August 25, 2010

Hey!!

I bet Jeremy and Ali are having such a good time in Hawaii! You better tell them they are taking me back there! I guess Brother Barrand talks about me all the time at church. haha! I just talked to a member up there and they said he brings up stories about me all the time! haha! I love that guy!

I have decided that this area is not so bad anymore! The older people we work with are actually really cool!I figured out how we can relate to them! it was kinda hard. History works like a champ! I did get the package from the Grandparents and I love the socks! Lets just say the candy they sent me and you sent me is gone.... and it's not because of me! We are working with the Gseringer family a couple time a week. I love that family so much.They are so funny! For FHE we went and played botchy ball with Bishop, the Sargents and the Geringers. That was awesome! We are going to start doing that with less-actives each week with Bishop!

I think I just finally got my feet planted here! It was so nice. We had pretty much half our ward come up to us and say we have been the best missionaries they have had in 3 years.... no pressure!

Wel, I love you all so much. Thank you for all you do! Have a fantastic week!

Elder Naylor

August 18, 2010

Jello!!!

Well, this week is awesome! It was so fun getting to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Green!... They are so awesome! I was sitting there quoting scriptures and Grandpa totally knew them! Agh haha! Just when I felt smart for one second!! haha! they are such an amazing couple, grandparents and role models to us...

That's so retarded 4 dogs!(Our family is taking care of 4 dogs for 10 days, while Jeremy and Ali go to Hawaii) I would have a blast! I love dogs!... The ones that I don't have to knock out! I bet Brielle is having a hay day with that!

The people we are teaching... Lacy,Tad, Sunnie,Tayla, the Minor family, the Geringer family,the Black family, Trisha, the Barney family..... there are more. I just can't think of their names...

We went and had a family home evening with Bishop and the Geringer family and played games and stuff. The Bishop put me on the spot and asked how the game we played (botchy ball) related to the gospel... yeahhhh! So I just started going off on stuff and next thing I know...Sister Geringer and Bishop's wife start crying!... hahaha it was funny!

Anyways, things are going great. Thank you so much for the package! Give gg and gg a bug hug for me! I love you so much!

ELder Naylor

- Show quoted text -

August 11, 2010

Hey!!

This week we actually reactivated 3 people! It was awesome! We are going to teach them every week now! woohoo! Its actually been raining!I'm so glad Brielle is in school now huh? I still remember the good old days! haha. Tell her to give Brother Chatwin a hard time for me! So, John Black told me to call him. I will be talking to him about some referrals I have for him! It should be pretty exciting to talk to him again! We have the coolest spot in our area. It's just full of orchards and fruit for miles! i love it! Sorry this letter is so short! I love you all so much!

ELder Naylor

August 4, 2010

Hola!!
Now we can all be in the company together (Jeremy is working the family business full time now)! I'm there in spirit, Dad. I was just waiting for Jer to get his butt in gear!...

A door huh? Wow, I hope that's what she (Brielle) really wanted for her birthday?... I don't even know what to say to that one! Congrats on the door Brielle! I can't wait to see it! hahaha

Anyways, this week was pretty slow. We talked to Lacy(an investigator moving towards baptism soon) and we were just talking to her at the door and a drunk guy came up and tried to sell us a chainsaw..... shows what kinda area I'm in.... anyways! He started asking us questions about what we thought about different things in the Bible and he started to kinda drill us sooooo.... my hard head came out and started lighting him up... with doctrine from the Bible. Then he brought up the Book of Mormon and started bashing on it....The whole time Lacy was sitting there listening! By this time my comp was stunned that I had doctrine to answer his questions with... and frankly so was I. I bore testimony about the Book of Mormon and he told me he would never read it. So I told him.... okay answer me this... If Moses came up to you and told you the Book or Mormon was true, would you read it? He said of course he would because he was a prophet!.... yeahhhh he set himself up big time! Long story short... in the end he took a Book of Mormon, a Restoration dvd and we have an appoinmentt with him on Friday! hahaha that was pretty sweet! Lacy even got to share a little testimony and she told us she knew the church was true! yeahhhh!!!

Thank you for the quotes. I needed them! I love you all so much.

Elder Naylor

July 28, 2010

Holaaa!

Well..... there are 5 people on date now.... haha

3 are on Aug 6th and the other two are starting to get a little complicated! So, we moved them around but they are still planning on getting baptized! I ripped my pants.... again so that could just be my b-day present. I can just go get a pair at Wal-mart :) Whatever you prefer. I love section 84... section 108 is a good one too. I love the verses that talk about how we should pray for and all our actions need to be accountable... Our new mission president is awesome! We had a meeting with him and he came up to me after and told me to call him for some weird reason. I was like crap. He's going to be mad at me... But when I called him, he was like... I love how you teach and how you are changing your whole Ward around. I want you to report to me every week on the phone and help me change things in the mission.... I was like whaaaat? haha! So I talk to him once a week now! Pretty cool! He's a stud. Anyways, we have been working with a lot of new people. It's just a pain to get them to church. People around here stink at coming to church!! Anyways, things are going great. I love you all so much! Have a great week!

