Monday, October 29, 2012

Week 56 -- Transfers -- Columbia Tennessee

Hey Dad and Mom,
 
Transfers were this weekend!! Usually they come out Saturday.. but we didn't get them until we were walking out the door to go to church. Sooooooo! I am getting transferred out... I am sort of sad about it because I wanted to stay in McMinnville a long time! We just set two baptismal dates on Saturday night;  Trenady and Caleb for the 10th of November. But it's the Lord's work and I will go where he wants me to go. So.... I am going to Columbia, Tennessee! I am pretty excited because it's still in Tennessee and Elder Rothlisberger served there for a while and it sounds like a pretty sweet place to serve. I have heard Columbia is the Mule capital and it's where they filmed the Hannah Montana movie! So I'm stoked! My new companion, Elder Ahocava, is from New Zeeland and he has been out for about 6 months now. I also got called to be District Leader.
 
I am grateful for the time I had to serve in McMinnville. It was amazing! I learned a whole lot too! I am really sad to leave all these awesome members, people we are teaching, and everything about McMinnville. Especially the Blair's.  We saw them last night and we are going out there again today. I can still teach them over Facebook starting Friday. I took a two week break, but I am starting on Facebook again.   Mcminnville will be a great place to come back and visit. We have to see the Blairs. You would love where they live. It is so cool. They are great Christlike people.
 
The weather has changed overnight here! It is 43 degrees this morning. I got a bad cold or something this week. I haven't slept for three night now, but today I am feeling a little better.  I have been using medicine. Mrs. Blair is checking up on me too!!!!
 
Elder Christofferson is coming this weekend to create a Murfreesboro Stake. And Elder Nelson is coming in December! I am so excited! 
 
Time is just picking up! OH! We set a baptismal date with Trenady and Caleb for the 10th of November! Pres McKee gave me permission to go back for Trenady and Caleb's baptism. That was pretty cool. For some reason the computer is being dumb and I can't upload pictures... So i will next week for sure.
 
Mom and Dad, I am so thankful for you and our whole family! I love y'all so much! I saw a LDS face book picture about missionaries the other week. It says the definition for missionary is "one who leaves their family for two years to help other families be together forever." And it is so true. I have never had this feeling before. I never had a testimony like I do now. For anyone who is thinking about a mission. Just go. I never thought I could do the things that I have done on my mission. AND I have only been out a little while.  I still have learned so much. I LOVE MY MISSION!
 
Have a great week! MIss you tons!
 
