Monday, June 27, 2016

NOTE: 4 NEW PICTURES! CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO THE RIGHT TO VIEW THE PICTURE ALBUM.

Another phenomenally hot week down here in the valley of the sun!

And good things have been happening this last week. One of the cool things that happened was when we visited Carolyn. I had labeled her location on my google maps earlier that day, so when I opened it to get directions I saw her name and saw that it was right next to us. I told my companion that we should visit so we pulled over and she happened to be sitting outside. She had two of the nicest but meanest looking dogs ever named Shrek and Fiona. We taught her a brief lesson, invited her to church and headed out. That Sunday she came to church and just loved it. It turned out that she was struggling with some things when we came by and when we left, she re-evaluated I guess you could say. She was extremely thankful for our visit. She hasn't missed a day of church since.

We're getting our new Mission President on Wednesday! Our new Mission President's name is President Marc Robinson. He's an attorney from California. Everyone's going to be so sad to see President and Sister Sweeney leave. There will be many tears this week.

Have a great week everyone!

Elder Sands

Monday, June 20, 2016

NOTE: 3 NEW PICTURES! CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO THE RIGHT TO VIEW THE PICTURE ALBUM.

I heard my home stake just got reorganized! I'm in a brand spankin' new Stake called the Mt. Spokane Stake. How cool is that but it's going to take a bit of time to get used to saying. When I get back, I'm not going to know anything or anyone. But it will be exciting to meet all the new people.

It's been quite a bit of work getting used to these two new wards and with being a ZL again and its responsibilities, the week has been really busy. The very affluent live here and so approaching and contacting people takes a little different skill set than you use with Native Americans. But, the area's looking up and we'll see a lot of success in these wards, soon.

I hope you all have a great week! Hang in there.

Elder Sands

Monday, June 13, 2016

NOTE: 1 NEW PICTURE! CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO THE RIGHT TO VIEW THE PICTURE ALBUM.

This week has had quite a list of unexpected events.

I have been transferred out of the Papago Ward and have moved a little north into North Scottsdale! I'm serving in the Desert mountain and Fountain Hills Wards in the North Scottsdale Stake. I'm super excited to be serving here and I might very well finish my mission here but it would be neat to finish up in ASL.

Elder Bean is my new companion now and his personality reminds me of Captain America-he's a great worker. We'll be sure to get a lot done this transfer.

We’re driving a 2015 Nissan Rogue now and it is an upgrade from the previous vehicle. The areas are great and we're starting to work with people to get the areas growing again. The members are wonderful! So many of them are rich and yet every single one of them are humble and have strong testimonies. I'll miss Papago, but I'll miss leaving this area too when the time comes.

Hope you are all having a wonderful time and hope you have a wonderful week!

Elder Sands

Monday, June 6, 2016

NOTE: 1 NEW PICTURE! CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO THE RIGHT TO VIEW THE PICTURE ALBUM.

Hello Again!

This last week has been quite terrible when it comes to the weather. Saturday got to 117 with equally as high days before and after. Having biked through the last time it got that hot, however, it doesn't faze me nearly as much as the other papago missionaries, all of which are experiencing their first Valley of the Sun summer.

We were able to go to the temple with a sister in our ward (SEE PIC) that hasn't had the opportunity to go in several years. It's always special to see people have the opportunity to go back to the House of the Lord.

Transfers are this week and as I mentioned earlier, I will not be going back to ASL at this time, but it sounds like the mission president wants to send me to a different leadership area...so that will be interesting to see what will happen. I'll let you all know when I can.

Have a great week!

Elder Sands