Snow, Sun, Snow...

Good Morning everyone!

So to start out, IT'S A WEEK TIL CHRISTMAS!!!! I am so excited for Christmas this year. Not only do I already have presents under my Charlie Brown Tree, but I get to call home and talk to my family! It is hard to believe that it has almost been a year since I left for the mission. It has been difficult at times, but doing God's work has been nothing but uplifting for me.

Weather here has been really interesting. First it is light snow, then some sun, then the last two days have been a blizzard! Recently we got some rain and now sun again, it seems that the whole northeast is bipolar when it comes to weather! Haha!

This last week, we were able to start teaching an investigator named Katie. She works at Wal-Mart and Supercuts. She has cut our hair and she is really good at it! She is a great person and really want's to know what life is all about. I can see her entering into the waters of baptism as soon as February, but only she and God can determine when she will make this important step in her life. Everything else here in Bennington is great and the branch is amazing.

I hope that you all have a great Christmas and that God continues to bless each and every one of you.

Elder Melanson

Seriously, make up your mind Vermont!

Nothing is more frustrating than to be driving in snow, then rain, then snow again!

Hello Everyone!

So this week has been very interesting. As far as missionary work has been, it has been a lot more productive than ever before. We taught 21 lessons and have eight people set with a date to come into the fold of God. Now with these wonderful children of God about to make this step, it is our job to continue to teach them and prepare them for this important ordinance and promise with God. We also have been helping those who entered into the waters of baptism already to stay strong and to continue to teach them what they need to know.

Last night, we were able to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and it was my first time watching it (as far as I can remember, which is not very far...); but we were able to watch it with President and Sister Finnegan and the Sisters. We had cookies and I can say that driving in the dark is becoming easier and more relaxing since no one else is driving on the roads.

This branch is seeing miracles and could have up to 4 or 8 baptisms in December! People are always looking for the truth, and that is why we are sent out here to guide them to it. There is this cool initiative that the Church is doing worldwide and it is called #LightTheWorld and the objective is to share the love and service Jesus Christ did and has for us to those around us. The kick off video is here at this website:

https://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_25-11-2016_dMIS_fmorg_xLIDyL1-A_

There are also shorter videos for each day to help give ideas of service and a calendar is provided that you can print and look to to find what you can do each day of December through Christmas.

I pray that we can all help spread the Christmas spirit to those around us through service and feel the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for all of us. Merry Christmas!!!

Elder Melanson

Can Vermont make up it's mind? Please?

Hello everyone,

This letter is going to be rather short since not much happened, but to start, I am staying here in Bennington, Vermont for Christmas! So my address is staying the same and if you don't have it, it is:

100 Main St Apt #18

Bennington, VT

05201

The Sister missionaries had a baptism yesterday and that was cool to see another person baptized into the everlasting gospel. But to answer the reason for the subject line, we have been having snow, rain, and right now it is sunny! I don't know what fall or winter is anymore! This week sounds like we will be having a lot of rain, but we will see. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and reflected on what you are thankful for. I had a good Thanksgiving with some members and we also watched Ephraim's Rescue, a church produced film about the pioneers who came by handcart all the way across the Great Plains through winter, losing shoes, toes, fingers, and lives to settle in Salt Lake. It is a great movie and I would highly recommend it. Again, hope you are all doing well and I will email you all next week!

Elder Melanson

Hartford Connecticut Temple Dedication and...

Good morning everyone,

To start, SNOW!!! To me, this is a little messed up and surprising; but apparently, this is normal here. That's not the largest piece of news though from this last week.

I got to participate in the Hartford Connecticut Temple Dedication and one of the recent converts we have been seeing got to be a part of it as well. There is something special about being a part of a Temple Dedication. I was blessed to be a part of the Gilbert Arizona Temple Open House, Cultural Celebration, and Dedication soon after I moved to Arizona. I have a firm testimony of Temples and Family History work. The Temple is the House of God and all the blessings we can have for the eternities are given in these holy homes. The Holy Ghost was a strong presence at this dedication and there was a peaceful feeling there, despite the technological difficulties we had.

What is funny however is that that was the day of my ten month mark (Nov. 20) and the day it started to snow. It goes to show that regardless of the weather, God's work will not be frustrated. I pray that all may be well with you all back home and that you all enjoy your Thanksgiving feasts!

