January 2015

January 5, 2015

I hope all is well back at home and that everyone is trying to stay out of trouble.  

So I am getting my Patriarchal Blessing later on tonight, which should be pretty cool! ...

Well I officially got it! It was pretty neat!

Nothing too exciting is happening!  We have transfers in two weeks, and I imagine that Im going to be leaving.  It's a bummer, but I'm excited to meet some new people!

Well peace and blessins!

January 12, 2015

Before I forget, I figure I will tell you Happy Birthday for this week!  I'm not going to say that you are getting old, but I will be nice and just say that you are getting wiser...

Our Heavenly Father is always here for us and if we really need something and we ask him in prayer and have faith, we will receive whatever he feels like we truly need to keep on keeping on.

One of our investigators has been coming to sacrament meeting though for the past 3 weeks, so we are pretty happy for him.  

Love when random people take the time to snap a picture and text it to moms!
These elders were caught at Panda Express!

**Elder Eliason was transferred January 19 to Union Oregon**

We were all excited about new adventures but will be sad he is not with the Christensen's anymore!  They are truly Christlike people that we will be forever grateful for! 

Shad & Linda Christensen - Forever Our Friends

Koop and the Christensen's dog Daisy on the day he was transferred!  They were both feeling pretty sad!

Kooper and Elder Mosher, his last companion in Nampa.

January 26, 2015

I'm liking the new area that I am in.  Union is pretty nice and has a lot of history.  There is quite the mix of people here though!  We also cover the town of Cove which is about 9 miles away.  It is a pretty cool town.  If I was to live in Oregon, I would choose to live there!  The people are really great though, and I'm trying to get familiar with a lot of people.  There are a lot of investigators up here, so hopefully we can get some good things going and see some baptisms.

But I finally get to drive! I almost forgot how to drive since it has been 6 months!  The Subaru Legacy just isn't quite the same as dodgey though!

It is super windy up here in Union and they say it is like this all the time.  There is a lot of deer up here though which is cool!  They walk down main street.  Im still getting acquainted with everything so nothing super cool to report yet!

Elder Clark is pretty cool.  He is from a town outside of Dallas, Texas.  

Apparently Elder Clark wasn't ready for the picture. Either that or he doesn't like me haha.

This is me and my one man band... Got my dobro and banjo in the background!

December 2014

December 1, 2014

This last week was good, had a lot of fun!  We were able to visit a lot of people this week.  I was worried we wouldn't be able to since it was Thanksgiving and a lot of people go out of town.  But it all worked out.  The "He is the Gift" video that the church has put out has helped quite a bit!  Been able to talk to a few people because of it.  I low it is going to be super effective this holiday season. Well just know that I'm still alive and I haven't got E Bola yet!

December 7, 2014

So how are things going this week?  Thanks for raising me the way you guys did.  Both you and dad taught me to have fun and work hard.  

Oh and I didn't get transferred.  But we are going to cover two wards again, which will be good.  We will cover 10th and 22nd again so I already know all of the people from both!  Things are going pretty good I guess.  Still doing the same thing really.  Pray for us to find someone or whole family who we can teach the lessons to and baptize.  

December 16, 2014

We have been super busy covering two wards!  We met a Nazarene lady who has been an organist for her church for like 60 years!  It is crazy, she even invited us to go back to her house to hear her play on her nice piano.  But we have managed to stay busy 24/7, which is nice!  We did have a Zone Conference today which was really good.  There was a white elephant gift game and I ended up with a $5 card to McDonald's.  I'm happy with that!  We sang a lot of Christmas songs, and even watched Mr. Krugers Christmas.  Its a good old movie!

So make sure you save the Nampa, Idaho mission card.  I hope you like it and you can finally see that we all look like winners haha jk!

 December 22, 2014

Merry Christmas!

In 10th ward we have someone who has been investigating the church for 9 years now.   We did something scary and got down on our knees and asked him to pray for the truthfulness.  We were teaching him before we split our area a few months ago, so I already knew him.  

Besides that, it has rained a lot up here!

Have a Merry Christmas and read Luke 2.  How great of a blessing the birth of Christ was.  And what makes it so special was how humble the circumstances were.  He was born in a manger of all places.  

Elder Eliason in his Christmas Jammies!

Family Picture Christmas 2014

December 28, 2014

I hope you as well as everyone else enjoyed our little Skype session we had on Christmas. I thought that it was pretty good!  Hopefully your Christmas was all that an a bag of chips!  This past week was really slow considering it was Christmas week.  A lot of people were busy and out of town, but I guess it still turned out alright!

