7 November, 2016 - A great Week!

Us with Vicky!

Zone Picture. When I first got here our zone was 10 missionaries... now it's 17!

Us at the baptism with the Little Lake sisters who originally found her.

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week has been amazing! Lots of good happened and many things learned and new things experienced as well as miracles witnessed. Anyways...

TUESDAY- was a great DDM! The amazing thing happened afterwards. So flashback to when Elder Briggs arrived. That night we were to drop off a car for the Little Lake Sisters and the other Elders drove the truck with everyone's bikes home and we were to meet up afterwards. During that time while the other Elders were unloading a companionship, Elder Brigg's bike was stolen . Some guy cut the tie-down used to keep the bikes and only took his. Anyway, today we saw someone riding a bike that looked a lot like his, so we followed him and called the cops and long story short, it was his bike!!! He also had a receipt so that we can prove it and went home with his bike! Miracles!!! Then later that day we found a new investigator, Joyce, and had a good night of work. The other miracle of the day because we didn't get out until 5pm that day.

WEDNESDAY- we had a luncheon with the stake president and went seeking until it was time to fill the font for Vicky's baptism! It was a super amazing experience! That was basically the day.

THURSDAY- we did our weekly planning and then we did service at the Historic Hemet Theatre again. I spent 2 hours vacuuming seats. Not the funnest thing we did. Then we went out and about and had a slow leak so the night was cut a little short but that's ok,it was still a good day.

FRIDAY- us DL's had a DL training in Riverside so we were there for most of the day, but afterwards we had dinner at Jack-in-the-Box and went out with our ward mission leader for the rest of the night.

SATURDAY- we had service putting up 1,776 flags at Gibbons Park for Veteran's day Week. Then we finalized Vicky's record to send in on Monday. The bad part was that we had to drop an investigator because he got hung up on super deep doctrine that he didn't agree with, which is always frustrating. He knows the Book of Mormon is true but he's afraid to act on it. Then we had dinner at a High Priest Group Activity...I wasn't the youngest one there, Elder Briggs was. Then we got another flat so we got a ride home.

SUNDAY- was great! Vicky got confirmed, her non-member husband was there. I think he enjoyed the classes. Kiah and Jaime were also there. Kiah is so close to baptism, just one more lesson and an interview and he'll be baptized in a week or two! Then we went seeking and had Jumbaliah for the first time. It was good! So was the shrimp. The only problem was that Bro. Herterich shared a story of how he got food poisoning from bad shrimp then he fed us shrimp. Didn't get sick so that was good.

TODAY- we played soccer at a park and played a 10-person game of Uno or two or seven. Now we are going to E-mail and eat lunch and play more games until dinner. 

This week was amazing! I love you all!

Until Next Time,

Elder Jewkes

Yummy Cookies!

Historic Hemet Theater is the Business of the year...and it's being renovated...

2 November, 2016 - Christmas package letter

2 November 2016

Dear Brother and Sister Jewkes,

The year is passing quickly and the Christmas season will soon be here. This is a wonderful time to do missionary work.  People’s hearts are turned to the Savior. They are thinking of others and their hearts are softened. A new video will soon be released by the Church, giving members and missionaries alike an opportunity to share with others thoughts about the Savior. Many people are looking for guidance in their lives and your missionary has light to bring to them.

Thank you for supporting Elder Jewkes through emails, letters and your prayers. Your love and support mean so much to him. We will write about Christmas phone calls in a future email, but it is time to share some guidelines about sending Christmas gifts to your missionary. Will you please share these with family members and friends who may also be mailing gifts?

Please remember that a mission is a time of consecration for missionaries. Gifts that do not distract them from the work are best: clothing, restaurant gift cards, pens, scripture marking items, personal grooming items, appropriate music or art (that which draws their thoughts to the Savior), family pictures. Two items available through store.lds.org would also make good gifts: “The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos, 50 scenes from the Gospels,” and “Gospel Art Book” ($5 and $3.50 respectively. These are also available at Distribution Centers). Please do not send: books not in the approved missionary library, dart boards, bow and arrow sets, etc. (think apartment damage), knives (not allowed for missionaries), games that take more than a half hour to play (they can only use them on preparation day), things that will disturb other apartment dwellers (think noise).

