Week #48 12/14/2015

So, I have a few cool things to talk about...

We found the family whose house burnt down when we were knocking doors in an apartment complex. We set an appointment, that was pretty cool. 

We had a member of the quorum of the 70, one of the leaders in our church, visit the mission and gave us a lot of advice and amazing council about how we can help members find and introduce friends into the church. It helped a lot, and he gave us spanish missionaries some really important advice specifically for us. It was a lot of help. One thing we have started applying is instead of asking members "do you know anyone who would be interested?" we ask them if they know -anyone who had a recent death of a loved one who could use a message of comfort- anyone who recently had a birth in the family -anyone who moved in recently -or anyone who has trouble with their teenage children. It really help you think better, because it is at times like that that the Lord can touch people's hearts, and when they are searching for His guidence and direction. We already have 3 refferals because of it, and we are going to start teaching the father in a part member family. I am really excited, we really needed that council. 

The English speaking elders baptized 3 people into the Lord's church yesterday, and thta was a really neat experience. We had the opportunity to share the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the service, and no matter how many times I share it, it always bring a great peace of the Holy Spirit that testifies of the truth, and I love my job. 

But, all good things must end, and I am getting transferred to a new area on Thursday. Not sure where I will be going, but I know wherever I am, it is where the Lord wants me. This was an amazing ward, and I am going to miss everyone greatly. It was a good 6 months here. A lot of work, and a lot of miracles. I love these people like my home ward. I sometimes wonder why I am placed in a certain area. I have worked my guts out here, but have baptized none, but I have grown close to these people in a way I didn't think was possible with strangers. After working with them through countless hours, I am proud to to call these people brothers and sisters. 

They have shown me what charity means. 

Moroni 7:

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not ininiquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things,believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity,ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day,it shall be well with him.

 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Whenever I am feeling mad, or fed up with people, I try to remember that last verse. Our Father gives charity to all those that are true servants of His Son. So when I have not charity, am I really His servant? But it is through that that we can be purified. 

We had the amazing opportunity to go to the temple last Saturday. I love it there so much, the e is such a quiet calmness. I was impatient at first waiting in the chapel, but then I realized I was in the House of the Lord, and the reality sunk in. I started just praying as I waited, and thanked God for all the things I have, and I felt such an incredible feeling of the spirit, and as I thanked my Father in Heaven, I felt so much love and peace, and I received some very needed personal revelation. The temple is a marvelous place, and can seem like nothing more than a building, but it can be the greatest place of rest and peace, if we let it be. I never really understood how important it was before my mission, or even really now, but if we prepare ourselves spiritually beforehand, it is the coolest experience I have had. I am going to visit as much as possible to the one in Oakland when I get back. The Holy Ghost is real, as is our Father in Heaven and his son JEsus Christ. Everything God does, he does for us. To lift us, guide us, comfort us, and help us feel the love He has. 

Jesus Christ can help us through anything and take away all guilt, pain, and suffering, if we let Him. HE already paid the price, it is why he was sent here. 

Alma 7:
10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be over shadowedand conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless theSon of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Week #46 11/30/2015

We visited the house of a potential for an appointment, only to find it burnt down. None of the neighbors knew where they went. 

It snowed, and is thus cold, but it is even colder when it doesn't snow for some reason. Iowa...

Thanksgiving was amazing, but I seriously think I ate more than I ever have in one time. We had 2 thanksgiving appointments with members. One at 12 and the next at three. The food was great enough at the first one. It was with an old couple and all their old friends, and it was hilarious just cracking jokes with all these funny old people whose children and grandchildren couldn't come. I get along with them pretty well. But the next one took the cake, food wise. The member, Brother Gray, does nothing much more in his freetime than smoke meat, and then build his own smokers from scratch, sell them, and use it to buy more meat. 

It was heaven. He smoked an entire turkey, inch thick slices of prime rib, and things called "fatties". Imagine a log of meet. The inside is stuffing, or cheese and eggs, or cheese and pepperoni, the next layer is sausage, and the next is a pound of weaved bacon on the outside, all smoked to perfection.

We had a really great lesson with Ernesto, and he is on track for being baptized on the 13th! I am so happy, he is so humble, and has changed his life around completely. He went from drinking two 32 packs in a weekend to nothing! I love this guy. We taught him the law of chastity, which most single guys might have something against, but he completely understood it, and told us "man, why didn't someone tell me the importance of that before!?" 

