Week 101 - It's been good. Real good.

November 9, 2015

   I want you all to know that my mission has been the best experience of my life. It's not only been the best 2 years for my life, but the best 2 years of my life. I have truly loved it out here! I gave my heart to God, and he has changed me. He continues to change me as I serve His children. Missionary work is not a job for a measured time, it's a lifestyle. So the true measure of what kind of missionary I am will be measured as I go home and share this joy with all those who have not had a chance to partake of it. I have seen many lives change, and most of all I have seen my life change. I have felt the true love of God for the first time in my life, I have learned to actually love myself. I've learned to do what's hard, no matter what it is. I've learned there are 2 things we can do in life: We can make excuses, or we can make it happen. Life is amazing! I love you all so much. I get to the Airport Wednesday at 10:30 AM, hope to see anyone that can make it! Stay strong. :D

   P.S. Emily's baptism got pushed back 2 weeks. She's doing really good though, just wasn't quite ready. :D

Also, My homecoming talk will be on November 22 at 1:00 PM!! If any of you happen to be in Utah, I would love to see you there! The address is 9245 Quail Run Drive (2360 E), Sandy Utah, 84093 

Lastly, I would like to bear my testimony of the everlasting and infinite Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. I have given my life to Him, and He has changed me. As I've placed my faith and trust in Him, He has killed the natural man inside of me, and raised me up a new man. It was never easy, and it never will be. But it has been good, and it will get better. I still have a very long ways to go, infinitely long, but through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, I will make it. He will not let me fail. And neither will He let you, if you just do as He asks. I bear witness that our Savior Jesus Christ Lives, and that he deeply loves us. His life was not about Him, so neither can our lives be about us. We must do what we don't want to, and there is no other way to salvation. The Doctrine of Christ is the tool to apply the Atonement, without it we are nothing. I want you all to know that I love you, even though some I have never met. Life is wonderful when we do what's hard. I bear witness in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

- Elder Cameron Ellis

Week 100 - My last week in the mission

November 2, 2015

     So I'll finally accept it, this is my last week in the mission field. I fly home November 11, the flight is scheduled to land around 10:30 in the morning. I've been able to stay focused and get things done here, which has been a wonderful miracle. We've got this week, and its gonna be the best week ever. So excited for the work. :D I don't know when my homecoming talk will be, but I'll let you all know as soon as I do. Life is great!

     Emily is looking good for Saturday, which has been another complete miracle. She quit smoking cold turkey Friday, and has been reading/listening to the Book of Mormon everyday. She has found faith in God and it has been so amazing to see her faith grow. I remember when we first talked to her and she just had lots of "what if" questions, until she was able to act on her faith. Once that happened, she just kept growing, and she's doing amazing. Pray for her! It'll take more miracles for everything to go as it needs to this week. It is such a blessing to see people change their lives through Christ. I will never stop helping people. I love you all, and hope you have a fantastic week! :D Stay faithful!

- Elder  Cameron Ellis

p.s. "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" by Gene R. Cook is an amazing talk our Mission President had us read. It's amazing, you should all read it. :D

                                        Photo from the field sent by a member on Nov 8 

Week 98 - Yo Temple!!!

October 19, 2015

Hola ya'lls! so we had a temple trip this week! It was super exciting! If you want to hear more shoot me an e-mail, my time on the computer is up. Love you all!! :D

p.s. Emily, our most progressing investigator, is back on the radar! She fought through Satan's opposition and she coming to church next Sunday. Heck yeah! :D

Week 99 - Yeah Yeah

October 26, 2015

Heck yeah! I am so sorry, I just can't stand e-mailing these days... Haha yeah. I'll just bear through it. 

     So Emily came to church yesterday! She's the one that tried to drop us 2 weeks ago, now she is committed to being baptized on November 7th!!! Which is like 3 days before I go home. Talk about miracles!!! It really is a miracle, she's reading the Book of Mormon every day, and she is making lots of friends in the ward, and it's just fantastic. Miracles happen, and we're so lucky we get to see them!! I'm grateful to have experiences like these, and I know they are only possible through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, and I love Him. I will live my whole life devoted to His cause. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

-Elder Cameron Ellis

p.s. Love you! Have a great week!

Totally forgot, Tony Hill went to the temple for baptisms last Saturday! Its the first time he's ever been, he's been a convert for about 2 1/2 years. He has just been reactivated, and its been amazing to see his transformation. He loved it so much! He's planning on going back soon. :D Love you all!

