TrAnsFeRs...

Hello Everybody!!!
Ok, so I know that I said I would be emailing on Wednesday, but things this week have been way crazy. So I don't really know where to start...I guess I will just answer your question, no I am not transfering this transfer. However, it is super sad and terrible to tell, but Elder Lay is transfering. I don't know if I have expressed it enough in my emails, but I dang love Elder Lay. We were like the greatest team ever and him getting transfered was a big surprise. President called us yesterday and he told us that one of us would be affected by the transfer and that it would be Elder Lay. President has picked Elder Lay to be his next Assistant. I totally saw that coming sometime because Elder Lay is super awesome and I knew he would be an AP sometime but it was pretty unexpected for now. So, Lay Choro transfers tonight up to the mission home and I don't get my new companion until Thursday. More sad news, Elder Ellis is transfering too. He is heading all the way north to be Zone Leader up there. So, my two brothers are getting taken from me in one week!!! It is way sad and I hate to see them go but we are definitely going to be friends after the mission so it is ok.
So, I am now the Senior Zone Leader of the Sendai Zone. My companion is Elder Watanabe. He is a Japanese missionary and we will be the zone leaders together. I am excited for a lot of reasons but it will just be great even though I hate to see Elder Lay go. Plus, now that I have a Japanese companion my Japanese will get even better which I am excited about. When President called me he told me he was trusting me to take control and to lead this zone and it is slightly scary. Lay Choro and I had a lot of plans and we worked so good together, things will shift a little bit as a new missionary with new ideas comes in. Please pray for me that I will be able to fullfill my responsibility in the Lords service because I am going to be honest, I am a little anxious/worried.
I will remember Gordan and Eula for sure. Tell them I love them and I still think of Gordan's laugh and Eula's sweet potato pie and just smile. :)
The weather is definitely cooling down around here. We have switched back to long sleeves now. It is really beautiful here when the sun sets down over the city. It is a view that I hope you guys get to come experience with me again some day!
All of our investigators are doing good. We are working really hard to keep them focused on reading the Book of Mormon and praying every day. We have seen blessings from people reading that book. I can testify that The Book of Mormon is true. It has truly become an ancor and an axis to my life and I know that peace and happiness comes through reading it. By the way, we had a baptism last week of that girl I found, Mei. She had a wonderful baptism and is very happy right now. It was wonderful to see my second baptism with Lay Choro.
Dallin sent me the sports update, thank you so much Dallin!!! That was way refreshing to see! :) hahaha
I decided that I am just going to tell everybody a funny story that hopefully will make you all smile. So, in Japan, we do member lessons all the time. The members need a lot of support so every sunday after church we teach this one member named Brother Abe. We always give him commitments to do every week and he always tries to hide from us after church. He really needs the support and help through the lessons and commitments, so Elder Lay and I always find him and trap him and teach him. However, this past week, he ran into the church library and locked us out. We told him we would wait for him outside the door. We stood there laughing for about 2 minutes when all the sudden we see Brother Abe running outside. He had climbed out of this tiny little window in the back corner of the room and escaped!! However, he left his wallet in the library. So, we took his wallet (which had about 3000 dollars of money in it) and we just waited. When he realized that we had his wallet, he just gave in and walked into a room and we taught him about better understanding the Book of Mormon. Now...I know that is probably a terrible image of missionaries and church in Japan, but I promise that it was a very spiritual experience when he sat down and just did a lesson with us. :o) hahaha
Anyways, I don't really know what else to say. I have a good bit of time today but I kind of ran out. Tell Brian that I love him. He has nothing to feel down about. We all love him and the Lord will find other ways for him to bless lives if he will seek out those paths. The will of God will never take us where the grace of God will not protect us. I know that to be true. I love you all so much. Things will be pretty busy as usual from here on out but remember that I love you all and pray for you often!!!
Love always,
Elder Zachary Taylor Page

Less than 3 weeks...

