Ferndale 2nd Ward, Ferndale/Bellingham WA (11 weeks to go)

December 10, 2014 - just under 11 weeks to go!

 Yes, we are officially counting down.  Well, Katy and I are.  We are into "weeks" instead of months.  Chris, on the other hand, has instructed us not to talk about it.  

We received this photo from Chris's current bishop, Bishop Ross, this week, with the subject line "talented son".  I asked for the story behind it.

Bishop Ross sent me the following explanation:

It's a favorite trick (of my kids) that Chris showed us several weeks ago.  He dispenses some whipping cream in the palm of his hand, holds palm upwards, then slaps that arm with his other hand, creating a whipping cream projectile that he then catches in his mouth.  My daughters love it when he misses! :)

December 1 was transfer day.  Chris stayed in the same location (he's now been there 12 weeks), but got a new companion.

Me: Tell me about your new companion

Chris: My my new companion is Elder Brown. He is not brown. He is from AZ. Mesa. To be more specific Superstition Springs and Baseline! He went to Highland and wouldve been in 10th while I was a Senior. So didnt know him. He and I get along well, and he has a very big spirit in a small person (he's about 5'6").

Me: Tell me about your investigators:

Chris: We have multiple children that turned 8 or 9 (one is 15) and they have not yet been baptized. We are saying they all need to have a WHITE CHRISTMAS! (Not snow but white with baptismal clothes)

Click here to read about baptism: http://www.mormon.org/faq/topic/baptism

Me: How is *J (name withheld)?   (*J is a newly baptized member of the LDS Church in Chris's ward)

Chris: He was taking new member discussions but his car broke down with freezing temperatures 2 weeks ago and he has had a hard time getting it fixed so he is borrowing a friend's car to go to work, or gets a ride.  It's been hard to meet with him and he's missed two weeks in a row.  Please pray for him and the others in our ward.

Me: Do you think you will stay with this companion for a while?

Chris: I think we will be together at least til the next transfer on January 12th.  I hope to stay in this ward through the end of my mission.

I received a letter from Becky Ross, the bishop's wife.  She shared that she wants to help Chris with Chanukah this year, so once again, Chris gets to enjoy teaching others about our heritage and gets to have latkes and light the candles!  I'm so grateful to the folks in each of Chris's areas.  They have been kind, compassionate, caring and loving!

Ferndale 2nd Ward, Ferndale WA - 21 months

Received November 27, 2014 - didn't edit...

Hello Family from the good ol' parts of North western Washington where the rain comes down and the spider NEVER comes up! 

This past week and couple weeks have been interesting to say the least. Starting with this wonderful turkey day - we played a great turkey bowl football game! Wet and FUN!!

Last week we were busy EVERYDAY! We would go have a lesson, come home, change, (or change at the church because we didn't want to waste the miles) and off to a service project of some sort. Then to another service project and back to the house (or church) to change for another lesson. This would happen constantly. I remember one day we had an AMAZING lesson with some investigators and were running late to a service project. So we changed at the persons home we were doing the service for and after an hour or so we thought didn't we have another service project before lunch?!?! Well yes we did and guess what. As us missionaries do when we are busy, we were running late. So we ran to the car, jumped in went and p-up a lawn mower to borrow from a member. After doing getting the lawn mower in the car we called the other member who were going to follow us over there. Got to the lawn we were going to mow. Got both lawn mowers out and looked at the time. 4:42. Towards the peak of winter we get dark here around 430. So we were in the dusk time and we had...oh 5 o'clock it was dark. SO we run the lawn mowers to mow this guys lawn. We were just getting the last foot or so under a tree at 5:01! It was SWEET!! (This isn't like our lawn back home) It was probably just shy of an acre that we mowed! When we got there I remember Elder West and I agreeing that we trusted that God would keep it just light enough for us to see where we needed to mow until we were done. God blesses those who are trying to complete and help others in there acts of service. By the way dinner was a 6....Dropped the mower off at 522. Got home each of us changed and showered and we pulled up to the house at 6! SICK DAY! Every night last week we came home and CRASHED! 