Elder Naylor

July 21, 2010

hola!

Well this week was a good week. We have been super busy moving a lot of people and also teaching a lot of people! We ran into this lady a while ago and she is actually a less-active and has not let the missionaries talk to her since like the 1980's. She said for some reason she should shut the door on us but she let us in to teach her a little.. She is super busy and we have not been able to get a hold of her till two nights ago... She called us at like 11pm and I talked to her till around one! We talked all about the gospel and she had so many questions that I was like oh crap idk how to answer that! But somehow I did.. The Spirit works in amazing ways. It flowed and came out perfect! My comp fell asleep while I was on the phone with her so it was all up to me haha. So anyways that was the story of the week! I haven't put a lot of thought into after my mission, military or try to get into football again. idk well anyways I love all of you so much. Hope your week is amazing!

Love ELder Naylor

July 14, 2010

Well this week was awesome!

We have set 2 people.... from other Wards with a baptism date! agh! We went and taught them for the first lesson, set another time for the missionaries in their area to teach them and we set them with a date! sheesh this blows! Because it doesn't count for us! haha the pres probably thinks we are slacking hardcore! Well anyways, both of us are staying in the same area... this will be the first comp that I have had for.... a transfer and a half. haha! Wow the pres must think people hate me or something. That's so cool that JME, LLC is picking upp! I can't wait to see the outcome. I hope and pray everything stays moving and keeps progressing!.... Sooo, yeah my talk was good. We had a lot more people show up for our meeting and we are getting a ton of referrals from the ward! It's about time! Wel,l I love you all. Sorry this is so short. I didn't have a lot of time! love you all so much!

Elder Naylor

July 7, 2010

Hey!

This week we have been super busy getting people to church and also doing a ton of service for people in the Ward. Most of the members live in elderly areas so we go and mow a lot of lawns haha. Tomorrow we are moving a less-active out of her boyfriends house because he doesn't accept her religion so she's heading out... It's amazing how much faith she has and really wants to come back into the fold. Brother Black in an amazing person... he is a doctor starting up his own practice. He was less-active for a while and is now the high priest group leader. I made one phone call to him to see if we could use his truck to go help her move, told him the situation and he got 3 trucks and 6 high priests to come and help. It's going to be awesome!

Well, we finally got a hold of Lacey again. She works on a horse ranch and is never home. She promised to be to church on Sunday because we are speaking.... AGAIN! haha now we are teaching gospel principals and speaking this Sunday. fuuuuun..... not! Well that's pretty much about it this week. Brother Barrand is a stud! I need to call him. We talked about stuff after the whole thing between Bri and he helped out so much... you should call him. He's so cool! Well I hope the family is doing good.Tell them I love them all! hosta... I think that's how you spell it.

Elder Naylor

June 30, 2010

Hey!

Well this week was really good. We are working with so many less-active members! We got 3 of them to church this week and have a lot more coming this next week! So bishop is gone!?!?! (our Bishop got released in AZ) awwww! He was amazing! I don't want to have an interview with anyone else! sheesh What's going on in our ward! I got a new pair of shoes and they are amazing! I'm in a car now so I'm hoping they will last me a while. So, you're going to the reunion huh? That will be a lot of fun!There is a girl named Sunnie we are working with. She is a less-active and we for some reason knew we needed to teach the welding link lesson. It talks about how we need to be the example and we need to do our part. After we taught her she just fell apart and knew what she needed to do. She came to church last week and her boyfriend she lives with and has a kid with was really mad! she said ya know I don't care what he says. If he can't support what she believes in then that's too bad! She is amazing! Well anyways... hope things are going great. I love you all!

Elder Naylor

June 23, 2010

Hey family,

Well, this week has been pretty eventful... I got a new companion because we almost got in like 3 fights.... I tried my best but he kept pushing me... My new comp is Elder Dengenstein. He's awesome and is happy all the time... even when I got a "Dear John..." we went for a walk till like 2 in the morning and he was just doing the dumbest stuff to make me laugh... he's a great guy! Well, we are working with a girl named Lacey and also a less-active named Sunnie... They are both doing really well. Our teaching pool is getting huge! They are our main focus right now though.. We are going to another church this Sunday with a family. We made a deal that if we go to their church they have to go to ours..So that's the plan this weekend... Jer got stung on the nose by a bee, huh? Ha... it will put some hair on his chest. That's awesome... Well i hope everything goes amazing for everyone this week. I love you all..

