1-25-16

Hey Y’all! 

   This week has been a really good one! I said goodbye to Elder Taggart after 4 1/2 months! He went down to serve in Burkburnett Texas with Elder Slack! My new companion is Elder Haws who came from Lawton. He is an awesome guy! He is from Farmington Utah and has been out for 18 months! We get along great and are having fun!

This week was a pretty busy one for us and we have a busy one lined up for next week too! We got to do a new District Leader Training on Thursday afternoon, then we got to watch a worldwide missionary broadcast put on by the missionary executive council. That was really neat. It was 2 hours of instruction from the apostles and other Leaders from the Church. I learned so much! They talked about Bearing testimony frequently, Teaching with the spirit, and study/ preparation and leaving commitments. It was awesome! 

   Also this week we were informed that on February 20th, our whole mission along with the Bentonville Arkansas mission will be meeting in Tulsa Oklahoma for a dual mission conference where an Apostle will be presiding. We are so excited to go to that conference! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be gathered together with approx. 400 missionaries and an apostle! Also to put the cherry on top, Elder Gonzales (who came out with me) and I have been asked to perform a musical number there at that conference. I am super nervous and excited at the same time! This is going to be awesome! 

   Other than that, we have had a great week. Things are looking up and we are so blessed! Jay is on Date for Feb. 20th (which we're going to have to change haha) and so is Katherine! We are so excited for them! 

   Thank you so much for all the love and the support that y’all have shown and provided for me! Love y’all and hope that you have a great week!

Elder Walker   

Elders Walker and Haws

and this is lunch I guess

1-11-16

Hey Y’all,

   First of all, I want to apologize for not replying to everyone’s emails today. Today we are having zone P-day and are going to the OKC Science museum so we have a limited time on emails.

   I have received several complaints about me sharing what the weather is like. They say that they want to hear more about me and what’s going on and not the weather. So I'll do my best!

    So this week was a really good one for us. It snowed on Friday night and that was a lot of fun! It’s been freezing cold all week and the wind has been pretty bad too. I think it got down to around 15 degrees or something like that. I love it though! I'd rather be in the cold than the heat! (haha Gotcha :P )

   Anyhow, I am doing really well. This week has been full of miracles and interesting experiences. We had the opportunity to go on exchanges with the Spanish OKC 4 East elders and the Village South Elders this week. I was with Elder Mickelson on Tuesday and then with Elder Swensen on Friday. They are 2 of our District leaders who are awesome! We love them so much and enjoy working with them!

   On Friday night, I was with Elder Swensen in His area, Village South, and we had dinner with the Roper Family. They are super awesome and have 3 kids. They have a daughter named Summer who is about 7 years old. She is crazy! While we were giving the dinner message after dinner, she climbed up on the back of his chair and climbed on his shoulders super fast. The Sisters were talking and so he reached up to grab her and get her off. Mean while the sisters and Sister Roper were having a really spiritual conversation about missionary work. Sister Roper had no idea what her daughter was doing. Well, Summer proceeded to lock her legs around Elder Swensen's neck and cover his eyes. So he couldn't get her off! He stood up and stumbled into the other room where he continued to beat her against the couch to get her off. She was laughing and having a great time! Elder Swensen was freaking out because we're not supposed to play with kids at all. So then I looked in there and he couldn't get her off by beating her against the couch so he started rolling on the floor and going crazy! After about 30 seconds of that and all of us dying laughing, he got her off! She was clamped on there! It was a great time and we all got a good laugh out of it. After that, he came back to the table with a red face and out of breath. Funny Stuff!   

   Wednesday night, we got a call from a lady who had given us a referral to visit her friend. Her name is Kayleen. So Kayleen said that there was some weird stuff going on at her friend’s house( her name is Katherine and is currently an investigator) and asked us if we could go give a blessing on her home. So we called Katherine and she said that there was a demon in her house messing with her and that the power had partially gone out and all the lights were flickering and stuff.

  

   So we went over there, and there was a really creepy feeling in her house. She had hurt her back the day before and so we offered to give her a priesthood blessing for that. She said yes and so I gave her that blessing. There were lights flickering and her alarm kept shorting out and beeping funny and it was super creepy. I didn't feel comfortable at all in there. As I gave the blessing, there was something that was working on me really hard. I have never felt something trying to distract me so much. With a short prayer in my head I was able to finish the blessing.

   After that we went to kneel down and pray over her home. Elder Taggart was just about to start and the power went out completely. It was pitch black in her house and I think I got a little bit of a taste of what Joseph Smith might have felt like as he was trying to pray in the grove of trees. Something dark overwhelmed the room and I got really scared. I can honestly say that I've never been so scared in my life. Elder Taggart started the prayer and the whole time I was thinking, Heavenly Father, please protect us. Please protect us. Elder Taggart said the prayer and in the name of Jesus Christ, commanded anything unclean and evil to leave the home. Immediately, there was a calm feeling that entered the room and everything felt normal again. It was a really strange experience that I hope I never have to go through again. Satan was working really hard on her because she has accepted the invitation to baptism and is taking the lessons. The power of prayer is so real!!   