Love you guys so much. Remember Jesus Christ this Christmas season! The church has a really cool website called https://www.mormon.org/christmas. All about chirstmas. You shoudl check out this video, it is my favorite one. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1460-he-is-the-gift?lang=eng

Love you all!

Week #44 11/16/2015

Funny week, frustration turns to blessings. So just a background, there is a town about 24 minutes away called West Liberty. This town is about half Spanish speakers, and would be a great place for us. Due to orders from the mission president, we were not, in the past, allowed to contact or knock doors in this town because the large number of less actives, and the president wanted us to just work with the less actives for now, or focus on Mucatine. The contact ban was lifted last wednesday, and we were excited to finally be able to work there, and the next day we received what I am just going to call a blessing. 

A pair of Spanish speaking sisters from an area 2 hours away drove to West Liberty and had been contacting there. They had to drive through two other areas to get into ours... They had an investigator there and about 11 other potentials, and this all happened about a month ago. They realized there mistake, and never went back, but failed to notify us of their investigator and potentials until Thursday. Every leader is still scratching their heads about how they thought West Liberty was anywhere near there area, and but it is funny how things worked out. The Lord gave us a great start to open up the town, so I am not complaining. I'll be honest I was a little less than patient with them when they came up to us like champions for "blessing" us with so many potentials. "Hey Elders, guess what?! We have a ton of referrals for you, isn't that great?!". 

The investigator they gave us was a 24 year old guy who was very disappointing to see two men come to his door, but we are now teaching his Mom, so it all works out, haha. That is missionary work. 

I found a great scriputre that perfectly describes the world today. Everyone is searching for happiness, but can never find it, and everything they do to fill the void leaves them as empty as before.

Isaiah 29 

8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

Just like a man who is starving and eats in his sleep, he is still empty in the morning. So is everyone else who doen't find Christ. That is why Jesus says in John 6: 35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

It can sound so cliche, but Jesus Christ, and His gospel, really is the only way to find happiness, the only way to find meaning, and he fills our hearts with joy. I continually see day in and day out, that men and women are only dragged down by the addictions, the sleeping around, the sin in general. They all feel so guilty deep down, and they don;t even know why, so they try to numb it with more crud. They don't understand that going against God's commandments naturally moves you away from God, and being away from God brings feelings of emptiness and unhappiness, because as His children, our natural, happy state is by His side. That is why the scriptures call being away from Him "spiritual Death".  And only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ can we be cleaned, brought back to our Father, and have this weight lifted from our shoulders. That is why He overcame both spiritual and physical death. 

Sorry for the exceptionally long one this time, just something I have been able to learn in a real sense on my mission. Love you guys

Week #42 11/02/2015

So Halloween was fun. We had to go in at 6 (in case people mistake us for trick or treaters. Also drunk people.)  and so we watched the Testaments in our apartment and I made grilled cheese and drank a hot cup of Abuelita. It was sweet. Sunday was stake conference, and it was going awesome until the stake president got up and gave his talk on how the missionaries don't need member meals, we need referrals and help teaching. We need both!! I'm losing weight here! Not really, but still. To add insult to injury, no one even signed up for our meal calendar this month. To be fair, we forgot to pass it around the week before last and last week was conference, but still. 

It has been a great week. We taught Ernesto the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we told him about the importance of prayer and asking to know if what we teach is true, and he just said "I don't need to ask, I already feel it's true, but if it will put your mind at ease, sure, I will." That was pretty awesome. It will be a process, but he has gotten rid of all the booze in his house, and accepted a date for baptism, so I am pretty happy. Just another thing to point out how awesome and necessary the spirit is in teaching. Love you guys, hope you all have a great week!

Heleman 13

38 But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure;yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.

There truly is no real happiness in the world. I see it every day, life that were focused around "fun,"  only to result in sadness. it is one of the Greatest lies the devil has told. "Sin is lawlessness (1 Jn. 3:4); it is a refusal on men’s part to submit to the law of God (Rom. 8:7). By transgression man loses control over his own will and becomes the slave of sin (Rom. 7:14) and so incurs the penalty of spiritual death, which is alienation from God (Rom. 6:23)" 

We become slaves, not free. I have never met a man who became happier, his life more fulfilling and his ability to Love, bless, and serve others increase by turning away from God. 

Week #41 10/26/2015

Two investigators came to church last Sunday, at it was awesome! A father and his daughter came, and even though they only made it to the last hour, the relief society welcomed his 20 year old daughter with open arms, and she loved it. It feels good to be a missionary.

