new pictures - Yea!

These are some pictures that Elder Wahlen sent to me.  The bottom one is some guys they play basketball with on mondays, he says that the tall one is legit and that they are teaching him.  I can see why he has mixed emotions about being transferred.  

Sorry about the top one, but i couldn't figure out how to turn it around

New Beginnings

Hey y'all,

Happy New Years! What are everyones New Years resolutions??? Can I invite each of you to do make at least one??? Will each of you commit to share the gospel (and Gods love) for someone this year? Although I'll only invite you to share with one person, I pray that you'll reach out to many, many, many more :)

So I'm moving on! Good-bye down-town ATL... hello Conyers! It will be a great experience to learn and grow... I'm very sad but very excited... I know that the Lord is leading and guiding me and I'm excited to keep following His direction. Off to new adventures, amazing experiences and witnessing new miracles!!!

So what have I learned during my time here?? Wow... where to begin??? So many amazing lessons that I've learned... so many stories to share... but in the end, I've learned that God and the Savior are ALWAYS there for us.

I've gone through all sorts of up's and down's here... so many times have I felt so amazingly happy... and so many, many times have I felt that my heart couldn't take any more breaking... but through all in all... whether it was during times of happiness and joy or during times of trial, afflicition and sadness... the Savior and our Heavenly Father have always been there for me. They are always there. I promise.

One experience just really quick... on Christmas night, we had the option to either head in early and get dinner or stay out for another 30 minutes and try to find someone in need of this amazing message... it was tempting since we hadn't eaten since early that afternoon and it was a Holliday after all... but nope, we chose the road less traveled... and we simply believed that the Lord would lead us to someone... long story short, we found someone that night just before heading in... an amazing man who needs the Atonement in his life... and he was so excited to hear of what was available to him. Have faith always! Miracles happen!

Love Elder Wahlen

It's finally here!

Howdy y'all,

Merry, merry, merry Christmas!!! Wow!! Can you believe it's here???? What a wonderful time of the year.... is there any better time???? I love this time of year... expecially here in Atlanta! The people are so loving and so amazing... God is in this city!

So... I've experienced so many things the past couple weeks... I honestly don't know where to begin...

I was planning on sharing an experience with y'all... but I feel prompted to save that for the call with the family... perhaps they'll be able to fill you in on that one at a later time... but I do feel that I should share something that I've come to learn recently (yes, next time I promise to share a story/experience!)

So I've learned something really profoud lately... or more so, I've truly understood it and applied it in my life for the first time lately.... and that is the truth that the Atonement is indiviualized. Christ suffered and died for each of us as an individual... He didn't just suffer a general suffering for everynoe... He suffered the exact things that you have, currently are and will ever suffer. He knows EXACTLY what YOU are going through.... and He knows exactly how to help you. Yes, there is only ONE WAY to be happy and to return to live with our Heavenly Father... and that is through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ... but the way we get there... the journey that we take... the experiences we have... and the way that Christ helps us to get there is completely unique to each of us. 

Along with this truth I've learned that Christ and the Atonement are ALWAYS there for us... we don't nead a certain level of good deads, making right decisions, etc... and then we max out or peak and then Christ and the Atonement make up the difference... no! He and the the Atonement are always there for us... through everything! At every moment of the day... forever! 

It's not the light at the end of the tunnel, He and the Atonement is the light that gets us through the tunnel.... and we can and should rely on this each and every day of our lives. That's why we celebrate Christmas... that's why we have Christmas tree's... to represent the one He was hung on for us... that's why we put lights on the tree... to remember the crown of thorns He wore for us... that's why we put gifts under the tree and ornaments upon it... to show our love for Him and the families that He has allowed to have... and that we will have forever. I invite each of you to remember this on Christmas day... and every day of your life moving forward.

 I love you! Pray and ask for His help... He is there for you!

-Elder Wahlen

Happy Early Christmas

Hey y'all,

Only have 2 minutes left but just know that I love you and that the church is true (go figure, right?). Had some amazing experiences this week... but hopefully I'll get the time to elaborate on them next week!

 Be safe... have faith! Belive! Love. 

I love you!

