For now, all mail to Elder Urry should be sent to the mission address. It will then be forwarded out to him.
Elder Ross C. Urry
c/o Arizona, Tucson Mission
939 W. Chapala Dr
Tucson, AZ 85704-4516
He loves letters!!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Tucson-- #2
Hey family!
First week in the mission has been so amazing! I neglected to mention my companion's name in my last email. His name is Elder McKenna and he is from Utah. My first night in my area was so weird. Went to a dinner appointment and then my first lesson. The lesson was with an investigator named
Bradley. We read Mark 5 with him because he is trying to stop smoking and I told him that when you have faith in Jesus Christ you can overcome any problem. At the end of the lesson I committed him to baptism (he has already had all the lessons) and he said YES! Funny story actually haha. I committed him to August 29th by accident instead of September 29th and he still said yes. The Lord is preparing people in my area to hear the Gospel. We ran into a lady while tracting. She had just moved to Tucson and was looking for a church that she could attend. She saw the LDS Church on the
corner of the street and wanted to go inside but did not know if they would allow non-members to come inside. I chuckled inside and we told her that she could indeed come and we invited her to church and set up an appointment to meet with her. We were following up on a referral from a member in going to see a part member family. The husband is less-active and his new wife is not a member. We talked with her wife in the driveway and she mentioned that she was real interested in learning about the Church and her husband really wants to start going back to church. She wanted to wait for her husband to get home before she made an appointment, we are going to call them today and set up and appointment. Just talking to her, she seemed really interested in taking the missionary lessons and learning about the Church.
After Church yesterday some members came back into the building to tell us that someone outside wanted to talk to us. His name is Joel and he is currently homeless. As we were talking with him he said that he wanted to change his life around and saw the church so he just waited outside so he could meet with someone. He was so grateful for the love, concern, and care that the members had shown him because he is so used to people ignoring him because he is homeless and not like a "normal" person. We gave him a number to contact about finding housing, and a mormon.org card with our number on it along with a Restoration pamphlet. We have an appointment to meet with him tomorrow in the morning. There is a missionary in my zone that has Crohn's too. In fact he just got back out into the field after having surgery. I talked to him for a little bit during lunch after our
District Meeting.
So Elder Ballard came and vistited us last Friday. It was so cool! The meeting was set to start at 10:30AM but Elder Ballard showed up at 9:40ish, shook all of the missionaries hands and the meeting started no later than 10. There is no such thing as mormon standard time to Apostles. He was accompanied by Elder Gay of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy and Elder Pickard, an Area seventy. Elder Ballard was so funny. He talked about the Book of Mormon and the importance of knowing all of the missionary lessons so you can better teach them and apply them to the needs of investigators. I was "starstruck" while listening to him. I was no more than 20 feet away from an Apostle! He ended with a q&a session but I couldn't think of a good and appropriate question to ask him in that setting. He closed the meeting with his testimony. It was one strong testimony! The Spirit was so strong as he spoke and he indeed was speaking by the Spirit. He had no notes and spoke for a good 45 minutes.
At church I ran into Josh Hawkins, whom I had not seen since I went to EFY at BYU two years ago. Its pretty funny that my first area is the same ward of someone that I know. It was good to see him after not seeing him for two years. I saw a Chuze Fitness gym and the first I thought of was Brother and Sister Huff. They have to be close. Maybe in my next area?
Love,
Elder Urry
LiveStrong
First week in the mission has been so amazing! I neglected to mention my companion's name in my last email. His name is Elder McKenna and he is from Utah. My first night in my area was so weird. Went to a dinner appointment and then my first lesson. The lesson was with an investigator named
Bradley. We read Mark 5 with him because he is trying to stop smoking and I told him that when you have faith in Jesus Christ you can overcome any problem. At the end of the lesson I committed him to baptism (he has already had all the lessons) and he said YES! Funny story actually haha. I committed him to August 29th by accident instead of September 29th and he still said yes. The Lord is preparing people in my area to hear the Gospel. We ran into a lady while tracting. She had just moved to Tucson and was looking for a church that she could attend. She saw the LDS Church on the
corner of the street and wanted to go inside but did not know if they would allow non-members to come inside. I chuckled inside and we told her that she could indeed come and we invited her to church and set up an appointment to meet with her. We were following up on a referral from a member in going to see a part member family. The husband is less-active and his new wife is not a member. We talked with her wife in the driveway and she mentioned that she was real interested in learning about the Church and her husband really wants to start going back to church. She wanted to wait for her husband to get home before she made an appointment, we are going to call them today and set up and appointment. Just talking to her, she seemed really interested in taking the missionary lessons and learning about the Church.