Elder Melanson

When a member of the Seventy comes along...

Hey Everyone!

So this last week has been crazy! I won't bring up the election (although I guess I kinda just did... whoops) but we did get to have Elder Stephen E. Snow here in Albany to talk to us. It was amazing and I was able to shake his hand and gain a lot of wisdom from him. One of his "Pearls of Great Price" was to have the members of our wards help us in teaching and fellow-shipping our investigators so that the investigators have friends outside of just us missionaries. I hope that I can use that knowledge so that I can become a better missionary.

As far as the rest of the week, we blitzed our Zone Leaders, and went out teaching. I really wish that I could write more, but we are still trying to find some really solid investigators that can build up the Lord's kingdom. I miss you all and I hope that your week will be filled with joy and fun!

Elder Melanson

*I borrowed the pic from his companion. Thank you!*

Finally moved in!

Hey Everyone,

To start, here are some pictures of the new place and a view (sorry, took it on a cloudy day). So to describe how this is better than where we were, it is bigger, newer, and is in a better part of town. It is in the perfect spot for missionaries since it is still in Bennington and is easy to find for new missionaries coming in. Most of the week has been focused on getting moved in and although we did see some investigators and new members, no phenomenal stories came out of last week. We do have a mission conference this Thursday where Elder Snow of the Quorum of the Seventy in Albany. I look forward to hearing his remarks on how we as a mission can improve. I hope you are all doing great and I will talk to you next week :-)

Elder Melanson

Late email and a new apartment!

Hey Everyone,

Sorry that this email is getting out so late. We've been busy the last few days preparing to move to our new apartment! It is absolutely amazing and the address if you want to send anything my way is:

100 Main St. #18

Bennington, VT

05201

I will send some pictures next week, but it is so much nicer than where we were. Nothing much to report on missionary work wise, but I love this branch and those recent converts we are teaching are absolutely amazing! Some of my favorites are Katie, Sister Jones, and Shirley (She is like our adopted grandma!). I am so happy to be serving here and I hope I am here for a long while.

Elder Melanson

End Transfer 6: Going out of NY

Hey Everyone,

This last week has been an interesting one. Although we didn't do much teaching, we did go to Utica for Stake Conference. It was good, but not as good as General Conference. We also had ZTM (Zone Training Meeting) and after that was done, I got to sit down with President Rogers. I was confused about why he was calling me in, but I was happy to talk with him. The first thing he tells me is that I will be going to Bennington, Vermont (Yes, I did just say VERMONT) for my next area. I was happy and glad to see a new area; but then he also adds that Watertown is going to be white washed (both Elder Champion and I are leaving). I was surprised, but I think it will be good for the area to get in some fresh faces. Other than that, it has been packing and getting prepped for Wednesday. It is going to be a LOT of sitting in a car going from place to place; but I am excited to see something new. Hope all is well with you all and I will email you all next week.

Elder Melanson

Hey everyone!

This is going to be a short email, but lets just say that as we move into October and November, fall has arrived and it isn't going to last very long.

This week has been a long one. I first went to Albany for a meeting and it went really well. Then nothing else really happened. I can say that my favorite thing service wise so far is walking all the dogs at the SPCA. I opened my email today and the United Way (who we helped out last month) sent an awesome email. Check this out! (At bottom of email.)

Anyhow, nothing left to report on, but here are some nice fall colors before the typical NY winter hits towards the end of the month or so. I also made a pie for district meeting, here is me cooking a chocolate custard! It came out great. (no picture of final product, eaten before I got a chance)

* I can't get the article to paste. Sorry!*

Conference Weekend!!!

Hey Everyone!

Hope you all have had a great week so far! So this letter will be rather short, but hopefully something will happen soon so I can actually email something with a little more "vibrato."