-Elder Wahlen

more pictures from the facebook site

more pictures

Pictures from the mission facebook page

 I got these pictures off of the Mission Facebook page, I am assuming it is Sister Harding, Elder Wahlen, Elder Savage, President Harding and maybe two investigators

Email from Georgia

Hi this is Tracy,
     This week I received a most wonderful email from the first woman that Elder Wahlen had baptized
I would like to share a portion of that letter with you. Her name is Leia.

We have become very special friends.

" A few weeks ago I met Elder Jake.  He was with Elder Wahlen at the MTC when they first started
their mission.

We instantly liked Elder jake when we met him.  He is humble, extremely tall, funny, articulate and full
of warmth and compassion.  There is an deep, underlying appreciation and gratitude I can't quite put my finger on, that he seems to have that some lack.  he reminds me a lot of Elder Wahlen, in spirit and manner.

I don't think he knew elder Wahlen was serving in this mission.  When I started talking about Elder Wahlen, I asked, "He is a Zone leader. Don't you know him?"

He got this look on his face when I asked and when he put it together that elder Wahlen was
"OUR Missionary", the words just started pouring out.  The emotion flowing from this young man,
knowing now that we knew him, was amazing...but then again, that is the kind of thing we have grown to expect from people who have met Elder wahlen.  He does that you know... Elder Wahlen evokes a
kind of respect and honor from those around him, which is not his intent, but a side effect of how he
loves everyone around him.

So this is what elder Jake told us.

He said that Elder Wahlen was a leader when he met him.  Elder Jake was having some issues with the
companion he had and Elder Wahlen had Elder Jake come with him for a day.  Elder Jake could not
stop telling us how much Elder Wahlen had helped him.  I am unsure of all that was said during that day, but whatever it was, it was powerful.  Out of curiosity, I asked him about elder Wahlen's eyes... that is what always got me about him.  And I wanted to know if he saw it too.  A look of surprise and understanding followed as Elder Jake began to talk.  He said, "I know!!! I know what you mean! I
can't believe you saw it too!  When he looks at you, its like he can feel your pain, there is so much
compassion.  It's unbelievable. I  totally know what you mean by his eyes."

Elder Jake said that Elder wahlen had this way of looking into your soul, loving you exactly where you
were, and then pulling out the best in you.  he could stir in you the ability to believe that you could do
that which you thought was impossible.  How awesome is that?!!!

All I can say Tracy, is that your boy is doing amazing! I know your husband and kristi would be so proud.  I wish i could explain how much and how freely he loves everyone.  My plain words do the
action no justice, but these words will have to do for now!

Elder Wahlen is so passionate and full of the spirit.  I know he has grown so much since he met us, and to hear that he is a leader is great.  But to hear of what kind of a leader he has become is just the best. Some of the things we hear from other missionaries and investigators are the following:

He leads by example.  He is humble and never boasts.  He gives glory to god for all his
accomplishments and successes.  He raises the bar for all that know him, and he expects others to meet that bar, and not lower it.  Elder Wahlen is funny.  He's got "mad skills" on the basketball court according to one investigator.  He follows the commandments.  He is a great visual teacher.  he can paint pictures with his words... so much so, even little kids understand!  And above all, he loves the Lord and it shows in his compassion and never ending generosity and kindness towards others.

Love,  Leia

As we will never hear something like this from my son i thought I would like to share it with all of you that are supporting him.

Early Merry Christmas from ATL : Rainy - Snowy

Hey y'all,

Snowing? Raining? Sunny? Doesn't matter... what a beautiful day!! What an amazing time of year... I love each of you so much. Y'all are a gift to this world.... so grateful for each and every one of you :)

Ok... so quick story again (sorry they're so short and crazy!).

One night... it was late, we had just dropped off a member who had been out teaching with us... and my companion and I had a decision to make... we could either head in and get some dinner for a few minutes before we needed to start planning at 9:00 pm... or we could spend those 20 minutes trying to find a family to help... and to bring them the restored gospel. We were EXHAUSTED.... could hardly think we were so beat from the day... and it was cold outside and had been raining most of the day... and let me tell you, it was tempting to head back in and take a minute to breathe and eat some good warm food before planning... but we both knew that there was still work to be done. Those 20 minutes are the Lords time... and we needed to make them count. 

