Bless you Sister Heap..........

In Sister Heap's last blog entry she was so kind to clean out her phone and post lots of pictures of the assistants, the best gift I could ask for during this last full week of Cody's mission.

Final week.........

Hey Momma,

Things are going great here in West Texas. This last week I was in Amarillo and then in Lubbock working with some zone leaders, I had a great time. 

Haha to be honest mom, I don't really know much of what to say. I have had such a wide spectrum of emotions lately, it has been draining. I really am excited though. I am going to send home a couple boxes of loose stuff. I have been starting to pack the past couple days and it has been pretty hard! Lots of memories, in fact a lifetime of them. As unbelievable as this sounds, I really can't remember not being a missionary. I have to think really hard to remember what I did and who I was, haha it is strange. I suppose that is a good thing though. 

I think the hardest thing about leaving will be having to say goodbye to President and Sister Heap. I have been so greatly privileged to have been able to work with them so closely. They are why I came to Lubbock!

I am going to write a letter to you guys today, so be looking for it sometime this week. Because of transfers and general conference, I am actually going to take my last P day this upcoming Friday.

Mom, could you do me a favor? I have been making plans for my personal study, could you have a copy of Church History in the Fulness of Times and Principles of the Gospel Institute manuals waiting for me when I get home? President Heap recommended those for good study. They can be found on the lds store website. The church history one has a picture of young Joseph Smith on his farm and the gospel principles one just has a set of scriptures on it. Thank you so much.

I sure love you mom. I could not have done any of this without you. Generations will be thanking you in the eternities. I can't believe this is my last week of being Elder Backus. I am going to do my best to give all the rest that I have! 

I love you and look forward to hearing from you on Friday.

Love, Elder Backus

Elder Schwitzer..........

Hey Mom!

Ok, ok, answers to questions:

1. We decided not to do the traveling thing until week 3. These first few weeks we are travelling to every district in the mission and presenting at their district meetings (My comps and the Heaps). Mission really needs a jolt right now!

2. Not sure what to do with the bike yet haha! Maybe just pawn it off or something, not sure.

3. We will be training the districts in San Angelo and Lubbock this week. We also have MLC this Friday and a District Conference in Fort Stockton.

4. Favorite area? I don't know :/ I am pretty partial to Big Spring. Special place to me. I loved the article you sent me!

6. Transfers always kill me.

7. As far as school goes, I would like to stay at BYU SLC unitl Fall 2016. I appreciated your thought and definitely considered it.

Had a sweet experience this weekend as I got to go to the Abilene Stake Conference where Elder Gregory Schwitzer of the Seventy was presiding and spoke. I have tremendous faith in the Brethren! Both sessions were incredible, Elder Schwitzer gave some great messages that were very vital to me personally. Also got to eat lunch with him haha perks of traveling with the Heaps! We were all in the High Council room with the Stake leaders having a kind of concluding meeting/luncheon. The whole time though he talked to me and role played with me about missionary work haha! He will be speaking in General Conference this October, keep a look out for him!

Thank you for the post cards and the letters from girl's camp, that was nice of them. Can't believe you got to see a no-hitter!

Sure love you Mom. Thanks for all that you do. I love and miss you like crazy. Look forward to seeing you soon!

Love, Elder Backus