Week two in Jennings!

Elder Wood working with the Helping Hands group and Elder Rasband last week

President Hewlett, Elder Wood, Elder Jones, and Elder Rasband last week

Hey everyone! I've loved hearing from you all and I hope you had a good week! I heard it is starting to get colder back in Utah, haha I've almost forgotten what cold weather feels like ;p

So during the week, we had a few return appointments. But only one of the guys was actually there. We got a few new investigators so that was nice! We talked to Brother Billeaudeaux about starting to set up meals for us so hopefully that will be getting going soon! :)

On Wednesday, Elder Jones and I were driving around and we found the bayou! Well, part of it. It was actually really gross. Nothing like it was in Princess and the Frog... although, I have seen lots of frogs! Not so many princesses... ;p

The Bayou

These little frogs are everywhere!  This one's name is Jefferson

Barbed wire fence at the Elementary School in Crowley

Also, on Wednesday, we were going to this little town called Estherwood. It was a small town and we stopped and donated a Book of Mormon to the local library and talked to a less-active who wasn't interested in coming back at all because he was too busy with his new donkeys. But while we were out there we got a text saying that someone from Crowley wanted a Book of Mormon. So, we looked up her address and she lived deep in west Crowley, right where a member police officer had told us never to go because of the gang violence. But, we gotta deliver the good word! So we went. Crowley is a very interesting place. On the outside and on Main Street it doesn’t seem too bad. But there are just certain details that make it seem off. Like there are barbed wire fences around elementary schools. But the fences aren't pointed out to keep people from coming in, they are pointed in to keep kids from getting out... just little things like that. We found the lady’s address and we gave her the Book of Mormon. She was in a rush to get somewhere but she was so thankful for us coming to give her the book. She said, almost in tears, that she would love for us to come back. So I'd say it was worth it!

Isis Snow Shop in Crowley

Friday was district meeting. The zone leaders Elders Anderson and Storey came down for exchanges so they were there with us. The meeting was super good. We talked about knowing the real Christ and teaching about the real Christ using the Book of Mormon. It was really good. Then after, we went to lunch at a place called Raising Canes. It's so good! I hope they put one in Utah someday. Then for the rest of the day, Elder Storey was with me and Elder Jones for Zone Leader exchanges. We went back to Crowley because that was Elder Storey’s old area. He showed us around and we talked to a few people. He bought all of us these things called cracklings. I'm not sure what was in it but it can't be good. They tasted good to me but Elder Jones almost threw up. I think basically it's just pig fat and skin boiled or fried together with seasoning on it. That night we headed down to Vidor to stay at the Ross's again for service over the weekend.


Saturday we did service all day again. It's nice to work but each week is another week that houses are sitting unopened, just kinda cooking all the crap inside. The first house we did was almost 100% made of wood... the flood had hit to the roof. It wasn't good... It's frustrating that we can't teach people while we serve or even just say a prayer... all these people have been so humbled but unless they ask we can't say a word. We all pray that they will feel our spirit and desire to want to know our message through our actions instead of our words. But it takes the people to open their mouth and ask. And that doesn’t happen very often... That night we directed traffic again. It was just as cool as the first time to see all these good people coming together to serve. I don't think I've ever had to tell so many people where I'm from ;p

After, we went to Wal-Mart to pick up some things. While we were checking out, the lady asked me if we were from a church. I told her we were missionaries for the LDS church. She then went off about how she was a single mom who had just moved down her with her kid to try and find her father who she hasn't seen in forever, and she was looking for a church to join to raise her kid in. She practically did our job for us and said, "Here I am, baptize me!" It was a super cool experience. She lived in another area though so I had to send her to the missionaries down there... but still, it was super cool. That night me, Elder McBride and Elder Horikami celebrated our 1 month mark by playing Liar’s Dice.