Week 97 - Heck Yeah!

October 12, 2015
So heck yeah! I am getting so tire of e-mailing, I'll just be honest... jabdsf;iubhasd;uifhbas;iudhf;iasudhfi;uasdhf;iuashdfi;uashdfi;uhsadi;oufiohass;iduifhf  I have some cool pictures!!!! Look at these:

Heck yeah. There's been some crazy opposition this week, but it worked out in the end. Our most progressing investigator tried to drop us and it was bad, but we've got another appointment with her on Thursday which was a struggle, and its a really good sign. It'll work out! God told me that He will take care of her, so I am not to worry about anything that happens right now. Its gotten sooooo much better, like not worrying about things. Ha! God will take care of everything, just try as hard as you can everyday. Heck yeah. I hope you all have an amazing week! Loves ya!!

-Love, Elder Ellis

p.s. those pictures are real: my companion with a skull in front of his face (ahahah) and $600 hot sauce. Holy cow! expensive hot sauce.

More pics:

Week 96 - General Conference

October 5, 2015

     Hey, so none of you probably knew this, but General Conference was this past weekend!!! Heck yeah! I'm sorry that you missed it... It was amazing.

     Haha jk, but it was really good. I am grateful for the leadership of these amazing men, they shine a bright light into this world of darkness.

     This week was absolutely crazy! But that's absolutely normal, but its still crazy. We had Transfers, and our zone got even younger than it was before. A bunch of new missionaries who just finished being trained, are now training brand new missionaries. There's a lot of training that needs to happen, and a lot of ground to cover. Haha its gonna be awesome!! Life is good, its always nice to be hard at work and have too much to do and not enough time to do it... well, not so much that last part. Time is so nice to have..... better use it effectively. 

     I hope life is good for all of you! E-mailing is getting harder to stay focused, but anyways, I hope you have a wonderful week! I Love you all!!! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis

Week 95 - Last transfer!!!

September 28, 2015

     Holy cow, this is the last transfer of my mission! Boy, its been a good one. We got the call today, and me and my companion are both staying! It'll be 6 months by the time I go home that I'll have been here, my second longest area on my mission. It was the last thing we expected, staying together. Pretty sweet though!!!! :D I'm getting killed by one of my very best friends, so that's pretty sweet.

     Yep, so I found out I fly home November 11, and that's the last thing that I'm gonna say about that. I have to stay focused these last 6 weeks, so please don't say anything about stuff that's gonna happen afterwards. Unless its super important, or you're my mom, then its ok. :D Haha its gonna be a good one!!! I am excited to work hard and to give it my all. This is the only time in my entire life I'll have this opportunity, so I'm not gonna waste a second of it!! Its too valuable, and it changes too many people's lives for me or anyone else to coast. Its gonna be a good one.

     I don't know if there was anything super exciting this week, other than all the amazing things that happen all the time. Life is really very good! Learning so much. I hope you always think of the Savior and what He has done for us. The purpose of our life is to change, so if we're not changing, we're not doing it right. Unless we're like Jesus, we've got things to change, and none of us are even close. And its wonderful!! Its such a positive thing, God loves us so much. We are worth so much to Him, every one of us. Its humbling to think that the most powerful being in the universe cares about ME. Just some random 20 yr old. But He does care, and I know it. And it has changed me. I love you all so much, have a wonderful week!!! Keep smiling!!!! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis     

6 MORE WEEKS!!!!! LETS GO!!!!!! NEVER SETTLE!!!!!!!!

Week 94 - Good Afternoon!!!

September 21, 2015

     Good afternoon! It's a bright sunny day here in Cincinnati with a degree of I don't know what, but it sure feels good. The Fall and the Spring are by far the best time of year here in Cincinnati! And most places on Earth. It's the perfect temperature, nice and cool, not too hot, not too cold. I always like a slight breeze, it feels great. :D

     

     So a lot happened this week like usual, and also like usual I don't have the mental capacity at the moment to write all of it. Our zone had interviews with President Porter on Friday!! It was fantastic, we got to do role plays and area book stuff, and ya! It was great. Everyone is doing well for the most part. Missions are sink or swim, and they're all swimming hard. It's always nice to talk to President, he is the most amazing person I've ever met. Changed my life, that's for sure.

