Week 15 Perth Amboy NJ, Week 21 Mission

Such a busy week here in Perth Amboy…

First off HAPPY BIRTHDAY mom!!!! Crazy that it is already December and your birthday. The time truly is flying... I hope you had a great day.

I was so happy to hear that we were able to go to the temple on your birthday! What a blessing. Funny story actually. We were supposed to get their at 8 AM but we were late because we had to take some busy trains into NYC. So we got their late and missed the session. Then they let us to proxy baptisms and confirmations for a while. We went with the whole zone so their was about 20 of us missionaries there and we all got to baptize and confirm and everything. It was funny we would go into the font and do about five names and then switch places and do another five names. Felt kind of like Joseph Smith being baptized. Way fun. So we all prepared then for the 11:00 session. I was all in white sitting in the waiting chapel and this super cool Elder, Elder Hughes, called to me to come out to the hall and he showed me a picture and said do you know who this is?? Ha it was a picture of him and Alexis (Ben's sister that lives in NYC)  that they just took on the street. He had left with two other missionaries to grab a gyro and then had ran into Lex! So I really just was in shock and quickly changed everything, locked my locker and took the key and ran out of the temple and there she was! Ha we just ran and hugged each other. We went outside and got to talk for about 10 min then we had to go. So cool though. Crazy that everything really happened perfectly that she was there to see Elder Hughes on the street and that Elder Hughes knew me. I had actually been talking with him earlier that day and we were just joking around and he said "we are going to see your sister today for sure." He was just joking but it was so insane. It was pretty special. I told President in an email and we will see what he says... But yeah cool. But that still does not mean that anybody else can come and see me. She is the only exception!!! Ha. Plus, listen to this, a French person walked into our session right at the end and so we had to see the old movie do to translation problems!!! Ha I will have wait until June!!

Last night we did a big Christmas Spanish devotional in Union City Chapel for all the Spanish members/investigators/recent converts. It was all 130 of us Spanish missionaries and we sang a bunch of Christmas songs and carols. It was way fun. We got to sleep in the zone leaders in the apartment in Union City. Its fun because my companion is an x-zone leader and kinda old in the mission so he knows almost all the missionaries and he always has fun connections. Union City is crazy. I guess its the most densely populated city in the United States. They are just houses and buildings everywhere. Its a rush but I love it.

The weather here finally turned into real winter. It snowed about 3-4 inches on Saturday and the whole town shut down. Ha it was kind of funny. They almost cancelled church because of the weather and all the schools got out, ha something that never ever happens in Park City. It was funny. But it really feels like winter now. Nice and icy cold. Love it.

So S___ and Ch___ broke up and split up this past week. Yeah sounds sad but it is actually a good thing. She is so ready to be baptized but she couldn't because of law of chastity problems. So now she is ready. She really just deserves someone better than him. She has had a rough life. ..... The Gospel has changed her life though. She really understands it. She understands what obedience is all about. She told us, while we were teaching obedience one day, that she believes that laws are set by God for us to be happy. When we break those laws/ commandments we are choosing to distance ourselves form God and, therefore, happiness... YES! S___ that is exactly right. So cool.

We are still teaching Ch--- as well. He is just hard to get to. But really the Gospel and The Book of Mormon have changed his life. When we met him he was so stubborn and said he didn't believe in God. Now he is on Alma 3 last time we checked and he just loves reading the book of Mormon. The words and the Spirit have hit him so strong. He has broken down in tears in front of us a few times. The Spirit really was changed him. This guy has gone from a hard core gang life to reading the Book of Mormon and changing his life.

This work has been absolutely the best out here. God has blessed me so much with such an amazing family, body , and testimony. And now he has blessed me with an amazing companion/trainer, an amazing mission, amazing branch, and everything. I get all the luxuries of being in the US but all the culture of the Hispanic world. I feel so blessed!!! This life truly is a happy life and I can base it all on just living the Gospel of Jesus Christ and doing what God would have me do and it is all possible through His Son, Jesus Christ.

 I am loving life. Thank you so much family for your support and love. I know you miss me ( At least I hope so.... Ha) but this work out here needs me now. Heavenly Father needs me here and give it all I've got. I have had the greatest impressions all week that everything is going to work out! I read a talk a few weeks ago and it said: The Plan of Salvation is not a level playing field! It favors you and it favors your happiness.

