Assistants to the Presidents

Elder Falconer and Elder Perkins

On a personal note, a BIG Thank You and Much Love to President and Sister Taylor for giving the parents of the Elders and Sisters of the Arizona Phoenix Mission a superior Mission blog! It gives the families an opportunity to stay close and connected on a weekly basis. Just a little something extra that they do for all of us!

Transfers Last Week

And the Assistants to the Presidents are just glad it's over!

OUR ASSISTANTS

From the Arizona phoenix missions blog:

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

OUR ASSISTANTS

I have known since the start of our mission that our "Assistants to the President" or "APs" as they are affectionately known, are AMAZING. But this week I had a "revelation"...

I think it is widely supposed that being an AP is a cushy job. It is not any more cushy than that of being a mission president. In other words, it is a whole lot of work! These men keep the Taylors up to speed, supported and organized in so many ways. They sacrifice time that they would love to be out teaching more to help President Taylor and myself. They are the example of how to live a divine companionship.

Elder Tyler Perkins and Elder Robert Falconer, our faithful friends.

We enjoyed our trip to the Mesa temple before transfers. Isn't it beautiful!

Here is a "revelation" I received after we came out from the temple. Elder Perkins and President Taylor were both on the phone cheerfully taking care of all the problems and questions that had come up from our missionaries while we were inside...and guess who had more calls to return? Yes, it was Elder Perkins. The Assistants run interference for President and it is much appreciated. They are an example of a "Nelson/Holland Companionship" where being Jr. or Sr. companion is not the focus...the focus is on more perfectly serving the Lord and each other.

We are grateful for their obedience, service and friendship!

Endure to the End-owment

That is great to hear about Quinton's patriarchal blessing - very good to hear about him turning his papers in - that will be very good.

The mission presidents 16 yr old son, Braden, made sure to tell me Georgia got beat up by Boise State I believe - just pathetic. At least I won't be into this season at all since I'll still be out here.

My week:

29 Aug 2011 - Drove a missionary home to the airport. Sad stuff. But with all that has been going on - I learned that is no dis-honorable releases now. Everything is just a release, but they tag onto it. (example - release for disobedience, release for medical, release of own desire,etc.) Short P-day - didn't even really have one. Got everything ready for Zone Leader Council tomorrow. Then went out on splits with another companionship to pass off an investigator from the spanish to english missionaries. I love hard-working, humble, obedient, friendly, kind missionaries. Good times.

30 Aug 2011 - Got to mission home and set up for zone leader council. The US Postal Service will no longer be forwarding mail due to financial cut-backs - so we are in the process of changing our mailing policy - parents will be able to send packages and mail directly to the missionaries houses. We are moving this week, so I will get you my new address next week. You can still send stuff to the mission office, but it will wait here until the next major meeting until they give it to the missionary (luckily I'm here in the office 3-4 times a week so I can get it anytime I want). But anyway, so we had to move like 30 packages and over 100+ letters from the mission office to the mission home and sort them by zone to give to the zone leaders to distribute out. I had to give a 5 min talk on teaching by the Spirit - I still prepare for talks now, but I don't write down anything anymore. I just get up there with my scriptures and just talk and will open to a scripture or two if I feel I need to. Right after, Elder Farnsworth and I began an exchange. We taught Taylor and then went to a family and taught them and had dinner with them. Then coordination. His zone is having a really tough time, so I tried giving him new ideas of things to do and how to get the missionaries going. If only missionaries would wake up on time and just stay outside their home between 10am-9pm (except for lunch and dinner of course) - even if they just walked around aimlessly, I would take it. So him, Elder Geren, me and ElderFalconer all stayed over at our little house. It was fun being with all them. Elder Geren rocks - I trained him - he's grown a lot and it's cool.

31 Aug 2011 - Dropped off the Silverado at the car shop again - airbag problems again. Had leadership training today from 10-4pm. It was really good. Elder Falconer and I had to discuss effective studies and how to have effective zone and district meetings. We had someone from LDS Family Services come in and talk to all the leaders on how to help those with mental illnesses (Depression, Anxiety Disorders, OCD, etc). It was really good - we have many situations with that a lot. He basically said, our role as leaders isn't to fix, but to listen and be a friend (encourage) and then refer them to someone who can diagnose and help. Really good. President instructed on the key indicators and obedience and trust - pulled up the cell phone reports and made it clear some cell phone patterns need to stop. We cleaned up afterwards and made some visits.

