Monday, June 26, 2017

Alan - McMinnville, Tennessee

I would like to tell you about an amazing friend of mine named Alan. He was born during the Korean War to Charles and Joyce. His father Charles was an aircraft pilot during World War Two. Alan served as a law enforcement officer for sixteen years in 5 counties here in Tennessee. He built many of the highways here and has two cats. He absolutely loves NASCAR and will tell you all about it. He never wanted much to do with Mormons though. However, last November Elder Merchant and Elder Polson knocked on his door and for the first time in 63 years he let them in. 

He was rather nice at first but always explained that he never would go to a Mormon church or quit smoking. Thankfully those convictions never turned out. I was here in February when he had his first church tour. The next week he came to church. Soon he then out all of his tea. After a few more weeks I heard him offer his first prayer. In due time the coffee and the cigarettes both fell away. His favorite scripture is 1 Nephi 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." He will tell you about how if God could help Nephi build a boat, he can help you do anything - even quit smoking. 

He was baptized on the 22 of April this year. It was such an amazing occasion.

Alan's Baptism April 22
A few weeks later I had the privilege of conferring on him the Aaronic Priesthood and ordaining him to the office of priest. But the greatest joy I know comes from his amazing experience in the temple this past Saturday. He was able to be baptized for his father and brother as well as his grandpa Elijah. 



 Hermana Waite was there to be baptized for his mother.

Elder Basham, Alan, Hermana Waite

Elder Basham, Alan, Hermana Waite
It was so powerful and I loved every minute. I know that the temple is the house of God and eternal families are real. This is the lord's work. It is the work of building eternal families to live in the kingdom of God. I love Him so much for this. I love the Savior Jesus Christ. I love Alan and I love this mission. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Love

Elder Basham 

Monday, June 19, 2017

- McMinnville, Tennessee

Hello everyone!

This has been an eventful week. It definitely wasn't easy but we all made it through and I am very grateful for the experience. Elder Hlebasko returned home this Saturday morning. He is back with his loving parents and I know he will be well taken care of. I am sad to see him go but glad he is okay. I am grateful for all the time we had together.



Elder Hlebasko & Elder Basham

Elder Hlebasko and his parents

As for me, I have a new companion named Elder Chamberlain. He is a really awesome person and a great missionary. I can tell we are going to have a lot of fun together and get amazing things done. We thought a normal selfie was too boring so we did this instead. 

Video of Elder Basham and Elder Chamberlain

And then took a selfie:


Elder Basham and Elder Chamberlain
Well that is all for now. I hope you have a great week. Please keep Elder Hlebasko in your prayers. I love you all.


Elder Liam Basham 

Monday, June 12, 2017

- McMinnviille, Tennessee

Elder Basham & Elder Hlebasko

I decided to try sending a V-Log. It was a really good week. We were
super busy every day. However nothing specifically exciting happened.
I love my new companion Elder Hlebasko he is quite awesome.

Anyway I'll see you all later have a great week!

Elder Basham

Video from Elder Basham

Monday, June 5, 2017

Transfers - McMinnville, Tennessee

Hello everyone! 


You will never guess what is happening! I am staying in McMinnville again. This will put me here for about six months! That is really pretty exciting. This has been an amazing ward and I love serving here. My companions Elder Villanueva and Elder Carlson will be leaving to the Hopkinsville Kentucky Zone. Elder Carlson just keeps bouncing back between there and here. I will be receiving Elder Hlebasko. It's pronounced like Tabasco but with an L and a silent H. I have been told that the H stands for Happy so I am excited. Here is a picture of our district. 




Elder Neil L Andersen asked us all to share with you the conversion stories of our mission, regardless of whether or not I taught them personally. As I think about this counsel I feel that it is very inspired. There is nothing quite so sweet as the story of someone finding new the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that sharing these stories will help you all feel the love of God and see the light of Christ more. This letter from my mission president is the most perfect place to start. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!

Elder Basham 

Dear Elders and Sisters,

One Facebook post. One conversation. One small act of courage. One family baptized and on the path to the temple to be sealed for eternity.

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." (Alma 37:6)

"That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world..." (D&C 1:23)

Last weekend I was blessed to attend the baptism for the Tidwell family in the Dickson ward -- mother, father, daughter and son were all baptized. This is the family that was found by Elder Crawford's grandmother, Patricia Ironcloud, who lives in Montana. She posted a simple picture of a heart that showed up in Sister Tidwell's Facebook feed about two months ago. That one Facebook post led to a conversation, in the course of which they realized that the Tidwells lived in Dickson....the very town of 15,000 people where Grandma Ironcloud's grandson was serving his mission. Grandma then courageously invited Sister Tidwell to meet her grandson and his companion. She agreed. The missionaries visited and began teaching the family. Their hearts had been prepared. They were repentant. They received the Spirit and the truths that the Spirit testified to their hearts. And they were baptized.

Grandma Ironcloud skyped in for the baptism. I saw her face on the iPad when her grandson stepped down into the waters of baptism to perform the baptismal ordinance....there was joy in her eyes, as she became emotional at the sight. I will always remember that moment.

Over the last week, I've reflected on the power of one Facebook post. One conversation. One small act of courage. These small and simple acts led to a family repenting, being baptized, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is why we are here. We are here because our Heavenly Father is preparing His children in every area of our mission to receive His love and truth, to repent, and to be baptized.

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. If you ever feel small, insignificant or incapable of assisting Heavenly Father in this work, please remember that we all feel that way...and we are all that He has. He already told us that the fulness of His gospel would be proclaimed by the weak and simple. We are never too weak, never too simple, never too broken, for Heavenly Father to perform His work through us. He just requires our willing hearts and minds, our best efforts to work and obey and repent, our faithful attitudes, and our courage. He does the rest. He always has, and He always will.

Love,
President Stone