Suit pants and letters..........

(Cody sent these pants home in hopes that we could replace them to match his suit coats, no such luck Elder Backus!

The cost of discipleship..........)

Hey Mother!

So I guess I will just answer your questions first so I don't forget (:

I haven't gotten any package yet, where was it sent to? 

This week will be pretty crazy, so it would probably be best to send things to the office, but after that it would probably be good at the apartment. 

Wow, thanks for getting me a new suit, I am super excited to see it! I only have 1 that I use these days haha. It probably would be best to send it to the office for now. 

This week was full of closing apartments through out the mission and interviews. I guess one thing that I like about this calling is I get to see the mission now. We went up to Amarillo, Dumas, Tulia, and Odessa, it was pretty neat.

Since it was transfer week everything was moving a million miles an hour, so I haven't really gotten settled in yet, haha but President and Sister Heap are just great, its really such a big blessing to be able to be around them. My companions are great as well. They both go home at the beginning of June. 

Its definitely been a different experience so far, we haven't really gotten to do much missionary work, but I guess that its just transfer week. Hopefully things will be able to calm down a little bit more in the next week or so. 

Well Mom, the gospel sure is true. This past week we took the departing missionaries to the airport and watched them as they "crossed the veil". It was surprisingly easy to tell which ones "got it". And it was just heartbreaking to see those who didn't. I want to do all I can to get it. Thanks for always being there to support me and build me up. I am so very grateful for you. I love you lots Mom, have an awesome week.

Love, Cody

P.s. Pictures next week, I promise (: 

Hey Mom! 

Wow, I still find it hard to believe that Avery is heading out on his mission?! Hahaah that is pretty funny he took all that time, who knew that Avery could even talk for 25 minutes straight? When does Brady get home? 

Haha yes Mom, I know that the Y is a great option, and it still is in consideration. I did get the electric razor, thank you! It works just great. I am still waiting for the suit, but I am pretty sure that will be coming in today. 

This week was a BLUR. We have been on the road since Monday, and we just barely got back in to town last night. We went through the eastern part of the mission, Abilene, Midland, San Angelo. It was pretty sweet, we got to spend a few minutes in Big Spring in our travels. That was a pretty sacred moment for me, that place changed my life forever. It is pretty cool to be able to literally see and feel the changes like that. The rest of the week was just providing training for the missionaries as they had their interviews with President Heap. One of the overwhelming things that I am trying to do is get all the missionaries names down. There are over 230 of them, haha so it is quite the task.

We haven't had too much time to work in our own area yet, hopefully we will be a little bit more freed up after these interviews. Haha the YSA ward, Mom, its kind of weird. Haha just weird. I guess it is pretty important to prioritize family once you get home from your mission...haha they are good people though. Great learning experience for me. 

I sure love you Mom! Have a fantastic week. I am hoping and praying for you (: 

Love, 

Elder Backus

P.s. Pictures are coming soon, I promise (;

Sister Woolf & Elder Neeley............

Elder Neeley & Sister Woolf shared a Homecoming/Farewell last Sunday, so we decided to drive to Olympia to hear them speak.......

What a great day!

The Olympia ward has some fantastic, supportive youth.

Kathleen never ceases to amaze me with her creative skills......barn wood, painted wood letters, and lights.

 I took many pics of the cousins and this was as good as it gets haha!

 Cassidy brought her friends Alyssa and Madi to Olympia with us.

The famous gum wall in Seattle.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Back in Lubbock again.........

Hey Mom and Dad!

Well, these past few days have been full of weak knees and a racing mind. Wednesday night President Heap called and asked if I would serve as one of his assistants. So, 3 days later, here I am in Lubbock once again. I am in a trio with Elders Richards and Watson. I am scared to death! I am so overwhelmed and so under-qualified. On Thursday President Heap showed me the transfer board, with a picture of all 230+ missionaries and the areas where they will be serving. I feel like I don't know anybody. As I was looking at it it occurred to me that in some way, albeit small at times, I have some sort of responsibility to make sure that they have the best, most safe experience possible. That is about when I got the stress overload haha. I am terrified, but I am also grateful. I am grateful that I will be able to spend a lot of time around President and Sister Heap. They are both absolutely incredible; I am so excited to be able to learn from them even more.

There are some changes with this calling. I will be serving in the College Park YSA ward, and I will be working on Texas Tech campus. I am not exactly sure what I will be doing from a day to day schedule. I know I will probably be spending a sufficient amount of time in the mission office working on whatever. I know that we will be touring the mission for the next 5 weeks; President Heap is starting his interview schedule on Thursday and we will be accompanying him to provide some sort of training to the missionaries. Then the following weeks we will be doing our Zone Conferences. My P days will now always be on Saturdays. 

