

'dia de pavo' translated 'turkey day'!


So we had a good Thanksgiving here in Texas. Wednesday, I started getting a sore throat and Thursday, even though I was getting a little sick, went and played sports. We played softball and futbol (soccer for you gringos). I was pretty fun. I only scored one goal and I had tons more chances. It was fun because they are all really good at soccer and it was good to get to know the members better as well. The dinner we had was pretty american. I'd say it was about half-half. Turkey with salsa. Delicious. Pecan pie.

So I got a cold but I'm pretty much over it. I have plenty of cold medicine thanks to mom's preparedness. And thanks for the package!!!! The cookies were amazingly delicious. I still am eating them!!! They made my sickness a little less annoying.

Well the work is going here in Garland. This week is already the last week of this transfer. Pretty crazy huh? I imagine elder olson and I will stick together for at least another transfer here. I feel bad for Elder Olson because the work is so slow here. He is a great missionary. He has so much desire and strives to be super obedient. He is hard on himself but he has progressed a lot. His spanish is coming along really fast. He makes lots of phone calls in spanish and even ran the area last week on exchanges with the district leader (who speaks as much spanish as marissa or jacquie). So I guess that is a positive of this transfer.


Well family, the church is true. and many people are searching for the answers that we have. Let us reach a little higher in our efforts to share the Gospel. This time of the year is a wonderful opportunity to share why this time of year is so special. Share you testimonies of Jesus Christ with everyone around you, through your example. I pray for ya'll and know that God will help you be missionaries as well. Honestly, I don't care too much about what you send me for Christmas. The best present for me would be to hear about how you shared the Gospel with a friend. Invite the missionaries to come over and teach you how to do it. I'm confident they can help you find success. God Bless.


Love,
Elder Wagner

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Family,

Happy Thanksgiving! Sorry for not being able to write last week. It was kind of lame but oh well. I can't believe how old riley looks! He is all grown up-ish and going to stake dances!! I hope you have a fun week in napa as well.

So you asked a bunch of questions and I hope I can answer some of them. As far as where I'm going to live next year I have no idea. Doug had mentioned rooming together but who knows. I'll tell you in a little while. As far as christmas goes, like 1-2 short sleeve white shirts would be good. Like a 16 or 16.5 inch collar. Mine are getting kind of yellowish (even with bleaching them!!!). Also, I need the minoclycline refilled asap. I forgot to tell you last week.

So I was thinking about making a christmas card that I could send to members and investigators in my old areas. If I could do a postcard version it'd be cheaper too. Mom, I bet you could help me with ideas. It could be simple, just my picture and a 'feliz navidad' or something. Just tell me what you think.

Exciting to hear about all those kids getting mission calls. It makes me feel old. Elder Olson is pretty young too. Graduated in 09. Its cool though because I still look young. haha. Speaking of tres leche cakes, Elder Facer had a recipe and we made it our last week in Sherman. And speaking of Sherman, Jennifer Lopez got baptized this weekend. I didn't get to go but its still way awesome. She is really awesome.

Well. This week was good. I'm learning a lot. Its really frustrating that the work isn't progressing like I'd want it too but there are good things happening. On Saturday the 4 other elders in the district and 4 youth from the ward went with us to go tracting in a spanish neighborhood. It was neat. The youth are all like 14-16 so it was fun. We gave out some Libros de mormon and got into a few houses. Hopefully it can help jumpstart the work here. On Sunday none of our investigators made it to church which is like one of the worst feelings as a missionary. We're going to re-double our efforts and trust in the Lord. Not everyone will accept the Gospel but someone here needs to. I know it.

During the past two weeks I've really felt the spirit while taking the sacrament. Not that I diddn't before, but that I have been learning the importance of covenants and the atonement. Last week I started a study comparing the scriptures from the Bible that teach about the atonement to scriptures from the Book of Mormon that teach about the atonement. Its really a huge difference. With the Bible we get an 'idea' or a general picture of the atonement. The Book of Mormon explains in clarity and detail how through Christ's infinite sacrifice we can be perfected and overcome the natural man. It teaches how those who 'had no law' or never were accountable won't be condemned forever. The Book of Mormon teaches the doctrine of Christ better than any book on the earth. Not to discredit the Bible or talk down on it, but its not the same. I hope each one of us is taking the opportunity to prayerfully read from the Book of Mormon every single day so we can come of the Christ and be healed by his atonement.

I love you all. I'm honored by the privilege I have to represent Christ. I hope that we all put into practice the Gospel. Be courageous and share your testimony of Christ with someone this week and invite them to learn more about him. If you do it, the Lord will give you the words to speak and the Spirit will be with you to guide, edify and inspire you. Thanks for everything.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Technology difficulties...

Dear Family,

You've got to love technology. When it works, we are never grateful and when it doesn't work we are steaming MAD!!

And so it was this week. My ldsmail was down so I had to resort to the old dinosaur-style letter writing.

We have a good week of hard work. Sometimes the successes aren't what we want or expect but there is always something to be learned. The other day we were biking and saw an older Hispanic lady (of course her name was Maria). She was raking leaves in the yard. We stopped and started helping her. There were a lot of leaves because they had cut some branches. So it took us three about an hour and a half. She is a Seventh-Day Adventist and pretty happy with it. I talked with her about the church the whole time. At the end we gave her a Book of Mormon. I know she would've never accepted one if we hadn't done service to soften her heart.

Another highlight was when we decided to knock a street instead of eating dinner at the apartment. We were hoping to get fed by someone randomly. That plan failed but we did find a really cool 21 year old named Luis who wanted to know why there were so many churches if there was only one God. We shared the apostasy and the restoration. I asked him if he knew the church was true, would he get baptized? He said yes and we left him with a Book of Mormon.

Well, I'm running out of time. Tell Bishop Hansen and Grandpa & Grandma Wagner thanks for the letters! I love you and wish I could tell you everything- but this work is true. God lives and is very patient with us.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Riding a bike...

Dear Family,

It was good to hear from ya'll!

Sounds like Riley had a good birthday everyone is doing well. Thats crazy Uncle Mike is a bishop. Lots of fun for him. I'm glad you took your friend to that concert, Mom. Good job being a missionary. So Dad, are there a lot of Hispanics in the adult soccer league? Being here I wish I was better at soccer so I could play with all the Hispanics.

So this last week we had interviews with President Smith. He is really great. He asked me how all my family was doing with the recent deaths. He is a great example and very caring. We also had a huge Zone conference Saturday with Elder Flukiger(sp?) who is our area seventy. Him and his wife gave great talks. He taught us about the Doctrine of Christ(faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost and enduring to the end) I learned a lot. All the missionaries in the metroplex were there. The testimony meeting at the end was really great. It was nice not to have to give trainings because I'm not in leadership :)

Well our area is coming along. We've been doing lots of finding, trying to find new people to teach. Being on bikes is different. I haven't crashed yet, but I'm pretty sore. At least its not 110 degrees outside. There are so many hispanics here but it is very different than my last two areas. In the city everyone is in a hurry. The economic crisis is hurting hispanics since no one is doing construction and the economy is slow. Its sad because we talk to dads who can't make enough money to pay their bills here, let alone send money to their wives and kids in mexico. But some people still arennt ready for the Gospel even when trials have humbled them.

Right now I think the Lord wants me to learn patience. I want the work to progress and I want to see success, but it will come with time. The other night after a moderatly frustrating day of hard work and biking and talking to people who don't care, one of our appointments fell through and it was almost the breaking point. As we rode through the night to a back up plan I was tired, mad, and out of hope for this area. I said a prayer (as I was biking so I couldn't really shut my eyes) that I would have the ability to make it to the end of the day. Then we stopped by a part-member family. They were home and we taught a powerful 1st lesson about the restoration. I was so grateful for a prayer answered and God's patience with me. I know God's loves us and that he just wants us to do our best. This life is full of opposition but as we put into practice the doctrine of christ we will have the strength to endure all things.