Elder Naylor

June 16, 2010

Hola

Well, this week was pretty good. We taught a lot of people and rode bikes a lot! So I'm hoping my legs get at least a little bigger! We have been checking on all the less-actives and it's crazy how humble the people are here... I have made it a goal to focus on humility more. I am a little cocky and need to focus on my weaknesses not pick out others.. Well that's pretty much all I can say for this week. I love you all so much !

Elder Naylor

Note from the editor...Missionaries are asked to only write positive experiences in their letters home. Notice the short letter. Elder Naylor is struggling with his companion. We will see if they survive!

June 9, 2010

Hola!!!

Well, I'm in Grand Junction in the hick area! haha my comps name is Elder Ah-kiong. He's Samoan and seems like he is bi-polar... We both have a demanding personality soooo things have been a little crazy.. He said he's never had a white person stand up to him before till me. haha because he's pretty big.. 6 foot 260 lbs. Anyways! I'm not scared! We have been riding a crap load of bikes! In two days we road over 40 miles. My legs better get jacked from this crap! Well, it's about 102 everyday here soo it's pretty warm. I don't like it! We have been working with a ton of part member families and also we have a baptism coming up.. We taught her the third lesson and we asked her to be baptized and she accepted. She's a single mom and loves the church!. my new address is 607 Entrada; Grand Junction, Co.; 81504. The Bishop is so awesome! I actually like this bishop! Anyways, things are going good. I think this transfer will be the hardest though just with the comp I have. We will see what happends! I love you all and hope things go great!

lOVE Elder Naylor

May 26, 2010

Hey!!!

Well, long story short... I didn't email last week because 3 companionships got chosen to go to the temple with the pres and he chose us. So, I didn't have a lot of time to get things in order! Sorry. Anyways, we tracted into a less-active family that accepted us to come in and teach them.... the problem was they had an 18 year old daughter that was really struggling. So we decided to invite her to a zone p-day where we were playing tennis and racquetball. There were about 20 missionaries there and it was a blast. The problem was she showed up wearing.... not the best clothes in the world and would not stop calling us after that.... so we told pres about it and he flipped out about it and emergency transferred us to live with the zone leaders for a week till transfers. We didn't get in trouble, he just was making sure we don't get ourselves in the situation that could harm our spirituality. Which is a smart idea. So I'm getting transferred tomorrow to a new area. I am pretty excited! I am so grateful for the gospel and its teachings. I hope everything goes amazing this week I love all of you so much!

Elder Naylor

May 19, 2010

hola!!

That is so cool, Mom! I am so grateful for the things that have happened! I think about that... our Savior takes us low before he brings us up even higher than before... it's your time to shine and rise up!. I'm sorry the hand writing was so sloppy! I had to write that letter in like 5 min! We have been working with a lot of less-actives still! We have been trying to contact all of them. We can bring the light back into their lives. It's so lame... I gain weight and eat a ton! Then I get sick and lose it all again! I'm not feeling too well this week I don't understand why!!! I can still work its just i can't eat! The Anderson's, the ones we live with found a place for us to live-The Kiesters (haha good last name huh!) Well, they are fighting now on when we should move in. The Kiesters want us asap and the Andersons want to keep us longer. Sister Anderson said she is getting cold feet loosing us. It's so funny! A less-active we are working with went BACK to jail for drinking again... he lost his gf that was giving him a place to live and so now when he is out of jail he has no place to go... man that guy drives me nuts! His name is Taylor Smith and he does so good for a while then has a relapses! agh! When he called and told me... I have not been so mad in a long time! Oh, and we ran into an 18 year old girl that is going to school. She was on a jog so I decided to jog next to her till she stopped. When she stopped; we taught her all lesson one and lesson 2.... let me tell ya I am really out of shape even though we work all day! I was gasping for air the whole time we were teaching! That was Sat night and we invited her to church and she accepted! I was like whaat/?? haha and she came! But Sunday night came around and she called us and said she won't be able to go again. Her parents wouldn't pay for her schooling if she came to our church.. so that was a bummer! Anyways, the bishopric was giving us the death glare the whole time because they think we are flirting with this girl to get her to church. haha it was funny but bad at the same time! Welp that's pretty much it! Can't wait to talk to you on Sunday at 3! I love you all! Have a good week!

