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!