2 Month Mark

Picture Sent to us 11/29/13 from Mary Margaret. Here is what she said. 

What a happy, dedicated young man! You can be proud of him!Tonight at our home. 

Reflections from Zac sent to Steve and I. I am so BLESSED to feel of his Love and Growth that is happening in his Life!!!!   YES, I do think he is AMAZING!!!

11/18/13- (2 month mark)

Mom & Dad,

I need to express my gratitude to you for teaching me how to be an amazing person. You guys are the greatest! I love you both with ALL my heart. Do you want to know why people come up to you and compliment you on how amazing your kids are? It is because you guys did such and AMAZING job raising us. I owe my thanks to you for instilling a desire to serve in me. I would definitely not be out here if it weren’t for your righteous living and raising us.  You are the reason I have such great relationships with Caden and Lexie. Lexie, because you had me take her places like Lagoon. Plus, she is playing trumpet now!!!^^ Caden because we shared a room growing up, but we really clicked once Caden joined band. Without your influence to me doing Band, we wouldn’t have that connection.  Think about how different his life would be if we didn’t have that kind of relationship. He and I are best friends now. We are totally living next door when we move out. I want all of us to be the family that is always doing something together. We should all live in the same neighborhood!

You always tell us kids that you are proud of us. Well, I am here to say that I am proud of you guys. You deal with me and my hardships in life. Whenever I am having a tough day or am not doing well at something. I can turn to you guys. I can tell you anything. Not many kids these days can say that. The number is becoming few in number and you have raised me and my siblings to be in that number.

Just as people compliment you on you and your kids, others compliment me on my AWESOME Parents!! Seriously, ask any of my friends (Caden is included on this one) and they will tell you that you are one of the coolest! Thanks for your support in all that I do/did. I know that I sometimes wasn’t the best at what I did, but you still supported me still the same. I know that I wasn’t the best soccer player, but you still bought me an A&Wrootbeer freeze after I kicked in a penalty kick. That is one of my favorite memories. Not the goal, but the Love and Recognition I received after it. Dad always had nectarines that he would let me have when I was on the sidelines and Mom was there to be everyone’s favorite soccer Mom who not only yelled at me, but the other players as well J

Dad, Thank you for playing pool with me. I will always remember that. As insignificant it might have seemed, I always looked forward to when Dad came home so I could “beat” him in pool. Although you can kick my butt at Billiards, you have a long time before you have enough skill to beat my pinball score. No, I did not cheat. J

Mom, I am always looking forward to the times we sit down and talk. I remember even back to the house in Bountiful when you and I would sit down on the couch and you would ask, “Sowhatcha wanna talk ‘bout, Zacky?” I would never know what to talk about, but that was ok, because I loved the times we got to snuggle. Always remember that there will be a warm hug waiting for you as soon as you come through the door. J

I love you guys so much!!! I hope that you remember the things I have brought up. I cherish these memories, they are some of my Most Favorites.

I miss you Guys!

With Love and much Gratitude,

Elder Snell

P.S. (>^^)>#   I made you a waffle

To my adoring subjects!

Oh wow, it is cold! Its the wind that is killer. I was walking up and down the street talking to people and I thought I would be like Caden and not wear a jacket. I was in short sleeves talking to random people on the street! People would ask me why the heck I didn't have a jacket on and I thought it was a great way to start a conversation which I could easily turn into a gospel discussion! The temple lights are being put up for the 6th until the 1st of January! It is too bad that I can't go to see them. Maybe I will have to find an Investigator to take there.

Speaking of Investigators, We have a new one named Valentina! She is Russian and from Ukraine. We got her to come to church with us yesterday and It was super awesome! She is a concert pianist! We taught her the second lesson.(plan of salvation) She loved the fact that we are all children of God and He loves and cares for us all!

I wish I had some crazy stories for you, but I appreciate the prayers in my behalf, they have truly helped. ON Monday,(last) we went out finding and were having a really tough time doing so. We then decided to go check up on a potential that lived in a huge apartment complex. We knocked on her door and to our surprise, no body answered.( nobody ever answers) Discouraged, we turn and face away from her door. We moved to the middle of the circular corridor and contemplated what we should do next. We started to leave, but for some reason, we stopped at a door at the exit of the corridor. We knocked that door, waited 2 minuets and then someone answered! They said they weren't interested, but we kept on telling them that this message was super important. they refused to let us talk to them until we said the magic words. "Families can be together forever" the man then said, "ok. you can come in." Just like that, we walked in and taught them the restoration and how families can be together forever because of it. There is no doubt in my mind that this happened because of the prayers of others. I express my deepest of gratitude towards you.