Elder Naylor

Mother's Day letter to Mom

Hey Mom,
I was thinking about what I would say in my testimony to you. I realized a testimony means the most when you can see and hear the emotion of that person. So, I thought of something almost as good:) We had a zone conference yesterday and it was amazing! They asked us 3 questions and told us to write them on our journal. I just wanted to share them with you.
#1 When you think of the Savior, what do you think of?
I think of humility, a king that would think of everyone else before himself. I think of the patience; he had so much love and patience for all of us to even allow man to kill him. He is our Savior and Redeemer of the world. My favorite scripture on this topic is: 1 Nephi 19:9
#2 What is it that you love the most about him?
The example he showed. He was perfect in everything that he did. No matter what the situation. No matter what negative was flowing his way. He always turned it positive. He shows us how to be happy and how to strive to become sinless. But, I think the most important thing is he shows us how to build a relationship with people around us and our Heavenly Father.
#3 How do you feel about your relationship with him right now?
I have never felt so much love and satisfaction in my life. I do know that this Church is true. I do know the Book of Mormon is the most true book to ever come into this world. I know that if we just read a little out of it a day and strive to do its teachings, we will know the path we need to take and the guidance we need to enter into the kingdom of God. I love my Savior so much. I love you, Mom. I hope everything goes great in Mexico. I hope your Mother's Day is amazing. I can't wait to talk to the family. There is one challenge I am going to give the fam. That is to read 3 Nephi 9-11 and point out what stood out to them the most. Notice how many times he says"return unto me". Multiple times in chapter 9. I know that if we strive to be like him and follow his guidance, we will be able to "return" to him again.

Love, Elder Naylor

May 12, 2010

hey papa!

That's good that mom is doing great! Vickie is so awesome!
I think money in my account would do just fine. Thank you so much for doing that. I was looking around for socks like the ones I have and there are none! So it's whatever you guys want to do. If ya want to send some or money and I can buy a pair of socks. Either way works. Brother Barrand is awesome. I played racquetball with him a couple weeks ago. He came up for the morning. He's so awesome! Yeah, the teaching pool is getting crazy! There are so many people that want us to come over all the time but, we can't because we have like a million things to do! It's nuts! Brielle better not be growing upp! I will work her over like I did at "3rd period french" when I was there! How's JME doing? I wish i could help out! I pray about it all the time and hope and pray again! Is it working? we have been working with so many people that there lives are just a mess. I am so grateful for the gospel to really help out the people and to know what our whole goal in this life is. i hope things get better.

Love,

Elder Naylor

May 5, 2010

Holaa!
Well, this week was pretty fun! There is a recent convert, named Mandell. He is so awesome! For his birthday, all he wanted was for his mom to come to church and to let the missionaries teach her. So she came but... holy crap watch out! She was not happy about it! I thought she was going to kill someone when she came! I knew we were going to have trouble bringing the spirit into the lesson if she was going to be like this! After church, I prayed pretty much the whole way to the lesson! Once we started, it was just what I expected... She was trying to tell us we are waisting our time and Mandell always has time to change his mind. We just kept bearing testimony and telling her what the mission was all about. Then we got into lesson one and she just kinda sat there.Then lesson two, Mandell wanted us to teach both. Once we got to our life here on earth, she said, "well how are we supposed to be happy if everyone else around us is mad and there is so much negative in the world?" I started bearing testimony again and telling her what I know to be true about this life and..... crap I'm a little baby. She started crying, then my comp started crying, then Mandell lost it, then the members that went with us fell apart. haha! It was just a huge cry fest after that. She really had a glow in her eyes after that and she really showed that her heart was touched. she felt the spirit and it was night and day from the time she went into the lesson and when we left. She thanked us and told us to come back.. It was awesome! So anyways! I can actually make 2 phone calls if needed for Mother's Day. Sunday, I can call after church which is like 2 to 3ish so 1 or 2 your time. Then I can call dad after I talk to you. I talked to the Pres and he said that would be fine. Whatever works best. I can't wait to play with that dog (Preslee)! I'm going to take her from Brielle! haha Well I love all of you. I hope things are going great! I can't wait to call this weekend! I will contact you if there is any changes! :) I have my ways

Love Elder Naylor

april 28, 2010

My comp is pretty cool. We have gotten so much done! I feel like I can actually work now and not worry about everything my comp does! agh haha. His name is Elder Wilson. He's from Utah... figures huh? He's a funny kid and loves working on cars and sports; so we get along really well! I am so glad you will be able to go see this doc in Mexico. I will pray for you. I know it will go amazing!!! Tracy Blanch came and saw me like 2 or 3 days ago. She's so funny! Well, I am pretty much out of time. I will see if I can get on another computer. I love you all and about the slange talk haha I don't think that's gonna happen. I'm around like 90% blacks so I don't think that's gonna happen. I love you!

Love Elder Naylor

April 20, 2010

Hey!!

My comp is actually leaving and I am getting a freshy again.... that's a missionary that came out not too long ago... I am a follow up trainer this time . My comp is ready to go. He's actually starting to say more than 5 words in a lesson and he has really calmed down in lessons so that is a really good thing. The weather is nice everyday BUT p-day.. its driving me nuts! I want to play football so bad but the weather sucks every p-day!... dannng! Cameron Blanch coming home sooN!!!! It doesn't feel like it has been 2 years! We are teaching a black family.. They are awesome! The dad always wears a hat with huge dreds.. I don't know how to spell it. They are awesome! My comp is so mad he has to leave! He loves it here. We really started to get along. We went on splits with the zone leaders and when we were done he's like don't ever have me do that again. They suck! haha it was so funny! We are also working with a ton of less-actives now. I don't know how the mission pres will like that... me not getting as many baptisms Oh well, he will get over it!. I don't have a lot of time left so I love you all and hope everything goes good!