Nothing happened throughout the week, taught a few lessons, went finding, and have been driving a ton! But the best thing to happen this week was General Conference! For those of you that may not understand what this means, General Conference is a broadcast from Salt Lake City, Utah that goes to the entire world. It is a special time for all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that happens twice a year. We get to hear from God's living Apostles and living Prophet. We receive answers to questions we may have and also gain further knowledge to guide and protect us from the ever changing world and it's continual downward spiral from morals and divine truth. As I listened this weekend, I found many of my questions and thoughts answered and I further understand what God requires me to do as a representative of Him in New York. I know that we have a living Prophet today who holds the same keys and power as the prophets of the Bible like Moses and Jacob. I know that we can remain safe and know that God our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, love each and every one of us. I pray that we may all continue to recognize God in our lives and know that He knows us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

Elder Melanson

When the Lord smiles

Hello Everyone,

I have no pictures this week, but the work is finally progressing here in Watertown. We have been doing a ton of service and overbooked ourselves doing it; but it definitely helped us get out of the pavement pounding and door knocking! We helped out at the SPCA and that really helped me relax since we were helping out with animals (particularly dogs) and I am really finding a lot about myself as I continue in the mission field.

As stated at the beginning, the work is finally progressing. We were tracting one night and a young man said "Come on in." His name is Richard and he is in his 30's. He tried to join the marines, but didn't make it through training. We started to talk to him about what we do and went into the Restoration. He is very knowledgeable about Jesus Christ and although he says he isn't a "church goer", we see potential in him to come closer to Christ. We gave him a Book of Mormon and committed him to read 2 Nephi 2 which talks about the Plan of Salvation and we plan on teaching that next with him today. We gave out two more Books of Mormon and although they may not have been given to the "most ready" for the gospel, it still felt good to help them in their continued growth.

I hope all is well for you all and I look forward to emailing you next week.

Elder Melanson

(I received some photos from this sweet sister who is serving with her husband. Thank you!!)

End of Transfer 5 and 7 months down!

Well, this has been an interesting week.

Hey everyone, good to email you all again. So this week has been rather slow. Nothing to report as far as teaching goes. However, a fun little activity we did today may make this email a little more exciting.

So today is our day to do our chores (clothes, bathroom, shopping, etc.) and emailing. We were invited to a ward picnic next to the small Watertown Zoo and the food was good; but the best part happened after. So I went to the Zoo with my companion and the sisters in our area with their investigators. As we looked around, there was a male cougar walking back and forth in his cage! We were almost close enough to touch him, but another fence prevented that. As we took pictures of him, he started to purr and "meow!" I was shocked to find out that a large cat like this would "meow" like a common house cat! Anyhow; it was fun and I was glad to be able to do that. We also took a picture with the sisters in a fake Bald Eagle's nest.

We also had our last district meeting in the transfer and took a district picture. Only two sisters are leaving the district; so overall, not much is changing. But it has been a good last few days and I hope that all is well wherever you all are at.

Elder Melanson

Service has saved me

Hey Everyone!

This last week has been another long one, but things are looking up for Watertown. We have done a ton of finding through tracting (door knocking), talking on the streets, and through service. Yes, I am finally doing some service in this area! YAY!!! President Rogers has asked all the missionaries in the mission to find 5 areas to provide service and to give 10 hours worth so that we help our communities and to also save us from grinding our faces into the pavement due to tracting and having no success. Elder Champion and I were able to set up 4 different areas to provide service, they are the S.P.C.A (an animal shelter), Salvation Army (soup kitchen), Thrifty Shopper (organizing merchandise where funds go to a charity called Rescue Mission), and Urban Mission (probably will do the same thing as Thrifty Shopper). We were able to start immediately with Thrifty and that really helped me to relax a bit. It is interesting, it wasn't until I gave some service down in Arizona for the House of Refuge that I really found that providing service really can improve your mood, no matter how bad it may be. King Benjamin's words in Mosiah 2:17 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." So I would strongly encourage you all to find one act of service to do a week, whether it is at a thrift shop or a center where people need to be helped or wherever; I can promise you all that the spirit of God will help you have a better week. I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week!

Elder Melanson

When sowing seeds

Good Morning Everyone,

This last week has been rather slow. We have found a few new people who may listen to the gospel, but we didn't teach a ton this last week. As far as my personal adventures; again, nothing much has happened. We did have a day where we went on a crazy car chase. We were asked to help prepare for a baptism this last Saturday and we found out that we didn't have any XL jumpsuits for the fathers who were baptizing their daughters. We went to the Carthage chapel and they didn't have any there and then we drove all the way to Rome to pick one up. When the baptism day came, both fathers ended up wearing their temple clothes and so the entire jumpsuit run was completely useless. Oh well, that's why we have been saving miles by biking in case anything like this happened.

