Nov 25

Hey that's so exciting to hear about the tree. The other day we got invited by one of the best families out here to come and skype on Christmas and do breakfast with them at 8 our time 9 yours, but transfers are coming up on the 16th so I'm not sure if I will be here for Christmas. today we went and got to see how shirts are printed that was sooooo cool.  Nothing really went on this week. We had one lesson with Kristi that went well. We did go to Reds house and had dinner with them and while we were there they were playing all kinds of rock and rap music and they played a little Breaking Benjamin. I am kinda learning how to play the piano.

 

It's getting colder out here. The air is so dry I'm having a little bit of a hard time breathing.

 

 

Investigator pool            status

Red, Veronica               Difficult to teach

Kristi                            taught Restoration and Plan of Salvation

JJ GeCee                      droped

Natashaw                     Taught Plan of salvation came to church once and enjoyed it

Keith, Kyberly Sudder    lesson set

Dorthy                           from Philippines small language barrier hard to get a hold of
Miguel, Layla                 Hard to get a lesson set

 

I think thats all of them

Nov 18

Conversation with Cody... It's like pulling teeth to get anything out of him.

Cody

sorry i haven't emailed yet i couldn't yesterday

Julie
What happened yesterday?

Cody

4 out of 7 computers were broken

Julie

That makes it difficult.  Guess where I am?
I'm on my way to a Michael buble concert..   so excited!
What did you get to do this week? Anything fun?

Cody

lame we got a new investigator and we play football every morning

Julie
Wow that sounds like fun! You've never really played football before. Is that because of your new companion or the new investigator?

Tell me more about your investigator

Cody

the mission is doing a turkey bowl on thanksgiving and we are practicing its a zone vs zone game

our investigator is Natasha i think i told you about her

Julie

You only told me you had an investigator.  Is she married? Does she have kids? How old is she?

Cody

not married 2 kids and men don't guess womens ages
you should put disney music on my ipod

Julie

LOL.. you crack me up.!  Where is she from?  How old are her kids.  Is she old like grandma, old like me or old like JayDee?

What is iPod?  (I actually meant to ask "What ipod?")

Cody 

she is younger and you know what an iPod is

Julie


Did she grow up in Nevada?

Cody

she moved around a lot

Julie

So tell me more about your companion

Cody

from north Carolina been out for 4 months 

Julie

Does he have siblings? Is he 18 as well?  Is he fun? What does he like to do?  Camp, fish.. etc

Cody

he is 20 he is the oldest of 3 and he likes to box

Julie

That's cool! Does he teach you how to box? Is he a convert? Is his whole family members?

Cody

no he doesn't teach me to box and no he was always a member just a little inactive but that's ok he is reconverted and his parents and siblings are members. got to go bye

Nov 11

 Ya I think Elder Kennedy is a cool guy. The Gladys Knight fireside was great we got one referral from it and she came to church with us yesterday and she thought it was cool.  She has never gone to a church before and she said she would come next week. So far she is our strongest investigator and she is still in the potential investigator category. Next week we are going to go golfing and on Thursday we are going to the temple I'm so excited.

The fireside was so cool I loved it there was some cool music. Ya I'm so excited to go golfing I miss it.  We had dinner with this family who invited another family from our ward and they came over to play cards but we can't but I can shuffel them so I did and I missed it too.

Oct 28

ya i got the package it was cool thanks for everything in it. this week i went on exchanges and was on bike all day it was fun and then on Saturday elder Hutchings and I went garage selling (it was a community garage sale) because tracting is discouraged garage selling makes people talk to you so of course we had to go on bikes so it would be easier to talk to people, and to make it look like we were buying stuff we had to buy stuff all i bought was a puzzle and elder Hutchings bought lots of random stuff. on Friday we went to a Halloween party for the ward and after elder Hutchings bike broke so we had to fix it well he had to fix it i have no idea what im doing with bikes. the other day i found out that my GPS needs a map update and that they cost $50 so i might need that if thats ok its online

did grandpa Mattingly serve a mission in South Carolina

(note from mom... I am having lunch with Uncle Marty)

Las Vegas grows so fast but ok. Hi uncle Marty how are you?

