Elder Bassett - I have been a missionary for 41 days!!!! - email (2013-10-21)

Hello!

I could not think of a better subject line. I will take suggestions. :P

This week has been great. Our focus has been Isaac and Angel, and both are SO close to making the biggest decision of their lives! Angel can't pay attention for longer than a few minutes unless you talk to him one on one. He wants to be baptized, but It is hard to each him with his brothers in the room, and we can't just take him away to teach him. (I could see the headlines: "Elders kidnap boy to baptize him!") His mom is ok with him being baptized, but she wants him to understand what he is doing. She is also never home, so we can't talk to her. Grrr. It is frustrating sometimes.

Isaac is fantastic! He is SO cool. His faith is awesome. The only thing that is keeping him from racing us to the font is that he has not felt that he has received a confirmation about the truth of the Book of Mormon. He visited his family in california this past weekend and he want to give them spanish Book of Mormons. He is always so excited to talk with us and to learn.

I love it here! This part of the country is buetiful and I love the people. Everyone politly declines to talk to us, and often they ofer us water. The area I serve is old farmland that has been built up. There is still this feild that we walkby several times a day. you can see some of the subdivisions in the back of the attached picture.

I went Golfing today!! We were going to go with an Investigator named Omar, but he had to go o work at the last minute so we just went with out him. On a 9 hole par 3 course I got a 57. Not bad consifering I have not touched a golf club in over 8 years. It was perfect weather too. Sunny and not warm or cold. The weather here the past several days have been great.

Thanks for the letters and emails! If you have anyone that you think I should email, send me their email address. Or jut have them email me.

Love all y'all!
-Elder Bassett

The Field

Nearby Apartments

An Old Barn - I need to Visit

My Church Building

Elder Bassett - email (2013-10-21)

Hello Family!

These pictures are fantastic! There are some really cool landscapes here, but I never have the time to take a picture, or my camera can't get the real beauty of it all. I guess I could try some settings... The coolest image is Kennewick across the River at night. It is a sea of lights. The stars here are really impressive if I go beyond the freeway and away from the houses. I showed Elder Calhoun the Picture from Caesar Head and he could not believe how many trees there were.

It is really cool that John FINALLY got his papers in. Tell him to email me. I got some advice for him on how to survive the MTC! :P

Dakoda is going to start his papers soon. (We have been emailing back and forth)

Keep supporting them. It is the best way to let them know it will be worth it.

Emery and Annalise: It is SO cool that you had a discussion comparing Catholics and Mormons. I meet a lot of Catholics. (a lot are Mexican) Just remember that all you can do is INVITE them to hear the Gospel. See PMG Chapter 1. I hope school is great and you are both having the times of you lives!

Zakiah: I have had SO MUCH APPLE CRISP IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS!!!! But it has been good food. It is SUPER important to ask good questions. One of the Fundamentals of Missionary work is teaching People, NOT Lessons. And you can't teach people if you don't know them.

Dad: I hope this Job in Barnwell works out. Even if you don't switch it is always nice to have the option. I was honestly not that worried about the Government Shutdown, because I knew that the Lord would help you guys. We had a lesson last night with Isaac at a member's house and we watched the Mormon Message about the care braking down in the same place on the highway twice. (narrated by Elder Holland) It is really cool to know that "blessings always come, sometimes soon, sometimes later, and sometimes not till heaven."

Thanks family for all your awesome support! I will send a few pictures today as well. Love Ya Lots!

-Elder Bassett

P.S. I will be going to the temple on the 30th, so my P-day is moved to then. so don't panic when I don't respond till Wednesday. Love Ya!

Elder Bassett - Hello Family! - email (2013-10-14)

So... I already said that I have had a tiring day in my last email.

Thanks for the picture! I am so glad that Grandpa Bassett is able to visit you guys! Is he using the back bedroom? I hope I did not leave random stuff everywhere. I think it is SO crazy that Stewart is back already! It felt like he left only a little while ago!

