Jeremiah 16: 15-16 Is the Scripture of My Mission!

But, the Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel from the and of the north, and from all the lands whether he hath driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.

Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill and out of the holes of the rocks.

For mine eyes are upon their ways; they are not hid from my face.

Hello, everybody

First, Transfers:

I'm sending you a email that should make sense. When Elder Ivan Leaves, I'll go to a threesome with E. Roney and E. Coombs, and we'll cover Bear Mountain and Meadow Creek. That will be for a month, until I get another companion and (hopefully) go back to Bear Mountain.

The weather is Cold. We've had clear, cold days of -20.

I met a person who claims to be good friends with Bro. Knowles. They're in the other ward, however.

I have a thing to say to missionaries who are not working diligently. They are Piles: (That's also what we call the apostates up here.) What they are piles of is up to your discretion. Personally, I think they're piles of Apostasy.)O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell, and shake off the awful chains by which ye are bound, which are the chains which bind the children of men, that they are carried away captive down to the eternal gulf of misery and woe. 2nd Nephi 1:13.

Seriously, Missionaries make me annoyed when we don't do the work. What it the point of going on a mission if you're not going to do anything? You can't claim that you're getting blessings; you're just damning yourself further by mocking God. If you're not going to do anything, don't go on a mission. I know that I have a lot that I need to get better at; but at least I'm trying to do better.

I have been asked to speak concerning lies. I shall be brief. (lie)

Truth is the most important thing you can have. Too often in life nowadays, we feel it alright to obscure, dim, or simply disregard truth. This is wrong. Proverbs 14:5.

The world finds nothing wrong with telling half-truths, justifying that it isn't a complete lie because it fulfills the letter of the law. Christ put down the Pharisees for their strict obedience to the letter of the law, while disregarding the spirit. Matt 23:27-33, 2Cor 3:6. Yes, expecting others to live truth while you do not, is a lie.

My companion and I were talking about the older days when someone's word of honor meant everything to them. Their honesty, their reputation and their sacred honor was on the line. Nowadays, people think breaking promises or lying isn't anything bad, especially if it isn't for anything "big".

I tell ask you now: if something isn't "big", why lie about it in the first place? There is nothing bigger, or worth more in your life than your word of honor, your honesty. Carl G. Maeser puts it perfectly in the Honor Code of BYU: “I have been asked what I mean by word of honor. I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls—walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground—there is a possibility that in some way or another I may be able to escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of that circle? No, never! I’d die first!”

Are we willing to destroy our sacred honor over something trivial?

There is also the myth of the "white lie". "It's just a little thing; it won't hurt anyone". Just thinking this is a lie, and it leads to greater misdeeds.

God is a God of truth. He is a God of light. We cannot follow him if we are shrouded in the shadows.

May we all be honest in our dealings to those around us, to ourselves, and to our Father in Heaven. John 8:32.

And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.

Elder Darcey

MOOSING YOU--Or Still On A Camera High

Look, I'm a missionary, not a tourist, but when you are just walking around, minding your own business, some things need to be shot!



Dear All,

It is good to talk again. This week has flown by. One day it was Tuesday, the next it was Sunday. It's been business as usual, but there are a couple of things I can go over.

First, I LOVE MY CAMERA.

Also: do you realize that it's almost transfers again? It's kind of crazy.

Anyway,

The weather's been holding nice. It snowed for a bit yesterday, but it was alright.

I need pictures of NaTaShA and Jessica. Does anyone else realize that they're 8 months pregnant?

HAPPY 22 TO DERICK THIS WEEK!

The Moose picture You see is a small moose. No joke. Big as a car garage!

We shoveled off a roof this week. It was fun.


We got in contact with that referral I mentioned last week. Remember her?

Great story; but suffice it to say that she was not interested in receiving the Restored Gospel of Christ at this time. Remind me to tell this story when I get home!

This is a reading assignment for everyone:

D&C 118:3 ...continue to preach from that hours, and if they will do this in all lowliness of heart, in meekness and in humility and long-suffering, I, the Lord, give unto them a promise that I will provide for their families and an effectual door shall be opened for them, from henceforth.

This week has really reemphasized (either I spelled that right the first time, or it's so wrong that the spell-check broke) to me how important family is.