On Sunday we woke up super early to go to Sacrament Meeting at the high school. Which again, was super cool. But then our district headed down to the church to get our assignment. But no one had a place for us to go. So we waited until another sacrament meeting was done and a lady came out who had a friend she wanted us to go help. So we went down and her friend’s house didn't get hit too bad, but under the trailer house all her insulation was wet. So me, Elder Jones and Elder Mote all got to wear full body suits and masks and crawled under her house to cut and drag out all the insulation. Haha I've never seen and felt more spiders in my entire life! It was a super dirty job and each time you cut open the insulation water and muck would fall on you and it kinda felt like the whole house was collapsing on top of you. But after we got the job done we went to President Young’s house for dinner. I got my first real gumbo! It was super good. But then President Young told us about how he had talked to the lady that owned the trailer and found out that she had felt with all that was going on in her life (she is a single mom with an autistic son) and then the flood, that God had abandoned her. She was super close to giving everything up but then we showed up. She said she knew we were sent from God. She's a Catholic woman but I'm so glad she was able to receive help from our actions. Things like this are what make this mission worth it. Bringing others closer to the true Christ and letting them feel Heavenly Father’s love.

Well, that was my week. I'm slowly starting to get into the flow of things. The spirit here is so strong and I can feel all your prayers for me. To everyone thinking about coming on a mission, even if it's just a thought, do it. It's so, so worth it. But if you are thinking about it, you need to make sure you are worthy and ready. It's so much better to be worthy to serve the Lord before you come out. I've only been here for a month and I've already seen too many missionaries seriously struggling just because they have one or two things that hold them back. "If you live worthily in God's eyes, and use the atonement, anything is possible." - Zone Leader Elder Anderson.

Love and miss y'all! Can't wait to hear from you. Have a spectacular week!

Love,
Elder Wood

The legend continues!  Elder Osborne, Elder Wood, and Elder Harris meet up in the MTC 

Sunset

Our apartment

First email from Jennings - "2 Week Summary"

Hey everyone! Sorry, I couldn't write last week. Flying down to Houston and everything kinda messed up our schedules. And we don't have Wi-Fi in our apartment so I couldn't write when we got there. So I'm just gonna kinda summarize my last week in the MTC as well as my first week in the field!

Okay, so our last week in the MTC had a lot of mixed feelings. Tuesday was P-day and Christmas. MTC Christmas was way fun-- we had brownies and gave gifts and everything. Then later that night, we had our devotional and Elder Oaks and his wife came to speak! That was super cool. After the devotional we had a district review and Elder Davies was super sick so McBride stayed with him. So when the President’s wife asked who was in charge everyone looked and pointed at me... So, I led the meeting. It was all good though. Everyone's testimonies were super strong and I love my district. "We are set apart from the world, so we can make a change in the world."

The next day we were supposed to meet our new teachers but one of them didn't show up... I also saw Elder Krey Harris for the first time! There was rumor that the hurricane was going to go back to Houston and we might be re-assigned. We didn't want that at all...

Jonah, Krey Harris, and Jake Osborne

On Friday we had infield orientation. Oh man, it was a 9 hour class... We learned really good things though. On Saturday we had our last TRC and he wrecked me and Elder Horikami. But later that day we saw him walking down the hall and he broke the fourth wall, he told us he was sorry for going so hard on us, but he just wanted us to have a more realistic example and that we really did do great. We had cake and practiced our district song for Sacrament Meeting on Sunday because we were leaving so they have us do a musical number. I also got a haircut. And to any future missionary, make sure you cut it right before the MTC because you don't want it to be cut at the MTC... trust me.

MTC haircut

Sunday was our last day at the MTC. We went to sacrament meeting and as soon as I sat down I knew I was going to be picked to give a talk. Sure enough, my name was called. So I winged a talk on the Holy Ghost. After singing and the meeting was over, I was able to give a girl in my district a blessing because she was super sick. It's always a cool experience to let the spirit work through you. And I think that these experiences I've had at the MTC will really, really help me through my mission and life. We had to say goodbye to our district. It was super sad and we had our last testimony meeting. And we went around and said things we like or appreciate about everyone. Oh man, I didn't think I would get so attached to everyone. They all have such strong spirits and the example they all set for me has changed my life. Before we left we went and left notes for the sisters who were staying until Wednesday and left them in our classroom for them to find the next day.

Jonah, Elder Horikami and Sisters from the district

MTC District

That night in our residence, some Elder came in and he had a humming bird. It was hurt, I took a look at it and its wing was dislocated. It was moving around and seemed fine other than the fact it couldn't fly. I wished I wasn't leaving the next day so I could have tried to help it. They named him Elder Hummington. And then we went to bed, knowing that we would wake up at 2:30 to leave for Houston!