Love Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins

Monday, October 22, 2012

Week 55 -- Fall has come to Tennessee

Mom and Dad,
This week was pretty good. We did a lot of service! And the week blew by!
We went to the jail and met with Ryan. He is doing pretty well. He got a Book of Mormon in the jail finally.  He is reading it and trying to make changes in his life. He is a cool dude. He got thumped pretty good though. It made the news I guess. They are trying to get permission for me to go see him in person and give him a blessing. But I don’t think the warden guy likes Ryan all that much. I met with him and he seemed like a grumpy dude. I don’t know I guess you have to be somewhat mean or aggressive to work in jail.
Diana is doing pretty good as well. On of the coolest things to see as a missionary is ward members visiting with recent converts on their own.  I think two different ladies in the ward went to go visit her. Then someone in the ward had invited Diana to the Elder's Quorum social on Saturday night and took her there. I am glad she is continually progressing in the gospel. Her husband Dan has skin cancer and it is hard for Diana. But she is a trooper she is hanging in there.
 The Blair's..... I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! They seriously have like adopted us out here. They are so nice! They have been asking lots of questions lately, which is really good. We spent a lot of time with them this week! They are in the presidency for a community center. They had a Halloween hootenanny and they had asked us to help them make a haunted maze in a huge trailer and run the party. It was so fun! They really opened up this week and have learned a lot about the church.  They really had some twisted views about the church that they had heard, but now they know the truth.  Mr. Blair reminds me a lot of dad.  He even buzz's his hair and has a goatee. Mr. Blair treats me like I am his "Mormon" son.  Hahaha!! We went to their church this week and he sat next to me. Last night we went to their evening church and went over to their house for the rest of the evening. They really opened up and want us to stay forever.   They said that they want to call President McKee and ask if we could stay here for the rest of our missions. Honestly I wouldn't mind staying here for a while longer. I really do believe though that if we keep spending time with them and answering their questions, not pushing anything on them, they will join the church one day. It's going to be tough because Mrs. Blair has a HUGE Baptist background.  Four uncles and 1 brother are preachers of their own churches.  They have been going to the same southern country Baptist church for 30 years now.   We have gained a strong relationship with them, and they definitely feel the spirit when we visit them. I will send pictures of the party and you can see them.
 We also helped out a member train his dog, Brother Benitez.  It was pretty sketchy. We wore this huge arm bite proof thing and let the dog chase us and bite it.   It's pretty funny to watch. But that was a random thing we did this week.
 OH! We ate at this lady's trailer this weekend...... It was soooo hard to eat. They are hoarders; have like 50 dogs, chickens, and ducks everywhere.  And... it is infested with roaches... We took the sister missionaries with us cause we didn’t want to go in alone.  The two sister missionaries CRIED during breakfast when we were there!   The lady kept saying that the roaches were harmless and to just ignore them! It was so bad. They were crawling all around my plate and on the wall next to me. I thought I was back in Kentucky for a second... I am so grateful for the place I grew up.   I just feel so sad for those ladies... Bless their hearts.
Tell Brother Simpson I said hi and thank him for all that he taught me. And tell him that I still remember him telling us that the first vision is amazing and how strong it can bring the spirit in. Grandpa emailed me this week. Well he forwarded a bunch of stuff.  I am trying to do better at writing letters back. That's a goal for me this week. Well I love you so much! I hope you have a great week! I miss y’all so much! But I LOVE MY MISSION! Take care.
 Love Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins

Friday, October 19, 2012

Week 54 -- Work and the Cumberland Caverns

Mom and Dad!
Elder Brewer and I are doing great! Super tired all the time but it is a great feeling! The work is going!  I think the only sweet missionary story for this week is that it’s been wicked cold and rainy.  We still have been obedient and have gone out and worked.   One day we did not have anything scheduled so we decided we would go to the projects, because there are always people you can talk to there.   Once we got there, there was NO ONE outside because it was FREEZING COLD!  Haha!!!!!  I mean not a single person in the whole neighborhood.  We decided to go one more block down and there we met a young girl named Angela! She is probably a little older than us and said she hasn’t been to church for years but wants to go back! This week we are going over to go teach her and then commit her to baptism! It is going to be awesome!
We finally got in touch with the Phillips and they said "yeah you guys need to come over so our kids can get baptized!"   We are going over there this week to teach them the rest of the lessons and commit them to baptism.  We met this family, The Blair's, at the fair.  They own a motorsport shop. We started going over to their shop and then to their house and now they are asking us to help them with some booths for a center and around their land! They need help with their horses and bailing hay and stacking it in the barn.  It is my favorite thing to do! I LOVE SERVICE! It is so amazing to see how such small things turn into miracles.  Just by helping them around they gain more trust in us and start to see the happiness in us.   Hopefully they will start to ask more questions about the church and then come to church! They are an awesome family! Mrs. Blair is always checking up on us seeing if we are safe and have food... And she isn't even a member! She said where we lived was sketchy and asked if she could have missionaries stay in her home!  Mrs. Blair is sooooo cool. We also have another lady we are starting to teach.  Brother Creighton found out that she needed wood for the winter so he gave her all the wood he had saved up for two years! It was a lot!   That was just so amazing to me to see how Brother Creighton gave her the wood he had saved up without even a pause. He heard she needed wood for the winter and he automatically was there to help her. I hope to be like brother Creighton automatically willing to help those in need.
Today we are going to the jail to visit this guy I had taught like 4 months ago. His name is Ryan. He was so legit we took him to the stake president’s house and he said that he knew this church was true, but then fell away like a week later.   He got thumped pretty bad in Jail.  He said that God put him in jail to humble him and realize that what we were teaching him is true and that he needs to stay on the straight and narrow! So hopefully our visit today will be good!
Yesterday we went to Cumberland Caverns. It's this big cave and we went with some members on a tour. It was pretty cool, my camera didn't work all that well in there but I took some pictures. Then after that we painted a lady's house out in the country with Brother Creighton. She lives in the prettiest place in McMinnville. And she raises cows. She was surprised that young boys like us were willing to help her. So today we hope to be able to teach her a little bit. OH! And guess what?? Elder Kristofferson is coming here in a couple weeks! And then Elder Perkins, the one who spoke in general conference, the week after!