This week on the other hand....Monday after talking to you for an hour....I called the mission doctor....he said all my symptoms sounded like conjunctivitus(sp)-pink eye....So went into the doctor at 3 and so it was that I did have it. Got eye drops and finished them today. We were in all the rest of Monday night after getting home at 5. The family that was going to have us over for dinner were kind enough to drop dinner off. Never had apple pie in a "peanut butter"-like jar before. Still taste the same, which was GOOD! Tuesday and Wednesday were nothing special. Usual missionary work of trying to set up lessons etc. It is different with this week being a holiday but we are still pushin' and hopin' that the weekend will bring new people to find teach and help/invite to come unto Christ and lessons out our ears!! :)

Love you all!

Love,

Elder Udall

Ferndale, WA - week 79 (thru August 25)

Letter from August 25, 2014

So as my mom has mentioned I haven't been that great at writing full letters so here is one and I hope it is on the blog by next Monday (9/1). 

It has been an awesome week! I have spent a total of 10 weeks in Ferndale, WA. I just flipped open the page of "Tuesday Week 4 Transfer #13" and I wrote EVERYWHERE on the pages haha! It has been a wonderful week of teaching and service. On Friday we went back out to Lummi Island and did some service for a woman named Joy. Very nice lady. Afterwards we had lunch with the Aldous' as usual! On Thursday, we had a zone conference in Mt. Vernon. 

On Friday we had a wonderful lesson with one of our investigators Joseph and his family. The Spirit was very strong. Because of the new technology I guess people can access you tube from the TV. I had no idea how easy that was. Anyway, after reading, I asked if he wanted to watch a couple of "those videos" (we watched a couple Mormon channel videos before). So he knew where to go and when he got to the "Mormon channel" channel on you tube, we watched one I have never seen. Didn't know what it was about. Choosing that video was COMPLETELY Spirit led. The Spirit filled the room and was in my heart; and from the feelings Joseph and his wife described they felt it too. Joseph, by the worlds term, is Agnostic. This video was EXACTLY for him. Now you probably wonder why I am so enthusiastic about this. Well as missionaries (at least in this mission) we get to have what is called "mormon.org time" where we get to watch videos and read articles produced by the Church. This week we were supposed to have it but because of our schedule, Elder Bryant and I were unable to make it happen. So truly the Spirit provided a way for us to know of this truth and be a witness of it ourselves. The link to the video is below and I would invite EVERYONE to watch it. It's 6 minutes long and it is extremely beneficial. After watching it I would invite you to share it on facebook, twitter or other social media sites. Our Father in Heaven lives. He is our Father. There is a spiritual connection between each and everyone of us because we are HIS children! 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3701964025001

Have an awesome week!

Love,

Elder Udall


PHOTOS HIJACKED FROM ELDER UDALL'S FACEBOOK PAGE
These were posted by a member of Chris's congregation in the Ferndale area:

Ferndale, WA August 18, 2014 18 months complete (but who's counting?)

Elder Udall has not been amazing about writing detailed letters lately, but he is focused on his work and his service and that makes it ok.  We do email on Mondays, but he's just shared some short updates.  He is serving in Ferndale (week 8 or 9 there?) and loves the area.  He lovingly refers to it as "the boonies", as it is not an urban or suburban area.  He serves many people from the Lummi tribe on the reservation and has grown to love the people.  He mentioned in a note recently that the reservation folks are very family-oriented much like "the Poly people", his second family. He feels completely at home, and asks that those who choose to can include the community members in their prayers that they will have open hearts to the messages he and his companion share.

This week, we received a package with an SD card, so I'm simply updating the photos from that package.  These are from April 2014 and include photos from a p-day outing/hike to Deception Pass and the Deception Pass Bridge.  

Enjoy...

Ferndale, WA July 7 & 14, 2014 7.5 months to go...

July 7, 2014
I did not receive a "normal" letter from Chris.  We were able to chat back and forth for a few minutes, and this is how that went:


Chris: We found 3 new people to teach. 8 member (lds) present with us to those lessons. 5 other lessons without members with us. Awesome week of teaching. Number one thing we are going to try and do this week is have the investigators to come to church. Me: Great.  How's your foot (he's been in a walking boot for 2 months)
Chris: It's still connected to my leg
Me: can I get the whole week's info?
Him: Ugh - I hate writing the whole week out
Me: share a miracle you've witnessed this week
Him: I woke up on time every morning.