The church is true,

With love,

Elder Sumsion

Elder Sumsion emailed last week and said he got to go to the temple on Thursday
so Alexis (his sister who lives there) sort of went on a "jog" about the same time.
Yahoo!  It was a great birthday present for me to get this text! 

NYC temple

Gyros with Elder Brimley

Snow in Perth Amboy, NJ

Week 14 Perth Amboy NJ, Week 20 Mission

 So happy to hear that Park City is still holding strong with some snow and cold weather. Ha the mountains sound like a dream to me. This past week we drove to Warren for Elder Brimley's dentist appointment. Its like on top of this little hill that the people here call a 'mountain.' Super funny.

We got some good old Jersey snow yesterday. Finally feels like Christmas time. It came just in time for that awesome Christmas devotional last night. We got to the church late to watch it because we were in this lesson with a new investigators Sandra. But we missed President Monson's talk because we though it was going to be at the end like usual. But no worries. Next year we will be there on time! Ha.

This last week Elder Brimley and I, with the help of the 1st counselor in the branch, organized a Family Home Evening at the church. We were expecting like 3 families but probably 45 people showed up. It was awesome. We taught a good lesson about eternal marriage and temples. We watched this church temple movie and then read The Family, A Proclamation to the World. After one of the coolest ward members organized some games. She set up and we played musical chairs and some other crazy games. Then we ended with some awesome mexican food of tomales and arroz con leche. It was super successful so we are doing it again tomorrow on Tuesday for some reason. I am super excited. They said they might make a rule that you have to bring a friend or you can't come. Ha

So members here have been a little slow to give out referrals and we have been working tons with referrals so it has been a little tough to find new investigators. So we took it upon ourselves to do some good old finding through our own efforts, or in other words: tracting. Ha my companion was so against it. My companion has been out for about 18 months and he said that he has always had so much work that he has hardly knocked a door on his mission. Usually here in Jersey we have enough work with just getting referrals and finding at church, but when that fails we have to do some knocking doors. So we made a goal to do it this week. After all our plans fail, we would knock. So he doubted we would have much success but the second house we knocked they let us in in a second. We have taught them 2 times since then. Ha my comp was mad that it had worked that easily but happy we found some new investigators.

This month's new focus for the mission is: Always remember Him. Its been super helpful. Like in the sacrament prayer, it says we have to always remember Him in order to have His spirit with us. The Holy Ghost will be with us more if we take time throughout the day to remember the sacrifice Jesus has made.It turns any moment happier when we sit back and offer prayers of thanks to God for the sacrifice of His son.

We have about 6 progressing investigators now and like 8 more non-progressing. S____ and C____ are progressing better towards baptism. Its a tough situation with them. L___ feels a little pressured to be baptized so we slowed down a little. We have been teaching this lady named L__M___ as well. She could get baptized soon she just needs to get work off on Sunday. As far as what we teach them, ha everything!!!! Everything from Preach My Gospel. PMG has everything we need. Much more success is coming soon. We have been working hard and been super obedient- miracles are unavoidable that means. So excited.

We went to the mission home the last week to an awesome breakfast party with the zone and President and Sister Jeppson. They made us delicious breakfast with french toast, apple cider, eggnog, and so much more. Super good. Then we played this fun Book of Mormon game and all won free ties (or scarves for the sisters). Then they gave a great devotional about Christmas.

Oh yeah I bought a soccer ball last week. So worth it. We have had so much fun playing. We have a little room in the apartment to juggle. I just juggle with Elder Vargas. He is pretty good. Played for Hobble Creek as a forward. So fun but we have broken three light bulbs in our apartment so we have to go buy some new ones now.

I am doing great out here. I am super warm with my coat and gloves. Thank you for sending everything. 

Guess what I get to go to NYC temple for your birthday mom! Ha Thursday is the day!  (This is the best birthday present ever!)

I love you so much.

Elder Sumsion

Week 13 Perth Amboy NJ, Week 19 Mission

Hola Familia!

This week in Jersey has been absolutely mind-blowing. I so wanted to get transferred last week to go try out some more of beautiful Jersey, but now I am so glad I didn't! We are loving it and doing some great work out here in Amboy and there is a good chance I may stay another. I have been focusing a lot of charity the past few days, and wow it has opened up my mind so much. I am living at seriously such a higher potential. Me and my companion started getting along even better. We are working hard and having so much fun doing it.