 

     Haha yeah! That was the biggest thing that happened this week. There was a lot more, but it shall have to wait for the afterlife.... Or maybe just next week or something, one of those. I do want you all to know that the Atonement has truly changed my life. The person I used to be has died, and God has raised up someone new. The rest of my entire life, and my entire eternity is going to be different because of His Atonement that I have experienced as I've been out here on my mission. I am so grateful for the love, and light that He has for all of us. It makes life worth it, it really does. There is nothing He cannot redeem us from, or set straight in our lives. I love the Savior very much, and I will live the rest of my life doing the things that He would have me do. I love you all!! I wish you the best of weeks, and hope that you will feel the love that God already has for you. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love, 

Elder Cameron Ellis

                                               Elder McEachern

Week 93 - Andre and Patrice!!!

September 14, 2015

OH MY HECK!!! MIRACLES!!!!!! Wow, so there have been so many miracles that have happened this week!!! It has been so amazing. So by far the best part about this week was last night, Andre and Patrice both got baptized!!! It was by far the best baptismal service I've ever been to, there was so much love, and the spirit was SO strong!! It was just so wonderful. I am still on the spiritual high from last night, every time I think about it I feel so great. Andre wasn't planning on getting baptized last night as of a week ago, but so many prayers of faith changed him and gave him the courage he needed to take that step with his wife. They've been investigating for over a year now, and the Elder who found them at the very beginning (far left), was able to come and baptize them! He goes home in 2 weeks. Me and him doubled up for Andre since he's 405 lbs. There were angels in that font helping us, that's for sure... The ward loves them so much, they're the ones who got married back in June my first transfer here. I cannot describe how wonderful it was. Its moments like this that make it all worth it. Every day is great, but these experiences really just light up everything. Haha yep! That is really all that needs to be said about this week, it was really good. It was crazy trying to get everything lined up for the baptism, and its always crazy haha, but life is so good. 

        I know this is the Church of Christ, and I know that He is running His church, through inspiration and revelation, through the Priesthood keys. From the Prophet down to every Bishop to every single member, God has set up the church of Christ to bless the lives of all who enter there. And it is to invite all others to enter therein, for it is only there that the blessings of salvation are available. Everyone needs this. I need Jesus just as much as every human out there. We all need him. And this path is how we fully access His Grace and His Power in our lives. It is real. It is true. Jesus is the Christ, and only His Atonement can save us. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

   I love you all, have a wonderful week.

-Love, Elder Ellis 

Week 92 - It's been a good week

September 8, 2015

     First off, I want to apologize to anyone who has not been receiving my e-mails!! I just noticed it today, but apparently my e-mail has not been cooperating to send it to everyone that I put in the group to send it to, so I am so sorry!!! I changed a few things around, and it should work out a lot better now. :D

    

     Alrighty, so, what a great week it's been!!! It was absolutely crazy, there was so much to do, and not nearly enough time to do it. But then again, there's never enough time to do it. There was just even less time for it all.... It all worked out though, and worked out really good.

      So before I get into the week, Jordan was baptized on Saturday! His family just started coming back to church 3-4 weeks ago, and now he's baptized!! It was wonderful, their family is making huge strides. Now the next step for them is the temple! That's where we're going to get them next. They just have to keep pressing forward. I love them a lot, they're amazing. 

       That was one of the highlights of the week, there was lots of cool stuff that happened. We had Leadership Council on Tuesday, and President taught us some amazing things about people, and about how we react in certain situations and why. It just blows my mind every time!! Then Wednesday some cool stuff happened, then Thursday we had Zone meeting!! It was really powerful, everything was lead by the Spirit. We all learned a lot.

    Then Friday was exchanges, and Saturday was the baptism, and Sunday we had to catch up on teaching people, then yesterday we had a Zone Labor Day finding activity!!! It was awesome, this Anti-Mormon guy was going over the whole park lying to people about who we were and what we taught, so it's hard to teach someone when he'd run up to them and just *BAM*, spirit's gone. So we all got into the cars for 5 min, said a prayer over a conference call, and he left because he thought we were all gone! So then we went back into the park, and felt inspired to sing some hymns. And then for that last hour, it was just amazing!!! People just came around and 2 by 2 missionaries would go off and talk to them, and bring them to our chalk drawing of the Plan of Salvation, and there was never more than 1 minute where people weren't being taught! We all saw these amazing miracles, and it all happened after we faced major opposition. So crazy. It built all of our faith quite a bit.

