Re: No body's counting here!‏- July 13, 2015

Will you be able to email or read emails next Monday? 

--As far as I know I should have time to write next Monday, but I'm not quite sure. I have my interview with President Cusick right at 11am, so it may be before or after that, and I'll have to have all of my bags packed. So crazy, I can't believe that it it this close already.

IF you have time answer these: (If not have an answer for when you get home :P  )

--I'll try to answer as many of these things as I can right now. :D Lots of questions I see.

What is the most spiritual thing you enjoyed on your mission?

--Tough questions. I don't know because I have had so many different experiences on my mission. Probably just because it's on my mind right now, but being able to go to the temple again last week and having the Spirit bring back to my remembrance all of the wonderful truths that are taught there. (John 14:26) Also with the many opportunities that I have had to give countless priesthood blessings, teaching people the amazing restored truths and preparing them for eternal life. Having the opportunity to baptized and confirm people members of the church. And hearing about how well that those I have grown close to are doing.

What is the most fun you had on your mission?

--Probably having ward or mission parties, and seeing missionaries and members interacting outside of church, and continuing to live the gospel and fellowship with people. On top of that, biking in the many different rain storms

What will you miss the most from your mission?

--I won't miss the flatness or the humidity. The thing that I am going to miss the most or the amazing people that I have met. There are so many people that have touched my heart, and I want to remain close to them. The other thing that I am going to miss is just not worrying about the cares of the world, and knowing what I am going to do each day. Get up and testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ each day.

What do you look forward to coming home?

--Seeing my family of course. That is the number one thing that I am can't wait for. Plus going to the temple each week. There's all of the small things that missionaries can't do like hanging out with friends, being alone, going on dates, swimming, sleeping in, and many other things, but none of those things matter that much.

What plans and expectations do you have coming home?  ie: what do you think life should be like when you return?

--I expect to be about the same as my mission, but better because I get to be with my family. This is all that I currently know what to do. I will be sending my goals to you next week which contain a bunch of my plans that I have for my life. It will go along the lines of figuring out what I am going to do for a career, and how I am going to pay for schooling. Plus dating and eventually getting married in the temple. That I may become the father and husband that my Heavenly Father wants me to become.

 

Be ready to answer these questions when you get home:

What do you feel that you will need to do arriving home?

--Couple grand! lol. Books for school, and housing, transportation, new clothes, a job to pay for all of these things. Write my homecoming talk. 

What will you need help with from Mom or Dad while we have time off work? (We are each taking a week off work to be with you.)

--Probably just taking time to sit down and talk about what the next steps of life will be fore me and how I can prepare for school and life. Showing me of the things that I will need to do for school and housing. Not doing them yourselves, but showing me how to do it. Maybe taking a trip up to Cedar to find a suitable place, or deciding if I am going to drive each day.

Are you ready to run in the mornings?

--Not exactly. I've only been running about 5 miles a week on the treadmill. But I will push myself to keep up with Kiera! :D

Anyone that you have goals to teach or inspire when you get home?

--Just being really good friends with nonmembers and less actives. Always inviting them to church activities, or just to hang out together. Tommy, and lots of investigators that I have met out here. Help my sisters to be able to serve full-time missions themselves. I know that Kiera wants to, but I'm not sure about Lexie and Lainee. 

Any destinations or things that you want/ need to do when you get home?

--Lots of destinations that I want to go to. I want to bring the family back here to Florida to meet everyone here. We could also hit up DisneyWorld, Orlando Temple, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, and the beaches. Also going out to Lake Powell, Sand hollow, the Cabin, and mountains nearby. I have lots of places that I want to go to. Plus the ground breaking of the Cedar City Temple, and open house of the Provo City Temple. 

 

Know that for your homecoming- 

-If you have opportunity- eat at the Airport in Salt Lake City as your time may be quick (depending on flights and airport time)to get to the Stake President Frei's office.  If you don't get to eat we will for sure go through a drive through and get you something to eat on the fly as you have had a long travel day.  So if that is the case- have in mind where you would want to stop.

-You are meeting with the Stake President Frei 8pm on Tuesday- the day that you arrive.  

-Some family and friends may be at the house after to greet you.

-You will not be allowed in the house until cameras are set up to capture the homecoming of you with Candy.  So be patient.  Please refrain from petting/touching Diamond until AFTER you have hugged Candy.  I don't want her to feel 2nd best by any means.  (Dogs can do that ya- know.)

-Hunter Hammer is one of the youth speakers and the girls along with Bowen are doing a musical number.  

--By girls, are you meaning Kiera, Lexie, and Lainee? And is there another speaker, or just me and Hunter? That's probably the thing that I am looking to least for coming home, is just giving my homecoming talk because I don't like public speaking. 

 

No- no body here is counting down!
except Lainee ((who put the countdown app on my phone today!!! Now I know every day and every second!!!!))
except Lexie ((who is counting the number of days she gets to wallow in a double bed!)) 
except Kiera ((who is trying to get up running speed so she won't be schooled by you when you get back out! and trying to figure out how to get every ounce of your time before school
             starts!))
except Mom ((who can cry at the drop of the hat and both the tears and smile mean the same thing!!))
except Dad ((who asks each day how many days and then answers before anyone else can!! Then will deny that he's not counting!))
but maybe not Candy as we say "Are you ready Candy?  Chase is coming home soon."  and She cocks her head like she kinda knows what's happening but like we might be tricking her as Kiera has been driving the Blazer the last 2yrs and throwing her off!  Well, we think not really.  (who knows really?!)