(note from mom...He says he's good and he is going on a motorcycle ride to st George in November.)

good he should come stop by lol jk

(note from mom... He wishes he could)

I bet he does and i wish i could tell you where im at but i cant

elder Hutchings in his Halloween costume ( a nerd missionary)

you got me doing puzzles GRRRRR its the only other for of entertainment

hey i just found out that i can have regular ChChristmas music so ya make sure you put voicemale on there and dont forget mercy river. today is transfers and elder hutchings is leaving my new companions name is Elder Kennedy. on Saturday the scouts celebrated 100 yrs of scouting and we were able to go to help people get the Thomas S. Monson award but in order to help people get it we needed to get it it was fun to get. there were 8,000 people there. something else we did this week was got our bikes tuned up by a guy in our area and while we were there we got to ride an $18,000 road peddle bike like lance Armstrong races those kind of bikes it weighed 12 lbs and was made of carbon fiber it was cool.

Elder James Walsh and me in the MTC

Oct 21, 2013

 No progress on any of the families but Miguel and his family said that they would love to go to the Gladys Knight thing with us which is a once in a lifetime thing.  We get to go on Nov 5th, the day after transfers and Elder Hutchings will probably go to a different area. 

(I asked Cody if he will stay where he is on the next transfer)  I probably will because he (Elder Hutchings) has been in this area for 6 months so its my turn.


Did you get a letter from Sister Ericson? she is so sweet she gives us food like none other, half the food we have is because of her. No we won't be participating on Halloween we will be required to be in by 6.

Right now I'm still being trained but next transfer I probably won't train, it's a processes.  You get trained then your second companion is called your polisher, but I don't know what's in store.  Well I have to go, bye I love you.

Oct 14,2013

We played some pool on an 8 ft table instead of a 9 ft table (we lost), tried cow tongue and learned about the secret room in the hill cumorah

JJs family is not progressing they are struggling. I can't go into any more details. So someone in the ward got diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and I was able to help with the blessing. I told our story and gave her the blog info and Tami's book name and she said she would read them. 

Ok, so the cow tongue. Bishop took us to dinner at a Mexican place and Elder Hutchings wanted to try the weirdest thing they had so he got the cow tongue tacos, I was smart and got a chicken bean burrito.  So when they brought the food out, the cow tongue was chopped up so I took one and tried it............IT WAS NASTY......... but I could eat it if I had to, also if there was something I could puke in later.  Elder Hutchings said that he got through 1 1/2 tacos and said it was getting to him later in our car, he said he might puke, he didn't thank goodness.

Daily routine: wake up shower, eat, exercise (if we remember), personal study at 8, companion study at 9 and because I'm being trained we have another hour of companion study at 10 then it varies on what we are doing.

Aug 26 - Oct 7

I haven't posted anything for a while but that is because Cody isn't much of a writer but I will post the little tid bits he has sent me.

Oct 7...

ok so a few weeks ago JJ went missing but a few day later he came back.The lessons have been going on but only the 2 youngest have been coming. The 9 yr old girl wants to be baptized but she needs to get her dads "ok" so we talk to him after conference and he said he would think about it. Bro Williams (JJ bro) had us over for General Conference and JJ's family was there including him. We talked to him and he said that he wants to change his life around so hopefully we can help. We are also teaching the Tait Family they are a great family we have only taught them once but we see some potential. we have also been teaching a woman named Dorothy she has a lot of questions she's not progressing fast but potential is there. We are also teaching another family His name is Red they are progressing really slow but they love having us over the can feel the good vibes that we bring in with us.

