12 years ago
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Another week, Utah this time.
Brigham Young's cemetary plot just East of yellow flat roofed bldg. lower right.
Church office building where we went to 27th floor to view Salt Lake
Conference center from above.We traveled up to the mountains to pick up AJ for an over night and saw this beautiful partially frozen waterfall.
Hayliann, Tom and Papa
Display after Draper Ut. temple
open house. No pictures at temple.
Hayliann, Mylee, AJ and Alyssa after temple open house
AJ, Brooke, Ryder and Tom at the Lion House
Ryder and River belly bumping
KateLynn Park up for Sunday dinnerWednesday, February 18, 2009
Happy Valentines from Spike
Hey there ladies and gentlemen! What is going on up there in the land of the free, and home of the brave? Has Obama torn our country apart yet or what? Haven’t heard much from you all or anyone for a matter of fact since he was sworn in. I am still anxious to hear how things will go with this guy.
I was so happy to get on the internet today and see e mails from my sisters! Every one of them wrote me a nice little letter, and let me know how everything was going on! Sounds like my little nieces and nephews are growing up, and they are getting big. I never thought that I would miss the little rascals so bad. Make sure you let them all know that I am thinking about them and love them a ton! I also got a letter from my love, and one from Andrew Joseph lee Gatten. That really made my day to read their letters. I just don’t understand what is going on with the mail system. I have sent aj a couple letters, and punky too, but they have not been getting anything. I don’t know, but know for sure that I have been writing. I will be sending postcards home and stuff this week, so well see how long it takes for them to get there. If only we had the us mail system here.
This week for me has been really interesting, and heart searching to say the least. I have been having some tuff days here and there with the work in the area. We have a baptism this week, on Saturday, but besides that it doesn’t seem like we have much going on. We have been putting tons of ideas in affect from Preach My Gospel, on how to find new people and families, but nothing has really caught fire. I have been praying extra hard, and looking to thank my Heavenly Father more for the blessings that he has bestowed upon me than those that I would like at the present time. I have been thrashing threw the last general conference talks in the Ensign, and it really has just changed my life; everything. The words of the latter day prophets and apostles have just really hit home to me. It just seems so clear what I need to put in practice in my life. Modern day revelation is so important. When you think about it it really separates others churches from ours. What a blessing that is, we have a prophet here on the earth, now in our days, to lead and guide the lords chosen people.
My mind has been turning to the basics of the gospel this week. I have thought many things from the concept or principle of faith, to the existence of our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. What proof exists, how I can receive answers, and really if Heavenly Father answers my prayers? The Ensign comforted me, and gave me the answers I sought, and the comfort I needed. I watched the movie about the restoration of the gospel that passes there in salt lake, and it really just reaffirmed to me the truth of everything. It brought feeling back that I felt when I walked on holy ground in the sacred grove, when I participated in baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo Temple, and when I walked into carthage jail where the prophet Joseph was martyred. I cannot explain the love I felt, the tingling in my spin, or how it felt to have tears running down my cheeks, but I can tell each of you that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints is the true church of our savior restored upon this earth in this last dispensation. I am certain. What else matters? Simply nothing. I have dedicated myself to his work, to his cause, to his will. There is no greater calling, no greater cause to be a part of. Save souls, brothers and sisters, and ensure their salvation in the kingdom of our father. At times I do not feel worthy, but I know it is because I know the calling is so great. How humbled I am to be a part of his army on the earth today in these parlous times.
I love each of you dearly. I think of you each often, and I can feel your love. My prayer, and my true desire is that you will all strengthen each other. Lift each other up, give a helping hand, and do a good deed. See to be like our Savior is. We forget, at times, our purpose and duty. Don’t forget, seek to fulfill his will each day. Live for him, not for yourself, not for the world. He has his arms open, he has blessing waiting to bestow upon your heads. That is a promise.
Love you all…
Elder Gatten
I was so happy to get on the internet today and see e mails from my sisters! Every one of them wrote me a nice little letter, and let me know how everything was going on! Sounds like my little nieces and nephews are growing up, and they are getting big. I never thought that I would miss the little rascals so bad. Make sure you let them all know that I am thinking about them and love them a ton! I also got a letter from my love, and one from Andrew Joseph lee Gatten. That really made my day to read their letters. I just don’t understand what is going on with the mail system. I have sent aj a couple letters, and punky too, but they have not been getting anything. I don’t know, but know for sure that I have been writing. I will be sending postcards home and stuff this week, so well see how long it takes for them to get there. If only we had the us mail system here.
