Gustafson's Baptism Day

(From L to R Back Row: Elder Jensen, Elder Wilson, David Gustafson, Elder Johnson, Elder Dale: Middle: Brinn Gustafson, Front Row: Gustafson Boys)

This is the Gustafson Family from Lakewood Colorado!!

Elder Wilson has been able to spend a lot of time teaching and socializing and serving this wonderful family and they have come to be great friends:) Their baptism was on October 11th, 2011. Welcome to the "Family" Gustafson's! I wrote and asked Elder Wilson if he played the piano or sang at the baptism (a long standing joke between us...hahaha) and he replied that YES....he actually did sing at the baptism with a group of missionaries! They sang the song "Army of Helamen". WAY TO GO ELDER WILSON....next stop....MoTab!!! As you can see from the photo, Brother Gustafson is 6'7 and I joke that as he stands next to Elder Wilson I can envision "David facing Goliath"!!! Elder Wilson was able to baptize Brother Gustafson and wrote home and shared what a great experience it was. He is happy for their family and hopes that they continue to progress in the gospel:)

baptism, baptize: from a Greek word meaning to “dip” or “immerse.” Baptism by immersion in water by one having authority is the introductory ordinance of the gospel and is necessary to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is preceded by faith in Jesus Christ and by repentance. It must be followed by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost in order to be complete.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BAPTISM DAVID & BRINN!!

FIVE STAR ACCOMMODATIONS

Five Star Hotel Accommodations-Colorado Style! I was so impressed with the wonderful accommodations and amenities of this beautiful little Colorado Resort Town that Elder Wilson recently visited! The moment I saw the photos of this "Getaway " from it all vacation town I knew that I must immediately book a retreat there for our little family....and soon:)

With so many luxurious properties to chose from it is hard to pick a favorite! The prices are fantastic but the summer recreational season fills up rapidly so be sure to plan ahead! There is an abundance of fresh mountain air, sunshine and room to "kick off your boots" and just relax while you enjoy the beauty of nature.

Book the popular "Room With A View: Animals in Nature" package and enjoy the "WILDLIFE CRITTERS" of Colorado in a natural and serene setting! WORRY FREE! Because, as you can see, they always "Close and Latch the Gate" to keep their guests safe and the critters happy:)

The staff is friendly, helpful and courteous and they are always available (Books of Mormon in hand) to answer any "questions" you might have....WINK, WINK, NOD, NOD:)

YA'LL COME BACK NOW REAL SOON.....YA HEAR!!!

(The pictures of the shanty shacks was taken somewhere in Craig, Colorado, the "middle of nowhere" according to Chase! I don't have the actual story about where they were or exactly what they were. The picture of the 2 cowboy "missionaries" is Elder Landon, Chase's companion in Craig and Elder Wilson. Brother Barton, a member there hooked them up with the outfits!! Elder Wilson and Elder Landon also had the opportunity to teach a real "COWBOY" investigator named Irving, who was a bull rider. They were invited to watch him as he participated and rode bulls in a rodeo one evening in Baggs, Wyoming. I think they were actually planning to be able to sit on one of the bulls but if that actually happened I haven't received the picture yet or the medical bill for that matter....LOL!)

DINNER WITH THE "HEATHEN'S"

hea·then –noun1.an unconverted individual of a people that do not acknowledge the god of the Bible; a person who is neither a Jew, Christian, nor Muslim; pagan.2.an irreligious, uncultured, or uncivilized person.–adjective3.of or pertaining to heathens; pagan.4.irreligious, uncultured, or uncivilized.

DINNER WITH THE HEATHEN'S
Act One
Scene One

Scene: Around 4:30 in the afternoon somwhere in Lakewood Colorado, Elder Wilson and his companion, Elder Finau, are making a phone call to confirm that evenings dinner appointment at a member's home!

Props: Ward Mission Leader's "HANDWRITTEN" Dinner Calander, A telephone, Missionaries Apartment, Two Starving Elders!

READY..........AND.........ACTION!

(After consulting the ward mission leader's Dinner Calander, Elder Finau picks up the phone and dials the number to confirm that evenings dinner appointment for himself and Elder Wilson.........)

Phone Ringing...Brrrnnnng...Brrrnnnngg!

Lady answers: "HELLO?"

Elder Finau: "HELLO, is this the Heathen's?

Lady: "This is the HEATH'S?"

