We got a surprise text message from our cousin Krista Rawlins last night that was fun to get. The Rawlins family was in Chicago visiting the new baby grandson/nephew, Kaje.  They realized it was only an hour to drive to Kenosha and hoped to find Andrew. SUCCESS!!!!
He was super happy to see them and the gas station cookies and sweet rolls that they brought.  How cool is that!!!!!

Transfers came and went really fast. I had no more than 20 minutes to say hi to people at the Milwaukee transfer point, and also say goodbye to some of the missionaries that were heading home (one of which was my trainer, another was a former companion, and a third was a missionary that had been in my district way back in the beginning of my mission who I have become close friends with.) It was really sad to see my trainer leave; I can't believe that he and I served together over 21 months ago. It has been so much fun seeing him every once and a while and be able to catch up on some good old U.P stories. Thank goodness for Facebook and being able to reconnect with mission friends and members that I meet and serve with here in Wisconsin/Michigan. Then they kicked me out of the building and said go back to Kenosha, transfers was fast.

So long to my trainer, Elder Thompson, who returned home.

My new companion is Elder Norton from South Jordan Utah. He has been on his mission for a little over 18 months. He came out with Elder Baird (who I trained). Elder Norton is a 2013 High School graduate; he did one year of football and three years of marching band. He has not done any college but he plans on attending LDS Business College after his mission ends in September of this year. Elder Norton is the second oldest in his family of four siblings. His older brother returned from a mission in Missouri just a few months after Elder Norton started his mission. Elder Norton and I have served around or with some of the same people. I know, or have served with most of his companions. It sounds really odd to say, but Elder Norton will probably be my last companion. Unless President Cutler pulls some big stunt, both Elder Norton and I will both finish our missions here in the Kenosha B area. (I already know I'm finishing here in Kenosha, the question is whether or not we will serve together two transfers, but President seemed to imply that we will.)

We had interviews with President Cutler on Friday. He is such a wonderful man. He can also be really funny when he isn't trying to be. During the opening prayer to our interviews President made mention "to bless Elder Luymes' future family". This caught me way off guard. He exerts so much effort into helping missionaries stay focused on their missions and not about home, yet he is the one making mention of home and post mission stuff. Later in the interview President said to me "Elder Luymes, I am so excited for you to start having kids." AARRGGGHH! President Cutler, why? In truth, he is such a great Mission President, an inspired leader, and a fantastic example. Eternal Life is Family Life.

Elder Norton and I had a once in a mission life experience. It was Friday morning, early Friday morning. The alarm went off at 6:30am and like a good boy I climbed out of bed, and knelt down to say my morning prayers at exactly 6:30am. Obviously I'm still tired and I'm pretty sure humans don't think clearly when they wake up that early, but just as I'm bowing my head to pray, the door buzzer rings. I was ticked off as I thought it was the other Kenosha Elders buzzing us so that we would hurry up and come down for morning exercise. I thought to myself, “how dare they buzz us this early in the morning”, they know we will come down as soon as were ready to play basketball. Buzzing us right as the alarm goes off, that's just wrong! It buzzed again, and Elder Norton climbed out of bed and answered it. A voice came through the intercom and it was not the Elders. Some guy was panting and telling us he was lost, he was cold, he needs our cell phone to call for help, he asked us to call 911, etc. Is this a joke, or was he being serious? We couldn't tell. I listened (still on my knees) while Elder Norton talked to the guy over the intercom system. Finally I got up and put on my sweats. We went down stairs and sure enough there was a man who showed the outward signs of distress and being cold. We approached him cautiously and begun talking with him. This guy was maybe 26 and was born and raised his entire life in Kenosha, yet he had no idea where he was. He explained his story to us about how he had been up all night drinking with his girlfriend, then he insulted her and she dropped him off at the side of the road and left him with no cell phone. He told us that he had been walking for over an hour and was lost, and wanted us to call 911. Clearly the alcohol was messing with his brain (we later got his address and we discovered that he was only a mile away from home.) The other Elders showed up at the door and we continued to talk with this guy to calm him down. We called his brother who eventually picked up and came to the rescue. This guy asked us if we could come over to his house and begin teaching him the missionary lessons, and we also found out that he is the son of a less active. A pretty crazy way to start off the morning, the story continued on Saturday when we actually met him at the house and we taught him and his friend, and brother the Restoration. Sweet!

Scripture for the week: Mormon 9:11-13

11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.

 12 Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man. And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.

 13 And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death.

Thank you all so much!

Elder Luymes

Of my many talents, taking hot pans out of the oven is not one of them.

