Just an Average, Completely Normal Week???

Crazy story: theres this lady who feeds the missionaries mac and cheese made with their breastmilk... aparrantly its not that uncommon because theres actually 2 sisters that do it... from what ive heard its not bad either. Anyways... moving on... Every single apartment complex has the overwhelming scent of devil's lettuce. Its everywhere. And wherever its not present, be assured that they simply replaced it with hard crytal meth. Exciting. Cops and choppas are everywhere. We heard a rumor that the city might be declaring a state of emergency because of the drugs. Btw we ate at the town prosecutors house and, fairly recently, he found a man, high as a kite, butt naked, sitting on the top of his chain link fence in his front yard. Also, theres these... people? Who are not high? That just walk around the city with walking sticks and back packing back packs... we think they have the sticks to wack the nearby crackheads that wander the streets. Not sure whats in the backpacks... Also graduation just happened here and, the graduating class had a total of 116 kids, 90 of those were not eligible to graduate. So, the school had a great idea to just, give them all diplomas anyway. So the state of new mexico told them they cant do that but they already did it so, not sure whats gonna happen there... Lets go pirates... Also, our friend fred, aparantly, whilst butt naked, has been speaking to god the father, his son, jesus Christ and the devil in the mirror. 10 days. Ive been here 10 days. So... the emails will probably be a lot more common with some of these stories. And this isnt even all of it, its just the stuff that im allowed to talk about. Grants is awesome. I hope to still be alive next week. Cyaluvyabye! Ps: somebody here said to my companion... "we were once great semen"... ... ... Wise words More photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jAPpvo7unpJxF3Ph9

Yah'at'eh from the mission field -

Yah'at'eh everybody. Transfers have come around again and.... I'm gone. Left Lupton now in Grants, probably one of the most ghetto parts of new mexico beaten only by places like albuqurque which aparently has its own dmz. But atleast the members feed us. I will tell you that i have never missed a place more in my life than i miss lupton. More than back in idaho tbh. I absolutely loved it there. I loved the people and the native traditions so much. Wish i couldve learned more and done a little better while i was there. I think the reason for that is everyone i met i felt like they were either my moms, dads, brothers or sisters. I loved them a lot. I like grants a lot though. Lots of hard things happen and most of the natives ive met thus far are pretty well influenced by the city. Seem far from the traditions and their language which is sad. On a slightly brighter note, theres no more yannies (skin walkers), but in there place are a lot (and i mean a lot) of heroin and cocaine addicts. People are tweaking left right front and center. Makes me miss the yannies. It'll be good to try to help out at some of the local arp meetings though. Also my new companion is Elder Palmer, he's awesome. He has been in grants for 9 months, hasnt been anywhere else. Has had a lot of rough companions but hes great. We are doing a lot of work and having fun while we do it. For example we were going house to house and saw some pickup ball off in the distance and decided to slide on over there. Broke a few of their ankles and got to teach them a bit about god and jesus christ. They are awesome and they invited us to an open gym where we'll get to talk with them again. But anyways back to some mourning and reflection. I was at church the other day and all icould think about was lupton. Miss the branch quite a bit. Everyone i met was so good to us too. Not that the people here arent, just that was home to me. Im doing my best to make grants home too. Ive already met a lot of cool people. Like this one lady named veronica is just like my mom. She's got bright reddish pink hair and is just so ecstatic. Its awesome. We had a dinner with this lady named emma and her son joey and, ive never laughed so much in my life. They were just dogging on some of the çrazy things theyve seen and it was hilarious. Weve also been able to teach a lot of really great lessons and i hope theyve helped the people out here. Im still learning how to best serve those around me. It doesnt always work out but im trying real hard. Its been really cool to see people change as they come to know the savior in whatever ways they can, my favorites are the small and simple changes in peoples faces when they hear and feel that God loves them and especially when they hear it from Him and by the holy ghost. Also weve got the nicest private gym ive ever seen which is awesome. And everybody out here is a redneck or a hillbilly which is also kinda cool.