This week for me has been really interesting, and heart searching to say the least. I have been having some tuff days here and there with the work in the area. We have a baptism this week, on Saturday, but besides that it doesn’t seem like we have much going on. We have been putting tons of ideas in affect from Preach My Gospel, on how to find new people and families, but nothing has really caught fire. I have been praying extra hard, and looking to thank my Heavenly Father more for the blessings that he has bestowed upon me than those that I would like at the present time. I have been thrashing threw the last general conference talks in the Ensign, and it really has just changed my life; everything. The words of the latter day prophets and apostles have just really hit home to me. It just seems so clear what I need to put in practice in my life. Modern day revelation is so important. When you think about it it really separates others churches from ours. What a blessing that is, we have a prophet here on the earth, now in our days, to lead and guide the lords chosen people.
My mind has been turning to the basics of the gospel this week. I have thought many things from the concept or principle of faith, to the existence of our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. What proof exists, how I can receive answers, and really if Heavenly Father answers my prayers? The Ensign comforted me, and gave me the answers I sought, and the comfort I needed. I watched the movie about the restoration of the gospel that passes there in salt lake, and it really just reaffirmed to me the truth of everything. It brought feeling back that I felt when I walked on holy ground in the sacred grove, when I participated in baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo Temple, and when I walked into carthage jail where the prophet Joseph was martyred. I cannot explain the love I felt, the tingling in my spin, or how it felt to have tears running down my cheeks, but I can tell each of you that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints is the true church of our savior restored upon this earth in this last dispensation. I am certain. What else matters? Simply nothing. I have dedicated myself to his work, to his cause, to his will. There is no greater calling, no greater cause to be a part of. Save souls, brothers and sisters, and ensure their salvation in the kingdom of our father. At times I do not feel worthy, but I know it is because I know the calling is so great. How humbled I am to be a part of his army on the earth today in these parlous times.
I love each of you dearly. I think of you each often, and I can feel your love. My prayer, and my true desire is that you will all strengthen each other. Lift each other up, give a helping hand, and do a good deed. See to be like our Savior is. We forget, at times, our purpose and duty. Don’t forget, seek to fulfill his will each day. Live for him, not for yourself, not for the world. He has his arms open, he has blessing waiting to bestow upon your heads. That is a promise.
Love you all…
Elder Gatten
Monday, February 16, 2009
Week-end in Seattle
Dusty, Angie, and Steve at Cheese Cake Factory
Cheese cake factory Jean was there taking the picture
Beautiful clear evening with Mt. Raineir as a backdrop. Many times it is overcast in Seattle, but we were lucky to see it from the 520 bridge over Lake Washington.
A fun Valentines Day
Thursday after work we went to Seattle to spend a week-end with Dusty and Angie. He is still in the Endodontic program at University of Washington with another 4 semesters to go. Angie works at the school full time,and we don't get to see them as much as we would like. Dusty's friend and fellow endo student Michael has a roommate who is a professional fisherman and he took Dusty and Steve out for Salmon. They caught quite a few and even each caught a 10 1/2 lb.keeper. Friday night we had gone to the Cheese Cake Factory, so I didn't complain about the fishing. Angie and I went shopping to IKEA while they were fishing and they beat us home and made dinner! We left after church for home. It was a fun week-end.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Feb 11,09 Elder Gatten
>
> Hey family, friends, girlfriends, and whoever else is reading this and wants to know what is going on in my life. I hope that you are doing great. From the letters that I received this week it sounds like everything is running smooth, and everyone is happy! People are traveling, getting ready to travel, and just live what we call life. If only I could be in your shoes up there…
> So let’s see what is going on in my little world. This week I have been fine. I am in good health, happy more or less, and am growing in both body and spirit. This first week with a new companion has to be one of the strangest things that there is. You don’t know the person, you are obligated to be with them, and you have to find a way to make things work. Well low and behold we have done it. I like my companion, we teach well together. What is important is he makes me want to be a better person, and helps me look onward and upward. I feel the spirit so strong with him, it’s so different. The first lesson that we taught together we taught a family, and they started crying. We had not even practiced teaching together or anything, it just ran super smooth and the spirit was strong. We will work a ton here in my area. I do miss my "baby"companion Elder Warner though. He is one cool cat. But, like I remember dad used to always say," change is good for us", and it is true. You grow as a person when you move on to new things. I feel myself growing so much.