Not to put a damper on things, but I won't write you again until next year! haha!  But really you'll have to wait until 2015...We are always trying our hardest to be as effective as we can, so keep us in your prayers that our hard work can pay off!  It has been a little bit since we have seen someone progress a lot, and we want something to happen!

So a cool little thought:  Read Exodus 20:25

The altar is supposed to be made of natural rock, not changed by tools or anything.  The altar back then was a place of worship, where a sacrifice would be given.  Likewise, our church is the altar, where we worship.  And what is the church built of?  Is it built of people who are EXACTLY the same?  No, it is not.  Each one of us is unique in our own little way.  And that is how it should be.  The church and gospel shouldn't change us into someone we aren't.  But it is here to make our strengths stronger and our weaknesses into strengths.  So we do change that way.  But we still need to act as our individual selves.  For example, being missionaries, I can connect with people my companion can't, and vise versa.  Moral of the story, be yourself.  But always strive to become a better you!

A little October and November!

October 15, 2015

This past week has went really well.  Our numbers went really well.  We worked hard and we were able to meet a couple of new people.  We got the program all done for the baptism of the Walser boys.  Hopefully everything goes well!  So a funny thing happened yesterday.  In another wards sacrament meeting, one of the members had a sister and brother in law who were visiting from Orem.  They saw us and wanted to talk to us.  We got to know each other.  One of the questions was where we were from.  So I said the Tremonton/Snowville area.  He then said his family was from up there from the Blue Creek area.  I was like I have some family that grew up there (Grandpa Dean).  He said there were a few Andersen's up there at the time se we might be related.  Then I asked if he was related to Hans Andersen?  He chuckled and said that was his name!  So he had the name passed down to him! So I can say that I found a relative on the mission!

Well that is all that I have for you this week! Keep sending me letters, because right now I guess I am holding the record for mail received through the mission office, so keep it up! It is not a bad problem to have!

October 27, 2015

So today has been a very busy day!  I actually had to do transfers today.  Elder Knighton and I were pretty good buds, so it was a little hard to see him go.  But I think it is a major growing opportunity for me, I will be leading the area (still junior companion) because I know everyone here.  

The baptism on Saturday went extremely well.  We were a little nervous when we showed up there to the Stake Center and N was saying that he did not want to get baptized.  But he did!  The first time he did a freaking sweet Hi-Stepper kick with his leg out of the water.  I'm pretty sure he even pointed his toes! haha  It was funny we told him we had to do it again  and he was asking why.  After he came up the second time he said "Did I do it better that time?" It made me smile! L did a great job as well.  It was great seeing our hard work pay off!

November 3, 2015

Hey! So this week has been pretty casual.  Stayed busy making our regular visits.  Right now, we don't have any progressing investigators, which is kind of a bummer, but that happens I guess.  We just got to keep working hard and who knows what will happen!  There is a family though that I've seen their kids a couple of times.  The kids are in their 20's and the one has a Honda 450.   So I got along really well with him.  I asked him if he raced and he said he didn't really like Motocross stuff, but he liked desert stuff.  Then we clicked haha!  I told him I've been and raced Idaho City and he thought that was awesome!  They are strong Christians, but we will see if we can get something going there!

How is my dog doing?  Does he miss me at all?

November 10, 2015

This week has been pretty good!  I'm finally getting used to all of the changing up that has taken place, which is nice.  We were able to get quite a bit of work done in our area which is really nice.  This week were able to finally meet a referral that we had received about 2 months ago.  They don't belong to any religion at all, but after talking a while to the mother, she told us that she wanted her kids to learn about God.  We told her we could help with that.  It was funny because we were just talking with her on her doorstep, then we found out they race dirt bikes so we talked about that forever.  I think that is what built the trust.  Then she took us to their garage to look at their bikes.  That's when she told us she wanted her family to learn about God.  She said she doesn't believe in some of the things that "Mormons" believe, but I'm sure they are just rumors that we will be able to answer with the discussions.  So that will be awesome to get something going there!  Write me more letters please!

Elder Eliason's birthday was November 14.  This was a picture of him in his new coat!  

Thanks to Linda & Shad Christensens (the sweet people he lives with) for taking such great care of him on his birthday!  With a party and cake and videos that I am trying to figure out how to share! :)

November 17, 2015

Things are pretty good!  I'm still having fun and still learning a lot!  It has been really cold this week just you know!  My nose hairs have been freezing!