      Yeah! Life is amazing. Lots of miracles have happened, and they just continue to happen. Life is amazing. I love you all, and hope you have a fantastic week!!! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis

p.s. Feel free to write back!! 

                                      Jordan's baptism

                                         Labor Day finding activity

Week 90 & 91 - The Hayes' family

August 31, 2015

     Yeah! Successful weekend. Jaden and Torin Hayes were baptized and confirmed this weekend!! They have a single father, Miles, who was baptized about 2-3 years ago. He's been reactivated, and sons have been baptized!!! YEAH! It was so awesome!!!! Miracles never cease. A bunch of the ward was there supporting them, there wasn't enough chairs for all them to sit on. Wonderful service, you could feel the spirit very strong during the ordinance. That day changed those 2 boys' lives, that is for sure. It was just amazing, I'm so grateful for the Grace of God through which miracles come. Miles is one of my favorite people ever, so blessed to get to know him. So it's been a pretty good week.

     Jordan is also getting baptized this Saturday; he is another child of a family that has just been reactivated. The dad came teaching with us for the first time 2 weeks ago, and now he loves it and tries to come twice a week. He didn't get to serve a mission, so this is how he's making up for it, in his mind. And I think that's pretty fair. Super cool!!! And then this couple that's been investigating for over a year is finally getting baptized next Monday! Kind of a weird day for it, but it's the only one that works with the Husband's work schedule. Their interview is in 40 min, so its pretty exciting. The work is going great!!! So many miracles, we have no idea what to do with them. We need to figure out who we're going to work with after that since they've taken up all our focus the past few weeks. It will work out, and it will be good. 

     So yeah! Life's great! We're excited for the future with all of this. Oh yeah, I don't know if I said this last week, but my new companion is Elder McEachern from Tooele, Utah! And we served in the same ward, in Richmond, about 9 months ago, so we're already pretty good friends. Haha its been a great transfer so far! And it's just going to get better. Haha I've already been great friends with my past 2 companions before we became companions. Hopefully that'll happen again next transfer as well! I'm gonna have a new companion because all my good companions only last 1 transfer...  So yeah. Maybe he'll brake the pattern... I love you all!!! Have a great week!! :D

- Love, Elder Ellis

Week 89 - Transfers have come again!!!!

August 17, 2015

    I'm not getting transferred! Very glad about it. I do feel bad for my companion though, he is getting transferred and he was only here for 6 weeks, 1 transfer. So I'll be getting a new companion!! Almost all of our zone stayed, 10/14 are staying. All of the companionships will be in the 2nd transfer of training now, and we'll see what happens in the other area, since they are both leaving. We'll see what happens! And they might be opening an area that they shut down last transfer. Life is good, I'll be sad to see Elder Hampton leave, we're really good friends. 

   
    So other than that, we've had a few cool things happen this week. Melissa and miles broke up, which is good because they weren't living some commandments, but things are postponed a little bit with them. Their desire is there, it's good. Miles will still be reactivated, and his kids baptized. And Melissa will too. Hopefully it's not awkward for them to go to the same ward... Haha good thing God's gonna take care of all of it! It'll work out somehow. Well, I'm outta time, I love you all! Miracles happen when we believe. It is truth.

- Love, Elder Ellis

                           Elders Hunsaker and Ellis eating with the Butlers for Caryn's birthday.

Week 88 - Faith like the Ancients

August 10, 2015

Sorry about last week, ran out of time/mostly forgot to send one out. :D

    So, having Faith like the Ancients, What does that mean? I dunno, go study it. :D

JK its having a lot of Faith and doing what God wants you to. Faith = Action. If there is no action, there is no Faith. If you want God's power, you have to do stuff to get it. Action is everything. If life is a mountain, we can't get to the top of it just by knowing that the mountain is true. We have to keep climbing until we reach the top. And that means until we die. So let's do it! :D There's the spiritual thought for the day.

    So we got to have some really awesome experiences this week!!! We got to do a super sweet service project for an old lady (The hoarder, the place from the pictures) and there was poison ivy everywhere, and spiders, and that humongous spider as well. The biggest spider I've ever seen in real life, literally. We had to go home and scrub really hard with dish soap to make sure we didn't die form the poison ivy. We were blessed, no harm came to us. 

