Elder Bagley and Elder Odland - New Companions


MOSIAH  Chapter 24  Verse 14

14.  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders,
that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and
this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye
may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

Hola....

I'm now back in the states. While the Mexico Missionary Training Center was absolutely fabulous...it is good to be home again.

My first area is in the Kaw River area in Kansas just a short distance from Missouri. It encompasses Kansas City and a big area outside of the "city" as well. This area of town is a bit rough and I was a little afraid of going tracting! But as I've been here a few days I've come to find that it isn't too bad and the people haven't given us any trouble:)

Our apartment is actually pretty big! We have a bedroom, an office, a living room, a dining area and a tiny kitchen. Oh yea and a bathroom :p

So it's super roomy and its a good home. :D    I enjoy it.

The outside halls have the smell of cigarettes but inside smells clean and fresh.  :)

My new companion is Elder Bagley! He's an awesome guy. He has been teaching me a lot since I've arrived and he has only been out in the field for 6 weeks! He was leaving the MTC right as I got there! But he is awesome and he knows what he is doing so I am in good hands.  :) 

So about my ward, it is a Spanglish ward.  :D  ....which I am so happy for haha! And my area is one of the most Spanish speaking areas in my mission, so it's a good place to start!

Everyone in my ward is awesome! Sacrament meeting is in English, which I am thankful for, so I can understand what everyone is saying. :D  Sunday one of the speakers didn't show up so they asked if I could share a little bit about myself and talk about why I came on a mission. So that was a cool experience.  I enjoyed it.  :)

Sunday School and Priesthood classes are all in Spanish. I didn't understand everything that was said but I got the gist of what they were teaching.  :) I met so many awesome people there!

After church we went to visit a lady in our apartment building that we had an appointment with, but she wouldn't open the door... It was supposed to be our first lesson with her but I guess she changed her mind. But that's okay, she has her agency.

I read in a talk this week that said, "It doesn't matter how many people turn you away, it just matters how many people accept your message." And that we should not be afraid to talk to everyone we possibly can. And we mustn't be afraid of being rejected, because if we are, then we will miss people that are ready to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   I really liked that talk and it helped me with my shyness in talking to strangers. :)  

After leaving the lady's place we went to dinner with the Giona family, and they were awesome! We had chili dogs :). It brought back great memories of the chili dogs we would have at home cooked over the BBQ pit on days after working hard in the yard or cutting firewood.

After dinner we tracked their area for a little while but didn't find anyone at home. So from there we went and visited two ladies that are in the hospital and I had my first opportunity to give a blessing! It was a little short but I did my best:)  I'm sure the Lord understood all that was in my heart.

We then talked with them for a little while and helped them with a few things they needed. It was then 9pm so we headed home:)

The missionary life is awesome, we live to help others:) It makes me feel good when I can help someone that is in need!:)  

Till next time.

Adios...Elder Odland

My Flight to Independence, Missouri with my Guardian Angel

Elder Odland with his companion Elder Hales safely back at Dallas International Airport
after landing gear problems in the air.

Elder Odland has safely arrived at his mission home in Independence, Missouri. There were mechanical problems with his aircraft and after 30 min into the flight they had to circle back and land at Dallas. They then had to find a new plane they could finish their flight on. Much time passed and we all back at home didn't know why the in-flight websites weren't placing our boys flight where it should have been. He was traveling with a large group of missionaries all traveling from The Mexico MTC to Independence, Missouri so many missionary mom's had their eye on that flight!
But Heavenly Father placed a guardian angel on that flight....a sister from the Liberty 1st ward in the Independence area and she texted us mom's for many hours letting us know our boys were safe and happy. She was such a wonderful help to us and our boys. She sent us sweet messages from our boys and great pictures. When it was all over she shared a touching story with us....for just a few months before this, she had a lady do the very same thing with her son as he returned from Brazil and she prayed for an opportunity to pay it forward...and this was it! Thank you Jody and Thank you Heavenly Father for keeping all of our boys safe.

Safely landed in Missouri with Sister Vest the Mission President's wife.

Packing up all their luggage and headed to the Mission Home

Last Day In CCM!

Hey Everyone!

Today (15 Sept 2015) is my last day at the CCM! The time here has gone by so fast! It is hard to believe that I have already been here for a month and a half! I have learned so much while I have been here and now I can give lessons about pretty much anything gospel related in Spanish! ...In its basic form haha, It's still difficult to discuss things in detail in Spanish but I will keep on learning when I am in Missouri! It will be such an awesome experience in Missouri!

I have loved my time here at the CCM! The teachers we had were amazing and they cared for us so much! They were more like part of our family because we spent so much time with them these past six weeks. They are doing amazing work here at the CCM and they work so hard, as well as all of the Missionaries here. I have met so many cool people during my time here!





Here are some of the missionaries in our zone. These guys were great to get to know and to learn with.



I have had so much fun here, and have learned how to work hard. Learning Spanish in six weeks isn't easy and it doesn't come quickly! ...but through prayer and hard work, each and everyone of us are now able to give awesome lessons that pertain directly to the investigators needs, in Spanish! I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with these awesome Elders! And I'd like to give a shout out to Hermano Soto! He was our teacher for 5 weeks and was the coolest guy I have ever met! He has taught me so much and he is definitely a role model for me! Even though we are working all day that doesn't mean we cant have some fun;)

-Elder Odland's District and Hermano Soto (teacher)

It was hard saying goodbye to all of my wonderful teachers and friends, but I am off on a new adventure! I cannot wait to help as many people as I can in Missouri! And I know the Lord will be right by my side assisting me with each and everything I do.
I am so thankful to be a missionary and I know this experience will help many people and develop me into a better man.
If any of you are wondering if you should go on a mission... I would say, it has been one of the best decisions I've made. I have learned so much and that feeling you get when you help others and serve your heavenly father is like no other :D. So I would say, have faith and GO:)

At this time tomorrow, I will be in Missouri! Its hard to believe, but its happening:) but I am ready to help some of God's wonderful children. Here I come Missouri!:D

¡Adios! For the last time in Mexico!

HOLA

This last email Elder Odland didn't have a whole lot of time to email, but he was able to send some awesome pictures! Check them out!

My one month point....I have learned so much and have really grown spiritually and emotionally.

It is truly a wonderful thing to be able to serve a mission. 

I love The Gospel of Jesus Christ and want to share this joy with everyone. 

It rains a lot here in Mexico and when it rains it rains HARD. The thunder is amazing too.

Raining Hard In Mexico-Elder Hales and Elder Odland

 Learning the language is coming along very well.

Spanish Class-Elder Allen and Elder Odland

He has been such a great role model for me.

-Elder Hafen and Elder Odland

Elder Rio has been so great to get to know and to learn with.

-Elder Rio and Elder Odland

Elder Christopherson visited us this week. What an honor it was to be in the presence of an apostle and to hear his inspired words. I wish I had time to tell you all about it. But I can quickly say the Spirit was so strong with him. He is truly a man of God.

The Armor of Nephi

With Much Love,  Elder Odland  :)