October 3, 2011 Final Email!

Dearest Familia and Friends,

This last week has been amazing! We had some great lessons in Wyoming throughout the week and of course ended by going to General Conference! What a spiritual feast! I am down in Salt Lake for good now. I'm in the mission home till I leave on Wednesday. I'm with Elder Green and Elder Byrd till then. It's crazy different in the shoes of an Assistant. It's fun for the last few days; I don't have to worry about trying to stay busy for sure. They have a ton on their plate all the time.

Yesterday after conference I got dropped off at the mission office to be with the AP's and I told the other four Elders how to get back to the mission home and off to Wyoming a couple of times and thought they were set. I told them to drive into Evanston and call the Zone Leaders and meet up with them. Somehow they ended up deciding to go to Kemmerer and then didn't call in or anything. It was funny on my end b/c we ended up calling a Bishop in Kemmerer at about a quarter to 11:00 at night to go check on them to see if they were there. So he went and said that the truck was there and asked if we wanted him to wake them up. We all said yes and the bishop was a great sport about it. He said "Elder! Elders! Your Mission President wants to talk to you." haha of course they were asleep and they get on the phone and said "oh, we forgot to call in." It was a good one. But you see what happens, I leave for four hours and everything goes to chaos! jk lol. But seriously.

Also last night, I got the opportunity to be with Elder Green for a couple of hours working on getting a couple of lessons with a member while Elder Byrd went with a member to get it done too so they could get the Standard of Excellence. Divide and conquer. It worked out awesome. After visiting a referral and having no one there I mentioned that we should say a quick prayer asking Heavenly Father where we should go right then. As I finished the prayer we walked down the street as a couple turned the corner. As we got closer Elder Green told me he knew them, that they were less active and were working on coming back to church. We had a good chat with them and they said it was weird that we can never get ahold of the referral across the street b/c they are almost always home. As we were leaving Elder Green told me that every time they've gone to check that referral, they've prayed to know where they should be, and every time they run into the couple we talked to. So they need to talk with that couple for some reason.

At 8:00 we had a baptism for a Spanish brother they were teaching. It went great and I was able to speak a good bit of Spanish last night. It was amazing. Nuff said.

Now I've been running around with them all day doing more fun AP duties and it's only going to get better tonight working on transfer info.

The Lord prepares us throughout our lives to accomplish what is needed. We simply need to be prepared in our minds and hearts to accept whatever He calls us to do. Like a clock, each gear of different size has been designed for a specific purpose. We too are used in the hands of the Lord to perform different tasks to accomplish His same great work! We can't all be big gears and we can't all be little gears, but it takes gears of all sizes to get it done.

Similarly with a football team. Not all of us will be prepared and called to be the "Receivers" and "Quarterbacks" on the Lord's team; some of us will be linemen or kickers who aren't in the lime light. But without these roles filled, the game couldn't be won.

Like President Monson shared with us in Conference, if we think our part is small in the Gospel plan, we must remember that these purposes are important to God.

God Lives and loves us. We can gain an appreciation for that personal love through prayer, thus gaining a relationship with a loving Heavenly Father. He will guide our lives as we have the faith to act by trusting in His judgement and follow the promptings we receive. It will make a great difference in the way we view ourselves, God, and the world.

Love,
Elder Partridge

ps-see you soon!!!

September 26, 2011 Email

Hi!

Get ready for the list of answers. We were reading one day in the Missionary Handbook of rules, regulations, and instructions and it talked about having an interview with your Mission President before your temple recommend expires. Then I remembered my recommend expired on the last day of August and it was then the third of September. So I called (or as they say in Canada I phoned) President Winn and asked what the procedure should be. He said he is just going to issue me a new recommend when we have my departing interview which will be some time before Trunky Temple Tuesday.

We have tickets for conference waiting for us with one of the members of the stake presidency. We don't know which sessions, but they hooked us up, so we should be pretty set. I haven't gotten the tickets from the church yet, but I should be getting them. I hope.

One of the families here (the J Family) said that they'd love to meet you and go out to lunch between sessions on Saturday and visit. So if you're ok with that, that'd be fun. But if you could bring something for Sunday, that would be much appreciated. Thanks a ton.

I was thinking it would be fun to go to the BYU game in my Missionary clothes and you could bring my BYU tie. Maybe they'd even let me say the opening prayer. haha. IDK whatever you want to bring for me would be grand!

The camera charger definitely did work! I'm getting pics for you.