So the best news to tell you! On the 26th, Elder Ballard is coming to speak with the Missionaries!!! I am so stoked! it will be the learning opportunity of a mission! I don't know how widely known they want this to be known, but I don't think there is any harm in telling you. Also! on the 30th I get to attend the Columbia River Temple! That will be my P-day that  week, so I will be writing emails then. It will be an awesome week! Plus, Isaac and Angel will be progressing quite nicely at that time! (Hopefully!)

Dad: I am going to check out those passages in Moses this afternoon. I can't wait to see what you mean!

Jordan: I want to see a picture of this new bike of yours! and please stay safe! I am working on those anecdotes. I am also working on Black Book stories!! :P I also am loving the facial hair!

Amy: I really love you weekly poems! Can you keep them saved for me? I will try to put on my God-Glasses!

Emery: You do know that if you add an "!" for every week, that by the end you will be putting 100 right? Good job on you Georgia Tech Application! I love Ride! It is loud and proud. If you play it well it blows people's socks off! I met a little girl last night named Emrie. I found it very cool. remember to work hard and be an example of the believers!

Zakiah: Love Ya Zakiah! Remember that stress is good for you! Remember that when people question your reasoning, they don't trust you as a leader. Don't feel bad, you just have to develop that trust. I run into the same thing here. The people that listen are the ones that understand that I want to help them. Don't be too worried and remember to smile. And I don't high five my comp very much. we do have a "bro" hug after our daily planning and comp prayer.

Annalise: You crazy Girl! You are going to OLD!!! (Love ya!) Remember that boys are weird. I hope the pizza was good anyway. I have been fed a lot of Hawaiian Haystacks and Apple Crisp. It seems to be the default missionary dinner. I love it, but after 10 meals of it in the past 3 weeks, I would love to have some good pizza.

Mom: I hope this email and the other I sent today answer the questions you have about how I am doing. I love you a lot. The Sister that we stay with (Sister Wilson) reminds me a lot of you. She is just an awesome home maker and grandmother. Tell Logan and Lawrence that I miss them! I love the Picture of Jordan's Birthday. Including Zakiah's lack of eyes!

Neva: I love You! Thanks for your letters. How is school going? Have you seen any cool science things recently? See Ya Later!

Love All Y'all!

-Elder Bassett

P.S. This Picture is of the Temple the first morning in the field. The had us sleep in member homes near the mission home for the first night. This picture does not give the view justice. This house sits above the temple and over looks it. I the Wall was not there you would see the entire temple. The upstairs library has a glass wall that frames the temple. It is absolutely beautiful.

P.P.S. I really need to take more pictures. It is really a pretty area!

Columbia River Temple - Kennewick Washington

Elder Bassett - Oct 10 - Wow, I am tired! - email (2013-10-10)

Hello Everyone!

I have been working a lot this week! I am just overall tired and happy. Elder Calhoun is a fantastic worker and though he gets down on himself, he really know what he is doing. He is from Arizona and almost a year younger than me. (not a full year by 6 days) Attached is a picture from my first Preparation day here.

I am serving in the Pasco 6th ward. It is really small but full of awesome people. Pretty much everyone we meet is awesome. All the members are excited to get to work and help fulfill the promises from general conference.

"We are not asking everyone to do everything. We are simply asking all members to pray, knowing that if every member, young and o

ld, will reach out to just “one” between now and Christmas, millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a wonderful gift to the Savior." - Elder Ballard

The weather here is kind of frustrating! The clouds are awesome, but it is really hard to tell if it is going to rain. And when it does, it is never as heavy as the clouds foretell it to be.

Our most promising Investigator is a man who works at the Railroad. His name is Isaac and he is just awesome! (like everyone) He has a family in California and he is working to support them. He is really interested in the Gospel and the promises it has for families. As we walked out of our lesson on Thursday, he said that he only has to work on a few thing in order to become Mormon! It is so cool that he is already thinking about what he needs to do to accept the gospel.