I'm seeing firsthand how much having an alternate family, without a father, mother, or anyone to guide, hurts. I've also seen firsthand how much the Gospel blesses family. There are people up here who cling so hard to the Gospel because it's the only thing keeping their families together.

And I've seen how people, despite living in a shack with crazy kids and no peace, can still be happy.

Not from the happiness that comes from things, but the happiness that comes from having family, and knowing that they will be together for eternity.

My companion has remarked on occasion how he thinks that part of Hell is being separated from Family. I agree. I'm not a sentimental guy. (Seriously, those tears during UP was a total fluke), but I can come right out and say this:

Family, (and friends; anyone I trust enough to call a friend is pretty much family anyway) I love All Of You.

My service up here is in part for you. I know that me being up here is blessing ALL of my family far more than anything I could ever do back home. Not a day has gone by that I haven't tried to do better because I know serving the Lord will bless all of you back home.

Every extra knock, every extra shovel-full of snow, every extra step walked, every word out of my mouth, regardless of how much it helps anyone up here, helps you all down there.

I work for three things: First, I work for the Lord. I also work for the people up here, who I love so much, and you all back home, who(m?) I love as well.

I know how much you all are helping me; I am so grateful for everything you do for me, both tangible and intangible.

I want you all to join with me after this life with the Lord as families. I know without a doubt that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, that wish will come to pass.

Love you all much,

Elder DArcey

I GOT A CAMERA!!!!!!!!!!

Picture of this beautiful place will come when I remember to bring my cord as well. This camera is the King of taking pictures. I kid you not; this is the greatest thing ever. Thank you so much for this.

Hello family and friends and everyone else,

I am so glad to now have many more emails from family. It's weird, but since writing you last week, it's hard to remember all that we've done. I'll try, but it only seems like yesterday that I wrote you all previously.

Out lesson with Bobby fell through. Her daughter was trying to cook something, and it exploded, so Bobby has her and her grand kids now while her daughter goes to the burn treatment center. It's up to you to imagine what might have been cooking that could explode.

Jack continues to progress. He's doing so awesome, I love it. He just randomly talked to us yesterday and told us that he was planning on coming to church this week. We didn't really have to do anything.

Mom, I have heard of many weird things regarding GF-ness. First, There are rumors that Vinegar has gluten in it? What?
second, I have heard rumors that it is possible to make wheat flour GF???? I suspect that these things are apostate and blasphemous. Please advise. {"Yes, bunk and blasphemy."}

Anyway, one day this week we were supposed to get 18 inches of snow where we were, so we were ordered inside. How much snow fell? an inch. The weather remains crazy. It's been really clear for a week or so, so the temperature has dropped to the negative teens again. On the plus side, we get a little sunlight now.

We received a great blessing this week. Our dinner calendar walked off (again), so we were calling around the members to see if anyone knew where it had gone. We weren't worried, because it always turns up. Anyway, while calling around, a member asked us about tracting. From there, it eventually wound around to her giving us a referral for a woman recently widowed with eight children. We're planning on contacting her ASAP, so I'll have news on that, Hopefully. And, what a blessing in a wandering calendar.

I was worried to hear about Sister Darcey, and want her to know that My Threats (which aren't idle; just ask mati, saje and jessie about a certain night and a hotel balcony...) are still standing. I am praying that her health improves.

I was glad to hear of Aidan and his school. I would like to hear more about that when you figure out what's going on.

We're out of time because we couldn't email on PDAy (holiday) so I'll say bye.

Bye

Elder DArcey

Burns Happen--not just from Heat But Cold Too

No 18 feet of Snow--not for lack of trying, but our storms? Only three or four FEET per storm. It's Cordova and that area that you need to worry about and pray for. They have to dig down just to reach their houses.

Anyway, Family,

Hello. The work goes well. Our investigators continue to progress. We had another meeting with Roy, which is pretty much always awesome. He knows so much about everything, but is very careful and patent.

We finally got in touch with another investigator whom I haven't ever met, because she's been out of town or busy. I'll call her Bobby. We have a lesson set up with her this week, so remind me to tell you how it went next time.

Our other investigator is awesome. His name is John. He's in the army, divorced with 5 kids. Our first lesson with him after the holidays went awesome. He's made it a new years goal to read and pray about the Book of Mormon every day. He's still waiting for that the Spirit to allow him that "good feeling", but he's open and ready to get it.

