May 28, 2012

Memorial Day 2012

We had a great Memorial Day today--a day on the lake in the sun with family...missed you today Zach! But I wanted to end the day sharing the gratitude I feel for the countless lives that have been given for the cause of our freedoms and our liberty. May we never take their sacrifice and the sacrifice of those left behind for granted.


April 23, 2012

Zach Has Always Been Good at "Winging It"

Dear Family,
 
Things here are going pretty well! Elder Matthews and I have another baptism coming up on the 26th of May. His name is James, hes a Vietnam vet, and seems pretty solid. He wants to stop smoking, which we have a program for. He's just waiting until the 1st of May to get some money from his Ex wife so he can buy a car to drive himself to church, and get the supplies he needs for the stop smoking workshop. I have faith in him, but you never really know until they've been dunked in the water. 

We had a pretty good week, we got a few new investigators, and we did exchanges. Elder Bench was my companion from thursday until friday. Kind of slow I hate to say, but his heart is in the right place. Have I told you about brother Brodie? He's our next door neighbor, and he rides around in an electric wheelchair. He's a member but he can hardly make it to church because he has no legs, hence, the wheelchair. And he suffers from all sorts of pains and sicknesses. He gives us a hard time, so its like home away from home.

I enjoyed the packages! Especially the ones with smores.... mmmm.... smores.... So send as much as you want! As well as more goldfish. You can never have too much goldfish. Glad to hear Emerson and Payton are doing well, I miss those little turds. Oh yeah, Elder Matthews and I gave talk yesterday on the atonement and ressurection. Since the Branch is so small, there is no stake or branch business, we both had to talk for like 25 minutes. But Missionaries are pretty good at winging discussions, so talks weren't much harder.
 
Keep me updated on how things are back home!
 
Love,
Elder Mossman

April 16, 2012

Elder Keddington Forced to Work With "Pills."


Hello Family and Friends!
Well. I've survived another transfer. I just found out this morning that my companion Elder Emery is leaving me and I'm going to be taking over the area. Plus I won't be living with 3 other missionaries anymore. It'll be narrowed down to just me and my companion in quite the massive apartment. With my own Bathroom and Shower. So I'm kinda excited about that. :)
The ward is still a pill to work with and there are so many hoops we have to jump through in order for us to get anywhere and it can be a little bit frustrating but we're working out the kinks and we're pretty much doing everything we can to keep the Bishop happy. Which isn't easy. But the work continues on.
We've been teaching a lot of awesome people! But two weeks after we teach them they either move, become disinterested because they have to actually DO something in this church, or hear something negative about our church. Its for sure different from Little Rock. But I still like it here. :)
I hope all is going well with everyone and I'm looking forward to hearing from you guys!! Love and MIss you all! I'll see you soon!
Love
Elder Keddington

Elder Mossman: 1st Baptism & Confirmation!


Family,
Okay mom, favorite scripture, Moroni 10:4
This week has been pretty good, Elder Matthews and I had a babtism this past Saturday, and I did the confirmation on Sunday, and I was pretty nervous, considering that it was my first time but it went okay. We have a few progressing investigators who seem promising, but you never know until they are in the water. Even then, keeping them active is the real challenge because the branch doesn't really do their part in home teaching/visiting teaching or fellowshipping so we are trying to kick their butts in gear. We had a man that we taught on tuesday, we just read the scriptures with him and left with a prayer, and instead of saying amen, said, "i agree" which was hilarious. Some investigators have had some rough pasts, and we are trying to get them to trust in God again. Many people down here are stuck in their ways, such as smoking, drinking, law of chastity, stuff like that. The south. Elder Matthews told me a saying that im beginning to consider. He said, "The easiest way to convert people in the south is to burn it down and do babtisms for the dead," horrible i know, but funny all the same. Still waiting on the ipod, and the easter package you guys sent was delicious. Elder Matthews loved the smores. Kinda stale but still delicious. Feel free to send one every week! And be sure to send more goldfish, you can never have enough goldfish. I gotta get going. OH! That card Kroel sent was HILARIOUS! Although i cant ever let anyone else around here see it considering the truthfulness of the card.
Love,
Elder Mossman

April 9, 2012

Elder Keddington Sprints for Candy in Easter Egg Hunt! April 9, 2012

Hello Family and friends!!