Our youngest investigator is a 10 year old named Angel. He is the youngest in a less active family and his mom wants him to understand what baptism really is before he gets baptized. He and his older brothers, Roul(12) and Damion(14) are fantastic. They are so much fun to visit and teach.

Probably the best story from this week involves 3 TVs and a sister Saenz (pronounced Signs). She asked us to help her move 3 TVs to the curb for Goodwill to pick up. We went in the morning to do this. When we get home, she calls and tells us that Goodwill won't come till tomorrow. And she wants the TVs back in her garage. SO we go and move the TVs back. Also, we found a young mother with and flat tire, so along with a members help we fix that. and then we move the TVs the 2nd time. The next morning we moved the TVs again! and they weren't there when we pasted later in the day, so hopefully Goodwill got them. Sio Elder Calhoun and I were pretty sick of TVs by the end of the 2nd day.

I love all of you! Thanks for the Emails and the Support and Prayers!

1 month (34 days!!) down! A lot more to go!

-Elder Bassett


"Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other." - 2 Nephi 2:16

Prep Day with Elder Calhoun

Elder Bassett - Hello from Pasco 6th ward - email (10-03-2013)

Yep! This is where I am serving!

I am having a fantastic experience. Everyone here is awesome. I don't even know where to start! My companion, Elder Calhoun is from Arizona and has only been out for 3 months. He is a great missionary and he works really hard. I have meet a huge variety of people here. Most are kindly saying no, but there are a few that are sincerely interested! I am short on time today, but I can't wait to hear back from all of you!

See ya!

Elder Bassett

Quote: Moroni 10:3 - Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

Remember the tender mercies of the Lord, they are everywhere! (See 1 Nephi 1:20, second half)

Elder Bassett - Life is Good! - email (10-07-2013)

Dear Family,

Thanks for the letters!

Amy: I love the Poem. Can I use it? I am trying to teach everyone like their life depends on it. It gets difficult when they DON"T LISTEN!!!! (there is a story that I will tell in a moment)

Emery: I hope Georgia Tech Accepts you! Don't worry about being a trator, no one cares once you graduate high school. And not to make you joel-sick, but I don't expect to see you for 3 years! (if you serve a mission that is, it is up to you)

Zakiah: We have made progress with a few investigators (again a story will follow). The weather here is fantastic, once it dried up. The skies are so clear and bright! And yes, I have High fived my Comp.

Mom: There are just 2 elders in my apartment. We live with a member family in a back room. Thing here are going great. As I said to Zakiah, we have been making good progress. I will write as soon as you letter arrives. I am not sure how fast the post office gets mail around.

Annalise: I have had many Apple Crisp here. Everyone seems to have it for desert! I loved General conference! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the Nov Ensign! I completely understand about falling asleep. I have been very tired these last couple nights. I have fallen right to sleep.

Dad: I loved that quote! I really enjoyed all the talks. I can't wait to study them in depth. I will definitely think and prey about Dakoda. I will send him a letter.

So now for my news!

This week was great! We talked to a lot of great people and had some great lessons. Unfortunately, we also had some crummy lessons. We talked to an investigator who had married a member, and we thought she was very open. But when we walked in the second time, she was too concerned about the differences between Catholics and Mormons and about the nitty gritty details. She ultimately said that her heart could not accept the Book of Mormon. A little over 30 hours latter, we walked into another lesson where we thought we would have a great scripture based discussion. This man was well versed in the bible, and we thought we would all leave enlightened. But the first few things out of his mouth was that he did not believe the Book of Mormon (he had read it before) and that he did not believe in the concept of Priesthood. It felt like we here handcuffed! He was so hard-hearted! Both of these lessons were not fun, but we fulfilled our purpose as missionaries and invited them to read a pray. We could not force them. I am developing a love/hate relationship with agency! I love that we have it, but I hate that people make bad choices!

I loved conference! I liked the talk by the Sunday School Presidency member about teaching. I plan on annotating my conference issue of the ensign when I get it.

