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!!

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)!

Duck....Duck...GOOSE!!! Missionary Style!

Addios Aurora!

Sorry I know that I am perhaps the slowest blogger on earth but I will keep trying!! SO.....Elder Wilson said goodbye to Aurora, I don't think he was too sad to leave it behind! He spent a couple of days in the big city of Denver with the Zone Leaders who he said were "great missionaries"! He had a really neat experience there with a lady that he met who had been excommunicated from the church.....he had a chance to share some personal feelings and thoughts with her and share his testimony. He was waiting for his next transfer and was hoping that he wouldn't stay in the CITY! According to him.....it was TOOO BIGGG and had TOOO many people:) He ended up being transferred to Craig, Colorado on June 3rd! He says it is like "ERDA"! His new companion is Elder Landon who is from Ammon, Idaho. He says that in this new area there are a lot of "less-active" people! He spends a few hours every Wednesday, which is his P-Day, teaching four men at the local jail! What a great sacrifice it is to give up the few free hours he has to suit up and keep "preaching" the gospel....WAY TO GO ELDER WILSON:) He gave his first really great lesson on "the plan of salvation" to a young couple Erica and Bobby who have a little girl. He said that while he was teaching the spirit prompted him to ask Erica to commit to baptism......and even though he thought Bobby was further along than her.....he followed the prompting and asked her to be baptized. She said that she had always wanted to be baptized and she asked Chase what she should do next? I believe he said.....UHHHHHH???? So he asked them to come to church on Sunday! I am not sure that things will work out with her because last time I asked they had canceled but I am so proud of you Chase for "listening to and following" the promptings of the Holy Ghost! That is exactly what the Lord would have you do!! You planted the seeds and hopefully they will grow!! On Wednesday we received an e-mail that said that he was moving to a "new house"? Not so sure what that was all about but if there is anything that a missionary knows how to do well, it is how to "PACK UP AND MOVE"!! So "Addios" again and "Hola" as well...hahaha:)

"Home Sweet Home"

Elder Wilson feeling right at home here on

"WILSON STREET"

Halfway "UP" the Hill

OK, so for those who are slighty unfamiliar with "Crazy" Missionary Traditions, I shall explain what this is and to the rest of you who already know.....I apologize. On July 6th, 2010 Elder Wilson celebrated his "6" MONTH MARK...HOORAY! This is a major milestone and he was happy to have made it half-way up the BIG HILL!! Notice how artfully arranged these ties of Elder Wilson's are? They form his initials quite perfectly don't you agree.....C, for Chase and W, for Wilson:) I think that I recognize a few of these ties as ones he took from home when he left but most of them must be from a second hand store. The foot you see in the left hand corner is Elder WIlson and a little higher up you can see his hands holding........Yes...Yes...it is a lighter!!! In commemoration of 6 long, hard, happy, sad, joyous, difficult, easy, fun-filled, boring, enlightening, overwhelming, perfect, sacrificial, wonderful, short, trying, faith promoting MONTHS....he is about to "BURN" these ties!!!!

READY........AIM.........."FIRE"!!

CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS ElDeR WiLsOn For Reaching This Major Milestone!!!

Missionary Suitcase

So It has been a while since my last post but I am patiently waiting for the memory card so that the photos can be updated and added to, but Elder Wilson is still hard at work:) He is feeling like a little bit of a minority in Aurora; the majority of the population there is, well as he would say, DIVERSE! He has "30" investigators which is like "28" more than in Littleton. One is a young man from "NEPAL" who Elder Wilson enjoys playing soccer with but is not so hot about the "3 day counter yogurt with rice mixed in" served as a meal......UGGHHHH...Trying Times for sure:) He hung out with "Rocky" the mascot from the Colorado Rockies baseball team and did trampoline stunts....There were no charges to the medical card so I assume he came out "unscathed"! It seems that there is more "fellowshipping" involved in his new area and less "tracting" so that was a good change!! But transfers are coming up QUICK!! This next week! He is getting a new mission President this month..."ADIOS" PRESIDENT CHRISTISON......"HOLA" PRESIDENT MAYNES!!! Since you'll be packing up and moving again soon I thought I would offer a little MISSIONARY PACKING ADVICE:

SUITCASE-The desire to SERVE

DARK SUIT -Respect for the PRIESTHOOD

WHITE SHIRT-CLEANLINESS, WORTHINESS

TIE-Sense of HUMOR:)

BELT-An encircling LOVE

SOCKS-HUMILITY

SHOES-The ability to WORK

UMBRELLA-The protection of FAITH in PRAYER

HANDKERCHIEFS-Common SENSE:)

SEWING KIT-An understanding of REPENTANCE

SCRIPTURES-A knowledge of the TRUTH

Always remember ELDER WILSON that a properly prepared missionary is an effective missionary! Pack with a purpose; Both Temporally and Physically! YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB and as always WE LOVE YOU!!!