I love you all and hope all goes well.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Rowlett 3rd Ward West!!

Dear family,

What a crazy week!

So my new area is the Rowlett 3rd ward west. Its a spanish ward and we are the second set of missionaries in the area. Its pretty crazy because its a bike area, really small and there are tons of hispanics!!! Its awesome. Its actually the area right above my area in Casa linda so I was already kinda familiar with the area.

My greenie is Elder Olson from Burley, Idaho. He's awesome. His spanish is good and is just so excited for everything! He isn't afraid to talk either. We bore our testimonies on Sunday in the spanish ward. He was nervous but gave a really great testimony.

There were 14 new spanish missionaries that came in and at least six who went home so the whole spanish part of the mission got changed up a lot. Elder Haslam (my 1st greenie) is training and so is elder Heywood. They actually made an entire spanish zone (but we aren't in it). The mission is growing and the work is progressing a lot. Getting doubled into an area is pretty difficult but the Lord is helping us a lot.

Its really exciting to be in a spanish ward again. Elder Richins (my mtc companion) is in the ward too. Its really cool to serve around him and to see how much he has grown and changed. The elders didn't have much work in the area but the Lord in changing that. We found a awesome family of seven last week (parents and five kids). We are praying to get them to church this week so they can start progressing.

This area has had missionaries in it for a long time but we just reopened it after a transfer without missionaries. This area hasn't had a baptism since march (and he's less active now) but I know that there are families here that we will baptize. I don't know how but we will. My testimony of this work is so strong. I love teaching people about the restored Gospel. I have lots of weaknesses but the Lord makes up the rest and as we exert a honest, faithfull effort, the Lord will work miracles.

The church is true, God loves us and we can live the gospel.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Ps. Happy birthday Riley!!!

Goodbye Sherman!

Elder Wagner, Elder Facer, Elder Heywood, Maria and her children, and Elder Mitchell

Dear Family,

Well Sherman has been great. It was fun to have a baptism my last weekend here. Maria Monroy got baptized on saturday and confirmed on sunday.

I'm getting transferred so the biblia is at the mission office still. I sent a package of a bunch of junk home today. It has a binder of all the letters I've gotten and some shirts i don't use. I was tired of dragging that stuff around. Oh my copies of jesus the christ and the missionary library are in there. I've read them and I mostly study from preach my gospel and the scriptures. It should get there in a week or so.

So I'm leaving and I'm being released as a zone leader. I'm going to be training a new missionary!!!! Which means we will be doubled into an area. There is a possibility that I'll be opening a new area since the mission is growing. Now there are going to be 190 missionaries compared to about 150 when I got here a year ago. I'm sad to leave Sherman. Its amazing how much you grow to love a place. The Lord really blessed me here with good companions and a great area. I learned a lot being a zone leader. I honestly lost focus while I was here and tried to be someone that wasn't me. Basically I'm grateful to get another greenie and to be out of a leadership position (too many meetings :) ). But really I'm excited.

We had a cool last week here in Sherman. The sisters who work here found a spanish family and we started teaching them last night. The are looking for a church and are ''golden.'' It makes me sad to leave but I'm excited to find more families!!! I'm so excited to see so many more miracles.

The Gospel is true. As we exercise faith in Christ, we are always blessed. I'm glad that the relief society was talking about missionary work in olive knolls. It was also cool to get dad's letter and to see the program with all the OK missionaries. So as a mission we are kicking it into high gear to finish this year. Last year the mission had the most baptisms in TDM history with like 680. This year's goal is 800. We have two months left and we need 142 to reach it. The monthly average this year have been around 60 so we have to have two crazy awesome months. We are all praying to reach it and need all the prayers we can get. This numbers are more than just numbers. They represent people and their salvation. The worth of every soul is great so we want as many as we can get!!!

So family, pray about what family you can friendship, introduce to the church and have the missionaries teach! There are families that only you can reach and they want the gospel but can't find it. We get what we think and pray about so think and pray about who among your friends needs to hear the gospel. They may or may not accept it but we must try or else their sins will fall upon our heads (scary thought, but true doctrine). I love you!

Love,

Elder Wagner

Last week of the transfer....

Elder Wagner :)
A really, really, really big spider!!

Evidence of the infamous chiggers. Poor Elder Wagner!

Elder Barney & Elder Wagner, together again!

Dear family,

I'm doing good. This weekend Maria Monroy is getting baptized which is awesome. She is so excited. I don't know how much I've told yall about her but two of her kids got baptized in June and now she is getting baptized. She read the Book of Mormon in 5 weeks and then finished the triple combination in a total of 3 months. Very amazing lady.

We were hoping that Jenifer would get baptized this weekend as well but she hasn't been coming to church consistently so she isn't ready yet. Her husband is pretty opposed to her coming to church so if you could pray for his heart to be softened that would be awesome. Its hard that she can't get baptized this week because she needs it so much.

This other family we are teaching out in a little town called Gunter didn't come to church yesterday which was a bummer but they are really awesome. We taught the parents (maria y augustin robledo) the plan of salvation and they like it a lot. I asked where do you want to go and they answered 'the celestial kingdom' (in spanish of course). Hopefully we can get them to church next week.

The other day I was thinking about something you told me dad, that in austria you would go sometimes weeks without teaching someone. Its hard for me to imagine what that would be like. For example last week we taught 23 lessons to investigators and for 8 of those lessons a member was with us. I guess the hispanic people are a lot different and they are very humble and nice people. I feel blessed to work with them.

About my companion, Elder Facer. He is great. He has very good spanish and is fun. We get along great. He is a big angels fan though. Probably the worst thing about him :)

This week is the last week of the transfer!!! Next monday you'll find out if i'm staying in Sherman or if I'm going. Take care.

Love,

Elder Wagner

1 Year in Texas!

Dear Family,

Thanks for all the emails. I'm glad ya'll are doing good back home. It was a very busy week here in Sherman. We had Zone Conference on wednesday and interviews on friday. It was stressful because we had to figure out rides for all us missionaries down to McKinney and such. Basically I'm glad this week will be a little less hectic.

I'm learning a lot. To be honest last week was really hard for me. I don't know why but it was just one of those weeks that kicks you in the butt. Yes, even as missionaries we have those weeks. I've learned a lot it seems about the power of prayer and the Book of Mormon. I love that whenever I have a bad day I can pray and the read in the Book of Mormon and I find something that makes me feel better.

Strange to think that a year ago tomorrow I flew out here from Salt Lake. I think of all the blessings I've recieved in the last year and its pretty amazing. I can't imagine what it would be like to not be a missionary. I love teaching people about the restored gospel. I love spanish and the hispanic people. I love Texas and the areas I've served in. I hope I am doing all that I can and the I can keep improving and growing.

One funny story from last week. We were knocking doors and this older hispanic guy answered the door. We told him what we were doing and he was telling us he was Catholic and not interested. The conversation was about to end, but I told him that my companion had to go to he bathroom (which was true...) and asked if he could use the bathroom. The old man said yes (of course, hispanics are super nice). So we went in. We talked about all their children and grandchildren that were in the many pictures in their home. They had heard of the church a little bit from in mexico but never learned much. We gave them a book of mormon and while we were explaining it their son in law came in with some 'carnitas y pan' (shedded pork and bread). So they invited us to eat. It was very good. But we left a book of mormon and should be going back this week. Fun experience.

I hope you have a fun week. I love ya'll and miss you. I'll be sending the camera soon (we always seem to get busy) but we'll talk to you later.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Ps, its been cloudy and rainy for like two straight weeks. its weird.

General AWESOME!

Dear Family,

Well conference was real good. I liked it a lot. To roughly quote one of our investigators, "It was really good, I didn't know anything that great existed." What a blessing the restored Gospel is to us in these perilous times. My testimony and resolve to share the gospel was strengthened tremendously. Its also sobering to think I only will watch one more conference as a full-time missionary. So after last conference I bought the audio cds and listened to them in the car every once and a while. That way you can keep learning and don't have to wait every six months to hear the prophets and apostles.

