Tucson--#20

Gooooooooooooood Morning San Diego!

This last week has been way good! Last Sunday when we taught Elay and his
family we forgot to set a baptismal date with them. We met with them again
on Wednesday and were adamant on setting a baptismal date with them. We
reviewed the Restoration, taught Elay about the Priesthood and watched *The
Restoration*. Afterwards I was left to extend the baptismal dates. I
started with Elay and committed him to be baptized. He accepted rather
hesitantly because he did not understand the Priesthood and why he would
need to be baptized again. I then asked 3 of the kids that were present and
they all accepted. They are set to be baptized on February 9th!!!!! Funny
thing happened though....while I was extended the commitments to the
children I got two of their names mixed up and said one name but was
looking at another. Apparently it looked like I was staring into her
soul....Elder Wynn was on the ball though and understood what was happening
haha picked up where I left off. Because of Elay's job he usually is not
able to come to church. We were only expecting to see the kids at church
but lo and behold he came!!! Although he has been to church the necessary
amount of times now (3), President Killpack would like to see him at church
at least one more time before he gets baptized because his church
attendance has been sporadic. I am praying real hard this week
that something will happen whether a change in work schedule or I don't know
what else that will allow Elay to come to church. It would be so great to
see he and his 4 kids get baptized on the same day! I am really starting to
enjoy going out every day to do missionary work! On P-Day we played
football, soccer, ultimate frisbee and basketball. I cannot remember if I
mentioned this last week but we have been challenged to give 20 lessons
every week. Whether it be investigators, less actives, recent converts, or
fully active members. I see this as a way to help better and fine tune my
teaching. It has been a wonderful experience talking about the Atonement
with people. The Atonement is such a special gift that our loving Heavenly
Father has given us and I have seen the infinite blessings that have come
from applying the infinite atonement in my life. We are going to start
teaching Elay separate from his children so we can more better address
their individual concerns. I love missionary work! I was so excited to hear
about the stake temple project that is going on. Words cannot express the
multiple experiences that I have done in family history work and taking
those names to the temple and allowing my ancestors the opportunity to be
spiritually freed and progress eternally.


Well...in the words of *The Best Two Years*...

Tot ziens


Love,

Elder Urry
LiveStrong
John 3:3-5


Family:

So much to write about! I have found my groove in missionary work. I have
gotten more comfortable and able to act like myself and I am seeing how fun
missionary work actually is! This update is going to be on the more funny
side. I just have to tell you some funny stories. We went to give a old
lady a blessing because she was feeling sick. We did and thought nothing of
it. She called us the next morning and said, "Elders, I have a miracle for
you! Thanks to your blessing I was able to put my dentures in and I did not
gag on the denture cream!" After we got off the phone we could not stop
laughing. The Lord truly does work in mysterious ways. Before sports we did
our shopping at Wal-mart. I did not really have to buy anything until we
went down the sporting goods isle. I saw bicep bands and eye black. I could
not resist. I looked like an NFL player with those bicep bands on and Bryce
Harper with smeared eyeblack down my face. Elder Wynn and I were on the
same team and I was chosen to be the play caller. I went all Peyton Manning
and did all these weird names and hand signals. Elder Wynn told me that the
best play I called was, "Double pit to chesty! Double pit to chesty!" while
tapping my head with both hands. These last couple Pdays have really
allowed me to really de-stress and get much needed exercise since I am in a
truck every day. A week has only gone by this transfer but this is by far
 the most unified district I have been in on my mission. We all get to
together real well and now I know why the constantly encourage activities
that will help unify a district. It makes us want to go out and work even
harder not to necessarily get high numbers but to not let the rest of the
district down. I feel that missionary work is really starting to turn for
the better in the Picture Rocks ward. Hopefully, more members will get
involved once Elay and his kids are baptized.