Wow what an amazing week! It was a packed week with a lot of amazing things that took place. By far the top two highlights from last week were this: the convert baptism that took place from the Kenosha A Elders. The second was the all mission gathering that was attended by 220 missionaries, and Elder Christensen from the Presidency of the 70.

The convert baptism was held on Friday night. Baptisms are always great occasions where hard work pays off and smiles are limitless. We had 50 people attend the baptism, and 20 of those 50 guests were not members. Those are some staggering numbers! The Bishop and Ward Mission Leader were speechless that so many non-members showed up.

L-R: Elder Baird, Me, Elder Thompson, Elder Pounds, Elder Pou jumping in.
Generations of former companions, my trainer, my trainees.

The all mission gathering. This is a one-time deal where the whole mission gets together to receive training at the same time. We were expecting Elder Perry from the quorum of the twelve apostles to come and preside over the training. But due to health and the upcoming General Conference Elder Perry was reassigned to attend to some other tasks. So in his stead was Elder Craig C. Christensen from the Presidency of the Seventy as well as Elder Waddell from the first quorum of the seventy. I simply cannot describe the feelings, emotions, and power that was both seen and felt as you saw 220 missionaries catch up with old friends, stories and memories, and when we all started singing the opening song for the meeting. Wow, that was something special, something I will probably never hear ever again. I was filled with joy as I got to see Elder Thompson my trainer one last time before he goes home on Thursday of this week. I also saw Elder Baird who I trained in Manistique Michigan (U.P), Elder Ferney who I served with in DeForest and Elder Pounds who I trained in DeForest also. I got to see Elder Allen, Elder McMoore, and Elder Stevenson and say goodbye to him because he also leaves to go home on Thursday. I talked with Elder Merrill, the whole nine yards. I talked with missionaries who came out with me who I haven't seen or heard from in a couple months or a couple years. It was so amazing to see so many smiling faces and to just be filled with the spirit together. And if this wasn't a god enough treat. I got to see some Bishops and Elder quorum presidents who I served with in past wards. Such as Bishop Blotter and Ben Chaney from the Marquette Ward. I have never mentioned these people before but when I was serving in the U.P in the Germfask group. I got to become great friends with the Chaney family and Bishop Blotter from the Marquette Ward because I would have to do weekly reporting to them because of the lack of Priesthood in the Germfask group. I also saw Bishop Rhodes and the Priesthood leadership from the Oshkosh Ward. Being able to spend just a few minutes with each of them and catch up with them and how the wards are doing was bitter sweet. It felt like I was on cloud nine all day. Sister Cutler gave the first training in the meeting and she started off her training with this: "This is what heaven is going to look like". The Cutler love is unmatchable, and never ending. Sister Cutler was in tears seeing all of us and you just knew that she was imagining all of us gathered together in heaven with each of our spouses and the Cutler kids and Grandkids. Eternal life is Family life; I am so blessed to have served with the best examples of love and dedication to the Lord that could ever fill the office of Mission President and spouse. As a whole, Elder Christensen gave an amazing training and taught me more on how I can better help my investigators to better understand the importance of the journey that they are taking. He also gave a great training on the Atonement!

 I got my anti-trunky trunky papers this week. That basically means I'm going home soon. L

Guess what! I got to see the Luymes building this week. Thanks to my family and relatives, I know have the address and locations of historic Luymes sites. My Luymes family heritage roots from Kenosha and I was able to make the first stop of many to a Luymes family site. The Luymes building was built in 1927 and was used as a general store. Today the building is a bar (not the best use for a building like this). I didn't go inside but I plan on soliciting the help of some members so that I can speak with the owner of the building. I was so stoked to see the building, Elder Reynolds was really confused why we were standing outside a bar until he looked up and saw the Luymes name on it.

Thanks to Aunt Lorinda for information on the Luymes Family,
Here is the Luymes Building that was once a general store and now a bar.
I think it was built by my great-great grandfather.

It snowed today... but we still went Frisbee golfing. J

Scripture for the Week: Alma 12: 24-25

24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.

 25 Now, if it had not been for the plan of redemption, which was laid from the foundation of the world, there could have been no resurrection of the dead; but there was a plan of redemption laid, which shall bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, of which has been spoken.

Thank you for your prayers, thank you for your love, love,

Elder Luymes

220 missionaries reconnecting - what joy!
Eternal life is family life, this is what it will be like.