Being a trainer is awesome, but it gets kinda embarrassing and funny when the missionary you are training knows far more than you, which happens quite often with Elder Burgess. But I like it, I am learning more each day with this kid, and the wisdom he has is really beyond any guy our age.

I don't really have much time at all, we've been knocking most of this week. A guy we met gave us an entire folder of Christian poetry he had spent years writing. It was pretty cool. We gave him a book written over the course of about 1000 years and contained the words of eternal life, so we came out even. He liked the book a lot.

Watch conference, it is awesome. Read the Book of Mormon, it is true, and the direct word of God.  We have a prophet to guide us and a Heavenly Father who loves us, as does Jesus Christ, our savior who lives today. Love you guys. oh, and it's getting colder.

Matthew 11:28-30 28 ¶Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I ammeek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

It doesn't mean that we wont have work, but that the work of the savior: the service, the callings, and the families will be lifted up by Christ, and take away the soul crushing burdens of sin, sadness, addiction, temptation, anger, and remorse, and replace it with peace, love, and a feeling of being strong and whole. I know that to be true.

Week #40 - 10/19/2015

The Spirit is Awesome!

So this week has been a super cool week. We were just walking down the street (as always) and ran into this around 60 year old guy walking down his driveway. We were about to talk to him, but he flagged us down first, and just asked "I see you guys all the time, why do you walk so much?". We then just led into who we are and our church, and talked about the book or Mormon. He is one of the most genuine men I have met, and asked us if we could come over and teach him. We had to hand him over to the English Elders, which is still kinda annoying, but they taught him and he came to church Sunday, and stayed for a Baptism after! The man went to 4 hours of church and just loved it! We were sitting next to him for priesthood in the 3rd hour, and he told us that he had gotten home and was going to just go inside, but the he saw us down the street and that a good feeling told him to just wait to talk to us. That made our day.

It really goes to show how important it is to always be an example, and to remember that we are servants of Christ. It gets hard to feel like a pure, representative some times when you have been walking for 6 hours, your most recent blister has popped, and you are almost hungry enough to eat your tie, and honestly, sometimes bitterly expecting the next door to slam in your face with a curseword like the last 5. I almost thought the guy was flagging us down to try to bash with us. But it is always nice to get that reminder that people can recognize it if they are humble enough, and the Lord knows were are trying and still lets us be his servants, as imperfect and impatient as we so often are. 

I continue to learn so much about the need to listen to the spirit. I have had to real myself back lately. It is a cycle every missionary goes through. In the beginning you know nothing and have to rely on the spirit so desperately, but then, over time, start to think you know enough and find yourself getting a bit arrogant, then the Lord has to show you just how little you know again. My companion and I were teaching an inactive member. She had invited us back after giving her a blessing last week, but started off the lesson by saying that she was happy with her new church and didn't want to change. We started talking about her conversion story to the Gospel 20 years ago, and she almost couldn't tell the story of her baptism without tears filling her eyes, yet she still through out a list of concerns and reasons she had fallen away. I quickly whipped out scripture and started teaching what I "knew" would answer her concerns perfectly, while my companion stayed silent. I started addressing all of her concerns with scripture and other things that directly spoke of and answered them, but the spirit kept nudging me away. I wouldn't listen at first, because on the surface, it all seemed like perfect answers, but looking at her, you could tell it wasn't going anywhere. Finally I shut up for a moment, and after a short pause, my companion (who just hit 4 weeks in the field) started to talk. He just bore a simple testimony about the importance of prayer and not giving up on what you know to be true. 

We then asked here to pray as a closing prayer, and after she did, she raised her head back up and was crying. She said she knew it was true, she felt it, but that she didn't know how to tell her family and get their support when they were so against it. We were then able to have a short, but awesome lesson to help her, and the spirit was present and strong as we followed it. She called us later that night and told us she would be at church, and had set up a ride with her visiting teacher. All her other reasons before had just been excuses to try and ignore her testimony so that she wouldn't have to face the backlash of her family for going to a different church, and If I had just listened to the spirit, I would have learned sooner. I am learning more and more why the Lord sends us in twos. So if one is being too stubborn to listen, the other can smack him upside the head. Love you guys, I know this church is true. 

Week #39 - 10/12/2015

Sacred Shoes and Winter Blues

So a cool thing happened this week. We went to the always classy Good Will, and there were only 2 pairs of dress shoes in the store, they were only $4, and they fit me and my comp perfectly. The 9 1/2s were super good quality, but not as much of a miracle as finding a size 14 for my companion. It is little things like that that are always so cool. I know it might sound stupid, but I really think that those were there just for us, and it is a cool thing to see how the Lord loves us and just does things as simple as letting us have some sweet shoes. 

