April? No, quit playin... (April 3, 2017)

Hey fam! We just got back from the beach, which is why I'm writing so late. We went to rodeo beach at the very south end of our mission. You have to drive by the Golden Gate Bridge to go there. It was fun!!! 

Ok ill make this one short, since i don't have as much time as usual. This was kind of a weird week. We went on two exchanges and I went out of the area both times. I went with Elder Julander, who we live with, on Tuesday and stayed in Petaluma English. Wednesday, I went with Elder Sorenson in Novato. I've served around him for something like 5-6 transfers of my mission, so it was good to catch up and talk about our missions and such. He goes home next transfer so we talked about just past experiences and such. Good times! Exchanges are just the funnest, ya?

I absolutely loved General Conference!! Like wow. I have so many thoughts, that i wish i could share them all with you. I was particularly impressed with Elder Clayton's talk on the plan of salvation. That hit me good. Everything is centered Jesus Christ and the plan they created for us. How amazing, no? I really felt I needed to increase my studies on that. I'm so grateful that we have modern day prophets and apostles that speak to us and give us light. What a blessing!!!

The baptism, yesterday, went super well! Carlos said he felt ready to make changes in his life and this was going to help him. We love him and are excited for him!!

This week we are busy busy busy! We have another exchange and just lots going on. Then next week is the last week of the transfer. Time just won't stop. At the end of conference yesterday, I got kind of emotional because i realized that it was my last time watching conference as missionary. Ouch. The feels came a rollin' in. I only have four short months left. AHHHHH. Now, more than ever, i have to keep giving it everything I've got!!! Thanks for all the love and support! I do appreciate it fully. Have a splendid week, y'all.

Con Amor, 

Elder Joyner

Just Puttin' in Some Work (March 27, 2017)

Hayyyyyyy! How yar doin?? It's been a super super good week! Tuesday was our zone Meeting and we feel like that was a success. Everyone wanted to be there and had done some preparation, which in turn made it possible for the Holy Ghost to be present. I had the opportunity to teach on prayer. I had compiled a list on 10 things (from various conference talks, things I've heard over the years, hymns, other people, etc.) I thought I'd share what I put together. 

Elder Joyner's List of 10 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Prayers

1.   Believe that God hears and can answer prayers. 
2.   Prayer is the key that unlocks the day and it is the lock that guards the night.
3.   Let the spirit guide your prayers. 
4.   Make sure you're being exactly obedient. 
5.   Preparation is essential in prayer. 
6.   Don't be too conversational in your prayers. Remember who you're talking to. 
7.   Our level of gratitude reflects how much we acknowledge the Lord and our dependence on Him.
8.   Use the appropriate language. 
9.   "Humbly ask for thee for things that I need."
10.   Always remember you are approaching the throne of God. 

Tuesday we went on exchanges with Elder Harris and Elder Siebach. I was really impressed by Elder Harris. He's such an awesome missionary. It was just a fun time. We worked hard and enjoyed ourselves, which is how missionary work should be. We had miracles happen but one in particular that I was impressed with. We were working hard to contact the 10 that day. (That's something President is having us focus on, contacting 10 people aside from tracting. It's also a huge part of our Zone Vision that we have for the Zone) We had gotten quite a few earlier in that day. It was about 7 o clock and we had decided to park our car at the church and walk to go do some more tracting. It was raining really hard for about the first 2 minutes until it let up and completely stopped. We were able to find a couple people and even set up a return appointment with this lady that was on her porch. We had gotten a couple more contacts just walking around and were at 9. It was getting late and dark and we were deciding to go back to the church to finish the night off with comp study, but just needed one more contact. We were determined to find someone on the walk back. We were walking down the sidewalk and had walked by a street. I looked down it thinking that could be the where the one is. I started to ignore the prompting (how bad of me right) and then decided at the last second to say to Elder Harris, "Hey lets just go down this one more." We started down the street and just as we get there we see a man outside talking to someone in a truck. As we get closer, the truck drives away leaving the man in the most opportune position to talk to us. He had said he just got back from feeding some homeless people with his church organization and actually a friend (in the truck)  was bringing back his sweater he left at the church event. We talked for a bit and set a return appointment to meet with him. I thought it was really cool how the man had to leave his sweater so that his friend would bring it to him so that he'd be outside when we were right there. Then right when we got back to the church, the rain started pouring again. Crazy, huh? I can honestly testify that we also need to follow the spiritual prompting that we get! God is good. 

