Week 3...Part 3 of 3

Hi Dad and Mom!. 

First, I love you so much!  Thanks for everything!!! Well you are probably wondering about my first Area.  Well I am serving with my companion/trainer Elder Todevold.  He is so cool!  He is from Saskatchewan, Canada.  He is so cool.  He wants to work hard and have fun!  I am very lucky to have him as a companion. 
I am currently in small town called Murray Kentucky.  It is soooo cool!! It is 15 minutes from the border of Tennessee.  It is so amazing and beautiful here.  Lots and Lots and Lots of trees.  And acres and acres of land everywhere.  The leaves are starting to turn all color of red, orange and yellow.  There are no mountains here but lots of hills.  There is a place that you should look up.  It is called "The Land between the Lakes".  It is beautiful.  It is a place we will go to when you and Mom come back with me after my mission.

Today we had a district meeting in Paris.  Paris Tennessee that is..haha!!!! We ate a sweet restaurant called "Knott's Landing." They are well known for catfish, frog legs and other seafood. I had a cheeseburger and fries!!!!  The burger was as good as HO DADS in San Diego.

I just love the accents here.  I wish to obtain one!  HAHA!!! Today we met with the Bishop and his family.  They fed us dinner which was pretty good.  It was salad and some kind of soup...but I ate it.  Down here food is like a religion to people and I have heard that the cooking is amazing.  I can hardly wait!  Tomorrow and Lady named Karla James invited us over for dinner and for us to give her a lesson.

Ok, back to the bishop...He has asked me to speak in church this Sunday.  You called it Dad.  Two crazy things have already happened.  First, last night Elder Todevold and I went street contacting from six to nine.  It was pouring rain so we wore out jackets.  We talked or attempted to talk to with three different people.  One lady ran inside when we introduced ourselves, one closed the garage door on us and this big guy said "I am Southern Baptist.  I love Jesus and I am saved boys!  Good night."  I learned that like 70% or more of the people here are Baptist.

Today was my first time going knocking on doors.  We got rejected several times until we met a guy who was Arabic, Cambodian and Ore.  He said we could come back tomorrow and share our message with him.  I am so excited.  As we were headed back to our car, and guy came running down his driveway yelling, "The devil will rise!  Satan lives!  He then said *&^$%(@%&@(&$*!  My companion just laughed and waved.

I then went home and read this talk by Bruce R. McConkie called "I am called of God" or "How great is my calling."  Then I read 3Nephi 12:11-12.  Read that.  That is an awesome scripture.  After reading the talk and the scripture I know the Jesus and Heavenly Father are proud of me.  I may not be persecuted like Joseph SMith, but will suffer a small amount here.  But I know with all my heart that I am called of God to fulfill his work in the South.  One other talk you should read...A vision of the South by Spencer W. Kimball.  It is great as well.

My PDay is Monday and I will send you an email then as well.  I love and miss you all so much and promise that pictures are coming.

Love Elder Vaughn D. Perkins



Week 4... Part 2 of 3

Dear Brother and Sister Perkins,

A few days ago, Sister McKee and I were pleased to meet your son, Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins, at the airport and welcome him to Nashville. We have been anticipating his arrival for weeks and it was wonderful to finally meet him. We spent two days together and had the opportunity to visit privately in the mission home. During this time, Elder Perkins was with us at the mission home, he had dinner, participated in an initial training and a testimony meeting.

He has been assigned to his first companion and trainer Elder Tondevold. They will be laboring in the Murray area.

Your letters of encouragement will be a great blessing to him. I am also urging Elder Perkins to write to you weekly so that you will know of his well being and experiences he will be having.

We know that as he works with all his heart, might, mind and strength he will have a profound missionary experience. Sister McKee and I are honored to stand beside these tremendous young people in this sacred calling. Thank you for your sacrifice and service. We pray the Lord will continue to bless your family and keep you ever in His watchful care.

Sincerely,

William L. McKee, President Tennessee Nashville Mission

Vaughn, President McKee and Siter McKee

Elder Tondevold and Elder Perkins

Week 4... Part 1 of 3

Mom,

Your handwriting is so much better than mine.  Dad writes his letters and his handwriting is not the best either.  I am doing great!  I leave tomorrow for Tennessee.  By the time you get this, I will already be there.  IF you could put my address on Face Book that would be awesome!

I am learning so much!  I 've started wearing my glasses more which has helped reduce my headaches.  I really like the books you gave me.  I started with True to the Faith and I am halfway done.  And, do not worry, I do look and count my blessings everyday.

I can recognize the spirit all the time in my life now.  I LOVE teaching investigators.  They have a thing call TRC at the Missionary Training Center where you share lessons with real investigators.  And it is for 45 MINUTES!!!  Me and Elder Huffaker taught a man named James who is about 70 years old.  He really enjoyed the lesson.  It was great to teach.