I recommitted myself this last week to give this mission everything I have. Well actually give the Lord everything I have. Every once of strength. I have been reading this talk like nonstop called the fourth missionary. Its genius. It talks about letting go of your own wants and focusing your whole self in the work. It has really helped me serve with more potential and more love out here. 

Spanish has been absolutely shredding me mentally. You know how much I liked to talk when I was younger. I was a quiet kid. And even in high school, I didn't enjoy just talking that much. Out here, there is no excuse. Its is a commandment to open my mouth and talk. Not too bad at first, but then Spanish on top of that and it got tough. But I really have committed myself to learn this language. Me and my companion started talking Spanish all day when we are out proselyting. The gift of tongues only comes when you do all you can to struggle to learn the language. So we are just speaking it more and more. Its coming along well. I have no doubt that it will come with the Lord's help. I love it. Its actually kind of fun. 

Alright here it is: Thanksgiving day in NJ!!

We honestly had an awesome day for Thanksgiving. I made some Park City Peace Cakes for the apartment- courtesy of The Hopkins package. They all loved them.  The Assistants organized a 'Turkey bowl' where we got about 6 zones together and played some good old American football. It was super fun and social and actually pretty good games. There were so good players. And a couple of huge Tongans I had to defend. Ha they could stand taller than I could jump. So fun though. Its was absolutely freezing too. Probably around 30 or so. We were all pretty chilled to the core. After that we went home and did our famous weekly planning for 3 hours. Which is basically just planning for the upcoming week. Then we went to this Senior Couple's apartment for dinner with our district. Straight up American thanksgiving. Ha absolutely delicious! They had everything. mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Everything! So blessed. Then after we had an appointment with some Dominicans which we got fed a whole other thanksgiving. This time, it was Dominican Styled. So much food!!! Loved it. Feel blessed to be here in Jersey.

On Tuesday we were having a pretty slow day. We had been walking around for a few hours in the drizzling rain with no success. We were trying to get in contact with a few formers but nobody was home. Finally I was freezing and said a simple prayer asking Heavenly Father to help us find someone. The next house we tried, they let us in!! We just knocked and I got about halfway through: somos los misioneros de la Iglesia de Jesucristo... and they just said entre, entre. Come in, come in! So we went right in and we got to teach them a whole first lesson. Super quick answer to my prayers. Its amazing what the Lord is willing to give to those who just ask.

I love you so much family. You mean the world to me. I have never though so much about you and how grateful I am for our family. Keep up all your hard work at keeping our family strong! Come what may, and love it. The church is true, and I love it. 

Keep up all your hard work family. I know the new callings are tough. I know that sometimes the Lord's way sometime seems hard, but it is always right and will always be the happier route. Trust the Holy Ghost and the Lord's promptings.

Peace out, love you all,

Elder Sumsion

Shoutouts!!!

Vander Veur Family- Thank you so much for the awesome post card. Park City is lookin' fine. Thanks for the support and love. How is my man CJ doing?!

The Hopkins- Thank you for the treat-filled package. Oh wow the Park City Peace Cake mix was a huge surprise. I made them for my companion and the other two Elders we are with. They enjoyed them so much.

Amy Williams- Thank you again for the encouraging letters that you always send. They are so motivating and always get me to work harder, which is always a good thing. Thanks for the support. And all the support you give my mom.

Turkey Bowl - quick snap shot

Week 12 Perth Amboy NJ, Week 18 Mission

Stayin' in the Amboys!

So good news: I didn't get transferred!! Neither did my companion nor the two other Elders we live with. So me Elder Brimley and Elder Vargas will have live together now for three transfers! Our district is pretty much the exact same people. I was pretty 50/50 about getting transferred. I love this area and Elder Brimley has been a good trainer. But I also wanted to see the rest of Jersey and meet some new missionaries. But hey, the Lord called me here and I will give it my all. No worries. I am super pumped too because we have a few people set up for baptism as well. So happy I get to stay and see them take that next big step.

Spanish is coming along.... slowly. Ha I study it so hard everyday, and we talk Spanish during proselyting a lot. It takes a lot of work and prayer to learn a language that's for sure. I am so happy to have the opportunity and I know that when God commands, He always prepares a way. So it will be coming soon. So stoked!