I am grateful to be back in Texas again, but it was pretty hard leaving Roswell. 7 months was a long time, and I think that I was ready to go, but having grown there so much and having so much happen in that time period made it pretty hard. I am so grateful for the experiences I had there. 

It's funny, it seems that every time you start feeling comfortable in a certain position or calling you get a new one with new responsibilities and challenges. Haha I hope I never get comfortable as an assistant! I will probably be here for the next 3 or 4 transfers, and then will most likely spend the last month or two in the field. Wow. How did that happen?

Well Mom and Dad, I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for your love and support. I look around and realize that I hit the lottery when it comes to the environment I was raised in. Thank you so much for providing everything, you weren't and aren't perfect, but you are pretty darn close (: I love you so much guys, and I look forward to hearing back from you. In the strength of the Lord we can do all things (: Even raise a punk like Cody!

Love, 

Elder Backus

New Address

5001 Chicago Ave. #212

Lubbock, TX 79414

Cody with Elders Richards and Watson.

Cody with Elder Barnes (the one on the far right), his last companion.

A post from Kisha Dennis & an email from Elder Backus.......

Yesterday a lady from Cody's ward posted this message.........

Kisha Dennis

21 hrs

Look at these two cute elders I had for dinner tonight! They are serving in Roswell, NM right now. Two great YM !
Elder Backus Julie Brown Backus (is this your elder?)
Elder Barnes

Unlike · 

• You, Alicia Neeley and 49 others like this.
• 

  Tracy Morin Lovstedt Look at those cute Elders and look at that beautiful weather. Are we on the same planet?

  18 hrs · Like
• 

  Julie Brown Backus Yes, Kisha Dennis, the one on the left is my elder !! Bless you for taking such good care of them. (You were just mentioned in our family prayer)

  17 hrs · Like · 3
• 

  Kisha Dennis Thank you Julie Brown Backus i need all the prayers i can get!
  both of these elders are amazing! my son is a cadet st the mililtary school in Roswell. they treat him so goid. my son loves to go to institute on Sunday since they are teaching it! They are obedient and always engage in their work. you should be proud they are not only representing the Lord well but also your family name!

  18 mins · Like
• 

Cody's email today..........


Hey Mom!

Haha so, let me get this straight. You went to go watch an MMA fight?? Haha oh man, that's awesome! Kelton, I sure do miss that guy. It is good to hear that he is keeping busy though!!

MOTAB is the best! It is pretty interesting working or being around people of other faiths isn't it? Most of them have so much truth, but yet the plain and precious truths that they are missing make a big difference. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon that brings those truths to light, and the Restoration of the Gospel that espouses it.  (I told Cody about an experience I had working at the American Choral Directors Association Conference at the Salt Palace last week.  The Mormon Tabernacle Choir had 4 free concerts for all those who attended and we (Deseret Book) sold their music afterwards.  I was literally shocked by the hundreds of people not of our faith that are huge fans of MOTAB and even BIGGER fans of Mack Wilberg, he really has a following.  What a great experience it was to talk with so many people from all around the world who share our same beliefs in Jesus Christ, it feels so good to focus on what we have in common.  I talked with individuals who were so moved by the concert that they had just been to, and the overwhelming feelings of love for the Savior.  Many from Asia who in broken english told me they didn't know much about Mormons, but because of the concert knew that "they have big hearts".  Many choir students were there to fulfill a life long dream....singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  I guess I figured that most of MOTAB's fans were LDS, I was very mistaken!)

Thank you for your letter Mom! It truly is sad, the brethren call it the "hemmorage of the church", when returned missionaries go less-active. I am doing all that I can to strengthen my foundation so that I cannot fall.

Work is going well Mom! Had 5 new investigators this week, finally a breakthrough! All it takes is a little bit of faith (: Transfer calls are this weekend. Crazy to think I only have 5 left...I am not sure what will happen, I honestly feel like I could stay here 6 more weeks if needed. Whatever happens happens, and I will take it as the Lord's will and go along with it.

I sure love you Mom! I will get that picture sent to you next week, I promise (: Let me know what else I can do to help. I am thinking about sending a "plain" (as the scriptures say) letter to Cassidy about Mr. Walljasper...haha let me know what you think.

I love you Mom! 

Cassidy's Junior Prom..........

It feels like it was just yesterday that Cody went to Junior Prom, and now its Cassidy's turn.  She was nominated to be a part of the Prom Royalty at Murray High School along with two special needs students (Dustin & Jebba) who were voted as King and Queen.  This story caught the attention of our local news and they came and interviewed everyone including Cassidy.  What a great experience it was for all involved.

Murray High School holds Junior Prom at the Utah State Capital building and parents are invited to the promenade and then the first dance of the night is reserved for dads to dance with their daughters and moms to dance with their sons.  Christine & her friends along with Emma, one of Cody's good friends, was at the house to help her get ready, and then of course her mother was there to take hundreds and hundreds of pictures.......so yes, you will have to scroll through quite a few :).

