Dirty Dash

August 4, 2014

For those who don't know what the Dirty Dash is... It is a 5k run obstacle course through mud and all sorts of nasty things! Haha so the Billings and Billings East Zone volunteered and helped put on the Dirty Dash here in Billings a couple weekends ago and then we got to run in it for free. Here are some pics of the experience, enjoy! 

Update... It's Been a While

August 4, 2014

Hello Everyone, 

    It has been a couple months since I have sent out a group email, there are many reasons for that but I apologize it has been awhile since I have gotten back to many of you. Many people getting this email are getting it for the first time because I just added many to the group, if you would like to be removed from the group and not get these emails from time to time please let me know. :) 

 

Many things have happened in the last 4 weeks, I was transferred to Billings, Montana where Elder Page and Elder Farthing were my companions for about 3 weeks. Last week Elder Farthing got mid-transfer adjusted to Harlowton, a small town about 90 minutes outside of Billings. Elder Garceau joined our companionship and got his top 2 wisdom teeth out his 2nd day in Billings. Elder Page and I had a little fun with him while he was still loopy after surgery. 

 

The work here in Billings is fast paced, we are very busy and have to plan smart to be able to get to all of our appointments on time. My first weekend here a family of 3 was baptized that Elder Page had been working with, and then the weekend after that another young lady was baptized. So now we are rebuilding the teaching pool and are busy finding those that will receive us.
     

Some of you may know that I have had some health challenges the last 4 weeks. There are many adventures and 1st time events that take place on a mission, I went to the hospital for the 1st time and got an IV for the 1st time in my life, all of it wasn't the most fun thing but I received help I needed. I am improving in health and am grateful for all of the prayers and concern, thank you!
    

In the last week I have attended 2 funerals, one of a new born baby and one of an elderly woman who I had gotten close to in my 4 weeks here. I had the opportunity to stand in the room by myself with the woman who had passed away laying in her casket, as I looked at her I had the Holy Ghost bear witness to me that her spirit lives on, that she is at peace and completely happy. I can testify that I know the spirits of that precious little baby and of my friend both live on. I know they are in the Spirit world reunited with many loved ones and sharing the gospel. I testify that the plan of salvation is true, God loves all of us and has provided the plan for each of us to live with Him again and with our loved ones. I testify that our loved ones on the other side watch over us and help us. Come unto Christ and know of His peace. I bear this testimony with humility, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

  

With Love, Elder Aaron Organ

 

Billings Zone Conference Photo: Sent July 28, 2014

July 28, 2014

This is my new zone, each zone is like a big family...so here is the Billings Zone at last week's zone conference! :) 

7.24.14 Billings Zone at Billings Stake Center

Fr:  Hiatt (ZL), Allen, Baumer, Wright, Natay, Jackson, Payne (AP), Linton (ZL)

2^nd:   Elder & Sister Sears, Elder & Sister Hopkins, Mechams, Elder & Sister Kite, Hill, Richardson

3^rd:  S. DeBry (office), S. Draudt (office), S. Christensen (STL), S. Barkdull (STL), S. J. Jackson, S. Taylor (recently GFE, office) S. Lindsey (office), S. Lasson, S. Bondare (office), S. Turley (office, recently WYN)

Bk:  Page, Farthing, Organ, Bishop (AP), Kilmon, Woolwine, Robberts, Prout.

A Powerful Baptism

June 30, 2014

Hello Everyone,

     I hope and pray you all had a good week! I had a really great week this week and just have time to share some of the highlights. 

 

This past Saturday June 28th Brother Art Hamilton entered the waters of baptism. We met Brother Hamilton 3 weeks ago and he was so prepared to be baptized, he had met with some Sister Missionaries in California and basically just needed a refresher on the lessons. The Spirit felt at his baptism was overwhelming and it is something I will never forget! Yesterday he received the Holy Ghost and also was ordained a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, it was just such a great weekend. Brother Hamilton and I are brothers for life, I love him so much and truly admire his willingness to serve with all of his heart, might, mind and strength! 

 

Attached are some pictures from his baptism as well as a group shot of some missionaries, Brother Hamilton and the other man is T---- M------- who was baptized in Worland yesterday and we were all able to attend. 

    

I am grateful for all of you and your support! I know this church is true and I love this gospel with all that I am and I love my mission, I would not want to be anywhere else then here!

Crazy Week!

June 16, 2014

Hey Everyone,

    This week was a whirlwind and just a crazy week! We had Zone training in Thermopolis on Tuesday and that was literally the best Zone training I have ever been a part of, it was just such a spirit guided meeting and it felt amazing to be with our missionaries and know that we are all united in one purpose: to bring souls unto Christ. 

