What's up guys

Happy thanksgiving to all of you! I just want to take a second in the is email and just thank my family for all they have done for me. I truly have the greatest family ever. I'm so thankful also for my extended family, you can get better grandma's and aunts and uncles and cousins, than I have! And also all my friends and especially the 9. I love you guys and am so grateful for you! I challenge each one of you to try your very hardest this week to be thankful in all situations. Even if something really crappy happens I want you to look at the good and find something that you can be thankful for. I'm going to as well and we will see how it goes next week!

Highlight of the week is the first picture that I'm going to attach below. On Saturday Silvia and Rickey were able to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead for their family names in the Manhattan temple. The group from Terryville came and stopped by the church to say a quick hello and I just can't describe how I feel about those 2 and for the hand of God in helping them. It's just the coolest thing ever to see the people there embrace them and I'm just above thankful for the members that helped. I also got to see my guy kaoudio cause he was driving them! And then also to top off the week.....Reggie from T-Ville was in the city and took us out for dinner.  It was pretty dope, just like the old days. OGG.

Update here in Manhattan! Chris is still at kind of a stale mate so please just keep sending your prayers. It's so cool to see how involved the YSA ward is with him! Our girl Paisley is doing awesome! We had a great lesson with her.  She is out of town for thanksgiving but as soon as she is back she  coming to church and really wants to get baptized! We have only taught her 2 times and she is literally so smart and the spirit is working in her so much. I know because our teaching is not to here smartness level hahaha and she is just eating it up. It's so cool, God has completely 100 percent prepared Paisley! Others are still doing good as well! I will keep you updated!

Nothing too crazy this week other than that other than it friggin snowed on NOVEMBER 15. I was actually pretty upset haha.  We are here freezing in the snow and it's not even Thanksgiving! But it was a good week and I absolutely love the people here in Manhattan...it is such a cool place to be.

Much love to all of you. Pray for gratitude with me this week and I'll catch y'all soon! Happy Thanksgiving.  Watch some football for me! Go utes

Elder Imlay

Ayee what's up homies

This week was pretty dang awesome. Being here in the middle of Manhattan has got to be the coolest thing ever!  This was like the fastest week ever cause being here is so sick!

Quick update on some Terryville people.  They are still moving forward and they literally all reached out to me and I'm still in touch and they are still moving along.  Your prayers are being heard. Thank you so much! I will keep you updated on them!

Here in Manhattan 2nd ward and the Manhattan YSA (that's what we cover) there were 2 baptisms recently right before I got here! Shout out to Elder John Powell for that one and we are really working on getting them to the temple!! Also we have some cool people we are teaching as well! The guy we are gonna push super hard with is Chris! He is so involved with the YSA.  Everyone loves him and he knows that it's true! Some commandments are hard for him, but this week was groundbreaking for him as we had a few lessons and brought members with us! Pray for Chris, literally the coolest guy ever!

We had 2 people go to church with us....one of the YSA members invited a random dude from the train and he came! Literally the people in our wards here are so awesome! The YSA is so sick....so many people from Utah and so many of them are so willing to help with the work and go hard! They have tons of activities, they fellowship each other and truly it's just the place to be!

Every Wednesday the elders quorum places basketball at our church.  People bring friends and we can bring investigators! It's such a cool way to help with the work and build ward unity! Also the YSA has tons of activities including a little social after church every week so that is way fun.  It helps so much in helping to get people involved! We had a nice break the fast meal after church yesterday! Sundays are great here tho, cause I get to go to 6 hours of church so guess who is the lucky one. I think God was like koby likes the idea of 2 hour church too much so let's make him go 6 hours for the next little while until they change it hahaha!

I got to see Elder VH this week at a old person meeting so that was dope! Miss that guy! I'll send some pics of that and transfers.  It was hard to see Powell and Harris go!  But truly I couldn't be happier right now! I love serving God and truly I know he is inspired what he does with us in our lives, even the small details. Trust God in all that you do this week and I promise it will open your eyes.

Take care and talk to you soon.
Elder Imlay

Pics from Manhattan coming next week...they on the camera!

Hey what's up homies!!

Dang definitely an insane week out here! There is one thing I've come to know pretty good on my mission, that is change. It's crazy how 1 day you can be feeling something and the next day your whole world is changed... in a new place with new people you've never met! I always be rambling on hahaha that's my bad. But this week was definitely a change! My new comp is Elder Palmer from salt lake city and he is a really cool guy.  He hasn't been on the mission that long but is an awesome missionary. It's been a good first week getting him adjusted and adjusting my self.  I definitely miss elder Roderick, but things will be good and I'm excited to see how this last journey of my mission goes!