Sept 30...

ok so we have been having some complications with teaching JJ and his family so I don't know how that's going but we are now teaching a guy named Red and his family we are also teaching the Tait family we just started teaching them but not to much is going on. I was wondering if you could send me some jeans a pair of the faded ones and some work ones and some of my T shirts (NOT dads) and my white shoes. it doesn't mater what is on the shirts. oh and some socks. So I asked the mission president if i needed a white shirt and tie and pants for a baptism and he said i did so i will be needing my temple bag also

Sept 23....

No I didn't fix the porcha yet. ok so we did some running around today and we got some chicken and a had bbq for lunch today. transfer 2 is here today. We went to teach JJs family but only the 2 youngest attended and when we got there she was playing missionary so next week we are going to have her help teach the lesson she says she wants to read Matthew than she will get baptized I don't know why Matthew but ok?


Sept 16...

Thanks I need the button for my jacket not for the sleeves.  We taught JJ's family and committed them to baptism and they said that they would pray and we also invited them to a baptism and they want to come.  The 9 year old has been coming to church for a long time and says that she wants to be baptized and so we will wait to see what the family decides to do.

So we did some service helping build a house for a member and hopefully teach this one guy and we see an old porch and so we had to check it out and ask about it. it has a new engine in it that has 300 miles on it and all it needs is to get new fuel and probably a new battery and so the guy that owns it is hopefully going to invite us back to work on it and hopefully we get to drive it. 


Sept 9...
Monday was p-day and we got to ride on bikes that had a 2 hp motor on it. I sent JayDees birthday present to our house I forgot to get her address before I left oops. We have been working on getting my priesthood linage I'm excited. Can I Get a picture of my chair. My suit lost a button and I need it can you go to MR Mac and get some?   I have the PSJ world traveler I need like a lot of buttons. music requests Mercy River and anything at deseret book.--
Elder Mattingly

Aug 26...

I asked him about a new investigator

Well I came into the mission and he was already an investigator but another family just let his brother move in with them and his brother ( the one that moved in his name is JJ) fell away and JJ's wife isn't a member nor are the kids and we taught them one lesson and JJ said to his 9 yr old that if she wants to get baptized than she can

September 2nd 2013

JayDee here... again. :) Another little tid-bit from Cody's chat today. 

I had asked him how things were going with waking up on time, and exercising, because he was worried about both. Also, I told him a bit about my cake business that I've started up from home. 

"We are doing this jump program that takes 15 weeks. It allows you to run faster and jump a foot higher. It hurts so much- you work every muscle in your legs. The jump program is ridiculous. I hate it but I want to be faster, jump higher, and have more stamina. I'm so exited for your cakes it sounds like you will be successful in making your own company."

"The work is slow. We went tracting the other day and placed a BOM. We haven't taught J.J. recently, but we have done so much service that it's ridiculous. We have already done a moving service like 8 times."


 "The last service we did, we got like a garbage bag full of food. It was awesome. And they want to take us to Olive Garden and let us get whatever we want on the menu. They are not members. So here is the story: We were going to go over there and help them move (that was already planned) and when we passed by there house a few days before we started talking to them about college and what we wanted to do in life. It was so cool to talk to this Vietnam vet. He thanked us for our services and said that we are his heroes even though he is not a member. and i was like: "Us? Your heroes? You were in Vietnam. You're my hero for serving the country." so ya we are each others heroes now. 

Aug. 26th 2013

JayDee here. Just another blurp of Cody's chats we get to have every Monday. 

The area is hard but its got its perks. We eat with a member every night. Tracting is still allowed but because of those two guys, it is discouraged and its not very productive. It's more of a last minute effort. pictures will come. im sending them today. We have one investigator but we have to pass him off because he is not in our area. the temple was sooooooooooooo amazing i can't describe it. We had so many elders that we had to sit on the sisters side ( the room only held 70). the heat isn't bad yet but it will shortly. we had a flash flood yesterday and the roads are covered in gravel now. But once the weather gets back to normal, it will be really hot again. 