I have used my voice recorder for a couple things and encourage you to listen to them.

I love you all and wish the best of luck to all those who desire to share this gospel either as a missionary or as a member! Please consider watching President Monson's address on the Saturday morning session. It is fantastic!

Love you all!

Live Life to the Fullest!

~Elder Snell :)

Zac's Wall of Photos. Send him some pics and maybe you will be added to the collection :)

Sunset Reston VA

Elder Snell and Companion Elder Rowley dictating a letter to send home!!!

Zac sent us some voice files that he recorded random talking on. OH HOW I LOVED TO HEAR HIS VOICE!!!!! Of course I had a tear or two. Message me if you want me to hear any! Man, I miss this boy!

I Shall Rest in Reston

Even though I use the word Rest, I dont mean sleep. The work here is completely different than in Manassas, but I shouldnt compare. that is one of the three C's. Don't Compare, Don't Criticize, and Don't Complain. anyways. let us start from the beginning.

So, it is late Wednesday night around 10:30. Elders Cannon, Massey, Jensen, and Snell gather around tiny christmas tree. (you could probably guess who set it up) Twas the night of transfers call, the night that can change your direction in one simple word. The phone rings and Elder Cannon jumps up to grab the phone and answers. It is the Zone Leaders! Dun Dun Dun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thoughts and guesses are tossed around as the Zone Leaders speak. Elder Cannon and I expected to stay together for atleast one more transfer. Elder Gustofson's voice pierces the air: Elder Cannon is Staying. Elder Snell, Pack your bags.

WHAT?!?!?!?!

That was the last thing we expected to hear. So come transfer day, I headed off to the meeting to find out where the spirit of the Lord has taken me. "Elder Snell will travel to Reston in the Oakton Stake where he will be trained by Elder Rowley!" (voice of President Riggs) I had no Idea where Reston was.... I soon found out! 

So for those of you who dont know what it is like to live in Virginia, There is no such thing as a straight road. all of them are curvy!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where did the good old grid system go? Why did the cities in Virginia have to be designed by a Two year old who cant seem to draw a straight line? Of course, I just need to get over it and find someone who has a GPS. That's all. 

Ah, I love Reston. The entire city has trails going throughout it. Like the one that goes on forever back at home! Just imagine you are at Six flags magic mountain and mix it with the one at home. there! Tons of hills. Super fun to bike. (If my companion didn't have a flat tire.) 

The first day here, (Friday) we walked everywhere. the work here is completely different. we work with members more than the investigators so far. We dont have any investigators YET. I have met so many awesome families here. 

Saturday, we did the same old song and dance and walked to member and potential investigators houses. Since we were walking, Most of the day, we were street contacting people.

Sunday, We had the Primary Program!!!! (Manassas just had that last week, so I saw two) I love the primary people! They are super cute! We didnt get to do much because my church starts at 14:00! That is crazy late! boy, I cant wait until fast sunday.

Today is Preparation Day!!!!! Cant wait to enjoy it further.

I have been called to Repentance by a lot of you. I hope that I did a better job at describing my week. Sorry if it seems like I don't write a lot, but it is hard to write about average things. Every day seems the same, but when you dig down deep, there is a miracle waiting to be discovered.

I love All of you! Don't forget to be looking for missionary experiences. I love to hear about all of them! 

Until I see you all agin,

~Elder Snell!!!!!! :)

RESTON, VIRGINIA

TRANSFER DAY! 

Elder Snell is now Companions with Elder Rowley and is in Reston VA. 

Salt and Pepper?

Today, I didn't use salt and pepper. TAKE THAT SEASONINGS I just avoided the big guns of all pancakes!!! Turns out that chicken goes well with waffles. How would I know this? we have a bag of potato chips in our apt. that is chicken and waffle flavored.... have I tried those, No!!!! I don't dare open them for the fact that our apartment would smell like chicken and waffles. anyways.... It wouldn't be me that is bothered by the smell, it is the rest of the people in the apartment complex.

So we set 2 people on date for baptism on the 4th of January! huzzah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We did that last night! Taught the plan of salvation and they loved it! Ah goodness!!!!! I am super excited. Other than that, I have no Idea what to talk about.

