West Virginia Charleston Mission

West Virginia Charleston Mission

Monday, August 28, 2017

“Double exchange madness week of awesomeness!”

This past week was pretty great! A lot of fun things happened! I'll try and summarize, since we won't be at the library for long, we're going to Spencer for Frisbee golf again. 

Last Monday was normal, nothing too crazy. Tuesday we drove to Spencer and then to Charleston for interviews with President Lindhardt. It was a good time, especially since I had to reach out the back window of the truck to hold down our Plan of Salvation booth (we were bringing it to the mission office). Interviews were good and then we drove back up to Spencer to do exchanges. We did some knocking doors and talked to some pretty cool people. 

Wednesday we were still in Spencer for a while and we worked at the food pantry with Pedro (hilarious Catholic Filipino guy). We had district meeting and then on our way home we got to see the Wotrings! They were both feelings sick, but we still visited with them for just a few minutes. They were still both really interested in the plan of salvation, so we get to go back tomorrow with Brother Franklin and teach them more. Later we had an appointment, but had to scrap it because we couldn't find any members to come with us. 

Thursday was a strange day. We did some planning for the next week and then headed over to the library. So for this last transfer I've been doing what is called “MyPlan”, which is an online tool for missionaries going home soon, to set goals and be productive. But for some strange reason, one of the example answers to the question I was asked.... was in LATIN!!! Seriously, it was in Latin - weird. 

Then after that, some random guy came and started talking to us about the Book of Mormon. So we gave him a copy and talked for a while, but the conversation quickly devolved into him questioning me on the details of what a colonoscopy is, what they are like and how you prep for one.... very VERY strange. Easily one of the strangest conversations I've had on my mission. But luckily later that night we got to teach D.J. again and it went pretty well. He understood what a prophet is and why they are important but got very fascinated on the book of Leviticus for some reason. 

Friday we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders! Super fun day, Elder Bailey was with Elder Watkins and I got to go with Elder Baggett again!!! (Elder Goold and Elder Baggett served together in Martin, Kentucky some time ago) It was great. Elder Baggett and I went exploring to find some less active members and did some finding. We also bottomed out the Corolla on accident, so that was fun. We need a more off-road style car for sure! Nothing terribly exciting except for a couple cool potential people we found. OH! And we were walking around Ripley right before we came inside for dinner and we walked past Ripley High School, which was in the middle of a football game. And all of a sudden, guess who pulls over to talk... Chase Fisher (all of you BYU basketball fans probably know this guy). He's from Ripley and was on the BYU basketball team and he just graduated this last spring. Super nice guy and while we were talking, Kyle Collinsworth (another recent BYU basketball player) called him on the phone and so we got to talk with him as well. Pretty cool!!!
Oh and Elder Bailey and Elder Watkins got to teach a new lady named Misty over in Ravenswood, so that was pretty great!

Saturday Elder Baggett and I went and did some tracting down in Fairplain and talked to a lot of really nice, open people! Poor JW's, they would've gotten wrecked here. Everyone thought we were the Jehovah's witnesses and when we said that we weren't they would let us right in 😂. Pretty funny and so we've got some people from that to see this next week! Elder Bailey and I then went back up to Ravenswood to do some work for the rest of the day and then came home. 

Sunday was AWESOME. So first, no one made it out to church sadly, but we had some speakers from the stake there. They just sent their son to the Sacramento mission and he's flying into Sac-town today! His name is Elder Brown and he's speaking Spanish on a bike, just FYI :). Then, we worked around Ravenswood for a while. Then, after dinner, we went back to Fairplain and worked more of the apartments Elder Baggett and I were at. At first we were a little weary because we thought the property management was there and they might tell us to leave, but we went for it anyways and we met Chris!!!!!! 

Chris is awesome. He sat down right away wanting us to talk with him. At first it was kind of strange because he asked us about Revelation chapter 12, but it was perfect, because the first part of the chapter is all about Christ coming to the earth and then the apostasy (the women (who represents the church) fleeing into the wilderness for a long time). So we taught him all about the Restoration and it went super well. He said everything about the Book of Mormon made perfect sense and was even talking through his own way to argue with other people that it was right 😂. It was awesome and he's got a little family! We're going back this weekend to see them again. 

But then it gets better! We had a little bit left before we came in for the night, and we could have gone in, but we decided to walk and try one more person, just to set up an appointment. But on the way, we were randomly stopped by some guy who wanted to talk. He turned out to be a less active member we were looking for who lived SUPER far away. It would've been really hard to get out there and visit him, but he apparently moved right down the street and we happen to walk by right at the right time to meet him! He's a super nice guy, just got out of jail, but he's really wanting to turn his life around. Blessings for working to the end! 

In conclusion, I just want to share one of my all time favorite scriptures that has guided me in my life.  Alma chapter 5 verse 19 says:
 "...I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?"