 Please mail packages to the mission office:  5900 Grand Ave., Riverside, CA 92504

 * This prevents packages being stolen from beneath apartment mailboxes.

* It also prevents packages from getting lost when missionaries must move.

Important:  All packages will be delivered to missionaries as they arrive.  (This is a change from last year!)

Please mark Christmas packages DO NOT OPEN UNTIL CHRSITMAS so that your missionary will know which ones to save for Christmas day.

 Packages that arrive after December 20th CANNOT be delivered until after Christmas.

We understand that missions are expensive and that a family’s circumstances can change quickly. It would be our joy to help your missionary receive Christmas gifts if you are unable to send them. Let Sister Just know by calling 951-788-9690.

With love,

President John Mullen and Sister Jana Mullen

31 October, 2016 - Happy Halloween Everybody!

Me with Elder Briggs. Our ward mission leader is photobombing our pic

us trainers doing the duck face with Pringle chips on the way to Riverside.

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week has been a good one! From 4 investigators to church to a baptism coming up on the 2nd. We are super excited! So this is how the week went...

TUESDAY- we went to Riverside to pick up the new greenies! We had a lot of fun! There were 3 of us training from Hemet so we all rode together! We had a lot of fun. My new greenie is Elder Briggs. He is from Burley, Idaho and is 6' 4"! The only bad thing was that Elder Briggs' bike got stolen the first night in Hemet , but he has a bike to borrow until he can get a new one.

WEDNESDAY- we had our weekly DDM. It was about having the faith to baptize converts. It was a good one. My district now has the Spanish Trio so our district went from 4 missionaries to 7! WE almost doubled in size! After lunch we went to get Elder Briggs some food since he didn't have any. Then we started teaching Zackary and Julie. They seem sincere but hard to catch. Then we went to the ward Trunk-or-Treat. It was a lot of fun! We had an investigator and a Part Member Family attend so it was a good missionary opportunity.

THURSDAY- we had our weekly planning and had a lesson with Vicky. She is doing awesome! She is getting baptized this Wednesday! (Nov 2) It is super exciting! Then we had dinner with Bishop Minor and went out with our Ward Mission Leader and saw Eric. The lesson ended up in a bash about how the Fall was part of the Plan of Salvation and that it needed to happen. Eric didn't think so... but he said he'll come to church.

FRIDAY- we updated our referrals after studies and tried some people before lunch. Afterwards, we tried some people before we went to service. We went to a old folk's home and helped run a Fall Festival. We were in charge of the Cake Walk. The prize was a whole cake! Not a piece, not a single cupcake, but a whole box! It was crazy! A table full of diabetes! Then we had dinner with the Gonzalez Family which is always fun!

SATURDAY- we went to see Zack and Julie...they weren't home. After lunch we found Davion who is on date for  baptism. We asked him why he wanted us to come back and he said that something told him to invite us back. I think it was the spirit.... We also had a lesson with Kiah, our other golden investigator ready for baptism. The lesson was short since he didn't have time but it was still good. After that our ward mission leader took us to Hometown Buffet! Super good...until I literally ate too much and threw up...so we stayed in the rest of the night.

SUNDAY- was amazing! We had 4 investigators to church...FOUR! It was fabulous! Kiah, Vicky, Eric, and Jaime all came! We were super excited! Vicky also had her baptismal interview and she is all good to go. Then we went out with Scotty to see some people but no one was home. Then we had dinner with President Minor from the stake presidency. They always feed us right! Then we reported our numbers planned.

TODAY- we had breakfast, did laundry, played some board games with other elders and we are E-mailing right now. Then we will shop, play more games, eat dinner and have a zone activity for the whole night since it's a holiday! Super excited!