Letters from Elder Backus..........

Hey Momma!

Hey Mom (:!  You need a letter from me, sorry its taken so long!  So, some cool updates from Roswell.  We are currently visiting/trying to teach a less-active member from MURRAY HIGH SCHOOl.  Haha his name is Josh Fitisemanu......not sure if I spelled that right!  He is about 25, he was a big football star back in the day, his family is all still active in Taylorsville I believe.  We are now starting to teach Brennan and Ashley, the two teenage children of Bobby & Evdora.  Mom, that family is just incredible, they really are doing all they can to live the gospel.  They are a family that just makes the whole mission worth it.

So mom, I think you're probably right, this definitely is the most crucial time in my mission so far.  The first councilor in the bishopric asked me if I had mold underneath my fingernails from being here so long.  Haha, it has been a long time.  I have had my birthday, year mark, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentine's Day all in Roswell.  It is a good place though Mom.  I think I'm at a crossroads now.  I can either stay where I have been at spiritually for the rest of my mission or elevate to a whole new level.  These next 3 weeks are going to be a big test.  But in the strength of the Lord we can do all things, right?

So Mom, what can I do for you?  What keeps you up at night?  How can I help?

I love you Mom.  I am so grateful for your dedication to the Gospel and the countless hours that you have spent in prayer on my behalf.  I love you so very much.  Thank you for your support, it means everything to me.  I love you Mom!

Love,  Your Seed (:,

Elder Cody



Hey Dad!

The month of March is fast approaching us and once again I won't be feeling too much of the madness (he must be referring to March Madness), but thats okay.  I am so very grateful to be out here.  It's funny, being in Roswell this long has been pretty hard, but even the hardest part of my mission I am still more happy than I have ever been.  One thing that I have learned is that when you put other people's needs above your own, time just seems to fly.  These weeks just keep cruising by.  Every now and then I will look up and see that its almost Monday again, crazy!

So, Dad, lets get down to the nitty-gritty.  How has your scripture study been going?  Are you making time for it every day?  Daily scripture study has definitely changed my life out here.  Occasionally there will be some days where we can't do our studies due to a service project or something, and man, you can feel a huge difference that day!  I think Cass and Christine could sure use that right now.  I know I was the main culprit of the family scripture study complaints, but looking back on it, I sure am grateful that you and mom enforced it.

I sure love you Dad!  Every single day I learn 2 things.  One, that Dad knew what he was talking about, and two, that I should have listened to him sooner, kind of like the pump your brakes in the snow thing (:.  I love you!  I hope you have an incredible week.  I look forward to hearing back from you soon.  Love you!  Go Utes!

Love,

Elder Cody

Big D's, The Temple, and The Ten Virgins.........

Momma!

Hey there! So, first off, thank you so much for the package! Haha I took some of the Elders to Big Ds with me, they all said thank you very much (: All the girls there know who we are, haha one of them actually had a bunch of questions and said that she would like to learn more! I will give you credit for that find (; 

So, the temple, Pres Heap now allows us to go to the Temple every transfer. Last transfer was the first time I was able to go in 10 whole months, it was much needed. I love the Temple. I remember the first time I went, haha it all went over my head, but as I have been able to go with an attitude to seek learning by faith, I have truly received an endowment of knowledge, which is power. I look forward to going once a week with you when I get home, be ready (:

I will be sure to get Bishop's pic on the way. I love the parable of the Ten Virgins. There are many interpretations of it, but what I like to think of it as is living up to our baptismal covenant. When we are baptized we are all invited to the wedding feast, we are all called, but whether we live up to that calling is up to us. Many are called but few are chosen right? That then transitions into testimony and conversion. The one who is true to his baptismal covenant will eventually be converted, the one who doesn't will be stuck with just the lamp, or his testimony, without the driving force of the oil, or conversion. 

Sorry I have to brief due to the zone conference we had today and the computer schedule, but I want you to know that I love you so very much! You are my one true valentine (: I love you madre! I sent you a letter today, hope you get it soon!

Love, Cody



(Big D's is a burger joint in downtown Roswell which has been voted into the Top 10 Burgers in the nation.  I called them to get a gift card for Cody's birthday, then for Christmas and now for Valentine's Day.  The girls that work there know who I am now, and as a result, know who the missionaries are.  Looks like one of them will now be learning more about the gospel :)!)

Elder Backus and Elder May at Mission Leadership Conference......

New Relative Finder shows how the Berretts are related to Jeffrey R. Holland.........

BYU has developed a new program called "Relative Finder", which shows you how you are related to friends or famous people in Church and American history.  The coolest thing EVER!!!  The Brown Family is distantly related to Henry B. Eyring, Ezra Taft Benson, Jeffrey Holland, Elias Disney, Emily Dickinson, and many more.  Go check it out!!