Hey Everyone,
Just wanted to update you for this past week. IT was a good week :) The first part of the week was good. We had P-day. Then on Tuesday I was on exchanges with the zone leaders. I was with Elder Adams in his area down in Sunsites & El Frita (good luck finding that on a map) It was fun though. There are so many nice people in these small towns. Faithful members who just want to do good.
Towards the end of the week was the best part. On Friday I headed to Tucson for a district leader meeting with another missionary. We got done around 1:30, so...I decided to swing be the Institute on the way back :) When I walked in I got a huge hug from Elder Densley! :) I think he misses me. It was so good to see old members. Sister Nyemeyer in the front desk, Sarah W. :) also a girl I was teaching named Emma who is doing awesome! It felt so good! I love these people so much and they made me a better missionary. The work there has taken off which I'm happy about. It's sad I'm not there to see it, but I'm glad that Elder Densley is seeing it. I couldn't stay long so we headed home. Luckly, me and Elder Stringer came back the next day!!! :) I was so blessed to be able to go back and baptize Sarah Declay! RIght when I walked in she ran and gave me a huge hug! She looked so happy! She was just glowing! It was so great to see the members too! :) When the baptismal service started and then we went into the font I felt the Spirit so strong. A peace came over me and joy to see her take this step.
I also got to see old missionaries in my last district. Elders Hansen & Pierce. Theya re both good. Just being in Tucson is weird after being in tiny little Willcox :)
The work is still slow right now. The rest of the district is doing well. It's good to see miracles happening in the work. Just trying to keep that drive all the way til the end!!! :) The mission is definately hard!!!!!!! There are times that you want to go and that you can't keep going, BUT as you push through the Lord shows His tender mercies. I have been watched over and blessed as a missionary. He is mindful of me as He is with all His children :)
I love you all!!!!! Can't wait to see you. I hope you have a great week!
Love,
Elder Page

Elder Zachary Page on his 5th transfer...

Hello Everybody!!!
Sorry about the change up in P-Day this week! I had to do a YSA Missionary Activity yesterday so we got to switch our PDay. Just a heads up two, next week is transfers again so Pday will be on Wednesday. It doesn't look like I am transfering. Kaicho looks like he might be keeping Elder Lay and I together as the ZL's towards the end of the year. If that is the case, hopefully I will be alive by the end of the year. haha ;o) I am just kidding, I will be totally fine! Things have been going super good recently. But first, sounds like things are going well at home! I agree Mom, I do have something being great to look forward too in being able to spend eternity with a best friend. Something funny Ellis Choro said this week, he said, "Man, if on the mission we get assigned some random guy and we have to live with him all the time and learn to love hime, being married to some girl you love and get to choose yourself is going to be great!" hahaha I agree. Hahaha Mom, I don't even know what I will say to you guys in Japanese at Christmas! It is way hard if you don't have anyone to talk to! I can't wait either, conference is here again! Things go so fast don't they! The work is good right now. Elder Lay have been working really hard and seeing a lot of miracles. We have a baptism this week with a girl that I found about a month and a half ago. Her name is Mae and she is great! We have another Baptisimal Date with a 19 year old kid named Naoto. Me and Elder Lay have been working hard with him and he still has a ways to go but he is doing good. We also are teaching a Girl named Hidemi. She as been an English Class student for a year and a half but she has never had interest in the Missionary Lesson. I ran into her on the street last week and starting talking to her and really digging into why she hasn't and I pretty much talked her into hearing the lessons. We taught her yesterday and it was one of the most spiritual lessons of my mission. We will continue to teach her and hopefully she will allow the message to work in her heart. Other than our investigators and area, last week was way way busy. We were on splits for 5 days last week and I am pretty tired, but I love the opportunity to work with all of the other missionaries. Our zone got a little bigger recently and now we have a total of about 25 missionaries we are over now....its big. Everyone is excited for next week because we have 6 new missionaries coming in. One thing I was thinking about recently and it really isn't a big deal, but if someone could give me an English Premier League update from the end of last season till now, that would be nice. I heard BYU got spanked but you guys got to keep me up on my Packers. :o) Well, I don't have much more time, I got to get going, but things are good. I can't believe next week is already 5 transfers, it is going by and I am trying to take advantage of every moment I have. I have felt the Atonement in my life in a new way recently. The burden of various responsibilities, worries about other missionaries and investigators, and being super tired has brought me to my knees for long periods every night. I have come to the Lord and saught out his comfort to help me move forward when I was not sure how I could do it alone. I testify that the Savior will always take our burden from us. He will never make us walk on our own. I know that my Savior lives. He is by my side and even at times carrying me along. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. I am sorry if you write me and and you don't get a letter back, I am doing my very best! I truly do appreciate it so very much. I know this church is God's true church on the earth. I love you Mom, have a great week!
Love Always,
Elder Zachary Taylor Page

Weddings always bring people together :)

Congratulations to Stephanie and Landon on their marriage. We enjoyed being with family this weekend. I had so many more pictures but it is not letting me download them...hum!!! I'll try to post them seperate.