Love Elder Naylor

April 14, 2010

Hey ya'll!!

Well, this week was good. We moved in with a new family this week. Just for a week and a half..... they have 10 dogs. its freaken stupid! haha but they are all little puppies so they are kinda cute.. until they pee on my just dry cleaned pants. We are having a baptism this next weekend. His name is Dino. I have pushed his date back twice because he flashes gang signs at Church so we taught him a little more and he changed. We have 2 new people we are working with. One is half mexican and half black. We have been doing really well. I am still working with my comp. He's doing a little better in teaching. Still along ways to go and he's having a hard time knowing what to say when it comes to talking to people on the street. Everytime, he goes up and intros himself and then goes quiet, so I have to jump in every time. He's so funny. I have learned to love the people that piss you off the most and don't listen to what we have to say. I want to kill them one moment and then I realize it's just teaching me for the next time something happens. I don't think I made any sense but whatever! Well, we are going to go kick some butt on the field playing football. I love all of you so much

Love Elder Naylor

March 30, 2010

Hey mama!!

This week has been pretty crazy! We have been getting so much done! We have been working with so many new people and trying to get in the door with everyone we see! The other night we were walking right next to our house and it was like 8:30 pm so I was trying to decide whether we should just go in or not. We both decided to go and find people. We started walking down the street and we saw these two people walking so we went to talk to them and they invited us to come back to teach them. About 20 yards from them, we talked to a guy working on his car so I asked him if he needed help and he started asking me questions that led into the gospel and asked us to come back. Just in that 30 min period of time we got 3 new investigators to teach. I know the Lord will bless all the missionaries for their sacrifice as long as we put 100% into the work. I am so grateful to see the affects of the Lord's work coming from me. That is so awesome that JME, services is taking off! I want a nice job when I get home! You better tell Jer to start kicking butt and taking names! I will come home to help! Sorry this letter is so short, I am going to play racquetball... I love you all so much. I want to hear from brit, dangit! I miss that tool! bye ya'll!

Love Elder Naylor

March 24, 2010

Hey ya'll!

Well, this week was pretty good. I must tell you... I hate the snow so much! This week we set 2 people with a baptismal date and they have been coming to church! yeahhh baby! I can't wait till general conf! It's going to be sweet! So, Dino is one of the kids that we are getting ready to dip and also a guy that I don't even wanna try to spell his name..he's such a nice guy and asked us to come and just teach him whenever we have time. ha.. we started teaching him and invited him out to church, but he said he had to work so we said okay maybe next week... Well, he found some people that were members and called into work to come to church! He's awesome!. Elder Mendenhall is starting to actually talk so it's a good thing. I can't stand not having a conversation going all the time, so I'm forcing him to talk to me. haha. We have been kicking butt and taking names! We had zone conf this Monday and we have a testimony meeting after ever one of them... I usually don't go up and share my testimony, but I decided to this time because I almost passed out.. I don't know what got into me! First, I started sweating like crazy; then I felt my own heart beat; then I had to do it! I went up and I was the last one and got way too into it. I started waving my hand and pounding my hand haha.. After I was done the pres got up and told me to stay standing and was like elders and sisters.... that is a giant of a missionary. He is a power house and thanked me for sharing that with them... it was so weird. I don't know what the deal was!.Well, I don't have a lot of time left but I love all of you!

Love Elder Naylor

March 17, 2010

So, I told dad the exciting story this week! My comp is from Canada. We are still working on contacting people... and personal study. We get along okay. He doesn't talk too much, so I have to break the silence. I just start telling mission stories and stuff. We are teaching like 30 people right now. It's awesome! We are doing really good. Bhims dad, the people from Nepal, is really sick. So, we went and gave him a blessing and within an hour he felt better....That's power right there!! But anyways, I hope things go awesome this week. Sounds like things are super busy!!! That new business name sounds saweet!!! I like it! j-nuts yo bomb home boy... love all of you! Brit, I hope things workout between you and whoever you choose. I know they will!

Love ya'll!