We also set that baptismal date on Sunday, the which we had nothing to do with. Carlos has been taught by missionaries for the longest time and has really wanted to be baptized. He had just been waiting for his wife to come from South America somewhere to be baptized. She finally got here last week! We have been trying to get in contact with him to set up an appointment all transfer. It's hard for him because part of his brain is paralyzed and he forgets that we set up appointments and such. And then yesterday he just showed up to church. He said that he has an open brain surgery scheduled for the 18th of April and wants to be baptized before then. We said, "How bout next Sunday?" He said, "Oh ya that's perfect." So this week will be spent helping him get ready and such for his baptism next Sunday. Should be fun! 

The zone is well. We are going on exchanges with Elder Julander/Hardin and Elder Brown/Sorenson this week, and will let you know how that goes. 

I'm so so so excited to watch General Conference, seeing as this is my last one on the mission. It's really something different, to be able to experience it on the mish. You know I'll just be soaking in every moment of it. I'd invite you all to go with questions and really pay attention to the spirit whilst listening. Also, I'd invite you to do something Elder Bednar exhorted us to do when he came to the mission last year. He told us that it's kinda silly when members of the church write down word for word what the speakers say from Conference. Those Conference talk will literally be out a couple days later. Instead, we should write down the impressions or spiritual things that we feel, kinda like the small plates that Nephi writes on. So go and write on your small plates :)

I love y'all! Have an awesome week!

Con Amor, 

Elder Joyner

Just Chillin' in Cedar Rapids (March 20, 2017)

Hey y'all! Happy Monday! It's been good to hear from ya! Good Job Cole on your Arrow of Light thingy! That just sounds like a party. I never got the chance to do that. And I hope you're feeling better, Elise. Break Legs this weekend Dwayners! 

Well, we've been busy this last week. We were able to get to know Petaluma much mo betta. We've met the majority if our investigators we have right now too. Ok so here's a cool story. So my first couple transfers in Santa Rosa, we found, taught, (and later was baptized) Jesus Chavez. We found him through a referral we got from the Petaluma Elders back then. They had told us it was just a coworker of someone they were teaching. Ok so here's where the cool part comes in, ok well two cool parts. So we were looking for this investigator at number 32 but he wasn't there so we just decided to knock the surrounding doors. It turns out the elders before us had made a mistake with the apartment number and it was the apartment below. When we knocked on their door, they opened it and were super happy to see us (us not knowing they were our investigators). We quickly made the connection they were the people we were looking for. We got to talking and I had mentioned that I served in Santa Rosa. He said he had a friend that just got baptized and joined the church about a year ago. I asked him who it was and he was like, "Jesus Chavez." My mouth dropped. I couldn't believe it. The investigator we had just found by knocking surrounding doors was the reason Jesus had gotten baptized. I was just mind blown. That was a tender mercy for me! He is actually really close to being baptized also, so hopefully we can help him. 

There are also like 3 other people that, for some reason or another can't get baptized at this time; Whether it's legal issues, or acceptance from a spouse, you name it. We're  are really hoping to help them make that final push! Exciting stuff. 

To answer your questions mom, we are in the Rohernt Park Spanish branch with probably about 30 active members. They really support and help us out, especially with dinners. Petaluma is a lot like Athens, I feel. Just got that city vibe. Our zone goes from the bottom of Santa Rosa to the Golden Gate Bridge. It's kind of a big Zone. We have 22 missionaries. My compa, Elder Angulo, has been out for 18 months. His family lives in Bogota, Columbia and have been members their whole lives. I'm the driver mom :) and for right now we have a Jeep, while our other car is getting some work done. Hope that suffices. 

So Elder Angulo and I are visiting all the Ward councils in the stake to introduce ourselves, set a good relationship with the members, and introduce our vision for the Zone. So we woke up early Sunday went down to San Raf and then Novato and then San Raf again for another. Good ole fun!