We prayed and asked God to guide us to where He needed us to go... and then we started to drive until we felt prompted to stop. A few minutes later we did... said another prayer and got out of the car... we knocked a few doors and even met an amazing guy... and that took us to about 8:50... but we still had time and we felt there was yet work to be done.... so we prayed and asked to lead us to where we needed to go... exactly where we needed to go... so we prayed and started walking. My companion felt prompted to stop at a house and knock... so we did.

 Long story short, a man answered the door, and after a brief pause and a look over us, invited us in... this man is incredible and has an amazing family... and was so open and loving. He is reading the Book of Mormon now and is excited to learn more... thats a short version but just know he is a miracle and so prepared.

 Prayer works! Have faith... even until the bitter end. He will lead you!

-Elder Wahlen

Thanksgiving day picture

I received this on thanksgiving, I am assuming they are at the church!

Late happy thanksgiving

Hey y'all,

Well hello there :) I hope y'all had lots of pie... cause I sure did!

 Whew!! I love this time of year... the spirit is so strong everywhere you go... family, love, thanksgiving... all those great things are the focus... and people just seem so much happier. I invite each of you to reach out to somone who isn't happy and at least give them a "hello, how are you?" and a smile. Everyone deserves to be happy and feel loved this time of year!

Quick experience... on Thanksgiving night we taught a lesson to an amazing man.... his name is Chris... and Chris has NEVER felt of Gods love in his life before... Chris is nearly 60 years old now and has never felt God in his life... however, Chris is an incredible man. He is always helping people. He loves to serve... and he has changed his life around in so many ways. Anways, we taught Chris about the Book of Mormon, Restoration, etc... and we invited him to pray at the end of the lesson. He told us that he couldn't remember exactly how to do it.... but that he'd give it a try.... Chris bowed his head and prayed... it was a simple prayer... and he couldn't remember how to end it... so he asked us, right at the end "how do I close this thing???" So we told him... "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."... Chris bowed his head again and closed the simple and humble prayer in the name of Christ... afterwards, Chris sat there in silence for a few minutes before saying "Wow... I felt something there.... wow".

I testify to you that he felt Gods love... for the first time! And I know that each of you, as you pray in the name of Christ, can ALWAYS feel of his love too.

Love You!

Pictures from the field

We got these yesterday on an email I think from the woman he was taking to.  Best Thanksgiving present ever!

New pictures

I got these pictures off of his mission facebook page

Happy thanksgiving from Atlanta

Hey y'all,

Sorry! Last minute email from leadership ate up the time I had planned on emailing y'all....

Just wanna say a couple things... happy Thanksgiving and I love you!!!! Grace is the light that gets us through the tunnel, not the light at the end of the tunnel.

-Elder Wahlen

Hey Mom

I thought I would add my email this wee as it has some points of interest,

Mom,

Thanks for emailing me :)

The weather here hasn't been too bad but Elder Savage sure is glad you sent him that jacket hahaha. Things are going good here... transfers are on Wednesday and the Zone is getting changed A LOT but Elder Savage and I are staying here and staying together. We had a baptism this last Saturday... it was great. Super cool experience. Super crazy day that ended so well. I haven't got your DVD package yet but I'm guessing it will be here today.

Things I need this week:

-Chef Hai rice/seasonings (gave them away and they loved it)

-Matching ties for Elder Savage and I... we don't have many that match and we match every day to show unity

-Gospel Principles book

What are the plans for Thanksgiving? We might go play in a Turkey bowl in the morning... trying to find some more fun yet appropriate things to do out here... trying to maximize our talents for the Lord in doing His work... that was our lesson in church and it really hit me so we're going to try some new creative things.

Love you tons!

hello, hello, hello from paradise, ATL

Hey y'all,

Good to see you again... how's yuor day? I love this time of year. It's all about family. Isn't that interesting? This time of year is all about family... yet the weather and everything else testifies and reminds us of the Saviors death and sacrafice? I don't think that is a coincidence... He did it for us so that we could be together as eternal families... so we could return and live once again with our Heavenly Father... that just kind of came to me so sorry if that makes NO sense haha.