    

    Also, Melissa is committed to be baptized!! YEAH!!!!!!  So amazing, its been an absolute miracle. It has been so wonderful teaching her and her family, they are some of my favorite people I've met my whole mission. Miles, the father, is a LA baptized 2 years ago, and they have 4 kids, 2 11 yr olds, 1 8 yr old(as of today) and a 10 month old baby. They are engaged, and are coming to church, and we found them my first transfer here. Its so wonderful! They are absolutely amazing, I am so excited for them. :D Really awesome miracles. The 3 kids are gonna get baptized as well. Jordan Faulring is also getting baptized! The first weekend in September, hes the 9 yr old son in the family we're reactivating. They were at church for the 2nd time in a row yesterday!!! Its so awesome. God's grace has been abundant.

    So yep, life is good! Transfers are in a week from Tuesday, and I hope to finish my mission here in Montgomery, but we'll see what happens. We'll know by next Monday, so we'll let you know! I love you all, thanks for everything!! Have a great week!! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis

"For every act of obedience you are promised the presence of the Holy Spirit and therefore the presence of the atonement in your life." -Tad R. Callister

                              Organizing the Sisters at July transfers

Weeks 87 & 88 - Spider

August 10, 2015

Here's a nifty service project we had on Wednesday! Look at that spider, the thing was huge... The lady's house was infested with spiders and poison ivy, and yeah! It was great. A miracle we came out alive. :D

Week 86 - Transfer is half over!

July 27, 2015

     The time passes way too quickly!!! July is almost over, the transfer is half over, my life is half over!!! AHHHHHHH whatever, it'll work out.

     This week was an absolutely amazing week!! Lots of good contacts, lots of good lessons, and lots of good meetings. We had a great meeting with the Stake President on Thursday, and that was really cool. We meet with him once a month to find the best way to align the keys and help the work progress in this part of the Lord's Vineyard. President Bradley is a fantastic guy, he loves the gospel and wants everyone to be living it, member, non-member, Less-active, who cares. Everyone needs the light and love of the Gospel in their life. We got a lot of good take-a-ways of what we need to be doing and focusing on. 

     Things are going very well! The work is progressing, and it will continue to progress. God's pleased, but He's not satisfied! He won't be satisfied until every child of His hears about the Gospel and learns to live it. Life is wonderful, I am so exhausted all the time, and I get more tired every week. Haha but it's so great! It is so fulfilling, and makes me so happy to be serving so many people. I know the teachings are true, I know they make our lives better, and that they're real. I love you all! Have a great week!!

     -Love, Elder Ellis

     

Week 84 & 85 - Great week!

July 20, 2015

Haha so I realized after we left last week that I forgot to send this letter out... Haha so funny. Oh no, my companion got hit by a car! jk, that didn't happen.

    

It's been a good past 2 weeks in the land of Montgomery!! My new companion is Elder Hampton, and he has been out on his mission 1 transfer less than I have. For the first time in my whole mission, I am the 'oldest' missionary in the zone!! I've been out about 20 months now, it's crazy. It's really easy to not think about all the stuff I have to do when I get home because of all the things that we have to do. Haha we are always busy, 24 hours a day. Also, our zone is the youngest zone in the mission, every single companionship has brand-new missionaries except for us and the STL's. And a huge group is coming in next transfer too!!! It's like 2 years ago, large influx's of new missionaries coming in. It's been great!! I love all of them so much. Life is wonderful, we're seeing so many miracles. :D Remember to put God first in your life, and He'll remember to put you first in His. Don't make excuses. Wake up early. Sing when its raining. These are just some inspirational thoughts. Don't stay up late. Eat your vegetables. Move to Alaska. Go on roller coasters. Be obnoxious. Make people laugh. Fulfill your destiny.

   

Some of those got a little not-so inspired, but that's ok. I love you all! Thanks you for your prayers and your support, they truly make a difference. I have felt strength beyond my own my whole mission, and I know part of that is from the prayers of loved ones. So thank you. Have a wonderful week!!!

-Love, Elder Ellis

Haha look at this goofy Elder with a fish in his pocket. Love him.

Week 83 - I'm not being transferred!!!