 We got a referral on Thursday for a man named Jay Hardy. His good friend works at BYU and referred him to us. Jay has just finished Rehab for alcoholism and wants to show God his commitment to change so he wants to join a church! We taught the restoration, invited him to be baptized, and set a baptismal date! He should be getting baptized on February 20th! We are so excited for him He is so prepared and ready to hear the Gospel! He can to church yesterday and loved it. He is such an awesome guy.

   It is amazing how God does His work and prepares people to hear the Gospel. I am so thankful to be a servant of Him in sharing that Gospel with others! If this Gospel isn't true I don't know what is. It has brought me, and millions of others nothing but happiness, peace, comfort, spirituality, knowledge, and a strengthened and increased testimony. I know that it can and will do that for anyone who chooses to accept it!

   I am so thankful for all the Love and Support that all y’all give me on a daily and weekly basis. I couldn't do this without you! This work is so important and I know this is where I need to be. Love y’all and have a great week!

    Elder Shane Walker  

 

Here’s a picture of Me and Elder Swensen

We played Settlers of Catan on Monday

and we said goodbye to the Shaw family whose moving to Hawaii!

1-4-16

Hey y’all! 

   This week has been a really good one for us. It warmed up a little bit and we were out spinning tires! We had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Janetta, one of our investigators, every day this week! She was supposed to get baptized last Saturday but she couldn’t stop smoking in time. So her Baptismal Date dropped and now we're working on her stopping smoking. She's doing real well and came to church this week. It was a little frustrating because last week church got cancelled because of bad weather. It’s kind of ridiculous if you ask me! But she came this week and loved it! It was a great week at church too! There were a lot of really amazing testimonies borne and insights shared. Our ward is so great here! I love the Quail Creek Ward! 

   So this week there was a sister in our ward who passed away. Her name was Lois McClung and she was 91 years old. She was the sweetest lady you'll ever meet and pretty much was already an angel! She passed away last Sunday and her memorial service was held on Saturday. We went and it was really good. We learned a lot about her and how sweet she was. All of her kids were there and only 1 of them was a member of the church. They all were so thankful for her and her being a faithful disciple of Christ all her life. She will be greatly missed!

   So there is a Senior Missionary couple that serves here that is in our ward and they took us and the North Elders to lunch afterwards at the Golden Trough. (Golden Corral) I don’t know if they have them there in Oregon because I hadn’t heard of them until I came out here to Oklahoma. It’s pretty much like Home Town Buffet but worse haha. I ate way too much and got really sick afterwards! I never threw up but I may as well have. I felt awful for the rest of the day! I slept it off and then my bowels were wrecked the next day. I’m never eating there again! 

   Anyhow, it was a good week and we are excited for all the 2016 holds!    

I hope that y’all had an amazing new year and that as you have set goals, you will be diligent in following through with them! Change is hard but so worth it! I love y’all and hope that y’all have a wonderful week! 

Elder Walker  

Gas is super cheap here and Me and Elder Taggart had a flannel competition. Who pulls it off better?? 

12-28-15

Hey yall!

   This week was an alright one for us. We seem to be at the bottom of peoples priority list right now. But hopefully this next week will be awesome!

   Christmas was great! Skyping with family was the best part! They are all doin good and still crazy as ever! I miss them! Anyhow, we spent Christmas day with the Harmon family, the Murphy's, and the Faheys. They are all awesome and spoiled us rotten! We got hooked up!

   The members here are so awesome I am so blessed to be in such an amazing ward! I am so thankful to all of you for your love and support this holiday season! I am so blessed!

   Things are goin good around here. It seems to be that winter finally decided to show up so Im excited about that! I love the cold weather! It rained. Then the rain froze. Then it was freezing rain, Then it was hail, then it was snow and now its just ice! Lots of ice! The roads aren't too bad but they were when we woke up this morning! I am so thankful for a 4 wheel drive truck to drive (: That pretty much means that we can drive anywhere through anything haha. Just kidding :P (that was a partially serious statement). But I love this time of year when everyone is happy and full of gratitude. Im thankful for the love and service of others. I am just so thankful for everything!!!  

   I love this gospel and all the blessings that it brings! There is a scripture that I believe applies very well at the start of this new year.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

As we all make new year resolutions, we need to know that God wont tempt us more than we can handle and that he provides a way for us to overcome those temptations. We can be strong and become better! Fulfilling our divine potential isn't easy but its so worth it! I wish yall and Happy New Year and a safe week! Love yall!

Elder Walker

There was a shooting right across from our apartment complex on Christmas Eve day.  There were cops everywhere!

12-21-15

Hey yall! 