Two quick gifts straight from God this week was that Rickey our investigator who smokes is now on baptismal date.  He hasn't smoked in 5 days! It's been so sweet to work with him and I'm super pumped for what's happening there. He is so converted to the gospel and I know that's what is important....the baptism and those things come with it. When we are truly able to commit ourselves to God that's when we are in the right path.

Also this week another blessing on blessing on blessing on blessing, was we got a phone call from a couple named Rob and Donna.  Literally on the phone they said they had contacted missionaries for the past 2 days and been talking and will do whatever it takes to be baptized. Rob told us he has already made his decision and is willing to do whatever god tells him to do. It truly was the coolest experience to talk to him and go hear him and his repentant heart. He has a lot to overcome and we will get him there but I'm grateful for the journey we've started with him. Keep them in your prayers.

If you are still reading this email last week the quote was by the homie big Sean. Y'all had some good guesses tho. Anyways everything here is great.  I'm in Manhattan right now chillin while my comp is in the temple. I still have to stop and realize where I'm at sometimes. This place truly is amazing and I couldnt ask for a better place to be.

Quick shout out to the boys in geezy...can t believe 5/9 are back. Love you guys so much. A scripture I'd love for you all to read is Romans 8:38-39. This is the kind of love I feel for my family and my friends and you all. Thank you for all you do!

Have a great week,
Elder Imlay
#findjoyinthejourney

Hey what's up everyone!

I can't believe another week has passed by, which also marks the end of transfers for us. Tanner and Blake get home this week! Quick shout out to them, you are studs and I love you guys a lot!  Here on the New York side of things. I'm getting a new companion named Elder Palmer, who's been out about 3 months and I'm staying here in Terryville for 1 more! Im sad to see elder Roderick go.  I've had some of the greatest companions on my mission and couldn't ask for much more. I'm way up I feel blessed

This week was stressful and all over the place but in the end the highlight was seeing Flo and Silvia baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. I love them both and I just thank God for letting me meet them and for guiding us to know what to do with them. God's true gospel will change your life. I will send some pics of the baptism!  This time me and Roderick learned to not make the water freezing cold hahaha....when Benett got baptized we had the artic ocean for the font, but this time was like Bermuda water;)  There was a lot that happened this week, but that was the highlight for sure. I'm looking forward to a little bit more time in Terryville to see some more people progress in the gospel.

Adrian and Emily are  both doing well. We had good meeting with them and I'm excited to see Herman start getting more serious as well! Pray for them.

I still wake up sometimes and wonder where I am at and how it's been so long and it feels like a dream sometimes. God blesses us through prayer as we seek to do his will. I taught a lesson about Jonah in gospel doctrine yesterday.  He ran away from his calling to preach the gospel and he was then swallowed by a whale. I've found as I heed the promptings of the spirit and just do his will there's nothing that brings more joy and fulfillment.   I have 2 more transfers and I can't believe it but as always find joy in the journey!

BTW if you are still reading, first person to email me and tell me who I quoted in the last line of my first paragraph gets a dope picture I took;)

Anyways have a great week! congrats kanon #splashbros!

Elder Imlay

What's up guys!

This was probably the quickest week of my mission. We are in our last week of this transfer and ending with a big day on Friday.  Just gonna give a quick shout out to the fine 9 and the 2 homies going home next week, good luck. It's crazy how fast those 2 years for you guys went. Gear up STG for yungkob, k9, g-joy, and scoop. Also just wanna let my family know that I love them so much, all of my aunt's and uncles and cousins and grandma's too, I have the best family in the world and can't wait to see all of them!

A quick update from the trenches hahaha. This week was full of some pretty amazing experiences. Friday is Silvia and Flo's baptism! Keep praying all goes well, but it looks set we got one more obstacle to get over but I'll fill you in how it goes next week. I couldn't be more excited for Silvia and Flo. They are so converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and understand the importance of all of this. They have changed so much and there happiness makes me so happy.

We've also been super busy with lots of others.  Bennett our recent convert is preparing for the temple so we should be going with him soon! Also we have some more investigators that me and Powell were working with and we have been for a while who are coming along and it's so cool to see. We have used friendship so much with Emily and Adrian who are both younger investigators. Adrian came to church again and we've been able to spend lots of time with them and I'm excited to see what happens with them soon!

Our homie Reggie, an 82 year old who got baptized last December has been hooking us up. He is like a 3rd missionary.  He has been out teaching with us like 3 times this week, taking our investigators to dinner and literally being the biggest homie of all time. Such an awesome guy he's like the grandpa Steph curry.

We've been doing some good service and really I just know how much loving people and caring about people really makes a difference. Go make someone's day today if you are reading this.