Week 53 -- Interviews with President McKee

Mom and Dad,
This weekend was pretty good! We got to see all sessions of General Conference at different members homes. Saturday we went to the Deal's home and watched both sessions. In between sessions we mowed his lawn and we went over to see a family just to uplift them. Then Saturday night we went to priesthood session. And then we went to the Hoyle's on Sunday! It was great to spend time with members.  But it was kind of sad because Joel and Anna didn’t watch any sessions.  Michael came to morning session on Sunday and Diana said she watched it on her computer.
Right now we are working with our recent converts because they are struggling pretty badly.  It is really sad to see all of this happening. Especially since I can’t make them do anything.  In spite of all of that, Life is great! I love being a missionary! My favorite talk would have to be President Uchtdorf's talk Saturday morning. I loved how he talked about how WE determine OUR happiness and how happiness comes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said to enjoy the moment and not look back and have regrets. It was kind of like how you were talking about how Devan can leave right after he graduates. And how life goes by so fast and Don’t blink. That song is great. One of my favorites. President Uchtdorf said to enjoy the journey. It was just what I needed.
Well this week has been pretty slow as well. We had meetings all day Thursday and we went to the temple on Wednesday! It was awesome! I can’t wait to go whenever I want when I come home.  Jamison is talking about having temple Tuesdays with wings.  It will be fun. Thursday we had zone meeting and interviews here in McMinnville.   Interviews were great. President McKee talked a lot about my last companion.  He said he was surprised on how well I did with him and how I changed him a bit. He said that I will go through more of that to finish off my last year!   
It is good that I go through hard times. It makes me stronger and firmer in my obedience and commitment to my mission. I love it! He also told me that I will probably be here a while longer and that I have done a great job in white washing this area.  
He said "Elder Perkins don’t be afraid to baptize in big numbers.. Miracles are going to happen here soon.  In a couple weeks I will call you and tell you more. But for right now keep being obedient and working hard. You will find families. I know it."
I am still shocked.  I don’t know what exactly is going to happen. But he said that he is talking to the leadership in this stake and something big is going to happen in a couple weeks! I am excited!
I can’t believe y’all got a dog!  That's so cool! Thor is a pretty cool name. I remember Dad telling me he was going to name me Thor and I didn't like that.  But now I like the name.  Is he a boxer?  Pretty sweet. That's funny that he was on a farm.
I am so grateful for you and dad and all that y’all do for me. I am so excited about my mission. More than ever. Time is sure picking up and I don’t want to "blink" and have regrets. Thank you again. I sure love you mom. Y’all take care!
Love,  Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins

Week 52 -- ONE FULL YEAR

Mom and Dad,
Well I am happy! And Elder Brewer is happy!  Both working hard and loving the work. BUT it’s just coming along slowly.  We have been dead tired all the time, but we have the energy to do everything that the Lord wants us to do. This week wasn't anything special. Just another week as a missionary.
Well we didn’t set dates with Trenady and Caleb. We still need to do a follow up visit with them. It’s just hard because they are foster kids and stuff and I don’t know much about it... It’s just different I reckon.  On Sunday we had to go up to Lebanon, Tennessee. It was Elder Brewer’s old area. That place is pretty cool. It is just a small city in the middle of no where.
It was raining hard core though this weekend. And it has been getting chilly lately. It is so weird to see fall come again.  Its starting to get overcast most of the days and getting darker early.. People keep telling me I am on my downhill from now.. It is kind of sad to hear. I still feel like a greenie that has no idea what they are doing... But it’s all good. I just pray everyday that i can do the Lord's will and that i may be an instrument in his hands.
Sad thing happened this week. Diana picked up smoking again.... Her husband found out that he has skin cancer. She is going through a hard time. But we try to go over everyday and read with her. We are doing a stop smoking workshop with her.  On the positive side, we found an older lady who lives with her brother, they were telling us how they want to quit smoking.... and we were like hey we teach a class about stop smoking! So we are teaching a lady named Yvonne and her brother Steve.. They didn’t make it to church.. But they will this week. This week we are going to the temple!! Actually tomorrow we are! Then we have interviews and zone meeting in the same day! Pretty busy week this week.
We went over to Bro. Smith's house today to do service for him. IT was SOOOOOO fun! We went around checking up on his cattle and goats;  feeding and moving them around. He taught me a lot today.  He is 73 and has over a 100 acres of land with over 100 head of cattle and plus 75 goats. He is boss. His son (who is a non member) raises horses and sells them. Bro Smith took us to his farm and introduced us and showed us around his farm. It was way sweet. He has 45 horses and grows crops. Bro Smith is trying to get him to take the lessons.  We are going to try and go do some SERVICE and get to be his friend and share the gospel that way.
I love service! And I love being a missionary!!! It is the best in the world! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! Mom I love you so much. You do so much for me. And I love the rest of y’all. Thank you for your support and your prayers.  But thanks for Conner’s address! I hope that y’all have a great week! Love y’all mucho! Take care and be safe.
Love Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins

Week 51 - New Comp...Elder Brewer

Mom and Dad,
It is crazy to think that I left a year ago.. I am getting kind of nervous now.  I know that this last year will be a great one. And it is true that time is starting to fly by! At the end of this transfer I will have been here in McMinnville almost 5 months! Pretty crazy I know... But I sure do love it here. I love my mission! This week has been interesting.. Not to much has happened; but it was just a really good working week! We were pretty tired each night we came in, but it is a good feeling to know that you gave it your all that day. This week we had 23 lessons!  Elder Brewer is here and he is the man. He is from Ogden Utah and is pretty relaxed guy. Loves to work and loves his mission. He has been out about 8 months and this is his 2nd area! He sure does love the people and we are going to tear it up this week!
First, there is a family in the ward, The Phillips, and they came up to us saying that they had a few kids they were taking care of and the mom had given permission for them to be baptized! So we are teaching a girl named Trinady, sounds like Trinity, and her brother Caleb. We went over yesterday and taught them the cups lesson and they loved it! The spirit was strong and we got to share some neat experiences.
Earlier in the week we had went to a supper appointment at the Woodruff's and they have a daughter who is married and they are not members and we got to do family home evening with all of them. It was another good lesson with them and they sure loved it. We were able to help a family in the ward do some fencing for their chickens. And they want us to come back and help them out some more.  We are starting to introduce Family Mission Plans to the families in the ward we go see.  Hopefully Elder Brewer and I can get these members fired up about missionary work! We have been meeting with 2 recent convert (Joel Cain and you know Diana McCray) a lot more. They sure appreciate the time we spend with them.  We are trying to read from the Book of Mormon everyday with them for at least 15 minutes.  Hopefully this week we can set a baptismal date for Trenady and Caleb! That would be pretty cool. They want to be baptized already so I sure hope that we can teach them well.
I am glad that Devan is feeling better! I hope today he doesn’t go to crazy with it. Remember how I said Grandpa and everyone in Round Valley talk in metaphors? Well that is how Tennessee is…How is grandpa doing? I haven’t heard from him in a while...
So crazy thing… there was a girl I was good friends with back in High School named Ty Wells.  She is cousins with Sage Adams and they have lots of family in Tennessee... Well Ty actually is living in Lafayette Tennessee right now! Ty is a super sweet girl but was going through a lot. And so I am teaching her over Facebook! It is pretty cool. I hope that I get to serve in her home ward and get her reactivated and her family! I guess that is another reason why I was sent to Tennessee on my mission. I remember I would try to get her to come to church or to activities.. But now I am a missionary and know some what of what I am doing and hopefully get her to gain a strong testimony! I love my mission so much! I love Tennessee! The weather is cooling down lots now. Right now it feels amazing outside. It is pretty weird to see fall again here in Tennessee, but I guess that just means I got to work twice as hard this year. I love this gospel so much! I love being a missionary! We met this lady who is trying to quit smoking and wants us to come over everyday and read and do the stop smoking workshop with her. I know that obedience brings blessings! And that exact obedience brings miracles! I love y’all so much and I thank Heavenly Father everyday for my family. I hope that everything is good back home and that y’all are happy. Have a great week!
Love Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins

Week 50 -- What a great week

Mom and Dad!!!
The work has been.... going! This whole week we have been at the fair every night trying to spread the gospel to all of Warren County! It has been pretty fun actually. There were lots of different things going on during that week. We got to contact people at a dairy cattle show, beef cattle show, and a horse show. It was pretty cool to talk to all these ol farmers and share the gospel with them. They even thought it was even cooler when I told them that I want to raise cattle and horses. I think and have learned that contacting is the best way to talk to them.  Talk to them as if you are already friends. Then you are not some repetitive robot that has no feelings. I really do hope that all of our efforts work out for the best. Hopefully we will be able to hear back from all the people we talked too. This transfer will be a really good one! I can just feel it in my bones. The elder's quorum president gave us a list of 63 Elders that are on the records that don’t come to church. So we will be starting that. Also this last week I had the chance to talk to the Relief Society president, High Priest quorum, and the Bishop and his counselors and we are getting referrals and help from all of them! And a really cool thing too is that the stake president lives in our ward and we have been starting to work with him a lot! He actually called today and said that this transfer he wants to work on bringing people into his own home so they can feel the spirit strong and have Book of Mormon studies. So all of my efforts to stay exactly obedient are paying off! I love my mission!
I am so glad that Devan is beginning to feel better! I have been praying lots for him. I hope he gets back to his best health when he plays nasty Higley! It is hard to sit out but health comes first. I bet that was neat to see all them at the game! I didn't know that Nick got home already. I knew it was soon. That is exciting. Nick was and is a great example to me. The weather is changing, just more cloudy and pretty days. Sunday was beautiful. It was perfect Tennessee weather. All the farmers and true Tennesseans were saying now this is Tennessee weather. Today we went to the Pennington Family for lunch out in Rock Island, Tennessee and he drove to Rock Island state park and we got to take some pictures. He said this transfer that we would go hiking through the park one P day. I am pretty excited about that. 
I have learned soooo much out here in Tennessee and Kentucky. That is pretty funny that Jill keeps getting out. I remember when Grandpa had that bull and those horses and they would get out a lot. I am seriously stoked about this. Thank you for finding those cleats. The members keep telling me to ask you to get my cleats so we can play football, so thank you I will tell them that. Thank you for the money as well! It's good to have back up emergency. Thank you for all that you do mom. It seriously helps me out so much. I feel your prayers and I know that that helps out me a lot to get through my days. I have learned so much this past year and so excited for this next year. I LOVE MY MISSION! I love how I choose to have good attitudes and to be happy! Y’all take care and be safe! Love ya!
Love Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Week 49 -- Curse of the Junior Year

Mom,

Well i guess that's me huh? haha. The work in Mactown..... It's got its up and downs.. And lately it feels like we are at the bottom of the hill. Nothing is really going.
 