We saw S___ and C___ a few times this week. I love them so much and their daughter A___ is like the happiest, smartest 2 year old I've ever seen. They are progressing, but not really toward baptism. They are kind of stuck because they need to get married first and they don't want to rush into that. Which makes since except that they have been together for the last 4 years! Ha come on we know you want to get married. We are slowly giving them a push to make something happen. Crazy how many people out here live some pretty terrible lives because they broke the Law of Chastity. After seeing how many lives have been shredded, its pretty clear how important the Law of Chastity is. Pretty easy for me to see the blessings of living it. Pretty easy to follow after seeing what I have seen...

Good news is that there is this guy who moved into the ward recently  named A____. He has actually been here for about a year. I may have mentioned him before. But he is the coolest guy. He grew up in Perth Amboy, Catholic with his family. He then joined the army and was deported to Iraq for a few years. Came back and had PTSD and some major problems. In his lowest of lows he basically remembered Jesus Christ and prayed for help to get back to church. He started searching for churches everywhere and he found things he liked in some churches and things he didn't like. He said I wish there was just one church with all the good stuff put together and no bad stuff. He found the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through a friend and flipped out during the first lesson with the missionaries when he realized this was the church he has been looking for all his life. Then he got baptized. He has been LA for a little but recently came back and is just the coolest guy. He goes on tons of team ups with us and teaches and his testimony is so powerful. A third witness is so powerful sometimes.

This past week we wrote a letter to all the branch members in our area about missionary work. We were struggling trying to find new people to teach so we turned to the branch to see if they could help us out. In the letter we talked about how grateful we are for their service in the branch, and talked about what the baptismal covenant means to us. Then we invited them to share a letter with some of their friends and family with their testimony and thoughts of the church. We will see how it goes... Should have some great success. This is the Lord's work.

We had an area 70 come to our branch council yesterday. It was a big shock. He had a translator to help him understand. He just listened to the council meeting for a while and then at the end he spoke to us. He talked about how the Work of Salvation comes one person at a time. And the only way to preach this Gospel and really touch everyone's hearts is by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will show us all things which we must say and do. This is the Lord's work and he will show us how to do it and how to touch everyone's heart. That goes for relief society president and YM councilor too! Just trust in Him.

The weather is getting super cold. Almost unbearable. Different coldness than Utah. This is super windy and icy cold.  We are eating Thanksgiving at a Senior Couples missionary home. Ha so not too sure how much of a Spanish twist there will be. But hey if this is just straight up good old American Thanksgiving, I wont complain :) Plus its an old couple making it, should be delicious. Ha!
 

How is Sammy doing? Cant stop thinking about him. I love him so much.

Thanks for all, I love you with all my heart,

Elder Sumsion

The great little family they are teaching

Week 11 Perth Amboy NJ, Week 17 Mission

Familia!

Como estan!!

I heard an awesome principle yesterday in church. God gives us commandments, so that he can better bless us. Just think about that. I will show you for example. God gives a simple commandment maybe pray. You follow it, are obedient, then you get blessed with help and a feeling of God's pure love. So God offers another commandment: read your scriptures. You follow it, are obedient, then you get blessed with inspiration. All the way until tithing. That was the essence of the talk I heard yesterday. BIG PROBLEM here in New Jersey. Nobody, very little amount, pay tithing. Super sad. But think God gives us the commandment of tithing. We follow it, and we get blessed with "opening the windows of heaven where there is not enough room to receive (the blessings)." So cool. The more obedient, the more blessings. So very cool. Ha maybe confusing, but interesting.

So this is my LAST week of training coming up. Week 12 of the 12 week program. Ha I have been gone for a few months and I'm almost a 'real' missionary. 12 week program has been great. Every new missionary has to go through with it. Tons of videos, studying, and the best: role plays!!!! Ha they are the worst, but I love them. Crazy how much I have learned from every singe role play. Its basically just practicing for our investigators. One person pretends to be an investigator and the other teaching, then rotate. Hard but worth it. So yeah, we don't really know what is going to happen next week. May get transferred, may stay. Its about 50/50 stay or go.

We had interviews with President last friday! Wow he is just the most inspirational guy ever. I love him. He went through and interviewed all 250 missionaries the last two weeks. Sounds like some hard work. He said to me that Elder Brimley is one of the missions best missionaries. I am super grateful. We have been working hard and getting great success.

Thank you so so so much for sending me my sweats, and some warm work out clothes, and the hat. Much needed. ....

We have actually been eating a lot better too. The members, I don't know why, have been feeding us less amounts of food. So sweet prayers answered! ...
 

