Call Incoming!

Good Morning!

     Things are going pretty good, this week! The box hasn’t shown up yet, but I’ll keep you posted, expect a box coming to you soon!  Elder Chowen’s a great guy, he’s from Hawaii! I think 3-4 pm our time, would probably be the best time, for us, calls-wise.

     Sound’s like quite a bit going on, this week! Regina didn’t tell us about her husband, we’ll have to see how she’s doing. Anahi and Angel were out of town, for a wedding, but they’re doing good. We’re going to teach them how to have a family home evening, tonight! We’re working with Sheridan, she’s coming along. Her family is really strong in the Methodist sect, so hopefully things go well, with that.

     Hope the week wasn’t too chaotic, for you, I’m excited to see you Monday! You have a good week, I love you!

-Elder Mattinson

Most wonderful time of the year!

Good Morning! We had quite the week!  Anahi, and Angel were baptized, Saturday, during a decent sized Snowstorm. Every hardship on my mission was worth that moment, to see them both baptized, like that!  What’s more, Angel’s cousin, Christian, wants to be baptized soon, as well!  It’s been great!

     Alongside that, we met Sheridan, or more correctly, she waved us down, and met us. She’s about 17, and is already super interested in the church. She works at the Wendy’s in town, and so we stopped there for dinner, and to talk with her, after the baptism. We were waiting for her to go on break, when she came out, and told us that the manager wanted to kick us out, because we’re Mormons. Seriously. Like, the building was empty, we were being quiet, and she was apparently ranting in the back, about how much she hates Mormons. Sheridan stood up for us, though, and that was super awesome! We’re excited for her!

     Alongside all that, we have transfers, this week. Elder Webster’s leaving, and I’m getting a Elder Chowen. I haven’t met him yet, but Elder Webster likes him, so that’s good! Christmas is on a P-day, so We could call at any time, but I’ll have to get more info, for specifics.

     Anyhow, I’ll be on the lookout for a box, you have a good week! I love you!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Good morning! Paris Is doing pretty well, other than it getting colder! We’ve started our Light the World, and it’s been great! Friday, we put up decorations for the care center, in town. Saturday, there was a Christmas parade, so we bought water bottles, and wrote #lighttheworld on them, and gave them out, during the parade. It was great, we didn’t even make it halfway down the road, before we ran out of bottles!

     We’re pretty exited for this week! Unless we need to reschedule for something, Anahi, and her cousin, Angel, will be baptized this Saturday, and next Saturday, Angel’s brother, Christian, will be baptized. It should be great! 

There’s a lot you could talk about Member missionary work, but there’s two really important things you can do.

     The first, is fellowshipping. Most inactives I’ve talked to, left simply because they had no friends at church! When someone converts, they’re stepping into a foreign world, they don’t understand most of the lingo we use, and they want nothing more than someone who can help them out, answer their questions, and just be a friend. Stepping out of the comfort zone, and just introducing yourself, and congratulating them, is a great start!

     The second, is simply just living in a way that gets people to ask questions. Most investigators start investigating, because they wonder why their friends are so happy all the time! So just show how much happiness the gospel brings!

     Regina was sick this week, so we just stopped by, and said hi. Hopefully, she's well enough this week, that we can actually start teaching her. Thank you again for all the support, I love you!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

We survived Thanksgiving in Kentucky!

Good Morning! I’m doing well, here in Paris! We had a pretty fun Thanksgiving , we went with some members, and a few RMs, to the stake center in Lexington, and played Basketball for the morning! Then, we went over to a member family, and had Thanksgiving dinner, with them. It was super good! 

It’s good to hear that Thanksgiving at the Mattinson house went well, nobody got killed🙂 Regina had to run to Lexington last week, so we couldn’t meet. We’re shooting for this Wednesday, I’ll let you know what happens!

     Things with Anahi have been awesome! She’s been bringing her Cousins to lessons, and two have been interested! Their names are Angel (he’s a guy) and Christian, and both have accepted baptismal dates! Christian and Anahi came to a new member fireside, with us, yesterday, and it was such a spiritual experience! 

You have a good week too, and no promises about the Garlic sauce. I love you!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

Turkey week! 🦃🍠🍴

 Good morning! Thank you again so much, for asking us to visit Regina! It went super well! She thought we were JW’s at first, but after that, she let us in and we started talking. She was super nice, and after talking for a while, she asked “What exactly do Mormons believe in?” So we gave her, and her daughter a copy of the Book of Mormon, and she invited us to come next Wednesday! It was such an awesome experience! 