First area pictures

Cody's room... it doesn't surprise me that he has the top bunk but what does surprise me is that it is pretty clean and organized.

Video's in Nevada

Yes, this is how they keep it fun

MTC Pictures

Cody send us a bunch of pictures and videos that gives us a better idea of how his mission is going.

Aug 21 Online conversation with Cody

It's great when we catch each other on line and we can email live back and forth.

First of all I got a very short email... LOL  Funny kid.

Cody:
Wow, you have a lot of questions it's funny.
Ok first off I want the quad in black. No I can't check my email everyday only on p-day. Abby your a dork I want a picture of her. I don't know where dads journal is but you can send me his letters too and please send them in the mail I can get that daily. I don't need a pillow yet I have one.

Mom:
Hi buddy!   How are you liking Nevada?  How's your companion

Cody:
It's so fun and he is hilarious and talented at accents I will record them and send them to you.


Mom:
That's great buddy... I'm glad you like him.  Where is he from?
Cody: 
He is from Colorado
Mom:
 Are you knocking on doors, do you need a bike?

Cody
No I don't need a bike yet and tracking is something that we do only if there is nothing to do, its not a good idea to tract.

Cody:
Oh and concerning the ipod thing no it can't have capability to connect to the internet so that means a new ipod and a speaker. Oh and go buy all of the piano guys albums and put all songs on there and hymns and church songs and instrumentals and tabernacle choir and stuff like that.

Mom:
I will see what I can find for you.. a nano or something

Cody:
Ya and a good speaker not like the one you had you know your pink one it stunk oh and I have a pillow I'm good

Mom:
Yes the pink one was horrible
Did you hear about the guys that impersonated missionaries in your area and robbed a guy?  I hope that hasn't hurt your tracking.

Cody:
Ya I heard about it and the pres. hasn't said anything yet so idk

I WANT PICTURES MAILED TO ME SO I CAN HANG THEM UP OF EVERYONE

Mom:
 Now that I know you can't get my emails daily, I will send paper letters with pictures.

Cody:
Ok cool  
oh I'm triple covered on insurance now

Mom:
Sweet....Steve says you can get that face lift now..  lol

Cody:
lol ok here is something hilarious so Laura's cousin is in my mission Elder Golden  (Wayne and Laura)

So I went to the temple today it was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
awesome.
Mom:
That's awesome !  I will have to tell Laura when I see her next.  Have you met Guy Watts sister yet?
Did you see the new movie?
Cody:
I have to go computers are closing

I sure miss that boy!!!

Mission President

I received a letter last night from Cody's mission president that had a picture of them with my boy.  They wanted to let me know that he had arrived safely and that he will be serving in the Elkhorn Springs Zone for at least the next 6 weeks.

Bro & Sis Michael B. Ahlander with Elder Mattingly

Aug 13 2013

Cody's email that was sent on the 13th the day after he arrived in his mission.

ITS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My companion is Elder Hutchings he has been out for 4 months and I get 12 weeks with him, but lets start with Monday morning.,,

I woke up at 2:30a.m. Utah time and packed, hopped on a bus at like 4:45ish and left to the airport, At the airport my checked bag was 4 lbs over weight but I didn't have to pay the $100 because the guy was chill. The flight didn't seem like an hour, it felt like 10 min it was fun. At the LV airport we took a tram to the baggage claim while looking like 19 people who had no idea what they were doing. We met the mission Pres. at the claim and hopped into cars and headed to the mission home (not the office 2 different places) there we ate and than had an orientation at a church. At the church is were we got our new companions, who than takes you home.  When we got home it was dinner time we had mac and cheese and headed to a meeting with a member and taught a lesson and than to another member family and taught the same lesson, it was so cool. Came home and unpacked and went to bed. So from 2:30 Utah time till 11:00 Nevada time (we went to bed late because I had to unpack) I was awake... can you talk about a long day.

