Missionary service: The story of Sid Going

Elliot went on his mission to Oklahoma after completing his freshman year at BYU.  When he returns home in August 2012, we expect that he will resume his studies at BYU, where his brother and sister will be students.  But what about those two "lost" years?  Does taking two years out of the middle of his education set him back?  Will he fall behind his peers?  I remember my high school guidance counselor raising these questions.  He spoke favorably about young Mormon men who chose to serve missions, but at the same time, he questioned the wisdom of interrupting an education or other pursuits for a full two years at such a critical time in a young man's life.  I was ill-equipped to respond to his question at that time.  If I had a chance to speak with him today, I might suggest that he watch the video posted below.  It is an address by Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve at the April 2011 General Conference.  Beginning at about 2:15 of the video, Elder Andersen tells the story of Sid Going, who interrupted an extremely promising career as a professional rugby player to serve a mission to Canada.  The story illustrates one example of a young man whose mission certainly did not set him back or limit his options when he returned.  Enjoy the video (the text is posted after the jump). 

New pictures of Carlton Reininger

We just received new pictures of Carlton Reininger from his mom, Shannon.  Looks like Carlton is doing great in Argentina!  The baptism picture is with Elder Mitchell.  The other picture is with Carlton's new companion, Elder Whittle.

Elliot's April 25 email

We got Elliot's latest email today.  He got his package from home and it sounds like everything is going great.  We're keeping an eye on the weather in Oklahoma, as it looks like some storms are on their way.  As Oklahomans continue to pray for rain, they received some much-needed rain yesterday, although nowhere near enough to end the long drought.  Much of Oklahoma was placed under tornado watch today, and a possible tornado was reported in the southeastern part of the state, far from Elliot.  Here's his email.

Hey!

I got everything mom thank you so much! Sorry you couldn't find my camelbak though. But it's awesome and my companion and I both love the Men of the Mo-Tab CD!

I also have a package I've been meaning to send to dad for his birthday! But I haven't yet and now it's way late. Oops. But it'll come! I'll try to send it off this week. And next week I'll let you know when I'll be able to call and everything!

We had a pretty good week. I'm particularly excited about one family that we're teaching. We actually couldn't see them this past week, but they did tell the member of the church that referred them to us that they're excited about becoming Mormons. So needless to say that's going super well. We also had this awesome lesson with another member referral family we're teaching. They really didn't seem too interested in listening to us the first time we came by, and then cancelled the next appointment, and left us with kind of a don't call us, we'll call you type of deal. But we were gonna be in the neighborhood, so we just decided to drop by. They let us come in, and then she came out and told us about all of her life problems, which is quite common as a missionary, but then suddenly just realized that we were there for a reason. That God had sent us there. That we were more than just strange 20 year old guys in white shirts and ties. Her apathy really made a complete turn and we were able to teach her and help her she what she needs to do in turning to Christ to help her out. The Spirit really made her realize that we had something she needs.

One of my new favorite quotes from President Monson is; "I firmly believe that the sweetest experience in mortality is to know that our Heavenly Father has worked through us to accomplish an objective in the life of another person." [To the Rescue, at 4.] It's just awesome to be able to have those kinds of experiences so often as a missionary. I really wouldn't trade it for anything right now.

I love you! Hope everything is going good.

Love,

Elder Elliot Adair

Oh I would’ve attached a picture of me and the bracelet but I forgot my camera today! Next time!

Rose rock from Oklahoma

As we mentioned in a recent story on Elliot's blog, Noble, Oklahoma, claims the title of "Rose Rock Capital of the World."  The story included some pictures of rose rock (barite) that we gathered from the internet.  But we'd never seen rose rock, or even heard of it, before Elliot landed in his new area.  Then two nights ago, Elliot's mother and I served as chaperones at the Mormon Prom at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles.  We were wandering through the Gem and Mineral Hall and began to wonder if we might see some rose rock.  Sure enough, we found a display of rose rock from Edmond, Oklahoma.  Here's a couple of pictures we took.

Mormon Messages: "His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration"

"He is not here: for he is risen."  Matthew 28:6.

Please enjoy this wonderful Easter video, with a message from President Thomas S. Monson.

"Parched" -- Drought in Oklahoma

For those of us who live in California, we have been blessed with a great deal of rain this year.  Our reservoirs are full or nearly so.  Our rivers are flowing and the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada is well above average.  Governor Brown recently declared an official end to California's three-year drought. 

Unfortunately, the same is not true in Oklahoma.  A recent feature story in the Purcell Register, where Elliot is currently assigned, tells the story of the terrible drought affecting Oklahoma:

Storm clouds usually darken the skies in the spring dropping inch after inch of rain on fertile farmland.

For the spring of 2011, those clouds have not been storm clouds, but clouds of smoke from wildfires blazing across the countryside.

McClain County and a huge section of central, south central and western Oklahoma are in a severe drought.

Another report confirms that virtually the entire state is affected:

The situation is most dire in southwestern Oklahoma, where Tillman and portions of Cotton and Jackson counties were classified as being in extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday. All but the northeastern corner of the state is experiencing some degree of drought.

The last good rain was in November, and the snow that fell in February was too dry to amount to much moisture.

Reservoir levels are low, crops are drying up, and the state has suffered the driest four months since the Dust Bowl.  Prayer has become one of the most used tools of Oklahoma farmers:

Zac [Harris, of Hobart, Oklahoma], a fourth-generation farmer and rancher said, “Rain is mentioned more toward the first in our prayers and again at the last.”

In neighboring Texas, Governor Perry has declared a weekend of prayer:

"I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on that day for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal and robust way of life."

Oklahomans and Texans would undoubtedly invite all of us to join them in prayer in an effort to find relief from this drought.

Mormon Messages for Youth: "Dayton's Legs"

Before his mission, Elliot loved to participate in the Valencia Stake Triathlon at Castaic Lake.  I found a picture of him (right) at the last triathlon before his mission, with his teammate Carlton Reininger.  So I'm sure Elliot would really enjoy this story about Spencer Zimmerman and Dayton Hayward.  Spencer is a 13-year-old Deacons Quorum president from Gilbert, Arizona, and he and Dayton are friends and triathletes.  I'll let the video (below) tell the story, and here's a link to an audio interview and some photos. 

The story of Spencer and Dayton may ring familiar if you've heard of Team Hoyt, an amazing father and son triathlon team.  If you enjoy the video of Spencer and Dayton, please watch the video posted after the jump, which tells the story of Team Hoyt.  It's hard to imagine a more motivational story than that of Dick Hoyt and his son, Rick.  Fair warning: have a box of tissues handy.  This story really gets to me.