Hoppy Easter!! Sorry if its a little early. Or late. Whatever it is
anymore. I can't even tell when it is anymore. Time is flying by
faster than you can even think. But. Easter was good! We spen the
evening at a member's house and had an Easter Egg Hunt. I'm sure the
padestrian's passing by were a little too judgemental of Mormon's when
they saw 6 full grown boys sprinting across an open field to be the
first to get an egg full of candy. I'm sure you can imagine how
amusing that must have been even for the members. But we had funand
there were only few casualties.

The work is still moving forward quite well. We're finding people like
crazy. And quickly finding that they turn to the internet and read a
lot of false doctrine. I really wonder what happens when people go
onto Google and type in, "Mormons" and they DON'T go to Mormon.org.
Sigh.... That darn agency. But! Life goes on.

I Love You guys and I'm excited to hear from you! I miss you all and
I'll see you very soon. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers and
thanks for all the money you send to me weekly. :) (Hint Hint.)

Love

Elder Keddington

Elder Mossman Catches a "delicious bass!" April 9, 2012


Dear Family,
I've had an awesome time here in Louisianna so far. My companion, Elder Matthews is an awesome trainer and we get along great. We have a lot of less actives we visit, and some investigators who seem ready to recieve the gospel. There certainly are a lot of people who are stuck in their ways but thats why we are here to help them out. My first visit i had, we met a less active who was going to another church, and her pastour or however you spell it, came in and started telling us about how he was converted to Jesus Christ, and to me it sounded like one big acid trip. Apparently his skin peeled off, like it was his old self and saw his skin in the bathtub. Weirdo. We get fed really well here, and im pretty sure mom would freak if she saw some of the stuff I've been eating. We just finished fishing this morning, and we caught a few bass, not very big though. Some of our neighbors are members and they feed us really well. And every one here is just as sarcastic as our family so i fit right in. We have a babtism coming up this saturday so im pretty excited! Anyway i gotta go write some other emails. I'll write again next week.

Elder Mossman

Here's my address to mail me:
123 brinson street
PO Box 668
Hodge, Louisianna 71247

April 7, 2012

Elder Mossman goes to the MTC

Well it's been nearly a month now since March 14 when we dropped Zach off at the MTC but I wanted to make sure I made note of it here. It was quite an experience. Different from the last 2 times with Jared & Andrew. The drop off process has become a well oiled machine. As you get close to the MTC you'll see traffic is being directed by men in suits and reflective safety vests. They direct you into the lane in front of the building. As you drive along the curb you'll see numerous young men wearing "HOST" badges all along the side walk. As you park at the curb behind the car in front of you and get our of the car, one of the "hosts" is there to greet your elder, make sure he's got his immunization forms and takes his bags. Before I knew it, I was hugging Zach for the last time and waving good bye. It was so fast! Now he is in the Lord's hands. What a bitter sweet moment. As Grandma Sawyer calls it, "Miserable Joy." That says it all. Stay tuned for more updates!

Pictures at the Jordan River Temple
Hey they're both smiling!
Awwww...Zach with Super Grandma & Super Grandpa

Proud Mom


Unloading

Is he really going? Wait...weren't you  2 just a little while ago?

Hugs for Grandpa

Loading up

Wait...where's my phone?

Oh yea...I don't have a phone

Zach's "host." Never caught his name.

Wait for him!

A last wave...

And off he goes...

April 6, 2012

Happy Easter to all!

May this Easter find you all well and happy. May we all remember Christ's atoning sacrifice and that he lived, died and was resurrected. He lives still. It is through him that I know we can all live again, even our loved ones who have left this life. We will see them again and be with them again. I know this to be true.  Happy Easter


March 5, 2012

Bubba's first T-Ball game!

February 25 was a big day for little Emerson.  He's now a very enthusiastic member of the Cardinals T-Ball team and we're all pretty much in agreement...one of the best players.  His cheering section certainly rivals any other. He did however whack that ball a little too hard, taking the T with it.  The coaches' new rule is "don't hit the T." 