Good job, Lauren, on everything. I did remember that yesterday was my 3 year anniversary of surgery. Which was interesting because there was a kid who we talked to who had a couple of strokes and is going through similar things I had to and he has a very similar attitude when people tell him how amazing it is when they see tiny things that are different; not depressed, just frustrated. But I shared with their family how it went for me and by trusting Heavenly Father I got through it. It helped him to have more hope and hopefully helped him realize where he needs to turn to recover.

Love everyone tons! Got to go b 4 I get kicked off! Talk to ya next week for the last time!

Love Elder Partridge

**Look for Elder Partridge at General Conference by the reflection pool to the east of the Temple. :)

September 19, 2011 Email

Hi,

It is way beautiful up here right now! The leaves are starting to turn colors and the weather is pretty perfect; just a little on the chilly side. That's the only thing I'm anxious about...will I be done before the frost hits. Here's hoping!

I am going by the M Family's tonight to get the camera charger and I'll charge it tonight. I hope it works. I realized how disappointed you'd be in me, mom, for not taking pictures. I will take tons just for you, and try not to look like a tourist at the same time. Wish me luck.

We had a lesson with the V Family on Tuesday and I wasn't there for it because of the leadership meeting in Salt Lake. Elder R is still working on how to explain things so I think what happened was that they want the girls' mom and that side of the family involved with the baptism. So we're gonna set the program and everything up tomorrow. Still no specific date for them to be baptized, but hopefully we can pinpoint a day when we meet with them tomorrow. It was kinda cool though because Elder R was with Elder G all day that day and they were companions in the MTC. So there were 2 greenies taking care of things. It made me think back to my MTC days, what if I served with Elder G...we'd either have too much fun or get everything done. Probably the second, but we'd have a blast doing it all anyway.

We have a lesson with the K Family tomorrow because I neglected to set up a time last week when we talked to them. But they said they wanted us to help them get baptized fast, so we'll get it done.

We met with Sis. L on Friday (the person Bro. C referred us to) and it went really well. We spent a lot of time talking about how she has felt comfort in her life from the teachings of Jesus Christ at different times in her life. And Bro. C shared some from his life, too. It was a pretty great lesson and she is very open.

Ya, when was my surgery? the 23rd or...? I can't even remember. *(It's been 3 years on the 25th! Hard to believe!)

I don't even know what would be best for housing and all that. Helaman would be nice I guess IDK? I'd like to room with one of the boys or something, but that would be hard to drive from Puerto Rico or Peru every day to school. But if I could drive...haha jk.

Ya, Sister Hunt gave me a nice big handshake from you! We have a great office staff.

I'm not planning on burning a suit, but IDK. By the way, my black suit is pretty tattered and worn. We'll figure that kinda stuff out later.

Dang it! I would have gone with Dad to the BYU game, even though they did get slapped around. 3 weeks.

So we'll get back about a day or two after the Riggs' do. That'll be fun.

Ahhh...Homecoming! So cute! I do remember L's date. I'm pretty sure he came over to E's one time when we were chillin.

I'll be praying for L. Sounds like she's got a lot on her plate. I remember when I was going to be the show and tell that one time, but than I went on a mission. Cool!

We are seeing many miracles from the Lord right now, we just need to continue to show our faith and love for those who are seeking for truth and we will be blessed! I love you all and will see you soon. Too soon!

Love
Elder Partridge.

**Elder Partridge's release date is October 6. He will be home late on the 9th and his homecoming talk will be October 16. :)

September 12, 2011 Email

Como Estas caballeros?

I have been having a great morning; a little golf practice, a trip through the mountains on private ranch land, and now e-mail-what more could a guy ask for?

So Megan, Taylor, and Dennis are doing great! Megan-8, and Taylor-12, were at church these last 2 weeks and all 3 are praying to know if these things are true. We have a lesson with them tomorrow and we will see where they are at. But it stinks because I won't even be there, I'll be in Salt Lake for meetings. Dang it!

We had a couple of amazing miracles yesterday. Elder R and I spoke in the second ward and when we were done we talked with the Bishop who was excited how dedicated we seemed and what hard workers we were. Then he took us into the congregation and introduced us to the K family. They have a son and daughter that are baptismal age and are wanting to be baptized. They were meeting with missionaries before, but the missionaries dogged them on an appointment, so they didn't want to do it any more. But now they are willing and anxious to meet and get them baptized.