So this week... wow. So many things!!!

Let's see if I can get a couple stories in here...

The first one... so we've been blessed enough to learn and grow alongside of an incredible young man named Chris.... Chris was baptized this last Satuday... and that was an incredible experience and miracle!!! However, the journey that my companion and I had to make it to the baptism on time... wow! That was a miracle itself!

 So here's the short verison... my companion and I were about 40 minutes away the morning of the baptism helping out with a stake activity... we not only helped with the activity itself by participating, but we helped plan some things that the stake wanted help with from the missionaries in our zone.... again, long story short but what ended up happening was we got A LOT of things thrown on us last minute... so instead of leaving when we needed to in order to get the the baptism on time, we had to stay and help make some things happen... once we finally left, our GPS said we'd be about 5 minutes early to the baptism... however that didn't include the rush hour traffic or the fact that I had forgotten an extra white shirt and we needed to go back to the apartment to grab one!!! So what did we do??? We prayed. We prayed and asked God to somehow help us make it there on time... and lo and behold... nearly EVERY light we hit was green and we hit nearly EVERY opening in the traffic. I've literally NEVER seen so many green lights in my life hahaha.

 It was amazing... Elder Savage cmopared it to "Remember the Titans" on the last play when the lead blocker is leading the way for the running back who is running for the game-winning touchdown... he said that God, the Savior and the host of angels were out in front of us just knocking the lights green and knocking the advesary out of the way so we could make it there... it truly was awesome haha.

 But you know what??? It's so true... just like the Lord helped us make it there on time and safely... and just like that lead blocker led the way for the running back to make it to the endzone... our Heavenly Father, the Savior and the hosts of angels who are charged concerning us literally will lead the way for us to recieve eternal life... and all we have to do is follow them. Follow the teachings of Christ... follow His example... and pray and ask for guidence to follow that path. They know where to go... and they're clearing the way for you and your family.

Gotta run! 60 seconds... I love y'all so much.

-Elder Wahlen

HELLO ALL!

Hey y'all, 

Very short story here...

Went on a team-up with Mike. Mike is from Rwanda and has seen and experienced a lot of incredibly hard things.... during our teaching appointment, Mike shared an experience that I wanted to share.

Mike was thrown into prison for being a "tootsie"... which is merely someone who looks a certain way. He was set to be executed by firing squad along with a mother who had killed her child (she was mentally unstable) and two soliders who had been charged with theft. While in the prison cell, hiding in the corner, scared out of his mind... the women started to sing a song about Christ. The two soldiers began to beat her to try and make her stop. Mike, sitting in the corner asked "Why are you beating her? We're all about to die... we should stop and pray". The soldiers eventually stopped and the women turned to Mike and said "You're a good man. You will not be killed". Meanwhile, Mike was praying that he would be safe... yet he was still certain that he would be killed and that his prayers would go un-answered.

 A short time later, they were taken out to a garage and lined them up to be shot. The two soldiers were first... as their charges were announced, they both promptly tried to blame the other for their crimes... they went in vain and they were subsequently shot. The women was next (who was still singing)... they ended up deciding to not execute her due to some sort of standard they had to follow to show that she was guilty the the public... so they took her away and next up was Mike. 

They asked for his name and why he was there... he responded and told them why... they asked why he had been brought to be executed for such a small thing (although this was common to execute those considered to be "tootsie") Mike told them that he wasn't sure... and then a miracle happened. The captain in charge of the squad decided to let him live. He was placed back in prison. Some time later (after nearly a month of no food) another prisoner in the jail said "Don't worry. Soon we will go to America". Mike, although praying to be set free, thought the man had lost his mind.

 Some days later, the US embassy discovered their location and set them free... and sent them here to America!!! 

So what did Mike learn from all of this??? God listens and answers prayers... we just have to be paying attention and look for those answers. We have to be open to receive them... and we have to recognize them when they come.

I add my testimony to his that God lives and answers our prayers. Just pay attention and you'll see them answered :) I love you all so much. Have a blessed day.

-Elder Wahlen

Hello, hello, hello

Hey y'all,

Ok so super short again today... so sorry!!!

