"I have a serious hankering for In-n-Out.

(Final email from the mission field!!!!!!)

Yes, I will talk. (Meaning...talk in church on Nov. 27th. I asked him last week and he totally ignored me.) I want to talk about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sorry, I forgot to respond to that question last week. I have a serious hankering for In-n-Out. (Guess that's where we'll be headed after the airport. Hope that's okay Olivia and Rachel.) 

We had several less-actives we've been working with come to church last week and we had three investigators in the primary program. I am in Scottsbluff right now, heading to the mission office soon. I had to send a package of extra stuff. By the way, Elder Campbell is training a new missionary. One of only eight missionaries this transfer! I am so proud of him!

See you soon!

Love,

Elder Andrew Campbell

Endure to the End!

(Here it is....only one more email to go--I think--unless he can't next week due to transfers. This one is short but sweet.)

Mother and Father,

   Well, I can't believe I have made it this far. But, here I am. I have pondered a lot on why missionaries would give up or take it easy at this point. To be honest, it is really quite easy to do so. No one would blame me. But, I have pondered a lot about the covenants I have made, and my desire to be a disciple after my mission, and I know that if I were to give up now I would be failing in my discipleship and I
don't believe I would be a disciple after my mission. So, I will endure to the end.
   I don't think I will send a bike home. Sounds like a hassle. (After much emailing back and forth we decided he'll leave the bike with someone there and we can pick it up when we take a road trip to his mission. It's a nice bike! It's the first bike we'll actually get after a mission. BJ had one stolen and one demolished in a bad accident. Peter's was too beat up at the end to ship home. This one was FREE and a GOOD one! I want it!!) I believe I won't have to ship anything else. I will see if a small package needs to be sent. We will see! I love you so much and I will
see you soon. (EIGHT DAYS!!!)

Love,

Elder Andrew Campbell

(A remote chat with the zone leaders and an article about a mission preparing you for dating and marriage! YIKES!!)

TWIX!!!

(Two more emails....WOOT! WOOT!)

Mother and Father,

   This week was eventful and non-eventful simultaneously. I got bronchitis! So, I spent most of the week coughing very hard. I am taking antibiotics and steroids right now. (And he said in a later email that he was feeling much better. YAY!) Also, Elder Christianson went to the ER. He's all better now. (He told me it was a really bad stomach flu and then he had a reaction to a Chinese flu....I think he meant, Chinese FOOD!) Made me giggle!) So, this was a very medical-centric week. (Not my favorite thing to hear!)
   Elder Campbell REALLY liked the Twix. I have a picture of him looking intensely for more Twix after he ate them all. (I found ghost-shaped Twix on Amazon, so I sent him those.) Our ward had a trunk or treat and we did a trunk. A sister in the ward donated cheese balls for us to hand out and we threw a bunch of pass-along cards on them for decorations.
   We are having a district p-day today, and we are going up Scottsbluff. We are going to have some fun outdoor adventures... We just got back. It was a lot of fun. It turns out the wagon ruts are really big! Like mini canyons. I thought there were going to be marks in the rocks, but they were a lot bigger. (I will attach a few he sent.)
   We had some awesome spiritual experiences this week. Our three girls are progressing really well, and we have had several less-active's progress. The spirit has been upon us in incredible abundance and we love it. Sister Nash, an investigator we taught when we were in the Scottsbluff Ward got baptized this weekend. She didn't want a baptism picture, but we got a picture before the confirmation. (Glad things are going well for the end of his mission and that he continues to work hard.)
  I have got to go. We have to be in early for Halloween. If anyone wants to talk to me in person...that time is coming shortly. (I know....15 days!!!)

Love,

Elder Andrew Campbell

(I'll attach the "looking for Twix" picture and some of the Scottsbluff pictures with the gigantic wagon ruts!)

Finally A Chimney Rock Picture!!!

(Only three more emails!!)