 

If you want to send me mail or packages us United States Postal Service (USPS) they cant forward UPS or FedEx  if you already have sent me mail using ups or FedEx i will have to Wait and please tell me if you have.

 

Monday's are P-days but because of temple day next week I don't know when P-day is.

To the future missionaries

The letter I received today was addressed to the future missionaries, priests and mission prep class.

Hey everyone, the MTC is so cool but during gym time, make sure you play volleyball with the sisters, it's so much more fun.... AND DON'T DRINK THE O.J.!!!

There will be days that are so hard but just remember your elders are there for you and we all go through it.  Don't worry, it's fine, just forget about you and think of others.

If you have the opportunity to see the film "Character of Christ" from David A. Bednar, see it!  (it's on a Sunday film after devotional)

Another tip is to get focused; the closer to the spirit you are, the more fun it is.  In the MTC it's cool to be a dork. If you follow the rules to a T, it's going to be a lot of fun.  Bring extra ties for tie swap (ones you will never see again).  If you go on a mission for you, or because it's the right thing to do, you soon realize that that's not a good idea... come to SERVE GOD!!!

Also don't plan on writing a lot of people because you have no time.  Oh and get the badge retractor and a paperclip for the key... trust me, it's worth it.

August 9th 2013

JayDee here-

I had the fun opportunity to email Cody back and forth on his p-day for a good 20 minutes! His answers were really short because he was writing other letters but he is doing really well. He was able to quickly share an experience he has loved in the MTC.

Here's a little blurp from our conversation:

Progressive Investigators or PI's as we call them are roll plays that we do to practice teaching. We go into them as if it were a real teaching experience and all that. It's so cool to feel the spirit. President Holland says that "Everyone should have one convert by the time you get home and that is YOU."


He is growing and learning so much!

Mailing address after Monday

Cody will be leaving the MTC on Monday morning.  If you would like to send him a letter or package please use the following address until we get his first assignment address.

Elder Cody Jade Mattingly
Nevada Las Vegas West Mission
4455 Allen Ln Ste 140
North Las Vegas, NV  89031-2229

August 6 2013

Written 8/2/2013

 Hey everybody,

The MTC is great! It’s not hard. Yes there is a lot of work but you have fun. The food is pretty good. My companion is cool and nice. I thought it would be hard to live with five other guys but it is so fun and easy. Your schedule is planned every minute of every day, but when we have free time because we finished early, we don’t know what to do. Some have said “it must be so hard” or “intimidating”…. It’s not, it’s fun. In the MTC they tell you if you know someone you know you will find them and it’s true, I know 4 and found 3 of them. It’s fun to hear from you.

Love Elder Mattingly

P.S. Dear Elder.com is the best way to get ahold of me while I’m in the MTC

First Email

My companion Elder Sinnett From Alaska

i got the mail and i will write back so i can say all that i want to. i am looking forward to some pictures and boxes (full of food (non perishable) cough cough)

love you guys
Elder Mattingly

Note from Julie:

My friend told me about dearelder.com and it is a free service that you can use to send mail to your missionary in the MTC.  If you have your letter submitted before noon then it will get printed and delivered to your missionary that same day.  They also have options of sending care packages.  It is pretty awesome and I have been able to send a letter to Cody everyday, I even had one delivered the day he entered the MTC.  This service just isn't for missionaries in the MTC, if your missionary receives his/her letters in a pouch out in their service area, then you can still use this free service.

And the adventure begins!

Cody leaves to the MTC tomorrow afternoon! This blog will be updated with his letters he writes home. If you would like to write to him in the MTC his address is:
 Elder Cody Jade Mattingly
AUG12 NV-LVW
2011 N 900 E Unit 230
Provo, Utah 84062
If you would prefer to email him: cody.mattingly@myldsmail.net
We will be posting his mailing address once he gets out into the mission field.