*** TORNADO TERRITORY! ***

Chase arrived in the Heatherridge, South area in Aurora Colorado on Wednesday, April 21st 2010! He arrived there just in time for a "ToRnADo!!" He sent an e-mail that said,

"I am in the middle of my first tornado warning! I am so excited, I have always wanted to see one!" GTG Love you, Love Elder Wilson"

Anybody who knows Chase would know that it would be just like him to want to be right where the action was! However, I think that Tornado Chasing is probably against the mission rules...LOL!

LEAVING LITTLETON

Chase has been serving in Littleton for the past 12 Weeks. This was Chase's first area after arriving in Denver on January 27th! He had two companions while in Littleton. The first was his trainer Elder John, and the second was Elder Geigle from Chicago who seemed like the "perfect" companion for Chase. He was from Chicago, loved SoCcEr, was a UtEs fan, and looked just like Chase's friend Stewart Christensen!! The first day that Chase, excuse me, Elder Wilson, arrived in Littleton he was greeted not only by his trainer, Elder John, but by "THOUSANDS" of geese. GEESE, GEESE EvErYwHeRe!!! But alas no gun and no hunting permit. Just a Book of Mormon, A Bike and his testimony!! He taught a man named "DUKE" who was a Vietnam vet. Duke had some really interesting stories to tell because he had been a sniper during the war. Chase said that teaching Duke was a challenge because you would get about 2 minutes of "Gospel Teaching" time to about an hour of Duke stories! He also had the opportunity to teach the "GOODMAN" family while serving in Littleton. They were an older couple who lived outside of the area boundaries by just 4 houses but since they were a referral from the Bishop, Chase and Elder Geigle were allowed to teach them. Chase shoveled snow for them and said they were interested in learning more about the gospel. While in Littleton, Chase enjoyed going to the Denver Temple on the first P-Day of every month, he loved teaching the members and didn't have to cook a single dinner since he was fed so well by the members! He said the "Lessons & Dinners" were two things he really enjoyed in Littleton:) Yesterday, April 21st was "TRANSFER" day once again and Chase got the call that he would be shipping out!!! PACK UP ELDER!!! And, P.S. DON'T FORGET YOUR COAT.....HaHaHa!!!

SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU???

Recently I have been trying to picture in my head, with some assistance from Google Maps, just where in the world Chase actually is? And then the next thing I know, WAHBAM! I get this wonderful picture of him showing me "EXACTLY" where he is! I feel much better now knowing! Thanks Elder Wilson:) The first area he has been assigned to serve in since arriving in Denver is Littleton, CO. He says that it is pretty much like "Grandma Ashment's" neighborhood. LOTS OF HILLS! He is mostly riding his bike. I hope that he remembers that what goes UP must come DOWN, eventually! You can't go uphill both ways, unless your 70+ years old and then it is always "uphill both ways, in a snowstorm". The blessings of YOUTH! He wrote us about his Trainer who he almost called "ELTON" John instead of "ELDER" John....only Chase would make his first companion into a ROCKSTAR!

HELLO!!!

Wednesday the 27th of January was the day that Chase left the MTC and traveled to the Salt Lake City airport to fly to Denver:) He sent us a letter that week and told us that he could call us from the airport and talk to us before his flight left. Needless to say we were all "WAAAAYYY EXCITED"!!! Just another excuse to have a tea party, RIGHT? His flight was scheduled to leave at 8:20 so we figured he would call pretty early. A friend of ours worked for Delta and he offered to go to the airport and take a couple of our cell phones to Chase (one for him to use and the other for the other missionaries flying out at the same time to use so that they would all have a chance to talk to their families) and take a treat to Chase and some pictures of him and he also waited until Chase left and then he brought back the phones, took some pictures of Chase and his companions for us and delivered Chase's SD camera card that was already full. So nice of Him! Thanks MIKE:) Charity and Chambrae and Chad and the kids came out at six and we "WAITED" in anxious anticipation for the phone to ring. TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK. Why does time seem to stand still when you can't wait for something so exciting to happen? He called us around 6:45 a.m. and we talked and talked and talked, until about 7:50!! It was so good just to hear his voice. He was a little bit nervous and still sick but he sounded great!! It was absolutely one of the very best phone calls we have ever received!!