Later last night we were winding down getting ready for bed when we got a phone call from Bro. C (The brother of Bro. C who took us around his ranch today). He told us about someone he knows who would like to talk with us and we have an appointment with them on Friday at 7:00.

The Lord is truly blessing us. He will continue to do so as we continue along the path of discipleship, working towards becoming like Him. It's a long road with lots of stumbling blocks, but there are so many blessings waiting for us along the way.

Thank you for all your love and prayers.

Love,
Elder Partridge

September 6, 2011 Email

Hey hey hey,

Happy post-Labor Day! I'm glad the Cabin misses me because I miss the cabin! That's the birth place of amazing pepper jack grilled cheese with Pastrami! And tons of other great memories!

I remember I was pretty quiet as a greenie, but I always tried everything I was supposed to; even if I did fail epically at first or was nervous as heck to do it! I did it!

I think some restaurants might buy your salsa! I'm so happy it got here and I'm enjoying it! Elder R doesn't like salsa or sauces at all, of any kind so I'm ok with that; more for me! I think that if you sold it, you'd have some pretty famous salsa! I think I'm a bigger fan of the green just because of how different it is from any other Salsa Verde. And I like the red when it's totally ground up, but not everyone else does!

I did know it was Sis. M's birthday on Sunday! You'd be so proud of me, I was thinking of what we could do for her because of everything she does for us and I couldn't figure out what to do especially since by the time I realized it was her birthday, it was Sunday. So I wondered what we could do that she would appreciate. I remembered a yard project she has going on in her back yard with river rock and yesterday we went to the side of the road somewhere and loaded a whole truck load of river rock and brought it to her to get a little more done! She appreciated it!

I will 100% be at General Conference. I will be getting tickets from the church and hopefully I'll have the opportunity to sit next to you during a session or two. That's the plan at least. I should get the tickets right up front, but we'll see. And hopefully I get them to every session, but we'll see.

I don't know if you know about the Tuesday Temple session that we're going to, but I want you to be there. That will be cool! I have to let the mission office know. Thanks!

I hope L has a great time with Homecoming! I know I had a great senior year Homecoming...kinda! ha (This was when he had just had his brain surgery and his date, Ashlyn, and friends Stanton and Clint, came to rehab and they brought a fancy dinner before the dance. Unfortunately, due to complications, he wasn't able to go to the actual dance, but he was sure grateful for good friends who made sure he didn't miss out completely on the excitement!) (Did I really not blog about this?! Note to self...do it!)

Congrats to Jackson and Talia again! Wow! Crazy how much can happen in two short years! Loco!

So we went to the Rendezvous this week along with thousands of other people! There were some interesting people there. It was pretty legit! I only heard of one person in a loin cloth though, and thank goodness I didn't see it! I was excited to go for the home made root beer and funnel cake! It was delicious! We were able to help with the Rendezvous sacrament fast and testimony meeting. Around 1,200 people spread out on blankets and lawn chairs with tee pees all around. We helped pass the sacrament. There were about 12 people passing and about 12 that broke bread and than joined in passing! It was freezing that morning though! I was being a big baby! But it was a cold one! I saw Arian there, too! I was so excited. It's been forever it seems like since she moved from here to Stansbury!

We taught Megan, Taylor, and Dennis last week and invited them to be baptized and they are all praying and looking for the feelings of the Holy Ghost! After the lesson we went outside and they roped the fire hydrant. They're awesome!

We had NMT (New Missionary Training) last Tuesday and it was pretty weird to look back at when I was the greenie and now I'm about to finish. Very weird!

Elder R is getting better at talking more, but still has work to do. Then again, so do I. I feel like a jerk some times letting him learn things on his own, but it's the only way he'll learn how to do things himself!

Anywho, that's a little bit about what happened this week. If you have any questions give me an e-mail!

I have to go do work! But I will talk to you next week! Hey it's not even going to be a full week, just 6 more days!

Love you a lot lot lot!

Love,
Elder Partridge

It Made This Mama's Heart Smile

Doesn't it just make your heart smile when you hear good news about your children? That happened last night as I received a little note on Facebook from Sister Winn.

"Just spent the day yesterday with your son at New Missionary Training. He is devoted to his new missionary, doing a fabulous job, a spiritual giant, and absolutely adorable. Of course, being his mission mom, I am very biased. But I think you will agree! I sure do love that boy!"

Thank you, Mama Winn!

August 29, 2011 Email

Hey guys!

