December 30, 2009

Hey ya'll,

I think i am starting it off with a bang already in my new area. The zone leader called us on Sunday and said they don't understand how I do it. They want me to speak in zone conference and share with our whole zone the things we can do to help with our mission..... They called me last night about it and I have to speak tomorrow! aaaah! So I thought that was pretty cool. That's so cool about family pictures. They were always so fun! Me and Jer messing around making you and Ali mad, hahaha. Oh, the good days... (that will happen again though). We have 3 ladies that want to learn more. This place is so crazy to tract in because no one will listen to us! agh! I got so mad the other day because we tracted for 5 and a half hours and got nothing! But, I just have to keep flipping over the rocks I guess. My comp has been sick this week, as well. It was crazy, we tried to go out and tract and he went white and almost passed out! So, we went home and he sleptand I'm not gonna lie... I thought my eyes were gonna fall out! I read from 11am to 5pm! Holy crap, that is not an easy thing! I miss going to see the lights at the Temple. That was so fun! We get to go to theTemple next Wednesday. I'm pretty stoked about that! Tell Brit I love her and she's amazing! The church is true! I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Naylor

December 23, 2009

Hey Mama!

I will be calling around 11-1ish depending on the time we get back from breakfast... I didn't want to leave my old area.There was so much stuff going on and everyone started crying when they found out I was leaving.... My comp is a little different and so is Elder Nicholls; so we call each other almost everynight and vent!.. haha It's breaking the rules but it helps... The area is sweet! Yes, I talked to a guy in my ward. He asked if I knew Dennis and I said yes and he's a toll and stuff! hahah just kidding. So we go play racquetball every Tuesday and Thursday with the people we live with. They are by far the coolest family I have met! So that's good. I can talk to him about anything! I have a reputation that I am trying to live up to here. The last while it has been really hard in this area to get lessons and get in the door. They knew my last areas numbers and challenged me to get the same here.... In already beating what I had in Craig.. so we are doing very well! We have 2 very close to baptism in Craig before I left. I tried my best and got 2 accept to be baptized so Elder Nicholls is a high roller right now!. I got the packages thank you so much. I have not opened the wrapped one and the one from Brielle I will wear whatever it is. You will see... I'm not scared. We are over the singles ward, so all the rm's are way fun to go teach with because they actually talk! Unlike the people in Craig. haha. Tha's a little plus I guess; not the same though! I only have another couple minutes, but when you asked me about what i did when I was struggling.Ii really prayed and right after that I read the scriptures.... There is a quote I always use if Brit wants to find out what the heck she wants! "if you want to talk to God pray, if you want God to talk to you read your scriptures".. I heard that somewhere and everyone uses that now in Craig. haha it's so funny I heard it 3 times in sacrament meeting up there. Sorry if this doesn't make sense. I am writing way fast and not looking up! I love you all so much! I can't wait to talk to you!

love
Elder Naylor

December 16, 2009

Hey Mama! Sorry i didn't even get to read your email.. I will see if I can come back later on tonight.. I'm being transferred so don't send anything to this address... I love you all so much! I hope your week goes great! I will reply back as soon as i can to your email!
Love, Elder Naylor

December 9, 2009

Hey! Mama! hahaha another dog huh?!?! well you better be ready for one more when I get home cuz I want one too! there were these puppies a family had and they were so cool! I almost bought one and sent it home. My finger is still being dumb...hand shakes don't really help too much either. agh! Sports tape is amazing. So Jer went hunting, huh? hahaha thats so funny! I am in the hunting capital of the country right now; so I know my fair share of stuff about hunting now. A ton of families want me to come back after the mission and hunt with them; so he better get his skills up before I get home! Dads such a stud! Long hours are hard. I know how he feels waking up at 5:00 the past 3 days and going to bed at 12ish is not too fun! We had a Christmas devotional in Grand Junction this week and it was way good! Oh... will you send me so more hand warmers? We are walking everywhere now because it's snowing all the time. It's negative 14 outside right now.... so it's a little cold. It was -23 last night! I'M A MAN! The mission pres came up and gave me a huge hug and said Elder... you're amazing and you have had an amazing start. We are the hardest working missionaries in the mission and we are in the 2nd coldest place. So, we are doing really well!Tell Brielle not to cut her hair, dangit! I used to think like some other people in our family until I realized what we are all here to do... to come unto Christ and live like him.. Where does drinking and smoking and partying take you? What else can you do and grow from that time you waist partying? idk alot of stuff ran through my head before my mission. Anyways, we have to walk to Wal-mart....in -14 degree weather. haha It's kinda fun to see how long we can last in this weather.. I don't know if I will be transferred. I hope not! I love you guys so much! Love Elder Naylor

December 2, 2009

Hey Mama!

