November 10, 2014

Happy Birthday Grandpa Gene! Happy Birthday Grandma Ilene (on Wed)!

Dear Reader,

Everything is Awesome! Well almost. There are a lot of changes in how Salt Lake is training us to teach. But, it is more effective than the way we did it before. I would ask all of you to read Preach My Gospel and to apply the principles. They are more than just for missionaries. In a talk given by Elder Holland, he said "Preach My Gospel is to convert the missionary, then it is their job to figure out how to help convert others." The same goes for all of you.

It has been getting colder each morning here but with the sun it is beautiful.

Idaho is just as good as most people told me it would be.

Love,

Elder McCallson

 

                                         Just Remember This!

 

                                          Politics in the Mission Field







 

       People say I'm not in Kansas anymore, but with cows in the middle of town, it feels like Olathe

 

November 3, 2014

This week has been a great one. With Halloween and finding 2 new investigators, we have kicked this new week out with a bang. I am so grateful for all you at home who are writing me... the rest of you need to pick up the slack. But, I can see that life is busy. I mean how can I chastise you if I didn't do it before my mission.

Transfers were today and I have a new companion, Elder Lee. Sorry I forgot my camera at home today, because we lost our car. Those Sister missionaries. :P

But, all is well right now. Work is slowly picking up in our area and we are having more opportunities to share the gospel and reactivate children of our Heavenly Father. The members have really started to help us as well. It is awesome when we have members that are willing to do missionary work instead of expecting us to do it all.

I love you all and know that I will be amazed when I return home on how big the ward is or to hear that it split while I was away. Right?!

Love,

Elder McCallson

October 27, 2014

To whom it may concern,

I am so grateful for this opportunity to write you this week. Quite a bit has happened and quite a lot has changed. It has been a tough week. But, I am happy that I have this gospel. Without all the knowledge I can obtain it would be depressing. I would exhort all of you with all the energy of my soul to take a look at how much of this gospel you truly understand. I would like you to write down what you know. Then from there, gain more. "Do you have time for God?"

I know that as you work hard to understand the doctrine better, revelation will come. In fact, you are entitled to revelation. Just look at the Brother of Jared. It said his faith was so great that he could not, not will not or should not, but could not be held within the veil.

We as humans put stipulations on revelation, saying it has to be God's will or I just don't need to know. That is one of the Devil's best lies...because almost everyone believes it.

Please remember we have a loving Heavenly Father who wants us to know everything he does and is just waiting for us to seek for it.

I love you all and hope you remember to thank God for all you have,

Elder McCallson

                                        Good Eating

 

                                        Awesome album cover

                                         Boise's Capitol  Building

                                         I RULE!

          Man, That game is so important, it has say I the Idaho Senate!

                                         LET FREEDOM RING!

                                         Halloween is Awesome!

 

October 20, 2014

Hello Kansans and all others that may check this!

It has been a really good week! Not much has changed except the leaves; which is a great way for missionaries to find people to teach. Keep up on helping them stay busy. I know you can do it.

With Halloween and  Truck or Treat coming up please invite your friends to come. The missionaries will probably not be there. In our mission we have to be in by 6 that night. But, ours doesn't start till 6:30 so that's a bummer.

Keep in mind those less actives in the ward that may have a talent or gift you could have them use during the festivities. The ward I am in had 205 less active households. Yes households; not people. But, we have asked a few of them to help out with Trunk or Treat and they said they would. So, it works.

Please make sure you are reading and praying every night. It is more important now than ever to draw nearer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.

I know you are all amazing missionaries and want to help the work to progress.

Love,

Elder McCallson

 

 

                                                                Scary Pumpkin pics

 

                                                       Beautiful skies in Idaho  

October 13, 2014

Dear Members,

My week has been awesome. With conference to rebuild morale of the missionaries, the work has moved forward better this last week than ever. We are excited to see how many more the Lord is helping to prepare. I hope you are all looking for people to invite. If nothing else watch Elder Bednar's talk again. It was awesome.

I can't wait to see how much the ward has grown when I get home... It will grow right?!

Just remember the Lord is preparing people. The only questions is...will you help them move forward.

Elder McCallson

October 6, 2014

DEAR READER,

Here are some ideas on how you can share news about "Meet the Mormons";

Let them know that all proceeds are going to Red Cross.

This is not a doctrinal movie, it is letting people know that we are humans too.

Extend an invitation, I have learned that success is in the invitation.

This is a wonderful time to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. With General Conference available for reviewing I would exhort you with all the energies of my soul to feast upon the words of Christ. Most of you will probably read this and think, "He is just a missionary extending another invitation." You are right. I am a Missionary. I have been called of God to gather his lambs and sheep. All need to be closer to Christ as we progress ever closer to the Second Coming of the Lord.

Please invite your friends to come closer. Start basic. Share your testimony, ask them to pray about problems they are having. Work with them so that one day when the missionaries ask "Who do you know who would be interested in and benefit from this message?" You can give them a name of another child of God you have been helping come closer to Christ.

Brothers and Sisters, we are just that, our purpose as members of the Church is to share our knowledge and add upon the knowledge that others have. An invitation is a successful missionary experience.

I love you all,

Elder McCallson

 

                                 Changing up the Diet (even on a mission I am taking it :P)

 

September 29, 2014

Friends, Kansans, Country Men lend me your ears...

Not really cause you might need both of them. It is beautiful up here is Idaho. The weather is getting cooler and I am excited for Fall and Winter.

I am told that because I am on this side of the mountains I will only receive about 3-5 inches of snow in the winter months. This causes me a degree of sadness as I will miss the snow and ice in Kansas.

The work is still pushing along as we are trying to contact people in our ward.

Keep up the faith and remember "God be with you till we meet again."

Love,

Elder McCallson

PS. Happy Birthday Zach!