I just had a surprise baby! My new comp is Elder Rasmussen-right out of the MTC and into the best area in the world! He doesn't talk much at all, but we're breaking him of that. He's starting to warm up to me especially; which is pretty key since we are going to be together all day every day! He's "most recently from Texas" but has lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Utah before that. And he loves the cold so he'll love Wyoming in a few months! I won't!

I think I'm even more immature now as a 21 year old! IDK We'll see how it goes! I made about 5 different balloon animals the other night! I'll have to get pics to you. I can't find my camera charger and it's officially dead so they'll be from Elder Rasmussen's camera. Mama Madsen already got pics printed out and I'm sending them in today along with my essay stuff, since I didn't get that off last week.

It was a fun party! Pretty much the best birthday ever! We played flour baseball and I never hit the ball! Stupid double vision and depth perception! But I did just chuck them at people. (They're nylon stockings with flour in them.) So theoretically you hit them and they poof with flour. Awesome. And we soaked the girls with water when they got there from volleyball practice, and Elder Hancock and I did the cinnamon challenge (aka the "dragon breath" challenge). I'll tell you about that later though. Thanks for telling me about the "happy birthday's" on Facebook. I'm so grateful people love me!

The work is going well! Everyone in the area is just super busy though, plus school is just starting. So besides never getting ahold of everyone we are good! OK, so we have gotten ahold of some people, I'm just exaggerating a bit; but it's been a tough couple days. Lots of walking because it's the end of the month. aka no more miles. We officially ran out yesterday.

Elder Rasmussen gave a talk in church yesterday. I popped that one on him Saturday night. Bishop Brady asked last week if one of us would speak. So since he's new I let him do it. I get to speak in that ward in 2 weeks though so I'm excited I get an opportunity, too.

Cool! I'm in BYU! Can we try to work on any scholarships still or what's the process for that? Btw, I decided that I'm going to go to BYU in Provo. Hawaii would be a dream, but I think I'll have more opportunity and possibilities in Provo. We'll just have to make a trip to Hawaii instead some time!

Fun stuff with my friends going back to school and everything! It'll be exciting being thrown back into the real world! Trying not to think about it, but everyone keeps reminding me, so I'll just have to deal with it I guess! haha

I'm counting down the days for the salsa! 2 left!

That's awesome about David Gephart! I want to go to Mexico! Elder Hancock is going to take me when he gets done with the mish, but till then, maybe Bishop "cowboy" Riggs will take me down! That'd be fun!

There are so many people who are ready to receive the gospel, we just need to catch them at home! haha Sabre is one of those who is totally ready. Her mom is getting active again. She is moving in with her mom and we are trying to get ahold of them so we can set a day for baptism. Another one in the same situation is Hadley. We are just figuring out a time to go teach her, her mom, and her grandma so that they can be more active at living the gospel and so Hadley can be baptized.

There was a talk yesterday about how committed we are to the gospel. It's such a true principle; the more committed we are and the better we follow through the easier and less painful it is.

I love you guys a ton! Have a good one! Billions of hugs and kisses!

Love Elder Partridge

Elder Partridge's 21st Birthday Celebration

1~"Blowing" out birthday candles. With Wyoming wind, it's not easily done.. :) (Note: we didn't actually light the candles)
2~Airplaning down the waterslide into home base while playing flour baseball
3~Throwing a flour ball, we all got into a flour fight :)
4~Cinnamon challenge: Eat a spoonful of cinnamon as fast as you can. NOT RECOMMENDED!!!
5~Attempting to get the cinnamon out of their mouths, noses, throat, lungs, etc....
6~Opening birthday presents

Thank you, Madsen Family, for making it such a great birthday for him!!!

Saying Good Bye

This is a picture of Elder Hancock, Ryan, and Elder Partridge when they went to tell Ryan good bye. Transfers can be so hard!

*Thanks for the pic, Ryan!

August 22, 2011 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELDER PARTRIDGE!!!!!

Hey! Happy birthday to me! Thanks for the packages! I've opened one of them and am wearing the birthday pin! I'm opening the other one in a little while with the Madsen Fam! I will enjoy everything in the packages! I know everything is sent with love cuz I have the best family in the world! I thought the duck tape wrapping job by K was a fantastic ingenious idea! I haven't opened that one yet! We went to Taco Time for breakfast and we were playing with the ball catch stuff and the flarp. teehee and thanks for sending my cowboy boots out. I wasn't expecting those for sure. SALSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so stoked! So pretty much, we're spending the day with the Madsen family because they're pretty much the best ever! I know we are going to play baseball, and I don't know what else. Elder Hancock asked me if I felt any older this morning, too. I just looked at him as I was filling up a water balloon and chuckled. I don't feel any more mature for sure, and I still don't act like I'm 21; unless I'm in public, but getting old is no fun. So ya.