I pray for you and Dad numerous times a day.  I have never prayed so much in all my life! HA HA!  But it is Awesome! I love sharing my testimony and was glad to hear that you have been able to do the same thing at work.  It make me feel so good when I do.  It is scary, but each time gets a little bit easier.  I know through diligence in my studies, prayer and faith Christ will be there for me whenever or where ever I may be.

I love you so much Mom.  Words cannot describe how thankful I am for all you have done for me.  I love you with all my heart.

Elder Vaughn Perkins

Week 3

Dad,

Well today was my P-Day so I did my wash sent emails and got to do a session at the temple.  I got both packages today.  Tell everyone thanks.  I really needed the food.  I have been sick and I think if was from the food.  It was good to each something else than the food here.  The time here seems like it is flying by and I cannot believe that I leave on Monday.  The first couple of days were so long.  Each class was three hours, sitting at a desk, reading and studying.  I am not going to lie, it was pretty tough.  But each day got better and keeps getting better.

The other elders in my district are cool and nice.  They both are from the south.  Elder Pennington is from Georgia and Elder McFaddon in from Mississippi.  Elder McFaddon is way different.  He like alot of Japanese entertainment.  But we get along.  He has a sweet accent.

Our Zone Leader, Elder Graziano is my role model.  He played football at Nevada University and then at Arkansas Tech.  He is 25 years old and decided to serve the Lord.  He talks to me all the time and I hope I can be a great missionary like him.

I wear the short sleeved white shirts all the time.  I am really glad we got those.  We have to wear out suit coats alot, so I have not really worn any of the other pants yet.  We leave Monday morning at 4pm.  I fly into Denver and then we have a layover.  We then fly to Nashville and stay with the Mission President that night.  We can call when we get to Nashville so I will can you and Mom on your cells.

Well I love you so much.  I know that I did not understand how much you did for me before I left.  But I know now and thank you for all that you sacrifice for me.  Thanks for all that you have taught me.  I hope to become the man that you are today. 

Love,

Vaughn

Week 2

Well I arrived to the MTC safely!!! Uncle Steve even got to sneak in a few pictures.  Uncle Steve looks a lot like you Dad.  And Kelly was so nice.  She asked a lot of questions, and you know me. HA HA.  She told me that she would bring me cookies and send me food while I am here.  We drove by our old house and that was cool.  The Mountains are HUGE and very pretty!  You were right Dad!  Every SUnday we get to talk a walk around the Temple.  I'll make sure to take pictures.

The MTC is humbling at time but very Spiritual.  The days are so long but great.  Our first GYM time is tomorrow.  And they have a weight room!  So I hope Elder Huffaker wants to lift.  Elder Huffaker is my first companion, and his great.  He looks Like Devan.  Tall and Dark.  His smile is the same as Devan's.  He got called to District Leader tonight.  I am excited for him.  We have two zone leaders who are awesome.  Elder Graziano and Elder Werner.

Well President Whetten said to make the letter short.  But my P-Day is on Wednesday so I'll email again.  I love you all and miss you sooooo much.

Vaughn

Arriving at the Missionary Training Center aka MTC

Vaughn's Uncle Steve (Dave's brother) pick up Vaughn at the airport and took him to the MTC.  Vaughn's cousin Kelly came along for the ride too.  Here are a few pics from the arrival at the MTC.

Vaughn's Departure

We left for the airport at about 5:15am.  It was the longest ride in the car that I can remember.  Vaughn's short life played in my mind as I sat in the back seat and watched him talk to his dad.  I could remember the day we brought him home, when he was baptised, when he got his Eagle.  How do you let your son go knowing that you will only be able to hear his voice 4 times in the next two years?  How do you know that he will be OK.  Right then and there a feeling of peace came over me like nothing that I have ever felt in my life and the following words came to me...He will be fine.  Do not fear.  He is doing the work of the Lord and he will be blessed for it.  After that the fear went away.  There was still some sadness at the thought of not seeing him for two years, but that I could live with.  He is such a great young man.  He has lots to learn but I know he will be a great missionary.  I have included a few pictures at the airport.  Some sad faces, but mostly happy for a young man whose had made such a great choice to serve.  We love you so much Vaughn. 

Vaughn set apart as a missionary

Nothing will every compare to the night that they set your son or daughter apart to labor as a missionary for the church.  It is beyond any words that I can use to describe.  Lots of emotion that night.  But mostly tears of joy.  President Riggs gave Vaughn an amazing blessing.  Dave and I for all the Vaughn will learn and accomplish.  One of Vaughn's favorite scriptures and thinks sums it up simply. 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Phillipians 4:13

Vaughn's Farwell

Vaughn had a great opportunity to speak in church one last time before he left on his mission.  He talked about why he wanted to go, what he did to prepare to go and what young boys should do if they would like to go.  Lots of family and friends came that day.  It was a wonderful day.