Well, that's the life in Park Hill (Hemet)! I miss you all, Happy Halloween, and Happy Holidays (they are just around the corner after all)

Until Next Time...

Elder Jewkes

24 October, 2016 - A new transfer, same area, new greenie

Me chillin' with the mission map...each tag represents a transfer and each one has my companion's name on it...

Dear Family and Friends,

So another transfer is under way in the California Riverside Mission. So, Elder Rose got transferred to Riverside and I am staying put here in Hemet. I will be training a new missionary...again...for a 3rd time. I must be good at it or something. Any way the week went like this...

MONDAY- was any other typical P-day. We played Ultimate Frisbee at a park in San Jacinto and played card games with the Diamond Valley Elders and the Valle Vista Elders. It was a ton of fun. Then we had dinner and tried some people with no luck.

TUESDAY- we had a great DDM. I had Elder Rose give the training and he did a great job! I don't know why he is always so down on himself. But afterward we tried people with no luck. Dinner was Carl's Jr ( we had members give us money) at the end of the day.

WEDNESDAY- was an alright day. Elder Rose had an appointment in Riverside so I was with the Valle Vista Elders for a few hours. Then we helped a member pack up some boxes of books, and by boxes I mean a ton of boxes! This lady had 1000's of books collected over the years. We spent like 3 hours boxing them up...and we were only half way done. Then we went seeking and had dinner at the end of the day since our dinner cancelled.

THURSDAY- we did service at the Historic Hemet Theatre again. It was fun finding old posters from the good ole days. Then we saw our golden investigator, Vicky. She is super ready. Hopefully she will be baptized next Wednesday. Then we tried some other people with not as much luck. Then we had more money to eat dinner at McDonalds. We just haven't been in member's homes to eat this week but this next week is packed so we're good.

FRIDAY- we did our weekly planning and tried some people like we always do. We saw golden investigator #2 Kiah. He is doing great! He had an amazing miracle. his left arm and leg were paralyzed from a stroke 8 years ago and during the 3rd hour when he stood to introduce himself he had unusual strength and was able to extend his fingers on his left hand for the first time in years which qualifies him for physical therapy! Super amazing! The gospel is changing his life. Then we had dinner with our ward mission leader.

SATURDAY- I got the call to train a new missionary @7:28 am. The rest of the day was rough, no ne was home and we cleaned up the apartment for the new missionary. Then we found out that Elder Rose was being transferred to Riverside.

SUNDAY- we had 2 people at church, had lunch with a member and his family since he was having a baby blessing. Then we went to the hospital to give a blessing, us being the elders in the area. Then we spent the rest of the day packing and having dinner with the Tanuvasa's. Everyone was shocked that Rose was leaving. Everyone was expecting me to leave...

TODAY- we said goodbye to some members and sent Elder Rose off to Riverside. Now I am with Valle Vista Elders and E-mailing where tomorrow I will pick up my greenie in Riverside.

Well that was my week!

Until next time...

Elder Jewkes

 

 

 Yeah, so I'm staying put in Hemet. After this transfer will be 9 month in Park Hill. I am training a new missionary again. Don't know why but I'll have fun with it. So I might be in Park Hill for Christmas, at least I will for Halloween and Thanksgiving. I don't know who my new companion is but I hope he's part Asian. Elder Doi is a 1/4 Japanese and Elder Rose is 1/2 Pilipino. It would be cool if the trend continues but we'll see. Look forward to that package!

 

Yeah I'm still a DL. It is just weird to train again back to back, not a lot of missionaries do that.

 

23 October, 2016 - Trainer letter from President Mullen

23 October 2016

Wade and Marci Jewkes

                                                                345 E 450 S
                                                                Hyde Park, UT 84318
                                                                USA



Dear Brother and Sister Jewkes,

Elder Benjamin Coy Jewkes has been given the new assignment to serve as Trainer of a newly arrived missionary. He has received this assignment because of his dedication and unselfish service and because of the confidence the Lord has in him. He is a fine missionary.