RS CaMpOuT

In Willcox AZ, working hard and will be home next month!

Hey Everyone,
It was great to get your letter here in my new area :)SO about the flight plans, I'll call and ask if they have sent it again to you all. I hope you get them soon. That's crazy that you have the time that I get in :) If I get in @ 4:25 will I be realeased that night by President Baker?
SO I'll speak on the 30th? I guess that's alright. That is quiet a while later but oh well. Whatever works :0 So Leslie is getting married right when I get home? That's pretty cool. Sounds like everything just seems busy that weekend I get home. No worries! I'll just be happy to be home :)
I'm excited for Zach and Abby, I am sure they will both get into BYU. I'm glad Dallin & Jacs are good. They are coming up for my farewell right! I'm excited to see TOry play soccer when I get back. I'm sure he is so different. I can see physically, but I'm sure he's grown up all around. That's cool Abby is working in the office :) I would love to go back and visit her in the office and to see everyone.
I got the B-Day package!!!! :) Thank you so much!!!! I did get my running shoes. They are really great! Thanks!!! I saw that you got me junk food anyways ;) I'll try to take more pictures. I've be pretty bad:/
So updates with me. SO as you know I'm in WIllcox AZ. Its a tiny town. Not as small as Fabens! We live with a member which is something new to me. They are the Bushmans & they are super nice! They have a really nice house!!! Like really nice! Its kind of weird to live here after so much time in old, nasty apartments. They are really nice about us just feeling at home. They let us borrow food so I'm eating alot better. I'm getting off the cereal diet.:)
My companion is ELder Stringer from San Antonio TX. He's a nice guy & loves to exercise like me!!!!! I finally got a companion who works out with me!
Small world though, Elder Stringer's best friend @ BYU was Elder Jordan's brother. (my MTC comp.)Crazy huh! Also we visited a less active who has family in El Paso in my old ward. I knew them!
So there are two wards here and we cover 2nd ward. They don't have a spanish branch, but expect the spanish members to go to the english wards. I'm the only spanish missionary in Willcox so I'll be pretty much on my own with teaching them.
THe people here are really nice and just old country folks :) It kind of reminds me of Caswell. The is a little slow, but we have to start somewhere. It's been kind of a hard week because we don't know anyone or how to get around yet, but were getting there.
Thanks for the Chili's cards, but there is no Chilis around here, so I'll probably just save them for a date with me & Mckenna.
I miss my old area, but I will try to do my best here. We are a brand new Zone, so wer are all kind of getting the hang of it.
Well, I love you all! I hope you have a great week! I'll write next week , &&&&& I'll see you next month!!!!!
Love Elder Page

Happy Birthday Matthew

Everyone loves Matthew!!! Hope you have the best birthday! What a joy you have been to everyone that knows you. So glad that 21 years ago we were bless with your sweet smile. Love you!!!

Last transfer to WIllcox AZ

Hey mom
Just as a heads up, I got transfered. I am really upset that I am leaving. To leave with 6 weeks left is draining. I just feel disappointed with the area picking up and with working all summer to just leave. I will miss so much the members here! I want so badly to keep in touch with some of them. With working in the singles wards, these members actually become friends. :) I will miss them, but Elder Densely will do great and get to see lots of success in the coming weeks. I will miss him too. :)
Well, Im going to Willcox, small town, still english (This is the last nail in my spanish speaking coffin). I am opening up a brand new area in a brand new zone. I am the district leader and my companion has only been out for 6 weeks. Needless to say I will have my hands full. I hope I have the spirits to keep on working, to learn, set up, and work an area to just leave it in 6 weeks. This is not the way I pictured finishing my mission. Oh, well there is no reason in complaining about it. Just put my head down and run to the end. Sorry if I sound whiney. I just thought I would let you know how I feel about it instead of sugar coating it and just say,"I am excited for this new adventure". :/ I hope you all are doing great and please pray for me, especially in the coming weeks.
Love you all and I will talk to you soon.
Elder Matt Page