This week we have Zone Training Meeting and so we will be going down to Utica on Friday and I look forward to it. Hope you are all doing well and that you can all continue to push forward through all trials that may arise.

Elder Melanson

Address Change

1110 Holcomb St. #4
Watertown, NY
13601

Watertown is CRAZY!

Hello Everyone!

We finally found some people to teach and will be seeing them tonight! Her name is Ashley and she has a sister named Kaitlin who will join us on the weekends. We were tracting and they were on the porch, so we asked if we could share our message and Ashley said "Sure." We then taught the Restoration and gave them both a copy of the Book of Mormon. So that was really great.

President asked us to go knock on apartment complexes regardless of the signs we saw, so we went tracting in an apartment complex that said "No Soliciting and Private Property" as well as "Residents Only." We got one potential, but as we went to the next few doors, the second one that opened was a woman who told us essentially to get lost. I really don't feel comfortable with the no soliciting signs and Private properties. We were also mistaken for EMT's! We got a referral from the Carthage Elders and we decided to try and see him. We get there and ring in (since it was also an apartment building) and a little girl comes running down the hall and opens the door. We followed her in and a grandmother asked us who we were when she saw we weren't EMT's. We said we were missionaries and she said now is not a good time, in a family crisis. So we said we were sorry and essentially ran with our tails between our legs. We think we will try again in a little while, but this week has been crazy.

So far, even though it has been a crazy first few weeks here in Watertown, I feel good about working here. My new companion, Elder Champion, is a cyclist and we agreed to try and save miles on the car for large trips and emergency trips as well. Because of this, we have been biking around from appointment to appointment. This last week, we went almost 80 miles on our bikes! He is literally trying to kill me I think! Haha, just kidding. But this is the most exercise I have had here on the mission, but it is all worth it.

Hope all is well for you all back home and may you all have a blessed week!

Elder Melanson

Transfers right around the bend

Well, to start off, I will now be serving in Watertown! My time here in Fayetteville seemed really short, but I was here for three months. My patterns keep happening so far, I will be in my third area after serving in Johnson City and Fayetteville for two transfers each and having a new companion each transfer. Also, my new companion is the district leader, so that is 5 in a row too!

Anyhow, life has been good and some of our investigators are progressing really well! One of our investigators is making huge strides in his search for truth and I am going to miss working with him. I am not sure as to how much I will like Watertown, but if it is anything like I have experienced in my last two areas, I will look forward to the new adventure. I hope you are all doing well and that you are finding success wherever you are.

Elder Melanson

His heart grew 3 sizes that day.

Hello Everyone!

It is so good to be able to email you all again after this long week. This week has been a week filled with changing hearts (hence the title). One of our most interesting and kinda difficult investigators named Don Douglas (veteran, gang member, ex-police, African-american) has broken down in tears on multiple occasions! We have been showing him video after video from the church (Meet the Mormons, Mountain of the Lord, 17 Miracles, John Tanner Story, Only a Stonecutter, etc.) and as we did so, he would let a single tear slide down his face and then tell us how much he respects these people. He was making waterfalls after Meet the Mormons, Mountain of the Lord, and 17 Miracles and he was so touched by the spirit. He also came to a church tour where he prayed in the chapel and came back to us in the foyer with more waterfalls coming down! It was this day that "his heart grew three sizes" and he accepted a baptismal date of September 2nd.

We also picked up a new investigator named Ivy (pronounced eevee like the pokemon) and she is really interested in what we have to share. She was a referral from our recent convert Ralpheal and she is from Puerto Rico! She has gone through many different churches and she feels that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints may be for her. We also saw Peter twice for the first time in a week and the lesson we had with just him in his home about the priesthood and the great apostasy went good, but he still has a lot more to understand about it. Peter, Cary, and Big John all came to church (our first week where we had three investigators at church!) and they all had a good experience.

I hope you are all doing well and I continue to pray for you all. Keep doing your best in whatever you are doing and I know God will bless you.

Elder Melanson

Fun in CNY

Hello Everyone,

This last week has been rather good. Teaching went slow again this week, but I had a ton of fun experiences. During the 4th, a bunch of Elders got together and we had a bbq where we also did some ultimate frisbee and some football. I got to know the some more members in the ward and I got to have some really cool experiences. I hope you are all doing well.

