Congrats to TU! I'm happy to hear how well
you are all doing. Keep up the good work! Rucking is so important. That's where
the game is won.
Jacob, keep up the good work.
Mom, you always say such nice
things about me. I hope to one day be the missionary you think that I am. Kate, don’t die on your vegan month. I'm glad I don’t sound like I'm
whining. I worry because it’s easy to take things wrong through a screen. Doing
your best is the only way to do anything, you just feel much better about
yourself. I haven't felt embarrassed or anything like that in a long time because
I know I've given it all, my all. Missionary
schedule is not as hard as people make it out to be. It's actually a blessing, 3-4
hours of study and 3 hours to eat. It's not that bad.
Two more
things before I break down the week.
1st! I'm
leaving Los Feliz! :( :) :/ :?! I don’t want to go but I am excited for the
changes. I will be heading down south to Warm Springs (the the mission office
area) to be with Elder Johnson! (the same one who I was with in Central). I'll be the district leader as well, so
another new challenge. Word on the street is it’s a giant district and the APs
are in it. I hope not! I will miss being up here by the temple, and all the Spanish
speaking people (there are hardly any down there. I cover 1/3 of a stake now. There
I will cover 3 stakes). I love this ward and the missionaries and the
leadership here so much. I've grown so much from the all the good examples who
surround me. But more good examples are to come. Elder Slik is coming with me
down there to be my Zone Leader! So that's pretty cool. Different district but
we still get to go on exchanges and stuff. I'll be able to tell you all more
next week after I get down there.
2nd! I
want to talk about a few things that I heard this week in lessons. The first
was a question "He's almost here, isn't He?" We were teaching the
restoration to a 19 year old (the one with the new daughter) and that's what he
asked. He could feel the urgency of it all and it was interesting to me. I
think we taught it right because we didn't say anything about the Second Coming
(we probably should have) but he could feel it. It really took me back. Now, I'm
no doomsayer, but it is the Saturday evening of times. As I told him, He's
trying His shoes and putting His coat on. Another one that really hit me hard
was this in response to the question, "What does it mean to you if the
Book of Mormon is true?" The man thought for a moment and looked me in the
eyes and said "if the Book of Mormon is true, that means that this is
Christ's church and that my family can be sealed in the temple for eternity."
That hit me so hard. He wants to know. He wants it to be true and he knows it
is. And it’s not true because he wants it to be. It’s true because it’s the
word of God and the Holy Ghost has testified to his soul that it is so. I don't
know if that makes sense but it was a very powerful moment in the lesson; to
feel his desire and his love for his family. The other was when someone said
"After you guys invited me to read and pray, I did and I felt this feeling
in my chest and I know it’s true." I almost cried bc I was so happy. BOOM!
Moroni's promise is real. And this woman received
an unshakable witness. Because she did, she wants to be baptized.
That moment, along with the others that supported it, changed her life. All
that we teach is either true or it’s not and it all rests upon whether the Book
of Mormon is true. If it was made up, then our church is a fraud. (See Jeffery
R. Holland - Safety for the Soul)
Let me
rant for a small moment. The Book of Mormon is true. Anyone who wants to know
what I mean when I write that can read it for themselves and know that it was
not made up by some uneducated farm boy, but translated by the power of God to
be the evidence of the restoration of the priesthood and the true and living
church. I didn't really understand that before my mission. The Book
of Mormon is God's tool for missionary work and we as missionaries are living
witnesses spread abroad to flood the whole earth with it. If the book is what
it says it is, and I say it is, and what millions of others say it is, that
means that Joseph Smith was a prophet, the first after more than a 1000 years
of apostasy, which means that all the blessings we claim
are available to all who come to know that it is true. AHHH!!! It's
true. And because it’s true I know that the church is true and that the
blessing of being part of an eternal family is mine to claim. Knowing, really
knowing, that this book is scripture and that Joseph Smith was a prophet is
such a blessing. If you can’t say "I know" and feel the spirit
testify to you - read it. Again, and again, and again, till you can.