Not only can Emerson hit and get on base (okay so everyone does) but he fields the ball really well.  He just goes after it, although sometimes he really should just let the pitcher take it. ;-) We have no idea what the final score was (I don't think they keep track at this age) but we're pretty sure the Cardinals ruled the day.  Truthfully--they crushed the other guys. To say watching 4 year olds play T-Ball is entertaining is well, an understatement!!! Enjoy the photos.




























March 5, 2012 letter from Elder Keddington


Family and Friends!
Sorry! This one will be a little bit short! But I'm getting Transfered to Memphis and I am going to be a Zone Leader. Possibly the youngest called in a long time. I'm nervous but very excited. Love you all! See you soon!!
Love
Elder Keddington







January 30, 2012

January 30, 2012 Letter from Elder Keddington


Hello Friends and Family,
 
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love my mission. Like seriously. It is the BEST EVER!! The Work is going SO GREAT! It just seems like every time I turn around there is a huge miracle that happens. Some random person shows up to church. Someone I haven't talked to in a long LONG time calls or texts. We have an incredible lesson and someone out of nowhere starts asking questions and ends up being an amazing person who is so ready for the Gospel. I Love this work. Miracles happen every day.
 
My companion and I are really getting along a lot better. We had a very small.... conversation about how we can do better as individuals. Long story short. I did a little yelling and he isn't so cocky anymore. :) Haha. But its been great ever since. I've noticed all the missionaries around me are starting to look to me to take the lead on projects and take a lot of resposiblities for the ward. Its been pretty surprising to me. But then it hit me that I've been here in this ward almost the Longest. Haha. There is 1 other mission who has been in the ward longer. And not by much. Its pretty surprising to me.
 
Last night I got a phone call from a Brother Steve Oistad who lives out here in Arkansas. Well He visited Utah for about a week and decided to pay a little visit to my family. Yes. It might have been apostate but he called and left a voicemail. Yes. The whole family said Hi and that they loved me. :) It was very VERY Inspiring. :) It was exciting to hear from them. Just don't tell anyone. :) Hahaha.
 
I would've answered that phonecall but I was in one of the best lesson's I've ever taught. To a member's Son. His name is Chris. He has been going through a really hard time and isn't sure what to do. He isn't sure how to get an answer to a prayer. So we taught him a little story about a 14 year old boy who prayed. :) The Spirit was SO strong. He wanats to be baptized. But We didn't want to step on the Member's toes so we're going to set a date with him for next week. Which would make 7 baptisms In February if everything goes as planned. :)
 
Its just been a great blessing to see the Lord work in my life. Thanks for all the prayers and for all the help you all do for me. I can see it.
 
I Love You all! I miss you and I'll see you soon! Send me some letters! Just for fun! Haha!
 
Love
 
Elder Keddington

Adele's Baptism!

Adele Foutz (Kimber & Scott's daughter) was recently baptized.  They are currently living in MD where Scott is in the Secret Service. She had many of her family around her on her special day including her grandparents, Dave & Aleta who flew out from Utah especially for the occasion!

Congratulations Adele! We're so proud of you!


January 21, 2012

Zach's Mission Call!

A drum roll please....its a little long but the most important part is at the beginning.  The voices you hear coming out of the computer are Grandma & Grandpa Loveland and Katherine joining us via Skype over at Jared's house for the big moment. Andrew & Megan were on the phone as well.

 

Mississippi Jackson Mission
Entering the MTC March 14, 2012

Woohoo! Interesting to note,all the Mossman brothers have or will serve in Southern states:  Jared--Virginia, Andrew--Tennessee, and now Zach--Mississippi.  Another interesting little factoid is that we have 2 other family members serving in Southern states:  Davey Keddington--Arkansas and Kolby Sawyer--Florida.  Got any theories on that? Let's hear them!  In the mean time, we'll be out shopping for missionary attire and readying Zach for March 14!  I'm so proud of you Zach! We're going to miss you but know you'll be a great missionary! Get ready Mississippi!

January 17, 2012

January 17, 2012 Letter from Elder Keddington


Hello Friends and Family!!
 
