We had a great week here!

Yo yo yo yo,

We had a great week here. Tuesday we had an amazing lesson. We had a
lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and president emerick came to
this lesson. It was Ana amazing lesson! The spirit was strong through
this lesson. When we talked about repentance we gave these people a
promised blessing that if they repented of all their wrong doings the
burden of smoking and coffee would become light. Listen to this. We
will say his name is bob. Bob said that while he was at work he would
get an urge to have a smoke. But he would think in his head "come on.
Help me be distracted. Keep me moving" when he would do this a
customer would come in and need help or he would need to clean
something. God put things into his day to distract him as he, not
knowingly, prayed for help. During the lesson I kept thinking ask her
if she thinks the Book of Mormon is true. So when there came a break
in the lesson I turned to her and asked, "fro, what you've read so far
in the Book of Mormon, do you believe Joseph smith, with his little
education, could have simply made up all of the Book of Mormon out of
thin air" she replied ".....no....." *sniffle*. INSPIRED QUESTIONS ARE
WHATS UP! For all those preparing for a mission learn how to recognize
the small voice of the spirit.

Wednesday we had Zone conference. We had a joint ZC with 2 other
Zones. Two General Authorities came! Elder Mueres and Elder Perkins.

Why Do I Always Hurt My Ankles????

I don't know why but every single week of my LIFE, I always hut
myself. It's so annoying.
This week I tried to do a 360 karate kick..... I came down on my foot
and my ankle just snapped! Absolutely bent completely 90 degrees onto
the floor. I heard and felt a "pop." I immediately grabbed my ankle
and held my breathe for about 2 seconds until I exploded. I fell on
the floor and started to just scream and punch the floor. I seriously
thought I broke my foot off. It was the WORST pain I've ever felt

before. I've broken my wrist and been completely fine, had sprained
ankles, and a bunch of other things but this was the most pain I've
felt in my life. It got super swollen, I couldn't walk on it and I was
shaking because the pain and adrenaline I think. It was crazy. So
that's my embarrassing injury this week. I might have to go to the
doctors for it because it's still pretty bad. I think tore some
ligaments or something. I've been wearing a heavy duty brace that the
Snyders let me use and I used crutches the first day. But man. It
hurt.

This week we went on a couple of exchanges. I was in Johnstown on
Monday and Tuesday. Johnstown is popping right now. In the 1.5 days we
taught 8........ 8 lessons! Maybe it's because it's semi ghetto their
and there more open. I don't know but it was awesome. We stopped by a
recent converts home and he kinda fell back and he said that it was
crazy that we showed up because he needed us and stuff. It was cool.
I've know him pretty well because we were working in Johnstown for
those couple weeks. Me and him get along pretty well. He is super
cool. He reminds me a lot of joe the big bro.
On Thursday we gave two blessings to the LaRoses. Brother laRose was
in the hospital after a fall. And sister laRose was super stressed out
and emotional so we gave her one too. I learned why becoming old is
part of the plan. Haha. I truly did though. I used to think old people
had it easy, that they never got tempted to do anything wrong
whatsoever, that they were full of wisdom and righteousness. I
realized that when we are old we will still be tested and face trials.
Whether it be the worrying of loved ones or dealing with health
problems. There's still so much to learn even when we are older. I
don't know how to put into words what I learned. I just learned that
we will always be tested and tempted and tried. It's not over till
it's over. Haha I just am not good with words.
Have I ever said I love the Book of Mormon? Agh. It's so great! There
is so much wisdom and insight to receive! Today I was reading alma
chapter 37 and I picked up so much stuff. I'll share some stuff!
Verse 6: "By small and simple thing are great things brought to pass;
and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." A small
stone, flung by a small boy, killed a giant! Temples are built brick
by brick. Testimonies are gained prayer by prayer.
Verse 36: "Cry unto the Lord for all thy support." "Let the
afflictions of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever." Cast your
burdens to the Lord and He will help you.