"Elder Hummington"

Elder Jones and Elder Wood

Okay, so we got up super early and got on a bus to take us to the airport. Once we got there we went through security and such, and it’s a mission miracle! I made it through without them stopping me! Haha but then once we got to our area, they let us make calls. So I got to talk to my mom and dad and even my brother Nathan for a little while. They had lots of questions and I only had a little bit of time. ;p It was nice to hear everyone's voices again though. On the plane I sat next to an Elder from Hawaii. He slept 90% of the time and took up 90% of the room. Haha it wasn't a very comfortable flight but I got a window seat so that was nice. When we landed we were met by President Hewlett. He immediately welcomed us with a huge bear hug. He's such a good guy. He has a strong testimony and faith in his missionaries. We went to a stake center in Houston for lunch and to take pictures to send to our parents to let them know we are safe. Having lunch there was a testimony builder. It was the first real food I’ve had in weeks. I don't even really know what it was, but it was good. I met my trainer, his name is Elder Jones. He's from Kaysville, Utah. He's been super cool to be around but he's a Utes fan. And he's always making sure I know what school is better.

So, I'm assigned to the Jennings, Louisiana area. It's a 4 hour drive from Houston. So, after we ate dinner we headed out to leave around 8:00 p.m.. Two hours into the drive we hit really bad traffic... a tanker had blown up so all the highway was blocked off. We had only driven a mile in an hour and a half... we weren’t even half way there or even into Louisiana yet... So we decided around 12:30 to turn around and head to Vidor, Texas, where the zone leaders stay. We got there around 1:30 a.m. and just crashed in our church clothes and everything. The ZL's only have a two room apartment so it wasn’t very comfortable and I didn't sleep much. But the next morning we got up early and headed out to Welsh where our apartment is. The next day we went shopping and got some stuff. Elder Jones is already out of money for the month and my missionary card didn't work so we had to pay for everything out of our own pockets... that kinda sucked but it's alright. I don't have any money though, so it looks like I'll be living off cereal, corndogs, and ice cream for the month ;p

Something cool happened that day, we were going tracting and Elder Jones told me that in order to find where to go, we had to be led by the spirit. So we said a prayer and then he told me to open up my map and let the spirit pick a street. And then hopefully both the streets we pick would be the same. I was kinda doubtful at first but realized I just have to trust in the spirit. So after a minute or two we both said at the same time the exact same street... It was crazy! Granted, we didn't find anyone there, but it was cool anyways.

So here's a little about my area, think in your head what Louisiana looks like. No matter what you're thinking, you're probably right. Almost immediately when you cross the Texas border into Louisiana it changes. It's kind of weird to be honest. Lots of porches and lots of Bayou people. Also, Elder Jones and I cover an area with 40,000 people in it. Just me and him. And we have one branch in the whole area with only maybe 20-30 people who come to church and only like one family who's actually active. Our Branch President doesn't even come to church. Our Branch mission leader isn't active either really. And he doesn't do his job, so we don't ever have any meals or anything. Almost zero member support for the missionary work. And when all those prophets and apostles talk about how important member help is to missionary work, they weren't lying... ;p but hey, we got lots of work to do! There's a different church on every street down here. And everyone "loves Jesus" but no one really knows who he is. It's like the first vision. They talk of Jesus, but their hearts are in the opposite direction.

We were tracting and finding all this week. We cover such a large area but it's fun to see everything! It's so different than Utah that's for sure! Haha a lot of places here are kinda sketchy, people getting arrested and shot at, witches and "priestesses", everyone drunk or high, it’s great! Lots of teaching opportunities ;) We've had a few good talks with some people but nothing seems to stick. We are going to keep trying though!

On Friday we had a district meeting. We are with the Elders and Sisters from Lake Charles. They are super nice and it was good to see some other missionaries. We also went into south Jennings which is the "hood area". In the day there are some friendly people out, but they all tell us "Y'all betta not be on dis side of da tracks when it gets dark" or "Honey baby, it’s getting real late for two nice looking young fellows like y'all to be out here". So, guess that means we just gotta convert them all so they'll stop shooting each other! ;p


On weekends we go down to Vidor and Orange to do service. It was a nice change of pace. It's good to serve but also kinda sad to see all these people lose everything. We have to tear out their whole house. Anything that was touched by the water had to be destroyed. So we go in, rip apart everything and all the walls and take it out to the streets in big piles hoping the city will come pick it up. It's hard work and the stench is almost unimaginable. But it's so good to work with everyone and get something done in a few hours that would have taken them weeks or months by themselves. But another church got super upset last week and said that we were breaking a law by talking about the gospel while we do work... So to not get the LDS church banned from doing service, there's a new rule that we can't even mention our church unless the people ask first... which is super lame because there is no greater opportunity to share our message than now, when these people have been humbled. But, they were upset we were converting so many people I guess...

