Week 39 - Missionary Work is AWESOME

Hola friends and family!

It has been a week for the record books! Instead of talking about some of the experiences, let me introduce you to some of the people that have made this week spectacular.

Josh is a stud. He showed up at church about a month ago wanting to change his life around. We're still working out some legal problems before he can get baptized, but wow he's changed so much! His testimony is so strong, and he brings friends to church now and invites them to meet the missionaries! 

Ashley is a powerhouse. Family kicked her out of the house when they found she had a copy of the Book of Mormon, but she decided to keep coming to church and investigating. This week, when we asked if she would be baptized, she basically jumped out of her chair and yelled yes! And at sacrament meeting, when a speaker mentioned having only one piercing in each ear, Ashley started taking earrings out. Right there in sacrament meeting. 

Rebekah is a trooper. She's been through more than almost anyone I know. She's another one that got kicked out of her family when she started investigating the church. She reads the scriptures night and day while filling out scripture study manuals. She'll be baptized next weekend!

Love,

Elder Doyle

Zone Conference squad

Reid's favorite hobby

Our Asian feast, complete with fried balls of creamed octopus on the right.

Some Fun Pics!

We got to scoop ice cream for Rocky Mountain High School's Seminary! (moosetracks was the best)

District trip to the temple! We're all goons, as you can see.

Elder Reid looks really dark, but he's not.

Cutest puppy everrrrrr!

Last pday was a blast! Each of us made a vegetable/fruit boat and raced them down the canal. Watermelon barely beat the head of cabbage for the win.

We had a super fun dinner last week with the Nielsons! Elder Reid had to use a spoon to eat his spaghetti, while I didn't get a utensil at all. Just used my hands.

Week 38- No time? No problem.

Howdy partners!

It's been one of the busiest and best weeks of my mission! Since transfers happened last week, we were running transfer-related errands all over the mission for the next few days. But although we didn't have a ton of time to actually do missionary work in our area, God blessed us with some great experiences when we did have time! We were able to teach a new girl named Ashley and she is AWESOOOOOME! Sometimes I meet high schoolers and I'm like "holy guacamole why was I such a loser in high school? I could've been like this person!" Ashley is like that. But it's a good thing. Drives me to be better! We're excited to see what happens with her! 

We were also blessed to have a couple broadcasts from the leaders of the church this week. Elder Reid and I are still finishing watching them, but I just wanted to invite you all to take a look on lds.org. We're so blessed to be able to receive direction from a prophet of the Lord so easily! I know that what he says is what God wants us to know, and that we will be happy when we follow him.

Love and prayers, 

Elder Doyle

Week 37 - Transfer Day in Meridian!

Hello from Potato Land!

Let me tell ya folks, transfer days are insane. Got to bed around midnight last night after giving a blessing at the emergency room, and we've been running missionaries and luggage all over the mission since 5 a.m. this morning, so a bit of sit down time to email is feelin' good! It's been a great week though! I love this area and my companion Elder Reid so much, and I get to stay for another transfer! 

A couple highlights from the week: Today we brought one of my favorite missionaries and friends, Elder Rodriguez, to the mission office to meet his family. His two years are up, and it was awesome to see a righteous servant of the Lord reconnect with his family. Yes, missions are a sacrifice. They aren't always easy. But neither Elder Rodriguez nor his family regretted the two years he'd been away from them. We never regret sacrifices that we make for God. And He blesses us with so much more than what we sacrificed.

On Thursday, we were able to spend the day with two young men from a nearby stake, and holy guacamole we saw some great miracles that day! People that we haven't been able to teach in months suddenly let us in and wanted to hear a lesson. So for any of you youth who are reading this, your testimonies and examples can make a big difference. Don't hide your light! Same goes for you adults of course. 

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! Missionaries all over the world feel them and thank you! and thank you all for being such great examples to me.

Sincerely,

Elder Doyle

 

 

 Somebody was flying around the Boise area brightening everyone's day!

 

 

 

The last district picture before transfers!

Week 36 - "Only YOU Can Prevent Bad Fellowshipping" ~Smoky the Bear

Hello All!

It's been such a great week! This Eagle/Meridian/Boise area is becoming such a special place for me! Transfers are this upcoming week so I'm praying that I end up staying for another 6 weeks with Elder Reid. But anyway, here's what's up: 

Lots of tender mercies from the Lord that have brought us new people to teach, new service opportunities, and have kept us super busy! One such tender mercy in my life was Zach! He just showed up at church last Sunday, agreed to meet with us on Wednesday, and then agreed to be baptized next month. It sure strengthened my testimony that this is God's work, and we're just here to help. Bringing souls to Christ isn't something we can do without Him! And when we run into something that we can't do without God, we lend our faith and obedience, pray, and fast. And that's when the miracles happen!

Love you all,

Elder Doyle

Week 35 - I'm Ready for Fall

Hello from Sunny Idaho!

It's been an awesome week so I'll cut to the chase and give you some highlights: 

Elder Reid and I are basically the same person. We say and think the same things at the same time, and we end up rolling on the floor laughing at least twice a day. Never a dull moment, and I'm blessed to be serving with him!

The other day, we were asked to come give a blessing to a young lady at the hospital. As I was saying the blessing, I kept accidentally calling her by her middle name! Annoyed at myself, we finished everything up and got ready to go. That's when she tells us that she actually goes by her middle name with close friends and family. I was so glad that I could be a part of that blessing, and I'm grateful that our Heavenly Father is aware of us individually!

Lately we've been going to a lot of people's houses to just share quick 15 minute messages, and let me tell ya, testifying about the Savior brings in such a special spirit. It doesn't take an hour long discussion, and it doesn't take a well-worded, premeditated speech. When we testify of things we know are true, the Holy Ghost is there. I know God loves us. I know Jesus Christ is real and alive and that we can find the most amazing happiness we've ever experienced as we access His Atonement.

Love ya,

Elder Doyle

 

Elder Reid and I make weekly videos in the mini van. Email won't let me send them, but maybe I'll release them on Netflix or something when I get home.

 

Week 33- I Love My Mission!!!!

Howdy Folks!

It's been such a stupendous week! Like I mentioned last week, I just got a new companion, Elder Reid! And he's great! We've gotten so much work done and had so much fun! We found 3 new people who want to learn more about Jesus Christ, and holy guacamole that always gets me excited. I have quite a few pictures, so I'll let them tell more about the week.

1. One of our wards had the coolest ward activity ever!!! A barbecue and rocket competition! 10/10

 

 

2. Elder Reid and I met a lady named Karen who taught school in Australia for a few years and used to hang out with my childhood hero, Steve Irwin! She even let us play her didgeridoo! One of the highlights of my mission, not gonna lie.

 

 

3. Layla Dawley got baptized (the girl on the left)! I had the pleasure to teach her in Middleton and we got pretty tight, even coming up with our own secret handshake.

 

 

4. Sokmon went to the temple for the first time! She is such an amazing example to me. And I'm so grateful for temples! I invite everyone to make the temple a bigger part of your life. And if you aren't familiar with what temples really are, I invite you to research more on lds.org!

 

 

I love you all!

Elder Doyle