So yes I got my allegra-d and I loved the birthday package. Especially the galletas (cookies). Grandma and Grandpa Wagner also sent a nice tie, shirt, socks and candy! What a great family. Hopefully I get around to sending that stuff today...

It was good to hear from Jq. I can't believe she is going to be 16 this month. Growing up to fast. Oh, just kidding she'll be 17 i guess (wierd..) Well I'm excited for unit day!!! When I got put with my unit I thought I was going to hate it, but they turned out alright. We the people feels like it was forever ago. Anyways.

Better luck next week Riley. Just remember that winning is everything and if you aren't winning your losing. Oh wait. That came out wrong. Just try your best and stick with it even if your team is terrible.

Andrea, don't get sick and I really liked those cookies (wink, wink).

Well I had an interesting week, I was on exchanges on tuesday and friday doing english work. On friday I was in McKinney. Needless to say I felt uncomfortable the whole day, like I was a fish out of water. McKinney is like a giant country club and everyone lives in a mansion. Not my style. It like the small town feel. I guess I'm a true Bakersfield native. Speaking of Bakersfield, Buck Owens was born is Sherman and so a freeway here is called the Buck Owens freeway. Pretty Cool.

Okay. A spiritual experience now. Enough rambling. So on Tuesday I went with Elder Hart (who was my first zone leader and now I'm his zone leader) and we visited a less-active high priest here in Sherman. Turns out that this brother's wife of 25 years died of a brain tumor about 10 years ago. He stopped attending church about one or two years later. His 'reason' was that the gospel was perfect but the 'church' and its leadership wasn't. I guess his bishop or someone offended him some way. As I listened I felt prompted to ask him something. I explained what happened to Amanda and I asked what advice I could give to Levin. It was neat to see how as he talked through his experience he told us that he really hadn't stopped being angry at God for what had happened. He said that he wouldn't sleep for more that 3-4 hours for about 2 years. It was really hard on him. Listening to him, I don't remember the advice he gave me but I remember thinking that his eternal marriage wouldn't mean anything after this life unless he repents and lives up to his covenants. It was interesting and I hope Levin can turn to the Savior through this and not to money or other distractions.

Well. I love ya'll. The church is true. If we follow the counsel of our priesthood leaders we will be blessed. If we don't, God gives us no promise. We fall sometimes but we can always get back up and try again. I love the Gospel and I love my Savior.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Dear family,

We had a good week here in Sherman. We were able to find some pretty cool new people and a new lady came to church for the first time and loved it. So my new companion, Elder Facer is pretty good. He is excited because there are a lot more hispanics here than in his last area where he was doing bilingual work. We are working through all the former investigators (people who came to church a few times and didn't come back). By trying to find all these people we were led to some other potential investigators as well.

I can't imagine what Levin must be going through now, but its got to be hard. It was interesting because this Sunday at church, both the second and third hour classes were about eternal families. As I listened to the lesson I really thought about them a lot and how blessed we are for the Gospel. Throughout the week I honestly didn't think about it too much just because we are so busy but I sure hope we all can come away from such a tragedy with a stronger resolution to live the gospel and do our best.

The Gospel is great. I'm so excited for General Conference. We're hoping to get tons of people to church and to members home to watch it. Its a great opportunity to invite a friend over for several reasons. One, its at your house, they don't have to worry about feeling uncomfortable or dressing up. Two, they will feel the spirit that modern prophets and apostles bring. You could ask someone, "If there was a man on earth today who had the same power and authority that Peter and Paul had, would you want to hear what they had to say?" Try and think of a friend or even a less-active to invite over to watch conference with the family. It would be awesome.

I'm glad to be a full-time missionary. The spirit teaches me so much and I learn so much about the gospel and life.

Love,
Elder Wagner

PS. I need Allegra-d ... thanks!

Families are Forever

Dear family,

How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father that has restored his gospel on this earth. What a blessing the restored knowledge is about God's plan for us and what happens after death. The sealing power was restored to the earth less that 200 years ago. Families don't end with death when they are organized with God's priesthood keys. Tragedies happen. I feel for Levin and for Uncle Tom and Aunt Linda. Its hard. I can't lie about that. I'm reminded of several of the talks from the last General Conference. One was by Elder Christofferson that talked about how the convenants we make and keep give us the power and ability to make it through affliction and trial.

Eternal families are one of the greatest blessings the Gospel offers. Coincidently, Thursday night I had the priviledge to interview Tomas Diaz for baptism. My new companion, Elder Facer (from St. George), interviewed his wife and 12 year old daughter. It was a great experience. He was so ready for baptism. One thing he said suprised me mostly because it showed a deep understanding of the benefits of the restored gospel. Tomas said "Quiero sellarme con mi familia" which translated is "I want to be sealed to my family." It was powerful to hear from a father and husband who really understands the gospel. As I received the phone call Friday night from President Smith, I remembered the experience I had just had the night before with Tomas and was so grateful for the Gospel and eternal families.

This past week we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from Elder Ballard last Monday and then yesterday(Sunday) we heard from President Uchtdorf. In one week we got to hear from two apostles! It was truly amazing. It really pumped me up for General Conference in two weekends.

So Elder Heywood got transferred and my new companion is Elder Facer from St. George. He is good and been out about 3 more months that me. We are going to have a good time and the Lord is blessing us tremendously here in Sherman. I feel like I have a million things to tell ya'll but I don't have much time.

Just remember that the Gospel is true. God has a plan for each of us. He knows our difficulties and weakness. Families that are started in the right place, in the temples, are eternal families. Remember the covenants that you've made with God and he will bless you. Elder Ballard mentioned something that was pretty funny and insightful as well. He was talking about how Elder Hales just turned 85 years old and how he was 81. He said most of the apostles are "a bunch of old guys, but we're still cool." It was funny. He said that as an apostle you travel a lot and get to the point of being exhausted quite often. He said that when he feel exhausted and that he can't go any further that he thinks of Christ. He thinks of Gethsemanie and Golgatha. He thinks of how it felt for him. He said that turning his thoughts to the Savior is how he keeps going when its hard and when he is exhausted. It was a powerful lesson for me about how I can better deal with trials.

I love all ya'll (i'm such a texan...). And I hope you think a little more about Christ this week, during this hard time.

Love,
Elder Wagner

PS. I'm almost out of Allegra-D

PSS. Thanks for all the letters!!!

PSSS. I got a letter and pictures from Elder Lord in australia!!! It was cool to see him and how he was doing...

I'm Staying in Sherman!

Dear Family,

Its been a crazy week!

So I'm staying in Sherman, but Elder Heywood is leaving to train a new missionary and be a district leader. I decided to let him cut my hair to be as short as his since he's leaving.

The reason I'm writing so late is because this morning we went into Dallas, along with most of the mission and also the Fort Worth Mission to a Monday morning devotional. There we listened to Elder Claudio Costa of the presidency of the seventy (he also leads the southwest region) and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the quorum of the twelve apostles. It was amazing. I was in the sixth or seventh row of the chapel for the two hour devotional. Their wives also spoke. I loved it. Elder Ballard really is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He gave us many great counsels and even did a question and answer session. I didn't ask a question but many of the questions asked were questions I've had before about how to help investigators progress and how to boldly commit people to baptism. He mentioned a lot how we have to tell people that its true or its not. Either we, as missionaries, are messengers of God or we aren't. If we are, the priesthood and gospel have been restored through Joseph Smith and all must be baptized by that authority to enter into the kingdom of God. It was great!!! I loved it.