Winter is coming soon, and we are getting prepared. It has been super nice this week, but is is supposed to go from 70 to 50 on Friday, and it is all downhill from there. I wouldn't mind it, but we really rely on the ability to teach women on their porch when their isn't a man in the house, and I don't think they would be to happy when it's that cold. But I'm not worried, I know it will be alright. The work has been going really well, if pretty challenging. We found about 6 people by knocking doors. All seemed more solid than most, and we set return appointments, only to come back to an empty house. But hey, welcome to missionary work. We are making some great progress with some investigators, though. It can be pretty awkward, though, when people try to ask advice about marital problems and other crazy family ordeals. Being the 18 and 19 year old kids that we are, we don't have the greatest advice, but it is always nice to know we just have to point to the Lord, and his words will help them and heal them far more than man ever could. 

Don't have much time, but I'll leave a quote I love.

"That's the way it is when Jesus Christ becomes a reality in your life. It isn't that he somehow makes you do things that you wouldn't want to do otherwise. Rather, you find yourself wanting to do what he would do and respond as he would respond in an effort to bring your life in harmony with His." - Our search for happiness.

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ really is the only way to true, lasting, and eternal happiness in this world, not just for the broken and downtrodden, but for every living soul. If you don;t believe me, just try it. 

Week #38 - 10/05/2015

Conference and Church Tour 

So let me just say, general conference was amazing.  I can not believe I wasted 18 years of my life hardly paying attention. I took notes like a madman and basically just ended up copying half the talks, so I got some summarizing to do. I loved President Thomas s. Monson's Sunday morning talk. His testimony is so powerful, he could barley breath or stand, but he was going with the full power of God and the Holy Ghost. I am really worried we are going to lose him soon, I still miss Scott, Perry, and Packard. 

(For those of you who are non members, General Conference happens every 6 months and is when our Prophet, 12 apostles, and other church leaders get up and give us guidance and word of God. It is pretty sweet, you should check it out. This year we had 3 of the 12 apostles die, but 3 more were called this conference.) 

The conference seems like a lot of words and people testifying, But that is one thing I never thought I could get to, the point where I hung on every word. It is the coolest thing ever, I learn so much. And some talks speak to me more than others, but I found that if we pray beforehand, and try to prepare ourselves and invite the spirit, conference, just like the scriptures, opens up. What they talk about directly applies to what we need to hear, to learn, and to apply. The Spirit is so necessary to learning anything spiritual. It says it best in Corinthians chapter 2:

  9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

God gives understanding through the Spirit, and we need the Spirit to understand the Lord's things, spiritual things. 

And I had a cool experience this week. We had a church tour on saturday with Valerie, which basically just means we show an investigator around the church and then teach them a lesson in the chapel where the spirit is super strong. And the spirit was insanely strong. Valerie has been reading in the book of Mormon, but still felt she hadn't received her answer yet, but she felt something special there. We taught her in the chapel, and then gave her a blessing of comfort for some of her trials, and she was almost crying. We asked if she had received an answer, and she said yes, but that she had no idea how she was going to get her family to go along with it. It was a great experience, and just shows more that the Spirit is needed in all we do, and we can't know truth without it. 

Week #37 - 09/28/2015

New missionary, no concern....

Thus week has been a blast. Elder Burgess is a super stud, he came out more prepared than any other missionary I have met. He loves to work, has a great knowledge of the scriptures, and we already teach together and in union as if we have been together 6 months. I love this kid! Even if he is from around Provo. And knowing I am an example definitely helps me take it up a notch. This has been one of my favorite weeks in a while. The Lord is helping me so much, and I find myself teaching concepts I am fairly certain I didn't even know. Needless to say, it is awesome. 

We are teaching an awesome guy named Nick. He looks like a skinhead drug dealer, but has probably some of the best morals I have ever met from someone outside the church. He is also a great friend, it is hard not to spend the first part of any lesson just chilling and talking. He really wants us to take us out to paintball, and is currently trying to find a way around the rules. He spent almost 15 minutes at an end of a lesson discussing scenarios of how he could get us to do paintball with him, including refusing to be baptized until we can, haha. But we still fulfill our purpose. He is the first person I have taught without a Christian background. He asks amazing questions, and knows that all these churches and all beliefs seem to stem from some original gospel of sorts (Like the original church of God, now restored on the earth. We are putting him on the right track, haha). One of his biggest concerns with Christianity in general is how the Bible portrays women, and how the Christian God doesn't seem to care too much about them. It was a concern I haven't really ran into her in Iowa before, but I found an amazing scripture about it. 