 

Tuesday afternoon till Thursday I had Elder White, one of the Assistants on exchanges with me. We had a good time and got some great things done! He asked me some heavenly inspired questions that really caused me to do some self reflection and it built my faith. Friday we had some mid-transfer adjustments take place and so I did a lot of driving and as a result of the adjustments, Elder Halversen is no longer my companion, Elder Baumer is my new companion.

 

    Biggest miracle this week happened Saturday night! Elder McGrath, Elder Wessendorf, Sister Hixson, and Sister Bain were in Thermopolis to switch Sister Gray and Sister Hixson back after an exchange. Elder McGrath and I needed about 20 minutes to talk about a few things in the Zone and so while we were doing that Elder Baumer and Elder Wessendorf and Sister Hixson and Sister Bain went out knocking doors. The sisters tracted into a less active, Sister Lewis (she is an elderly woman) and there at her house a man by the name of G------ H------- had just moved in. Brother H-------- had a great talk with the sisters and told them about the missionary lessons he had been taking in Sacramento and that he is ready and willing to be baptized. He grew up Pentecostal and always felt like there was something more, he knows the Book of Mormon is what he has been looking for. He came to all 3 hours of church yesterday in a white shirt and tie and tonight we are putting him on date! I am so grateful, what a tender mercy of the Lord!

 
    We as missionaries meet with our Bishop every Sunday and yesterday we discussed some great things that we will begin to implement to cultivate real growth here in Thermopolis! We are going to start a PMG class, we are having a "Catch the Vision" fireside on July 6th, and we are beginning exchanges with the Elders Quorum and High Priests every Thursday night. Great change is underway and I am so excited to be a part of it all and am praying that Heavenly Father will allow me to stay here a lot longer so I can see it unfold and continue to assist the members here catch the wave but, His will be done. 

    

Last but not least was that the Thermopolis Ward Pinewood Derby was this week... Some of you may remember that when Elder Wyatt and I were companions in Great Falls, Mt. we built a car there that did really well. So I had Elder Wyatt mail me the car and I put it in the big races here and we won 2nd place! Pictures are attached, it was a fun time. Great turn out and had some less actives and non members attend! 

    

In closing... On Saturday I finished the Book of Mormon for the 6th time on my mission and I did as Preach My Gospel teaches us to do, I put Moroni's promise to the test again for a renewal of the confirmation and to renew my personal conviction and confidence in the promise. I received the witness once again that the Book of Mormon is true, it is the word of God, another witness that Jesus is the Christ! I know these things, there is no doubt in my mind, I have received the witness from the Holy Ghost time and time again and know these things to be true. I invite all to put the Book of Mormon to the test, ask with an open heart, and ask in faith. I love being a missionary! 

 

Thank you all for your love and support!

P.S. Also attached are some other pictures, the classic cars are for my dad :)

 

It Has Been A While

June 9, 2014

Hey Everyone, 

    Sorry it has been a couple weeks since a group email. 

 

Things are going well here in Thermopolis, Wyoming. We are working hard to find new people to teach, striving to find those that the Lord has prepared. We have several really solid potentials that we have high hopes for. 

 

This past week I was gone in Billings/Helena Montana from Tuesday to late Friday night. We had mission tour with Elder Carlos A. Godoy from the Seventy and he taught us so much! I really enjoyed mission tour and the personal revelation I received there to help me in my mission at this point in time. 

    

I am sorry this is short and lacks a lot of details, my mind kind of just blanks out on what happened throughout the week when I get to the computer on Monday mornings. 

Thank you all for your support and I hope you are all doing well! 

Attached are some pictures...:)

Snow In May

May 12, 2014

Hey Everyone!

     Man this just never gets old for an Arizona boy like me... It is snowing! It is almost the middle of May and it is snowing! Haha it just does not get old, it amazes me! (Attached is a pic) 

 

This week was a busy week. On Tuesday we had Zone training and so there were 23 missionaries in the small town of Thermopolis! On Wednesday, Elder Archie was gone on exchanges and Elder Swisher and I road tripped to the Northern part of the Zone and did some team teaching with the sisters there. We had some really cool experiences that night, we then drove and picked up Elder Archie and got home late Wednesday night. Thursday to Sunday we had a rough time trying to find people to teach. But such is life at times, it didn't get us down, we have the faith there are people we need to find and we will continue to search for those people this coming week. 

    

I know this work is the work of salvation and that Jesus Christ is at the head of this work! I love being out here and being an instrument in the hands of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, I know that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration, and I know we have a prophet on earth today who is President Thomas S. Monson, I invite all of you to study the words from the prophets and apostles this last General Conference. I promise you will find answers to your questions and you will be lead to accomplish God's plan for you. I know Christ lives and loves us! I am thankful for all of you and pray you all have a great week!

P.S. other random pictures attached :)