This Payne Rocks

Cut The Tree Down

Sometimes I wonder why we are put in companionships. Don't read into that a lot. I understand the need for companionships. Sometimes it makes teaching a little more difficult or easier! Take this for example. When I was in Bastrop we would talk to everyone possible in the mega parking

My Plan

In the past few weeks, I started an online missionary course titled 'My Plan'. My Plan is a 6 Week, dare I say, adjusting to "Home Life" course, in which you make a, get this, PLAN for when you arrive home and return from your full-time missionary service. Hence, why

Fast N Testimony Meeting

One of the best things about having an area that covers a third of the mission boundaries is we can go, what feels like, everywhere. With this time of season, all the towns are lighting up their town squares and putting up MASSIVE Christmas trees in which the people are

And We're Back

Elder Allen and I would often yell a simple "Ah!" While making our eyes really big, blinking, and nod our head with our body to make it seem like we had flashed forward into the future or back into the past. Then proceeded to say these words, Breathing Heavily "Whe-

Choose you this day...

In my last few emails, I have forgotten to mention transfers and the change that has happened. I have been privileged to train again, and this might sound bad, but I really didn't want to. But alas, God had different plans, which is okay because it's been an absolute blast!

Have Miracles Ceased?

Let me tell you a little bit about Judy. Judy Herrera is a good friend of ours that we have been teaching here in good ol' Bastrop, TX. She is, in her own words , an outgoing, friendly, bubbly person who likes to joke around and make people smile. "If I

I am Becoming a Redneck

Good Monday it is. Good week it has been. The transfer is coming to an end and oh boy what an adventure it has been. On each preparation day, we have been able to go fishing at our members farm. He has two main ponds to fish from and we

Something Good

I'm short on time today due to all the running around. But when are we not short on time or running around pretending to be doing something productive. There aren't a lot of parks here in Bastrop to talk to people at. We have a park called Fisherman's Park, which

Gone Fishin

Don't have much time today due to some unfortunate events that I will be able to speak more about it in the future. (Hopefully next email) We have had a blessed opportunity to go fishing the past two preparation days. One of our members has a big ranch with a

Off to the Drop - P. Carter

A few weeks ago, Elder Allen and I joined our district at Pioneer Farms. Pioneer Farms is a "theme" park in Austin that has a few different historical houses from around the Austin area. I'm not exactly sure what they do, but I know that they have people dress up

Turn to Me

Second times is a charm. Right? As I started writing this last Monday, everything was going great. I wasn't able to finish my email this last week so I started writing some more thoughts down Monday night and Tuesday Morning. Tuesday night rolls around and I go to write. I

It's Tough Sometimes

I am not going to lie, it's been a little tough recently. Especially this past few weeks. I love my assignment in the tech side of missionary work, as I have stated before, but oh boy, there is a different kind of joy that is found in, finding and teaching.

God Is In The Details

I did make a promise to be more constant in my writing and this was going to come out last week but then I got distracted. So here it is! This week was eventful! I could most likely say that about every week but this week particularly. Last last week:

All things denote there is a God

I'm at a loss of what I want to talk about this week. So let's hope that something good comes out of my ramblings. This transfer, thus far has been nothing but an adventure! Elder Allen, My teaching companion, and I have been doing a lot of work regarding our

The Mission Tour

Recently, for the past 5 weeks being in this new "tech" role, I have had the opportunity to travel around the mission training missionaries on how to use technology more effectively. The training itself isn't something worth talking about here but it has been helping missionaries be more productive and

Mindset

The beginning of the week wasn't something I would always look forward to. I have now come to really appreciate and grow to love the beginning of the week. For a few reasons. 1. Sunday 2. Monday I have grown to love Monday for some pretty obvious reasons. Preparation Day,

Total Eclipse of the Heart

My companion, Elder Jones, and I were doing some really good work in Vista Ridge in the Cedar Park area. Preparing the people for the House of the Lord that will be there in what will seem like the blink of an eye. Things with the ward were turning up

Because of Him

This email is for my mom. I really didn't want to write one this week. lol I have been thinking about all the changes and progress a full-time mission experience will give you if you let it. These past two weeks have been making me want to just keep improving

Pray On

It's been a while. I have been having a hard time trying to get my thoughts out recently. My ask for each of you is a short prayer that will help me stay motivated to express my thoughts each week. We will keep this email a little short this week

Embrace the Opportunites

I want you to imagine something really quick: Picture in your mind a large football field. In the far corner of the stands, as high up as you can go, there is the start of a string. That string is pulled tight, from the highest furthest point in the stand

O Remember Remember

Two long weeks you've had to wait. I bet you've been, in quite a state. Christmas Day, New Years too but nothing from me, to you. I was planning on writing a whole poem but then I couldn't figure out good enough words to use. Maybe I'll get some inspiration

City of Stars

"We missed a call from President." Elder Iloa says as he checks his phone while we were out recording some videos for our Facebook page. "Well, give him a call back!" I responded to him. Now getting a call from our mission President isn't always a big issue, but this

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy Infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace; Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heaven afar; Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia! Christ,

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Do you remember my music list? So I haven't really been keeping up on it but this week I had one that I just had to add. Elder 'Iloa has a lot of random music on his phone that we have been going through, trying to clear it up a

Welcome to Vista Ridge

I have been in the Vista Ridge area for about 2 weeks now. Vista Ridge is located in Cedar Park, Texas, and is about 30 minutes from my old area, Pflugerville, where I just came from. I can't really describe what it has been like, due to all the differing