*I don't know about transfers yet. I guarantee I'm staying and Elder Hancock will be too if you've been praying for it! haha One of the kids here fasted for him to stay! Everyone is praying for us to stay here! but we'll see tomorrow morning.

I'm so excited for Dayne! He's a stellar missionary!

This past week was awesome! Benny, Dezy, and Kendall all got baptized on Tuesday and confirmed yesterday. When we were setting up the program we asked them who they wanted to baptize and confirm them and Kendall and Dezy both said they wanted Elder Hancock to baptize them and Benny said he wanted me to baptize him and they wanted to just switch it for the confirmation. So we said, "What if one of us baptizes all of you and than the other one confirms all of you? Would you guys like that?" "No!" So we did it just the way they wanted. We taught them throughout the week and every time they took us out and hog tied us, and we did bunny hops on their bikes. or in my case I just tried to ride the bike without falling over. haha and Benny was holding onto the back seat while I peddled like a parent does to there kid when they're first learning to ride.

We played the best prank on the Madsen family! This has been in the works for a month. We told them transfers were this last Wednesday, and we timed exchanges with the Kemmerer Elders so that Elder Wimber, who they've never met, went with me that night and we told them Elder Hancock got transferred. We played it up for half an hour and it was going great. then as we were about to go out the door, Elder Hancock knocked on the door and everyone slugged him and I just laughed! It was perfect!

Love you tons and will "talk to you next week!


*Found out that Elder Hancock is getting transferred. Sad days in Wyoming!

August 15, 2011 Email

Elders Stone and Partridge~Companions for a day, cousins forever!

Gooday,

It was a blessed Saturday having the opportunity to have Elder Stone out with us so I could watch and learn. We did some great service in the morning time and were able to teach Benny, Dezy, and Kendall about tithing. They are so ready to be baptized on Tuesday! We were going over the word of wisdom again and we asked, "so what are those things that we stay away from?" and Kendall yells, "Satan!" That's right! Then Dezy and Benny roped me and hog tied me with my rope after the lesson! It was some good fun! But I got em back; watch out Fiesta days rodeo- I'm getting pretty good at this ropin stuff! The other night Elder Hancock and I contacted a guy who does rodeoing with his fam and we team roped with them on their dummy, and Bro. Straton and I beat Kale and Elder Hancock. "City boy beats cowboy!!!"

Haha L showed up fashionably late for Sacrament Meeting to speak after Holden's homecoming! That's good! We did that in Tooele one time because we had a confirmation at the same time as one of the wards we were speaking at. Good job L...(if you made it to speak...)

Speaking of Tooele, one of the girls that was baptized not too long ago-Arian-is moving to Stansbury by Tooele to live with her dad so today we went with their family to Hoop Lake and went fishing...We did! And guess who caught a fish...Not me! I still haven't caught a fish in my whole lifetime! I can't believe I got my fishing merit badge! Pretty sure it's because all my leaders felt sorry for me cuz I can't even catch a fish! But Elder Hancock caught a nice little rainbow trout!

Love you tons and will talk to you later!

Love Elder Partridge!

**Photo compliments of the Stone Family

August 8, 2011 Email

Hola Mihijos!

Mom, I am very impressed you have done so well at not stalking me on my mission! You still have 2 months of no stalking, don't ruin your streak!

Here in Wyoming we have our own apartment and it's pretty nice. No dryer, but that's the only downfall I think. It's 2 stories tall, full kitchen, it's good!

We did exchanges with the Elders in Kemmerer this last Tuesday and we left on Monday night at 9:00 pm to go there. So Elder Hancock and I are driving and this car comes over the ridge, turns it's brights on and as it gets closer starts flashing it's lights at us. It was annoying since we didn't have our brights on, so when they got really close we flashed them on so they could clearly see that we didn't have our brights on. As we came up over the hill I told Elder Hancock to turn the brights on so we could spot antelope, because there are tons of antelope on the way to Kemmerer. As soon as he flipped the brights on we saw a dead antelope in the middle of the road and we both screamed. I guess you just had to be there. We took pictures!