Lots of shootings too and bad juju goes on but its been cool to see people bring themselves out and away from those things as they try to follow the savior. Anyways heres some flics, theres more on the google photos album, check it out here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jAPpvo7unpJxF3Ph9

Letters home -

Jayson Langford Mon, Mar 4, 8:02 AM (1 day ago) Hey mom, theres a few things i wanted to share about what my thoughts have been recently and i didnt really want to put it on a big email. Think it may be good Kimberlee Langford 8:42 AM (1 hour ago) to Jayson Hey there buddy. -- Ahhhhh......grasshopper..... your faith is bigger than it feels right now. First off - I'm sending you a big, warm, mamma hug. Faith and belief are funny things -- you feel them when you feel them -- and doubt what you once knew - or hoped to know - when you don't. Faith is not a constant. It has to be carefully tended. It waxes and wanes -- and big or small..... clear or fuzzy ..... soft and squishy or rock solid ----- it's still there. I will say this - it's when we are most comfortable that we need to be the most careful. The fact that you are feeling small and uncertain tells me that you are in a space for growth. -- But you have to understand that this is very uncomfortable. It's supposed to be. Growth is not easy. Funny how connected you and I are. - I'm going to be very open and transparent with you in this email - so fair warning. YOU make me work to be better than I am. Because I've noticed that when I fumble and screw up -- so do you! -- funny how energy works like that. I work hard to be positive and strong, and to do the right things. sometimes it requires more energy and faith than I think I have. It's in times like that, that I REMEMBER how I once felt. And when I do, I remember- and the same feelings of the Spirit wash over me. I beg his forgiveness -- one more time. "help me to be better because I really do want to be good." We all have our personalities and struggles-- but one thing is the same -- that there are times that it's just .... hard. Sometimes I don't feel I have the energy to work out, to clean the house, to go to work -- etc.... but habit sees me through. You are going to have times when your spiritual energy is low, or you are frustrated, or don't understand why something is what it is -- or don't agree with a certain thing/principle/rule -- and yet your HABITS of prayer, study, temple attendance, taking care of yourself ... those HABITS will get you through. There is a spiritual and emotional cycle to all things. And as we overcome them -- we develop a skillset for overcoming that lends to faith and belief that we can get through the next obstacle..... and over the years you'll see you are not on a roller coaster of ups and downs.... it will be more like a rock - skipping across the lake. I believe so much in you! You are more magnificent than you realize -- just remember that we are only as magnificent as we are small....because in our 'smallness' - there is room for HIM. I love you - more than I can say. Love, Mom

Feeling like a newbie -

Hey everybody. This week's been interesting to say the least. The work is still so different here. Feels a bit like im a new missionary. But anyways here's all that's happened-> We went to the Albaqurque temple as well as the farmington visitor center. We found 2 lost great pyranese dogs. Had a few baptisms. Don't have much else to say but i want to share one of my favorite lessons with you all. Mosiah 2:17 says: 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. This short video shows this better than I could explain to you: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2014-12-0022-the-old-shoemaker?lang=eng Press forward my friends. I wish you all the best. Cyaluvyabye Pictures 1: my portrait of elder west 2&3&8&10&14: farmington temple & visitor center 4: elder west in the bathroom 5&6&7&8&9: my good friends dog and dog 11: i got tackled by my comp 12: Albequrque Temple 13&15: baptism pics