I had an experience that can be greatly explained by the Book of Mormom.  We know that the descendants of Lehi were righteous as well as wicked.  They were righteous when they were living the Gospel and following Christ's teachings.  But there were times when they weren't careful and paying attention, and a great number of them fell into wickedness as they strayed from having faith in Christ.  Likewise, I quit paying attention to the icy road we were walking on our way to dinner.  I slipped and fell!  It hurt, I landed right on my hip!  When we fall, we can always get back up and if we need help it'll always be there!

Well have a great week!

November 24, 2015

This past week was a little slow, but that's alright.  I had fun though.  I went on exchanges with Elder Richardson who is from Draper, Utah.  He is awesome and loves to have good fun.  We helped the Spanish elders for some time that day.  This week the temperature sure was nice.  Makes my chances of falling become a little more slim.  We also had Zone Conference which is pretty cool.  I got a haircut today at Sports Clips.  That place is awesome they even massaged my head!  Well have a great week! Love ya be safe!

Key to all the underlinings ...Always Be Positive

PS Happy Thanksgiving

Kooper Called To Serve

Elder Eliason opening his mission call!

I remember saying to him that night, "Well Kooper in two years we will know exactly why you were called to Idaho."  He turned  to me and said, "Mom, I will know within the the first week!"

October 6 & 13

October 6

So, since Elder K is the District Leader he has to go on exchanges with every companionship in the district once each transfer.  When he goes on exchanges, I become Senior companion and area leader.  This last week was weird though because my companion has only been out as long as I have been out.  I was a little worried about how our 24 exchange would go, but in the end, things went really well.  We visited everyone that we needed to.  After our dinner appointment, I wanted to see if we could contact some less active members that we haven't met.  I had all of their addresses so I knew where to stop.  As we were walking down the street, we were in front of the house that I wanted to stop at.  But I got the feeling to just keep walking.  So we did and I didn't tell Elder V that we were going past.  As we went a couple houses further down the street, a middle aged lady came running out of the house to see if we would go talk to her mother, because her mom saw us and wanted us to come in.  So we did.  The middle aged woman is a member in another ward, but I found out her parents aren't.  Her mom has cancer, and she wants us to keep visiting.  So there is potential for missionary work there!  It is cool to think that it was all possible because we didn't stop at the one house.  I love having experiences like that, it really strengthens your testimony!

Say hi to everyone in the family for me! And give my love to Rose (Axel).  I just referenced my dog with a good Johnny Cash song because I'm hardcore.

October 13

On Thursday night, the 16th, I will get my patriarchal blessing.  That is if everything works out.  I got all of my interviews done, but they can't figure out how to print my recommend for it since my records aren't with the ward.  We are trying to figure out how to do it at the mission office.  Hopefully it all works out!

Read Mosiah 2:41

It's a good one!

Nampa Pictures!

Here are a few pictures from Nampa!  He is pretty good at taking selfies! :)

I love seeing him so happy!

MTC Pictures!

SD cards are awesome but they just don't come with captions!  

Bits and Pieces!

The letters that Elder Eliason send are all amazing and the best part of my week!  I love reading his thoughts and noticing the growth that happens each week!  I don't want to share ALL of the letters that are written to me, but I want to share some of his insights! 

(Forgive me for getting behind - and I did add a few things to help us remember his awesome personality! haha)

August 18, 2014

In the 22nd ward, for sacrament meeting the stake high councilman didn't show up and he was supposed to give a talk.  So out of everyone that they could get to fill the spot at the last minute, it was me.  So I found out I had to give a talk when I came into the chapel!  It went well.  Shared some experiences and bore my testimony.  So it was short and sweet. :)  But I'm getting along with everyone just great and having pretty fun.  Nothing too exciting has happened yet besides getting yelled at a few times! haha  

Is my dirt bike still sitting in the garage?

September 1, 2014

It's kind of weird not having to school at this time of year!  Oh well I learn every day and carry a backpack around so it's almost the same thing!

Read Mosiah 16:6-9 and 13-15 and then Alma 5:6.  After you do that, make sure you remember everything that your Heavenly Father and Christ has done for you, and remember those things in your day to day life and base decisions off of that!

September 8, 2014

Where did you put all of my dirt biking gear?  I don't want any of it to be used.  Actually Kutter can use my boots, but that is it. 