Our Heavenly Father loves his daughters, and has some pretty harsh words to say to those who abuse his daughters in Jacob 2.

31 For behold, I, the Lord, have seen the sorrow, and heard the mourning of the daughters of my people in the land of Jerusalem, yea, and in all the lands of my people, because of the wickedness and abominations of their husbands.

 32 And I will not suffer, saith the Lord of Hosts, that the cries of the fair daughters of this people, which I have led out of the land of Jerusalem, shall come up unto me against the men of my people, saith the Lord of Hosts.

 33 For they shall not lead away captive the daughters of my people because of their tenderness, save I shall visit them with a sore curse, even unto destruction; for they shall not commit whoredoms, like unto them of old, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Our Heavenly Father loves all his children more than we can comprehend, and cries with us when we cry, and rejoices with us when we do. Men can receive the priesthood, but it doesn't make them any more important, or a ruler.The proclamation of the Family says it best.

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners." 

Women are ordained from the foundation of the world with the Grand power of creating life, and bringing more of God's children to this world, and teaching them how to return to live with him in the eternities. I personally doubt that God finds many things more important than that responsibility. 

Love you guys. See you next week. 

Week #36 - 09/21/2015

Preparing for Fatherhood....

So I just got a call from the President of the mission about an hour ago that told me I am going to get a son! That is missionary lingo that means I am going to be training a brand new missionary. I am excited, if a little wary. I really hope I don't ruin this poor kid, but I am sure we will be fine. I have got some karma, both good and bad, coming my way, and the Lord is going to help me. I have my fingers crossed for a native speaker, so I can actually use spanish again, but either way, I am going to talk spanish with the guy as much as possible. Let's hope he doesn't go insane. 

This week has been slow, two of our investigators got hit hard with the flu, and the other had to visit family in Texas, but it has been good getting the time to work with some less actives. It is such an awesome feeling to see people who haven't come to church in months or years because of any number of reasons (feelings of unworthiness, past insults, ect.) and watching them just be embraced by the ward. Man, we have an awesome ward. It is a little funny sometimes when the brotheren ask an inactive to introduce himself during priesthood because they think he is a visitor. But better is when they take the sacrament, or feel the spirit and recognize that peace that had been missing. 

Satan tries so hard to slowly, bit by bit, break us down and make us forget the importance of the Church without us even realizing it. And years down the line, we wonder what happened and why we feel so empty sometimes. But the thing I love most about the Church is, that while the doctrine is perfect, noone in it is. We all struggle, we all mess up, but that is why we come together. We do it so that we can learn from one another, strengthen one another,  "bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.... mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death"  (Mosiah 18:8-9). We are there to worship God, so that he can turn us into something far greater than we can imagine, as imperfect as we are. We shouldn't ever feel unworthy to come, or slighted, that is exactly what Satin wants, is for us to feel unworthy and hypocritical, but the hand of God is always outstretched to all of us. It is there to lift us. 

"24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.
 25 Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.
 26 Behold, hath he commanded any that they should depart out of the synagogues, or out of the houses of worship? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
 27 Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance."
-2 Nephi 26
There are so many good people out there, and in the church, we need them! We need their experience, questions, and even flaws. Because this is where we can all be better, and it is the Lord's kingdom. People who think they shouldn't or even can't come back or need to "fix some things in my life first" are deceived, because this is the best place to solve all issues, the best place to grow, and taking the sacrament will do nothing but wonders for your life. The Lord wants to bless us so desperately, and this is the way he can.

Week #35 - 09/14/2015

So this week has been cool, and funny. 

We started teaching a crazy old lady who basically only wants "Good, God fearing, and single men" for her daughters and granddaughters, and thinks that with missionaries, she has found the jackpot. She already has us matched up in her mind with specific ones, and is trying to get her daughters to meet with us. They live out of state, we we think we are pretty safe for now. Looks like my companion got matched with a 19 year old in the Navy, and I got picked out for a 31 year old with 2 kids. like I said, she is crazy, but super funny and makes some amazing mexican food. We love her, and believe it or not, she actually loves The Book of Mormon, and is learning. 

I have learned to just laugh at things a lot more, this week. From people pretending they don't know English only to find out I know more spanish then them (and that is saying a lot), to all the crazy people we meet, it just helps you to love God's children and laugh every now and then at the funny situations we get ourselves in. 