Mother and Father,

   I once again am at a loss as to what to write to you about this week. We had stake conference this week. They actually hold two meetings; one in Cheyenne and one in Scottsbluff. It is harder having the two population centers of your stake separated by 100 miles. I really love the stake leadership. Stake President Thaddeus Brown is incredible. (I like his name!)  I would like to be like him one day. He is fully confident without being overbearing, he loves and leads with clarity, and he has incredible hair. (HA!)
   We also did some proselyting in Bayard, a small town in our area. Elder Campbell has endearingly named it Sketchtown, USA. I seriously get such a weary feeling when I am in there. It feels like a dream. The town seriously needs the gospel. On the bright side, Chimney Rock is located nearby, so we got some pictures! I will send one your way! (And I will attach it.) We also found some dogs that followed us. It is always a pleasure to have a friend when you're out knocking doors. (Guess there aren't as many cats in Nebraska.)
   Last week our mission had an emphasis on studying Preach My Gospel Chapter 1. My favorite quote from it is this statement, "Enjoying the gifts of the Spirit should be one of your most earnest desires." The gifts from our Heavenly Father are so great! Why aren't we seeking them constantly?
   Also, I had an exchange with Elder Gardiner serving in Alliance. We went up to make a contact in the Wildcat Hills near Gering. We got an excellent picture. (I will attach it also.) I am grateful for the chance to serve with Elder Gardiner and the progress he has made in our time here.
    Elder Campbell and I have been studying the Safeguards for Using Technology manual. I have appreciated it because he has been making me make plans for how I will use them upon my return home. I have seen that they are about so much more than staying away from wasteful activities on a computer, it is about making every act a deliberate, useful act in your life. I am excited for how I can apply them. I am getting really weird. (Getting weird? Hmmm, I might beg to differ!) I have committed to perform nightly planning sessions to make my days more effective. I can't believe myself, but I am excited for what I have learned and what I can apply. I hope you have an excellent week.

Love,

Elder  Andrew Campbell

(Finally a Chimney Rock picture. His dad is so happy! He looks like he's wearing a hat! His dog pictures. The "excellent picture" in the Wildcat Hills. Random other pictures!!)

The "INCREDIBLES!"

(Only four more emails....I think I'M the one getting trunky!!)

Mother and Father,

   The Lord has been working a great work upon me this week. I have been blessed with a great gift of faith. The greatest gifts come from God, and I have been blessed with great peace of mind. It has come with a greater desire to repent and give my all to the Lord. I love my Savior Jesus Christ so much for what he has done for me.
   (INCREDIBLE or some variation seems to be the word of the day!) We did have the temple dedication and it was incredible. There was a great outpouring of the spirit. I pray that this area will be blessed with great spiritual power because of this temple. Afterward, we met up with the Scottsbluff elders in the parking lot and discussed what the spirit taught us during the dedication. It was great to feel so unified with them. I especially appreciated that the dedicatory prayer included stating that we were rededicating ourselves to the Lord.
   I did use the handkerchief you sent me. All the missionaries got free ones, but mine was extra special. (You use a white handkerchief as part of the dedication ceremony. For his birthday I sent one with the Fort Collins Temple embroidered on it along with Elder Andrew Campbell and the date of the dedication.) We also got recommends signed by President McMurray. And, we got to choose our session. We went to the noon one!
    Cheyenne is about 100 miles away, so going there is always a journey. The exchanges were great. I went with Elder Bush, my new zone leader, and a stellar fellow. (Wow, that's a great thing to be...a stellar fellow!) We got to work in the Prarie View Ward, the extra ward that the zone leaders picked up in addition to their current ward. It was incredible! Just in the day I spent there, we got several referrals and incredible member support. We even had a member present a lesson that was planned an hour in advance (I don't recommend doing it normally) that went fantastically.
   Then, we had zone meeting and interviews. During zone meeting I got to near my departing testimony. I am so grateful for the testimony I have developed on my mission. It didn't come the way I thought it would, but it came from Jesus Christ. Then, I had my departing interview. President McMurray gave me some basic advice. He told me to always pray, read my scriptures every day, always go to church, always do my home teaching and magnify my calling, and when I get to BYU to attend the temple weekly.
   The MyPlan system has been going for a few transfers now. I really like it. I do need to go soon, so I will marathon answer your questions. I did get the postcard and appreciated it. I would gladly clean Grandma's gutters, but I wouldn't be comfortable doing it alone. I just lack the confidence in my skills. I am going to work on getting a picture of Chimney Rock for Dad. I appreciate his letter and will work until the end. I love you all so much.

Love again,

Elder Andrew Campbell

(I think the pictures are of his zone and more Papa Murphy pizza!!!)