Edler Finau: "Oh, I am looking for the "HEATHEN'S. This is the missionaries."

Lady (laughing): "Oh, that must have been my husband.....we are actually the HEATH'S"

Elder Wilson and Elder Finau re-check their dinner calander and confim that Brother Heath has actually written "HEATHEN'S" as their last name!

Brother Heath will forever more be know to Elder Wilson and Elder Finau as "Brother Heathen"! Brother Heath even recently sent a note to them in sacrament meeting and signed it the"HEATHEN'S"!

CUT....AND.....THAT'S A WRAP!!

BAPTISM DAY

"Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts" -Mosiah 18:10-11

On Saturday, August 7th, 2010 Sister Therea Weeks was baptized as the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Craig, Colorado!! Elder Landon (Chase's companion) baptized her and Elder Wilson (Chase) gave a talk on baptism at her baptism! The next day, Sunday, Elder Wilson had the privilege of confirming her! What a special and solemn occasion!

Elder Wilson and his companion Elder Landon met Theresa and began teaching her. As they got to know her better, they discovered that she was the niece of a General Authority! Her uncle had been a member of the quorum of the seventy back in the 1950's and 1960's and had given her a copy of the Book of Mormon. What a wonderful experience they shared together.....the journey to BAPTISM:)

How happy they are for her! She has accepted and received the first "saving ordinance" of the gospel! and made her first "covenant" with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ by being baptized. Congratulations Sister Weeks:)

What a blessing it is for Chase to be able to see some of the "fruits of his labors"!

DINNER IS SERVED!!

The Way to a "Missionary's Heart" is through his stomach!!

Chase was so excited about this lasagna that he had to take a picture of it and send it home!! He said that it was "HUGE"!! It was about 4 inches tall and 10 inches long!!

GOOD EATS......definately:) It came complete with Garlic Bread, Tossed Salad and Root Beer.....Boy, on a day like this, life is "GOOD"!!! Enjoy Elder......tomorrow night is Easy Mac N' Cheese....that you have to fix yourself.........HAHAHA!!

SAY WHAT?

Chase has always got something to say....well that is at least around those people that he knows pretty well! So today I thought that I would post some of the things that he has written about lately......thoughts......advice.....favorite scriptures...just a few little "Chaseism's" for all to enjoy!!

*Commandments are the 'tricks of the trade' to becoming like God. If we keep the commandments we are blessed...but we are blessed with MORE commandments."

*"If you ask God for the faith to move mountains, don't be surprised if he hands you a shovel!"

*I almost got in trouble with Mom, there was a '68 fastback shell for sale......"

*You don't always get along with everyone all of the time. I just have to restrain myself from shaving an eyebrow off my companion when he is asleep.....JK"

*"3 pairs of shoes worn out in less than 6 months is proof that I am working hard"

*"Today I went to jail!!....No Joke!....We have 4 'gators' in the county jail!"

*"After exchanging pleasantries....I said....'Ummmm...your laundry room is on FIRE!!"

*"O be ye wise, what more can I say"

*I was 'cabana' boy last week. I helped a guy put in a barbed wire fence....I am definately going to college!"

*"I have to admit I left Colorado!!!!!!!!!! I went to Wyoming. I was the only missionary in the mission that was out of the state (with permission).....we cover the Baggs, Wyoming branch which is tiny."

Elder Wilson's HaPpY "20th" BiRtHdAy BaSh!!!

Elder Wilson had his first "20th" Happy Birthday in the mission field while he was serving in Craig, Colorado! We sent him a package full of presents and goodies and as you can see here a birthday cake complete with candles:) I love the birthday cake on the washing machine complete with Happy Birthday to you being sung by Elder Landon and Chase!! I think perhaps the most exciting part for Elder Wilson was lighting the candles....he does love to play with fire...hahaha! Along with the edible cake, we sent him a large, inflatable birthday cake with balloons filled with Helium tied to it inside the box that we mailed.

For his birthday gifts we sent him a couple shirts from American Eagle, an LDS Cd called "The Jesus You Need To Know" by Michael Wilcox, a missionary pillowcase and a gift card to Subway Sandwich and a little birthday "GREEN"!! We also sent some chips and salsa and string cheese and Cheerios snacks!

"Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy 20th Birthday Elder Wilson, Happy Birthday Tooooooo YOOOOOUUUUU"

(sung not just a little bit off keyby everyone here at home who loves you)!