I guess this is not my week for a full update. Some weeks are like that.

JULY 14, 2014
So, yesterday, July 14, I was hoping for a better week of writing.  Katy and I were back east in Palmyra, so I knew (time difference) that it would be 7pm or so before I heard from Chris.  Well, 7pm came and went.  8pm came and went.  I just assumed that he was off doing something fun for his P-day activity and maybe I'd hear on Tuesday.  

At 9:00pm, I received an email from a man named Walter Parker with no subject.  The body of the email said "Elder Udall's unfortunate tow"  :-( 

Now, I wondered if this was actually an unfortunate car situation or his toe, with a typo.  I clicked on the email and found a most disgusting photo of Chris's toe.  The picture is NOT for the faint hearted, but it's at the bottom for those who want to see.

Then, immediately after, I received a second note from Walter Parker that said:
Elder Udall also mentioned that he only had time to send one email today, but not to worry.

I wrote back to Walter Parker: 
Um, so I'm not "worried", but is it possible to get some details about this?
Thanks so much,
Karen

Walter Parker:
Hi Karen,
7 sets of companion missionaries came over to the beach that is in front of where me and my wife live. On low tide, there are some mud flats that everyone loves to play "mud football" at. We helped clean up his toe as best as we could, but he still needed 7 stitches.  If there is anything we can do just let me know.
Walter

Me:
Walter,
Thank you! I'm sure he had a great time, until the injury. That same toe has been damaged over and over.  When you see him, please tell him I simply and strongly suggest that he keep it clean and take all of his antibiotics.  I hope there are more photos.  It's kinda cool looking.  You can also tell him that his sister had to zoom in to see it closer and thought it was "sick!".   We appreciate your help and the additional info!  Thank you so much.
Karen

Walter:
You are very welcome. We will let him know your concerns. My wife has more photos and I will ask her to send them off to you soon.


Then, at 9:55pm, a letter from Chris:

Hey so I only have about 5 min to get on email and get off so we can get to dinner on time. We have had a crazy day. This morning we went to a member's house (the Parker's) where we ate lunch and played mud football. Mom you will receive all photos from that. But the most important part is that at the end of the game (I think) I got a pretty nice cut on my toe...guess which one!!!! YEP the right big toe!!!!!! :) Mom you prob got a email from brother Parker with a picture of it. No worries it doesn't look like that anymore. That is actually the reason I only have so little time is because I had to go to the urgent care and was there from 230 to 6! They were very urgent to get us in. Not. we waited awhile. 7 STITCHES!!!! :)  She wrapped it before we could get a picture. I will make sure to snap one when I go back on Wednesday. Nothing to worry about. 

2 things! 
First -  I am in the US where this kind of treatment is possible! 
Second, I got a priesthood blessing and one thing he said was to have a speedy recovery to get back to the work and that the trial itself wasn't caused by God but that He will help me out of it and through it. 
The doc came in and said that I will be healed and the stitches will be taken out probably in 12 to 14 days. 
I do have to stay in the boot until then though! I love you all SOOOO much! I am sorry I didnt get time to write! LOVE YOU!!

LOVE,

Elder Udall

P.S. I am in good hands........specifically Jesus Christ's! 

Now - is anyone besides Katy and I wonder WHY he wasn't in the boot to begin with!?!?   Ahhh….20 year old elders are still just 20 year old boys.

Update 7/15/2014 -
Received a letter  from Walter Parker's wife:

Here are mud football pictures as well as a few of your son playing with our 6 month old English Mastiff...as you can see he feels right at home here. 

One of the awesome things is in photos 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 where your son helped our special needs daughter score her first ever touchdown! We really appreciate how nice he is to our 10 year old son with autism and our developmentally delayed 19 year old daughter. We hope you enjoy the photos.

PICTURE:  WARNING…it's GRAPHIC!

Everett, WA (transfer 12 coming up) - Week ending June 15 (8 months and 5 transfers left, but who's counting?)