The Lord's hand is in all things

Hello Everyone!

I am so blessed to be able to have this time today to email you all and talk about my week. Truly, this week has been one of the brightest weeks I have seen on my mission! It started like any other week, just continuing to try to find those that God has prepared to hear the Gospel; but to no avail. I was becoming disheartened and I was feeling very lonely. No one we were talking to wanted to know more about Christ and I didn't feel like that there was anyone I could turn to for comfort. My companion saw my struggling heart and recommended that I call our mission president. I didn't want to call President Rogers, how could I ask him to help me when that is all he has done the last five months? But call him I did and he said he would be in town the next day. 

The next day arrives and we met with President at the church building. He asked me what was going on and if there was anything he could do to help. I told him how I was feeling and how slow the work was in the area. He listened and gave some input. He told me to always try and see God's hand in each day and that would make me feel better. He then took us out to lunch and he even stayed to help us teach a few people. We knocked on a potential's door and as he was about to say he was too busy, President Rogers asked him if he had 20 minutes to watch a short film. The potential let us in and we watched the Restoration video. Both he and his wife felt the spirit strongly and we plan on going back sometime this week.

The week continued to become better as I saw God working alongside us his servants and we found new investigators each day! I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father and I know he cares deeply for me. I also know that he cares deeply for all of you because we are all His children here on Earth. I pray that all your days may be filled with happiness and joy. I look forward to hearing from you all.

Elder Melanson

Day by day

Hello Everyone,

This week's message is going to be rather short. Not much happened out in the field this week, but I helped an investigator named Big John move a piano for his little girl and then had a BBQ with the ward where Big John and his family attended. Hope all is well for you all and that you have a great week!

Elder Melanson

"Sigh"racuse

Well, another week has gone by and nothing much has happened. The new transfer has started and I am now with my new companion Elder Nipko. He is an awesome dude and I look forward to working with him. Below are some pictures of the hike I went on, my temple trip, and other fun pictures. This has been a learning experience and I know that I am doing the Lord's work, I just want to be able to teach some more people. But all that will come in time and the Lord is preparing me for whoever it is I am meant to find. Hope you are all doing well and I look forward to talking to you all again next week!

Elder Melanson

Beginning of Transfer #4

Hey everyone!

It has been a rather fun week this week. Monday as I stated last week I went to the Adirondack National Park to hike up one of the many mountains in the area (and no, I don't know which one I went up... There are more then a hundred of these over sized hills here!) Something cool about this park is that you could fit the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, and Yellowstone comfortably inside of it! It is the largest National Park in the USA.

The week went by slowly and nothing happened until Friday when I went to the Palmyra Temple with some recent converts and also went into the Sacred Grove! It was an amazing opportunity that I was able to be a part of. If you ever have the opportunity to come to Central New York, I would strongly encourage you all to go through the Sacred Grove, there is a spirit there like no other and I can say that it is my testimony that God and Jesus Christ came and spoke to Joseph Smith, answering his prayers and prepared him to become the Prophet of the Restored Gospel in this Dispensation. As a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I would like to give my witness that Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God written for us in these days and translated by the power of God through Joseph Smith. I love each and every one of you and I hope you all find success in all you do.

Elder Melanson

Week 3 of Transfer 3

Hello Everyone!

This last week has been slow, but everything is going smoothly. As far as investigators go, we still have a very small pool and are seeking to expand it. We did start to teach a mother and a son named Marisa and Michael. We had a very good lesson about the Atonement and they accepted a soft commitment to be baptized. I also had a very good lesson with an investigator named Curtis Walker. Our discussion focused mainly around the Family and how that has helped us through our lives. Even his wife sat in on the lesson and we could all feel the spirit.

I hope you are all doing well and that you are all seeing success in your efforts! I can't wait to hear back from you all next week!

Elder Melanson

Fayetteville Progressing

Hello Everyone!

Glad to be able to email you all again! So this week's entry is going to be a little short, but that will happen from time to time.

