Blast from the past!

So we had Stake Conference in the Warm Springs stake this week.

Elder Rene of the Seventy came and that was awesome, but even cooler, was that I was able to be a part of ordaining Hermano Acosta an ELDER! What???? Crazy huh? I don't think many missionaries get to do that. I was pretty emotional. It was great to see them.

I got to see so many people from Desert Bloom. Andres was there! His step dad too! He came up to me and shook my hand and it took me a second to process who he was! I was so happy to see him in a shirt and tie. We didn’t have time to talk but it was awesome to see him. My heart was so full. Heavenly Father is too good to us.

So I got to spend a day in Kingman, Arizona! That was pretty fun. I drove a truck and it was super fun. It was weird being out of Las Vegas, especially because it was noticeably different. Weeeird. 

We should be having some baptisms coming up which would be nice.

I love working with President Neider. Every time I’m around him I grow so much in my respect and I grow so much in my faith and testimony. He is a man of God.

That's all the time I've got for right now. 

I love you all so much.

Gratz to Kate on finishing your first year of college. We'll be sophomores together.

Oh and I get to train in and conduct this months MLC. I’m excited, well excited and scared

:)

Sam

Another awesome week

I feel so bad that I don't have sufficient time to write a quality email!

Things are going great.
I've again been so humbled to work with and 'train' so many great leaders. I know that I take more from these exchanges than I could ever give.

My area is interesting. It covers Las Vegas Blvd right beneath the strip. Some parts are more sketchy and others are really, really nice. It's different than anywhere else I've been in the mission, although I have only been in two zones. Hahaha.

Elder Sharp and I have been working out and trying to eat healthy. It feels good to be lifting weights again.

We are teaching a lot of people, humble, humble people. We had a cool experience this week. A family was about to lose their house and everything they had. They owed $550 and had no money and they needed the money by Saturday. In two weeks they were getting a big check for a few thousand dollars. It was Friday when we talked with them. They cried and cried to us and told us their story. It was very humbling to listen to their hardship and know that I couldn't do anything to help. As much as I wanted to help, they were going to be homeless and their life in shambles and not able to get that money. OH man it was tough. We prayed with them. The next morning one of their sister's who had previously said she couldn’t help stepped in and paid the money. I know she was prompted to help. It was a lesson in humility and definitely a symbol for the Savior (he being the man to step in and pay the debt).

It's a huge blessing to be able to work with President Neider, he is so inspired.

Life is good. I'll see you all in two years!

I love you all so much

Sam

Sam and Elder Slik

So this week I was super lucky to get to go on an exchange with Elder Anderson. We had a blast, the picture comes from when we street contacted this guy selling jerseys and we explained to him that we like to wear matching stuff all the time and eventually his heart was softened and he sold us those jerseys to us for 30 dollars instead of 60 dollars (for both). I'm so grateful for your son, Elder Anderson.  You have raised literally an incredible son and he is my best friend. He has helped me to be a better person and been the friend I need. I know that he and I were friends in the Pre-existence. I know you are proud of him and so am I. He has already done many amazing things and he is about to lead our mission to the next level. Thanks for sharing him with me and everyone here in Vegas.

love,

Elder Slik

this week!

Wow. Time has flown by. It's already been a week?!?!?

Things are going great with me. We're teaching a lot and hopefully we will have a bunch of baptisms this transfer.

I'm getting acquainted with the office and the area and the mission.

I've been on four exchanges since the transfer and I have three more this week. 

I love learning from these missionaries. I'm supposed to be training the zone leaders on these exchanges, but I feel like I’m being trained. I've been able to work with some incredibly talented elders. 

I've learned so much.

I've felt the Lord's hand guide us to be at the right place at the right time to find someone who'd been praying for us. I've felt the words I needed to say to a missionary come into my mouth when I hadn't been thinking them. I've felt my prayers for strength and clarity be answered and I've had the energy and focus I need to complete the task at hand.

Life is good! It's fun. It's exciting. I know Heavenly Father is pleased because I'm doing my very best and trying to be better each day. 

I wish I had more time, and more things to say!

We teach a lot, we find a lot. The area wasn't in the best state when I got here but Elder Sharp and I are working on fixing it up! 

Ughhh! I'll have more time to talk about it all in two years!

I love you all so much 

Sam

Elder Fagersten and Elder Anderson

oh wow

Dear Family,

I'm sooo sorry that this email is going to be sooo short.

Things are going wonderfully. I've given a bunch of trainings. I've been to a bunch of meetings. There is so much more responsibility. I've never been more tired, nor more happy.

I've had a lot of cool experiences teaching and meeting new people. I really don't have time to say more and for that I am super sorry.

President Neider is amazing. He is such an inspired man and he has so much love for all those whom he serves. It's an incredible blessing to be his assistant and work so closely with him.

Elder Sharp is a great missionary. Very skilled, very passionate. We are doing good work.

I love you all so much.

Sam

Sam and his uncle Nathan at the Las Vegas airport

We received a phone call on Wednesday from Sam's uncle, Nathan, who was in Las Vegas on business.  He said he was looking for his driver and saw a group of missionaries.  Upon further looking --- he found Sam and sent us a picture.