July 6 ,2015

     Finally!!!! Haha I am not being transferred this time. I am very glad to be staying here, I really like this ward, and there's a lot of good things happening right now. My companion, Elder Marchello, will be going home tomorrow. I'll miss him, he's been a fantastic companion, but I'll be excited to see who my new companion is going to be. Its gonna be a crazy transfer meeting tomorrow!! Life is good, I wish you all the best. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world, and I know His Atonement is Infinite and can change us in absolutely every way. I know because I have felt it. I have changed in ways that I once did not think were possible. I am grateful to have His love in my life, and encourage all to open your hearts and let that love in. There is simply nothing better. I love you all, have a wonderful week.

-Love, Elder Ellis

Here's a picture of our zone! Half of them are leaving tomorrow haha

Here's 4 of us elders! the other 3 are getting transferred haha.

Week 82 - Transfers are next week!

June 29, 2015

     My companion dies in 8 days!!!!! And he is doing very well, he is super focused. Things are going well, things are on the incline. We've still got lots of work to do with everyone, so it will get better. Crazy crazy stuff, always busy, my brain isn't telling me anything that happened this week.... So yeah, life is good. Council meeting in Ohio tomorrow!!! That will take all day.

     Patrice should be getting baptized within the next few weeks!!! That'll be really exciting. And a Less-Active family that we're working with is coming back to church, so that's really cool too. Love you all! Have a great week! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis

p.s. hahaha

                                       Mini missionary - Nate Hooper

Week 81 - Interviews

June 22, 2015

     So we had Interviews with our Mission President on Wednesday!!! That was really cool, lots of fun. We were there all day helping out with things, it was fun. Its always great being able to be ministered unto by President. And seeing others having good experiences with it is really cool too.

     Always lots of crazy things going on, we're very very busy, and it's nice. No time to stop and think about anything except the work. I love being busy out of my mind. It's great.

     Haha I never know what to say in some of these e-mails. Oh, so I got a mystery package this week!!!! OH MY GOSH it was so cool!!! I don't know who it is, but it was so sweet! It had Vanilla Almond milk and some other stuff in it, but I've really grown to love Almond milk on my mission. And it's supposed to be healthier too! But anyways, it was like the sweetest thing ever. so Thank you whoever did that!!!! I appreciate it.

     My companion goes home in 2 weeks!! Holy cow. He's doing really well though, not trunky at all yet. Very focused. Well, Life is great! Love you all, have a great week!! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis

P.S. This is the Family History Center, where we have to spend a lot of time with paperwork and things. Yay!

                                        Mini-missionary

Week 80 - Watch out, car!!

June 15, 2015 Edited version

     Here in Montgomery, things are going well. Andre and Patrice are getting married on Saturday!!! Then they're going on a honeymoon to Jamaica, and then they're getting baptized in July. Its gonna be a great next few weeks. Jody-Zana, the 11 yr old we're teaching has a father that won't let her get baptized, even though this couple in the ward are a lot more like her real parents. So we got permission to go out of our area and talk to him and see if we can soften his heart a little bit and witness some miracles. So we're praying for that. She's really mature for 11, and she comes to church every Sunday and loves it, and she knows its true. It's great to see that they can get answers to prayers at such a young age. She's had to go through a lot that most people her age don't have to. It breaks my heart sometimes. But I know God will take care of her and everything will be made right in the end.

Love you all!!!! Have a wonderful week!!!! :D

Love,

Elder Ellis

                        Elder Ellis & Elder Marchello at Leadership Training Meeting

                                         Photos from Transfer Meeting on March 3

Edited out:

Man! I just got ran over by a car yesterday. We were walking across the street to talk to someone, and this car just piles right over my leg! So I'm in crutches now, it'll be at least a month before I can walk again. Yeah, it stinks. At least its not broken.

     

    So that last whole paragraph is..., none of it happened. :D Haha don't hate me. 

Love, 

The obnoxious Elder Ellis

Week 79 - The week of the Mini's!!!

June 8, 2015

     So starting last Saturday, our stake had a mini-transfer meeting for all the mini-missionaries. They're staying with us for a week, and doing everything that we do and everything missionary for 1 week. We've been working with the Stake Presidency a lot to make all of it work out well, and it has been going fantastic. Meeting went well, and the mini's have been having a great time ever since. They go back Friday morning. It's gonna be a party!!!