Elder Calhoun is fantastic. He gets himself down sometimes, but he is a fantastic worker. The picture attached is one of him being "serious." We have an interesting relationship, because he is 3 months my senior missionary, but I am just under a year other than him. We have more fun than we should be allowed!

Love All Y'all!

-Elder Bassett

P.s. There is no good shoe store that I could get to, so I go some Dr. Shoels (sp) athletic insoles. I think they will work, but I will probably only use them for a year before they are completely useless. Also, how much do I have on my Bank of America account? I am using my missionary fund card for food and other things, but I would like to know, just in case.

Elder Calhoun in Pasco

Pasco 6th Ward Apartment

Pasco 6th Ward Apartment

Letter from Home - email (10-06-2013)

Dear Elder Joel,

------------------------------------------------------

Amy first:

Howdy my bro!!

This a poem

to tell you to yell

happily to the world

the JOY Christ did tell.

This is a song

to beg you to sing

ecstatically to the world

the tidings of good things

For there is a book

full of joy in every nook

from a guy named Mormon

and the gospel he took…

unto every child

that God sent to earth

because he loved them enough

to teach them of a second birth.

Love ya Elder!  Teach everyone like their lives count on it!  Try to love them as much as their heavenly parents love them!  You inspire me to be a better "example of the believers."

~Amy

p.s.  My brother is a missionary! ("exclamation point!")

----------------------------

from Emery Bassett,

                General Conference Was Amazing!!!(three exclamation points :D) I really liked the talk with all the exclamation points. Of course you probably got to see the conference real time and we had to wait three whole time zones. The fruit sale for band began last week and we have a new supplier this year. We had chili between sec ions and it was awesome. We now have sister missionaries in our ward and they are spectacular! I almost have my application finished for Georgia Tech and I have begun the applications for Purdue ,Rice and Wake Forest. I have this minor worry that Georgia Tech's mascot is a hornet and that I will be slightly treasonous in going there. So any way, My life is awesome and I hope you are doing amazing and having fun and teaching lots of people

                                See you in a little less than two years (don't get home sick ;P)

                                EMERY BASSETT J

---------------------------

Guten Tag!!

                Wie geights Brüder. Ich bin wündaba. Du nachs to religious. This means how are you brother. I am wonderful. You travel religiously. That the best German I have on the spot. Have you had any succes with investigators? If so "Heut ist so ein Shurner Tag!!" Today is such a beautiful day. Have you given your companion a high five yet, if so give him another and say it is from me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              With Grös love,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Zakia

Elder Bassett - letter - 09-30-2013

Elder Bassett - email (09-30-2013)

Hello Family!

This first week has been great! My companion, Elder Calhoun, is from Arizona and is awesome. He has only been out here for 3 months, and he has been assigned as my trainer. He is completely stressing out about it, but I think he is doing a great job. He is 18 and came out right after college, so there is an interesting mix of experience and youthful optimism between the two of us.

I have meet so many people in Pasco 6th ward. They are all awesome. Elder Calhoun found a new investigator last Monday before I came, and this last Saturday, we taught a woman who is super open and interested in what we teach. So we have 2 new investigators this week! We also invited another man to be baptized (He said yes!), but he did not show up for sacrament meeting, unfortunately. I love the ward here. They are all dedicated to help each other and the less actives.

IT IS SO COOL THAT DAKODA IS WANTING TO COME ON A MISSION!!! He won't regret it. He will learn so much, about God, about the Church, about the Spirit, and most importantly, about himself. You have no idea how much that sentence made my day better.

So much has happened I am not sure what to tell you. Thanks for the letters. I think it would be cool if you send quotes with your emails. It will give me something to ponder throughout the week. Also, I could not find any CD's in Walmart to listen to today. The only CD's we have are conference talks (which are great, but I can't concentrate in my studies with Bednar and Monson talking in the background) and home made/ recorded missionary songs that are ok the first couple times.

Love all of y'all!