The position of Trainer is considered the most important assignment in the mission, for it is the Trainer who establishes the foundation for his companion's success and the ultimate success of the mission. We appreciate his willingness to be an exemplary missionary.

We thank you for your continued support and prayers for your missionary and the work in the California Riverside Mission.

Sincerely,

John H. Mullen, PresidentCalifornia Riverside Mission

17 October, 2016 - An amazing week!

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week has been a miracle! It has been the best week we had since I came back to Hemet! Things are looking up! Anyways...

TUESDAY- was the first day of Senior Week! We had our monthly ZDM, but first we had to run to the hardware store so that Elder Rose could get some new tubes. Everyone but me seems to have the bike problems. My bike should be named "Old Faithful" I guess. Anyway, After ZDM (and lunch) we finished our 12 week study and we went contacting until dinner with the Wallace's. They were in the middle of a carpet cleaning so the house was a mess, but that's ok. Then we went with our ward mission leader to visit some people with no luck. Then we got home and let Elder Rose take the lead in planning (It is senior week after all)!

WEDNESDAY- I was reading in the ensign and I found Hemet! Yep, Hemet was the scene of one of the Latter-Day Voices section and the Dunn's that were talked about were the Dunn's from our ward! That was pretty impressive! After studies we tried some people, ate lunch, and went seeking. Elder Rose has this fear of bees so when one flew by during a contact he freaked out. The funny thing was that the bee pursued so Elder Rose got on his bike and rode halfway down the block before he realized the bee flew off! It was pretty funny. I told him that it happened because he is such a "Rose"! Then, we had dinner at a Vietnamese place with Brother Minor. Then Elder Rose had his fresh Jalapenos soak in his soup too long and he almost died from the spice! We had to ask for more broth to dilute the spice. Then we were able to see a Part Member Family. They wanted to feed us for dinner and we happened to have a spot open for Saturday! It all works out! Then we biked home to plan.

THURSDAY- was great. We gave a member a blessing and after our studies we did our weekly service at the Historic Hemet Theater. It was great...and dirty as usual. The only thing out of the ordinary was that we got a call from President Mullen during service. I guess he wanted to meed with Elder Rose. I hope everything is alright... then we did our weekly planning and Bro. Johnson took us out to In-N-Out. He said that there should be one on the east side of town...I said they should be one in Cache Valley! He understood since he grew up in Logan actually...small world. Then we saw Tony and Jaime with Bro Johnson. It was a good day! Then we got home to plan.

FRIDAY- we drove all the way to Riverside to meet with President Mullen (we borrowed Valle Vista's car). The interview was private between Elder Rose and President Mullen. I guess he has some anxiety issues and President gave him some personal suggestions for him that will help. Please pray for him. After we got back we were able to pick up a golden investigator named Vicky. She was being taught by the Little Lake Sisters and went to their ward 3 times, but lives in our area so we took over and invited her to our ward. She really wants to get baptized! Then we tried some people and had dinner with the Gonzalez Family and Jaime and her daughter Jillian were there! It was a great dinner and gospel conversation about eternal families. Then we got home later than usual to plan.

SATURDAY- after studies we visited people with no luck. After lunch we meet with Roxanne...who was pretty drunk so we kept the visit short. We went with Adam Gonzales to see Kiah and to get a ride to church organized. Then we had dinner with that PMF that we saw on Wednesday. That was a fun dinner. They are super cool! Bro. Solami served his mission in Guatemala and shared some epic stories! Then we got a ride home from them and planned for tomorrow.

SUNDAY- was the miracle...we had 3 investigators to church! Yep, 3 not one but 3!! It was great. Jaime, Kiah, and Vicky all came! Now we have some progressing investigators. The day was full of gratitude for the Lord and what He blessed us with for our efforts. Then we sent seeking and had dinner with the Ika's. Now the Ika's are Samoan and we went to their extended family, the Steven's, house and had a party...and you know what Samoan get together are like...lots of food. I thought it was a great week to celebrate and this was the way to do it. Elder Rose being part Filipino really enjoyed the Polynesian food we ate.