We had another enjoyable week in Kenosha. The weather was comfortable, and was in the high 40's and low 50's almost every day of the week. Today the car thermometer says 68, so I can't complain anymore about weather. You’re all saved from my winter rants of "Its cold, my toes froze off!" I am late for emailing today because we decided to play Frisbee golf in the morning instead of going straight to the library. The trails were super muddy, and there was still some snow left. We had a hard time finding the beginning so we just started playing and enjoying the mud, all 6 Elders. J 

Kenosha Zone Conference - I'm way in the back peeking through.

Throughout the week we haven't had anything too unusual happen to us. We are still doing a lot of tracting and have now found five investigators each week for two weeks now. This does give our teaching pool a fresh face and hopefully some new people to start teaching (if they are home for their appointments). Remember last week I told you that we were going to the Jelly Belly factory in Pleasant Prairie/ Kenosha? We did go, and had a wonderful time. The only down side is that my camera died on the drive to the factory, so I have no pictures...sorry. The factory is more of a distribution warehouse for the Jelly Belly Company. They don't have any machines in the building; it’s just a tour and endless rows of boxes that contain billions of Jelly Belly’s. Of course they have their store where you can sample any flavor of Jelly Belly and the samples are endless. So us four Elders, a set of Sisters and the Senior Couple we had more than our fair share of Jelly Belly’s. I bought a few small bags, and I’m still eating Jelly Belly’s during my morning studies. Don't worry though; I'm brushing my teeth too.

Taste Tester's Heaven at the Jelly Belly outlet.
Too bad my camera died.

The other set of Elders in Kenosha are having a baptism on Friday, and then on Saturday we will be blessed with Elder Perry coming to our mission to give us some training. That's about all I really have to say for this past week.

Scripture for the week: 4 Nephi 1:15

And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

Thank you for your letters and prayers.

Elder Luymes

Everyone should have magnet letters on their fridge.
Life is so much more entertaining with them.

Apparently Jos A Banks long sleeved, wrinkle resistant traveler shirts do not have a life span of two years when worn and washed each week. He started with 7 and is down to 4. Thank goodness he comes home in June.

 

Guys!!! Guess what! We made a discovery here in Kenosha! The whole town is excited and the missionaries made the historic discovery. We discovered tiny little blades of grass underneath the layers of snow. Who knew that they had grass here? Who knew the weather could break 40, or maybe 45. Who knew the sun could produce enough heat to warm up the polar Wisconsin and wake her up from hibernation. Who knew that we would actually enjoy this week and the weather it produced. Free at last from winter, spring is on her way! Grass does exist!

Speaking of the sun...Here is a beautiful Kenosha Sunset
and traffic to remind me of home.

In other Kenosha news, Elder Reynolds and I are going to go into the hypothetical food business together and call our restaurant Taco Tims. Our menu as of right now includes the:

~ Mergatroid Burger

~ Unbeweavable chicken tenders
~ Frown fries
~ Bobe sauce
~ Schlichter Burger

Each of these unique names comes from quotes that the people here in Kenosha have said or from members that Elder Reynolds and I have served with over the course of our mission. A word of caution, these are comical food items and not meant to be taken seriously.

On Saturday the Kenosha Ward had two members moving to new homes. We were busy from 8am to 3pm moving and doing the heavy lifting along with most of the Elders Quorum. I am grateful that there was nothing back breaking and that with so many able hands the work got done relatively quickly and without the Elders having to do all the work. In between the two moves we 4 Elders went to a Mongolian BBQ Buffet restaurant called Hu Hot (Pasadena needs one of these places) Hu Hot has some excellent food, and they have lots of variety that allow you to experiment and try new plates and combinations for an excellent Mongolian lunch/dinner. A special that they had on Saturday was S’mores. They bring to your table a small pot with a gel inside that burns for ~15 minutes. The plate comes with two chocolate bars, 4 sticks, 8 marshmallows, and 16 crackers. I got to make some golden s’mores that my mamma would be proud of. It was a great way to rest in between the two moves.

Delicious, golden brown, s'more to make my mamma proud!

On Saturday March 21st, the entire mission (230 missionaries) from all areas of the mission: Houghton, Rhinelander, Manistique to Prairie Du Chain, Platteville, and Kenosha and every area in between are gathering in Milwaukee to meet Elder Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. This All Mission gathering will be a spiritual blessing and a fantastic social reunion with old mission friends and companions. The whole mission is greatly looking forward to this event, and President Cutler is getting us prepared spiritually and temporally for this special opportunity to receive personal revelation from an Apostle.

After emails today, I’m going to the Kenosha Jelly Belly factory with Elder Reynolds and the Senior Couple that serves here in Kenosha.

Scripture for the week: 3 Nephi 23:1 search the words of God, study them diligently.

