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

One of the Many Duties of the AP's- Moving

Picture of AP's Moving Supplies- I believe this is Elder Falconer and Elder Brase with Elder Perkins

April 2011

Christlike Love

Sounds good - thanks for the pictures. I love football - I miss it a lot. I'll let the Taylor's know you liked their blog. We speak with them on a daily basis.

Spanish is fun. I've now said probably 3 or 4 prayers in Spanish. I don't really know any Spanish. Elder Falconer just translates for me. I don't even study it, cause chances are it won't last too long.

My life is super busy. Going from 4 AP's down to 2 has caused us to be running around a lot. Had 3 exchanges this week - crazy. But I've absolutely loved it. Just when I think I have got it all down, they cut the AP's down and now I have to learn how to do lots more things (a lot more). Life is great.

1 August 2011 - Got to mission home at 7am. Elder Falconer went in for a procedure, so I spent the morning on splits with President Taylor. I worked mostly on the computer for Zone Leader Council tomorrow. They came back and made us some lunch. We stayed there till around 2 - so Elder Falconer could rest up a bit. Played some bball with Braden - really good kid. Shopped, took a nap. Went to office and finished up preparations for ZLC - back to mission home to drop off supplies and review everything with the Taylors. Spent another 45 min there going over it all - it will be their first one.

2 Aug 2011 - ZLC went really well. President Taylor is just the man. Sister Taylor is great. At one point, I was up speaking and sat down and Sister Taylor got up and President Taylor leaned over and said, that was great. I said, "Ya, but they love hearing from you more" and after Sister Taylor starting speaking and all the Elders perked up, he leaned back and said, "and they love Sister Taylor even more then both of us". It was funny. They are the best. Right after I began exchanges with Elder Allred - I was companions with him for one week about 17 months ago. Had a lesson with Taylor - went great - she's a 17 yr old LA that is coming back with her family which rocks. Elder Allred is a brand new zone leaders, so I gave him some advice - a little nervous for it, but he'll be fine. Called out sister exchanges tonight. I just love our sister missionaries - they are simply the best and do great things.

3 Aug 2011 - Swapped back from exchanges and we had a quick meeting with President Taylor and 2 sister missionaries which went well. Then they left and we spoke with President and Sister Taylor for probably an hour and a half about zone conference in a couple of weeks. They are so funny - showed us some video on their Facebook page - they always tell jokes and just have fun. Went to Elder Griessman's district meeting which was fine. In our Spanish ward their are 2 sets of elders and they have been saying not so good things about us to our ward leaders, so I called them out on in in the middle of the meeting when they were giving their ward report and so they had to explain it in front of us and President Taylor - they probably hate me more, but justice has been served today. That's what ya get for messing with Perkins! Lesson with Tayas was good - mostly in Spanish. Met with our WML and met with him for a bit. He has a 5 year old with Down Syndrome - she's so cute (funny story - so in elders quorum this week, the primary leader brings her in looking for the dad and he wasn't there, but the dad's friend said they could give the daughter to him). So the primary leader leaves and this girl just does her own thing as Morgan would do and just walked around the room and sat by people and told people hi for a good part of the meeting. It was so funny, then someone took her to her dad. I love solid missionaries who take care of themselves and are obedient and work hard - hard things to come by.

4 Aug 2011 - Did some weekly planning. Baked a pizza for pizza planning Thursday. We visited Leticia & Clove - who I met about a year ago when I was a DL in Deer Valley. Now they attend the Spanish branch which I help cover now. Set 2 baptism dates with them. Had coordination. Bro. Sanchez, our WML, brought us pizza - good times. Ran into office, did work, swapped with Elder Mendenhall and went out with him to Buckeye/Goodyear

5 Aug 2011 - Elder Mendenhall is the man (his dad's cousin is the BYU head football coach). Went out to a district meeting - i wish I could be a district leader so bad - It's the best by far. Back when I was a Zone Leader, Elder Mendenhall was one of our district leaders, so we go back about 9 months. He's the man - solid missionary. Got word about missionary disobedience that required some immediate action. Handled that. Set up Coleman's baptism interview. Swapped back and then did a back to back exchange, so now Elder Birch is with me.

6 Aug 2011 - Had breakfast with our Bishop at 6:30am. He's the man. Coleman passed his baptism interview - will be baptized on Sept 10 - when family comes into town from Utah - so that's great. Had lunch and then taught a new investigator - 17 years old named Blake. Has a friend in the ward - so we'll see if they can hook up for church. Swapped back with Elder Falconer. Got word about a female investigator coming on too strong to some missionaries. Spoke with them about it and gave them some counsel - all should be well. Got emergency call that some Elders had to vacate their house immediately, so spent a couple hours getting them out and into another apartment. Fun stuff. All the craziness just makes me laugh - it makes life interesting. The mission is just fun.

7 Aug 2011 - Church was fine. 3 hours in the Spanish ward was a little tough - especially fast Sunday. Cause I don't understand anything in Spanish. So it's just me thinking by myself the whole time, so time goes so slow. But it's all good. They are so funny too. In an English ward you have about 95% born into the church and 5% converts. In your average Spanish ward it's about 80% converts and 20% born in church - so they don't really know the traditions and stuff. So they do lots of funny things. In EQ's, for the lesson, we just went around the room and said our names and what we like to do. Went over to Leticia and Clove's home. I can honestly say I feel Christlike love for these 2. Leticia is in her 50's and her granddaughter clove is 14. They wanted to come to church so bad, got dressed and all, but Leticia has brain cancer and tumors on her brain and is on so much medication that she just cried to us and told us she wants to come to church and get baptized so bad, but just physically cannot get out of her house. She tried this morning and just couldn't. So tough for them. We talked with her and are bringing Bishop over tomorrow night to talk with her. They are the best. Have read the Book of Mormon twice, pay tithing, etc. They rock - solid. My body is just physically fatigued. I'm wiped out - good feeling - means I work hard I like to think. Glad tomorrow is P-day and can rest. Elder Falconer is legit - great companion, we have a lot of fun and do work.

8 Aug 2011 - baked in crock pot for first time in mission. Napped for 2 hours. Good times.

Love y'all,

Have a great week.

Elder Perkins

Happy to be done with Surgery

From Mission Blog: Our dear Elder Falconer had the daunting task of going in for a colonoscopy! He was brave and faithful and made it through the prep...which is more than half the battle! He was a trooper the whole way, and so happy and cheerful when he was done. He remarked after the surgery, "Oh, I forgot to ask the nurse to be baptized!" Who knows what he said while hewas going under...he probably

We kept Elder Perkins and Falconer at the Mission Home for the afternoon to do some laundry and recuperating...and I think there was a little bit of crazy meds still going on when a couple of the rutabagas in the centerpiece became puppets! We look at them and smile and wonder if we can ever replace them with anything else!!