At that meeting I saw almost all of my companions. I sat next to Elder Barney, who goes home this week (I meet his parents tomorrow). Elder Haslam was there as well, he is in Casa Linda which is cool. They baptized a bunch of Juana Reyes family last month!!! I also saw Elder Richins for the first time since February, which was cool. And Elder Heywood was there of course. It was neat to see all the great friends I've made. They are more like brothers to me. Its great. I also saw a friend from my floor at BYU!! His name is Morgan Strong but he is in the fort worth mission and he was there!!! Fun stuff.

This weekend was stake conference in Mckinney. Our stake president, President Packard, asked us to be at the Saturday sessions. There was a ward mission leader and ward missionary meeting on Elder Perry's training on Ward missions. Also we went to stake priesthood leadership which was great. During the evening adult session, in the middle of his talk and without warning, President Packard asked us, the zone leaders, to bear our testimonies. It was nerve racking but neat. He is a great leader and speaker. I hope I can be like him some day. The stake leadership is great. We are trying our best to help them as the full time missionaries.

So I'm glad I'm here. Strange to think I'm twenty. I only have eleven months left to be a fulltime missionary. I love Sherman and love this work. Miracles happen all the time. The Gospel is simple, when we follow it we are happy and have the guidance of the spirit. If we don't we can't recieve those blessings. I love yall and hope the best for you.

Love,
Elder Wagner

P.S. I forgot to tell you but I fixed my camera a month ago!!! I fixed it on a monday after I emailed you all so I forgot to tell you!!! The cookies were delicious!!! I can't believe how differnet andrea and riley look!!! So I'll be mailing the camera back, with a video to ya'll . it will kinda be like talking to me!! hhaha

P.S.S. Marissa, Elder Barney has his homecoming this Sunday, the 20th in Herriman, Utah. Its like twenty/thirty minutes from provo. you should go. here is the info Sunday @ 11:00 am 13768 Rose Canyon Rd. Herriman UT 84096It'll be kinda wierd but just tell him that you're my sister. He said he'd take you on a date. loll. If you go send me a picture.

Almost 20!

Here is me, Brother Rodriguez, Odilon Ortiz and Elder Heywood.

Dear Family,


Another week has already gone by. Its crazy how fast time is going. We had an exciting week with Odilon's baptism on Saturday. He was baptized by Brother Rodriguez, the spanish group leader and a high councilor. It was really good. Raul said the opening prayer at the baptismal service which was cool.

The spanish group keeps growing slowly and surely here. Brother Rodriguez is getting excited and him and his wife are working to try and reactivate a few members so we can have a branch soon. I don't think I've told you much about the Rodriguez's but they are the lifeblood of the group. They have 4 kids. Two of the boys are seniors in high school and are preparing to go on missions. The older one, Melvin, came up and asked when he could go teaching with us. All the kids are very involved in church and love the gospel. Brother Rodriguez was telling us that for family home evening they practice teaching the missionary lessons in Preach My Gospel. Pretty sweet family.

So to start a spanish branch they need a few more priesthood holders, but it'll happen pretty soon. We've been struggling to find new people to teach, Sherman is pretty small so you run out of places to look for people, but we should be able to find some families this week.

We set a baptismal date last week with Jennifer Lopez, whose brother got baptized in June. She loves the lessons we taught her and is already sharing the Gospel with everyone she knows. We haven't starting teaching her husband, but hopefully he comes to the movie night we are doing on Friday at the church where we are showing the testaments. They have two kids, a four year old daughter and a two year old son. The daughter is hilarious. She speaks mostly english and is crazy. She calls us 'Elders' and almost remembers Elder Wagner. Its fun.

Well lots of amazing things are happening. Next Monday all the missionaries here and all the fort worth missionaries are having a devotional where Elder Ballard of the quorum of the twelve is going to talk to us. It should be awesome.

Next week when I write I'll be twenty. I feel old. Its weird but just think how old mom and dad feel now!!! haha.

Challenge: Bring a friend(who isn't a member) to church. I want to hear who does it first and they'll get a secret prize.

Love,
Elder Wagner



P.S. Its cooling down here. 80s. Its nice.

P.S. By the way, transfers are next tuesday so next week we'll find out whats going to happen.

P.S. to the Jensens. I had a meeting with President Packard and I mention that the Jensen's are my family. He said that he served in the stake missionary something with Russ. I told him that Russ was a stake president now too. He says hi!

Goodbye to August...

Dear Family,

Well the month of August has come to a close. Last week was crazy busy and pretty tough. So the tranfer ends in 2 weeks (sept 13). Elder Heywood and I have no idea what will happen.

Last week we had Zone conference in Mckinney, so we hosted it. It was really great. President Smith talked about how the gospel is all about 'becoming.' He also talked about how when we are brand new missionaries we do lots of uncomfortable and hard things, so we grow a lot and very quickly. However, when we get comfortable, we aren't pushed to our limits and we stop growing. So his challenge to us was to look for opportunities to 'be uncomfortable' or to look for challenging things and do them. He mentioned 'walking into the wall of flames' so we can be refined by trials. It was a great talk. I'm going to push myself even harder to do those things that make me feel uncomfortable so I can continue to progress and grow.

We also had interviews with President Smith and while he is interviewing, we, as zone leaders give a training. We decided to train on finding because it is something our zone is specifically struggling with. Elder Heywood loves fishing so he compared finding to fishing. We as missionaries have to be in the right place,right time and use the right lure to find people who are ready to hear the gospel. It was a fun training.

There were quite a few hard things that happened last week with our investigators. Adan ended up going to chicago on saturday because the job he had here was temporary. It was sad but we gave him a map with the closest chapel in chicago and we'll be sending the missionaries to visit him. Ana, a lady who had been coming to church and who wanted to get baptized, had moved out from living with her american boyfriend, but she moved back in because he promised he would change. The thing is is he wants nothing to do with us or the church. But people have agency I guess.

Odilon is doing well and will be getting baptized saturday (maybe by raul...). We should be setting some other baptismal dates this week and hopefully finding some new families to teach.

I'm excited to hear how Marissa likes school and I want to know what classes she is taking. Take care.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Miracles

Dear Family,

I'm glad to hear you are all back safe from Oregon. I imagine it was hard but the Gospel makes it all better.

The description of the funeral and the feeling you had there reminded me of a funeral I went to in Nacogdoches. It was a Catholic funeral and very different that anything I had been to before. Without the Gospel death is a very sad and confusing occurence, but with the understanding of the plan of salvation we know what happens, why it happens and that we can be together again.

We had a good week. Lots of ups and downs. Missionary work is rewarding and really demanding. There were a number of neat things that happened last week. I don't remember if I told you about Adan but last week he had told us he was going to move to chicago to look for work, which was a big let-down. Then the miracle happened. He got a job last friday so he isn't going to chicago, which means we can keep teaching him and he can get baptized in a few weeks. That was one miracle.

Another one was a lesson I was in with the spanish missionaries in Mckinney (we were on exchanges down there). This lady is really Catholic and the night before the had a big lesson on the virgen mary and how we can't pray to anything but God. The lesson the night before didn't go so well so we were going by to check up on it and do 'damage control' if necessary. So we went in and talked to her a little bit. She mentioned that she 'recieved an answer'. The other two elders missed that and starting talking about something else. When I had heard her say that it caught my attention but I wanted to see if the other elders would pick up on it. They didn't so I jumped in and asked her more about it. After some questions we found out the miracle that had happened. After the lesson the night previous, she was really confused and not sure what to believe anymore. She didn't sleep well and that morning she prayed and asked God what was right and what was wrong. While she was reading in the bible in Isaiah 49-51, she recieved an answer from the Holy Ghost that the Church is true. As she told us about this experience, the Spirit came in the room really strongly. The elders couldn't believe what had just happened. One of the elders asked her, So you recieved an answer now what are you goign to do. She answered, I'm going to get baptized.' It was awesome! An amazing miracle.