1 Sept 2011 - Went to the temple with transfer planning in mind. I love the temple. I want to be one of the old temple workers someday that seem to not be doing anything other then just smiling at people as they walk down the hallway. Seems like a good life. The temple was great - still all goes over my head, but its very peaceful. President and Sister Taylor are the best, they rock. After the temple, they took us to a Venezuelan restaurant (where he served his mission) and treated us to our very first arepas. Like a roll, with cheese, meat, beans in the middle, and deep fried. Very good. We then went back to the mission office and made some more changes on the transfer board. Had coordination, made some visits, etc.

2 Sept 2011 - Had a meeting with all the trainers and trainees. I got to take all 22 of the trainees (1st and 2nd transfer) and go into the high council room and talk with them for about 45 min - really good. We discussed first, "Things I wish my trainer knew or would do" President took notes and then shared them with the trainers at the end. My role was basically to facilitate the discussion and give advice/counsel when they talked about troubles they've been having so far (not learning fast enough, hard to teach, trouble with companions (usually a majority)). I feel like maybe I'll be a counselor of some sort. It was good, then we cleaned up and it was 1:10, then walked into my district meeting and gave a talk on unity and obedience. Just always busy - I love it. I love speaking and talking - I'm probably not the most effective, but I enjoy trying to help others. Worked in West wing a bit today - tracted - then had a lesson with Leticia. She is solid - she talked to us about all her blessings since she's been baptized - It's great when your converts see how they can continue to move forward and what's ahead. Endure to the End-owment.

3 Sept 2011 - We moved our mission storage. We have 3 units (20x10) and moving them to another storage unit. Called and got a flatbed trailer from a member and made a couple trips. Then we treated ourselves and went to Old Country Buffet - delicious - I ate a lot. I'll do what Dad does and describe my meal....I started off sampling many things (fish, chicken, meat, mac/cheese, salads, onion rings, etc. I decided that I enjoyed the orange chicken and the mac/cheese and the onion rings - so I got some more of those. Drank cherry coke and then got a small cherry slushie. After sitting for about 10 min - I got some a small salad and after that had a bowl of vanilla/chocolate swirl ice cream - good meal. In the office till 4 getting transfer stuff all situated. Went to a spanish baptism at 4 - Elder Falconer had to give a talk. Then we went to Jenny's baptism - it was great. Elder Brase and I worked with her and got her moving and then we had a lesson with her and the YSA Sisters and transitioned her off (but first we set a baptism date and did a baptism calendar with her). She progressed well and was baptized - shared a great testimony. It was just a great service - I knew some of the members there - Deer Valley Stake - which I've been around my whole mission.

4 Sept 2011 - Church was fine. Visited la familia Tayas after. In office from 4-7 finishing up transfer stuff. Went to Taylor's from 7-8pm and they off course gave us some dinner and cookies. Reviewed transfers with them and think we're all good.

This week with transfers is very crazy - we will be moving and things will change for us as well. Have an exchange in Cottonwood as well - sounds like life is great back home - really good to hear.

Love yall lots.

E. Perkins

I Like Good Missionaries

With housing at BYU - my biggest challenge will be transportation I think. Walking distance would be great - so I don't have to stay on campus the whole day, but whatever works to be honest. Old doesn't really bother me.

President says I will most likely fly home Monday the 2nd.

Leticia and Clovi's baptism went great. They speak English so I have been able to help teach them - they are great. The service was in Spanish, but you could still feel the Spirit - great baptism service. They will do great. Taylor P. did come to church which was great. we just got to get her family to come.

I have not heard about the hurricane - that is scary. The only precaution for hot weather is to drink more water. Before President Beck, they could stop working at 115, but President did away with that since it's ridiculous - just drink more water. Most Elders are fine - but most of the sick calls come in because of dehydration.

Elder Falconer and I actually live with members. They have a big work garage about 30 yards off their house in the backyard with a portion that has been turned into a mini house. It is very small, but has a small kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. So it's just us 2 there and I love the peace and quiet.

The Taylor's are great. We appreciate all that they do for us.

22 Aug 2011 - Drove the transfer van around since our Silverado was in the shop. Played some volleyball and soccer for district activity. Got haircuts. Taught Leticia and Clove - we teach them about 3/4 times a week. Began an exchange with Phoenix South zone leaders. I went with Elder Johnston to deep south Phoenix - like 19th ave and baseline which is way down in the ghetto.

23 Aug 2011 - went to a district meeting - was in all spanish. Then did some work with Elder Johnston - he is the man. Swapped back and went to teach the Carpio family. Committed them all to baptism and passed them off to the other Elders - hopefully all goes well with that. Was with three Elders today.