We went on another exchange last week, which means switching companions for a day. My companion is District Leader so he has to go on a lot of exchanges, which means I have to as well. They are super fun. So far I been on 8 in just 11 weeks! Awesome. Last Friday I went with Elder Shepard. He is newer than me, so I was kind of in charge of talking all day. My Spanish had its first real test. We were on our own. Two new missionaries with no idea what we were doing yet, and we couldn't speak! Ha but it actually turned out to be one if the best days of my mission so far. I really had to step up to the plate with everything, especially finding, and talking. I was praying so much. Heavenly Father loves to bless us, especially when we ask.

Having a great time out here serving the Lord. Loved Elder Drew Harris' email a few week ago. About forgetting about the praise of man, and just focus on what God needs of you. Serve wherever God calls.

Read. Pray. Church.

 

Love you,

Elder Sumsion



Exchange with Elder Sheppard. Under The freeway.

Livin the good (hood) life!!!!!

 

Week 10 Perth Amboy NJ, Week 16 Mission

Hello Family!!!

So sorry I didn't send out an email yesterday. Totally drove all the way to the library and ,you were right, it was closed.
 

Crazy good week here in Perth Amboy. But man, is it getting cold up here in the NE. Leaving the grocery store yesterday, this women made mention its going to snow the nest day. Sure enough I experienced my first New Jersey snow this morning!! So pumped, but its so cold. None of it really stuck to the ground either. But hey it was definitely snowing. Havent gotten that package yet, mom. Should be getting here soon. I think the mission home has it. I should get it sometime this week. Until then... I will survive. Ha no Im okay. But really the humidity shoots the cold straight to my bones. Its piercing stuff.

So yesterday for P-day we totalyl did have some extra time. So we totally went and looked around the New Brunswick mall! You know how much I hate shopping, but it worked out because we were only there for about an hour. We were just looking for winter clothing and sweaters. And ties... Ha what else can a missionary shop for? Ha nothing has changed- I didnt buy anything. But it was fun to look around. Crazy music in there though. I havent heard so much rap and rock my whole mission. Ha it felt super weird to me. Missionary mode is settling in! Then we ate an awesome meal at Chipotle.  We randomely saw one of our less actives, Anthony, and he ate with us. He spend the whole time telling us of his ward stories in Iraq! Crazy stuff. Then we went to the church and played some hard core basketball. It is so fun to me now. I used to hate it, but now we play it so much that I am becoming better so I love it. Then we spent an hour grocery shopping and then about an hour writing letters. So pretty awesome day. Really nice to get some exercise.

We had an awesome week with S----- and C-----. We planned on commiting them to fast with us on Sunday. We got there and she was all for it, but he did not see how going without food and water would answer his questions. He said he could do it though, just didnt want too. Ha tough guy attitude. Well we basically ignored that fact and asked him what he was going to fast for. He finally accepted and fasted for his wife, daughter, and purpose in life. At church the next day they came and I have honestly never seen them in such a happy mood. Thanks for the prayers. They were great. They were laughing and smiling and even teasing us with thoughts of food. How good does a burger from that corner store sound right now? - C-----, ha he was loving it. We broke the fast with them and showed them how much happier they were with each other and how there was less contention.

Went to Familia Grande's house. They gave me this wicked hot pepper to eat. They said it wasnt even hot for them. I was in tears! So fun.

I am doing great. That week flew by! Cant believe it. I am learning so much. Spanish is getting better. I have been studying and praying tons! Its a little difficult because we arent fully thrown into it here. Most of our investigators are Spanish, but there are tons of English missionaries. SO at district meeting, the whole thing is English. It takes lots of good work to get it down. I have been doing well.

Love you tons,

Elder Sumsion 

Week 9 Perth Amboy NJ, Week 15 Mission

Perth Amboy Halloween!

Family!!!

Wow so much good is going on here and sounds like there has been some major changes to the stake and ward back home. So exciting! I can't believe they split up the wards again. Sad to hear the families who are leaving the legendary Snyderville Ward. Super nuts that they put Colony and Sun Peak in the ward. The Aldens and Bensons and many others are back! Sounds like Zeke's family might have gotten switched too! Super surprising news to hear that they switched everything. I will be coming home to a much different Snyderville ward. Ha! And my amazing Young Men's President Carl Richards is now the Bishop! Woah He and Bro Peers and Bro Barrett will be outstanding. They have been some truly loving and inspiring leaders to me, and they will do great in the leadership of the ward! WoooHooo!