Fun fact for you, it has almost been two years since the Brigham Temple was dedicated and we did the Temple celebration.  Cool stuff!  

September 15, 2014

Did you get my email saying that I'm going to be serving in just the 22nd ward?  Well that's what we are doing now haha!  Be we have those investigators who we are getting ready for baptism.  We have only taught the first discussion to them, but it sounds promising.  It might be a slow week here since our member are going to be cut in half.  Hopefully the members will really help and things will pick up fast.  Pray for us!  Besides that we are just doing a lot of less active work.

Read 2 Nephi 2:11, It's a decent one! haha

PS I probable won't eat that roll or gatorade I left in the backseat FYI haha

September 22, 2014

This week has been a little more difficult so far.  Like I said, we only cover  22nd ward now so our work has been cut in half.  We are trying our hardest to find more people we can visit regularly so we can stay busy throughout each day.  So hopefully our hard work can pay off soon!

But we were able to teach the W family the 2nd discussion which was neat.  We got them to commit to baptism which is exciting!  They will be my first ones if everything goes through.  

Oh and can you make sure all of my jerseys and pants and under armor and just all of my dirt bike stuff gets put away into my gear bag?  I don't want anything getting used while I'm gone!  Don't mess with my jackalope either!

Read Alma 32:28  It is about seed.  There are 4 things that will take affect on you in this scripture.  Find them, and the first letters of each word will spell seed.  Tell me how it goes...

(And moms favorite...)

Thank you for raising me to be the way that I am.  So thanks, I appreciate it!

September 29, 2014

This week was way better than last week.  We were able to find some more people to teach, which is awesome.  One of the families is a part member family so hopefully we can get something started there.  We also taught the 3rd discussion and some of the 4th to the W family.  I don't know if I told you but we have a date set for their baptism on the 18th of October.  So that's exciting!  It makes me happy that they are making the decision to be baptized.  It helps me realize how important it is to stay out here. 

Oh and by the way, President is letting us watch that new Meet the Mormons movie tomorrow!

I know our Heavenly Father loves us more than we could ever imagine!  He wants each one of us to be able to live with Him again one day.  So we need to strive to do our best in this life and be faithful.  And when we ourselves are truly converted, it is our duty to help those around us come closer to Christ.  We can do that in so many simple ways.  Like giving service, inviting someone to church, strengthening you family, or even just by being an example.  Do the things that you know would make your Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ proud.  I know by doing so will bless your life with peace and happiness, as well as have a positive effect on those around you.

First P-day in Nampa!

What's up?  Yeah Elder Freeman is my Zone Leader right now, he is pretty cool!  He knows a lot of people that I do.  He is a great kid!  But yeah right now we have five elders that are living in an apartment which is pretty crowded!  But we stop in and see the Bearwaldts family and see how the progress is on their basement, because that is where we will be living here in a few weeks!  It's coming along great!  But yeah the people in my area are super awesome, even the non members!  Everyone knows where Tremonton and Snowville are haha!  But the only problem we had this week was with an 85 year old man who lets us go over and give him a spiritual thought. His wife was a member, but she is now in a nursing home.  So we went over to his house, and his daughter was there, and told us that we were rude, only being in our teens and telling an 85 year old man how to live his life!  haha it was funny and we just remained nice to them!  But that was the only issue we've had!  We walk at least 7-10 miles a day in the heat which is a lot of fun! haha But all is going good and I'm starting to eat more of a variety of foods, which is shocking I know ha!  But we are going to have a baptism here in a couple of weeks though, exciting stuff!
I left my camera at the apartment!  No pictures for today sorry!  But yeah send me some good pictures!  
Alright well I have to leave so Love ya!


** Elder Freeman is from Perry, Utah and also has a love of dirt bikes! :)

From the Mission President

Received an email from the Mission President along with these pictures.  

Elder Eliason and his companion/trainer Elder Knighton

Elder Eliason with Mission President Cannon and his wife.

Week #2 - Goodbye MTC, Hello Nampa!

I'm hoping that Elder Eliason will soon be settled enough to start sending updates for the blog!  Right now I am just sharing parts of my letters and emails, and there are just some things that are between a missionary and his mom! :)

Kooper flew out Tuesday morning at 11:30.  I was able to talk to him at about 2:30 that afternoon.  He called from the mission home.  He sounded great!  He said he still hasn't felt 100% but he was okay!  He had to keep his call short because they were already being sent out to knock on doors!  He didn't know where he was going to be placed yet.  Like I said, there was not a lot of time to talk so I didn't get too many details.

