Hey mom and dad, its your son (I bet you don't know which one). Thanks for the Christmas presents they were awesome! How is good ole gilbert arizona? Pretty much everyone knows where gilbert is cause they got relatives there or they are snowbirds in the winter. I dont know if I told you this, but both of my zone leaders are from AZ. One is from Cameron, on an Indian reservation, and one is from Snowflake! (He also knows Austin, and got his teeth done at Uncle travs) so thats pretty cool! Last week was really slow. A lot of people are gone for christmas or they arent home or they dont want us in. But last night, we got in with some of our investigators and we showed them the Restoration video. I had no idea how powerful it is! I could feel the spirit and I could definatley tell that the Wife (our investigator) could feel it too. I know that the Lord has been preparing her to recieve the gospel, she already has some basic principles down. So we are gonna extend the Baptismal Committment here soon. And that was the highlight for me this week. And it is a new transfer , starting today, so we are really going to work hard! I love you guys so much! I know that obedience is key! There really is not much else to say (sorry my emails are short). LOve you! Buy! 

Levi is now in his mission in his first area.  What is amazing to me is how the Lord's hand is in what these missionaries do.  His first area - Quincy Washington.  This just so happens to be the little town my father in law grew up in.  There are a lot of family ties still in this area, like Sherry's uncle Jeff and his wife Maureen.  Amazing.  I never thought in a million years one of my kids would be serving in this little town.  We are feeling truly blessed today.

Now from Levi:

So you will never guess where I am right now. QUINCY, WASHINGTON! Yup, my first area is in the ole stomping ground of Tony Thompson. The town itself is pretty run down, and there is actually a lot of gang activity and a ton of Mexicans, so that means I get to speak spanish a ton! I have already met a guy who knows poppy, his name is Lyn Child. And a lot of people here know Jeff Thompson as well, so thats pretty cool. My companions name is Elder Smith, he has been out for about 9 months. He is a great guy. we have tracted almost every day so far. We got into a sort of "Bible Bash" with two guys, and that was pretty fun. We got to meet a tweaker, who lives in a motel, and he is cool, and he knows a lot about the bible. There is a ton of work for us to do in this little town. We are gonna help bring it back to life! 

I got to meet my president, and he is the best. He is the most loving kind guy you will ever meet. I love him to death. 

Me and elder smith live in an apartment, in a basement apartment. Its pretty nice, and it already started getting dirty in there, so we cleaned a ton today. But ya thats what it is like so far! Love you so much!

Last Week in the Mexico City MTC

I only have one week from today until I leave for Washington! My Spanish has come along a ton! I still don't know a ton, but I know I can.

There is something I would like for you to read. In my patriarchal blessing it talks about Ephesians. I read all of Ephesians and it is really good and is helping a lot. So i want you to read it and tell me what you think! 

Also I have been thinking a lot about some of our neighbors and some of our family. I don't feel like we have tried hard enough to bring them the gospel. I'm realizing a lot out here that we cant waste anytime, we have to be constantly seeking for those investigators. So I want you guys to try and bring the gospel to our neighbors and some of our less-active family members, like share it with them more, I guess. I don't know, I have been just thinking about that. 

Anyways, love you! Send me some pictures of the family! 

 
Here are some pics of some of my latino friends!

Levi with Jacob - Not latino - yet...

 

** Just a tidbit that Levi shared with one of his young men leaders who has been there through thick and thin with Levi:  (Thanks Brian Hansen, for being the great person you are and helping my sons be better and become righteous men)

 

Thanks brother Hansen! I saw Jacob and we´ve talked for a bit. The MTC is definitely different. The food here is really bad and I've gotten some pretty bad stomach problems. I have definitely felt the spirit so much out here. I have learned a lot about faith out here. Faith is so powerful. And obedience, that's key here too. Its really important that those priests start practicing obedience now, rather than out in the mission field. A lot of missionaries struggle with that out here, and I´ve struggled a bit as well. But I know obedience brings blessings and exact obedience brings Miracles.

I wish I could've been there for Colton and Derek's birthday party, it sounds so much fun! But I'm glad I'm out here haha. I just want to say thanks for all that you have done for me. You have been an awesome leader. I have always looked up to you and I have always known that you know this church is true and that a mission is for me. Thanks brother Hansen! 

The most spiritual thing that has happened to me this week is when a sister asked me to give her a blessing. So i did. And immediately after I opened my mouth, the spirit came over me, with such power, that my legs went numb and I felt really warm over my whole body. I felt like i was going to pass out. The spirit told me exactly what to say and I said it. It was so powerful. My testimony of the Priesthood has grown so much more.

Today we got to go visit the Mexico City Temple visitors center. It was sick! We got a tour, and one of the older couples serving there are from  Snowflake! Their names are the Yates. But the visitor center their is so beautiful there.

Arrival at the MTC

I made it to the MTC, and it is awesome! Although, last week was really hard. We had to teach an investigator for 40 minutes, all in Spanish! We pretty much read out of the PMG but in spanish. This week is a lot better, and I can already see growth in myself.

My spanish is coming back to me, from all those years in High School. I saw my friend from Highland, Dane Markham. We took spanish together Sophmore year.

I have felt the spirit so strongly here. More than I have ever felt. I love being able to be immersed in the gospel 24/7. And Im already getting used to wearing church clothes all day! My companions name is Elder Shugart, from Colorado. He is going to the same mission as me. I can already tell the things I learned from you and mom are helping me.

Love you!

Set Apart as an Authorized Servant of Jesus Christ

Last night, Levi was set apart as an Authorized minister of the Savior Jesus Christ.  It was a wonderful blessing that President Salmon gave to Levi.  The spirit was very strong and we know Levi will be a wonderful missionary.  Here are a couple of pictures from the night.