I just have to share one other story. We've taught this guy Odilon Ortiz a few times. He is in his fifties. So we had given him a Book of Mormon with 3rd nephi chapter 11 to read just like we've done many times with many different people. When we went back we asked about the reading. He said he really liked it. Then he got a little more serious and said it really impacted him. He said that reading about when Nefi went and kissed the feet of the Lord it made him cry, thinking about all that Christ suffered for us. He had felt the spirit very strongly. Then we talked about baptism. Elder Heywood asked if he wanted to be baptized. He said he already was. We explained authority using 3rd nefi 11 and how Joseph smith received that same authority. So we asked him again and the spirit that was there helped him to say yes. Sunday he came to church for the first time and loved it.

The Lord is blessing us. I love being a missionary. Have fun at school. Be example and invite your friends to learn about the restored gospel!

Love,
Elder Wagner

PS. I got those pills in the mail. I also talked to Ryan Packard on the phone the other day (keith's friend) it was cool.

Dear Family,

I'm grateful for the Gospel, the blessings of the temple and the principles and doctrines that comfort us and gives us strength. I'm glad to be where I'm at and to be able to know that 'come what may', the Lord will be there for us.

I'm glad you had a good week with Grandpa Shaffer. Here in Sherman we had a good week too. We set a baptismal date with a guy named Adan (adam in spanish) for sept 19th. He has so many genuine desires to change. He is like 31 and has a wife and two kids. He is between jobs right now, but is reading with his kids (7 and 4 years old) from the Book of Mormon every day! His wife has two jobs so we haven;t been able to teach her a lot yet, but she'll get baptized the same day in september. I'm really excited for them, they'll be great members of the group here.

So last thursday was my one year mark. Its really surreal to me that a year has already passed. I think of all I have learn and all the neat things I've seen happen. I also think of how much more I'll be able to do this year. I hope I can focus and be the best missionary I can be. I have lots to work on and many things I want to accomplish and improve on.

As a zone (all the full-time missionaries in the stake... 7 companionships) we had a pretty rough week. We are having a hard time finding new people to teach and then teaching them with the involvement of members. Its hard to know what we can do as leaders to help uplift and inspire the missionaries to do their best work. I pray we can help them have the faith to see miracles here in the Mckinney stake.

Well its good to hear from ya'll and I hope you have a good week getting ready to go back to school. I pray for ya'll a lot. Remember to be examples to those around you and to not be afraid to invite people to church. I love the Gospel and I love being Christ representative here in Sherman.

Love,
Elder Wagner

PS. A few weeks ago we saw an albino squirrel (white with reddish eyes!!!) Elder Heywood got a good picture I'll have to get a copy... haha

PSS. I'm almost out of minocycline... I haven't been using the benzaclin (the creme) and face seems to be clearing up anyways...

PSSS. If you want to get me something for my birthday the church is coming out with the LDS addition spanish bible (the leather one with indexes is like 26 dollars) black would be cool ... :)

1 YEAR MARK- on 8/13/09

Howdy!

Its been a good week here in Texas. I'm glad ya'll made it up to Oregon safely. That's tough that Grandpa isn't doing too great. He'll definitely be in my prayers.

Hard to imagine that today a year ago was mine and Jeff's farewell. Its sobering to think that my time as a full-time servant of Jesus Christ is nearly half-over. I feel like I just barely started and I have so much more to do. Well Raul is doing really well. We visited him on Saturday and he had just been reading about how Laman and Lemuel tied up Nephi on the boat during the storm. He is really excited and has such a strong convert 'fire.' Lessons with investigators and recent converts who are such good examples of faith are great boosters of energy.

As zone leaders, we have six other companionships and we are all in the same stake. So Thursday we had a meeting with the Stake President and also with President Smith there too. President Packard is a great man and a great leader. He's pretty concerned for the McKinney wards. The missionaries there have a hard time finding people to teach, since its a more affluent area. (lots of rich people with huge houses). It was a cool meeting to be able to better coordinate the missionary work here in the stake. President Smith shared some neat experiences he's been having speaking to some different groups of ministers and pastors in the Dallas area. He taught at a seminary in South Dallas for two hours, reading the articles of faith and gave each person a Proclamation to the World, The Living Christ and a Book of Mormon. At the end a student asked "How can we know if its true?" Really amazing things are happening here.

Friday we had a great meeting. Its called mission council. All the zone leaders and the assistants meet and we plan and decide what we will focus on for this transfer to help the mission reach its potential. Its a really spiritual meeting and so cool. Elder Barney was there (he goes home in five weeks!!!!). We were talking to another missionary who was in Casa Linda and he told us about Juana. She went to California but her daughters stayed there. This last week Juana's daughter and son-in-law where baptized and another daughter too. Its awesome!

I'm so grateful to be a missionary. I've seen so many miracles and I know I will see'en more here in Texas. I love the joy that comes from serving. The understanding and testimony I have of the Gospel has increased tremendously. I know the Lord refines us through trials and afflictions so we can become more pure. Christ died and resurrected so that we can be resurrected and brought forth to stand before God someday.

Love,
Elder Wagner

August!?!

Elder Heywood, Fernando, Laura, Raul, Elder Wagner

Dear Family,
Happy late birthday rissa-roo!!!
Sounds like ya'll been havin' a fun time out there in California. Last week was the last week of the transfer, but Elder Heywood and I are staying here for another transfer (this transfer goes until sept 13th). Time is flying by. Last week it was pretty rainy here, I was woken up several times by thunder during the week. It wasn't so hot but it was super humid. This week is supposed to go back to normal (high 90s).

So I went on an exchange last tuesday and wednesday up to Durant, Oklahoma. I interviewed three people who got baptized on Saturday. Its an english area, so we talked to lots of old baptists, which was entertaining. We had a dinner with a member who lived out in the sticks (on 150 acres). They have like seven kids and breed horses. Funny thing is that they used to live in Tehachapi of all places. He is a horse vet and knew Dr. Reno, not really well but knew the name. That was a random story but Oklahoma is a nice place.

So here in sherman we are like 15-20 minutes to the border. There is a huge casino (like vegas big) called 'The Choctaw.' Anyways. I'm back in Texas thank goodness.


So Saturday I baptized Raul. It took like 4 tries, but he finally got all the way under (he just wouldn't relax and bend backwards). He had lots of opposition this week. A lot of trials. Thursday at work they told him it was his last day. Not cool. Friday his parked car got hit by a UPS truck and it dented the trunk so it doesn't close. Satan works really hard. But Friday afternoon we had a really good lesson about trials and tribulations and how we have to be faithful. After he was confirmed on Sunday he told me it was the happiest he had felt in his life. Can you imagine that? He just lost his job, work is really hard to find and he is the happiest he has been in his life. The Gospel is true.

Have fun and enjoy the summer!

Love,
Elder Wagner

PS. Haven't got the drivers license yet but it'll get here. i attached a pic of raul and us with his kids laura and fernando who got baptized right before i got here

Howdy!

Howdy.

Funny you mentioned Texas being in a drought, its raining right now. Its rained like every other week this summer. So we cover two small towns and a bunch a little country towns. Sherman (where we live and go to church) and Dennison.

So we've been working in Dennison quite a bit and there are all these signs "Dwight Eisenhower Birthplace" with an arrow. So we checked it out and took a picture in front of the sign. For those who don't know who he is, he was a president of the United States in the nineteen fifties. Speaking of cameras. A week ago my camera took a tragic fall. Now the lens won't retract back into the camera and thus it doesn't work. Bummer. When it fell it land just on a corner, not the lens, but the impact messed something on the inside. I was wondering where you got it and how i should go about getting it fixed???

Okay. One thing that isn't cool about Texas are this little bugs called chiggers. They itch like mosquito bites but don't go away for like 3 weeks!! I don't have too many only like ten or so on my ankles. I bought some 'chiggerex' at a store and it stops the itching.