After Church yesterday some members came back into the building to tell us that someone outside wanted to talk to us. His name is Joel and he is currently homeless. As we were talking with him he said that he wanted to change his life around and saw the church so he just waited outside so he could meet with someone. He was so grateful for the love, concern, and care that the members had shown him because he is so used to people ignoring him because he is homeless and not like a "normal" person. We gave him a number to contact about finding housing, and a mormon.org card with our number on it along with a Restoration pamphlet. We have an appointment to meet with him tomorrow in the morning. There is a missionary in my zone that has Crohn's too. In fact he just got back out into the field after having surgery. I talked to him for a little bit during lunch after our
District Meeting.
So Elder Ballard came and vistited us last Friday. It was so cool! The meeting was set to start at 10:30AM but Elder Ballard showed up at 9:40ish, shook all of the missionaries hands and the meeting started no later than 10. There is no such thing as mormon standard time to Apostles. He was accompanied by Elder Gay of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy and Elder Pickard, an Area seventy. Elder Ballard was so funny. He talked about the Book of Mormon and the importance of knowing all of the missionary lessons so you can better teach them and apply them to the needs of investigators. I was "starstruck" while listening to him. I was no more than 20 feet away from an Apostle! He ended with a q&a session but I couldn't think of a good and appropriate question to ask him in that setting. He closed the meeting with his testimony. It was one strong testimony! The Spirit was so strong as he spoke and he indeed was speaking by the Spirit. He had no notes and spoke for a good 45 minutes.
At church I ran into Josh Hawkins, whom I had not seen since I went to EFY at BYU two years ago. Its pretty funny that my first area is the same ward of someone that I know. It was good to see him after not seeing him for two years. I saw a Chuze Fitness gym and the first I thought of was Brother and Sister Huff. They have to be close. Maybe in my next area?
Love,
Elder Urry
LiveStrong
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
First Update from the Field!
Elder Urry arrived in Tuscon yesterday (9/10) and we got an email from him today! What a fun surprise.
I have finally arrived in Tucson!! Yesterday was a long day. First thing that happened after I landed was go to the Mormon Battalion monument in Tucson. That was pretty cool and Sister Killpack immediately gave me a Book of Mormon. I was so scared, I thought I was going to have to hand it out right then but there is a mission wide policy of always having a Book of Mormon on you at all times. Such a great policy! You never know when you are going to come in contact with someone and give it to them. As President Killpack was explaining to us the similarities between the Mormon Battalion and we as missionaries, the AP's went contacting people who were in the park. President Killpack mentioned that just like the Mormon Battalion, we as missionaries have been asked to leave family, our belongings and friends in order to answer the call of a Prophet of God. I am serving in Tucson, I cannot remember the ward I am in but it is the same ward as a kid that I went to EFY with in Provo. For lunch we went to Cici's pizza which was amazing! I could stay there and eat pizza all day long it was that good.
As I was in the car with President Killpack driving around, I mentioned that I was bummed out about not being able to hear an Apostle speak at the MTC. I so wanted to hear an Apostle speak, I prayed that I would be able to but unfortunately it did not happened. He shared to me that this Friday, Elder M. Russell Ballard is visiting the mission and he is going to talk to the entire mission before he heads to a leadership conference. I am going crazy in anticipation of Friday! God answers your prayers. It might not be in the way that we want be He will ALWAYS answer your prayer. Last week there were
27 baptisms mission wide! The field is white and totally ready to harvest! :) The mission just ended a 40 day fast where a different district would fast each day that they would find more families to teach. When I met my companion he said that there are currently three investigators that have baptismal dates! One for the end of this month and the other two are the beginning of October. I am looking forward to seeing the Lord's work progress in the up and coming weeks and months in my area.
