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.