3096 N. Circle 1 Rd.
Wilcox, AZ 85643

here is my new address so I'll keep a look out :) Love you all! :)

matt

A message if Hope :)

Hello Everybody!!
It was great to get to hear from you this week! Geez!! The weeks just go too fast sometimes! I will reply to your email first and then I will let you know how I am doing. I am so excited for Matt opening up that new area!!! Right now Elder Lay and I are working with President on opening up another area after the earthquake and it is an exciting thing. I guarantee that his President put Matt in there for his last transfer to start it off right. It is really hard to open an area so Matt is the perfect missionary for the job! It is all so exciting! I am also so excited for Michael leaving! He will do so great! I will do my best to get time to write a letter to the primary. I am not going to lie Mom, making time to write letters is way hard. I have been struggling to communicate well with Marissa lately. I will do my best but it is pretty hard with so many things to do. Today I just started my PDay and it is 6:00. We had things to do and phone calls to make up until six at night. I would love to get some jerky with something that granola! Just the fact that the recipe is Marissa's makes it so much better!! You have no idea Mom, just seeing her name typed in an email is refreshing. I am so tired that a spare second to think about Marissa is so nice. :o) There was a typhoon this week, but Elder Lay and I were all the way on the other side of the mission doing work then so we were totally fine. I love getting hand written mail so much! Speaking of, I got the package this week!!! Thank you so so so much! I absolutely loved it so much and it made my day. The candy doesn't help because I am still getting fat, but it was so delicious! :) The shirt was sweet and the tape was awesome. However, the tape didn't have much on it. I don't know if it messed up or something, but I only got to listen to Jordan and Kirby and Kyle (which was hilarious by the way) and Abby and You. Maybe that was all, but thank you so much!! I loved the package! I have a couple things that I would like in a package but in the moment I can't remember all of them. I have them written down but the only thing I can remember in the moment is two CDs by a guy named Alex Boye. They are called The Spirit and Be Still My Soul. They are awesome and I would love them. Also one called Nearer, which we might have on our computer. Those would be great! The other stuff I will let you know next week! So this week was probably the busiest week of my mission so far. We only spent about a day and a half in our own area! We had a service activity, another Zone Leader Council, and Splits on the other side of the mission! Needless to say I am quite tired, but I am great!! Things right now are pretty good, the weather is starting to cool down so it is a little less...in this moment I can only think in Japanese so I can't think of the english word for it, but it is getting nicer. Communicating in English is getting a little hard which sounds totally crazy, but my brain is slowly thinking all the time in Japanese. I guess it is a good thing now, but when I come home you guys are going to think I am pretty weird! :) That is exciting to hear that McKenna is coming down to NC a week after Matt comes home! I guarantee that he LOVES that. I also promise you that Marissa has already thought about that so many times so make sure she doesn't get too ahead of herself. ;o) hahaha The work right now in our area is a little slow but it is just because we have been so busy we haven't had a lot of time to do work in our area. Things will pick up though. :) Something short I wanted to share to end is something that an elder named Aiura Choro. He is a Japanese Elder that paid me an interesting compliment last week that got me thinking. He told me that my Funiki (it is a Japanese word that kind of means your aura or atmosphere or countenance, hard to translate) is hope. He told me that the way I communicate and carry myself just brings hope to people. It was a very nice and interesting compliment, but it got me thinking about the gospel and the word hope. I always try to show the gospel as a missionary and that elder helped me see that the gospel can be shown in a hope too. Right now in this country there are people without hope, and through this gospel, you can find hope. I am so grateful for the hope I find in Jesus Christ, the hope I find in the Plan of Salvation, the Hope I find in Family. All of this hope stems from this wonderful gospel. I testify that among so many other things that this gospel is, this gospel is a gospel of hope. Through the gospel, you can find hope in ALL things. I testify that to all of you in the Name of Jesus Christ. I hope you have a wonderful week! I love you all so so so much and I can't wait to hear from you next week! I love you mom. I think of you and your hugs so often.
Until next week!
I love you!
Elder Zachary Taylor Page