Church last Sunday was really cool. A recent convert was ordained a priest, and was then able to ordain his son to the office of deacon. These people were baptized only 2 months ago, and it is incredible to see the change in their lives and even their own family. The Gospel really is the only way to bring true happiness, and generations down the line, that families Grandchildren can look back and point to them and say "Those people, they are the ones that brought this blessing into our lives, they are the ones who started it all for us, that gave us this chance." Just like all those Utah Mormons who can trace it back to a pioneer. These people are just as vital to their families, they are the pioneers. It really makes me appreciate my own family, and how blessed I am. I don't even know the names of those elderly couple missionaries that taught my mom and her family, but they definitely have blessings stored for them in heaven, along with my grandparents for being willing to listen and accept that message. I can't express how grateful I am for them, and I love seeing that joy grow in these families. 

A member who had been staying in our ward temporarily on a job assignment for the past 3 months was allowed to give his testimony yesterday before he left back to his home. He was originally from one of the pacific Islands (Tonga, I think) and is a huge, intimidating guy, with a voice like gravel, but gave one of the most humble and heartfelt testimonies I have heard in a while. He spoke of how much love he had for the ward and The Church, and spoke of the power of members and the love that is felt in the true church of Christ. With tears flowing, he spoke of how if the members could just reach out and show others that love, and bring them to the knowledge of how much their redeemer loves them, we could have four stakes here and turn the city of Muscatine into the city of Enoch, into true Zion. And it really struck me. 

Looking around this city, you wouldn't see much potential. Heck, it has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the country per capita (haven't checked up on that, but you hear it a lot here). But he is absolutely right. None of us our perfect, or even agree with the choices we all make, but if we could still all love each other with the pure love of Christ, and love outsiders enough to do all in our power to help them feel it too, miracles happen. That is truly how any missionary work is done, how converts are not only baptized but stay active. It really is how much effort the members take in reaching out to others, even if just as a friend at first, showing them the warmth of their family. That family that got baptized a few months ago would never have progressed without the example and love of the Ward. It is the reason we are here, that our work is not done. 

It so so easy to lose sight of our purpose, but if we could think of the blessings this gospel has given us, that Christ has, we can't honestly claim to be his servants if we don't do his work and help others get there too. And in doing so, we will find greater joy than we could in anything else. 

Doctrine and Covenants Section 18

  

14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

Week #34 - 09/07//2015

So this week has been up and down, but fun. The English Elders gave us back Chuck and Val because they so clearly liked us better, haha. Val has already read past the vision of the tree of life, and we talked with them yesterday about it, and also about receiving no witness until after the trial of your faith, and Val laughed and told us their current pastor had told them last Sunday that God gives us many trials of faith, and then gave Mormons as examples. We laughed it off, but I am very confident the spirit will win this one and they will be mormons yet. They are searching for the truth far too honestly to be led away. 

Dino, one of our long time investigators, finally just pulled his cigarettes out of his pocket and pulled them apart right in front of us. That was a cool moment. 

I don't have a lot of time, but I will just mention how incredible the atonement of Jesus Christ is. He is there to help us through any trial, as long as we are willing to accept his opened hand. Alma 7: 11-13 

 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictionsand temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loosethe bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he mighttake upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

He literally felt every single one of our pains and sicknesses, not just our sins. It is by that power he can heal us and take away this pain from our own souls. I know he lives, and by that we can grow every day. One of my favorite talks is "His Grace is Sufficient" by brad wilcox. 

Week #32 - 08/24/2015

This week has been insane with mircacles. The potential of the area is just taking off, and not by any part of us. We have been able to start teaching the family members of friends and other investigators, and on top of that, we had an awesome visit. A missionary who finished his mission back in March came back to visit and just showed up to our apartment, wanting to get an update on the area. We told him the ups and downs, and people we were trying to work with. He gave us amazing advice, went through our record book, pointed out about 10 people we should see and filled in the gaps of their records, then made us drive to the work place of a less active we haven't been able to contact since I have been here, and set up an appointment with her for us. Then he pointed out another 3 homes we should stop by and their background. Needless to say, it was awesome, and a miracle. 

Elder Watts and I are trying to teach more simple this week, and helping our investigators understand how central Jesus Christ is in everything, and that this is not just another one of his churches that bares his name, this is His church, His only church, and the way we can get closest to him. We taught an investigator the other week an blew his mind that Jesus is our Brother, and that God is our Father. These are restored truths. And so many people don't understand that Jesus suffered not only for our sins, but for our pains, sicknesses, and temptations as well. And he can take it away, if we let him. 