We went to Orange and did a house then in the afternoon we went to Vidor to meet up with some other missionaries to do work there, and then, out of nowhere, ELDER RASBAND pops out of a house right next to me! He walked up to me, shook my hand and said, "This is where the Lord needs you." So that was kinda cool I guess ;)

After a few pictures with him (That I'll hopefully get soon) I went to work at a house and I ran into Elders McBride and Horikami and it was so nice to work and catch up with them. After working for a while we went to President Ross's house and took a quick shower and all of us missionaries headed down to the high school. We directed traffic for three to six thousand Mormons coming from all across the United States to help with the Mormon Helping Hands for the weekend. It was so cool to see so many people working and getting together for one cause. That night, we stayed the night at Elder Ross's house. That's where McBride and Horikami and other missionaries have stayed this whole time. They say they've done service everyday which is cool but they are super tired. But it was so fun to stay with other missionaries and work.




On Sunday we had a Sacrament Meeting at a high school in the auditorium. Everyone was wearing their work clothes and we sang hymns like Count Your Many Blessings and Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel. It was a really cool experience. Then we went and worked all day. The first house we went to we only cleaned stuff on the outside but the second house was one of the Texas country mansions. On man, it is huge! So we spent the rest of the day working on that house! Lots of hard work, I've never sweated more in my entire life but it was so good to see the spirit touch these people.


We headed back to Welsh that night. And that's how my two weeks have gone! Lots of hard work but it's so, so worth it. I already love these people and this work. I love and miss you all! Keep me updated on everything! Have a great week!

- Elder Wood

Letter from President Hewlett

We received an email from Jonah's mission president today with photos.  It was so fun to see his happy face!  P-day can't come fast enough!!

Dear Family,

It is such a blessing to have your son here to serve with us.  At this time, the Texas Houston East Mission is somewhat different from what your son might have thought it would be.  We are so involved in mucking, cleaning, and giving hope to people every day.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and he will be sharing this message as he serves the people.

With love,
Spencer Hewlett

Elder Wood with President and Sister Hewlett

Elder Wood and his trainer, Elder Jones

LOUISIANA!!!

We still haven't heard anything from Jonah, but Elder Osborne sent his family an email this morning and mentioned that Jonah was assigned to serve in Jennings, Louisiana!  I guess I will need to change the Texas flag we have flying to a Louisiana one! :) Jennings is about as far east as his mission boundaries go.  His apartment is in Welsh which is just outside of Jennings.  I looked up the city on Google Earth and it looks like such a fun area.  It appears to be a small farming community.  There are two tractor stores within a few blocks of Jonah's apartment.  When I was looking at the photos on the internet I could just see Jonah walking the streets there!  I heard that there is a Branch in that area and that the members are amazing!  One of the missionary moms said the Jennings missionaries are getting rides into Texas every other day with the members to help with the clean-up efforts.  The Jennings area didn't get much damage from Hurricane Harvey, mostly flooding.  We are SO excited for him and can't wait to hear from him--hopefully on Monday!  Fingers crossed!!

Elder Wood and MTC roommates at the Stake Center in Texas

TEXAS!!

Jonah was allowed to email a quick note to us on Saturday night. What a fun surprise! This is part of his letter:


Hey! Because we are flying out early on Monday I’m allowed to send one email to family. It’s crazy how I’m already leaving! The days have been so long, but when I look back, it seems like I just got here! I got the phone card instructions and stuff so that's all good. Thanks for all that!

Also, I’m not sure if I will get a p-day next week because of the flight and such. So this could be it for the week!

I love you all and send everyone my love! I will try and call you at the airport if I can. It will be pretty early probably, but hopefully I’ll be able to.

Thanks for all the letters and packages! That stuff you sent me will help me a ton on my mission.

We are packing up to leave and doing our last load of laundry and such, it’s super real and crazy! Just one more long day and then we'll be off!!!

I’ll write about details about this last week the next time I get to write. I’m not sure when that is, but I’ll write about everything. Things like Elder Oaks coming to speak to us and such.