Just me.  I'm the only one counting.  Chris has expressed several times that the time is going by too quickly.

On Monday, June 16, Chris sent a letter for the blog along with a note that he was not being transferred.  Then I got a note from a member of his congregation who has gotten to know the missionaries that he is being transferred to Ferndale.  He had very little notice to pack everything up, so I imagine it was a very late night, and then a long drive.  Ferndale is north of Bellingham, about 20 miles south of the Canadian border. We will learn more about his new area next Monday.

If you are friends with Chris on facebook, please check out the hilarious videos the mom/member posted.  They have a great dane named Atlas, and Chris and Elder Young (his most recent companion) really enjoyed their time with Atlas.

Here is this week's letter, written when he thought he was staying.

From: Christopher Udall
Subject: Weekly letter

We are not teaching too many investigators in the ward I am in right now BUT we are having awesome success with the members! We (Elder Young and I) had an awesome experience a little while ago. We were trying to find a way to help the members here because they help invite others to events and even to meet with us but then, for whatever reason (whether too timid, or fear not saying it the right way to have the spirit touch the friend, OR the people just don't want to listen) the friends don't come.  So recently, we had an awesome experience with personal revelation for this area. We, with the help and thoughts given to us from our Father in Heaven, wrote down a "member teaching record". This plan is not for us to teach the members the lessons but to teach them how to invite and go about it! :) It has been REALLY cool to see it working with members! Hopefully will really grow soon!

I've been in Everett for one transfer (6 weeks) and I'll be staying. So it's a new transfer (2nd 6 weeks) and same area but I feel like a new missionary.  It has been good to look at my own life and see the knowledge and experience I have gained. I have been able to grow closer with my mission president the past couple weeks. He is an amazing man with such a sincere desire to help and serve. 

The past week has been absolutely wonderful! Specifically Sunday!  I mean every Sunday is good because we are able to go and partake of the sacrament where I am able to renew my covenants with my Father, but especially this week because it was fathers day, and the primary children sang the Father song!   :). Also, I was able to focus on those promises I have made to God, my Father who is in Heaven. 

I love and am grateful to ALL the men that have been good examples to me. I am grateful to ALL of my Grandpa's!  Most importantly, I want to thank my own earthly father and let him know how much I LOVE him and what he has done for me. Also I can not explain the love, kindness, and mercy my Father in Heaven! :)

Have an AWESOME WEEK!

Love,

Elder Udall

Chris also asked me to post this video in honor of Father's Day:
 Earthly Father, Heavenly Father

Quick story to share from the same member that let me know about the transfer:

Elder Young and Elder Udall stopped by to look up some addresses one evening and Elder Udall needed to use the bathroom.  I didn't think anything of it, but a few hours later I needed to go as well.  I was 38 weeks pregnant at the time, and had my bathroom routine down pretty well, meaning I don't look when I sit.  That caused a lot of issues this time as Elder Udall had left the seat up.  I'll just let you imagine how all that played out.  He felt awful and wanted to make up for it.  So here they are helping me refinish the furniture I'd gotten for the nursery.  They were troopers and really helped a lot!  Couldn't have finished everything without them!

Everett, WA - week ending May 11, 2014

Well this is week 1 of the transfer but I've been in Thomas Lake for 2 weeks! This week has been full of seeing members of the ward (congregation) and trying to figure out who's who. Not doing too good just yet but I am getting there. 

Weird that I had a dinner with a family with the last name Ward this past week! (For those who don't know, we have some very close friends...same last name!)  Not near the age of kids as the Ward Family in our ward but these Wards are a lot of fun and we had some good burgers. 

Had lessons here and there throughout the week! 

Also...we had a lot of people not too interested or wanting/willing to learn about the church. A lot of people "dropped us" which just means a lot people didn't want us to come by and share the message anymore. 

The BIG highlight of the week was........WORKING OUT AT THE YMCA! 

Just kidding it was Mothers Day! 

So fun to talk to my family! Even got a family picture! That doesn't happen lately! Haha! It was amazing the technology we have to be able to me at a member's home in our ward boundaries in WA my mom, dad & katy (and grandma) in AZ and Danny with his family in CA! 