Tonight I eat at a member's house and then go two my first appointments. Oh my goodness I am so nervous for those and I have no clue what to say. I know that the Lord will place in my mouth the very words that need to be spoken. All i need to do is open my mouth. Last night, President Killpack had us go outside when it was dark and meditate and ponder about what we are to do for the next two years. It was a pretty cool experience. I prayed and told the Lord that the ball is in his court. I am out serving a mission for Him and I am studying His Gospel. I need Him to pick me up and teach by the Spirit so my investigators can feel true conversion. When I got back inside I opened up my Book of Mormon to a random chapter and verse. I opened up to the last verse in Alma 34. It pretty much says to be patient in your afflictions and eventually you will not have those afflictions. That is the first time that I have ever opened up my scriptures to a random verse and I knew 100% with out a doubt that God wanted me to read that verse. I know that I am going to have some tough companions these next two years but as I learn to be patient, the Lord willpick up the slack. I am so grateful to be able to make it out to Tucson. Finally my life long dream is being fulfilled right in front of my eyes.
My P-days are normally on Mondays except on transfer week when they are on Tuesdays. I will let you know next week how the experience with Elder Ballard, an Apostle and witness of Jesus Christ is. Sunday night all missionaries from the stake got together to take pictures since I was leaving. It was good to see Elder Farrow, Elder Carter, Elder Chapman, and Elder Stephens and be able to talk with them and take pictures. I do not hink that the world knows what is coming at them as we all enter to the field and talk about God and His plan for each one of His children. Keep it real.
P.S. Sister Killpack makes the best food! (other than mimi and mom)
Love,
Elder Urry
> LiveStrong
I have finally arrived in Tucson!! Yesterday was a long day. First thing that happened after I landed was go to the Mormon Battalion monument in Tucson. That was pretty cool and Sister Killpack immediately gave me a Book of Mormon. I was so scared, I thought I was going to have to hand it out right then but there is a mission wide policy of always having a Book of Mormon on you at all times. Such a great policy! You never know when you are going to come in contact with someone and give it to them. As President Killpack was explaining to us the similarities between the Mormon Battalion and we as missionaries, the AP's went contacting people who were in the park. President Killpack mentioned that just like the Mormon Battalion, we as missionaries have been asked to leave family, our belongings and friends in order to answer the call of a Prophet of God. I am serving in Tucson, I cannot remember the ward I am in but it is the same ward as a kid that I went to EFY with in Provo. For lunch we went to Cici's pizza which was amazing! I could stay there and eat pizza all day long it was that good.
As I was in the car with President Killpack driving around, I mentioned that I was bummed out about not being able to hear an Apostle speak at the MTC. I so wanted to hear an Apostle speak, I prayed that I would be able to but unfortunately it did not happened. He shared to me that this Friday, Elder M. Russell Ballard is visiting the mission and he is going to talk to the entire mission before he heads to a leadership conference. I am going crazy in anticipation of Friday! God answers your prayers. It might not be in the way that we want be He will ALWAYS answer your prayer. Last week there were
27 baptisms mission wide! The field is white and totally ready to harvest! :) The mission just ended a 40 day fast where a different district would fast each day that they would find more families to teach. When I met my companion he said that there are currently three investigators that have baptismal dates! One for the end of this month and the other two are the beginning of October. I am looking forward to seeing the Lord's work progress in the up and coming weeks and months in my area.