So we were teaching this man... he's about 50 years old... and he is a gentle giant!!! I love him... but what has been truly amazing during our discussions with him is his recognition of the truths that are being taught to him by the spirit... and his ability to recognize that he knew of these things before... as he has been taught, he's made comments like... "It's like it there already... it's like I already know these things!" and other such comments... it's been such a testimony builder to me that we were with our Heavenly Father before this life. Truly amazing. We're so blessed.

I love each of you so much. Happy Hollidays!

-Elder Wahlen

I am assuming this is the entire mission

Subject: Re: Last week in Oct.

 

Dad,

Thanks for keep me updated! I went golfing this last week for P-day with the Stake Highcounciler over missionary work... I shot 46 on 9... the clubs were too flexible though... you would've loved it though... the first hole I got par and then my putting kinda killed me but I did solid for most of the day. I learned some things while I was out there though... I had a few shots I had to hit through an alley of tree's... and all I focused on was where I needed and wanted to hit it... not the tree's... life and the gospel is very similiar... we gotta just keep our eye on the Savior and eternal life... no matter how many tree's get in the way... I also had a shot from about 140 out on the first hole that I almost got to drop... it ended up a few feet from the hole. I missed you out there. We'll for sure go golfing way more when I get back. I had a blast.

love you tons,

-Elder Wahlen

An email sent to me (Marks mom)

Mom,

Thanks for emailing me again this week :) Yes, I got everything and yes, everything has been amazing. I gave one pair of the shoes away to Elder Popp who lives with us in the apartment and EVERYONE LOVED the bread... they're dying for some more. We ate one of them the same day we picked it up haha. The people who like black licorice love the candies too. The cards are here I just haven't had any time to send home my card so I'm sorry for no pictures. I'll try and get one with President and Sister Harding on Wednesday... Elder Oaks came and I got to shake his hand! It was awesome... sorry for not emailing much last week... we had no time!

Things are going well here... we're just super, super busy! One of my favorite missionaries got transfered last night... his name is Elder Provstgaard so I'm a little sad about that today... he's been in the apartment since I got here in ATL. Going to be strange not having him around. Teaching lots of amazing people... things are good! Can't believe its Halloween this week!

Things I need:

Nothing really... just anything you want to send! We love getting your packages.. they always make me happy!

Love you tons and keep doing those thing each and every day! We show our love and honor Christ with our actions, thoughts and desires... keep it up!

Your son,

-Elder Wahlen

Thought this would be a good one to post

Happy Halloween from the ever cooling ATL

Hey y'all,

How are you today? Do you know that God loves you? that He knows exactly who you are and what is best for you? Ok, just checking :)

Alrighty... where to start?? Maybe the crazy story about our Bishop laying on the floor in his office showing us back exercises? Maybe talking about how we were blessed to shake the hand of Elder Dallin H. Oaks?? Maybe the story about one of my best friends here in the mission field being emergency transfered? I dunno... so many!!!

How about a golf analogy???? (ask my Dad about that one)

Well... to be honest, I only have 2 minutes so I'll make it short and sweet...

I don't have time to tell any stories today... and I'm deeply sorry for that. I'll do better this next week... but I do just want to say that every small act of love and of making the right choices has BIG implications. Keep doing those small and simple things, especially for others.

I love you!

-Elder Wahlen

Hello Ya'll,

This is Tracy!

Elder Wahlen did not have time to send an email this week. So instead I am going to let you read part of an email I received from the first women that mark Baptized.  Her name is leia and her husband is Johnathan.

We were at a fireside and saw Elder Wahlen and we met his new companion elder Savage.  We loved him instantly. Elder Wahlen seems to love him and I believe him when he says he's awesome.  Elder Wahlen looks so peaceful and amazing.  he mentioned he is eating better and also that Elder Savage has him on some crazy workout thing (Mark will love that, his companion is going to play football for BYU after his mission).  He looks good.

Honestly, seeing him, I tried not yo cry (but shed a few tears, but tried not to let him see).  But surprisingly, Johnathan was the one who cried more when he saw Elder Wahlen!  I couldn't believe it! It was precious. Truly.  They hugged a couple times throughout the night and I could tell they truly love and respect one an other.  It was awesome! I wish you could have seen it.