I even got to hear my Samoan "brother" (who is serving a mission in Fiji) talking for a little bit. 

The family is ordained of God. We have been sent to this earth to learn, grow, and have EXPERIENCES and where is there a better place than in the family unit? I cant even express the joy to be able to see my family as well as the new member, Luke! I have seen pictures but to see him over skpe was awesome! Mother's Day at church was inspiring. The talks given were amazing and many of my "mom's" were going through my head but I can definitely say that I was given to my mother for a reason and I love her for that. She has definitely made my life so much better and without her I could not explain the emptiness that I would have in my heart. So Mom, Thanks for everything! I LOVE YOU! 

Hope everyone had a wonderful mothers day! If you have a couple minutes check out this link at the bottom about moms and their amazing role in Gods plan for us!

http://motherhood.mormon.org/?cid=HPTH050814094

Love,

Elder Udall 

Mom-

Please include these in my blog for the week.  A quote:

"Life doesnt come with a manual, it comes with a mother."

And some scriptures and a video.  Click the links!

Matthew 22:36-39

Mark 12:31

Love is the Essence of the Gospel

Mukilteo, WA - week ending April 21, 2014

Chris's letter from 4.21.14

Well I emailed late Monday (the 14th).  We had dinner and FHE with the Davis family after emailing.

Tuesday we had our Mormon.org time where we can go on to the approved church websites and watch videos, read articles, etc. Tried to visit a few people. Helped a couple in the ward with a move. Well moving stuff up from their basement to their garage so when they do really move and leave they can just move it from the garage to the truck. Had dinner with the Watkins and got to make or color eggs. Have some pictures of them. After that we went on a split with two guys in the ward. I went to the lesson with Quinton and Elder Stewart went with Austin tracting. When we were in the lesson with Roberta we set a date for baptism!!!! WHOOT WHOOT!

Lots of meetings on Wednesday. But also got to have dinner with the family that brought me to the Hockey Game.

Thursday we helped the couple move a couple other things. Then lunch and Sports DAY!! Much better turn out then the past couple of weeks! Dinner provided but at our place and then just some visits.

Friday was FULL of weekly planning. Well most of the day at least. Stopped to get a couple things at some members houses. Had dinner with the Bishop and his family. Then went and saw a couple more people.

Saturday. Woke up and Elder Stewart had a flat so we had to go get a new tube. Lunch. Saw and met with a TON of great people today. I liked today because people were home and ok with us to come in. Helped move a piano from a garage to the front room. It was DANG heavy. Found out that we might be able to go golfing out here! Its only 30 dollars on Mondays. Still expensive BUT we might be able to get a discount from someone that is a member. :) Dinner with the Haupt family! Probably got a picture from them of us with the hashtag sign. After that saw a couple more people.

Sunday! Happy Easter! It was a great day! Saw a lot of wonderful people at church! Had meetings. Biked from our house to the church. I think its two miles up and down hills, in 6 or 7 min. It was dumb! haha! I was hackin all the way through our meeting with the bishop because I breathed in SOO much pollen! HAHA! Dinner with the Buchmillers. Had a TON of fun! I will get the videos of Egg Wars to ya mom. Helped give a blessing and then it was time to go home! That's the week! :)

Tom wrote back to Chris and asked:

What was the most spiritual experience you had this week, and why?

Also, what was a lesson you learned this week to help you with your life?

Priest Quorum. We watched the Restoration video. It was amazing and then after we had a group discussion and some amazing experiences were shared and the Spirit was most definitely there! It was just a strong feeling that I don't think could be denied.

I learned a lot of things this week. It is hard to write in your journal when ALL you want to do is go to bed haha! I think I have learned to just do work. I said it a ton when I first got out and totally used the nike swoosh all the time. BUT I think when I put it into effect this week it really showed to me the importance of it! SO go out and just do it. Like it says in the "We Bought a Zoo" movie. All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage. And then just do it. Now as I say this I can see that it could be taken in the way to do bad. That is definitely NOT what I mean. 20 seconds of insane courage to help a struggling brother or sister. 20 seconds of insane courage to invite someone to join you for a church activity (that can be church itself). OR just 20 seconds of insane courage to just share what you believe.