> We had a few baptisms this week too! We baptized a young women and her brother. It was a great baptismal service, planned out very well. I even bought a huge chocolate cake for them, so they were really appreciative. My opinion is that this day for anyone, the day they get baptized, is one of the most special days of their life, so we have to make it special. Now something that was not so special was the people that ended up coming to the baptism. Their uncle, friends, and mother came. But what I have to tell you is that they all practice MACUMBA. I did not even know what it was, but it is like voo doo. They worship the devil, and call him to reside in their presence and spirit. This last week when I went inside their house they were all dressed up in like pirate clothes, screaming at the top of their lungs, pouring water all over themselves calling the devil. They have tons of black statues, and candle lit in the house. It was probably about the worst thing I have felt in my whole entire life. I felt like the devil was looking over my shoulder into my eyes. I was so freaked out I just closed my eyes and began to pray. I just tried to keep my mind occupied and think of Christ. Then when I could not stand it anymore I just got up and left. It did not bug my companion as much as it did me, but it just haunted me. Anyways they were in the church for the baptisms. I felt so weird. That is one experience that I cannot really explain in words, but really affected me. I know the devil is real and he has power too, but just not a body.
> Besides that psycho experience, I felt the spirit so strong this week. I felt many times when I was testifying to people, that truly the things that I am teaching them are true. I know that I have a Father in Heaven and he love me. That gives me so much comfort. I know that I have a Savior who live, died, and suffered for me. He made it possible that my sins might become clean and I can return to the presence of my Heavenly Father. What a blessing, I feel so comforted by these eternal truths. I KNOW families can be together. I KNOW that Joseph Smith was called of god, and restored the church of Christ here upon the earth. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is the word of god, and another testament of the Father’s son. I am so grateful that I have had the experience to receive these eternal truths and answers. I love this gospel. I love each of your so much. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. When the going gets tuff, the tuff turn to Christ!!! Ha. Love you all and have an awesome week!
>
> Elder Gatten
>
> my comp is the one on the right....elder kunz.
> and i took a pic with the old bishop cause he had a tie with the united states flag!
>
> Hey family, friends, girlfriends, and whoever else is reading this and wants to know what is going on in my life. I hope that you are doing great. From the letters that I received this week it sounds like everything is running smooth, and everyone is happy! People are traveling, getting ready to travel, and just live what we call life. If only I could be in your shoes up there…
> So let’s see what is going on in my little world. This week I have been fine. I am in good health, happy more or less, and am growing in both body and spirit. This first week with a new companion has to be one of the strangest things that there is. You don’t know the person, you are obligated to be with them, and you have to find a way to make things work. Well low and behold we have done it. I like my companion, we teach well together. What is important is he makes me want to be a better person, and helps me look onward and upward. I feel the spirit so strong with him, it’s so different. The first lesson that we taught together we taught a family, and they started crying. We had not even practiced teaching together or anything, it just ran super smooth and the spirit was strong. We will work a ton here in my area. I do miss my "baby"companion Elder Warner though. He is one cool cat. But, like I remember dad used to always say," change is good for us", and it is true. You grow as a person when you move on to new things. I feel myself growing so much.
> We had a few baptisms this week too! We baptized a young women and her brother. It was a great baptismal service, planned out very well. I even bought a huge chocolate cake for them, so they were really appreciative. My opinion is that this day for anyone, the day they get baptized, is one of the most special days of their life, so we have to make it special. Now something that was not so special was the people that ended up coming to the baptism. Their uncle, friends, and mother came. But what I have to tell you is that they all practice MACUMBA. I did not even know what it was, but it is like voo doo. They worship the devil, and call him to reside in their presence and spirit. This last week when I went inside their house they were all dressed up in like pirate clothes, screaming at the top of their lungs, pouring water all over themselves calling the devil. They have tons of black statues, and candle lit in the house. It was probably about the worst thing I have felt in my whole entire life. I felt like the devil was looking over my shoulder into my eyes. I was so freaked out I just closed my eyes and began to pray. I just tried to keep my mind occupied and think of Christ. Then when I could not stand it anymore I just got up and left. It did not bug my companion as much as it did me, but it just haunted me. Anyways they were in the church for the baptisms. I felt so weird. That is one experience that I cannot really explain in words, but really affected me. I know the devil is real and he has power too, but just not a body.