Elder Naylor

Hey papa, This week was pretty cool. I got my new comp to train. I have had 2 comps now that I have trained and let me tell ya... I hate it! It's like taking care of a kid. This week we started helping this guy that got in to a wreck like 20 years ago and the doctors said he won't ever be able to walk again. He has been depressed ever since then... until we came around. I actually found a place that donates walkers for people that can't afford stuff. I ordered one and had a ward member go and pick it up. The past week we have been teaching this guy how to walk for 30 min. and then we teach him the gospel for the other 30 min. that we spend with him... When I first met him he was a drunk and just travels around on his wheelchair yelling at people. I knew he was a little softy and just mad at the world. Once we started going over there a few times and helping him, he asked us how much it was going to cost for us to be able to keep coming over. We said nothing, just let us share the happiness we have felt in our life. It's a win, win situation for him. When we told him that he broke down and told us his prayers where finally answered. He has been stuck in that wheelchair for 20 years and couldn't afford to buy a walker or have someone help him. He's planning on coming to church and letting us teach him.... that's the story for the week Love you, Dad

Love Elder Naylor

March 10, 2010

Hey mama! I don't have much time. My comp is leaving... I'm training another one... Gosh dang! I don't like having all this stress! haha it's cool though. I taught my last comp well. He's gonna go out and kick some butt! We have 2 people we have set with a baptismal date and working with like 30 other people. It's awesome! We played football today and I think I might play college ball when I get back. Well, my comp needs to go pack. I'm sorry this letter is so short. I will try to write you if I'm not too busy kicking my new sons butt! I love all of you. I hope ya'll are doing amazing!

Love Elder Naylor

March 3, 2010

Hola!!! Well, this week has been crazy! We are doing sooo good! The zone leaders are tools because they don't believe the type of numbers I have been giving them. Usually the area I'm in gets around 20 to 25 lessons a week... my first full week I got 33. So, they just didn't like it. I guess i don't know what their deal was but I called my last zone leaders and asked for them to call and set them straight. I loved my old zone leaders. We talked to them like 5 times a day. When they found out I was being emergency transferred, they took us out to lunch and spent the whole p-day with me whileIi was packing...haha. Anyways, my old zone leaders called my new ones and they explained what the deal is so they called and said sorry for being dumb, I guess...I don't really know what the deal is. I have 2 pretty cool stories this week... First one, we were walking down the street and I told my comp, Elder Larsen, to go and talk to the lady getting ready to walk past. So we did and the first thing she said was F you and F God... usuallyI'm like daannnng, welp c-ya later! But, I don't know... I felt like I needed to talk to her. I walked next to her and just started bearing my testimony and asked her why she said that. She said her husband died 2 weeks after they got married, her daughter died, 2 of her houses have burned down and she has nothing left and shes dying of leukemia... so she said you tell meeee where god is in my whole life... She was kinda mad at this time and soI told her very bluntly. Well, there's your problem... God's not in your life. We walked with her for about a mile and left her with a card never expecting to hear from her again. This sunday, we were going to talk to people in some apartments and we heard a voice from acrossed the parking lot and it was her. She came up and said I'm doing alot better and I have been thinking about what you said. She asked us to come and teach her and a friend tonight at 7:00... We will see how it goes!! Next story... we got a random phone call from a guy and he said he talked to us about 4 months ago and said he wasn't ready to hear the gospel. He said I think I am ready now. I was like heck yes! Where are you we will run to your house! haha He came and got us and he's reading the Book of Mormon and will probably be baptized in two to three weeks. haha crazy! Things are going so good here! I love you all. I hope things are going great! I just emailed Jon.. that little tool haha

Love Elder Naylor

February 24, 2010

This week has been crazy! Yeah, my comp is freaken sweet! He's from Georgia and he likes to play sports. We get along so well! This place is pretty freaken ghetto! I think I have talked to 3 white people the whole time I have been here besides the people at church! We are teaching an Arabic family how to speak English and we are teaching a kid from Iraq how to play racquetbal.l I actually might like this area! Most of the people we talk to are homeless so we can't get a hold of them too easy. We are working a lot! The people here are so humble and willing to listen. Our numbers are so good that the zone leaders called and asked why we are lying about our numbers..... I don't like my new zone leaders. They are little tools. There are so many gay people here. I'm learning all the scriptures I can about that subject right now haha!. Well family, I hope everything goes super well this week! oh... I met Elder Perry this week too. I neglected to say he's so funny! Ii love all of you!

Love Elder Naylor

February 17, 2010

Sorry, I didn't email last week. It's crazy and sometimes we can't find a ride to come e-mail every week :(... but anyways crazy news! This week we set Ashely and Ava (her little daughter not Hailey) with a baptismal date! Okay, now for something crazy! The mission pres called last night and asked me to pack my bags and be ready by 6:00pm tonight... I'm being emergency transferred to a new area.... and I'm going to be training.... crapppppp... It was really cool, he said he has been really having a hard time with missionaries recently and out of all 189 missionaries he said my name came out on top and he wants to send me into the area and train at the same time... This is going to be nuts! I don't wanna leave.Ii love the Barrands and the wards so much! But, I will go where the Lord wants me to go.. So, that's the crazy story for the week. Don't send anything to me till I send you a letter with my new address! Anyways, the hair stuff I have does work! Ask Bro Barrand what he uses because he still has hair and he told me I just forgot! I want to keep my hair, dangit! YES I WILL SEND PICTURES HOME after I get all settled in. Well, I have to go back to packing...crappppp! But thank you for sending the package it was awesome! I love you all. Tell Brit she's amazing!