24 Aug 2011 - Down to the airport to send another missionary off. Then came back and was in the office with President and Sister Taylor from 10-4pm doing our first work on transfers. It is fun stuff - who will be trainers, who will be zone and district leaders, who's going where - its been neat for me to see and learn how to recognize the Spirit. President is definitely inspired. Then we went out on splits with my Bishop - great man - being a Bishop is tough work.

25 Aug 2011 - Pizza planning thursday - had pepperoni today. Did weekly planning and then went to a district meeting. Met with president again for a couple hours and then took Braden Taylor to a lesson with Taylor - she's doing great. After, we had Leticia and Clovi's baptism interviews - both passed and did great.

26 Aug 2011 - Went down to the Phoenix Zone meeting - was good. Their stake President is like 34 years old - very young. After, we sat down with the zone leaders for about an hour to discuss their zone and members and stake stuff. They are the only 1 of the 11 zone leader companionships we won't be able to hit up for exchanges this transfer. Then drove and got Wendy's. Swapped with the Glendale zone leaders. Fun evening with Elder Johnson and Elder Lynn - good missionaries. I like good missionaries.

27 Aug 2011 - Swapped back and went and had waffles at the mission home. 2 Elders were sent home a week early for school. Drove them down to the airport and it was fun. All 3 of us had the same trainer - good stories. Then went into the office and worked on some things. Had Leticia and Clovi's baptism - went really well. I love baptisms. Then over at the Taylors from 6:30-9pm. Discussed next week's zone leader council, leadership trng mtgs, agendas, etc. Also discussed our stake coordination meetings. They got us some dominoes pizza which was delicious. Fun night - the Taylor's are great.

28 Aug 2011 - Leticia and Clovi were confirmed which was great. Had some lunch, office for a couple hours, President Taylor for 15 min, made some visits and had a couple good lessons tonight. Notified another Elder going home tomorrow morning.

So this morning we sent an Elder home and turns out his plane flight was cancelled, so he is coming back and will stay in the mission home till tomorrow night and then we will drive him back down tomorrow morning before zone leader council. Busy day for us tomorrow.

Hope all is well back home.

I love yall and appreciate the letters. Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Perkins

Baptisms and Good Friends - "He's the Man!"

Dear Family,

I write to yall now in the family history center of one of the chapels. We have lots of unique experiences in my role which is fun. We are with one zone leader and another missionary right now.

This week: Had zone conference 3 days this week. Instruction on Effective Studies and how they prepare us to teach. Moving from a "complete the study guide" mentality to a "what does our investigators need to hear" for our studies. Also instructed on obedience and trust. Elder Falconer and I had to take lead in the skill trainings this week - always fun to do.

Continue working with Leticia and Clove, they came to church this past Sunday. They will be baptized this coming Saturday at 5pm. Everything is in place and they are solid. Will be really good to see. They are moving along perfectly.

Also the Lewis family is coming along. Haven't been active in 5+ years and they have been having family prayer and scripture study every night this past week. Need them to still get to church though (had a family emergency yesterday). Their 17 yr old daughter Taylor who we also teach seperately (to focus on her more) is doing well as well. She loves the scriptures and she's come to church the past couple weeks - some good friends in the ward make all the difference.

Was on 2 exchanges this week. Elder Anderson came down from Prescott - he's the man. From California and hung out with Miley Cyrus fun fact. Also with Elder Freeman - really young zone leader - reminds me of myself. Was made a zone leader at like 8 months which is pretty young and he has lots of questions - little unsure of himself like me. Also has had lots of issues come up that he's had to step in on.

President Taylor and Sister Taylor are the best. We love them. He has had to deal with lots of issues and concerns recently. We've tried to help him and provide some "assistance" to him in the last few weeks. Probably will be sending a couple more elders home. Sad stuff. Gotta be good.

Elder Falconer is the man - we enjoy each other. Life is great - we'll baptize a couple this week and have another on Sept 10 which is good. Work is good, life is good, just happy.

Tell Quinton just to put his papers in. This is much better the BYU-Idaho is - by far.

So I knew yall would come up with a better plan. So Jan 3 sounds like it will be fine. Drive up to Utah Thursday and that'll work it seems like.

Thanks for all yall do. Appreciate the support. Tell everyone hi.

Much love,

Elder Perkins

Quintons Burn and Preparing for BYU Provo in January

That's horrible about the burns!! I can't imagine. Will he always have scars there or what will the aftermath be - can he still walk, nerve damage, etc.

Since registration isn't till October that will give me some time to think. I think I can get permission to go online and do some looking previous, then I will put some plans together and have yall get on at midnight and sign me up for some. I will ask around what my friends are planning on taking, so hopefully I can have some friends in a few of my classes when I start.