Well, first off... I am only on my 3rd month! haha.. Today actually. I had a pretty good Thanksgiving. I had so much to eat! oh!.... I broke my finger playing football. It's all good though I have broken myself so much it doesn't even matter anymore. About 45 people showed up for the turkey bowl.It was a blast playing in the snow! I never ended up sparring with the girls dad. He backed out after we met. But, we are still talking to him and maybe something will happen later but nothing right now. I did get gma and gpa's package. It was awesome! I started cracking up when i saw the advent calendar! I won't have time to email them but, I will write them when I can!... It's kinda hard with a broken finger though. haha! The church really does a good job taking care of the people in need. It is amazing! Elder Nicholls and I are doing great! We get along so well and teach good together. Yes, he is very quiet.. everyone calls me the loud mouth because I teach so much. I am working on getting him more into the lessons and being quiet. We are the top missionaries in our zone right now. Our numbers are killing! we are setting 3 people to baptism here pretty soon! I am fine with warmth. I thinkI'm more used to it than Elder Nicholls. He got his stuff and wears it everywhere. He looks so funny because it's cold but not to the point of wearing 20 lbs worth of stuff. haha! I am doing great Mama. I hope I answered all your questions this time. I love you!....

I love you so much!
Elder Naylor

November 24, 2009

Well this week has been nuts. We have done so much... set a lady Shawn Gilbert with a baptismal date and I taught seminary! haha yeah, I hated seminary and now here I am teaching it! The seminary teacher sat us down and was like... first off I don't trust missionaries around here. She said she had the missionaries come and teach one time and she promised herself she would never have them come again. Sooo, I got a little scared. Anyways, I went on teaching, did some activities and after we finished and were getting ready to close the class; she came up and pointed and said I want to talk to you. I was like ohhhh crappp... She said she loved it and wants us to come back as soon as we can! haha! I'm guessing it worked pretty well! Anyways we are planning a turkey bowl here because no one has even heard of it. I think we have 3 wards and no joke, half the high school up here coming. It's going to be amazing! Yeah, I'm starting to eat a ton! I lost a lot of weight when I got here but it's coming back really fast! My memory card is in the mail so you will get it soon! Just make sure you send it back really fast so I can take more pictures. It's really starting to get cold here. It is 20's everyday 30's if we are lucky.. at nights it's down to the negatives now..... not gonna lie I hate the cold! Elder Nicholls is worse thenI am. He is so funny! He's really quiet but knows a lot. Me on the other hand, I don't shut my mouth. We went on splits yesterday and I went with the district leader. We went to a family's home that are way way way into the bible. They were so smart. I didn't know what they were talking about half the time and so Elder Roumeral started busting out scriptures andIi testified of each one. He would read and we worked them over! No joke, I don't even know how it worked that well, but the spirit was with us! Well, I taught district meeting today with 16 missionaries attending. That was a lot of fun! I'm doing a lot of teaching it seems like. We are beating everyone in our zone in lessons and QGCs. Pretty much all the numbers, haha. So, it's going well. I love you! Tell everyone I say hi and give them a hug for me.

Love,
Elder Naylor

November 11, 2009

Hey!
Sorry, the library was closed this p-day, so we had to wait a day. I'm sorry! Wel,l this week was great! My new comp... haha... you're never going to believe this! His name is Elder Nicholls! We were mission prep companions and we went to the same school, same government class and we have known each other since 7th grade! hahaha! He is such a cool guy. I'm so glad I get along with him. I got another big one! He's 6.7 and 280lbs... what the crap! I keep getting the huge ones! Elder Nicholls says the mission pres knows if I got a little comp, they couldn't pull me off someone who made me kinda upset. haha... I have never gotten upset.... He's relating to my High School years. So, we have 22 new investigators and we are doing so well!The members here can't believe my comp and I went to the same high school and knew each other before our missions! The long johns fit great.Ii keep rubbing it in to Elder Nicholls cuz he's freezing all the time. They keep me so warm! Thank you so much!Tell Brielle I'm writing her a letter soon! We have been so busy. I haven't gotten the chance to send pictures.The package was great! thank you! Anyways, things are going great! We are getting ready to drive up to Grand Junction to a zone conference now. Thannk you so much for all you do. I love you all!