He looks really happy, peaceful and full of the spirit!!! I am so thankful to know you and your family! Your son is honestly one of my most favorite people in the world.Elder Wahlen conveys charity, empathy, compassion and patience.  You can see it in his eyes and actions, and feel it in his spirit. I just thought, you would love to know this about your son!  It is what the world sees and what his investigators see.

It's nice to hear some things about elder Wahlen that he would never tell us.

thanks for all your support,  Tracy Wahlen

Hello Ya'll,

This is Tracy!

Elder Wahlen did not have time to send an email this week. So instead I am going to let you read part of an email I received from the first women that mark Baptized.  Her name is leia and her husband is Johnathan.

We were at a fireside and saw Elder Wahlen and we met his new companion elder Savage.  We loved him instantly. Elder Wahlen seems to love him and I believe him when he says he's awesome.  Elder Wahlen looks so peaceful and amazing.  he mentioned he is eating better and also that Elder Savage has him on some crazy workout thing (Mark will love that, his companion is going to play football for BYU after his mission).  He looks good.

Honestly, seeing him, I tried not yo cry (but shed a few tears, but tried not to let him see).  But surprisingly, Johnathan was the one who cried more when he saw Elder Wahlen!  I couldn't believe it! It was precious. Truly.  They hugged a couple times throughout the night and I could tell they truly love and respect one an other.  It was awesome! I wish you could have seen it.

He looks really happy, peaceful and full of the spirit!!! I am so thankful to know you and your family! Your son is honestly one of my most favorite people in the world.Elder Wahlen conveys charity, empathy, compassion and patience.  You can see it in his eyes and actions, and feel it in his spirit. I just thought, you would love to know this about your son!  It is what the world sees and what his investigators see.

It's nice to hear some things about elder Wahlen that he would never tell us.

thanks for all your support,  Tracy Wahlen

This is a picture of Elder Wahlen and his New companion, sent to me by a women in Georgia on Transfer Day.  He is 6'6" and will play football at BYU after his mission.  Elder Wahlen looks handsome even with his eyes closed.

Hey y'all,

How's everyone doing this Columbus day?? Didn't even realize today was a holliday until someone told me haha. Crazy how fast times flys out here!!! Can't believe its already Fall... the weather is great though! I love this time of year... a time of change!

This is going to be really short today seeing as I only have about 4 minutes... but something I wanted to talk about is how action in faith leads to us recieving answers to our prayers. Something I've learned recently is that we can't just pray and then say we have the faith in our hearts and therefore we'll recieve answers to those things.... or we'll recieve the blessings we want or need... we have to go out there and WORK in FAITH. As we act in faith, as we follow the example of Christ, as we apply the gospel to our own lives... as we act in LOVE to help and serve others... we will literally allow the Lord to bless us with answers to our prayers... and He will pour down the blessings on us that we so badly need. If you ever feel like you're not recieving answers to your prayers, or recieving the help you need from the Lord... I invite you to go out and find someone to help... and I promise that as you do so, that you'll see those blessings in your life... you'll recieve answers to those questions that you're so desperately searching for... and you'll bless the lives of many, many people. Help, love and serve everyone!!! The more you love and serve others unconditionally, the more blessings and answers you will recieve from our loving Heavenly Father... who loves you unconditionally!!!

 I love you! You're amazing... keep loving and helping each other out. Christ loves you... and our Heavenly Father loves you.

Until next time!

-Elder Wahlen

Hello from the turning seasons ATL

Hello one and all,

How y'all doing today??? Can you see and smell it? The seasons are changing... the leaves are starting to fall along with the temperature here in ATL. It's so beautiful.... even if we're in downtown where we don't have too many tree's :) I love this time of year... I hope everyone enjoyed conference!!! It was truly amazing this year... so many great things were said!