The other night we were planning and it was getting towards being bed time and I was tired and there was a stupid horse fly buzzing around in our room. So I finally snapped and got a towel to kill it. It flew up in the light and I figured it was pretty trapped so I got a lint roller and put it up inside the light fixture and pinned it to the light, and than the screw broke and the light fell and shattered all over the desks and flew across the room. What a great day!

The best was on Wednesday though. We were way over on miles compared to where we should be because of the drive to Kemmerer and back twice, so we decided to walk. We clearly underestimated walking time. We planned it great so we would walk the shortest route and we'd stop by people we needed to on the way. But because it took so long to walk around we didn't even get the chance to visit anyone. I wish I could draw you a map, but if you could imagine a big circle about 6 miles in diameter, we walked around that whole thing! Live and learn! The funnest part was as soon as we got into the town of Lyman, it started raining on us. And as we kept going through town, it rained harder. Pretty soon it was like back home and Elder Hancock and I were loving it. It was the second time on my mission where it was so bad that it would have been the same effect if we'd jumped in the lake and got out soaked. Then the rain moved on and it was really cold. We didn't say much to each other after that, just a lot of Ahhhhhhhhh it's cold!!! That's another fun thing, we could yell like that because there was nothing around us but hay fields. But the crowning events came when dinner called us and cancelled as we got to the edge of their house, and then as we walked back there was a slight wind change and the big fat storm that hit us horseshoed around and hit us a second time! haha

We have done some great service this week, too. Some good manual labor and a lot of service by bringing people some comfort when they were struggling. We also helped a lady move this morning.

It was hard for us because everyone was in Evanston for stupid fair! But there was an amazing testimony builder for me that happened one night when we added a guy named Monny. He's a rancher over in Robertson and as we got to know him a bit and share our conversion stories with him he had similar experiences with both of us. Of course with Elder Hancock being a rancher, but he also had some problems with paralysis since he was young and he's doing great now and knows a little of what I went through with brain surgery. So that was the beginning realization for me that Our Heavenly Father has us in certain places for specific reasons at times. And then it got more specific. As we were talking, Elder Hancock shared an experience he had. When he was out here in the mission field for about 3 weeks last transfer, he got the feeling that they should go to Robertson. His last comp thought it was a stupid idea, that there's nothing in Robertson, it's been tracted out a bazillion times, and told him they weren't going. But Elder Hancock was driving, so they went. They walked around and only talked to one cowboy while they were there. They talked to him briefly and bore their testimonies and went along their way. The other Elder told him that was a bad decision and that he should think things through better next time. We just found out through talking to Monny that the cowboy they talked to was his dad, and that extended family had been trying to bring them the gospel for forever, and that Monny's dad was really pleased with how strong *they were in the gospel. *I assume the 2 Elders.

The Lord can use us to be an instrument in His hands even though we make so many mistakes. We just need to trust Him and look past our mistakes, because He does.

Love y'all!
Stay Classy

Elder Partridge

Thank you, Sister Winn!

August 1, 2011 Email

Hello!

Arian's baptism went fantastic!!! The lights over the baptismal font went out, but that was about it! She was so excited for it. When I first got here she'd already changed a lot and as we've taught her she shines more and more every time. Their family is amazing! It's fun; it's all jumbled up with different relationships of cousin, dad, uncle, step-mom, etc. and they all just call each other bro and sis and mom and dad. They are such a tight family! There was one lesson in particular that was a big factor in her decision to be baptized. We'd asked her to pray about it and seek Heavenly Father's will, and she prayed about it and didn't really recognize an answer. But she told us one day and she got way freaked out, so she said a prayer and felt so much better afterward. We just sat there and let her feel the spirit. She was worried what her dad would think of her getting baptized. So we gave her a blessing and it was one of the most powerful blessings I've felt. It was straight from God, and after it was given we sat there in more silence (there was a lot of silence) and eventually we just asked her what she felt God wanted her to do. She knew to baptzed, not because we said to, but because she felt she needed to. And she has been happier and happier ever since.

I was able to talk to Dayne (with permission from Pres. Winn). He's coming out with us to serve on August 13. Sweet!!!!!

We just went golfing in a brother's shed and played volleyball in the rain! We are going to be going to golf for morning exercise every day and get some free golf lessons from an older guy who's been golfing since high school. Just today he helped us a ton! I've got the body rotation down now in about 30 min of practicing. Watch out!!!