This last week has been rather slow, but we are making progress with the ward and with our current finding opportunities. The ward is starting to feel really good and I think that I am starting to become good friends with everyone here. Our teaching pool has been really small as of late, but we may have two families that we will start teaching this next week! So that has been my life this last week, but I hope that all of you are doing well and I hope to hear the stories of all of your lives as of late! I will see you all again next week!

Elder Melanson

This was one of his college roommates who he ran into at a stake conference.

Address Change

Here is my new address as of Wednesday:

2 Gregory Parkway, #19

DeWitt, NY 

13214

Transfer #3

Hello Everybody!

Well, here I am in my third transfer! It has been an interesting start and having a new companion is nothing new now (considering he will be my third 1 and Done) and that many changes have been going on in the mission.

To start out, I have a new address which you can get by going to the blog my mom has up and I am no longer in Johnson City, but in Fayetteville. My new companion is Elder Fortin (pronounced fourteen like the number) and he is super cool! The area is a little rougher to work in, but there are souls here that are seeking "but know not where to find it." I look forward to the next transfer.

The next order of business is that because it was mother's day yesterday, I got to call and Skype my family! It has been a long time since I have been able to talk to them, but because I was able to, I am now charged up and ready to work! I miss my family and dog, but I know that they will be at home when I get back in a year and 9 months.

My last order of business is the major change in the mission. Before, we had to wait to go to the temple until the end of our mission. NOT ANYMORE! Now we will be able to attend the temple with recent converts or returning members once a transfer if they invite us and we can go for personal worship once every six months! The drive has to be by a member, the drive no more than 2 hours one way, and must be on a Preparation day. This is a huge change and now I may be able to go to the Palmyra Temple within these next six to twelve weeks! Other areas will go to other temples, so I am so excited to be a part of this major blessing!

I look forward to hearing you all again next week. Until then, have a wonderful week!

Elder Melanson

The End of a Chapter

Hello my Friends!

It has been awesome seeing you all doing great this last week! I guess I should explain the Subject title. I have been serving in Johnson City for two transfers (3 months) and I just got word that I will be transferred to Fayetteville, NY. My mom will place my new mailing address on my blog (when I send it):

http://eldermelanson.blogspot.com/?spref=fb

But my time in Johnson City is up and I have some good memories here that I can remember and I know I will be back here to see everyone I taught and helped. I am going to miss it, but I am excited for the future and I hope all will go well.

I miss you all and I hope to hear from you all soon!

Elder Melanson

Has it been 3 months? Wow, that was FAST!

Hello Everyone!

Looking over my mission so far, it's been really strange to see all the changes that happen not just to those you are teaching, but also the change you see in yourself. I have been blessed to see so much good while I have been out, but I have also had a few bumps in the road. As we go through life, we sometimes forget that we are blessed to have the lives we do have. Seeing the people out here had really opened my eyes as to how good my life was back home. Now with all this, I may miss home a bit, but I also am firm in my duty as a missionary to help all those around me as best as I can.

If I can reflect upon anything at the moment, it would be that time comes and disappears as it wishes. One of the sayings I have heard other missionaries say is "Seconds feel like minutes. Minutes feel like hours. Hours feel like days. Days feel like weeks. Weeks feel like months. Months feel like years. And years feel like seconds." It is so true! These last few months have felt like years and when I try to look back at what I have done, I can't remember anything. It was the blink of an eye. Time is a resource, time is valuable, time moves on with or without you. Always remember to cherish the time you do have because once a single second is gone, it's gone forever. I hope all of you are doing well back home and that you are finding success in whatever you are doing at the present time.

Sincerely,

Elder Melanson

Okay, New York... You're weird

Hello Everyone,

Hope you are all doing well. This week I want to give you all a weather forecast on what New York has been the last week.

Earlier this week, it was around the 30's and 50's. Towards the middle of the week, the temperature leveled out at around 55 degrees. Now at the closing of the week, we have reached the 80's and man is it warm! It is so weird to see snow literally two weeks ago and now have summer like temperatures. Like the subject says, "Okay, New York... You're weird."

Anyways, this last week has been rather slow. One of the investigators that I have been teaching since I got here finally came to church! Casie, the recent convert I baptised, is doing very well and has really changed. I met her before she was baptised and taught her and now her countenance has completely changed! It is so wonderful to see what the gospel of Jesus Christ can do for everyone.