This has really helped to guide me in my life, because who know you better than yourself? I have often read this scripture throughout my life and my mission and I have felt it be a counsel and a chastening to me. I know it can do the same for you! Ponder about what things you can do to be more like the Savior. And even though I haven't been perfect, by any means, later in the same chapter is one of the most overarching promises extended by Christ: 

"Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you. Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely;"

I know that this is true. Sometimes it's hard to have faith that this promise really can impact our individual lives, but I testify that it can! Jesus Christ loves us and simply asks us to turn to Him and receive His miraculous blessings. 

Hope y'all have a great next week and stay safe!! Next Wednesday is our prep day, so I'll write again then. Peace out!

Take Luck,


Elder Goold


Elder Watkins and I

Reunited with Elder Baggett (and Bruce too of course!)


Fixer Upper??




Monday, August 21, 2017

“Lots of cake”

This has been a good and SUPER fast week here in Ripley! 1. Happy Birthday to my companion Elder Bailey!!!!! It was a pretty fun week overall, lots of cool people and lots of cake. Probably too much cake, if that is possible. 

Last Monday, I can't remember what happened. Oh whale ! 🐋 Tuesday we had some appointments set up that sadly fell through. We did some service helping out a less active, Sam, clean out a room at the property he lives. It was a room a hoarder used to live in and it was pretty nasty. Lots of bugs and other things, but I'll spare the details. 

Wednesday we had our exchange with Spencer here in Ripley (cue cake #1). I was with Elder Scott this time. We split up leaving Elders Webb and Bailey to tract some in Silverton while we went to a trailer park hunting for some less actives and did some door knockin' ourselves. Elder Scott and I talked with some pretty cool people in the trailer park who hadn't ever heard of us before (which is pretty rare around here) since the trailer park was in a pretty obscure place. Elders Bailey and Webb talked to some cool people too, but I'll come back to that. 

Sadly, no one made it to our Family History class this time, but it was fun to plan for and we spent the time planning how to get more people there next time. Then we tried to find some more people to teach in Ravenswood before we came back and had cake and dinner (potentially in that order). 

Thursday we had district meeting and went separate ways to try and find some less actives. After that, Elder Bailey and I did weekly planning. I was feeling pretty sick for some reason and slept for a little bit and then we went to see the Mullins! They've been doing well, especially with their family prayer! We talked with Sister Mullins more about reading in the Book of Mormon before they pray and she said that they would. Not sure if I mentioned it before, but they might have the chance to move to Pittsburgh for his work later this year, but they haven't heard yet. It was Elder bailey's birthday Thursday so we made cake :) (cake #2). 

Friday we did service at the food pantry like normal. We got to set up with a potential family we talked to last week for this upcoming week, so that was good! We went and tried to see some of the people up in the trailer park Elder Scott and I worked in, but didn't find anyone home. 

Saturday was a good day! We were able to teach a new investigator, Hunter! He was someone Elders Bailey and Webb talked to earlier in the week and he was really open. He's in high school, but definitely is a smart kid. He also has some family that might actually be less active members. He even invited us back for this Friday, so that was pretty cool. We had another appointment that fell through, but we worked around the neighborhood and found some new potentials that we'll get to see later this week. 

Sunday was good, we didn't have anyone at church though, so that was sad. I counted 19 total people, so smaller than the last few weeks, but definitely not the least. We got some good and bad news at church; Good news is that Elder Cook from the Quorum of the 12 Apostles is coming to Charleston and Huntington stakes and our mission will get to meet him later next month.  Bad news is I won't be there, but it's pretty cool! Then we had a potluck after church, hence cake #3 and #4. And brownies. It's okay, we exercise :)

Later Sunday night we were out in Evans trying to see some people and we felt like trying an old potential investigator we hadn't seen in months. He wasn't home, but his son, who is moving back to Washington state soonish, was there and was really interested in talking to us! So we got to teach him about the Restoration of the Gospel! He was super into the Book of Mormon and really wanted to read it after we taught him what is was. He personally really likes reading the Old Testament and isn't a part of one church. We're going to see him again Thursday this week.  

This past week I was thinking about a talk by Elder David A. Bednar about believing in and believing Christ. I really like what he said about how in our lives we need to have more faith that the Lord's promised blessings can really apply to our lives. I think for myself, I have faith in Christ and his power, but I have a harder time feeling that those blessings can apply to my life. Something that has helped me with this, and something that can help you with it as well, is simply praying for the gift of Faith. The talk is called "If Ye Had Known Me" - October 2016 General Conference. 

Hope y'all had a great week! We've got interviews this week down in Charleston and exchanges with both Spencer and the Zone leaders (ELDER BAGGETT 😀). Peace out!

Take Luck,


Elder Goold


One last picture with my friend Zeke before he goes back to school in Morgantown.

Solar Eclipse Picture

Some delicious food (twice baked potatoes?)


Monday, August 14, 2017

“A week full of adventures!”