And ya Ryan did tell me about buying the boots for my birthday! (He does everything for us, he's way too nice). I don't know if I'll do it because I'm not really gonna use them when I get back home, so probably not. Thanks for the advice though.

I love you! Take care!

Love,
Elder Partridge!

*Dayne is his cousin in UT who will be leaving to serve his mission in Honduras the end of August, so Pres. Winn has given permission for them to serve together for a day so they can spend that time together and it won't be 4 years without seeing each other!

**I found out from his companions blog that they have received 32 referrals and are teaching 11 new people since they did the hide race for the 24th of July celebration! Wow!

Hide Race Photos

Yes, this is Elder Partridge, on a hide, being pulled behind a horse!

I hope his mouth is closed!

Hang on!

Elder Partridge rolls off and Elder Hancock jumps on!

They got under 10 seconds and took 2nd place!

Can you believe how happy...and dirty they look?!

July 25, 2011 Email

Hola bonitas!

Haha, we decided we'd try a new finding activity; hide racing! We knew we couldn't be on horses, but it said nothing about being drug behind them. It reminded me of going tubing at the lake, only you're on dirt/poop instead of water, you're being drug by a horse not a boat, and you don't eat it quite as bad surprisingly! Shout out to my boy Ryan Niederer for getting us in, and Coach Kennedy for pulling us. She didn't go easy on us, but she could have pushed us harder. It was a fantastic boost for the work! We are hearing about non-members talking to their friends about it and they are willing to listen to us, and we now have full trust of all the members here! Fantastic!

This is Elder Hancock's second transfer, but he's already doing better now than where I am after 2 years of missionary work! I am definitely giving the posterity flag to him. And the cactus! He is an amazing Elder. Must be something to do with the AZ heat or something! We're serving in the Lyman Stake aka "the Bridger Valley". We cover Lyman, Mountain View, Urie, Fort Bridger, Lone Tree, Roberts, etc.

I just had a time line realization and wrote some essays this morning. (For his college applications) I've been kinda prolonging doing it for a while so I could only keep studying Preach My Gospel and the scriptures, but I need to git er dun!

I'm good for memory on my camera! No worries there. We don't usually make it to Wally World because we like to stay in Lyman on p-day. Oh snap! and for my b day I would die for some homemade salsa and salsa verde that you make...the smooth stuff! I don't know if you could do that, but it would be sweet. And I don't know if this is too much to ask, but if at all possible, could you send me my boots out so I can wear them on p-day? If not, no worries, but that would be great!

Jeez Lewise! That's good timing with the pic of the girls in the rain! I miss it!

We get our mail forwarded out to us every week.

We have a baptism tomorrow for Arian. I haven't talked much about her, if at all, but she's an amazing girl, I'll tell you all about it next week. Pinky promise.

Love you tons! Will "talk" to you next week.

Love Elder Partridge

Baptism Pictures

This was at Sammy Hood's baptism on Monday.

July 18, 2011 Email

Howdy Bukeroo,

"My name's not Bukeroo." "Sure it is partner." I'll give you a hint. I'm on the "Home home on the range. Where the deer and the antelope play..." It starts with a W and ends with a yoming. Ya, you guessed it. And I'm with the hardest working companion in the mission. His name is Elder Hancock and he is from a ranch in AZ on the border of Mexico. Between Nogales and Douglas. Steller. We just had a baptism today of a girl named Sammy Hood! She is completely solid. She's one of the most fun, outgoing, firm converts I've seen. It seemed like she was already a member when I first met her. We are getting so much accomplished. Actually, she just showed up with her fellowshipper, Jordan Madsen, so I'll let them introduce themselves.

hello mama partridge :)
my name is jordan madsen and i just met your son yesterday and he is really cool haha i've only got to see him for 2 days but i already like him. i probably seem really creepy but thats ok haha me and my best friend who just got baptised today just saw the missionary truck at the library and wanted to stop and say hi and they wanted us to write letters to their moms (you) so here it is. I am 17 years old and love volleyball basketball and track. I have recently become a cowgirl and love to do cowgirl stuff. riding horses and things of that nature haha i would tell you a story but i havent known elder partridge that long so we dont have stories... yet haha so i will say ta ta for now :)
astalavista :)
Jordan Madsen :):):)