love,
Elder Naylor

November 4, 2009

Hey Mama!
Well, this week was good. We had 2 baptisms and we got 11 new investigators! yeahhh buddy! Things are going good. My trainer's gone and I will get a new comp tomorrow. I still don't know who it is though :( He better be good! Anyways, tell Grandma hi and I love her so much. I know she will do okay!Tthank you for sending the long johns! My address didn't change so that's good! I'm staying in Meeker and Craig!.. I have talked now 4 times just this transfer in either a baptism or in Sacrament meeting...The last baptism I spoke on Joseph Smith and also the Book of Mormon. A kid that is less active came and he started crying when I shared my testimony about the Book of Mormon. He said for sure he is coming back to church and going to start reading the BOM again! Boom! Anyways, so I went of splits and the ward mission leader and I went to an inactive families home and we got them to commit to come back to church! mmmmm suga! Elder Naylor is starting to get the hang of this mission stuff! So, I want this so called FRIEND of Brielle's to write me! I want to see what I'm dealing with in 22 months! Well, I love you all I hope this week is amazing for you Mama!

love
elder naylor

October 28, 2009

Hey!

I'm feeling a lot better! It was like a 48 hour flu type thing. We set two more people for baptism this week; Johnny Hicks and Dawn Tucker. It's awesome! We are ripping it up down here. We just went tracting yesterday and found 2 inactives that said we can come back. We also found 2 investigators that want to learn more... We are going to set another girl named, Shawn Gilbert with a date here pretty soon, I think. I am just now learning all the required scriptures.It takes forever! Oh, if you could send some long johns.... it's freezing now!!It's around 25-30 degrees during the day and gets down to the 10's at night! They moved us out of the trailer in Meeker because we went last Thursday night to stay there and in the morning the heater stopped working and everything froze over. It was 15 degrees IN the trailer! So it got pretty cold. I almost got my face bitten off by a dog this week! That was pretty cool! I had to smack it around a little to get it away from us. I have given 3 talks so far in church and I'm going to be doing another one pretty soon blaaa.... I actually went over my time last week when I spoke in sacrament. I was supposed to speak for 10 mins and went for 22 min.... ooops. Well, tell Brit I love her to death and the Book of Mormon is true!

love you!!
elder naylor

October 21, 2009

Hey! Yeah I got the package. Thank you so much! If I would of gotten the beating stick Jer and Dad made a day earlier; I totally would of used it. The dogs love my comp. haha! It's so funny. I will just keep walking while he is fighting off a dog. No bites yet. Yeah I got a baptism last saturday. His name is Eric Day. He's such a funny guy. Well, I am slammed into being a missionary. I got asked about 10 mins before the baptism to talk on prayer! Then my comp and I got called 30 mins before church started to speak in sacrament. THEN, we got a call that same day to speak in the Meeker ward! agh! Oh... last night was the worst night of my life! you know how Jer said the first transfer he threw up all over in someone's bathroom? Welp, I did the same thing. I threw up 6 times last night! It sucked! Oh well, we taught 26 lessons last week and have 79 quality gospel convos. so we are ripping it up! We have another baptism in like 2 weeks, so that's going to be sweet. His name is JOHNNY HICKS. He's such a cool kid. Well, it's a good thing it's p-day so I can go back to bed! My body isn't acting that great right now! haha