> Besides that psycho experience, I felt the spirit so strong this week. I felt many times when I was testifying to people, that truly the things that I am teaching them are true. I know that I have a Father in Heaven and he love me. That gives me so much comfort. I know that I have a Savior who live, died, and suffered for me. He made it possible that my sins might become clean and I can return to the presence of my Heavenly Father. What a blessing, I feel so comforted by these eternal truths. I KNOW families can be together. I KNOW that Joseph Smith was called of god, and restored the church of Christ here upon the earth. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is the word of god, and another testament of the Father’s son. I am so grateful that I have had the experience to receive these eternal truths and answers. I love this gospel. I love each of your so much. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. When the going gets tuff, the tuff turn to Christ!!! Ha. Love you all and have an awesome week!
>
> Elder Gatten
>
> my comp is the one on the right....elder kunz.
> and i took a pic with the old bishop cause he had a tie with the united states flag!
>
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Our Elder is the cute one!
Bishop?
New Companion
A great baptism but weird family!
Elder Warner, Elder Gatten, Elder Kunz
Nine and so fine! Alyssa Gatten
Alyssa is sooo fun that everyone loves to hang out with her. She is as much into finding bugs and snakes as she is into dressing up with the girls. And she likes both. Tom and Brooke never have to tell Alyssa to do her homework or read as she just does it!. She really is great in math and loves school...well most of the time. Alyssa is a great friend and sister to River and hangs out with the neighborhood most all the time. All her cousins love to have her visit from Utah. Have a wonderful day Alyssa. We love you honey! 
Hayliann Gatten a teenager already! At thirteen she is already a beauty. We have had the great privilege of having her stay with us a few times and she is always so fun. She loves swimming, dancing, rafting(first run at age 3) hanging out with friends, redecorating her room,playing the piano, clothes, a cell phone and being in middle school. She is a straight A student and is getting to be an ace pitcher in fast pitch softball. She is doing really well in Young women's and has a strong testimony. She is the eldest in Tom and Brooke's family and is in demand as a babysitter. She has more money to spend than her mom! Have a happy day Hayliann.Thursday, February 5, 2009
Feb.05,09 Spike our missionary
HEY!!!! I hope that everyone has had a great week! It sounds like your all just living life, and are having lots of experiences. It's good to hear from you. There is so much that happened this week, there and here.
First of all we had transfers yesterday in Alvorada where the mission office is. My little baby Elder Warner got transferred to the east side of Manaus, which is the highest baptizing area. I have not even been there yet. He actually is not far from where I am here in Laranjeiras, but he got moved. I received my new companion, and my second American, Elder Kunz. He is from Helper, Utah. He is a great missionary, so I know that we are going to work super well here in my area and baptize lots of families. We are just helping them with the first step, then in the future they will go to the Manaus temple to be sealed. I love working here even though it is difficult at times because the people are prideful and totally into the world. We have been working a ton with the members, going on splits with them, and just working with them. Gaining their confidence, and thus receiving references!
The mission changed the whole organization this transfer. It is like impossible to explain it to you guys right now. There are assistants to the president who travel to the interiors, and then normal ones in Manaus. Then there are Regional LDs that cover a big area and do lots of baptisimal interviews, then regular LDs. Me and my comp are both just LDs over about Ten missionaries. It is super cool to be with someone who has lots of experience. He goes home in the beginning of April. He is quiet but cool.