Mormon Trail Memorial

Mother and Father,

   The past 25 hours or so have been the most productive for missionary work here in the Chimney Rock Ward of all time! It all started when my friend Terrence walked into church because he had heard good things about it and wanted to find out. Brother Baird talked to him when he walked in and took him to Gospel Principles. We had the chance to teach him the first lesson there and he agreed to read and pray over the Book of Mormon. We should be meeting with him tomorrow! (Awesome sauce!)
  Simultaneously,  we just helped a family in the ward move into their new apartment and we just got invited back to teach their unbaptized children. That will also take place tomorrow. Two investigator teaching appointments in one day is better than we have ever done here. (They are being blessed for being so good.)
   This week I also began the MyPlan program! It's requiring introspection beyond what I have ever done before. This week I had to write about the truths and the attributes the Lord has taught me. Here's some of what I recorded: "Heavenly Father is the giver of the most precious of gifts. All we have to do to receive them is ask. In fact, he will give whatsoever we ask for in the name of Jesus Christ." And "A faith and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have gained a firm gratitude for the atonement and the great gift and what man is capable of because of it. I love Christ for what he has done for me and it moves me to action." (Pretty wise words from someone so young. I am grateful he was able to serve a mission and become such a strong young adult. 
   This week I get to go to Cheyenne for exchanges. We will be going on Wednesday night. Exchange for Thursday. Go to Zone Meeting in Cheyenne on Friday as well as receive my departing interview, and get back on Friday night. Also, we were doing some proselyting in Bayard, a town in our area that is right by the Chimney Rock. We found a Mormon Trail memorial! I am going to attach some pictures! 

   I need to go but you are the best!

Love,

Elder Andrew Campbell

(Attached are pictures of him and Elder Campbell making soup and them by the Mormon Pioneer Trail Memorial markers.)

Only Six Weeks More.....!!!!

(It's his LAST transfer!! He is still training Elder Campbell but Elder Christianson has moved on to another trainer. They have been a good tripanionship!!!)

Mother and Father,

   It is indeed transfer week. Elder Christianson's new trainer is Elder Gould. I honestly know nothing about him. That means it is back to just the Chimney RockWward for Elder Campbell and I. We did enjoy Brother McMillon's baptism on Saturday. President McMurray gave us permission to confirm him at the baptismal service, so that took care of that. (Bro. McMillon gave Andrew suspenders as a baptismal gift. I'll attach a picture.)
   When it comes to social conversion/gospel conversion, I see both sides of the argument. My opinion is that conversion to the gospel is the only form of conversion that really matters, but it is not always realistic to expect that conversion to take place without some form of social conversion. This is more than just a cultural coincidence. Moroni Chapter 6 instructs us on this, as well as Matthew 18:20. The ward council should be in charge of the fellowship of this new coming family, but as I have learned well on my mission, relying on a ward council to do anything is an exercise in futility. (Please don't have your feelings hurt if you are presently on a ward council. This is just Elder Campbell sharing his true colors!!)
   This being the fourth General Conference of my mission, it was the first one with an emphasis on missionary work! The last three conferences had great messages, but hardly a mention of missionary work was made. This one had two big talks about sharing the gospel, and references to missionaries and missionary work throughout. We view it as the ammunition needed to move forward with working with members. I also very much appreciated Elder Meurs talk on the Sacrament. It
gave me a lot to think about as to how I will approach partaking of the sacrament after my mission. I especially like the suggestion that we use Saturday to prepare to take the sacrament. I need to repent and better utilize this gift from Heavenly Father. I am excited to be reading the talks soon, because trying to take it all in in one go is difficult at best. I did like the emphasis on repentance. Before my
mission I didn't feel the need to repent because I thought I was walking perfection. My mission has transformed my view of the nature of repentance. Once I faced a couple trials I realized that my state is weak at best. Repentance is one of the greatest gifts we have received. It is the only exercise of our agency that really matters. (What a great life lesson to learn.)
   So, about the going home preparations. The mission office recommends that you take time to back-up your I-pad before you go home. I will probably move everything to Dropbox soon. I also begin the MyPlan program this week. I have to work on making plans on continuing discipleship, schooling, careers, and dating/marriage (). As difficult as being a missionary is. Real adulthood seems scarier.(Oh, it is, my son, it is!!) Pray for me to have the spirit with me as I make these plans.

Love,

Elder Andrew Campbell

(Attached are the following pictures: Andrew's baptism suspenders from his new convert, he and his companions in an empty Chinese restaurant--he commented about their lack of coordinating their faces---and looks like a Papa Murphy pizza. Oh, yeah!!)