love Elder Naylor

February 3, 2010

This week was pretty good! Ashely and Hayley (Hayley is the girl Elder Naylor and Boyer visited in the hospital. Ashley is Hayley's younger sis) have been doing really. They are progressing very well! We are going to get them to come to church this Sunday so they can hear testimonies of the ward! So, Falcon Park is awesome! They do so much for the missionaries and also for others. The women in the ward are taking dinner to Ashely and her family every night and its someone new for the next 2 weeks. We pretty much get fed every night by members so its awesome and yes the weight is starting to come on. I'm around 170 pounds now and I workout everyday. So, you best tell Jer to start pumping the iron! haha jk We are teaching a guy named Ben Ovard. He's a less active member and is trying to get back on track.Last night we had a lesson with him and he asked us for a blessing and prayers because he is having such a hard time. He met with the Bishop as well and is planning on coming to church from now on... so we will see how it turns out. Well I love you all.


Love Elder Naylor

January 27, 2010

Hello ma!

Well, this week was awesome. I'm so glad you got to have a good birthday! Jer sent me a pic of his new quad.... what the craP! I'm glad you liked the story I sent you. I have read it like a million times and every time I tear up! It makes me mad!... I'M A MAN! Anyways, this week I have not done anything too stupid. I worked out my legs hard core, so the next morning I was so sore and had to walk over 10 miles.... that was very exciting! This recent convert named Eric Dormyer is really struggling with money and his wife. We go over to see him as much as we can. He called me yesterday and asked if we would workout with him everyday. It's going to be awesome! Otherwise, he is so hard to get a hold of! If we see him everyday and teach him while we workout! mmm yep amazing. It should go pretty well! We are playing football again today so I hope i don't get smashed! haha. There has been a lot of wind and that's pretty much about it! No rain or snow which I'm pretty thankful for! I'm not being transferred. We are both staying here. I'm pretty excited about that! I love you all so much. I hope this week is awesome! KEEP THAT QUOTE IN YOUR HEAD! People ask me why I laugh so much! There is so much to smile for and laugh at! We are alive and healthy! I love you!

Love, Elder Naylor

This is the story Elder Naylor mentioned in the above letter:

The following event took place in SLC in 1974. It occurred during a Sacrament meeting and was told by a Regional Rep of the Twelve who was in the meeting. A young man, just before leaving on his mission stood in Sacrament meeting and bore in essence the following testimony: Brothers and Sisters, as you know, the past two weeks I've been waiting on my mission call. During the time I was waiting I had a dream. I knew it was not an ordinary dream. I dreamed I was in the pre-existence and awaiting my call to come to earth. I was filled with the same excitement and anticipation that I had before I received my mission call. In my dream, I was talking to a friend, and I felt a special closeness to him, even though I've never met him in this life. As we talked a messenger came and gave me a letter. I knew it was my call to go to earth. In great excitement, my friend and I opened my letter. I gave it to him and asked him to read it out loud. You've been called to earth in a special time and to a special land. You will be born into the true church and you will have the priesthood of God in your home. You will be born in a land of plenty, in a land of Freedom! You will go to the earth in the United States of America. My friend and I rejoiced as we read my call, and while we were rejoicing the messenger returned. This time he had a letter for my friend. We knew it was his call to earth. My friend gave the letter to me to read out loud. His letter said: You've been called to go to earth in circumstances of poverty and strife. You will not be raised in the true church. Many hardships will attend your life. Your land will be fraught with political and social difficulties-which will hinder the work of the Lord; you will be born in Costa Rica. We wept, my friend and I, as we read his call. And my friend looked at me with tears in his eyes, and said" When we are down on earth, you in your choice land, and me in Costa Rica, my friend, please come and find me." Then this young missionary, with tears in his eyes, said; "Brothers and Sisters, I have received my mission call, I am going to Costa Rica." There is a sequel to this story. About a year after the Sacrament meeting, the bishop received a letter from the missionary in Costa Rica. The letter had one sheet of paper in it and on that sheet in capital letters was written four words: I FOUND MY FRIEND!

The quote that was referred to in the above letter:

"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache." Marjorie Pay Hinckley

An Amazing Story...

By Brother Barrand
On Tues night I was scheduled to go with the missionaries to visit an investigator lady, but she cancelled because of a family emergency. She was in the hospital with her 15 year old daughter who had tried to commit suicide that afternoon by slitting her wrists. We offered to visit them in the hospital and the mom agreed. It was quite a scene at the emergency room. The daughter was a beautiful girl with these large bandages across her wrists and a crushingly sad look in her eyes. She pronounced that there was no God but she and her friends knew there was a Satan because her friend worshiped the devil. I was stunned and my mind went blank and I couldn’t think of anything to say (that doesn’t happen very often). What to say to this young daughter of God who earlier that day had wanted to take her own life and leave this world. The weight of confusion and probably guilt and a dulled conscious had brought her to the edge of a horrible horrible tragedy. She had been flirting with the most serious of sin – the taking of a life but as I watched her face I saw something remarkable.