We have a couple of baptisms this week. There are a couple young men that we have, and then a couple young women also. They are super firm in the church, and have been reading in the Book of Mormon like its going out of style. What is good is that their families have been supporting them a ton, and that is key. They have the support of the parents, and the reinforcement they need to stay firm and active. We had a couple ward activities this week. We did one with an airplane, where you fall and see if you have really prepared yourself for judgment day, and a couple of other ones. There have been like seventy people going to them, so that is a good turn out. The President was talking to us a lot the other day. He said that our goal in my ward is to get it split. We have on average like 140 in church. Well we have started doing lots of visits with the Quorum and in the last two weeks we have got the number in church up to 187. So yes we have lots of progress. We need at least two hundred for three weeks to apply for the division of the ward. That is our goal. Baptize families, and divide the area here. Its nuts that they put that responsibility in our hands.
I know that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that he lives. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth. I know that Joseph Smith restored the true and ever living gospel upon the earth through the gift and power of god. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of god, and is written to convince the People of the world that Jesus is the Christ. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and revelator in our days. I am so thankful for everything that I have, for this knowledge, and for the joy that it brings me in my life. I realize more everyday how much this gospel means to me. It is everything. Eternal happiness is worth more than the things of the world, and the temporary happiness you can find within. I love the gospel, I love living it. I have a testimony of the blessings you receive as you sacrifice your wants for that of the lords. Trust in him, and seek to fulfill his will and not your own.
I love all of you so much. I hope that your all doing good, and have not forgotten about me. Your all so busy. I love reading your e mails, but I cannot keep up on everything. Its just good to know your doing well. Know I am thinking of you and love you all. Thank you mylee, tom, and Kate for your letters.
Yours,
Elder Gatten
First of all we had transfers yesterday in Alvorada where the mission office is. My little baby Elder Warner got transferred to the east side of Manaus, which is the highest baptizing area. I have not even been there yet. He actually is not far from where I am here in Laranjeiras, but he got moved. I received my new companion, and my second American, Elder Kunz. He is from Helper, Utah. He is a great missionary, so I know that we are going to work super well here in my area and baptize lots of families. We are just helping them with the first step, then in the future they will go to the Manaus temple to be sealed. I love working here even though it is difficult at times because the people are prideful and totally into the world. We have been working a ton with the members, going on splits with them, and just working with them. Gaining their confidence, and thus receiving references!
The mission changed the whole organization this transfer. It is like impossible to explain it to you guys right now. There are assistants to the president who travel to the interiors, and then normal ones in Manaus. Then there are Regional LDs that cover a big area and do lots of baptisimal interviews, then regular LDs. Me and my comp are both just LDs over about Ten missionaries. It is super cool to be with someone who has lots of experience. He goes home in the beginning of April. He is quiet but cool.
We have a couple of baptisms this week. There are a couple young men that we have, and then a couple young women also. They are super firm in the church, and have been reading in the Book of Mormon like its going out of style. What is good is that their families have been supporting them a ton, and that is key. They have the support of the parents, and the reinforcement they need to stay firm and active. We had a couple ward activities this week. We did one with an airplane, where you fall and see if you have really prepared yourself for judgment day, and a couple of other ones. There have been like seventy people going to them, so that is a good turn out. The President was talking to us a lot the other day. He said that our goal in my ward is to get it split. We have on average like 140 in church. Well we have started doing lots of visits with the Quorum and in the last two weeks we have got the number in church up to 187. So yes we have lots of progress. We need at least two hundred for three weeks to apply for the division of the ward. That is our goal. Baptize families, and divide the area here. Its nuts that they put that responsibility in our hands.
I know that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that he lives. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth. I know that Joseph Smith restored the true and ever living gospel upon the earth through the gift and power of god. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of god, and is written to convince the People of the world that Jesus is the Christ. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet and revelator in our days. I am so thankful for everything that I have, for this knowledge, and for the joy that it brings me in my life. I realize more everyday how much this gospel means to me. It is everything. Eternal happiness is worth more than the things of the world, and the temporary happiness you can find within. I love the gospel, I love living it. I have a testimony of the blessings you receive as you sacrifice your wants for that of the lords. Trust in him, and seek to fulfill his will and not your own.
I love all of you so much. I hope that your all doing good, and have not forgotten about me. Your all so busy. I love reading your e mails, but I cannot keep up on everything. Its just good to know your doing well. Know I am thinking of you and love you all. Thank you mylee, tom, and Kate for your letters.
Yours,
Elder Gatten
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