     As for Thanksgiving, we’re pretty set! We’re going to play basketball with some members, then have dinner with another family! We also were invited to a youth turkey dinner last week, and they gave us leftovers, so I’ve been living off of Turkey, the past week. It freaks be out a bit, realizing I’ll be home, this time next year. 

     

Thank you again! Heavenly Father’s blessed me, to have a Mother like you! I love you!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

Our day in Cynthiana

First (Mission) Anniversary!

     Morning! Good to hear both the address, and videos got a laugh. We live in Bourbon county, as well, in case you couldn’t get enough bourbon. I’ll have to keep an eye out for Elder McHenry. Things are great, here in Paris, right now! The ward is super supportive of missionaries, as you saw. This is Elder Webster’s first area, so he’s been here for about 4 months. We do have one person especially to pray for, her name is Anahi. She’s 19, and is planning on a baptism for the 9th of Dec. she’s such a sweet girl, and already knows the Book of Mormon is true, so we’re just praying for her, that nothing comes up. 

     As for Christmas, I’m still good on clothes,  maybe just some black socks, and a solid color sweater? Even just an Amazon gift card would do the trick, I’m just thankful for anything! 

I love you too, and hope your week’s great! Here’s to the next year!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

Details Incoming!

Good morning!  First off, it’s great to be in Kentucky again! Paris reminds me a lot of Mt. Sterling, I like it. My new companion’s Elder Webster, who just finished training last transfer. He’s a great missionary, we get along well. 

     As a matter of fact, our area does cover Cynthianna! We would love to teach her, if you can send her info, and let her know, that’d be stellar!  3 Nephi is definitely one of the best parts of the BOM for me, too. I especially love how it shows how God hasn’t changed. He spoke to the Israelites, he spoke to the Nephites, and he will speak to us.

     Halloween was pretty crazy. First off, the Elder who left Paris accidentally took the car keys, so we couldn’t do too much. Even then, we can’t proselyte after 6 on Halloween, so we spent the night with members. 

Thank you so much for everything! It’s so great to know you’re practicing what we preach, and sharing the gospel! I love you!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

Should I stay, or should I Go?

     Good morning!  Hope your weekend was nice, mine was a bit hectic. We got transfer calls, late last night, and I'm going to Paris!...Kentucky. Still pretty good, though.  Thank you again for the package, the pumpkin overload was appreciated! Saturday, I got a package from Aunt Nenie, as well, so I guess great minds think alike! Turns out we're allowed to do family history, after prostelyting hours, so I took some time to learn to index. Worked pretty well, on the Ipad. I honestly can't belive it's been a year. It feels like just yesterday, walking into the MTC. Fast or not, it's been worth every minute. You stay warm this week, I love you!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

District Service Project

Crazy, wet hike

Good afternoon! It's only one, but we've already had a heck of a day.  We got up at 5:30 am, to go hike Clifty Falls, with the District. It was pouring rain, so we were soaked, by the end of it. I think we hiked about 3 miles, up & down the canyon. It was nuts. We did get a chance to play that game last week, that was pretty fun, too. Transfers are coming up this Saturday, and it sounds like there's a chance I'm leaving. I'll let you know if I do. I'm excited for the package, and I'll send pictures soon!

-love,

Elder Mattinson

Rainy Trip to Clifty Falls

     Good evening! Sorry about taking so long, and not being able to write personal emails, we spent all day doing service in Madison. We helped build a pit, for a game called Gagaball. It's kinda like dodgeball. It was pretty fun! We spent a lot of time hitting the pavement, this week. Tracting a bunch. It went really well, we found 7 new investigators, this week!  We're also planning for a service activity, in Scottsburg, helping a member on his farm. Again, I'm really sorry about not writing everybody, I promise I will next week!

I love you all,
Elder Mattinson

Good afternoon! 

General  conference was great! I really liked Elder Renlund's talk, about how there's no coincidences, with God. Our week was pretty good, we didn't have too much luck with investigators, but we did meet some new less actives! One of them, was a pretty interesting experience. She had been manipulated into baptism, and didn't know anything about the church. Her husband passed away recently, and wanted to know where he is. We taught her the Plan of Salvation, and she was so happy! It was great! I hope we can help her return to the fold. We only had one less-active member come to conference, but he came to three sessions, so that was great! 

Anyhow, I think I'm pretty good on stuff, so anything you send is appreciated! Thank you so much!