So that was our week. It was super great. The miracle was that most of the success happened from Thursday on...so that's why we must endure to the end. Makes sense. I love you all!

Until Next Time...

Elder Jewkes

We found a cute little egg pan! It is the perfect size for egg sandwiches!

10 October, 2016 - Week of Exchanges

 just chillin' on P-day

the two random toilets

a nice sunset in San Jacinto

 

 

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week has been fabulous! There were lots of good things that happened. New investigators, Training (always fun), Summer coming to an end! It just doesn't get much better than this. Anywho...

TUESDAY- we actually had exchanges! I was in Echo Hills with Elder Beigle who goes home in 2 weeks. We started with DDM then we went to Riverside because the ZL's needed a new phone because they dropped it...from a tree... after they threw it up...everything's all good, except they lost all of their contacts so they had to start all over. Then we had a late lunch, all appointments fell through and after dinner we took the member that fed us to see a Less-Active family. It was a long day. Elder Beigle had to take Benadryl so I drove the rest of the night because he was so out of it. Elder Rose and Elder Drebot found 2 new investigators: Shantel and Angelia so the day went alright.

WEDNESDAY- we had our once-a-transfer luncheon with Bob Davis. He is basically the stake mission leader. After the luncheon we went to see Manny but he was at school for the day so we went seeking in their neighborhood instead. Then we found James and talked with him for only 10 minutes, he needed to go to a rehab session to quit alcohol. He is doing great. Then we had dinner with the Brown's which is always good with blue Jello and homemade applesauce! Then we tried some potentials with no luck and went home to plan for tomorrow.

THURSDAY- there wasn't much that happened. We had studies then we went to do service for the Historic Hemet Theatre again. This time we finished the bolts so we got to sweep out the bottom of the stage. It was super bad. I was coughing for the rest of the day. Then, we did our weekly planning, went seeking and had dinner with the Gonzalez family. Super good as usual. Then we had to rush back to our apartment because the ZL's had packages for us. I got a little care package from the Hyde Park 2nd Ward Primary. It was super awesome and unexpected. They gave me a Spanish and English Book of Mormon to give. More details to come later.

FRIDAY- had not much event. We tried some old potentials and visiting Alec with no luck. After lunch we went to see some potentials in a certain area. No one was home nor outside. We now know where not to go on a weekday afternoon. We also found two random toilets on the street corner...that's Hemet for ya! Then we went seeking and while we were we got a call from the Little Lake sisters. They told us that they have an investigator for us who lives in our area and she was taught the restoration and attended church 2 times already! Blessings for diligence!! Then we had dinner and prepped for exchanges!

SATURDAY- yep exchanges again. It was my exchange this time, me being the District Leader. I went to the Spanish ward to work with Elder Lewis. We couldn't get in with anyone but we talked to a ton of people. Half of them Spanish. I was able to even give out that Spanish Book of Mormon that I got in my package! It was super sweet. After exchanges we went back to plan for tomorrow.

SUNDAY- no one came to church but it was still a good day. After church we picked up a new investigator named Gabriel. He is super cool. Then we went seeking. Right as we got the number of contacts we needed, we got a flat (Well, Elder Rose got the flat, my bike is "Ole Faithful") and we were 2 miles away from the apartment. So we called a member to come get us and 2 people offered to help us out while we were waiting for said member to get us. On the way back, Adam (member) asked if we had a Book of Mormon that he could give to a friend, so I gave him the English one I got in my package. Then we had dinner dropped off and went to see some referrals before we ended the night with reporting and planning.

TODAY- so far we played Volleyball, had lunch and E-mailed. Afterward we are going to play some board games (we got laundry done in the morning and we shop for 2 weeks worth at a time) have dinner with the Johnson's and see some Part Member Families.

So that was our week. This upcoming week is "Senior Week" where my boy (Elder Rose) gets to take over the area for a week. He took over an area twice this past week so this will be easy for him. Wish us luck and put us in your prayers.

Until Next Time,

Elder Jewkes