Elder Bassett

2 Nephi 2:24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

(pointed out to me by Elder Calhoun, it precedes the scripture that I have only plaque)

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

Elder Bassett - letter (09-24-2013)

2013-09-24 from Washington Kennewick Mission Home

Washington Kennewick Mission - email (09-26-2013)

Dear Missionary Family,

We are delighted to inform you that your missionary has arrived safely to the Washington Kennewick Mission.  We already love them and are excited to serve with them.  We have enjoyed becoming acquainted with them and are confident that they will become an effective instrument in the hands of the Lord in sharing the gospel with the people of Washington and Oregon.

We have assigned them a companion who is an experienced, devoted, and motivated missionary.  All of our missionaries understand that one of the greatest privileges available in the mission is to train a new missionary.  This first companion will be a special person in your missionary’s life and will help give them a great start here.

We feel that our greatest responsibility is the care and welfare of your child.  We want to assure you that we will be in close contact with them.  We will be observant of their physical health, happiness and spiritual well being.  We will work closely with them throughout the mission to help them succeed and fulfill their calling as a representative of the Church and as an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Please be assured that we will be in contact with you if we encounter any concerns that would call for your attention.  We see you as a great asset to the success of your missionary while they are serving here and will work closely with you if the need arises.  You would help us immensely by informing us of any changes to address, phone number or email for you, your bishop or your stake president.  We want to keep our records current so that we can keep in touch whenever necessary.

Attached are photographs of your missionary taken with us at the welcome dinner at the mission home, along with a map that identifies your missionary’s first area.  Please feel free to contact us at the mission office with any questions that you may have.

Thank you for the sacrifices you are making at home to have your missionary in the field.  We have seen the Lord bless the families of missionaries who are serving in untold ways.  We know that His blessings will be upon you as well.

With love,

   

President Boyd S. Ware                                                       Sister Linda P. Ware

Washington Kennewick Mission                             

8202 W. Quinault Ave., Ste D

Kennewick, WA  99336

Office Phone (509) 734-5443

Office Fax (509) 734-5475

Office Email: 387991@ldschurch.org

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

From Home - email (09-23-2013)

Love all 'ya all!!!!!!

Dad

Elder Bassett - email (09-23-2013)

Hello!

Here is my flight info for tomorrow. I am taking the UTA Frontrunner from Provo to the Airport.

Leave MTC: 9:30

Flight Departs: 3:16

Flight Number: Delta 4773 to Pasco, WA

I will call the Home phone and Dad's Phone, probably around noon. I can't wait to talk. I have too many stories to share in an email. I really need to work on my story writing skill. I love ya lots!

Hopefully I can attach a few pictures to this email. We have been having trouble with Gmail and the size of the attachments. These are just pictures of my district that we took yesterday.

Love Ya!

Elder Bassett

P.S. I don't know when I P-day in the field is. At the MTC it was Friday, and they gave us permission to email the day before we left. So my next batch of emails might be a while in coming.

Washington Kennewick Mission Training Center - District (09-23-2013)

Elder Bassett - email (09-20-2013)

Thanks for the Info!

I have had the experience of a life time! The MTC is fantastic! Tell John and Dakoda to get out here!

I know you want to here every detail, but there are so many stories. I really don't know what to share! I do get to go to the Temple today! We are going to take a shuttle to the Main Campus and then walk to the Temple.

I leave for Kennewick next Tuesday. My flight leaves 3:16 ish. I am leaving the MTC on the UTA frontrunner at 9:30. I am going to call home as soon as I can get through security. (might take a while, my companion has a metal rod in his leg, long story) I hope I get a hold of you!

Tell dad that I will try to find the stars he mentioned, but the sky is very bright due to the cities. Tell everyone I love them! I know there are no stories here, but I will spill a lot when we talk!

Sincerely,

Elder Bassett

This is a picture of my district as well as another Sister. Love Ya!

This is Sister Platt. We took this after our last lesson with her!