Anyways, we had a good week. We are really trying to get the word out about our English classes we are teaching at the church. We had 4 people come on last thursday. Hopefully we can get more people. I like teaching it. Its fun. So this saturday Raul is getting baptized. He is really progressing well and is making changes in his life. A few years ago he went through a really hard divorce and has a lot of hurt from it still. So last week we taught all about the Atonement and how it can 'heal' us and comfort us. Some good scriptures are (3 nefi 9:13-20; 3 nefi 18:32; DyC 19:15-19). Studying and preparing those lessons helped me learn a lot. There also is a really good article in the July ensign about the healing power of the atonement. Its awesome.

One miracle that happened last week was pretty neat. So as missionaries we have an 'area book,' which has records of people who used to investigate the church. Well I was browsing through it one evening and one street name caught my attention because I hadn't even seen it really. Its was called 'Charles St'. So we went there and started knocking doors. The first door no one answered. I got a phone from another Elder so I talked to him. Elder Heywood went across the street and talked to a middle-aged white man who was sitting on his porch. When I finished the call I went and talked to him as well. He offered us a glass of water so we went inside. We started talking to him and turns out he had been living in Vernal Utah for the past year. He didn't really know too much about the church but had lots of respect for those members he had met. Also, his aunt had been a member for the last 25 years of her life and to put it the way he said it, "the church saved her life." She had had mental struggles and after learning about the church she changed a lot. We briefly summarized the Restoration to him. He wasn't sure if he wanted to learn more because he knew that members don't drink or smoke (he does both). We both bore testimony to him and elder Heywood asked a great question about if he wanted to find out why his aunt's life had changed. He said yes and we gave him a book of mormon. The sister missionaries here will teach him because he is english but it was neat to see the Lord guide us in our plans, actions and words so we would meet him. Doesn't that story just get you excited? It makes me excited. My invitation to all ya'll is to invite someone to learn more this week. Pray for guidance and mostly courage. It doesn't have to be real wordy or a clever invitation. Simple. Do you want to come to church with me? Do you want to watch a video about Jesus Christ? If you do it, you might not see success the first time, but eventually you will and you will feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost more in you life.

Love,
Elder Wagner

PS. I think Elder Heywood's family is going to be in San Diego this week. Be on the look out for a big family (he is the second youngest of 6 and has like 15 nieces and nephews!!!)

Time Flies!

Hi family!

Nice to see all the pictures from girls camp and to hear your experiences. Really cool Marissa got her patriarchal blessing. I love reading mine and finding the promised blessings the Lord has for me.

During the course of last week I was hit over and over again with how fast time is going that I'm sure close to being out for a year. It honestly makes me want to work harder. Seeing that picture of Keith being home is a big reminder of how short of a time this is.

Well this last week we had zone conference and interviews which was good, a big spiritual booster. At Zone conference there were like five elders and a sister who bore their testimonies since it was their last zone conference. Last week Elder Heywood hit his 18 month mark. Basically, I'm being reminded how short of time I have to be a missionary and that I need to use it as best I can. I've been thinking a lot about what President Hinckley's dad said to him, 'forget yourself and go to work' Or en espanol... olvidate de ti mismo y ponte a trabajar'' I like it more in spanish I think. Sometimes the gospel and scriptures just make more sense in spanish. its kinda wierd.

Well our area is doing pretty good. We have a lot to work and improve on but good things are happening. One lady, Ana and her nine year old daughter came to chruch for the second time yesterday and really likes it. She said that at church the time just goes by so fast she wishes it was longer. She is living with an american guy named ricky, but they aren't married. She doesn't want to get married to him but doesn't have a job so she can't get up and move out all the sudden. Ana loves learning and is doing well, but it will be a little while before she gets baptized.

Thats the good news for this week. Thanks for your support and you examples. I hope and pray that I can be the missionary the Lord wants and needs me to be.

Love,
Elder Wagner

PS. thanks for getting that drivers license thing worked out... :)

Sher-man!

the infamous chigger!

Howdy everyone.

I got the package last monday. The salsa is pretty good. It is a lot different than hispanic salsa though. Its really sweet and not spicy, but I guess I'm just used to hot stuff now (i.e. the fire sauce at taco bell isn't too spicy.... weird...)

Anyways. Here in the wonderful state of Texas they have stupid little bugs called chiggers. Well they hide in grass and look for you skin and then burrow their little bodies under your skin. They itch and unlike mosquitoes, they stay around for a while. Minus 5 points for Texas being the best state ever.

Speaking of states, my California drivers license expires in september. I might just get a texas one while I'm here unless you know how to renew a license.

That's cool to hear about Marissa's adventure to the big apple. Question: Are there a lot of hispanic people in NYC? Since we just have a spanish group, I don't get to eat delicious home-cooked mexican food. I think I'm having tortilla withdrawls. We eat but its just not the same. And texans eat wierd stuff like fried okra?? saurkraut and wieners(thats what they called it...)??

Anyways, I seem to be rambling. So I gave a talk in the spanish sacrament meeting. There were like 20 people there. The one really strong hispanic member family, the rodriguez's were gone so most of the aaronic priesthood was gone too. I blessed the bread and the water and the lone deacon passed the sacrament. I spoke about the golden rule, or 'la regla de oro.' It was alright.

Well Raul (who has a baptismal date for the 25) is doign really good. We taught a lot about the fall, atonement and the gospel last week. I love it when people 'get it', or when they start realizing how important Jesus Christ is. Its really neat. I also love being able to understand and communicate with hispanics. They are good people. Sometimes we struggle to get them to understand but the spirit makes of the difference and if they are really elect, they'll get it.

As ya'll go to girls camp, be safe, have fun. Enjoy mountains and cold air. Its going to be hot and humid all week here... Mostly I want ya'll to know that I know that this Gospel is true. I've been studying a lot about the Atonement and Fall and repentance. Its sweet. I love being a missionary. I feel sad that I only have 13 months left as of today.

About the family we live with, its a couple and there in their fifties (I think...). Brother Francis (thats their name) is the captain of police here in Sher-man or Sherman. He has lots of cool stories. Sister Francis a way sweet lady and makes good food. They let us eat whatever we want which is way nice. I though it would be weird to live with a member but it is way better to be in a house and not an apartment.

Anyways... Love ya'll and say hi to Elder Jensen for me!!!

Love,
Elder Wagner

Sherman

Dear Family,

Well I wrote an email just a little while ago but it didn't send... I guess I'll write something different then.

So it was a good week. Pretty crazy. We were planning on having a meeting with the stake president so we had to get all sorts of reports and paperwork planned out. But the meeting ended up getting canceled last minute (a little frustrating). It happened for a reason though. We were on exchanges with the Assistants and we went finding since our plans changed last minute. I was with Elder Nate, who speaks very very little spanish. The first trailer we knocked on invited us in, I taught a decent lesson and they invited us to come back again. It was a young family, husband and wife a like a 2 year old. I have a feeling he will be a priesthood holder someday.

So here we have a pretty small group of spanish members. Its hard to adjust but its pretty much the same. We are definetly looking for priesthood holders. Thats what makes the difference between a group and a branch. Worthy, humble future priesthood holders is what we are looking for here. We have a baptismal date with one of them, Raul. He is a good guy who really wants to change. We are teaching him really boldly and its working, he is making big changes in his life.

I can't believe it was just a year ago that I received my mission call. It seems so surreal that its going by this fast. Sometimes I feel like I have so much more to do and improve on but there just isn't enough time to do it. I hope I'm keeping focused on the things that are most important and not on the unimportant things. (like Pres. Uchtdorf's talk in priesthood session)

Well I love ya'll and I'm doing great out here in Texas.

Its not easy, but its worth it.

Love,
Elder Wagner

New Area, New Companion, etc, etc,

Dear Family,

Well, Monday I said bye to Elder Haslam and Nacogdoches. It was tough. So Tuesday we had tranfser meeting. The go through and announce all the new companionships and as they do it you stand up. So... my new companion is Elder Heywood. And my new area is Sherman. We are the zone leaders of the Mckinney stake. Its cool because I already knew Elder Heywood, he trained Elder Richins and was my Zone Leader before in Casa Linda. He's been out for almost 18 months. He's from Mesa Arizona, so he is used to the hot weather here. .. (It was like 100 all last week ..)