Well, until next time! Love you all!!! Here I go!!!

-Elder Wood



We got to talk to Jonah for about 30 minutes this morning while he was at the airport waiting for his flight! He sounded SO happy and excited to get out there and serve. It was wonderful to hear how happy he is! They stayed up until midnight helping one of the Elders finish packing and then had to get up at 2:30 to get ready to leave the MTC by 3:30 this morning. He had lots to tell us about the MTC and how much he loved his roommates and district. He said his district is planning to share pictures with each other and he will send them along when he has time. He told us how fun it was to see so many friends from high school at the MTC. Jonah is hoping to be assigned to an area where he can help with the clean-up efforts. I feel like most of his mission was affected by the hurricane and flooding so chances are pretty good that he will be wearing one of those yellow Helping Hands t-shirts! His flight left at 7:35 am and will arrive in Houston at 11:43 am, Texas time. I can't wait to hear about his assignment and adventures he has this coming week!

MTC District and teacher

Pictures!

Jonah sent a few pictures tonight and I thought I would share some of them with you!

Studying with the district

More friends from high school! Will Anderson and Jake Osborne

I have absolutely no idea what this is.....
Maybe the Plan of Salvation with a Star Wars theme?

The new MTC buildings

He found one of the notes I hid for him!

My favorite missionary!! 

Stronger than a hurricane!

Hey y'all! Hope everything is going well for everyone! Thank you all for the prayers and letters. They really make all the difference on long days. Your support and love keeps me going and I love and miss all of you!

So, about this last week, where do I begin.... Wednesday morning was our service day so we woke up earlier than the usual early to go do service. We were assigned to one of the new buildings. Me and 3 other elders in my room got to wear the vacuums but they looked like the ghost busters packs! They had glowing lights and switches and everything!

It rained a little this week and it was heavenly. I love the rain and it was just one of those small gifts from God that keep you going.

We've started playing district volleyball during break times, and it’s easily one of my favorite parts of the day. Just our district, getting to be ourselves and have fun. I started this thing of "anger castles" where before each play we build a little mound of sand so if we mess up instead of getting frustrated with each other, we just squish our castles. Haha oh I love my district. We are all so close and nice. We do district study every night and it’s probably one of the most spiritual moments of the whole day. We have a list of quotes from everyone and it’s so great. Some of my favorites are, "I have an hourglass figure but all the sand is settled at the bottom." And "the gospel is quality content".

This week Elder Horikami and I got 2 investigators to commit to baptism! We taught them all last week and they both got to the point where they felt ready to commit! It was such a cool experience to watch their testimonies grow and learn to love them. This gospel truly is for everyone.

Another thing about the MTC, everyone is sick. Literally everyone. It's like a plague. It's only a matter of time. All of our room is sick and so is everyone else, but the work continues!

Every day here is exactly the same... so last week I said we should have Christmas on Tuesday since we aren't gonna get one for 2 years. Anyways so yesterday was Christmas Eve. So the Elders in my room were singing Christmas songs on the way to our residence and then our whole floor just joined in. Soon we were all blasting Christmas songs and singing and dancing. Everyone was just like, "Sure, of course it's Christmas Eve!" Haha we met in the commons and I read the Christmas story to everyone. So today is Christmas, and our district is all doing secret Santa gifts and we have a tree and everything. So today is Christmas.

So apparently the church has decided it's not the right time to send members to go help and serve in Houston yet. They are sending money and resources but not people yet. So maybe something else is going to happen. But we are going in a few days! So we are being sent to our death. It'll be great! I love this gospel!

Anyways, I'm off to the temple pretty soon, I love you all! Keep telling me how things are going! If you want me to email you personally, you have to email me first so I have your email, and I can read them any day, I can just only reply on p-day. Remember the big picture! God loves us all, but faith without works is dead. I can't wait to go serve the people of Houston! Until next week!

~Elder Wood


*Since Jonah didn't send any photos today, I thought I would include a few pictures of the aftermath of the hurricane.  The devastation is really quite overwhelming to think about.  We are so grateful for the opportunity Jonah will have to serve the people there when he arrives!

Mission Home belongings put out to the curb for pick up

                                                

Missionaries cleaning up

Mission Home

                                                 

30 minute Sacrament Meeting on Sunday and then everyone went out to serve  

President Uchtdorf visited the area on Sunday