Alma 7

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

Love you guys, catch you next week. Stay classy. 

Week #31 - 08/17/2015

How to Whitewash Yourself

For those of you not familiar with the term "to whitewash," it means to come into a brand new area without any potentials or investigators, and starting from the ground up. It is one of the most dreaded things to have to do as a missionary. And we did it to ourselves on purpose. 

After about 3 hard weeks of working our brains out, investigators not progressing, potentials leading to nothing, and doors being closed, and having to hand over every interested person to English elders, Elder Watts and I prayed a long time, and decided to wipe the board clean and start from scratch. It has been one of the coolest things I have done on my mission. 

We just dropped everyone, stopped trying to set up appointments that would just fall through, and hit the pavement. We just needed to find spanish people to teach, and said a number of specific prayers. We spent every waking hour of the day knocking doors on Tuesday, and almost every other day until friday, and it has been a miracle week. People have come out of the woodwork, our plate is full, and it has been awesome. On Sunday, out of the blue, and old investigator that we had fought for tooth and nail to help him stop his addictions and get him to church, who we hadn't seen in two weeks because he had been avoiding us, just showed up to church, dressed to the nines in a white shirt, polished shoes, a tie, and every gold ring or cross he had! He had an amazing experience, we have an appointment tomorrow, and I can't understand how great the Lord is. 

These last 3 weeks had been pretty ruff, and we were forced to take a long look at ourselves and try to do everything to improve, from our teaching skills to our own study. God gave us a ruff time so that he could build us, and holy cow, how he has blessed us. We have encountered many people who never had time, but for some reason or another were able to finally meet with us, and are now taking the discussions. The Lord waited until we were tempered enough to be able to teach them. I am kinda nervous, because I know how infinitely far I still have to go, but it is great knowing that Our Father will get me there, eventually. It all comes back to one of my favorite scriptures, Ether 12:27  27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them theirweakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humblethemselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weakthings become strong unto them.

Love you guys tons, and thanks for your prayers. 

Week #30 - 08/10/2015

A family of 4 was baptized in the ward yesterday, and it was a great experience. The English Elders had been teaching them, and they are an incredible family. They started out cautious and against organized religion, but once they came to church and met the ward, their progress skyrocketed. The ward just opened their arms and embraced them, and within the week they had people over helping the family repair their porch, and inviting them to cook outs. Robert, the father, didn't want anything to do with the church at first, but after the first week after going to church, he said "I have never met so many good people before."  He then downloaded the gospel library and just went to town. He basically taught himself 90 percent of the lessons before the other missionaries could. When the english Elders started going down the list or principles, he would just smile and say "Yup, makes sense, prayed about that one too, yup, I believe in that." From tithing to the word of wisdom. I have never seen a family more happy and dedicated. Talking to them, you would think they just won the lottery. And it all started because of the kindness and reaching out of the ward, because they showed the family what the gospel looks like applied. And It really shows the importance of member missionary work. 

We had an amazing lesson Sunday with one of our investigators, a man named Nick. He didn't believe in God, and wanted to hear from us more just out of curiosity. We took a member with us, and started reading 3 nephi 11, when the savior first comes to the Americas. We explained it all fairly clearly, but it just didn't seem to be clicking with him. Then my companion just stopped, and turned to Alma 22, when the laminite king is being taught by Ammon, and then prays for the first time to ask God if he exists. I then asked him what he wanted to know in this life, but I forget exactly what I said. I would be nothing without the gifts of the spirit. When I am stumped, all I have to do is say a prayer in my head and open my mouth without thinking, and the Holy Ghost gives me exactly what I need to say. And this miracle is so normal to me at this point, because I just know that the Lord will help me. It is amazing, and so real. I am going to have to watch myself when I get back, haha. Just opening my mouth without thinking beforehand isn't the best idea without the Spirit. But after I asked that, he just opened up, talking about how fearful he was of all the wars and terrible things going on in the world, and how he just wanted to know what is right. We were able to apply Alma 22 to him, and showed him how he could have that guide, and he committed to pray to know if God is real. 

I just love how little anyone has to do for God to help us, and it always astounds me. He really is so eager for us to grow, and he gives us just what we need, and many times asks us to stretch just a little bit more.  I know this church is true, and I could never deny it. Love you guys.

