Cleveland to Youngstown in a Tacoma - September 9, 2019

Hey from Ohio!

It's been a busy week with lots of moving. We moved into the new apartment in Cleveland, and then I was transferred and moved to my new area in Youngstown. It was hard to say good bye to the YSA ward in Cleveland. We opened up that area and there are a lot of amazing people there. I will truly miss them. Elder Neeser, Elder Stoddard, and I were a three pack after Elder Lambert went home. That was a lot of fun. They are great guys. Elder Neeser reminds me a lot of dad.  He likes a lot of the same things. 

Youngstown looks like the town in I am Legend. It is the place that they made Fallout the video game after. It is a scarier place than Cleveland was. The two places are a lot different. We have a huge area. It covers Pennsylvania and Indiana as well. The areas back here are a lot larger than the ones in Nevada. 

We have a tacoma truck in our area, so that has been nice. This week we are attending a training meeting at the Mission home. I haven't been there since I came out on my mission almost two years ago. We are about 3 hours away so it will be a road trip for us. It is going to be a learning experience being a zone leader. I was transferred here for a reason, and I am going to work hard to find out. Thanks for all of your prayers, letters and emails.

Elder Davis

Dear Elder Davis

I congratulate you on your new calling within the Ohio Columbus mission.  Your acts of love, 

compassion and service, coupled with your eagerness to work in building the kingdom of God,

 have prepared you for this greater responsibility

Your new role will likely include new responsibilities--reports, exchanges, etc., but your most important 

role must be a devoted laborer in the work of the Lord.  No greater service can be rendered than to labor

 faithfully for the salvation of the souls of men.  The Spirit of the Lord will help make you a successful and 

effective leader if you will be humble and prayerful.  Teach by example and by the Spirit.

Your call is a call to service--service to God, your companion, your missionaries, and your fellow men.  

Remember that "no power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the Priesthood, only by 

persuasion, by long suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; by kindness and 

pure knowledge..." (D&C 121:41-42). Also, "Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men..

.and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence 

of God..." (D&C 121:43).  This is especially important to remember as you work with imperfect 

missionaries or even some members and leaders within the Church.  Be patient and pray for understanding.

I have every confidence that you will be a great asset to our mission leadership.  I know you will enjoy 

this new calling as have others before you.  Always remember that you are an ambassador of the Lord, 

Jesus Christ, and a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Your words and your actions matter.  The Lord is anxious to pour out his great blessings upon 

you as you go forth in this new and challenging calling.

Sincerely, your brother in Christ

President Val T. Stratford, Ohio Columbus Mission