Christmas Baptisms!

First Christmas on the mission is officially in the books! Wasn't at all what I expected it to be like, but it was definitely fun and memorable. Here's a glimpse of what the week looked like:

Tuesday, we were walking around visiting a few people, and we saw someone shooting hoops at the basketball court, so we stopped to talk to him. We ended up playing with him for about an hour, and talked to him about his life story, and about the church the whole time. Turns out he's had a pretty rough past, and basketball is his getaway. It is mine as well, so we got along super well. Turns out he's never met with missionaries before, because his parents didn't let him, but he was interested and had some questions. We answered some of them until he had to go. Turns out he doesn't live in our area, but I will let you all know what happens next!

Wednesday, we had district meeting, and afterward we had interviews with President Jaggi. It's always great meeting with him! After that, we had a lesson with Savanna, teaching her the last couple things she needs to know before her baptism. Then that night, Elder Atienza and I went to lessons in Harrisville for the sisters. We taught a man named Enrique, who wants to be taught by elders for some reason, but it was a super good lesson. He's super prepared, and we convinced him to be taught more by the sisters that cover his ward, so we made a smooth transition for them haha.

Thursday.... Was lots of tracting and contacting with no luck.

Friday morning we helped one of our Investigators, Jess, move. She's super solid, but is moving to the Logan missionaries, so hopefully they don't drop the ball ;). After, we had huddle with the senior couple, the Bucks, and correlated the work in the stake. That night, we got Savanna interviewed for her baptism, and she was all ready to go! We also had a lesson with a girl named Claudia and put her on date to be baptized on the 13th of January. Will let you know what happens with her.

Saturday was awesome! We held the baptism for Savanna, and it was amazing and spirit filled. She was baptized by her uncle, and confirmed by Elder Link on Christmas Eve at church! It was his first confirmation, but it was awesome. I also got to attend Maria's baptism in my old area! I'm so glad she and her husband are both striving to be sealed in the temple in a year from now. That baptism was also very spirit filled!

Christmas Eve we had breakfast with the Andersons before church, and it was delicious! Then, we were able to go to church and listen to the amazing testimonies and musical numbers from so many members. Also, Savannas confirmation of course! That night, we had some awesome meals with other members of the stake, including the Bittons and the Nielsons.

Christmas day was the best! In the morning, Elders Beckdol, Atienza and Murrillo came over to open presents. Afterward, we went to brunch over at the Nielsons house! It was awesome. Then I got to Skype home to my family, which pretty much made the day! We spent the rest of the day with other members, and finished the day by working out with brother Bitton. It was awesome.

I hope you all had a merry Christmas, I love you all!

Elder Tyler Greer
Utah Ogden Mission Office
4380 South Orchard Ave
South Ogden, UT 84403

Merry Christmas!!

Next Monday isn't actually our P-day, so I guess I'll say this now, Merry Christmas! Our p day will be on Tuesday, and only until 1:00 for some reason. Probably because I get to call home on Christmas! Anyway, this week wasn't too eventful sadly. I'll give a quick rundown.

Monday was the normal thing!

Tuesday, we had zone conference, which was pretty awesome! The trainings were mostly on solidifying investigators, and getting "unstuck". Most of the missionaries in this zone are having a hard time with being stuck with no success. I'm sure that the trainings helped them as it did me.

Wednesday, we had service at Ogden Nature Center, and it was pretty fun. We picked up trash, and cleaned windows the whole time. Later that day, we had a lesson with Jordyn, and it didn't go too well. She's got a lot of concerns right now, and isn't ready to be baptized. She said she will continue to go to church, and read the book of Mormon, but that's about it.

Thursday, I don't remember a thing!

Friday was awesome! We got to leave the mission, and go do service at Ben Lommod high school, and set up for an event that they are having soon for Christmas. There were Logan Utah missionaries there too, and I got to see Elder Hudgins, who's serving from our stake! We took a picture, so see below for it! That night we met 3 girls, ages 11, 14, and 17, while tracting and they accepted us to come back!

Saturday, we collected and handed out tons of winter clothes to homeless people in the Ogden area! It was awesome to see their faces, and how grateful they were to receive it.

Sunday was a complete blur other than church. I'm sorry. I'll write better notes down this week, or start writing in my journal for once!

I love you all and hope you have a merry Christmas!

Elder Tyler Greer
Utah Ogden Mission Office
4380 South Orchard Ave
South Ogden, UT 84403

I'm a Father!

I have officially given birth! My son's (new missionary) name is Elder Link! He is from Tyler, Texas! So far we get along great. He's adjusting to missionary life, just as any new missionary would. This week was crazy busy so I'm sure he didn't have any time to think about home.