The area is different. Its a ward that just has a spanish group. They have translation twice a month and then a separate spanish meeting twice a month. Its a lot different from having a spanish branch but its cool. I actually met a english member of the ward who said he had family in Bakersfield. I asked who and he said the Standifords(spelling?). But I was like yeah they're in my home ward! His name is Bro. Cooper and he looked familiar.

Anyways. I feel like I have a zillion things to tell ya'll but I have a hard time knowing what is something you actually care about and what isn't important for ya'll to here. Something cool. We just started teaching a guy naed Raul. He is 50 and came to church before and just last Sunday he set a baptismal date after going juts once. He told the missionaries, "I'll always be here.'' So my first night here we went and taught him the Restoration. It was cool because he felt the Spirit and believes its true. He is really prepared and want to change.

On Friday we went to a meeting with all the Zone Leaders and the Assistants and President Smith. Its called 'Mission Council.' Way intense sounding huh? Well it was. There were about twenty four or so missionaries there. We sat in a circle of tables and first we had a training by President Smith which was good as always. Then after the assistants presented the problem in the mission right now. They showed the ratio of New Investigators/Progressing investigators(come to church)/Investigators with a baptismal date/then baptisms... The ratio for spanish work is 50(:)10.5(:)1.5(:)1 and english is 35(:)10(:)2(:)1. Basically a lot of people start listening to us but never come to church and a lot come to church and don't get baptized. We talked about what we can do and we came up with the focus of Church. To get more people to church and to make the church experience the most uplifting it can be for an investigators. After that we had lunch and a testimony meeting. It was really cool to be surrounded by so many good missionaries. We had a good time.

Well that was a lot of random information but I'm excited for the new tranfer and the chance to work with an elder with lots of experience. Not that I didn't like Elder Haslam, but brand-new missionaries don't know how to do lots of things.

Those were some cool pictures of that boat ya'll found. Andrea is looking pretty ripped. I bet she is swimming real fast. (I haven't swam for a while now :) ... ) So andee asked me what the most interesting experience I've had on my mission has been. Thats a funny question, but one time Elder Barney and I got invited into a house and they were like having a get-together and were watching a homevideo from mexico... We talked with some of the guys in there but they weren't very intersted and right when we were about to leave, they gave us two plates of food and asked if we wanted to eat. We had to say yes, even though we had just ate a huge lunch like an hour before. It was really awkward b/c they like just had us sit at a table and then ignored us. It was pretty interesting I say. And really funny afterwards.

Well its too bad to hear about Dallin. I'm glad I've been healthy. I love ya'll and hope you have a fun fourth of july.

Love,
Elder Wagner

P.S. the address is
2105 Joni Circle
Sherman, TX 75092
(we live with a member... its cool.I'll tell you more later)

Leaving Nacogdoches...

Elder Wagner at the zoo with a new friend!
A birthday party!

Elder Haslam & Elder Wagner watching the pinata bashing at the birthday party!

Elder Wagner, District Leader, and his district.

Dear Family,

Well. We had a good week here. So Saturday night we have transfer calls. President Smith called me and told me I'm leaving Nacogdoches. Even crazier is that I'm going to be a Zone Leader somewhere in the city.

Needless to say Sunday, yesterday, was bittersweet. Its hard to leave because I love all the members here. I've seen lots of miracles in my time here and its been really fun. Elder Haslam is staying here which is cool. At the same time I was ready for a change. It seemed like I had no more ideas for the area and I wasn't sure what to teach to investigators anymore.

On Sunday, Hermano Ortigoza received the Melchezidec Priesthood and was called to be the 1st counselor in the Elders quorum. In the 4 months I've been here he went form being completely inactive for the last 14 years to a worthy holder of the priesthood of God. Its a miracle. I gave him and Nacho and Jorge some ties and we talked about how they can prepare to go to the temple and be sealed as a family. It should happen while I'm here in Texas so I hope I can go. Its hard to go and I'm excited for the opportunity that I'll have to serve as a leader. I'm sure I will learn so much and hopefully I'll be able to help some other missionaries. In this transfer as a district leader I've learned so much. Oh, last week I interviewed a guy named Ascencion. He is 19 and got baptized in the Hemphill Branch (the area is the furthest away from the mission home). Less that a month ago he met the missionaries there. The missionaries there taught one lesson and in the middle of the lesson they left his apartment for a few minutes. As soon as they came back in they asked him how he felt when they left. He said that the peace he was feeling left as soon as they left. He learned that the peace was the Holy Ghost and from hat day he has been on fire, reading in the Book of Mormon, the Teaching of Joseph Smith. It was a miracle lesson. He bore me a powerful testimony of how he prayed and asked if Joseph Smith was a prophet and if Thomas S Monson was a prophet. So cool.

Jacquie, that was a great email. Just think, you can feel the spirit that strong everyday as you prayerfully study the scriptures. Do it, you won't regret it.

Mom, I still have 6 full boxes of contacts, enough for two pairs a transfer (every 6 weeks). Just to be sure you could get like a box or two. All my clothes are doing good. About prayer. Where do I start.... Read 3 Nephi chapters 3-4 (mostly 4) have a really cool story about prayer... but its about war and robbers and stuff... 13 year old girls might not like it.... about prayers... I like Pedro's story, who got baptized just a few weeks ago. He was a drug addict. Partied. As he put it after we taught him the commandments, "I've done most all of those...". One Night before he met us, he felt alone, and like he was wasting his life, money and didn't know what to do. Although he had never been very religious, he prayed to God. Crying, he begged for help, maybe even angels to come help him. Less than a week later, we were in the area and we stopped by to see his sister who was baptized in febrero. We started talking to her and then Pedro walked in. I had never met him, I didn't even know she had a brother. We started talking. He asked how we can not do bad things, even if everyone else is. (because he had tried to stop drinking and smoking but couldn't quit for a long time) I told him the story of Mormon. He was the only one who had the holy ghost and he stayed righteous even though everyone (really everyone) was sinning in the worst ways. Then we talked about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration. At the end of the lesson I asked him how he felt. He said he felt happiness, something different. I told him it was the Holy Ghost, it was God telling him that its true. His prayer was answered. Elder Haslam and I had the opportunity to be the angels to answer his cry for help. We can all be answers to prayers and we can receive answers to our prayers.

I'm running out of time but I love you all and pray for your safety. Happy Fathers Day to Dad and Grandpa Wagner and Grandpa Shaffer.

Love,

Elder Wagner

It's Getting HOT in Texas!

Dear Family,

Sounds like ya'll had a great time in Utah, its really cool you got to go to the temple dedication (btw.. that temple is like 15 minutes from Elder Barneys house!). Thats crazy it rained there.

Its starting to get hot here. Like 95-97. It feels over a hundred though. We had a good week. It was a lot of traveling but it was pretty neat. So Tuesday night we had to drive to Longview and we stayed with the zone leaders and then Wednesday morning we had a leadership meeting in Tyler. It was a really good meeting and training by the assistants and President Smith. I also talked with one of the zone leaders about every missionary in the district. (by the way, Keith thinks 8 missionaries is a big district, try 10!!) Most of the missionaries are doing good. Then wednesday afternoon we drove the 2 hrs back to Nacogdoches and that evening we drove 45 minutes to Lufkin and I interviewed a girl named Miara who got baptized on Sunday. It was mostly crazy busy but I could feel the Lord guiding and helping us.