love you mama!
elder naylor

Hey!!!Well this week has been great! We taught 31 lessons last week and spent 18 hours trackting. We have two baptisms. One on the 17th. His name is Eric Day. He's such a nice guy and is totally ready to get baptized. Thank you for sending my shoes. I can't wait to get them. The weather is in the 40's. One day it was around 23ish...it gets freaken freezing here!!! I was talking to some members about how cold it gets here and they said between -20 to -40!! I was like.......WHAT! The Lord will provide heat while I am trackting. We got to rake a blind lady's yard this week. I'm not gonna lie, it was a blast even though I was in a suit. We are going to a Colo/Wyo mine today. We get to go ride in the huge trucks! The 220 ton trucks! I can't wait! Some kids really pushed my buttons this week. They kept driving by and yelling while we were talking to an inactive. So, I asked if I could go in the house and look up scriptures on kindness...yeah! I work out every morning and try to every night as well. I have gained around 8-9 pounds since I left home. That's good! My comp is 6.7 and 260 lbs. He's a big guy! Well, I love you Mom. Thanks for the quotes. Read over the tree of life. I can relate that to anything! Stay strong like I know you are and keep both hands on the iron rod. Thank you for all you do. I talk about you all the time. I actually made an investigator cry while I was talking about mothers and you!. Be an example (3 Nephi 18:20-24) Have family prayer and use the Lord to lighten your life. Love you mama!

Love,

Elder Naylor

Hey!!! Well, this week was pretty fun. Its been so cold though! It's been in the 40's, the low 30's in the morning. My feet get so cold! We have our first baptism on the 17th and then another one the following weekend. So, things are going great! I taught lesson three (our savior, Jesus Christ) all by myself to a kid named, Johnny Hicks. His last name fits perfectly with the whole town I'm in right now! Craig is so awesome. There are so many strong members of the church. It's great! We have a goal this week to teach 30 lessons. You can count on one hand the different comps in this mission who have done that! So, it's going good so far. We are at 17 lessons! Have Dad and Jeremy give Grandma a blessing, dangit! The swine flu is huge here. We have given 3 blessings this week for that stupid sickness. We had a zone meeting in Grand Junction last Thursday. That was pretty fun. We learned all about the hair on the back of our necks. It needs to stay trimmed, haha. That wasn't it, but the only funny part! We got yelled at by a drunk guy a few days ago. He said we are going to die in the name of Jesus. That was pretty funny! I had the hardest time not laughing. Elder Gealta is so good at acting dumb, so he acted like he didn't know what he was talking about and we started teaching the guy while he was yelling. I know this is a pain, but do you think you can send me my black running shoes? I don't know why, but I love those things and my white pair just keep falling off! And No!No!No! Brielle is not going to like a 17 year old. That kid will get a death wish if he even lays a finger on her! No holding hands! No Hugging! Not even a little head to the shoulder in a movie! No! Well, good thing I will be home when the real dating starts. HaHaHa! Well, we are going to head to Meeker tonight. That place is so crazy. Everyone smokes...even the members! There are around 60 to 70 active members and 400 members total in the area. We have some work to do! I'm in 2 Nephi 13 and I'm going to finish the Book of Mormon before Christmas. You can read it with me if you want to. That would be awesome!

Love,
Elder Naylor

September 30, 2009 letters to family!

Hi Dad,
That's great you are working hard. I know you can find a job soon. Read 1 Nephi 16:15 to the end of the chapter...it's awesome and also Alma 26:27 is a really good one...keep your head held high, Papa. I pray for you every night. You're a stud!! Love you

What's up, Sis! I heard you're going to parties!!!Uhhh no!!! I have gained 8 lbs. in a month and work out every night, so you best know I'm going to come back and work over any of these boys you have over!!! AND my comp said he is going to come see you. He's 6.7 and 240 lbs, so watch out!!! Scripture mastery is super hard, but you can do it. I memorized D&C 4 in 2 hours, so I know you can do it!! I hope you keep your head held high and stand strong! Read Romans 1:16 and always remember that! Well, have a good one sister! I love you!! No Boys!!!

It's raining like crazy outside right now and we are both kicking butt and taking names. We are in Craig and also Meeker. We go back and forth. It's such a huge area, we are mostly in a car. I live in a members home and they are a pretty cool family. We only get 30 mins to e-mail. It stinks! The first family I taught, I got them to come to church on Sunday. I don't know how they liked it, but I am going to do a follow up pretty soon. They live in Meeker. We go to Meeker Thursday and Friday and every other Sunday. Then we are in Craig the rest of the time. While we are in Meeker, we live in a trailer.....how many missionaries can say they live in a trailer? It stinks so bad and is super little! Anyways, my comp is cool. He loves the work. This is his last transfer and he is going crazy because he said there is so much to do and so little time. So, we trackt so much and teach 5 to 8 lessons a day. It's crazy! Oh, they say it gets to -50 degrees here!!!I'm gonna die! Well, I have to go. I love you all. Have a good week and tell Jeremy I'm going to work him.