Monday, we went to Buffalo wild wings for my birthday, and basically just hung out all day. We also went bowling and went to the Mexican restaurant!

Tuesday, we spent almost the whole day packing and visiting people, since we were both leaving the area. Not too much proselyting happened sadly.

Wednesday was transfer day! We were in the new missionary training, for trainers, like half the day, until the new missionaries arrived from the MTC! They came by bus, and we helped them unload and welcomed all of them. Then finally, we were paired with our greenies around 5! I, of course, got Elder Link. Later that night, we went and got dinner, and also had a lesson with a girl named Ally already! She's super interested, and is from England. Doesn't have too much of a Christian background, but does want to be taught!

Thursday, we had a ward Christmas party in the morning for breakfast, and another one for dinner! In between, we did some tracting, and had a couple lessons.

Friday, we had a lesson with Mckoy. He's 13, and is on date to be baptized on the 30th! He's super solid, and has a very good belief in Christ. He's progressing, and we taught him about the Plan of Salvation.

Saturday, we had another Christmas party! Yes, another. We cover a whole stake, so they're basically every day! We also had another lesson with Ally. We knocked some doors, and visited a few potentials.

Sunday, my greenie and I, both gave talks! Both of them were focused on Jesus Christ, and his atonement. I think they went well! Elder Link has been out 3 days, and already gave his first talk! It was an overall great day.

Not too much else from me this week. Love you all!

Elder Tyler Greer
Utah Ogden Mission Office
4380 South Orchard Ave
South Ogden, UT 84403

I'm 20 and Training???

Today I turn 20 years old, and just typing that out freaks me out! It feels like a few short months ago I celebrated my 19th birthday with friends and family back home. Now, I've been on my mission for almost 9 months and my testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has grown stronger than I would've ever imagined. Many people say holidays and birthdays are hard on the mission, which they are, but every time I feel down or discouraged, I know I can look to my savior, who gave his life for me, and the least I can do is serve him faithfully for 2 years.

This week has been super stressful, as far as the work goes, but tomorrow is the last day of the transfer. I got a call last night, saying that I'm leaving Mound Fort, and heading to the Ogden West Stake, with the Zone Leaders to train a new missionary! They split their stake, since they're killing it out there, so I'll cover half the stake with my brand new missionary. I'm excited, but super nervous, cause neither of us will know the area!

Monday, we worked out in the morning with Brother Bitton in West Haven, then played speedball with our entire zone. It was fun to be able to play speedball again! Later we went bowling, and just hung out.

Tuesday morning we got a call from Maria, Manuel's wife, saying that they were on the way to the emergency room for his foot, so we quickly drove over there to see how we could help. Manuel is already scheduled to have an amputation on his bad leg in January, and a sore started on his good foot and looked infected, so he went just in case. They gave him antibiotics and told him to take it easy. We went over to his house after, and watched the Prophet of the Restoration movie. Him and Maria really enjoyed it! Later that night we prepared our past district training for the transfer.

Wednesday, Elder Tabler and I gave our last training on having an effective personal study every morning. We had a really good discussion with our district about it, and it was a good last district meeting. I also went with the zone leaders for the day on exchanges, so I got to be with Elder Beckdol in his area. We had some pretty good lessons, and it was a good day.

Thursday, Elder Tabler and I were invited to MLC, which is mission leadership council, and we were there basically all day long being trained by President Jaggi and the assistants.

Friday, we went to a retirement community and helped set up Christmas decorations for them. It was super fun! The old people were very thankful haha. Right after that, we did some weekly planning, which is always fun! Later that night we had a couple lessons, but nothing special.

Saturday was a crazy day. We spent most of the morning with Plain City, buying red solo cups and setting up a #LightTheWorld right over the freeway! We got lots of honks, and many people calling us telling us they saw it haha. It took lots of perfecting! We also had 2 Christmas parties that day, with lots of good food and company. I also got to sit on Santa's lap! It was really fun. That night we got a call from Manuel saying he's heading to the ER again. His foot was swelling really bad, and he was in a lot of pain. We went to the hospital with our Ward Mission Leader and gave him a blessing. I've never seen a grown man in that much pain. It was sad, but he had faith that God would take care of him. Amazingly, he was released that night, and got to go spend time with his daughter for her birthday.

Sunday was a regular day. Went to church and hung out. We also got to bring the sacrament to Manuel, since he's on bed rest for a few days. He was grateful.

That's my update this week. Hope you all have a good week! Love you!

Elder Tyler Greer
Utah Ogden Mission Office
4380 South Orchard Ave
South Ogden, UT 84403