If you want to know how to be a missionary, just real alma and study
alma and the sons of Mosiah and you will learn your purpose and what
you need to do specifically. I've learned more from the book alma than
I have from preach my gospel. Some missionaries would say that's a
lie, that PMG is key, but for me the scriptures have helped me learn
so much! It's awesome. The Book of Mormon is true! This church
contains the fullness of Christ's gospel! It has been restored as well
as the keys to the priesthood and they are found in this church! It's
all true. This church is they way. Christ is the way, he stands at the
head of this church leading us to victory over our enemies. In the
name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love y'all.

This week was good (Aug 15, 2016)

This week was good!

This week we had zone training with a couple of zones all together. It was Cool.
We picked up an investigator this week so that was good.
I cant remember everything that happened this week but I remember yesterday and today!
So yesterday we had a lesson with someone who's father just passed away. We had a lesson on the Plan Of Salvation. It was such an amazing lesson. The spirit was so strong. I noticed there was a couple of things I said that were defiantly inspiration. For examples:

     1. I mentioned how the veil is thin towards death and birth. He then said how his father said "whos that guy in white?" and "the way is long but the scenery is beautiful" right before he passed away. So that helped him grow a testimony of the Plan of Salvation hopefully.
      2. While bearing my testimony I shared how Grandma Annette passed away when I was young and that I always felt close to her but I know she lives and I can feel her watching over me and rooting me on. And he and his wife, who is a member, definitely were feeling the spirit. I teared up and then she started to tear up and he teared up. By teared up we cried a little. I didn't really shed tears but I was definitely fighting them haha. But he shared how he too feels like his father is watching over him. At the end of the lesson we all just sat there for a couple of seconds and it was amazing This morning I read Alma chapter 30. Great chapter about people that try to prove us wrong haha. it is overall a great chapter about what missionaries should say and do in those situations.

I miss you all at home! But I'm learning so much and growing a little! Slowly but surely!
Love you All so much!!!!:)

Elder Segon

PITTSBURGH IS AWESOME!

Pittsburgh is awesome. We had to take Elder Draper to Pittsburgh on
Tuesday because he went home. While there we had lunch with Elder
Furness and his companion. Elder Furness is the missionary from the
MTC that made me laugh a bunch that I think is the funniest person in
the world. Haha he's one of my best friends out here. We talk pretty
much every day. He's awesome.
While there at Green Tree building for transfers I saw elder cook!
That was cool. He is training two people right now! 2 people at once!!
Crazy. In the next 12 weeks we will receive half of the missionaries
in our mission. We are getting over 60 missionaries in the next 3
transfers. So a lot of people are going to be training! Haha! Crazy!
We had an awesome lesson on how the Book of Mormon can relate to you.
How to put yourself into the shoes of those in the book and how to
relate their situation to yours. It was a good lesson.

I gave blood on Friday! That was fun!
HAHAHA! Funniest part of the week. We teach a less active, sister
Boden, and she is super funny. She asked if she did the right thing by
helping out a homeless person. Elder Montgomery answered her question
and then she turned to me and said, "Elder S, (she can't say my name
so she just calls me elder s) do you think I did the right thing?
Because I value your opinion a lot." Haha!!! So funny and then later
she said "Elder S, I like you better than Elder Montgomery. I like you
too elder Montgomery but I just like Elder S a little bit more."
Haha!!! I almost burst out laughing!! Haha she is so funny!!!!!! I
honestly have no clue why she likes me so much but it made my week!!!
Haha! I just couldn't believe she said that. Agh it was so funny. She
says so many funny things.
Yesterday during testimony meeting Our branch president went up and
shared how his son and companion have been facing trials and how his
son said that people don't realize that we (missionaries) are human
and get mad, sad, have hard times, are scared, and are not perfect. I
went up after and then shared Alma 26:27 and shared how what President
Emericks son said is true. That I have experienced some hard times,
especially lately, but that Christ is there and always will be. Then
at the very end of the meeting Brother Snyder went up and shared how
on his mission he too experienced all those things. He shared a
scripture that has helped him just like one did for me. He looked at
me a lot while bearing his testimony and I know he was wanting me to
know that I'll get through it. I love this branch so much and they all
care for me so much. I never want to leave this branch. If I could
take them home to California to be in my ward -I so would! I love
them. It's weird... It feels like they are my family. This is home.
Back home was just a dream. Haha. It's weird.
Missions are awesome. There is so much that happens every week that I
just don't have time to talk about. But just know that so much happens
every week that make the mission way better than words could describe!
Elder Segon