This week is all about The Lord's time. If I take nothing else out of this area, it will be the knowledge that things happen in the Lord's time, not ours. Isaiah 55:8-9.

NEW SUBJECT

Aidan got Braces? YAY?

I got to hold and take (bad) pictures of a SS Dagger. (These daggers were more honorary than anything, but they were incredibly revered. The SS were never supposed to surrender it on pain of death. Roy's Dad got it from a SS Storm trooper who "didn't need it anymore". The Trooper tried to break it repeatedly, than finally broke the scabbard and threw the blade at Roy's Dad. Roy's dad spent the next couple hours looking in the bushes for it. It's an incredible relic--particularly for a blade guy like me.

I finally got the package that Uncle Gary sent. it got here almost a month after it was sent, but it did get here. Please tell him Thanks a lot.

I'm glad all my grandma's are doing great. Happy birthday to Great Grandma Bezzant and to all my cousins. And my sister, but I'll email her on her birthday. Maybe.

Our less actives are fun. They know where they should be, but they can't get there. We work with them a lot.

BYTHEWAY...

Did you know you can get burn blisters from cold just like heat?

Picture this:

Evening

-14 F

Elder Darcey, among others, helping a woman unload her trailer

Elder Darcey just in his shirt and gloves, because he's really hot (seriously)

Elder Darcey getting a bunch of large metal pipes in his arms and carrying them around

Elder Darcey getting freezer blisters on his arms from where the pipes touched.

They're healing rather nicely, so don't worry.

ANYWAY

Love and prayers to all of you. Remember that the Lord will help you and answer your prayers, but on His time, when it will help us the most. We're looking in times of hours, days and weeks, but the Lord sees us from the beginning to the end and throughout the eternities.

Elder DArcey

Associated Press Article

FYI Weather Update in AK



ANCHORAGE, Alaska Dozens of National Guard troops have arrived to help an Alaska fishing town dig out from massive snows tha thave collapsed roofs, trapped some people in homes and triggered avalanches.

The Guard reported more than 18 feet of snow has fallen in the past weeks, although the National Weather Service did not immediately have a measurement.

There's nowhere to go with the snow because it's piled up so high," said Wendy Rainney, who owns the Orca Adventure Lodge. A storage building for the lodge — which offers fishing trips, hiking, kayaking and glacier tours — partially collapsed under the weight of the snow, she said. "This is more quantity than can be handled."

Officials said at least three buildings have collapsed or partially collapsed and six homes are deemed severely stressed by heavy wet snow.

The city has set up a shelter at a local recreation center, but said people leaving homes in avalanche-risky areas have been staying with other residents. Cordova spokesman Allen Marquette said the town also was ready to set up a pet shelter if necessary. The town issued a disaster proclamation last week after three weeks of relentless snow overwhelmed local crews working around the clock and filled snow dump sites.

The World Didn't End--Unless ALASKA Didn't Notice.

Huh? No emails--no letters? Oh well. There's always next week.

Anyway, happy new year, family and people.

Your emails, though a little late, filled me with happiness. Unfortunately, The Emails that I'm waiting for from my cousins still haven't materialized in my inbox. Go figure. Maybe they got eaten by computer bugs.

These couple weeks have been rather slow. The weather turned negative 20 again and is remaining there, but it's not really a problem. New years was fun for us; we just stayed up till midnight drinking martinellis, and dropped asleep as soon as it hit midnight.

It sounds like you got my package and pictures. That makes me happy.

The work has been progressing. We're working harder with our less actives. We have one who is active again (Missionaries 1, Satan 0), and another who's scheduling meetings with the bishop so he can come back again. When he comes back (M 2, S 0), he's wanting to bring his wife with him, and she's the type who would take the discussions if her husband were active (M 3, S 0).

Our investigators progress less, though still well. We have concluded that Our investigator (here I call him "Roy") doesn't have a speck of faith in him. He does want to know if God exists, but he then said that if he "Saw a being appear that said that he was God" He still wouldn't absolutely believe that it was. Roy wants to know, but he doesn't seem willing to search for an answer right now. He's patient. Too patient. He's going to be one of those people who just sits up one day and says "I need to get baptized". I can't wait for that day.

Anyway, That's Bear Mountain for you. All the members love you, Mom, and your Blog and they feed me well from it. I'm low on time, so I'll sign off here.

Elder Darcey

Did I tell you that I got an Alaska Library Card?