Tonight I eat at a member's house and then go two my first appointments. Oh my goodness I am so nervous for those and I have no clue what to say. I know that the Lord will place in my mouth the very words that need to be spoken. All i need to do is open my mouth. Last night, President Killpack had us go outside when it was dark and meditate and ponder about what we are to do for the next two years. It was a pretty cool experience. I prayed and told the Lord that the ball is in his court. I am out serving a mission for Him and I am studying His Gospel. I need Him to pick me up and teach by the Spirit so my investigators can feel true conversion. When I got back inside I opened up my Book of Mormon to a random chapter and verse. I opened up to the last verse in Alma 34. It pretty much says to be patient in your afflictions and eventually you will not have those afflictions. That is the first time that I have ever opened up my scriptures to a random verse and I knew 100% with out a doubt that God wanted me to read that verse. I know that I am going to have some tough companions these next two years but as I learn to be patient, the Lord willpick up the slack. I am so grateful to be able to make it out to Tucson. Finally my life long dream is being fulfilled right in front of my eyes.
My P-days are normally on Mondays except on transfer week when they are on Tuesdays. I will let you know next week how the experience with Elder Ballard, an Apostle and witness of Jesus Christ is. Sunday night all missionaries from the stake got together to take pictures since I was leaving. It was good to see Elder Farrow, Elder Carter, Elder Chapman, and Elder Stephens and be able to talk with them and take pictures. I do not hink that the world knows what is coming at them as we all enter to the field and talk about God and His plan for each one of His children. Keep it real.
P.S. Sister Killpack makes the best food! (other than mimi and mom)
Love,
Elder Urry
> LiveStrong
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
MTC Week 2!
Here is Elder Urry's update from September 4th:
Hey family!
Week two went by way faster than the first! I am currently doing laundry at
5:20 because it gets so crowded later in the day. I love the MTC! It is
very hard and challenging but worthwhile. My testimony and knowledge of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ has grown so much! I feel like I was a newborn baby
when I compare what I know now to what I knew two weeks ago. It is kind of
weird and surreal. My testimony has changed from knowing the church is true
and Jesus is my Savior to I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints allows people to access the full Atonement of Jesus
Christ through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the message I am going
to share with the people in Tucson, AZ.
I love running into missionaries that I know because it is so cool to see that my friends are
helping to assist the Lord in harvesting the harvest and gathering the fruit. I run
into Elder Chapman about every other day and we always chat for a little
bit. I have an experience that was really eye opening, humbling and
emphasized the fact that I need to not be afraid to act on promptings from
the Spirit. This last week my district was teaching a "progressing
investigator" at the TRC named Lawanna. We had taught her one time previous
and the lesson went very well. The spirit was in the room and testified of
what we were teaching. We were pumped up to teach her a couple days later.
We prepared to teach either the Plan of Salvation or the Restoration of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ depending on her answers to our questions. For the
most part we had decided to teach the Plan of Salvation. As questions were
asked there seemed to be a frequently repeated question, "What happened to
your friend?" or "Tell us about your friend?" Her friend had just recently
passed away. I noticed that she was uncomfortable with these questions and
knew that I needed to change the subject. I didn't. The questions kept
getting repeated because elders wanted to get certain answer and did not
want to stop from teaching her the Plan of Salvation. She felt so
uncomfortable that she got up and left the room. It got really quiet and no
one spoke a word. She later came in and some elders and I apologized for
our behavior.
The entire district was down in the dumps. I seemed to be the only one who was not
depressed. I tried to raise their spirits. I read my mission call to them
to remind them why they are out here and the blessing that will come to
them. We took a divinely guided walk to where we could see the temple and
remember our goal. Experience the full Atonement of Jesus Christ which can
only be done because of the temple. Yesterday, my teacher Brother Pinnock
went over the parable of the Good Samaritan and what it really meant. As we
read and discussed, my mind was/is/and probably will always be blown about
its true meaning. It is amazing the things that you learn when you have the
Spirit and it testifies of the truthfulness of what is being taught. I am
given so much study time that it is crazy. Hours and hours a day. 8 hours
on Sunday. However, I have found that it is quite insufficient to what I
want to study. I find trouble finding time to effectively study Preach My
Gospel, The Book of Mormon, and The New Testament. However, I have seen
that as I study these three books, I am blessed more abundantly with the
Spirit.
