Day After Christmas

Hope you had a Merry Christmas, mine was great (even though it never snowed.)! We spent most of the day with members, and had some biscuits and gravy (not as good as Dad's) our sacrament meeting was great, and we had a recent convert come, as well! I've got a chance to do a lot of service this month, and I'll tell you, if you ever want to feel better about yourself, go help someone out. I've enjoyed the service I've done, and although it hasn't got us many new investigators yet, I know it's still worth it. 

I've been thinking about a part of Matthew 25, lately, 

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Guess we just need to remember who's always watching(not Santa).

Love,

Elder Mattinson

See You On Sunday

The forecast showed snow out here yesterday, so church was cancelled.(it still hasn't snowed) 

This week's been a lot better, we found a new potential investigator, his name's Kevin. 

I had a seam rip on my pants yesterday, so I sewed them back up myself, pretty proud of that. 

We're having Christmas Dinner with a family in the ward, so I'll probably be able to skype at about 

7 ish. Have a great week, I'll see you on Sunday!

Love (with a Band-Aid)
Elder Mattinson

My tie for the Christmas Conference Tie Exchange!

Score at the Dollar Tree!

My Bike

Christmas Conference in Lexington

Christmas Conference in Lexington

A Rainy Christmas is close enough, right?

Hello everybody, things are going great! Mt. Sterling reminds me a lot
of Vernal, except it does not snow. We got, like an inch last week,
and the state was verging on shutting down (Nobody knows how to drive
in the snow out here) we get lots of rain, so close enough, I guess.
proselyting-wise, things could be better. Almost every lesson we
planned last week fell through, and people we talk to on the street
ignore us, usually. Maybe it's just something in the south, but nobody
answers their doors ever, even if you're not missionaries. I also had
a guy yell at me, driving by, it was pretty funny. Some people.

Reading the scriptures helps a lot when I'm feeling down. I read Alma
48: 17, and It really stuck out to me:
" 17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and
were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of
hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have
power over the hearts of the children of men."

I guess we all could be more like Captain Moroni, right? I just need
to keep my head up, and keep looking for the people the lord has
prepared to listen. We'll find our golden Investigator eventually.
Tell Em I wish her a (kind of late) happy birthday, and I'll write
again next week.

Y'all have a blessed week (that's what they say down here),

Elder Mattinson

Front Row L to R - Sister Brough, Sister Knowles and Sister Kerr.
Middle Row L to R - Elder Shaw, Elder Hancock, Elder Lundgreen, Elder Grunig and Elder Garrison.
Back Row L to R - Elder Pitcher, Elder Burke, Elder Mattinson, President Brough and Elder Cole.

Details!

Hey, things are great! I'm currently in Mount Sterling, KY (my address
is 108 twin oaks lane, mt. Sterling, KY, 40353, to make shipping
easier)
Kentucky is really pretty, with trees and buildings that were
built before the Civil War! It's funny, if you see a building, and
aren't sure what it is, there's a good chance it's a church. My
trainer/Companion, Elder Peterson is a cool guy, he's from Snowflake,
AZ. We've taught a few lessons, and we've already done a bunch of
service in the past week! We built a sign for a woman named Amy , and
put Polyurethane on floors for a man named Joshua. Amy lives in the
house where Aunt Jemima started making syrup(I'll have to sent
pictures in a bit.) and Joshua is really interested in learning more
about the church!
We also taught Daphnie, a investigator who had been dropped
earlier. Elder Peterson got the feeling to knock on her door while we
were walking by. When we talked to her, she said she had prayed to
Heavenly Father for guidance the day before. It's a good thing we have
the spirit to guide us, or we would get nothing done.
Kentucky has it's own soda, called "Ale 8" it's some super good
Ginger ale, it's more popular than Coke! I'll have to send you guys a
12-pack or something(it might be missing some.)

I love you all, and can't wait to write next Monday!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

Glad this didn't fall on me! 

Aunt Jemima's House

The sign we worked on.

Hello Kentucky!

Elder Mattinson arrived safe and sound in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday November 28th!  I had a quick 90 second call from him at the Atlanta Airport.  No payphones means a quick call from someone's desk phone.  We were surprised and relieved to get another quick call from the mission home on Monday night.  It was so good to hear his voice!!

Right after the call from the Atlanta Airport I received this picture along with a text that said, "Saw these handsome Elders in the Atlanta airport.  They send their love!"  Yes, lots of tears were shed!

We had a sweet email from President and Sister Brough this morning.  Elder Mattinson is with his trainer and his P-Day will be on Monday.  They also sent pictures of him with his mission president and wife and with his trainer.  I'm so grateful for technology!  These pictures and messages really help to calm a mother's heart!

One last picture!  This came from a Missionary Moms Facebook page.  These are some of the new elders being trained in the mission home Monday afternoon.  Tender mercies! 

Happy Late Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was fun, Neil L. Anderson spoke about

thankfulness, and then we did a service project with Feeding Children Everywhere,
where we made meals for hungry kids, it was great!

We invited both our TRCs to come to church, and they said yes! (They both may
already be members, but it still was pretty cool.) Thanks for taking Old Blue to Joel's,
I really appreciate it.

We have an hour layover in Georgia, and I'll have to go find the papers with our flight
number & stuff later.

I figure I ought to share a scripture, so here's a good one, Zechariah 5:1-2 It's got a
few chuckles between our district.

Thanks for everything, Love you guys!

Elder Mattinson

P.S.send some pictures of Sue, I miss her :(

Weekly email!

Hey everyone!

Things are going great so far here in the MTC! (other than getting up at 6:30) 

I know it's only been a week, but I've already learned so much, and my testimony 

has grown immensely!

My companion, Elder Cole, is a great guy, and our District already is so close! 

We've started teaching TRCs (Investigators from BYU, who sign up to be taught), 

and so far, we have two. Sam, who's a war veteran from Polynesia, and Adam, 

a College student from Florida. Both are very willing to learn, and are growing in 

spirit with every lesson. 

Also, some Polynesians dropped a firecracker down the stairwell a few nights ago, 

it was pretty funny.

Anyways, tell Syd, Em, and Kens that I love them, and God loves them too.

Also, tell Grandma Gerry that Sister Bitner says hi!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

Not Dead! (Nov. 9, 2016)

Hey, just wanted to say a quick hello to everyone!

My P-day is Thursday, so from now on, I'll be answering then. 

Things are going good so far, a lot to take in though. First day,
worst day, right?

I'll write more when I've got a chance, just know I love you all!

Sincerely,

Elder Jaden Mattinson 

Goodbye - We Love You!

Jaden was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Tuesday November 8, 2016 by President Kurt Case.  It was a beautiful experience and he was promised some amazing things as he remains obedient.  It was a very emotional start to the next few days.

Wednesday November 9th was the big MTC drop off day.  I have such a new respect for every parent that sends a missionary out.  I literally feel like I'm missing a little part of my heart.  What a whirlwind of emotions!  Happy, sad, proud, grateful...  I could go on and on.  I know Jaden will make a great missionary.  I'm so excited for his opportunity to learn and grow, to serve others and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.