Well this was a pretty fun week! Elder Bailey and I did a lot of good work, and talked to a lot of cool new people (or found where a lot of people are not longer living, haha). Also took a lot of pictures this week.

Well, we had an appointment with Kim set up for last Tuesday! But naturally, since I mentioned it in my email, it didn't happen. Actually, it was pretty unfortunate, there's some man who is there with her (very unsure if actually married or just share rent together or something?) and he apparently couldn't tell us to not come by, so he made some hand written signs telling us to go away and not come back. It was pretty sad, but we got a kick out of his sign, especially since he spelled religious wrong! 😂

Wednesday and about half of Thursday we were in Spencer. We helped out at the Food Pantry a little, which was fun and then Elder Webb and I did a lot of work to try and find new people. We met some pretty cool people around town and then we visited with a less active member there named Brother Adams. He was... interesting to say the least. It was a good day over all though!

Thursday we were able to teach Susan and Silas again! It went really well! Silas actually reread the pamphlet we left them and starting reading the book of Moroni in the Book of Mormon! We reviewed the Restoration with them and it went really well! They weren't able to make it out to church because they had company for the weekend, but we're seeing them again tomorrow and they'll hopefully be there next week!

Friday we worked at the Food Pantry again and then we got to teach Tim again! He's been reading more in the Book of Mormon, which is awesome! He was going to be at church this week, but something came up and he didn't make it :(

We got to talk a little with Joanne Meadows again and we're going to see her again later this week. Then we were also able to set up with someone who was taught by the sisters a while ago for this Friday! Should be a good week!

Something I really liked over the last week was something I've been studying about in Preach My Gospel. In chapter 4, it's all about the role of the Holy Ghost. I've been studying a list of scriptures in there all about how the Spirit manifests itself in our lives and one particular scripture I loved was Mosiah chapter 5 verses 2-3. Verse 2 mentions how these people, after hearing the preaching of the gospel, have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. But verse 3 I think gives a really great insight into how these people lost their natural desire for evil. It says because of the "manifestations of His (God's) Spirit" they "have great views of that which is to come". The Holy Ghost can help you and me, like these people, have a better view of this life in the scheme of the whole plan!  Through the Spirit, we can see this life the way Heavenly Father sees it and we can have an "eternal perspective", which helps us overcome our trials and temptations. Also check out Alma 5:15-16

Hope y'all have a great week! Peace out and...

Take Luck!


Elder Goold

A picture with our friend Silas

Monday, August 7, 2017

“Small congregations have definitely grown on me”

Well this last week flew by! I can never seem to remember everything that happens throughout the week, so this will probably be lacking in details.

Wednesday was Zone Conference again, it was a good time, the Lindhardts are really awesome. We talked a lot about our purpose as missionaries and how to find people to teach. Oh, at Zone Conferences they've started giving gift cards to people with the cleanest cars. Elder Webb told me we would have won, but we won last time! Oh well, can't win them all I guess 😋

We were able to see Tim. He's doing well but hasn't been reading in the Book of Mormon :( He's been staying busy just hanging out with some of his buddies and hasn't really made it too much of a priority to come to church sadly. We're definitely still trying to work with him though, so hopefully things get better!

So over this last week we were going to have a few appointments with some new people, but I, being myself, lost my planner from last transfer and so we couldn't call any of them. So we did a lot of re-meeting people and re-getting phone numbers haha. But this next week we've got some appointments already planned. We're going to see a new lady named Kim tomorrow with Brother Franklin. She's really nice and actually has some family members that are members of the church, just recently moved to Ripley. Then we're going back to see Susan and Silas on Thursday. Should be a good week!

We were able to see Frank again yesterday! He's been super busy handing out money again (he pays people to use their land for projects). But we had a good discussion with him about prayer and the Atonement of Christ.

The branch had the first Family Home Evening activity last Wednesday. It was cool to see how much everyone liked it at church on Sunday.  Things are going pretty well overall for the branch. Still only a small handful of people every week, but it's great. Small congregations have definitely grown on me:)

So my spiritual thought this week has to do with prayer. Elder Bailey has done something similar and I've started copying what he does somewhat. I've noticed it helps me to pray if I ponder beforehand and write down things to pray about. I've noticed as I have done this, it's really helped me focus my thoughts more and feel the Spirit of what I am praying about. It's always good to be reminded that prayer is supposed to be a strong spiritual experience, not just a list of pleases and thank-you's.

We also got caught in a large rainstorm this last week. Good times! Also got a picture of a super tiny church we found in the middle of no-where. OH!! We also eat some good food this week! A member here gave us money to eat something so we bought the pizza of all pizzas. That's right ladies and gentlemen, in the Ripley corner, weighing in at a whopping 3 pounds, the Sasquatch Pizza. Literally though, it's 3 lbs.  I also made a random attempt at the chicken-broccoli braid my mom made back home at my request and it turned out pretty good actually.

Take Luck!


Elder Goold