Week #29 - 08/03/2015

Minions

We had mini missionaries this week, from Thursday to Sunday. All 4 missionaries here each got their own mini companion. It was really cool, but so strange. I remember when I was 16 and went on my mini mission, and the missionaries seemed so old, so mature, but I look at myself and do not feel like an adult at all. I still have next to know idea what I am doing, ever, but then again, I am probably going to feel that way most of my life. But it was still a cool experience. My "minion" was really shy, but could understand spanish almost perfectly. I was able to speak more spanish with him than I had been able to for almost a month. And we found some really cool people while we were out. 

We had a really great lesson on Sunday with a couple named Chuck and Val. We had found them 4 days before and had set an appointment. When we showed up, they started out by saying that they had discussed it and said the church was not for them, before even hearing what our church was. We just laughed and taught the restoration anyway. It is always great what the spirit can do, it was so strong as we bore testimony of how Christ's Gospel has blessed  our own lives, it softened their hearts real quickly. It continues to astound me how great of friends you can be with someone in such a short time as a missionary. You just come in their house and within 15 minutes these people tell you their life story and details they have never told anyone before, and it is is great how fast people just trust you, because they can sense how much you love them. And the ability to just love a stranger is so great! You get a glimpse of Christ's love, and you actually start to feel like his servant. And now, Chuck and Val are both investigators. Being a missionary is awesome. Sure, people throw stuff at you, and there is not a day that goes by that at least 3 people drive by yelling swears or insults, but I am going to miss wearing that badge, and having that gift of the spirit where people just open up the way they do. I don't have to worry about that for a long time, though.  One of the hardest things about this area is giving up all these people we love so much to English Elders. When we told them we have to trade them off to the other guys, they were not too happy, 

But the other elders are great guys, and I know they will do a good job. 

There is an amazing quote I actually wrote down and hung on the wall in front of my desk. I having been trying to live my mission by it. 

“I went before Him and said, ‘I’m not neutral, and you can do with me what you want. If you need my vote, it’s there. I don’t care what you do with me and you don’t have to take anything from me because I give it to you—everything, all I own, all I am.’ ” President Boyd K Packer. 

Giving your all to God is the hardest thing to do at first, but the only way to truly enjoy the work. I love you guys,and I will talk to you next week. 

Week #28 - 07/27/2015

Nauvoo

Well, last Saturday was an amazing experience. We got the opportunity to go down to Nauvoo, a member took us 4 missionaries down there for the day, and I had the chance to do endowment for only the second time, and it was unbelievably spiritual and peaceful. I wanted to stay there the entire day, the spirit was so quiet, but so strong at the same time. The other guys wanted to check out the other Nauvoo stuff, I didn't get to stick around long. Learned some awesome facts. Did you guys know Joseph Smith was a general? His sword is hanging in the temple. The Nauvoo pagent was a little cheesy, but still really great. We really don't understand how much that man went through. Besides losing children and a family and friends to the mobs, he carried permanent injuries from being repeatedly beaten, poisoned, and tarred. And he was truly the greatest prophet we have ever had. I love how much I learned there. I only have 30 seconds left on this stupid library computer timer, so I have to go. Love you guys!

Week #27 - 07/20/2015

So this week has been kinda slow. A lot of finding, but it has paid off. My new area is kinda annoying, though. We don't have assigned areas between us and the English Elders, so we go everywhere, but we have to hand over all the white investigators after the first lesson, and we can only teach Hispanics. They are great guys, though, so we trust them, it is just hard and humbling to hand them off. They are letting us keep a few though, and they give us every Hispanic family they find.  

The Nauvoo Pagent is going on right now, and I get to take a trip down to Nauvoo this Saturday. I am super exited, it will be the second time I am able to go since I got my endowments. We only get to go if we are within 2 hours of the Temple, and this area is one of the only spanish areas close enough, so i am really lucky. A lot of spanish elders never get the chance to go on their missions. 

I had an amazing experience the other night. We were just chilling with the other elder's in their apartment (They live only a block down) during number call ins. My companion wanted a blessing, so we gave him one, and afterwards they asked if I wanted one. I said sure, and Elder Alred (my district leader) gave me a blessing. It was amazing. Elder Alred didn't even know most of anything about my family or situations, but But the Lord, through the blessing, answered almost every one of the questions I have been having, from how to love people more, to comfort and promises for my family, addressing issues Elder Alred had no clue about. Man, the priesthood is so cool, I can't even describe. 

One thing I started doing this week is every time I recognize what God has done for me, I write it down in this little pocket notebook. I thought I would write only a few things a day, but in 15 minutes I had filled two pages. You really only start to see what God has done for you, from the things he brings to your mind, to the blessings you can see before you, once you start counting them. And holy cow, can it make you a happier person. Well, love you guys. Don't have any more time.