Even though time is short, I exhort you to strongly keep your mission spirit alive and strong!  Keep that Elder White super busy!  He has a full year ahead of him and needs to keep the spirit burning strong as he sends a great companion to his own home town.  He knows the streets where you walk and the place he calls home.  Try not to give him reason to get home sick.  (I don't know if he is susceptible to that or not.)  He seems like such a fine young man and I am soo thrilled that you had the opportunity to spend your last transfers with him!  He looks like he has such a great go-get-em spirit!  I can't wait for you to meet his family!  Of coarse, I have invited them!!

 

 

Sorry if the responses a little bit short, we can talk more in depth about them when I get back. I wish that I had more time to write right now. But we've got to get going. Loves ya tons!!!

Love, your favorite son,

Elder Leavitt

Power of the Book of Mormon!‏ - July 13, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Not a whole lot has happened since I last wrote on Thursday. Besides having two flat tires from getting nails in the tire, and walking in the rain. Although we did have some really awesome lessons with two investigators that we have recently started working with. Their names are Ashley and Genesis. They are both such awesome people, and I love going over and visiting with them in their home and teaching them about the Book of Mormon. They both have a Jehovah Witness background, but haven't been for a while. Ashley requested a Bible about four weeks ago, and when we went over to deliver that to her, we started teaching about the Book of Mormon and gave her a copy of that as well.  Since then, our lessons have been straight out of the Scriptures. We are able to help her receive answers to her many different questions, and show her where she can find them for herself. She is starting to be more open to the Book of Mormon as we show her how thy both fit perfectly together. Once she is able to find the answers, she is willing to change her life immediately to align it with God's will. With Genesis, she requested a missionary visit after meeting some Spanish missionaries on the street. Since then, we have taught her the Restoration and about the Book of Mormon. She loves learning about Christ teaching the people here in the America's, and seeing that he does love all of his people. I know that the Lord has been preparing them, along with many others that we are working with to receive the Restored gospel into their lives.

Speaking of the Spanish missionaries, we were biking along one of the major streets and I see three guys dressed in white shirts and ties riding on their bikes. We surprised them when we came biking up right behind them. I wonder what we all looked like with having five guys riding bikes in dress clothes, standing on the street corner. We talked to them for a brief second, and they told us that they just set a date with two referrals that we gave to them a few weeks ago. I was really excited to hear about that. 

Sunday was a great day. Two, soon to be missionaries, Jake Heller and Sister Urbina gave their farewell talks in Sacrament meeting. They are both going to the Arizona, Phoenix mission, and they leave for the MTC this Wednesday! So to all of my family and friends in Arizona, be on the lookout for these two missionaries over the next 18-24 months! They are such great people!

I love you all so much, and I can't wait to see you all in a week. God Speed!

Love,

Elder Leavitt

 

 

 

Sisters: Rudd, Coleman, Rivers, and Waters

Elders: Laguana Joa, Cooper, Williams, Colburn, White, and Leavitt

 

 

 

On Thu, Jul 9, 2015 at 5:03 PM, Makayla Leavitt <leavittmakayla@hotmail.com> wrote:
So glad you got to enjoy the Temple today!
Pres Cusick calked yesterday and let me know that you have served well in you mission with no complaints and a good attitude with a spirit that touched others!
Thank you for making me cry as I was a super proud mamma!!
Luvs bunches and tons!!
Mom

 Sent from my iPhone

 

 

Awe man!  That is so great of President Cusick to do that. I love him and Sister Cusick so much. They are both just so amazing. I will be sad when I have to say goodbye to them. But even more excited to see you and the family again. That's all that I want to do in life is make you and dad, and my Heavenly parents happy and proud. Loves ya tons!!!

Love, your boy,

Elder Leavitt

 

 

4th of July + Temple Trip!!!‏ , July 9, 2015

Dear family and friends,

Right now, I am on a spiritual high, and that is because I just got back from going to the Orlando Temple. It was such a wonderful experiences and I loved it so much. I knew that I had missed going to the temple before I went, but once we got there, I didnt realize how much that I really did miss being able to go to the temple. It's such a great blessing to have gotten the opportunity to go while I am out here. There were many amazing truths that I learned, *(and also relearned because I forgot a bunch of it) and I can't wait to continue having these uplifting and spiritual learning experiences regularly when I get back. It has really helped me to see the eternal perspective of why we do the things that we do as members of Christ church, and to show me why I am a member of His church. I am so excited to get back to work because I now feel re energized and motivated to help everyone that I meet know how their families be be together for eternity.

Early on this week, we also had a fourth of July party at a members home. There was an awesome turnout of 90 people there. That is more than we usually get for Sacrament meeting each week. There were a few less actives members there, and we were able to get one of our investigators there after going through lots of work to try to find her a ride. Once we finally found her one, we then had to search for our own, otherwise we wouldn't have gone to it because of how far away that it is. They had a pool there for everyone to enjoy, and a great big water slide for both the kids and adults to go down. But the best part was the home cooked food. It has been such a long time since we have had anything homemade. Let me tell you, those grilled burgers were pretty good!  :)  

Yesterday, Wednesday, was a really good day. We had six lessons in total, and each and everyone of them the Spirit was so strong, and the people we taught all had a sincere desire to learn the truths of the restored Gospel. They were filled with inspired questions, and we were able to answer many of them. It was so great! I love being a missionary so much!!

Talk to you all again on Monday! Love y'all!

Love, 

Elder Leavitt