Hey Momma Partridge:):):)
This is Sammy, one of the girls your son has just recently started teaching. I just got baptized today and I'm so greatful that he got to be there:) Your son got to meet me in a interesting way. Well Elder Hancock, the missionary that has been teaching me from day one, decides to surprise me with meeting your son. One fabulous morning I was walking back from the barn after feeding my steers(male cows without their pride and joy) and i was in my boxers and a tee-shirt and was pretty embarrased about the whole ordeal but it was ok...... thought that i should drop in with a little hello and tell u, u have a an amazing son:):) so glad i have been able to meet him
Have a beautiful day
Love Sammy :):):)


PS! I love you family. Thought since you are always wondering who I'm teaching it would be better if they just introduce themselves! Love you!
Love Elder Partridge

July 11, 2011 Email

Buenos tardes,

We worked our tails off this week. Literally, there they go. Oh well; you know how it goes. It seems that it will be worth it. We went to the movies on the fourth of July. Como? Ya! We saw "17 Miracles" by TC Christensen (the same guy who did Forever Strong-Kia haha- and the Joseph Smith Movie, etc). What an amazing film! Full of miracles. And another cool thing is that "Albert" is in one of the wards I'm covering. It was so cool to see him and look at Elder Green and we both were like, "I know him!" He's such a great part in the movie, too. It was such a big deal too because TC Christensen came and talked to us after the film. Big deal! It reminded me of when Mark Mabry did the fireside and talked about different miracles behind the pictures; likewise, he shared some of the symbolism and miracles they saw shooting the film.

On the drive home we got off the freeway on Bangerter at a spot where you can see the whole valley, and there were fireworks everywhere shooting up! It was insane! Then while driving through the neighborhoods, there were fireworks lining both sides of the street exploding over our heads! It felt more like a war zone than anything else! Crazy cool!

It's official! I'm getting transferred to another area! I'm going to be a DL again! I'm so stoked to be hands on with the missionaries I'll be looking over! President just barely gave me the call and told me that it's a great area I'm getting called to! I am stoked!

Anywho, the Spanish Elders in our stake just baptized a lady named Rosio that we found a couple weeks ago. Well, more like she found herself and we were able to point her in the right direction. She came to church by herself for the first time 4 weeks ago, and no one knew about it. We were at another ward and we didn't hear anything from members. Then she came again the next week and one of our ward mission leaders got ahold of her and got her information and gave it to us. So we went by that evening and talked to her and put her on date! She said, "I want to make this covenant with God!" I don't know how much more solid and prepared someone can be! She smoked, but as soon as we mentioned that she will have to quit in order to be baptized she quit. It is incredible to see how determined this hermana (sister) is to following our Lord and Savior in everything she does.

We had an amazing miracle this morning! Kinda silly, but we were definitely blessed. We were out of gas last night. Straight up out of gas, and we didn't know it till this morning when we went around the corner to fill up. We put 16.447 gallons into our tank; and I'm pretty sure it's oly a 15 gallon tank. So we weren't just empty, we were running dry.

Well this is where I leave you because duty calls; we are going to get a couple married! Felicidades!

Con amor,
Elder Partridge!

July 4, 2011 Email

From the crossroads of the west,

"This is the 91st weekly general letter to the people who want to hear about what's going on in Salt Lake with me."

Gooooood morning Zion; this is your host, Zion Elder Partridge coming to you live from the Granger East Stake in West Valley City, UT. Looks like things were a little wet this past weekend with baptisms. We had the baptism of Teresa Avila. She just barely turned 9 and their family just moved into the stake a couple weeks ago and became active. She was baptized at the stake baptism by her uncle. We showed them the tea bag related to the gospel and they were ecstatic!

We got a referral this last week for Mone'sha and so we called her and left a message. She called back at 3:45 am; yes in the morning, and left a message that she was in Wendover and wanted a ride. Then later she sent us a text and told us she was going to be baptized LDS. So we gave her a call and talked to her, and this is the cool part. Guess how we got the referral...On her way over here from California she stopped by the one and only Cove Fort! I was like, "oh, I know that place! They give you pioneer toys and obsidian to play with on 12 hour car rides from UT to AZ!" haha So hopefully we'll get hold of her soon to teach her.

They've made air-born fireworks legal here and people are lighting them off all night. Literally! It's ridiculous! I am doing great! We are going to the movies tonight as a mission. It's "17 Miracles", and then T.C. Christensen, the director, is going to speak to us. Pretty big deal! It'll be fun. I'll take pics.

I'll be praying for L! And everyone else, too! Thanks for the update.

Love you tons. I need to let another missionary e-mail now.

Love,
Elder Partridge