     

     Other than that, things have been going very well, Andre and Patrice are 2 of our investigators. They're getting married on June 20th and baptized soon after that. Their 2 children have already been baptized, 9 and 11, they just have to get married. So that's a week from Saturday, it's going to be a wonderful experience for them. The ward is completely involved, things are going great there. There's another 12 year old girl who's had an interesting life, and she's under partial custody of a wonderful couple. She's been coming to church for a long time with them, but can't get baptized because her father won't give permission. We met with them Monday, and hopefully can get things rolling with her father soon. There's a miracle waiting to happen there, I can feel it.

     Other things have been going on as well, but these are who we're most excited for. Life is great! Hope you all have a wonderful week! Love you!

-Love, Elder Ellis

                Photo from transfer meeting with Elder Bayly, former companion and trainee

                                       
                                              Mini-missionary

Week 78 - Montgomery, Ohio

June 1, 2015

Hehe yep! Montgomery Ohio! Technically Blue Ash is where we live at, but it's in the same area. So I have been transferred to my 8th area. and it is with Elder Marchello, who goes home in 5 weeks. He is a fantastic Elder, he is focused and works very hard. He just got called to English work last transfer. He's been Spanish his whole mission. It's a great companionship, it'll be good. The work is going well here. We've got people that we're working with for baptism and so that will go well. I'll be sure to keep you updated on how it all goes. OH YEAH, mini-missionaries are coming this Saturday! I'll send pictures. It'll be super fun!!! Love you all, have a great week!!!! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis

Whoops, my address is 9213 Deercross Parkway, Apt 1A  Blue Ash, Ohio 45236 In case anyone wanted to know.  :D

P.S. Random picture of former companion Elder Price (Who just finished his mission last Tuesday) and on the far left is my current companion. And some other people.

Week 77 - Transfer Land!!!

May 25, 2015

     So transfer time has come upon us once again. And in the land of Centerville, Elder Conterio is staying, and Elder Ellis is leaving!!!!! Yes, I am getting transferred. So it's off to a new area and a new start!!! And no worries, I am not upset about it. I'm going where God wants me to go! I am sad to leave Centerville, there are just absolutely amazing members here, and I've gotten to know a few of them really well. So it's sad to go, but I know I'm going to a good place. SO yeah!!! Woohoo!!! I'll find out where I'll be going tomorrow, and let you all know as soon as I can. This is area number 8 I think for me, and companion 11. Wow, holy cow that's a lot! I guess none of them can stand me. hehe look out wife, it'll be a rough eternity. JK, if you don't get along with your companion, President will almost always make sure you stay with them to work it out. Haha it sure makes you grow. My mission really has been so great though, I've seen so many blessings out here. Met absolutely amazing people that I'll never forget, and had amazing experiences that I'll never forget. :D Life is so great. It really is.

     It's been a great time in Centerville, and I'm sure the work will continue to progress after I leave. There are a few people that are coming really close to baptism, and that are already committed to a date, so hopefully they'll continue to progress and make it there!! 

     Well, we'll see what happens tomorrow! Its always exciting. I Love you all, and have a great week!! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis

                                              Elder Ellis at transfers in March 2015

Week 76 - Sacrifice

May 18, 2015

So this week will be a week of sacrifice.... Lots of hard things ahead, we've got deep, dark mountains to climb.... PSYCH, its just another week. :D I think sacrifice looks really good as a one-word subject line, so there we go.

   Haha this week actually is going to be super exciting! There's always sacrifices in life, but we've got great things planned out, and it's going to be tons of fun. We're helping to teach a Comparative Religions class in the High School tomorrow, that's going to be tons of fun, and we've got a graduation thing that we're helping with Saturday, and a special Youth Sacrament service on Sunday, and a Memorial Day Breakfast/Picnic next Monday! Yeah! Haha what a great week ahead, I'm so excited for it. :D

   Marci and Brittany are doing well, and a few other investigators are coming on board with things, the miracles seem to never cease. They sure never cease to amaze me. We are so blessed, in so many ways. It's been amazing to see the change in the ward and their attitude towards us. Haha the ward is becoming home for us! There is still plenty of work to do though, and helping the members see how missionary work can be very effective in very simple ways. I'm so glad to be sent here. I swear, I've just had the best opportunities on my mission, it has been so wonderful. Know that I love you all, and life is great! Have a good week! :D

-Love, Elder Ellis

p.s. Elder Murdock took pics with my camera when I left it in their car... haha