I hope that you all enjoy your next week and continue to do your best in whatever activities you may be involved in. Have fun! :-)

Elder Melanson

Week #? : I kinda lost track. Ha!

Hello Everyone,

Hope all is well for all of you. Life is good here in New York and I will just say that Johnson City never sleeps.

This letter is going to be short, but I am going to say that I am learning and growing as I progress through my mission. Mission life is not easy, but it is worth it. Seeing the influence that the Gospel has on people's lives is worth the two years I have set aside for Heavenly Father.

Remember that no matter the trouble, no matter the circumstances, God will be there to answer your prayers and give you peace.

Elder Melanson

Yay! It's Spri.... Wait a minute.....

Hello Everyone!

Yep, you read the title right. Below are some pictures that may better explain the meaning behind this strange title.

Anyhow, it is great to be able to speak with you all again. I have learned so much on my mission and I know I will continue to grow as I face new and different challenges. One of the largest advantages of being open spiritually is the opportunity to be led by a Prophet and Apostles during General Conference. This is the first General Conference I can remember ever making questions for. I have been wondering about different subjects and matters and I knew that the Apostles and Prophet will have words that will guide me to the right path. I was correct and I received many answers and had a feeling of peace reside within my heart.

Now I know that not everyone had questions answered or even watched General Conference. I strongly urge everyone to go to:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04?cid=HP_SU_3-4-2016_dPFD_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

This is the site where you can watch all the talks and I know that we can all receive some guidance in our lives as we listen again to the words of God's Prophet and Apostles. Listen to the spirit and be open to adjusting your lives so that you can continue to be happy and see God's hand in your lives.

Elder Melanson

Begin Transfer Two

Hey Everyone,

Hope you are all well and enjoyed your Easter Sunday!

This last weekend was a really special one. I got my first baptism! I have been teaching her for about a month and a half. She is solid and is firm in her faith in God. I was lucky enough to baptize her and confirm her a member of the Church.

I also gave a talk this last Sunday. I had written one out, but I felt the Spirit telling me to read less of what I had planned and bear my testimony about the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means to me.

Today, I would like each of you to read a little bit from either the Book of Mormon or the Bible. Think of a question you have and go to the scriptures to find an answer. I know that the scriptures can help us no matter the situation and we can all feel God's love for each of us. If you would like me to know what you found, feel free to email me and tell me your experience. However, if it is something personal, by all means, keep it to yourself. God gives answers to us all and many are too precious and personal to share. If this is the case for you, keep the scripture/feelings you find or feel close to your heart.

I love you all and look forward to speaking with you all next week.

Elder Melanson

End of transfer 1

Hey Everybody,

Glad to see you are all doing well. Like the title of this message says, its the end of my first transfer! We have received travel plans and I am staying in my current area. My trainer, Elder Ayre, however is going to open a new area in Malone, NY. It is going to be hard to get a new companion and be the one who has to introduce him to all of my investigators; but the Lord will help me.

This is the week when I will have my first baptism! She is getting baptized this Saturday and its been such a blessing to see her progress up to this point. I will also be giving a talk this Sunday for Easter, so that's kinda funny if you think about it. I am a brand new missionary and I am going to give a talk on the Atonement/Resurrection (talk about having a "new way of life"). Haha! But anyways, life is good here in New York and I look forward to starting my second transfer.

I will leave you all with a short Easter message:

"Oh it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me." These words from the hymn I Stand All Amazed now stand for why I celebrate Easter. Jesus Christ died for not only my sins and earthly pains, but for everyone's. As we go through this next week before Easter Sunday, let us all remember Him and show gratitude for His sacrifice. I know that this Church is true and that Jesus is the Christ who died so we can all return to our Heavenly Father above. I bear my witness in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Melanson

1st transfer

Hello Everyone!

Glad to see that all of you are doing well and I am glad to report that I have survived my entire 1st transfer! At times it felt like the time would never end, but then it comes up from behind and surprises you. I have a baptism coming up, my first on the mission! It will be happening on the 26th and I am so happy for my investigator that is going to accept this covenant.