Many much Love,

Elder Mattinson

Good afternoon! First things first, Elder Olsen's from St. Louis, Missouri, and he's been out a month less than I have. Our week's been pretty good, Trying to get Elder Olsen Acclimated with the area. Summer's decided to stay a bit longer out here, It's been in the 80's all week. It's good to hear that everything went well with Lindsay, and Addison. She looks pretty cute! Also great to hear that Riley got baptized! We've been working on inviting less actives to watch Conference at the church with us, this weekend, so far, so good, we already have 3 planning on coming! We also got in contact with Shanda again, We're going to work on teaching her again, maybe a bit slower this time, ha ha. 

     I totally forgot to mention last week, with how crazy things were, but we had a mission conference with Elders Clayton, and Taylor, of the Seventy, and their Wives, on the 12th. It was amazing! They all had such great Advice, and guidance for us, and such powerful testimonies. I also got a picture with Elder Clayton, even though I look a bit out of place, in it. 

     I also got your letter, last Tuesday. Clark County, one of the places they lived is about 30 Miles from our area! It's so cool, that I have ancestors, who lived in this area. 

Before I go, I wanted to thank You and Dad for All your Sacrifices, so that I could come out here. I Feel Like I've learned and grown so much out here, and I wouldn't ever have been able to make it, without your selfless support, and love. Thank you.

I love you so much, Have a great week!

Love, 

Elder Mattinson.

Photo with Elder Clayton of the 70!

Minor Setbacks...

Good Afternoon! So sad news, the Baptism was cancelled.  Shanda struggles a lot with anxiety, and wasn't as committed as she let on. Her Grandfather's taking her to the hospital, to hopefully get more helpful medicine. Hopefully one day she'll get baptized. As for transfers, I'm staying another transfer in Scottsburg, with a Elder Olsen. Sounds like a pretty cool guy. Sorry about leading everyone on about the Baptism. Other than that, just helping Elder Williams get ready to go home. I'll be praying for Lindsay, and Alison(?) and you all too! Have a good week, I love you!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

I got a fever, and the only prescription is more Pumpkin

Good afternoon! We've had a pretty eventful week, here in Scottsburg! We've been preparing for the baptism, and we also had a chance to go out with the Branch President for a day! He's super dedicated to helping us, so that's really helped kick the Branch into gear. We made a surprise trip to Madison yesterday, to catch an investigator for an appointment, before he went to work, so that was fun. We're making a no-bake Cheesecake today, I'll have to send a picture, once we make it. 

Transfers are next Tuesday, and it's up in the air, if I stay or go. Should be fun, either way. Anyhow, happy anniversary, love you, stay safe!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

Cool find in the Madison ward building.

Crazy Weather in the Cornfields

(Sep 5, 2017)

Good afternoon, sorry about the short notice yesterday!  The weather's been crazy, this week! We had the temp drop to 50 degrees friday, and it's been fluxuating since. We spent a good chunk of labor day helping an investigator restore an old porch swing, so that was fun! I've been hesitant  to bring this up, because I've been worried that something would go wrong if I did, but we potentially have a baptism coming up! Her name is Shanda, and she's the Granddaughter of a less active, that we've been working with. She struggles with an emotional disbalance, but I can see already how much the gospel's helped her. We're planning on having it the 16th, but now that I've said it, everything that can come up, will.We'll do our best to push through it. I'll keep you updated, love you!

Love,

Elder Mattinson

(Aug 28, 2017)

Good Morning! Hopefully your ears aren't still ringing from the sisters! We've had a eventful week. We're taking over a Sister's area north of us, because they're going home early for school. It's going to be pretty interesting. My companion's going home at the end of this transfer, so it's been an interesting time. Thankfully, he's still focused on the work, not trunked out.  Also, can you please explain that last picture? It looks like Brother Mahoney Kissing Brother Baumgarten in a batsuit, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, I'll be praying for you all, and your Miamaid, have a good week!

-Love,

Elder Mattinson

Big Trouble Little MTC

(Aug 21.2017)

Morning! So, I'm the worst child of all time! (Happy late birthday) I swear I set a calendar event to remind me, and it never went off. So this last Saturday was the mini MTC for our stake, and it was great! Different missionaries had rooms set up for things like exercise, and dress and grooming, and ours was for spiritual prep. We made a short iron rod activity, and taught about how the kids could prepare for a mission. It was loads of fun, and I think it really helped the kids understand more about missionary life. I still remember looking up to the missionaries as a kid. Other than that, the week was super busy, with loads of meetings. Hopefully Syd will come out of the basement again, and hopefully these sisters are easier to cook for. I love you, have a good week!

-Love,

Elder Mattinson

Eclipse Pics!