"Becoming Yogi with Christ"

Hello hello. An amazing week here in the AAM. We were able to do a lot of finding and teaching. We saw some pretty awesome miracles. Christmas was a hoot and a holler.

We're still working with Andre. He's doing amazing. We currently just waiting for the green light on his baptism. We taught him the ten commandments with all the cool hand signs. We are still continuing to teach Daniel and Gwen the new member lessons. It's been fun teaching all these guys and all the other people we're currently working with.

This week we went tracting in the northernmost part of our area. I've only been there just a few times. While tracting we met a dude who was super open with us and actually invited us into his home. This guy was a big time hippie. He loved yoga, nature, animals, and of course his marijuana. We talked for a long time about his beliefs. It was cool to hear. He believes mostly in Christ-conscience. Basically you need to become one with Christ's thinking. Or in His words "become yogi with christ". The best way to achieve this is through meditation and yoga. He invited us over this week to meditate with him. Hopefully I'll become more yogi with Christ through the experience. I'm excited to talk to him because he promised to read the introduction of the BoM. I'll keep you updated on what he thinks about our message.

Christmas was awesome! Calling the family was the best. The presents from them were super gnarly. My companion and I repped these cool socks all day. The onesie unfortunately could only be worn just before sleep.

We participated in an awesome nativity with some cool members. It was fun being able to do that Christmas Eve. We had a fun time. Me, my comp, and a priest in the ward were the three wise men.

The nativity

     Our awesome socks and Hogwarts slippers                            Harry potter onesies

                         

Knocking doors under Northern Lights:

Hello. A great start to the transfer. The light the world campaign has been amazing to participate in. Looks like were going to be having a warm winter this year.

Elder Hunter and I have had a great week. Elder Hunter previously spent six months in the bear mountain ward. It's been amazing to hear how far the work has come since the last year. The mission as a whole has been on an upward swing with finding, teaching, and baptizing. It can be extremely hard at times with it always being dark in Alaska. Thankfully we have the northern lights to brighten the sky. Jkjk. But It has been cool to see the lights dancing in the sky while knocking doors before we head in.

 “Forgive men their trespasses.”—Matthew 6:14 is the scripture for today's light the world. The other day we were able to donate some old clothes to the nearest salvation army. It felt amazing being able to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is just around the corner! Unfortunately as well as thankfully this winter has been really warm. It's been in the 20s most of the time. It's made life a lot easier as a missionary when you can actually go out and knock on some doors without getting frost bite.

 I wish you all a merry Christmas. It's the best time of the year!

 Elder Ogden

Christmas Surprise: Letter from Bennett

Hello!  The past few weeks have been amazing. There's been a lot of stuff happening. Our investigators have all been hitting a bit of a rough patch right now in life. The mission has received smart phones. Transfer calls are in.

Elder Barney and I have been teaching two individuals plus a part member family. It's been amazing to see all of them progress so well these past few weeks. We were hoping for them all to be baptized this month but due to some events it's looking like only one will be baptized this month. Thankfully the rest are looking forward to January. One is waiting for approval from the first presidency. The others are working through some difficulties as well as concerns. Over all it's been a real testimony builder to see that no matter what challenges, questions, or conerns you may have in life, the gospel of Jesus Christ can fix everything.

The mission received phones on Wednesday. It certainly was a blessing for me because my iPad is currently broken. I didn't realize how helpful technology was in missionary work until I went without it. Technology certainly is an amazing tool.

Transfer calls are in! Elder Barney will be going home to spend Christmas with his family. I'll certainly miss serving with him. My new comps are Elder Olsen and Elder Hunter. I'll be in a trio for a little while due to Elder Olsen going home in three weeks. Once he's home Elder Hunter and I will be comps as usual. It's going to be fun serving with these two. I'm excited to continue to serve in the Bear Mountain Ward.

Here's some pictures of Elder Barney and I as well as some friends in the Mish:

          Muktuk is a native dish. 

          It is rubbery whale blubber. 

          Probably the grosses thing I've ever eaten.

All I want for Christmas is a letter from Bennett! 

Sorry once again for not sending a general email and some pics. On Wednesday the missionaries in MLC will be receiving smart phones for each area. My mission president has really encouraged me to simply wait for the phones to get here so I don't just waste money. If it's possible I may just buy my own because they're going to be half the cost for missionaries. So next week I'm planning on getting caught up on emails.

Here's what went on this week. Elder Barney and I went on exchanges with the APs. Wednesday we had a meeting with the mission President followed by another meeting with the mission President and the Stake President. We've been teaching a lot. One of our investigators should be getting baptized on the 9th.

I'm excited to speak to you guys on Christmas.

Love and miss you