   This week has been an interesting one for us! We had our Christmas Conference on Thursday and that was really amazing! We focused on planning and how to prepare people for baptism. I know that sounds kinda boring but was really good for us as missionaries! President Walkenhorst talked about what white symbolizes. It represents purity, peace, joy, holiness, a fresh start, and love. 

Isaiah 1:18 Says:

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

Through Him we can become white and clean. 

Right now there is so much potential to be sharing the gospel but it seems like we cant visit enough people! I love sharing the gospel and especially talking about Jesus Christ and His birth this time of year! He changed the world on that wonderful day in those humble circumstances that were provided. The world would never be the same after that! I am so thankful for Him and His love for us and the sacrifice He performed in our behalf. 

John 3:16 - 17 Says:

 

   16 ¶For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

   17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Isaiah 9:6 Says: 

   6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

During this wonderful time of year, let us remember why we celebrate. Let us remember what He has done for us and what we can become because of Him. As we feel the Love and the joy in the air this Christmas Season, Let our hearts be turned towards him in remembrance and gratitude. 

I pray that this finds everyone well and that Yall have a Merry Christmas! Love yall! 

Elder Shane Walker 

Here are the Muzingos! They are an awesome couple that serves in the mission office! Also Here is Elder Riley Jeffs from the Springfield Stake!  

12-14-15
Hey yall! 

   This week was an interesting one for us. Its been really warm all week. We were walkin round in short sleeves the whole time. On Tuesday it was 71 degrees outside. Ridiculous! Last year round this time I was freezin my tie off! But not this year! Its probably gonna hit real soon and get nasty but oh well (: I love the cold so I cant wait! Nothin much happened this week. We had almost all of our appointments fall through which is a little frustrating but oh well. We were able to meet some really cool people though! 

   We knocked on this one ladies door and she opened it up and said that she didnt have time for us. Then we asked if we could say a quick prayer with her. She said yes and came on out to the front porch! We prayed with her and then she opened up and started talking to us about Christmas! We talked to her about the #ASaviorIsBorn video that the church put out and it was really cool. Right before we were about to leave she said that we needed to be careful because satan was out among us. Him and his demons are people we see walking in the stores and down the street and we dont even know it. Now whether or not thats true I dont know but I wouldnt doubt it! We tried to set up a return appt. and she said if you can catch me! I hate it when people say that! Anyhow, we walked off her driveway and there was this guy walking down the street with a puppy. We stopped and talked to him and he was pretty cool! He was native american and was looking for this puppy's owner. We gave him a #ASaviorIsBorn card and he said thanks and went to leave. I said what was your name? And he turned around and shook my hand looked me in the eye and said, "Lucifer". Then he walked away! I was so freaked out after that! I dont know what that was all about but it was really strange that we met him right after we just barely got done talking about satan being among us with that lady! 

   There are some interesting people out there and they all need the Gospel! So dont be afraid to open your mouths to those that you come in contact with. Carry a few pass along cards with you, and keep a Book of Mormon in yer car. You never know when yer gonna need it! 

   Love yall and hope that you have a wonderful week!

Elder Walker 

12-7-15

Hey y’all!

   This week has been amazing for us! We have seen so many miracles! But first of all I will start out by saying that it is December now and I think that Oklahoma hasn't quite figured that out yet. It has been over 60 degrees every day this week. I haven't even had to wear gloves or a beanie or anything since the ice storm! It’s crazy! Right now it’s sunny and 58 outside! Anyhow, I’m waiting for the cold weather to hit like a ton of bricks pretty soon. We're due for it!

   On a more spiritual note, we had some amazing things happen this week! We have an investigator (or eternigator) Janetta Seagraves, who we have been teaching since I got here. She has been meeting with the missionaries for over 3 years now! She has a smoking problem and thinks that God doesn't care if she smokes a cigarette here or there. She is a super sweet lady but has a hard time understanding the commandments. So we took it to the next level. We call up the big man. All 7 feet of him. P-dog. The Main man, President Walkenhorst. We scheduled an interview for them for this last Thursday. She called us on Thursday morning and told us that she couldn't do it. She was going to start going to another Church with her husband Seth (Who is inactive) and son Gabe who is 2. But Elder Taggart testified hard core and convinced her to go through with it!  So she did and it was amazing! The Janetta that walked out of that interview was a different Janetta that walked in. I don't know what President said to her but it worked. She committed to stop smoking by the end of the year and she committed to come to church every Sunday from now on! We have tried so hard to get her to come and she wouldn't do it! We don't know what He said in there but it worked! We went over the next night to get the rest of the family on board. They all agreed and they all came to church on Sunday! They haven't been to church as a family in years! And Sister Seagraves even bore her testimony! It was so powerful!

   I am so thankful for this Gospel and I know it to be true! I hope that everyone is well and that y’all are pondering on how you can be better every day! Love y’all!

Elder Walker