Quick thought....I've been reading from the new testament and a super common scripture came up this week Romans 1:16. For I am Not ashamed of the gospel because it is the means unto salvation. There is nothing more important than the gospel of Jesus Christ! What does that mean to you all? Hit me up if you want. Not trynna just get emails.. but kinda I am lol

Have a great week and go utes2-0

Elder Imlay

Aye

Man this week was another great one! I can't believe how fast the time is flying by. The mission has just become like normal life hahaha, I hope I remember how to be a normal person when I go home. I pray for you all daily.  My family means the world to me....My mom and dad, and bros, and also my grandma's and aunts and uncles and cousins, I love you guys so much. Prayer works! I hope school has been good for everyone haha, but more importantly I hope you've been watching college football. GO UTES!

Anyways like I said it was another great week. Biggest progress is Flo and Silvia! So as of now we have a baptism on the 14th. Flo is like one of my favorite people I've ever taught and she's just such a homie. She has been to church two times now and is super set on being baptized and is way converted! She's pretty much ready to go on the 14th. Reggie our 82 year old recent convert here, one of my boys, has helped so much in teaching and bringing Flo to the gospel. Members and friendships go a long way. And also there is the GOAT Silvia. She is going to be baptized September 22nd for sure, but she might just want to do it with Flo on the 14th! She is awesome. She is really converted to the gospel and knows baptism is right. She even expressed she wants to read more of the Book of Mormon and said she hasn't done her best! I love her humility and true desire.  I want to have more of that! Some cool things coming soon! 

Also we've been teaching a lot and had some cool lessons with tons of our investigators! We have this guy named Rickey who is so awesome and has been to church like 12 plus times and is almost there with quiyting smoking! Continue praying for this dude!

I got to go on exchanges with one of the OG homies. Elder Afoa, this Tuesday and it was good to be back with him.  We had an awesome day. We also got to have interviews with our mission President. He is pretty awesome and I love this guy. I love the direction he is taking right now!

Anyway I'm gonna send a few pics and some love from long island. I hope you all have a great week.  Quick thought to leave you with....there is nothing more in important than living the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the sole purpose why we are here on earth and nothing should keep us us from that.

Cyall....have a great week!

Elder Imlay

That one is an OG breakfast I cooked
And the snacks on the ground a nonmember hooked us up with haha!

Hey guys!

What a week it has been here in New York!  Also I know it's been an awesome week back home! Congrats to my bro and Jenny on their marriage!! Those pics looked amazing and you guys are perfect for each other.  I can't wait to meet Jenny!  My cardboard cut out was looking pretty fine👌 It's so sick to see my boy Parker getting back! I can't believe it and to be honest it's pretty weird, but I'm pumped for you Park.  Keep it chillin and I'll see you soon! 3 of the 9 are home....one third of the way there!

Anyways I wish I could update you on all that has happened but it's been so much so I will try and hit some main points!  First we are having a baptism on Saturday!!! Let's Go!!  It's my dude named Bennet. He is such a stud and has been through a lot.  The elders have taught him and he's so converted and the change in him is like nothing I've ever seen.  Keep Bennet in your prayers!  I'm so pumped for Saturday!

Sorry I forgot to mention that my companion Elder Powell got transferred and so did the sisters and another elder in our district so we know have just 2 missionaries in Terryville where we used to be 6.  It's just me and my companion Elder Roderick and we have been busier than ever....all we do is teach. It's been way cool and exhausting. I'm so grateful for the scriptures and the amazing members here that treat us like family and keep us pushing along. It's been amazing. My new comp Elder Roderick is from Goodyear AZ and he has been out for a little over a year. He was already in my district so I knew him a little and we we've hit the ground running! We definitely are going to have success and I'm excited for the next little bit!

Like I said, we have so many people to teach cause Terryville is all ours. I wish I could talk about them all, but really cool news is Silvia has committed to September 22 to be baptized.  She is so prepared  and she taught herself about tithing the other day! Keep her in your prayers and hopefully that date will be sooner! Adrian, our investigator from Peru, came to church again and I'm super pumped for him. I just thank you all for all your prayers. I love you all so much and I feel the difference because you are all praying for me and I pray for you all daily.

I was reading from Matthew 13 and I invite you all to read the parables found there and ask yourself which person are you. I know how much daily scripture study makes a difference when you sincerely try and learn from it.  If you are wondering about anything or searching for something, the scriptures are where you will find it. But anyway y'all I'll send a few pics! Take care and will talk to you soon!

Elder Imlay

We had to take care of our landlord dog while she was in he hospital so us boys had a dog for a week.