Love you!
Elder Naylor

Michael arrived in Colorado on Wednesday, September 23rd. We got to talk to him from the SLC airport for a few minutes. He sounded excited and had a peaceful confidence that was wonderful to experience. Eric (Dad) called the mission home to verify the arrival of Michael's bike. He got to talk to Sister Christison, the Mission President's wife, for a few minutes. We know that Michael is in Craig and Meeker area; small towns in NW Colorado. It is a high-desert terrain, nationally renowned for big game hunting, has a variety of outdoor sports and cowboys are abundant. Michael's companion is Elder Gealta. He is known to be the #1 baptizing missionary in the mission. Sister Christison told Eric that Michael couldn't ask for a better companion. He will work hard and have much success.

Mama's letter

Hey Mama! Today was pretty fun. We got the opportunity to hear Elder Holland speak. Let me tell you...he was amazing! It was like he was staring at me the whole time! He taught all about; DO NOT REGRET ANY MOMENT OF YOUR MISSION! He told a story of a missionary who came home, got married and fell apart. He said he didn't do anything on his mission and begged to go back to make things right. That really hit home with me because I hear of all these amazing stories about stuff that missionaries do wrong on their missions. It makes me wonder how in the world do they think that is fun. Well, I figured it out...I'm so ready to head out and show people what's going down! Elder Holland said when you leave the MTC and get to your area, hit the ground running and that's my plan. It's crazy what 2 weeks can do to someone. I hope all is well at home. Let me know if you guys have anything going on fun. I am right down the hall from Jon and I see Nate almost everyday. How is your scripture studying doing? Grandma and Grandpa asked me to read Section 110. It's awesome and Section 78...I think. 2 Nephi 2 is one of the main scriptures we use in all of our lessons right now. Well, I have to go clean the clothes. I love you all! Brielle...keep trying your best and remember who you are. Memorize the scripture masteries. I wish I paid more attention in class! Love you all. Have a good week. Talk to you soon.

Tribute to Dad!

Hey Dad! So you guys got my last letter? Don't worry...I am fasting once a week and praying every time I have a chance for you. You WILL get a job soon, I promise! I love you so much papa. You're amazing. I idolize you! I hope you are reading your scriptures everyday and praying. There is no better way to find what direction to look for a job than to pray for what you need to do and what direction you should head. I hope you guys are doing amazing. Is it still hot there? My comp and I are teaching lesson #3 next week. I fly out on the 23rd. I just wanted to say I love you, Pop!

Letter #1

We sent Michael a letter reminding him of our address because we hadn't heard from him. The following was his response.

hahahaha! Yes, I have been getting all of the stuff you have sent me. It was awesome! My comp and I got stuff at the same time so we had a party in our room that night. My schedule is crazy. The first 3 days I was here we did, no joke, 6-7 hours of scripture study and teaching the lessons we learned. I really just wanted to walk out. But now, it's so chill. We pretty much get to do our own thing. It's really nice! Jeremy was not kidding about the food...my insides wanna be on my outsides...:) It's really good though. My comp is pretty cool. He is a short red head that's pretty ripped. We clicked right off. We are so much alike it is scary. I see Nate (Tucker) almost every day. He's so funny! Everytime I see him I give him a huge hug. He makes me crack up. Two days ago, my comp and I went and taught teachers and had an evaluation. Somehow we went in there and said stuff and pulled out scriptures we didn't even know. It was amazing! I think I fly out on the 23rd, so my comp and I will stop and call people. I didn't sleep at night the first couple of nights, but it's getting better. I know the restoration of the gospel is true and through the atonement we can live with our Father in heaven again. Read 3rd Nephi. It's a really good chapter. It covers everything! Brielle...choose the right and smile as much as possible. I love you all so much. Peace out home dogs! Elder Naylor

Final wave good-bye

Michael's Mission Scripture on his plaque

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen" Matthew 28:19-20

Michael's hero from the scriptures is Captain Moroni

Entering the MTC

Michael entered the MTC on Wednesday, September 2, 2009. We said our tearful good-byes at the airport. Kaylee picked him up and delivered him (airport style) to the MTC. We are anxiously awaiting the first letter! Elder Naylor will be entering the real Mission world on September 23rd. Look out Colorado Denver South Mission...here he comes full of the Spirit!!!