E=MC2

Dear Elder Wilson-

"I know that serving a mission is probably one of the hardest things that you have ever chosen to do, but I also know that you are equal to the task!! When you have a rough patch or an especially trying day try to pause and reflect on the many joys of your mission! (As you recently put it) "AMAZING" companions, the Daltons and the 4th of July, the woman you bore testimony to in Denver when you were waiting to transfer to Craig, the guys in the jail looking for a better way of life, the greenies at the temple, Members who love you and serve you, God's rainbow after a storm, BBQ ribs, loving family, letters and packages, all of us pulling for you, great District Leaders, prophets and apostles, loving Mission Presidents, Grandma's and Grandpa's and Ence's, ......there are probably many good and happy times that you have experienced! Cherish them and enjoy them and draw upon those good memories that have blessed you to build you up and help you to maintain your focus; then suddenly before you know it, the GOOD and HAPPY will make up for the hard:)"

Love, Mom

ChRiStMaS iN cOloRaDo!

"GIANT SOAP MONSTER RELEASED IN LAKEWOOD COLORADO"

AP Press Release-October 11-2010

Earlier this evening, in a small suburb of Lakewood Colorado, two Latter Day Saint missionaries accidentally released a giant soap monster. Elder Wilson and Elder Johnston were reportedly at the Gustafson Family home following the recent baptism of Brother and Sister Gustafson at the LDS stake center. These two young missionaries who are always looking for opportunities to be service oriented and Christlike had volunteered to do the dinner dishes for the family. The two Elder's told "reporters" that the dinner dishes they had volunteered to wash that evening were "extra grimy and dirty".
They had been washing the dinner dishes by hand when they apparently noticed the empty "Dishwasher" sitting near by. Elder Wilson and Elder Johnston quickly decided that the dishwasher was an answer to a prayer and they loaded it up with the dirty dinner dishes. They then made the critical mistake of using a "liquid" dish washing soap in the dishwasher soap tray. An error that would later result in the tragic and near fatal release of the aforementioned soap monster. The may have been able to contain the soap monster had they not erred in thinking that "if some is good; MORE is better". Their second crucial error came when the decision was made to add MORE liquid soap to an already volatile situation. Within a few short minutes the small soap monster reached "Gargantuan" size and was entirely unable to be contained.

The young Elder's, unable to control the monster, had to wait until his attack had wreaked havoc and they were eventually left standing in the kitchen in a pile of suds and water. They escaped being harmed by the monster and were left with only their injured pride! No members of the immediate family or any of their neighbors were injured or harmed by the monster. The Gustafson Family was kind enough not to press charges and were even willing to continue their association with the Elders in the future!!

A valuable lesson learned for two young, inexperienced Mormon Missionaries and a community safe at last!!!

Halloween Night Fun With The Gustafson's!

The Full Time Missionaries with Future Missionaries!!

Say "CHEESE"!!

"Spooky" Pumpkin

Elder Finau, Brinn Gustafson, Elder Wilson

Ooeey, Gooey.....PuMpKiN cleaning!!

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!!