9/12 people in my district are sick. It seems to be a mix of the
flu and strep throat. I am not sick and I hope that it stays that way. I
have an airborne tablet with every meal and wash my hands as often as
possible. I pray constantly that the Lord will bless me with health and
strength that I wont get sick so I can attend all my classes and learn
about His gospel. I have faith that as I do my part in trying not to get
sick, that the Lord will make sure that I do not get sick. I leave next
Monday 9/10 at 6:00AM to fly to Tucson, AZ. So after next weekend, if you
write me at the MTC, I wont get your letter haha. I will make sure to keep
you all updated on my new address. My testimony is strong. I know why I am
dedicating two years of my life to serve the one that I love, Jesus Christ.
I would not change anything for it in the world. I am going to serve the
Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength. I love you all and thanks
for the letters!
Love,
Elder Urry
LiveStrong
Hey family!
Week two went by way faster than the first! I am currently doing laundry at
5:20 because it gets so crowded later in the day. I love the MTC! It is
very hard and challenging but worthwhile. My testimony and knowledge of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ has grown so much! I feel like I was a newborn baby
when I compare what I know now to what I knew two weeks ago. It is kind of
weird and surreal. My testimony has changed from knowing the church is true
and Jesus is my Savior to I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints allows people to access the full Atonement of Jesus
Christ through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the message I am going
to share with the people in Tucson, AZ.
I love running into missionaries that I know because it is so cool to see that my friends are
helping to assist the Lord in harvesting the harvest and gathering the fruit. I run
into Elder Chapman about every other day and we always chat for a little
bit. I have an experience that was really eye opening, humbling and
emphasized the fact that I need to not be afraid to act on promptings from
the Spirit. This last week my district was teaching a "progressing
investigator" at the TRC named Lawanna. We had taught her one time previous
and the lesson went very well. The spirit was in the room and testified of
what we were teaching. We were pumped up to teach her a couple days later.
We prepared to teach either the Plan of Salvation or the Restoration of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ depending on her answers to our questions. For the
most part we had decided to teach the Plan of Salvation. As questions were
asked there seemed to be a frequently repeated question, "What happened to
your friend?" or "Tell us about your friend?" Her friend had just recently
passed away. I noticed that she was uncomfortable with these questions and
knew that I needed to change the subject. I didn't. The questions kept
getting repeated because elders wanted to get certain answer and did not
want to stop from teaching her the Plan of Salvation. She felt so
uncomfortable that she got up and left the room. It got really quiet and no
one spoke a word. She later came in and some elders and I apologized for
our behavior.
The entire district was down in the dumps. I seemed to be the only one who was not
depressed. I tried to raise their spirits. I read my mission call to them
to remind them why they are out here and the blessing that will come to
them. We took a divinely guided walk to where we could see the temple and
remember our goal. Experience the full Atonement of Jesus Christ which can
only be done because of the temple. Yesterday, my teacher Brother Pinnock
went over the parable of the Good Samaritan and what it really meant. As we
read and discussed, my mind was/is/and probably will always be blown about
its true meaning. It is amazing the things that you learn when you have the
Spirit and it testifies of the truthfulness of what is being taught. I am
given so much study time that it is crazy. Hours and hours a day. 8 hours
on Sunday. However, I have found that it is quite insufficient to what I
want to study. I find trouble finding time to effectively study Preach My
Gospel, The Book of Mormon, and The New Testament. However, I have seen
that as I study these three books, I am blessed more abundantly with the
Spirit.
9/12 people in my district are sick. It seems to be a mix of the
flu and strep throat. I am not sick and I hope that it stays that way. I
have an airborne tablet with every meal and wash my hands as often as
possible. I pray constantly that the Lord will bless me with health and
strength that I wont get sick so I can attend all my classes and learn
about His gospel. I have faith that as I do my part in trying not to get
sick, that the Lord will make sure that I do not get sick. I leave next
Monday 9/10 at 6:00AM to fly to Tucson, AZ. So after next weekend, if you
write me at the MTC, I wont get your letter haha. I will make sure to keep
you all updated on my new address. My testimony is strong. I know why I am
dedicating two years of my life to serve the one that I love, Jesus Christ.
I would not change anything for it in the world. I am going to serve the
Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength. I love you all and thanks
for the letters!
Love,
Elder Urry
LiveStrong
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