I just want to touch on a few thoughts and feelings I had coming out of conference... one of them being the road of repentance. To repent is to change... is NOT a punishment nor is it something to be ashamed about. It is a way of healing... a way of progressing... a way of growing... a way of becoming more and more like our Heavenly Father. We ALL need to repent. Daily. None of us are perfect... to paraphrase the Book of Mormon... are we not all beggars? Do we not all need and rely on the same Savior to unlock us for the torments of our mortal imperfections and weaknesses? To release us from the chains of him that would bind us fast? Yes. WE ARE ALL BEGGARS. When you find yourself in a position in which repentance is required in your life... do not fear nor feel ashamed... only feel love.... and know that you have company! We are all there with you... all of us have not only been there before, but we are there with you now. We are all stumbling forward in our best efforts to receive salvation and eternal life... we are all constantly falling as well. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. This has many meanings... first, you are not alone because as I've been saying, none of us are perfect... but secondly, you are not alone because WE love you. Your friends and family love you and are there to help you... your church family (which is really your eternal family) is there for you. Be not afraid, neither though be dismayed... reach out and seek help. You shall find it here in this church... among your brothers and sisters who are all striving to do just as you are striving to do... which is to change and follow Christ and His example for truly. Third... the Savior and our LOVING and ever so patient and forgiving Heavenly Father is there for you.... they, above anyone else, will ALWAYS be there for you and love you. Reach up in prayer and ask for their divine help and healing. You will overcome these things... you will be healed... you will be happy and receive eternal life. I promise and testify to each of you that God loves you... and He wants to help. His whole purpose is to help us receive eternal life... the Savior died for us so we could pray and be healed... and that we could change and become perfect through Him. I invite each of you to pray and repent daily. Whether it be for small mistakes or large... we ALL need to pray and repent daily. We all need to change daily and strive to do better than we did yesterday to follow Him. Change in small ways and you will become great. You can do this. You can do this now. I love you. Christ loves you. God loves you.

Until next week,

-Elder Wahlen

Hey ya'll,

This is Marks mom with a message from Elder Wahlen.

The mission home will no longer be forwarding his mail, so if you have been sending mail to that address you will need to start sending it to where he is actually living.  since that address changes with his transfers, if you are writing him and need his address just text or email me tracywahlen@gmail.com
801-860-6904  even though he doesn't have time to answer all his mail he LOVES getting it and cherishes every letter and email he get's.  Thanks for all your support for the son that I love so much!

Hello from the perfect day here in Atlanta!

Hey y'all,

It's the most beautiful day here in Atlanta... and I know most of you are probably a bit coldish now... but just know that the world, no matter what kind of weather is going on around you... is always beautiful and a true testament of the existence of our Heavenly Father and His son, our Savior, Jesus Christ... they blessed us with this beautiful world to live in... to be together with families.... to learn and to grow... to become more like them... how lucky are we??? Amazing.

Short story this week... We went to teach an investigator last night who we've been meeting with every night for the past couple weeks... he suffers from bi-polar and schizophrenia... and he is AMAZING.

 I love him to death... as we started our lesson, he suddenly blurted out... "I just don't know if God or Jesus Christ is real!!".... we asked him a few questions about how he was feeling, and we talked a little bit about how he can come to know that they are real for himself... but then he turned and looked me in the eyes and asked me "How do you know that Jesus is real?" I took a moment and was about to answer when I thought, how do I know that Christ is real??? 

In that moment, I realized something very important... I had always just assumed and somewhat taken for granted the fact that God is real... that He really is our LOVING Heavenly Father... and that His only begotten son, Jesus Christ.... did indeed live... and died for us... and rose again. That they both really truly exist and live today... and that they both truly do not only love me but love everyone here. I've always "known" that... but I had never truly come to know that for myself by praying and asking for that vital truth to be confirmed to me...

At the time that question was posed to me... I wasn't sure how to answer... but I did my best to... 

but I can now tell you without a shred of doubt in my heart these things... I know and testify with the energy of my soul and every fiber of my being that God is our LOVING Heavenly Father... He loves EVERYONE. I know and testify that Jesus is the Christ... that He died for us and took our sins upon himself because He loves our Heavenly Father and He LOVES us... I know that through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we can and always will feel of their love... I know that they are ALWAYS there for us.... and I know that as each of you kneel down and sincerely seek out a confirmation of those truths, and any others you stand in need of... I know that they will answer your prayer and you will feel of their eternal love for you. I invite each of you to do so... even if you already know...I invite all of you to kneel and ask God if He and His son are real... and if they really do love you. I promise you that they do. I love you. We will ALWAYS love you. You're amazing. Have a blessed day!

