Ethan Wasden - California, Anaheim Mission 2017-19

This is what happens when we ask him to send more photos.  :) Cameron and KayDee sent this selfie to Elder Wasden. Elder Wasden and Elder Ukena sent this one back.  Dear Family, This week I have found that a testimony is the most important thing we have and our greatest tool against the adversary, so I will be sharing mine. My testimony has grown exceedingly and above all, it is mine. Before I came on my mission I had a testimony, but I now see that it wasn't were it could have been. "A day will come when you will have to stand with only your testimony and testify of what you believe in" - Jeffery R, Holland. Look at your testimony now and ask is it what it could be. Don't put yourself down if it isn't, but rather take the time to figure out what you can do to strengthen it. I love the fact that I am out here on a mission and I hope that I will continue to grow. I know a mission has blessed my life and I hope that it will bless you either b...

[transcribed from audio recording] Hello everyone. So I'll just be going through my week and how everything has gone.  I figure these audios will do a little better.  I hope so.  If you feel otherwise please email me and tell me.  Yeah and I apologize for all the emails I haven't been able to send out.  I wish I had more time to, but being out here my mission, my focus needs to be on my mission, on the people I serve. Okay,  well I'll start with last week.  Last p-day was pretty eventful.  Me and my companion, Elder Ukena, we went to the leasing office with Elder Jones and Elder Trujillo.  We pretty much played pool and sent emails, and we only were there for about half an hour,so we don't get much done. We then went to a church building, the Euclid building, and there we played a game called Pivot.  Pivot is kinda like Dodge ball, and well . . . So you have a volleyball and you have to throw and get the other players out if you h...

Hello Everyone, I actually managed to get all of the days typed and my email sent rather than delete it.  As usual I will have a big email full of my days and moments, and what I have found is that there are a lot of opportunities and moments when on your mission. A mission is never about the person serving, it is about the people you serve. You don't improve your testimony with the intention of using it for yourself, but you use your testimony to help others realize what God and the gospel can do for them. Sept 5, 2017 When I came out here on my mission I was pretty excited, but I soon found that missionary work was not what I expected. The world is a different place and people may not always take kindly to missionaries. It has come to me that when you teach and the person doesn't accept what you have taught, it doesn't mean the lesson was a waste of time or effort. It means that you and God now know that no matter the circumstance, you are wi...