I am going to leave you all with a closing spiritual thought. At times life may become difficult, you may even feel overwhelmed enough to say that you are done, that you don't have anything left to live for. But I know that no matter how you feel, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, can lift us up and provide the assistance we need to make it from day to day. We merely need to ask and pray for guidance and He will lead us to the people, the locations, and/or the answers we need. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Melanson

Elder Melanson's Address

Hey everyone. I wanted to give you Elder Melanson's mailing address so if you would like to send him a note you could. We'll update as needed.

Elder Melanson
75 Baker Street
Johnson City, NY 13790

Hey everyone!

Glad to hear that many of you are doing well and are having awesome experiences wherever you are. Being in New York has taught me a ton, mainly that you can learn a lot from places where you don't think you would learn from. As I have gotten used to the mission lifestyle and have gotten to know the members of the ward, I have been warmly accepted and everyone we meet and teach are amazing people! I am seeing how the gospel can change lives and understand that no one investigator is the same.

This week was also very interesting, we got to go see a parade! Below are some pictures of the event and it goes to show that even having a presence at an event can help people get to know you better.

Hope you are all doing well and I look forward to emailing you all next week!

Sincerely,

Elder Melanson

Week 4

Hello Everyone!

Its so good to talk to you all again! Winter has ended for the most part and we are about to enter spring. I have learned so much from my companion and I hope to learn more from him as we continue for the next few months. New York almost has no snow left on the ground and it has been nice and "warm" (50's and 60's degrees) and walking has become more enjoyable. We also have three investigators who are so close to baptism that I might have them in my first transfer period! I look forward to talking to you all again next week and I hope you all enjoy your weeks!

Hello everyone!

So I am into my third week here in NY and let me tell you all, its strange to see snow show up this fast and then ultimately disappear a few days later! We have actually had a really mild winter (except for last week) and the sun is shining once more. I am learning so much and my comp and I have one investigator is so close to baptism, its driving me nuts wanting to see him baptized! Anyhow, I am having an amazing time here in NY and I continue to progress God's work. I look forward to emailing again next week.

Sincerely,

Elder Melanson

P.S.

Sorry for no pictures this week again! There will be some next week.

Week 2 in the Frozen land of NY

Hey guys!

Hope you are all doing well. Hard to believe that I just finished my second week here in NY. Although it is cold, it hasn't stopped me or my companion from sharing the gospel to those who need it. There have been so many things that have happened that I just can't go to far into the details for fear of missing moments or taking too long to write. In a brief summary, I have gone door to door in the freezing temperature of -25 degrees (including wind chill) and got only one or two new investigators. However, OYMing has done wonders for my companion and me as we have taught. I don't have any pictures for you all this week, but know that all is well here.

I look forward to speaking to you all next week!

Sincerely,

Elder Melanson

First week out on the mission!

Hey everyone! Nice to finally be in New York! As with most of my emails, I will keep this relatively short. So I am currently in binghamton and my trainer is Elder Ayre. We have been getting along splendidly. We have met some new converts and some new investigators who have agreed to be baptised already! It is colder here than I am used to, but shout out to my MTC Sisters, hope you are staying warm! ;-)

I am so glad to be on my mission and I am ready for whatever comes my way as I serve the Lord. I hope you are all doing well wherever you might be, and I look forward to emailing you all next week. Also...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY NEXT SUNDAY!!! 

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

These pictures below are of me and my district at the MTC. Hope you enjoy!

Connor has arrived safely, met his mission president and wife, and met his first companion.

Hey guys! Its been an awesome time here at the MTC and I hope that I can continue to learn during my mission. My companions Elder Smith and Elder Gadd have both been a huge help as I went through this week. The Sisters in my district have been amazing! They are so strong in the Gospel and have taught me so much during my time here. Here is a message that I have learned while here at the MTC:

Although times may be tough, and knowledge is limited, everything that we experience here on earth throughout our lives happens for reasons we may not understand. I know that everyone has questions about life and where they are going, but I also know that we can all find the answers we seek if we know where to look.

Thanks again to all of you for being my friends throughout my life! Until next time, have a wonderful week!

-Elder Melanson

Hey friends and family! I'm so glad to have the chance to be here at the MTC. This is just a short update, but I have learned so much since being here and I have met a lot of really cool people here. I am excited to get to New York and finally do what I was called to do. Hope you are all having wonderful days and I will email you next week.

Elder Melanson

Connor is excited to serve! New York here he comes!