My favorite part of last week had to be Saturday because we went with the branch to the temple. It was sad that a few people couldn't because of work and stuff but we still had over 30 people. So Elder Haslam and I did confirmations since they didn't have enough priesthood to go. The Ortigoza family went which was so cool. The dad told me afterwards that he felt like as he left the temple he had more energy and excitement. It was neat. The names we did were mostly hispanic and some were really long: like 6 or 7 names... but we pronounced most of the right, I hope. Going to the temple was really cool because I understand so much better now why and how important baptisms for the dead and that work is. It was neat to see the branch go and be strengthened. Its a big sacrifice for them since its nearly a 4 hour drive and gas is pretty expensive, but the blessings are great. I know that this church is true and that according to our obedience we are blessed. I know that this work is the most important thing on the earth and i'm excited to keep working hard and growing and learning.

Love,

Elder Wagner

P.S. this is the last week of the transfer, next week we'll find out who stays, who goes... i'll have to check the contacts but I do need more Allegra-D .... thanks for everything.. btw Devyn sent me a letter last week...(Woot! Woot! Devyn!! You rock!!)

Miracles

Elder Haslam, Junior, Elder Wagner

Dear Family,

That's so great to hear that Riley is diagnosed. I don't really know how I can explain that in spanish but I'll make do. Its awesome that we pass through trials and everything turns out for our good and for our benefit. Well we had a great week.

On Sunday we had the baptism of Junior after the church services. He had asked me to baptize him and then Elder Haslam to confirm him. In sacrament meeting he bore his testimony and his sister did too. His testimony was funny but really good. He had kinda hit a bottom in his life. He had dropped out of high school and was a drug addict. One night he was wanting change so bad and felt so trapped he said a prayer, crying for God to send him something, maybe even angels. That next day we came over to teach his sister. She invited him in like she had before but this time he came and listened. We had a really cool lesson and he felt the spirit. That was about a month ago and now he is baptized! What a blessing for me to even be a part of it. I feel so happy that he is on the right path. He loves the Book of Mormon and the Gospel. Sunday night he actually went with us to go teach. Hopefully we can help him prepare and go on a mission. I feel so grateful for everything that the Lord has blessed us with. I feel like I don't deserve all of this sometimes but it just gives me more desire to go share it.

Thanks for all the emails this week. It had been a long time since I had heard from the chilluns'. And no Andrea, they don't have armadillo races out here. Riley, make sure and write down your whole getting sick experience. That way you can remember when you are older the miracles God has worked in your life. I love ya'll so much and hope the best.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Hi family.

So I got your letter last week mom. I'm not sure why but for some reason I didnt get your email. It might be the address. 'kevinswagnerTDM@myldsmail.net' The other thing it could be is that the mailbox only holds like 50mb and so when you send all those pictures it fill ups in a couple weeks and I dont want to delete all the letters. So maybe you could send two emails, one with pics and one without. Because this week I didnt get an email again. Not sure why but oh well.

We had a good week with interviews on thursday in longview and zone conference in tyler. It was a bunch of driving I had to do. But it was good to see the other missionaries and President Smith. Things are going well here in Nacogdoches. We are working hard and seeing lots of miracles. Elder Haslam and I spoke yesterday in sacrament meeting. He spoke first and I was the closing speaker. I shared the story of how Grandpa Wagner found the Gospel. I talked about how it wasn't two missionaries knocking on his door, it was a teenage friend who gave him a Book of Mormon that led him to the Gospel. It was a neat experience to be able to share something personal able sharing the Gospel. The best part was that I was able to express myself in spanish and it was like a twenty, twenty-five minute talk. It was cool to see how much my spanish has progressed.

So next Sunday Junior (his real name is Pedro) should be getting baptized. I'm so excited for him. He knows the guy who is heading out on a mission and a bunch of the other members. When they knew him in High school he was a lot different I guess. He used to do lots of bad stuff. During gospel principles class he was asking tons of questions. Its neat to see the spirit work on him and make a big change happen in his life.

So I'm really grateful to be here in Texas as a missionary. Someone at Zone Conference said that the mission is a time we have to refine ourselves. But that this time we can do more refining and faster, to burn out all of our impurities. Sometimes I feel like that, that its a fire that just hurts a lot but I know its good for me. I love Ether 12:27. If we trust in God and have faith he will make weak things become strong things to us. I have a testimony of that. I also have a testimony of priesthood blessings. President Smith gave me a priesthood blessing during my interview. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever had. I needed comfort and guidance for my area and mission. I honestly feel that if Jesus Christ or an Apostle gave me a blessing that they would have used the same words. I had told him about Riley being sick and in the blessing he said that he would get better eventually, but that I was where I'm supposed to be. It was powerful. I know that the priesthood is really the power of God that he gives to men to help us serve and learn. I love yall and take care.

Love,
Elder Wagner

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy memorial day!

Its pretty much the same for us missionaries. We are doing really good here in Nacogodoches. The Lord is working miracles like always.

So I got your letter on saturday mom... but I didn't get an email from ya'll. I hope everything is alright. Last week I tried to send the memory card in a regular envelope but it got sent back. I 'll send it this week. (Strange... because I sent him an email last night!!)

Well I don't have too much time to write but we are doing really well here. Junior, the guy we just started teaching came to church on Sunday for the first time and loved it. Its amazing to see how prepared he was. He loves learning more and is exctied every time we go over to teach him. Its been really goood for Elder Haslam too since we teach him in English so he can gget more confidence teaching. We are having so much fun. Example, today for spanish study we randomly starting singing hymns in spanish but really loud. Just being goofy really lightens the mood, since its easy to get frustrated doing missionary work.

I know that God lives and he listens to and answers our prayers. On Sunday the high council spoke in sacrament meeting and I had to translate for one of them. It was hard but I was suprised how much I could do. He would say a sentence or two and I would have to say them in Spanish. It was a good experience.

I hope that Riley is feeling better. I know that he'll be alright and that the important thing is to live the gospel. Well I've got to get going. I'm excited for this week because we have zone conference and interviews. It'll be a good spiritual energy boost. Take care.

Love,
Elder Wagner

May Madness!!!

(left to right) Jorge, Nacho, Enoc, President Castillo

Dear Family and Friends,

Well we are doing great here in Nacogdoches. The Lord is working miracles and we are working hard. So I did get the package you sent me, the zone leaders brought it down since they had to interview Nacho and Jorge for their baptism.

The baptism on thursday was great. It was in a pool at a really nice house. A lot of the time baptisms can lack reverence because Hispanic kids can be kind of rowdy, but being outside the kids were silent and the Spirit was there so strongly. Enoc (the future missionary) and President Castillo baptized. On Sunday they were confirmed, Nacho by pres. castillo and Jorge by me. It was neat. The change in these two boys has been amazing. Jorge is 12 and Nacho is 14 and now they love church and on Sunday in the third hour they received the Aaronic Priesthood. Next week they'll be passing the Sacrament!!!

So that was a big highlight of the week. The other one was on Wednesday we had like two hours during the day. We went and followed up on some potentials but none of them were home. We were close to a recent convert, Crystal, so we called and went to teach here. Her 18 year old brother was home since he quit his job. I had never met him but we started talking to him. He explained how he had chosen some wrong paths in high school but wanted to change but has to deal with lots of peer pressure. I started telling him about a teenager who was all alone, named Mormon. We explained that and taught about the restoration. After I asked him if he had felt anything different since we had been talking. He said yes, but couldn't describe it too well, I helped him realize it was the Holy Ghost, It was God telling him it was true and good! Right there we challenged him to be baptized and join the church. He said yes! It was such a powerful spiritual experience. The Lord is preparing people around us and we just have to be able to bear testimony and invite at the right time.

Well I'm very humbled by the call to be a district leader here and I'm so glad I'm here serving the Lord in Texas. I'd love to be there to help you Riley but I know the Lord will take care of you. Faith moves mountains. Riley, remember that Jesus Christ has felt everything, everything that you're feeling right now. I know that. The doctors will try their best but He is the Only One that can really heal you. This trial right now in your life is going to be hard, but you can get through it. Remember the Gospel, and you'll get through it.

I love you all and you're in my prayers.

Love,

Elder Wagner