Thanks so much for sending all the stuff for Halloween last week! We had so much candy to pass around. Luckily we only ate about 10 pieces each then we were about done. Check out the pictures I will send of everything. Such a fun Halloween out here in New Jersey. We had to be in our apartments by 6:00 PM on the 30th and 31st because it gets pretty dangerous. On the 30th they do something here called "Night of Mischief" which is something that doesn't happen in Park City or Utah I don't think. Its basically a night a pranks, where all the high schoolers and everybody pull some crazy pranks. So yeah pretty dangerous so we all had to stay inside. But we made both nights a party! On Halloween, Elder Brimley and I ordered some crazy good Chinese food for the occasion.  Mmmmm delicious. We spent basically all night playing Phase 10. It took us about 3 hours both nights to finish the game between the four of us. Elder Vargas is a boss and totally creamed us, even after all that practice I have had at home. Ha such a fun time. And yeah ate candy as we played. But we all got sick of the candy pretty fast. Didn't eat very much at all.

Guess what!!!!! We had a baptism last week! Ha okay kind of.... He was only 9, and had to meet with the missionaries, but still: it was awesome!!  I guess he was planning on getting baptized at age 8, but he was waiting for his dad to come back from Mexico to be there! Super sad, because his dad never came! So after a year of waiting Hugo and his mom decided to have him be baptized now. So yeah once someone turns 9, it is considered a convert baptism and they have to receive all the missionary lessons. So we have been teaching him almost everyday the last 9 days and we finished about all of the missionary lessons with him and he was baptized last Saturday. The 1st Counselor did the actual baptizing. So pretty neat experience. He is an awesome kid and had a super strong desire to get baptized. It was nice to go through the whole process and be able to teach him everything. But yeah counted I guess as a convert baptism so Perth Amboy had its first convert baptism for the last couple months.

Nelson's baptism fell through. He just isn't 100% committed yet, but hey, thats alright. We are still working with him tons. S___ and Ch___ had a pretty interesting week. Full of ups and downs. We showed up to teach them on Tuesday and things were not looking good. There is always just tons of people in their house because they live in her parents house with her two brothers and all of her brother's crazy 20 year old friends are always coming in and out. We moved the lesson upstairs because either her brother was playing FiFA 2014 or her dad was watching the latest Hispanic reality TV show. Can't remember but its usually one or the other. So we were sitting in their daughter's playroom basically in the attic and we were all just sitting on the ground. But basically they told us they wanted to split up, they had been fighting tons and tons. .....We were super sad and didn't know what to do at first, but the Spirit provided and we told them they need to pray TOGETHER. Even if they were super mad. We left and the next morning we got a text that said that they did it and it went really well, with a smiley face. So yeah things are going much better with them. Its crazy to see how small things like praying and reading the scriptures change people. It truly was a miracle. When things are going rough and no matter how much we sometimes don't want to pray or read the scriptures, reading and praying is exactly what we need to do!

We are getting along well. We are one of the last four-men apartments in the mission. There is only 3 others we know of!! President Jeppson is trying to get rid of them, because they truly are less productive. I have been in a four man my whole mission and MTC, so I didn't really know the difference until my exchange last night. 

I went on almost a 40 hour exchange with my great Zone Leader Elder Bell from Saturday night until now (Monday morning). It was awesome. We focused so much in their little apartment and just had the happiest day on Sunday. He is a super great guy. He is from Bountiful. We get along super well and for that, it was probably some of the happiest days of my mission yet. We even got to do the zone numbers for the week of baptisms, lessons taught, referrals, and other stuff and send them to the assistants to the President. It was a great opportunity. I got to go to an English ward yesterday. East Brunswick English Ward. I hadn't been in an English ward since home! And guess what? This ward has over ONE MILLION people in its boundaries!!!! The Bishop, in his testimony, said they had lots of missionary work to do. Ha!

Sorry wow this seems long. Great week. Love you tons!!!

Your Son,
Elder Sumsion

Elder Shepard, Sumsion, Vargas, Brimley

Changing Colors

The Halloween candy stash (thank you friends for sending)



New 9 year old Hugo's baptism - He really wanted to be baptized!

PS - My satchel bag is working great, and I have gotten tons of compliments for it. Great idea mom!! I love it.  (Timbuk2.com Classic Messenger Bag size: small ballistic nylon black / polybond black / ballistic nylon black)