A few hours later I got this sweet text and picture!

First day out for Elder Eliason!  As a mom of 2 missionaries, I knew his mom would need a photo!

When I found out it was his first day I told him we had to send a photo to mom!  He was excited!

Lisa Harrison

The next morning I got a quick email!

Yea it was great being able to talk to you! So everything you send, it has to go through the mission office. And the address you have to use is Elder Kooper Eliason 1008 W. Sanetta Nampa, Idaho 83651! And if you send packages, you have to send it through the post office priority mail! I would like something soon because it would be nice:) But I'm only allowed a certain amount of time on the computers to let everyone know I'm okay. My trainer and new companion is Elder Knighton from Clinton, Utah. He has been out for nine months. It's kind of different actually doing the work, it was kinda scary proselyting haha! But oh well it will only get better, just have to work harder! Oh and my first area is the Nampa South 10th and 22nd wards! Stuck in the city:( But all of the new elders are so let's hope I get to go out in the sticks:) I think we do transfers every 6 weeks though, but who knows what will happen? Well I made it and look forward to hearing from you! Love ya!

And finally today, 2 weeks after he left, I got an email with words that a mom loves to read!  Check out the first line.  Makes me happy! :)

Ha I'm actually having a lot of fun now! 

But I live in an apartment right now, the people we were supposed to live with, their house  flooded! But I'm in a walking area... been walking at least more than 5 miles a day! But Monday is my pday so I will email you more then! Im just on the computer because we got a new missionary last night so we are at the family history center! Bye!

I Love My Missionary!!

Just Awesome!

Just received this awesome text message!  I have been looking forward to messages like this one, just didn't expect it so soon!  My heart is full!

Hello! I was your sons' first investigator at the MTC, their district taught me all last week and today. These Elders are spiritual giants and have learned to love and serve like Christ. They are brothers and have strengthened each other, and together they have studied prayerfully and diligently to teach me. My husband and I also saw them serving in the temple. Your Elders carry their message, the priesthood, and the name of Christ with honor.  -Melissa Rose Johnson

The First Week!

Wow! What a journey this is!  

We have already experienced great blessings this first week of Kooper's mission!

We were lucky enough that Koop's P-day fell on Saturday! This was a welcome blessing after dropping him off just Friday afternoon and him not feeling well!  It was nice to get an email from him letting us know that he was feeling better, not great, but better!  It took a little bit of the sting away!

He gave a list of things that he felt like he needed sent to him like hangers, stamps, letters from his favorite people and friends, and beef jerky!  Quite the list!  It was fun to hear his personality come through his writing.  He told about how another elder took his spot in his room because he didn't think Kooper was coming, and then when he got there he didn't want to move.  So he is in a room with two elders going to Alabama!  He said the one was pretty cool.  The other he said was "a little bossy but he did sit ups last night so I'm not messing with him"!  Haha! 

P-day on Saturday also meant a letter in the mail on Monday!

 The First Letter!

His letter was so good! He told of the struggle of going Friday feeling sick and being in a classroom for 3 1/2 hours!  He said he thought he would die!  That night he was able to reflect on the craziness of the week and know that he can do this!  He is being blessed!

Wednesday was Awesome!  We have a cute choreographer and friend that has done routines for

 Hi-Steppers many years.  Her mom works at the MTC and she told me a couple months ago to send Kooper to her and she would give him an otter pop!  I had reminded Kooper of this in a letter.  Well, Wednesday she came to teach a routine and when she got there I asked her if she needed to call her mom for anything and maybe have her go look in on Kooper and report! Haha! 

Little did I know it was already in the plans!  Within 10 minutes of her being there,

 I had 2 wonderful pictures!!

Kooper and his companion Elder Barrow from Seattle Washington

Kooper and our good friend Travis that works at the MTC!

My friends mom works in the travel department and she called Kooper and his companion to come down so she could get the pictures and give an otter pop of course!  While they were there Travis called and she told him she was getting pictures of an Elder for someone from Bear River.  He asked questions and figured out is was Kooper and told her to not let him leave and he came over to see him!  How cool is that!?

These are awesome blessings for a missionary mom!  

I think it has been a pretty awesome 1st week!  A hard first week, but I know that Kooper is happy and I am happy that he has chosen to serve!  

Just 103 short weeks to go! :)