-Elder Wahlen

Hello from the beautiful Atlanta Georgia Mission!!!

Hey y'all,

Sorry again... this one is probably going to be super short. Only 9 minutes to write!!!! But I want to start off by saying that I love you. The world wouldn't be the same without you here. 

So this week has been CrAzY!!!!!! One crazy experience... I was invited in to a prayer and Bible study at a persons house we knocked into... after a 15 minute prayer they invited us to join them in their studies... well, my companion and I (actually we we're on a mini-exchange so it wasn't even my full-time companion!) we decided to share our message about the Restored Gospel before joining in... well, that didn't sit too well with them... but we love them! It was crazy experience to say the least....

So this week... something I want to talk about is repentance. I'll keep it short and simple... but I just want to testify of the power of daily repentance. I feel that often times we take this AMAZING gift for granted... and we often forget that repentance is how we invite the Savior to come into our lives and truly heal us... to come into our lives and truly help us change. It's how we access the Atonement in our lives. Think about that... it's how we can be healed of ALL things. Its how we can overcome ALL things. It's how we can become who the Lord wants us to be... it's how we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in our lives. I'd invite each of you to pray daily and to repent of your sins so that you can truly be healed each and every day of your life... that you can truly change and grow closer to the Savior each day... and to truly be happy in your life.

 I know this is short and simple... but I promise: daily repentance is SO powerful. It's changed my life... I never truly understood the power the Atonement until recently... and I want you all to feel of the healing and peaceful power of the Atonement in your lives... each and every day as I've been blessed to have. I love you. I know the Savior loves you... and that He can and will heal all things. Have a blessed day!

-

Elder Wahlen

Hey y'all,

Sorry again... this one is probably going to be super short. Only 9 minutes to write!!!! But I want to start off by saying that I love you. The world wouldn't be the same without you here. 

So this week has been CrAzY!!!!!! One crazy experience... I was invited in to a prayer and Bible study at a persons house we knocked into... after a 15 minute prayer they invited us to join them in their studies... well, my companion and I (actually we we're on a mini-exchange so it wasn't even my full-time companion!) we decided to share our message about the Restored Gospel before joining in... well, that didn't sit too well with them... but we love them! It was crazy experience to say the least....

So this week... something I want to talk about is repentance. I'll keep it short and simple... but I just want to testify of the power of daily repentance. I feel that often times we take this AMAZING gift for granted... and we often forget that repentance is how we invite the Savior to come into our lives and truly heal us... to come into our lives and truly help us change. It's how we access the Atonement in our lives. Think about that... it's how we can be healed of ALL things. Its how we can overcome ALL things. It's how we can become who the Lord wants us to be... it's how we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in our lives. I'd invite each of you to pray daily and to repent of your sins so that you can truly be healed each and every day of your life... that you can truly change and grow closer to the Savior each day... and to truly be happy in your life. I know this is short and simple... but I promise: daily repentance is SO powerful. It's changed my life... I never truly understood the power the Atonement until recently... and I want you all to feel of the healing and peaceful power of the Atonement in your lives... each and every day as I've been blessed to have. 

I love you. I know the Savior loves you... and that He can and will heal all things. Have a blessed day!

-Elder Wahlen

Who is that handsome missionary?

A zone meeting (Mark is in the middle)

Elder Wahlen and his present companion Elder Mccormbric

Elder Wahlen teaching at a zone conference Sept. 10th

This is Tracy again,

I wanted to share part of the email that Elder Wahlen, aka son that i love,sent to me today.

My husband and i were curious if he had had any more baptisms. This was his reply:

"I've been apart of multiple baptisms since the Bordleys... and 1 that i've seen all the way through from start to finish...but in the end, it's not me doing the teaching, baptizing, etc. its the Lord and Holy Ghost so i don't like to talk about it too much... i don't deserve the credit!"  He also told us that everyones prayers, letters and emails help him more than we will ever know.