And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.

Thank you all, have a wonderful week!!! Love,

Elder Luymes

My Kenosha Homies - Elder Stafford, Elder Muir, Elder Reynolds and myself.
We must be brothers cause we all start with "Elder".

Good bye February, hello March (and what will eventually bring spring like weather!) I'm not feeling sick anymore. I got my energy back thanks to some better sleep that really made all the world of a difference. I was able to focus during church and I wasn't as miserable during our many hours of tracting this week. On Sunday we had an entire investigator family come to church, this was super exciting but also an eye opening experience for me and the family. I also had a great experience learning about the Atonement this week. Other than this, we tracted a lot, we taught some lessons, and tomorrow we have Zone Conference with President Cutler and the Assistants.

Elder Reynolds preparing to put the Zone Leaders on hold. We are now officially Kenosha B Inc. And Elder Reynolds is my secretary. I'm such a busy boss; we put all people on hold. Except President Cutler, he's the real boss.

Our investigator family -- The father is from Africa. I forget the actual country that he was born in but I do remember that it was near Ethiopia. The mom is from Minnesota. They have three kids, the oldest is 9, then 7, and the youngest is 3. The family has been meeting with missionaries since before I got to Kenosha. I'm still trying to catch up on what they have been taught from the Elders in the past (poor record keeping). The parents want to get baptized but there are some legal issues that will need to be cleared up first. I'm grateful that it is nothing serious, both parents are very humble, and hard workers in their profession. Unfortunately, the soonest they can get baptized is October so I won't ever see them get baptized. Bummer! Our goal for right now is to baptize the 9 year old. He is a smart kid and loves football. Our first official lesson with him was on Saturday, and he will begin reading the children Book of Mormon. He and the 7 year old did really well during sacrament meeting. The 3 year old though, she has one crazy personality. She is full of spunk and energy. She is always talking back to her parents in the funniest of ways. She's not rude to them; she just likes to voice her opinion to her parents. The father told us, that if you tell her "no, you can't have that" She will reply, "Umm, we need to talk". During lessons she usually does alright. Once, Elder Reynolds pointed a laser pointer at her feet and she freaked out and booked it up the stairs because she was scared of the laser. It was super funny, now she thinks it’s a game to run away from the laser. The eye opening experience for both us and them on Sunday was more or less a culture shock. You could tell church was different for them. Elder Reynolds and I had taught them what goes on during service and the Elders in the past had done the same thing. But no matter how much preparation we could have given them I don't think it would have made a difference. The kids didn't know what to do with the sacrament, and the girl kept asking "when's it going to start". My learning opportunity from this was how different our services can be to those outside our faith. That first time walking in and seeing the building organized differently than other faiths, or seeing most people dressed in white shirts and ties with suits on and dresses for the woman. And the sacrament is passed to the congregation instead of everybody getting up and approaching the front of the chapel. Our service may be very different from their past experiences of Sunday worship at another church. We will get the family more comfortable with Sunday services.

No shortage of apple juice in Kenosha!

As for my Atonement study on Sunday morning; I'm not sure if I ever told you, but the whole mission did a Christmas study of the Book of Mormon starting in October and ending Christmas morning. We were to read 7 pages a day and highlight red and green only. Red highlights are things pertaining to the Atonement and the Christ-like attributes. Green highlights are how we can access the enabling power of the Atonement. Because of my district leader duties, I got behind on the reading and finally finished it mid-February rather than Christmas day. On Sunday morning I found a piece of paper that President Cutler had given the Green Bay Zone back in July 2013. President Cutler's first Zone conference, and mine as well. I had kept this paper in my quad all these months but never looked at it. On Sunday I remembered that the paper was about the Atonement, so I coupled it with my new Atonement Book of Mormon. I spent two hours reading every scripture that President Cutler had referenced. I cannot even begin to tell you all of the sub topics that President Cutler put on this paper, all of which are connected back to the Atonement. The short story is: The Atonement of our Lord and Savior is amazing. It is a wonderful gift from our Father in Heaven. It is peaceful, and wonderful, and amazing to know and understand the Atonement. I am forever grateful for the love that my Savior has shown me, I am grateful for his teachings, and example.

We have an Apostle coming to our mission on March 21st. We don't know who yet, but we are all very excited! I also found out from President Cutler today that I will be finishing my mission in Kenosha.

Scripture for the week: 3 Nephi 18:15-16

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.
 And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you.

Thank you; enjoy the warm weather,

Love -- Elder Luymes

I didn't choose Kenosha thug life, it chose me!