Tomorrow we have zone Meeting. I'm teaching on prayer, focusing on how we can improve our prayers. I'd appreciate anything thoughts or insights or quotes you have :) 

Then Wednesday we have interviews!

I think that's all I got this week for ya! Love y'all lots! Take care.

Con Amor, 

Elder Joyner

Good Things Happening! (March 14, 2017)

Hey hey!

Happy Tuesday Pday! It's been a very busy last week with whitewashing in our new area. Let me tell you what, PETALUMA IS AWESOME. We both love it so much already. And Elder Angulo rocks! (And he's real Colombian, Dayne :) Lets see where to start. 

So last Tuesday we got our stuff and made out way to our new area We did some shopping and got all settled, just to hear that some missionaries in our zone had their phone accidentally taken by some other missionaries to another zone soooo we had to make a little trip to go pick that up in Napa. But we got all that taken care of and set. The rest of the night we tried to get some other planning type things done, because we didn't have an area book synced yet to see anyone. Wednesday, we were able to really get started and visit some people. This area is popping. The missionaries before us worked really hard. There are a couple baptisms set up for this transfer. We haven't been able to meet with any of the investigators yet because they keep canceling on us. They sound pretty solid though! Saturday and Sunday we had stake Conference. Elder Schweitzer, of the 70 presided Then the next day, we had an MLC and then Zone Conference with Him. It was awesome! I learned so much. I really realized the most that there are lots of things I still need to work on. I just gotta start one step at a time ;) 

One thing the spirit really impressed upon my mind is that of the Love our Savior has for us. He knows us so personally. Whether we know it or not, He knows us, our situations, our lives, our desires, and honestly what's best for us. We HAVE to trust in that. That's where true strength lies. In Him and Him alone! I love how I've come to know that on my mission. That's knowledge I wouldn't trade for anything. 

Well I love this area, my companion, and this Zone! Let me tell you what, this zone ROCKS!!! I'm excited to be here! 

Love you all! Talk real soon. 

Con Amor, 

Elder Joyner

"This Could Be the Start of Something New..." (March 6, 2017)

Happy p-day y'all! My oh my its been quite the week. So for starters, transfers are tomorrow and I actually found out that I am getting transferred. It was kind of a surprise to both Elder Perez and I, to have our area whitewashed. I am getting transferred to Petaluma, which is in the San Rafael zone. I will be with Elder Angulo (who happens to be from Colombia, like Elder Perez) in Petaluma as the Zone Leaders there. I wasn't expecting it but it should be a good change up. I've heard awesome things about that area and Elder Angulo! Should be awesome! So today we are in Santa Rosa. I'll drop off Elder Perez to go to departing dinner/devotional and I'll be with the tech elders, Elder Crowley and Elder Allsup the rest of the night until transfers tomorrow. Busy, Busy, Busy. 

Let's see what else happened this week. Thursday, we had our temple trip! UGHHH it was so good. I love the Oakland temple. It's just the best. I can't wait till I can go to the temple anytime I want. That'll be just the best. I feel like I just learned so much. I'll attach some pictures from that. 

OH OH Tuesday morning, Elder Perez was upstairs working out and he suddenly comes down and says he can't breath and is light headed and such and so I call Sister Stewart and Sister Wright and we get him back to normal. The rest of the day he was super dizzy and having some breathing attacks so Wednesday we had to make a trip down to the doctor is Santa Rosa. He's good now, but there was some complications he was having and they're still not sure what it was. They're just worried about the plane tomorrow for him. Hopefully everything turns out well though! 

I was kinda bummed to find out Friday that I didn't get into BYU, but soon after realized that there's something else that's awaiting me. President Wright actually called that night asking what had happened with it and we talked it over. He said that the sun will still rise in the morning and I'll still get a good education. That was pretty cool! Now I just gotta figure out what the next step is. Ahh

It was hard to say goodbye to some of the people here in Ukiah. Harder than I thought it would be, to be honest. There are some really awesome elect people here. I'm gonna miss them. 

Just a heads up, next week we have a member of the 70 coming to do a mission tour and next Monday we will have an MLC and Zone Conference with him, which means that our preparation day will be on Tuesday next week. Just fyi. 