This week probably has been one of the roughest weeks of my mission. I just knew I was going to go through a trial soon haha. But it has taught me a lot. It has taught me how important work, discipline, motivation, goals, family, and the gospel are in my life. My attitude reflects on everything i do. If i have a bad attitude when I wake up and stay feeling sorry for myself, Ii will have that kind of day. But if I automatically change my attitude and be up beat and energetic lovin my mission, my day will be up beat and I will be happy. I try to teach that to all my companions.  It's just one of those times in life where you have to humble yourself and take a look at where you are at and see where you can work on things. Realize that you can't do the Lord's work without him. It just doesn't make sense to do his work without Him.
 
I think a huge blessing this last week and this week is the county fair.... That might sound silly but it really is. The church has a booth at the county fair and it started last Friday and ends this Saturday. The fair is free to everyone and there are TONS of people that come to this fair. I get to practice "talking to everyone" skills and hopefully get a lot of people interested in what we have to share. Kind of funny thing though...our booth is like next to the church of christ booth and baptists booths.
 
I like the fair because I get go out of my comfort zone and push myself to talk to people. It is kind of hard to start but once I start talking, I get in the groove and talk to lots of people. I can tell them the truth of how we are not "nun's" or "cow worshippers" and what not. I can tell them the truth and be myself and make friends with the people.
 
This Saturday is transfers I am pretty sure I am staying because Elder Whitney is going home. OH!! Yeah a member is going to take us to this cattle auction this week to talk to some of his friends! I am so excited. When I tell all these farmers that I want to raise cattle when I go home there eyes get all BIG. Haha its pretty funny.  Then I get on a friend level where its easier to talk to them about why I am on my mission and what I share with the people. I know that this gospel is so true!
 
I am so grateful that I am a missionary right now in my life. I have grown SOOO much! And I know for a fact that I could not have learned these things back home. I know that the Book of Mormon is true! I love it! I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet and that the priesthood was restored to the earth! I know that my savior lives! I know He is with me every step of the way! I am so grateful for his sacrifice for me! I know Heavenly Father is real! He hears and answers my prayers! I love yall and am so grateful for all that you do for me! 

I hope that Devan gets better! I definitely remember how it feels to stand on the sideline.. It was not fun at all. Tell Danielle I love her! Thank you mom! I love you too! Take care!

Love Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins

Week 48 -- Summer still hanging on

Mom and Dad
 
I am doing pretty well. To be honest this week was a challenge.  Not every week on your mission is great. I think I made it through the week because I have learned to have a good attitude towards ALL things. Prayer is a big help as well. We did a whole lot of just contacting. Trying to find less actives.  It is all good. We really did not teach all that much. 
 
On Saturday we went walking around town square and we passed this little white non denominational church, and said to ourselves that maybe we should start church hopping. We walk one more block down and guess who we run into.... The preacher and his family!! We had a good discussion on the street. And really interesting too.  He said he had a Book of Mormon and that he would like to meet with us and ask us a few questions. Well those questions were brought up right then and there.  To make the story short, he was trying to convert us to his church!!! And that is a summary of my mission so far. 
 
I have been struggling with feeling like I am not smart enough. It is sad to say but a lot of the preachers here know more about the Book of Mormon than I do. They know doctrine and covenants like nobody's business. And here I am, this punk kid who did nothing to prepare for his mission. (well not quit nothing) getting bashed the crap out of by these church of christ baptist preachers.. All those preachers read the Book of Mormon or Doctrine and Covenants with a hardened heart, and so they didn't let the spirit testify to them of the truthfulness of the gospel. What I have come to know is that my greatest desire is to be a simple man with a strong testimony. And that's what I have. A simple strong testimony. I may not be a scriptorian or a historian about the church or religion over all. But I know that this gospel is true. That the Book of Mormon is indeed the word of God. That Jesus is the Christ and that He lives. I know Heavenly Father lives and He hears and answers my prayers. All in all I know I was sent here for a reason and in some ways I have learned why I am here, but I still have like a year left. So lots to learn..
 