Baptism will be May 17th. So next transfer but if I get transferred I should be able to come back for it. I hope I don't get transferred. I love this area.

Mukilteo, WA - March 31, 2014 (week 56)

Week of March 25-30th

This week was NOT full of teaching appointments, but it was full of SERVICE!! 

So Monday and Tuesday we were busy with transfers and seeing people that Elder Rencher got to say goodbye to. Wednesday was District meeting and tried to see a couple people. Dinner and mutual for the evening. They had New Beginnings this week so we went in there (they had food)! ;) 

Thursday we helped an older gentleman in our ward, Brother K., with moving some things for his mom and then got Dickeys (which is a really good bbq place where missionaries get 50% off) for lunch!  After that we helped the sister missionaries with their bikes, saw people and then went to sports day. 17 PEOPLE including Elder Stewart and I!  1/3 of the total (15) were non-members (not LDS)!!!  :-)  After that we had to set up for a funeral for a very older gentleman in the ward (Amos B.). He was 90 and knew it was his time. So I didn't get to attend the funeral of my own grandfather this month, but I did get to meet with and talked a couple times with Brother B. Well anyway, during the service....I got teary at some parts because I truly felt the presence of my own grandfather standing next to me in the back. I really felt like his arm was around me. Oh, it was overwhelming but peaceful. That funeral service was Friday morning but we set up Thursday afternoon, chairs and tables. 
Friday was the funeral service and take down after. 

Saw a couple people after cleaning up from the funeral service, and then went BACK to the church later in the afternoon to help with a wedding reception that was happening Saturday night. Had a quick dinner with some members and went to see some kids in the ward perform in their band program at the high school. We were told by a LOT of the kids that are in the winterline/drumline that their friends saw us and they were interested who we were, what we were doing, and why we were sooo dressed up!  We helped the youth with a conversation starter and then the youth took it from there to invite to whatever (church or youth sports day). 

On Saturday we weekly planned. Then helped more to set up. Elder Stewart had a baptism in his last ward, so we went and saw it.  Then Brother Nishimoto picked us up for my x-ray on my toe and then he brought us back to the church for the reception.  The two that got married...the groom was from ohio and bride from up here. The bride got baptized 4 years ago in Alderwood 1st Ward. They met at BYU-Idaho. They had a reception in Ohio and a reception here for her family (all non-members). It was TONS of fun!  I think that we helped make a different impression on that family about missionaries. We even got a picture with the bride and groom!!   :-) 

Sunday..Meetings. Church. Linger longer or meet and greet with finger foods. Meeting with bishop after that. We had dinner with the D____ family.   I hope we can teach them soon and from what we talked about I think we will! :-)  So this evening I got to talk to two people that I LOVE SOOO MUCH!!! Seth and Jocie A!  Because I couldn't go to the baptism I got to call them. :-) It was SOOO great talking to them! They are TRULY SO amazing and I am grateful to God for it all!  If I was born a year earlier or later, or if they didn't live at THAT  house that we knocked on...I just cant understand HOW anyone can say things are a coincidence!  I am excited in a year to go to the temple and see them get sealed together as a family!!  (explanation of "sealed")

Don't you wish every week was like this, Mom?!?!?!    (Indeed, I wish EVERY week had this much information!)


This x-ray was mentioned above.  Chris jammed his toe about 8 weeks ago.  We have heard some conflicting diagnoses, but the bottom line is that he will be fine and it will heal, but it will remain painful for a while.  AND, when he gets home, if we need to do some repairing, we have an awesome sports med guy here.  

Coming in from the rain.  Drenched.  Completely drenched.

Well, it appears Elder Udall's jacket works well.  The dry section of the pants was covered by the jacket.  Pants?  Soaked through.

 Elder Udall & Elder Rencher got to attend an Everett Silvertips game with a family from their area!  They had permission to go because of the family that took them.  

One time deal. 

Elder Rencher with one of the Morrison kids.  The Morrison family took the missionaries ice skating for their p-day activity.

Elder Udall's District just before transfers on March 24.