Well, until then. On to big adventures! 

Con amor,

Elder Alexander Scott Joyner

"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."- William Feather

TEMPLE TEMPLE TEMPLE (February 27, 2017)

To my dearest loved ones:

It's been quite the week! Busy as ever! And this is the last week of the transfer. That was quick! And this week is already march! Ugh what. Time needs to slow down a little bit. At Zone Conference a while back, President called me an "old timer." Man, I still feel like a greenie but I guess I have been doing this for a quick minute. Good fun! Glad to hear about all your adventures. Especially Dayne! I'm super jealous of your Disney cruise. That looked like fun! Let your friend know I got next dibs, ya? K thx. Have fun at Phantom mom, pops, and Cole! I've always wanted to see that one live! 

Lets see what happened this week! On Tuesday, we had Zone Meeting! It went super well. I feel this is the best/most productive one we've had thus far. It really makes a difference when people have the mentality of "I don't want to be there," or "I've already heard this." It was awesome to see the Zone prepared and ready to learn. I'm grateful for them. They are all doing really well. Our zone is killing it! We have some like 16 baptismal dates as a Zone. That's awesome! I'm excited for what's to come. The rest of the week was good. We didn't have too much happen. We weren't able to meet with Victoria but we did see Jose. We read 3 Nephi 11 with him and he loved it! That was cool. Lets see what else. OH, yesterday we had ward Conference and a bunch of less active members that don't usually come, came! That was cool! We had a full gospel doctrine class. Ahh good fun! 

We have our temple trip this Thursday, which I'm PUMPED for! I haven't been since August! Today is a 1/2 pday because of that. This is Elder Perez's last week which means we're gonna work harder than ever and go out with a bang! Next Monday, I get to go to Santa Rosa to drop him off and then pick up my new compa the next day! 

Until then, pasa una buena semana llena de mucho éxito y felicidad! Les quiero muchísimo!

Con Amor, 

Elder Alexander Scott Joyner

week1week2week3week4*WEEK5*week6 (February 20, 2017)

Happy Super Rainy Monday! Monsoons are pouring over here haha but it all good and fun. There's no bad weather, only bad attitudes :) This week was pretty great! We were able to get a lot accomplished and done and such. Tuesday, we went on exchanges with the elders in Lakeport. I went to Lakeport with Elder Gibbons who has only been out three weeks. He's awesome and gonna be a great missionary! Wednesday was spent visiting some new investigators we found last week and then finishing some preparation for Zone Conference. We were actually able to set a baptismal date with someone Wednesday night. His name is Jose and is the dad of like 8 kids. We set the date for March 24th but that may have to be changed because of some other stuff we found out over the weekend. (Haha you can email me if you really wanna know what it is.) He's a good guy! THURSDAY was Zone Conference! I learned so much. They talked about repentance, blessings of a mission, living the higher law, stepping up our game with regards to missionary life in general. It was awesome! I feel there is lots I need to work on and this helped! Good fun! I always love those special types of settings where the spirit is so present. Friday was our planning day. Saturday, we had stake Conference. Let me tell you what, it was a killer session. Ok first, I got a call Thursday afternoon from President Carson (second counselor in stake presidency). He told me that the 14 out of the 20 people in the choir that was supposed to sing on Saturday night got the flu. He needed a quick back up so he asked me to sing. So I sang Abide with me a 'Tis Even Tide. That was fun. Then all the speakers in that session were killer. President and Sister Wright spoke as well as Elder Mark Davis of the 70. He got up there, looked at us, closed his notes and gave a powerful talk. You could tell he was inspired and called What an amazing experience! He also spoke in yesterday's session, which was killer! Life is good. Only two weeks left in this transfer. Tomorrow we have Zone Meeting to review the stuff we learned in MLC a week ago. That should be good! Them we have Ward Conference this upcoming Sunday. Next week we have a temple trip on Thursday so I'm not sure if p-day will be Monday or Thursday, but I'll update ya when I know. I love and appreciate all your notes and love and support. Time keeps on flyin by. Time to Seize the Day! Mucho Love! 

Con Amor, 

Elder Alexander S. Joyner