I am happy and healthy. This week has been so crazy. It is going into the sealed portion of my journal which is never to be read by my children ever! Just kidding, but it has been very...eventful. We've had to do 2 emergency moves with Elders getting kicked out of their houses, emergency trips to Prescott and a trailor of hay caught on fire causing a massive traffic - out till way late. Getting up at 3am to go to the airport. We've made 2 trips to the airport this week. A couple emergency interviews with other elders. Missionaries in the hospital. Just crazy stuff. But all has been well. The craziness just makes us laugh and think, "What's Next?" So I will put more detail next week.

Spent all my time on those coming home options. It doesn't really bother me thinking about it yet - probably because it still seems so far distant. I'm happy as ever, we are doing great in our areas, lots of work. The spanish people are awesome. I had to read a paragraph from the gospel principles book at a baptism. Fun stuff. I'm loving it here.

Have a great week.

Elder Perkins

Making Plans to go back to BYU Provo in January

With housing at BYU - my biggest challenge will be transportation I think. Walking distance would be great - so I don't have to stay on campus the whole day, but whatever works to be honest. Old doesn't really bother me.

President says i will most likely fly home Monday the 2nd.

Leticia and Clovi's baptism went great. They speak English so I have been able to help teach them - they are great. The service was in Spanish, but you could still feel the Spirit - great baptism service. They will do great. Taylor P. did come to church which was great. we just got to get her family to come.

I have not heard about the hurricane - that is scary. The only precaution for hot weather is to drink more water. Before President Beck, they could stop working at 115, but President did away with that since it's ridiculous - just drink more water. Most Elders are fine - but most of the sick calls come in because of dehydration.

E. Falconer and I actually live with members. They have a big work garage about 30 yards off their house in the backyard with a portion that has been turned into a mini house. It is very small, but has a small kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. So it's just us 2 there and I love the peace and quiet.

The Taylor's are great. We appreciate all that they do for us.

22 Aug 2011 - Drove the transfer van around since our Silverado was in the shop. played some volleyball and soccer for district activity. Got haircuts. Taught Leticia and clove - we teach them about 3/4 times a week. Began an exchange with Phoenix South zone leaders. I went with E. Johnston to deep south phoenix - like 19th ave and baseline which is way down in the ghetto.

23 Aug 2011 - went to a district meeting - was in all Spanish. Then did some work with E. Johnston - he is the man. Swapped back and went to teach the Carpio family. Committed them all to baptism and passed them off to the other Elders - hopefully all goes well with that. Was in a three-some today.

24 Aug 2011 - Down to the airport to send another missionary off. Then came back and was in the office with President and Sister Taylor from 10-4pm doing our first work on transfers. it is fun stuff - who will be trainers, who will be zone and district leaders, who's going where - its been neat for me to see and learn how to recognize the spirit. President is definitely inspired. Then we went out on splits with my Bishop - great man - being a Bishop is tough work.

25 Aug 2011 - Pizza planning Thursday - had pepperoni today. Did weekly planning and then went to a district meeting. Met with President again for a couple hours and then took Braden Taylor to a lesson with Taylor - she's doing great. After, we had Leticia and Clovi's baptism interviews - both passed and did great.

26 Aug 2011 - Went down to the Phoenix Zone meeting - was good. Their stake president is like 34 years old - very young. After, we sat down with the zone leaders for about an hour to discuss their zone and members and stake stuff. They are the only 1 of the 11 zone leader companionships we won't be able to hit up for exchanges this transfer. Then drove and got Wendy's. Swapped with the Glendale zone leaders. Fun evening with E. Johnson and E. Lynn - good missionaries. I like good missionaries.

27 Aug 2011 - Swapped back and went and had waffles at the mission home. 2 Elders were sent home a week early for school. Drove them down to the airport and it was fun. All 3 of us had the same trainer - good stories. Then went into the office and worked on some things. Had Leticia and Clovi's baptism - went really well. I love baptisms. Then over at the Taylors from 6:30-9pm. Discussed next week's zone leader council, leadership trng mtgs, agendas, etc. Also discussed our stake coordination meetings. They got us some dominoes pizza which was delicious. Fun night - the Taylor's are great.

28 Aug 2011 - Leticia and Clovi were confirmed which was great. Had some lunch, office for a couple hours, President Taylor for 15 min, made some visits and had a couple good lessons tonight. Notified another Elder going home tomorrow morning.

So this morning we sent an elder home and turns out his plane flight was cancelled, so he is coming back and will stay in the mission home till tomorrow night and then we will drive him back down tomorrow morning before zone leader council. Busy day for us tomorrow.

Hope all is well back home. I love y'all and appreciate the letters.

Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Perkins