STANFORD DAY!!!!!!!!! Gotta love it! 11/9! I was business Stanford for this year. I got to walk around acting like Stanford. I even wore my glasses for him. I wanted to make a noodle pinata, but we didn't have any time to goof off, so that Idea was shot down like an injured duck.... I was still thinking of it. 

This week of finding has been tough, but We are pushing through the hard times. I have knocked many many doors. It is hard and tough to do, but when the Lord asks to do something, no questions asked... DO IT!!! 1Nephi 3:7

Don't forget to always but the butter on the bottom of your toast, because if you don't, when you drop it, it will land butter side down. why not take the liberty of doing gravity a favor and flipping it around.

I would like to make a request. Lynette, will you forward your letter I sent to you to my mom who in turn will send it to whoever wants it? hahahah! I got bored.

ummmm... OH YEAH!! OPERATION FACEBOOK is going to be put into action this Tomorrow!!!!!! HEYAYAYAYA! I am super stoked! :P 

I love all of you who read this email. everyone else who does not read it, I love you a little less. :P just letting ya know.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND STANFORD DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~ELDER SNELL ^^

HAIR CUT!!!

PRACTICING LESSON #1 THE APOSTASY

MUSTACHE!!!! :{D

WASHINGTON DC TEMPLE

STANFORD DAY!!!!! POOR ZAC, HE MISSED OUT

I DIDN'T EVEN RECOGNIZE MY OWN CHILD- CADEN AND STANFORD

PICTURE SENT TO ME FROM A FAMILY IN VIRGINIA. THEY PROMISED THEY WERE LOOKING OUT FOR HIM AND KEEPING HIM WARM. LOVE HELLO KITTY!

I despise Daylight Savings....

Ok... so My companion "conveniently" forgot to tell me it was daylight savings.... So I ended up getting up an hour earlier than I had to!!!! PAH!!!

 

hahah anyways, I apologize for not having sent a long letter last Preparation Day. I think I made my point though.

 

I went to the Dullas Air Port last Monday. If you have no idea what that is, It is the same place where Sam Witwiki talks to the old Blackbird Decepticon. If you haven't seen that transformers, You are lost and need to get a life and watch that show! ;) It was crazy cool! I am loving the time here on my mission and always look forward to the times where I get to Email home. the only problem is, I get ready to type and my mind goes blank!!!!!!! Problem, I think yes!!!!!!

 

So on Thursday, it was Halloween and I just want to give a shout out to my favorite costume person.

 

CADEN! I LOVE YOUR FREAKING GUTS!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!! YOU ARE A GENIUS! WHERE DO YOU FIND SUCH AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!

 

For those of you who didn't see Caden, you were probably looking at the ground.

 

back to my point. We watched two movies on Halloween. Cloudy with a chance of meatballs and Monsters University! I totally forgot how hilarious Cloudy was! I was laughing so hard that people would laugh at my laughing! I have eaten so much candy in the past week... I don't know what I would do if I didn't work out in the mornings and didn't have a bike to ride....

 

speaking of bikes. WE GOT A CAR!!!!!! What the what!!!!!??? Elder Cannon doesn't really like it because he loves to bike, but I don't mind having it. It is a Chevy cruiz 2014. hahaha It stands out because it is white. yup. Livin' the life!

 

We have this totally awesome new investigator named Manny. He looks like he could beet you up cuz he has scars all over his face and head and body... Allover!!!!! but he is the nicest guy you could know. he had one of those 'I see the light' experiences when he crashed his motorcycle. Super cool dude! He Is coming to church and We are going to teach him the Plan O Salvation tomorrow.

 

Always look for opportunities to share the gospel. Doing so will bless your lives! the prophet said to do it, so you might as well do it. hahaha. This month is No Shame November! Don't be ashamed of what you know to be true! Others are living without it and it kills me to know this. Always Share your Testimony!

 

I love and miss you all! Don't forget to write me because one of the elders in my apartment gets a letter a day! Crazy!!!! well, its letters of course. the paper ones that nobody uses anymore... yeah those. :P

(Mom this is directed to you) hahahahaahahahaha ;)

 

HI HO SILVER, AWAY!!!!!!

Elder Snell

Here is Caden's Halloween Costume Zac was talking about.

 

Friends Back at Home- Caden, Hailey, Keianne, McKay and Jake