Another Poorly Written Weekly Email

Before we begin use caution. If you don't want to see dead things, or guns, don't look at the pictures. 13+ age rating But basically it's been a good week (: Okay team, here's all the updates. 1:I'm no longer a trainer and I'm now in Bloomfield new mexico (my new comp is Elder West, he's chill) 2: We butchered a bull and a goat and the people we did it for gave me the bull's testicles Before we continue just want to take a second to remind everyone that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Also want to talk about learning to walk by faith. One of my friends in Pagosa always says, "we see through a glass darkly." We don't see the road clearly, in order to safely walk this path, we need to involve the savior as our personal guide through this life. To follow him when we can see him, and pressing forward all the same with faith that He's there when we can't. I made a lot of good friends in Pagosa and learned a lot there. I got to see the Lord reach out to them. I got to see them take the Lord's hand and walk with faith despite the hardness of the way. I learned a lot from my friends and they glow as candles in the dark to me. Anyways that's the spiritual thought Couple of cool things before I say bye. They actually play basketball here which is hype, I'll play tonight. We also have another set of elders that live 5 minutes away, Elder Mounga and Elder Bacerra (who's a straight greenie, got in 3 days ago). Elder Mounga and Elder West used to be comps and Elder Mounga has a key to OUR apartment so they just show up sometimes or mess with us. We are getting them back though. Stole their backup key yesterday and made a copy. But remember those guys because they'll probably be in future emails. Anyways have a good week friends and family (: Also wanted to shout out my mission fam I met in Pagosa-> Adam & Aimee & Alicity, Pauline Y, Lucy G, Gary & Rod & Connie, Darrel, the Forsters, Hills, Wills, S. Forrest, & Levi (: Pics: Oh by the way one mission miracle is that one of my friends promised me a 12 gauge (: One picture of Bloomfield Someone's Dinner (Elder West on the left, Mounga in the middle, Elder Bacerra not in the picture, it was his first day in the field and he was seriously dying. Mtc did nothing for that man.) Elder Bacerra on the right in the next picture

See others the way God sees them ...

I know a few men who know so much about the gospel and doctrine, or about other spiritual philosophies and schools of thought that he might just be able to lay out the entire universe and the plans throughout time, but often withhold help to others in need. I know a mother who drowns her sorrows in alcohol who sees so little in herself and wont take hold of any bit hope when it comes, as well as a daughter who reaps the consequences. I know a fireman. Who goes out and chops his own wood and makes sure he has enough for a few others who won't have enough. Who sees a man he has never known or seen before and loves him all the same. A poet once wrote: "I met a stranger in the night, whose lamp had ceased to shine; I paused and let him light his lamp from mine. A tempest sprang up later on, and shook the world about, And when the wind was gone, my lamp was out. But back came to me the stranger—his lamp was glowing fine; He held the precious flame and lighted mine" My invitation to you, as well as to myself, is to see Christ in every face you encounter. No matter who they are. And let your light shine to them. - President Monson's talk in 1999 -"For I was blind but now I see"

Merry Christmas from the mission - 12.25.2023

Okay fam. Gotta confess... That 10'ft dunk in last weeks email... prolly more like 9'6... Anyways here's what we are learning this week to improve the work in pagosa. Learning to do more service, be more effective on return visits, help people progress via follow ups on commitments, and mission standards. We are also trying to help the members with their ministering assignments (long term goal). No one does their ministering assignments here. As such id admonish you all to do your ministering assignments. Saves the missionaries a lot of time that could be spent teaching new people the gospel. Orrrrr converting the entire town with this new method I've been pondering called....................................... non consensual baptism About to average 30 baptisms a week. Moving on to the spiritual thought for the week... What is the foundation of your daily life? President Holland said something I think about often in his April of 2016 General conference talk titled: "tomorrow the lord will do wonders among you." He said- "the first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life." Build upon the foundation of Heavenly Father's divine love. Grow your relationship with the savior by seeking him out through study, prayer, and faith, and you will begin to see yourself and others, through Christ's eyes, seeing a small bit of your eternal value. I know my savior lives. I know Jesus Christ came down for you and I to prepare a way for us to return to our Heavenly Father. I know He loves every one of you. And I leave this thought with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. BTW I'm trying to bulk. Pls pray that I'll be 6'8 and 210 lbs by the end of my mission (jk that seems a bit sacrilege... maybe jusylt 6'5.... I am trying to bulk though. Feels like ive been 160 since I came out the womb) Or if not, pray for this friend named Steven he could use some blessings right now (do this please). Anyways cyaluvyabye and Merry Christmas BTW I ate chicken soup that was grown in a pumpkin. Pagosa goes wild. 1: pumpkin grown chicken soup 2: man dressed like a deer 3: Pic from another dunk but I thought it was clear the hoop wasn't 10 ft so that's why it wasn't in last weeks 4: my comp 5: Campbell's soup for tracting. People be sick in Pagosa so they say they are sick and we pull Campbell's out of the back pocket and say: "oh you need some soup?"