Whew!! This week has been a LONG LONG Week! Very little teaching done. No Car. Tension in the companionship. Drama in the District. Inefficient Companionship Study. Its been a long humbling week. But. Don't feel sorry for me because I have had a Myriad of experience in the last 2 days that were worth all the hardships of my entire mission combine. Starting with Stake Conference.
 
Our Stake President shared a story about a team of SEALS that invaded Iraq and 3 of the 4 were killed fighting off 150 terrorists. The survivor wrote a book called "The Lone Survivor." (If anyone wants to buy me a present for when I get back, one book I would love to read.) He related the story to us and how we need to be SEALS in the Lord's army. We are at war against the adversary and the Lord doesn't need sissy girls that run and surrender in times of trial and hardship. But He needs SEALS. The Talk was amazing. I don't do it justice. Made me want to be a SEAL in the Lord's army.
 
Yesterday(P Day) We went to dinner at a Member's house and long story short. He broke down and begin telling us how his testimony is dwindling and how he is depressed and is thinking of suicide. Within minutes of him telling us this we had our scriptures open baring our testimonies of the Atonement and sharing our love for him and how important he is to our Heavenly Father. I have never been more impressed to share my testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and to let him know that our Savior lives and Loves us more than we can imagine. I have very few times in my life where I have felt the Spirit that strong.
 
Right after the Dinner we went to our appointment and she completely turned us down. Gave us back the Book of Mormon and told us not to come back. Haha. We were still walking on air began walking, said a short prayer and we were both prompted, "go right." We began walking and the very first door we saw we knocked it. We met Brian. Divorced and needed someone to talk to him. We shared with him the Restoration and gave him the Book of Mormon we had just recieved from our canceled appointment. We'll be teaching him later on this week.
 
The Lord answers prayers. He loves us. He Lives. I wouldn't trade this mission for anything in the entire world. I Love all of you and I am excited to get back to work. We have a baptism coming up the 28th. :) I miss you all and think of you often! Thanks for all that you do.
 
Love
 
Elder Keddington

January 10, 2012

January 9, 2012 Letter from Elder Keddington


Hello Friends and Family!
Sorry I haven't written in a while! Its been pretty crazy around here. Every P day I'm pressed with something to do or the Library is closed or something. So Here I am updating you on the work. That is definately what it is. Work. I go to sleep tired. I even wake up tired. But its a good experience for me! I'm loving every second of it. Sometimes I feel like a break would be good. Other times I know that would be a terrible Idea. I love it here.
I was able to speak in Sacrement meeting this past Sunday. I spoke on "A time to Prepare" by Elder Ian S. Aurdurn of last General Conference. I just have to tell you that I've been blessed with 2 things. Dad's ability to speak and teach, and being able to listen to the Spirit. I prepared a good amount and I don't even remember most of what I talked about. I do remember talking specifically to the Young Men about how important it is to achieve the Goal of serving a mission and all the joys in my life could never amount to the Joy of entering into the waters of Baptism. Seeing someone change their lives and come to know the truth of this Gospel. There is nothing better. I also remember talking about the 10 Virgins about how all 10 of them had a Goal to be with the Bridegroom but only half with prepared. I talked about the importance of preparing to achieve the goal we've set. I lost track of how many people said they loved my talk. I felt pretty good afterwords. But Honestly its because the Lord blessed me with the Spirit and I've never prayed more earnestly to be able to touch just one person. I always love speaking. :)
The ward is great. I'm eating probably too well for my own good. And I don't think I'll ever want to leave. I Love my mission!
The Work is going great! We're teaching the sweetest lady. Her name is Stella. Her daughter just had a stroke and she has no insurance. At all. So she is paying the Hospital bills. By herself. She's applied for Disability and such. We're praying that everything will work out. Its INCREDIBLE how much faith this woman has. I have no doubt that everything will work out. Satan is just working his magic against her because he sees that she can become a huge ally for the Kingdom.
I'm doing great. My area is still wonderful. My companion is..... getting to be better. He's a good kid. Just needs to be humbled. :) Haha. I Love You all and I'll see you all very very soon!!
Love
Elder Keddington

We found these cool Lions. I just couldn't resist!


This is the bed where all the General Authorites sleep when they come to the mission. :)

 Not sure if I sent this already but... Our latest Convert. Linda. :) Chirstmas Eve Baptism. :) :)