It has been sooooo humid. On Saturday it was so humid it seriously was sprinkling.
 
I am so excited about Devan playing football. I love football. I sure do miss it a lot. That is pretty cool about going to the gym now. I am going to start running in the morning. I need to get into shape haha. I miss Carlos so much. I love him so much. He is truly one of my best friends. Can you send me Conner's address so I can write him please? I sure miss him too. I love getting the Dear Elder's from JD's mom. Also if you could send a package and put a pair of my cleats in the box. The members are wanting to play football Saturday morning's so I told them I would ask to get my cleats. Plus the turkey bowl is in a few months haha!!!
 
Facebook is so weird! I see all these things from home!  I am definitely blessed because I get to read a bunch of talks and learn more of what modern day apostles and prophets are teaching. Plus, I am learning how to work a computer haha. Well yall take care. I sure do appreciate all that yall do. Yall are the best. I hope you have a great week mom. Miss you tons. Love you much.
 
Love Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins

Week 47 -- News from Elder Tondevold

Mom and Dad!!!

How are you doing?? This week has been great! I had my birthday and Michael got baptized! It was a awesome week. Well to start off, I went on exchanges with the District Leader from Murfreesboro.  We taught a flippin sweet lesson to a family! Their name is the Norris family. The Norris' family lives next door to the Deals, who are members in our ward. They are awesome. We taught them about the Book of Mormon. Mr. Norris sure liked it.  I think Mrs. Norris did, but we have a set appointment with them this Thursday!
 
Then their is a recent convert family named the Taylors. I might have told you about them but they are way sweet. Their year mark is coming up and they are so excited to go through the temple to get sealed for time and all eternity! Brother Taylor hasn't received the Melchizedek priesthood yet and he had asked me to give his 3 children  blessings before they started school. My mission has taught me so much on how important and sacred the priesthood is in our lives. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity and trust to have the priesthood and use it everyday to help people. I also had the chance to confirm Michael a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a great experience. 

We did some biking, lots of walking, and  had a couple of exchanges which was really nice. We visited some less actives and some that haven't been to church since before I was born!! We helped a lady move in our ward and we went with Bro Smith who raises cattle and goats. He drove my dream truck...a stick diesel older dodge and he was pulling a cattle trailer.  We filled that whole trailer with furniture and more furniture. It was a move. But really fun to ride in a pick up. Kind of reminded me of riding with grandpa.   
 
Oh and I got Elder Tondevold's wedding invitation! He is getting married way fast! haha

Thank you so much for the birthday package!! It was great! I still have tons of junk food left over to eat.  I LOVE the shirt grandpa and grandma gave me. Thank you for the ties and white shirts. I really needed them.  The birthday card was awesome! I totally loved it.  I started laughing so hard when I opened it up. Elder Whitney said that the card fit me perfectly.  Their is a less active family that we go visit and they had a birthday party for Brother Cain on the 30th so they invited us since it was my birthday.  It great to be with members on my bday. There are sister missionaries in McMinnville too and they made me a poster, cookies, bought me a batman ball and some other things. That was pretty nice of them to do that for me. We also had a ward activity Saturday night and Elder Whitney had told someone that it was my bday so they sang happy birthday to me. It was really funny. 

This week hopefully will be great! I am glad to hear that Devan did a good job Friday night! I thought about him Friday night.  It is weird to think that a year ago I was getting ready to leave for the MTC... Time is going by faster now. But I have a long time to learn a lot more and do a lot more for these amazing people in Tennessee! I hope that everything is going great back home. I sure love yall so much and miss you tons. I am so thankful for all that you do for me. I really do feel your prayers during hard times and that is a big motivation and helper to me on my mission. Sure love yall. Take care!

Love Elder Vaughn Dee Perkins