The young Elder Naylor squatted down at the foot of that girl’s hospital bed and began to teach the gospel of love and repentance and hope and the atonement. His thoughtful act of getting eye level with this girl was so powerful. It directed all her attention to what he was saying and the policeman in the corner and the nurses coming in and out of the room weren’t distractions. Even when the mom interrupted the elder, the daughter said, “Quiet mom, I want to hear what the missionary is saying!” Only hours before she was willing to lose her place on this earth. Now at that moment her shrinking and starving spirit was trying to drink in hope of a loving Heavenly Father and the presence of good in this world. It was a remarkable thing to witness. Then his companion Elder Boyer read a few scriptures from the Book of Mormon that expressed hope and joy and you could see the profound and positive effect of this spiritual food on a famished soul. I talked a little of the power of the Atonement and it’s promise, that He has paid for our sins and that He will never leave us alone. No matter how stained or troubled our lives have become. The Elders gave her a blessing, and we headed out.

It was so funny, I entered and left that hospital with two young 20 year old goofballs, but while we were in that hospital room, when the Savior needed to be there to buoy up a lost soul, they became valiant representatives of Jesus Christ and spoke with the voices of angels. It was an honor to be there with them.

January 20, 2010

hello!!!
Well, this week has been pretty good! So Dennis told you about me ripping on some people to actually start working harder on missionary work, huh? It's crazy here. People are too busy to do anything else! I talked to them about it and turned some stuff around! We have met with the mother and daughter (her was in the hospital) again. They are doing a lot better and they are going to try to come to church this week! We have been going on splits a lot with the youth and really getting the singles involved in activities. It's awesome! We are going to play a little football today. they are expecting like 20 plus people to come! I cant wait! We are walking no less than 10 miles a day. We hit pretty close to 13 miles in one day. That was awesome, but I felt like I was gonna die! I have to do ANOTHER training in the district! agh!It's getting stupid!They all have heard me teach already! Anyways, I hope the dog chews up Brielle's shoes soon! haha jk. Give everyone a big hug from me! I love all of you and hope this week is full of progress!

Love,
Elder Naylor

January 13, 2010

Well, this week was crazy! Yes, the zone training was very good! I just winged it.... as always! But, it went very well! I have some sad news... there was a kid in Craig thatIi was teaching and helped set with a baptismal date. Two nights ago the zone leader called me at like 11 at night and told me to call my old district leader. I called him and the kid we taught together on splits all the time and I really liked, killed himself 3 days ago.They just baptized him right after I left. That was really hard. Yesterday, an investigator's daughter slit her wrists in school and had to be rushed to the hospital. We went and taught her and she was closed off at first, but after we started teaching and I related to her life in some sense she really opened up and wants to learn more. That was very cool!... in the spiritual fact not the slitting wrists fact!..

That's so cool that we have a pit! It's about time we get a REAL dog in the house! If it really is... I will take it when I get home from the mission! Yeahhhh buddy! We went on spits the other day with a recent rm and he served with Andy Neilson! They went to the mtc together and knew each other really well on the mission! Andy is home now and I want to get a hold of him. Can you try to find him for me?

There are so many people that want us to come back to teach them. They want to learn more and then the next time we talk to them they don't want to hear anymore. It's a pain in the butt! We should be setting 2 people with a date here soon... I hope. I'm excited to teach Dennis and the fam. I have a way good lesson to teach that can relate to everyone!

P-days we play a lot of basketball with rc's and less-actives. It's so fuN! I'm becoming a baller finally! I love you all hope things go well this week!

Love,
Elder Naylor

January 6, 2010

Hola!
Well, this week has been way fun! Highlands Ranch is supposed to be dead as far as missionary work. Everyone hates serving here!... personally, I think they are full of crap! Tracting is way hard, yes, but all the referrals we get from members are amazing!The key is to gain the members trust and make sure they like you as a missionary. Elder Boyer is a funny kid. He keeps me entertained with his stories, that's for sure. We are doing very good this week. We have been leading the pack! We got to go to the Temple today. It was so fun! Then we were waiting for a ride and a girl was sitting there quietly, so I was like hmmm, maybe I should talk to her. Ii went and sat next to her and what do ya know? She just got baptized and she wanted to learn more about the temple. It was so sweet! So, I went off on some of the stuff I could tell her and set her up withTemple classes. It was awesome! We are at the library with 2 recent converts; Clora and Greg. They are so fun! We are going to make food..... then eat it... I cant wait, hahaha! Well have fun! Love you all!


Love,
Elder Naylor