Elder Segon is going to STAY IN SOMERSET!!!

Well,

Transfer boards came out this week.... Elder Segon is going to...

STAY IN SOMERSET AGAIN! 

I will be staying in this branch, somerset, for 6 months, 1/4th of my mission! How crazy is that! I'm so glad I get to stay another. I love it here! I love these members. I truly feel like they are my family away from my family! I just can't describe how much love I have for all of them!

We had a lesson this week with someone and they get into politics a lot while we try to give our lessons. But they mentioned that they have a problem with something, I forget exactly what; however, I promised her that if she read the Book of Mormon she would know that it is true. And prior to that I mentioned how Satin uses any little tiny thing to use as a lie to trick us. Then elder draper testified of the power of the Book of Mormon and he also said how she has to read it. It was really cool because she talks talks talks talks all day. But when we began to testify and give promises she went silent. Absolutely silent. It was so powerful. And she said "ok, I will read it." And then went silent again. It was awesome.

This week I was super discouraged and mad and was having just a super hard time, but I looked in the Book of Mormon and I found the scripture---

Alma 26:27-   Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

This is talking about the sons of Mosiah in their missions.

I read this scripture and a light turned on. All that doubt and sadness was gone. This scripture applied so well to me and it literally changed my mental and emotional state instantly. I love the Book of Mormon and the insights that I receive on a daily basis!!

Because I test the word of God and I receive these experiences I have a testimony. And that testimony is that the Book of Mormon is true, it is true. I know that God loves me and His other children and desires for us to succeed and to obtain joy. I know that He has called prophets and apostles to lead us into the path that allows us to return to Him. This path gives me joy. And I know that God is aware of everything and he can see the big picture. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love Elder Segon 

Sorry I don't really have photos this week..

Wassuppppp!!!! Matt's email from 7/25/2016

Wassupppp.

So this week we did service with some prisoners again. These guys were
super cool. We had a pull up competition with them. I'll send a video.
We ate some of the food they get and it wasn't that bad. My tongue got
numb though and that scared me... But I was ok. Haha.
It's been pretty hectic and time consuming driving back and forth
between somerset and Johnstown.

We had interviews with president this week. During my interview with
him we were talking about how great somerset is and he stops in the
middle of his sentence, looks at me very seriously, and says, "Elder
Segon, can we talk about something very serious now?" I said "oh yea
sure." I was scared.... Then he said "how are you still a kings fan? I
just don't understand." HAHAHA! I love president he is so funny. We
talked about basketball for a while. Then he got serious again and
said "Elder Segon (he pronounces it say-gin) in 50 years when I see
you, I hope to live that long, I can ask if you are still worthy of a
temple recommend, and you will pull your temple recommend out and say
'yes president, see.'" He then talked about how important temple
recommends are. He committed me to stay worthy of a temple recommend
for 50 years. I love President and sister Johnson. They are so cute,
and they truly emulate love for all us missionaries.

For Pioneer Day we had a picnic with the Bedford branch. It was super
fun. We played all kinds of games. Softball, football, stick pull, and
other sorts of fun things. I was so tired after that day haha.
That was my week. I read an awesome chapter in the Book of Mormon this
week about the Melchizedek preisthood in alma 13.
As always I just love the Book of Mormon. It's amazing. It is the key
to righteous habits, power, and a testimony. I know it's true!