From Home - email (09-20-2013)

Dear Elder Bassett,

This is quite a great thing you are doing!  The spirit of your mission has had a great impact on the Bassett family and others of your friends.  On Sunday (Last) Jason Richardson was baptized along with his Father (Dan) and his Mother (Jennifer).  Jason is Dakota's cousin.  It has been a significant impact on Dakota to have you leave and to have Jason join the Church.  I believe that if Dakota's Mom is now the deciding factor in his Mission service.  It is exciting to see your friends impacted by the sizable influence of the spirit.

There have been so many scriptures I'd like to share with you, but I fear that I'd be preachy, so I'm reluctant to say too much.  But I've been really impacted by Section 46 of the Doctrine and Covenants, as well as your Patriarchal Blessing and the Book of Joel in the Old Testament.  I believe that some real Pearls of Wisdom are in these three scriptures especially for you!!!

Be sure to look out into the morning sky during these fall and winter mornings and find Orion and the Dog Star - Sirius.  When you look up into the dark early morning sky, remember that I am also looking at those same stars.  They represent something special to me … something that tells me the passage of time and the seasons.  I'm very excited about your mission call … it represents a passage of a season in your life and mine too.  You are a Savior to your friends and acquaintances … you will be a Savior to the people in your Mission to whom you will love with a bond stronger than you can imagine today. 

Please; lose yourself in the work you have been called to perform … the Lord will look after your family - so don't worry (be happy) … and the Lord will look after you.  You have been called from the foundations of the world(s) to do mighty things … thus the sacred name that you bear is so vital to rehearse in your mind from time to time.

I love you just because, and without bounds…

Dad

Elder Bassett - Hello Family - email (09/13/2013)

Fri 9/13/2013 10:57 AM

Well... I feel like I have been hit by a bus and a train and a plane and a .....

You get the point. My P-day at the MTC is today(Friday). I get to be here for 2 weeks. And it already feels like forever! My district is AWESOME. The 8 of us (4 elders and 4 sisters) get along great. We flow well in discussions and we have tons of fun outside of class. Elder Wilcox is my companion and the District leader and is very strong, both physically and spiritually.

My first hour here was go there, go here, be a lemming, touch your toes, smile, blah, blah, blah. I then met my teachers and they are great. (Brothers Weekes and Stanley) The first night they had us in large groups trying to teach an investigator. All 3 attempts were humbling. None of us listened to what they or the spirit was saying, and there was absolutely NO planing of cohesion among us. So after that exhausting evening, we all just crashed. Yesterday was tiring, but not that crazy. We were in class the entire day and we learned a lot. We also were introduced to our first "investigator" !!!!!! We are meeting him and teaching him tonight. TONIGHT!!!

So far today has been eventful and busy. We woke up at 5:50 to run to the other side of camps to do some service. Then Elder Wilcox and I realized we did not have out ID cards  to get food. And we did not have our keys. So after running back and forth, we finally got to the cafeteria and my ID did not work. My badge magnet had wiped it. So more adventures happened and now I am emailing you. (I did get to eat :P)

Tell Dakoda that I am in the Y-View Apartments. My classrooms are in the nearby apartments, I think they start with an 'R'. They apartments are not that special. They are small but functional.

Dad, could you put this email on my Facebook? There are no limitations about who can email me, and email is probably more convenient for most people.

Love Ya and I am completely stoked to be here!

With love, 

Elder Bassett

P.S. Quote from Brother Stanley: Charity is the never ending search for someone else's happiness.

President Squires and Elder Bassett (09-10-2013)

Mom, Dad, Brothers, Sisters and Elder Bassett (09-10-2013)

Uncle Gerry and Aunt Jackie, Grandfather and Grandmother Wise and Elder Bassett (09-10-2013)

Dinner with Christina and Family - Elder Bassett (09-11-2013)

Drop Off at Mission Training Center - Elder Bassett (09-11-2013)

Christina (Favorite Sister!!) and Elder Bassett (09-11-2013)