That's it. It's true and knowing for yourself that it is by the power of
the Holy Ghost is the doorway to unimaginable happiness. Sorry for the
word vomit.
This week
was awesome! I learned so much. I learned so much from the scriptures, from my
companion, and from everyone else! I ate great food and met some awesome
people.
Monday we
ate with the Schwenke's and I read a letter that Mom sent and I almost cried!
They all did too. It was so sweet Mom. Thanks, you're the best.
Tuesday
was a sick day. I was on exchanges with Elder Slik all day. I love him so much.
He is such a focused and spiritual missionary that is a great example to me. He
is focused on the work and focused on his purpose. He has taught me so, so
much. And we have a blast together. We taught 4 lessons which was also so sick,
four solid lessons with interested investigators. 1st lesson was with a man
named Junior - We talked about repentance and how if the church has been
restored then he can be baptized for the remission of his sins. He liked it a lot.
He has done some things that he shouldn't have and wants to be forgiven and
right his wrongs with God. He said if he comes to know that the church is true
he will make the covenant of baptism so that he can be cleansed from his sins.
It’s all so well connected, the church is true. Next lesson was with a man
named Walter. It was a great lesson as well. We also talked about baptism there
too. Walter is going through a lot right now but he reads the Book of Mormon to
take away the stress of life. The 3rd lesson was with David we talked about the
Restoration. It was a great lesson. Sorry just no time. 4th was with Braulio -
he was the one who talked about a testimony of the Book ofMormon -> temple.
It was a great, fun day.
Wednesday
we had a great district meeting. We also taught English class which was
my last one, but I lovedddd it. I am going to miss being able to help people in
that way. Sis Stephens said, getting a little emotional when she did, that
while I was teaching she saw me as a university institute president giving a
devotional. It made me feel so good.
Thursday
we ate bfast with the Stephens and then got our apartments checked. Then we
visited a couple member families and shared with them the new ward family
mission plans. They all loved it. We also talked with Aliaha's dad. He's a
great guy who cares about 2 things - God and his daughters. He tries so hard to
be a good father and a good son. It’s inspiring. He is in a tough situation
where he can’t really help himself but he wants to. Man. There are such good people
in this world and sometimes you find them in situations that don’t really do
their character justice. We also saw some incredibly happy families today and
as Elder Guzman and I talked about it we realized it was because they were
doing their best to live the gospel and no matter what was happening (both
families were going through a lottttt of crap) they were joyful and a pleasure
to be around. I want to be like that. I am slowly becoming so, I can feel it.
There is an inner and outward peace that comes from doing what's right and living
the commandments. Dinner was the best hamburgers I've ever had. Sooo good. I
shared a spiritual thought and the family all broke out into tears. The wife
had had a dream the night before about that scripture and I had helped her
understand it. It was crazy. Then we had a lesson with Juan Pablo. It was a
good one, tough bc he needs a lot of help but good. I’ll have to talk more
about it later. In 2 years. Promise.
Friday
was bomb. We planned then had dinner with our new neighbors, Colby and Brandon.
They are so awesome. We helped them move in the other day and now Brandon's gf calls
us "my Mormons" which is an honor. We ate and laughed and shared a
great time with them. We all got to be great friends really fast. They aren’t
open to the gospel right now but one day they will know it’s true. Hopefully being
friends with the elders next door will help them.
Saturday
so much happened. We did service for a member moving tonnnsssss of rocks. I
crushed my finger pretty bad. I’m fine. Then we ate w/ Hno Velasco and got our transfer
doctrine [information about their upcoming transfers]. It’s crazy. I’ll miss
this district. Then there was a baptism of the sisters at the church. Then we
ate dinner as a district afterwards.
Sunday
was also awesome. Two talks were rebuking people for not going to the temple
enough, it was pretty harsh, but deserved. Bishop said a lot of great things
about me and Elder Slik which made me feel awesome. I love feeling appreciated;
that all the work I’ve been doing and trying to do is noticed even if it didn’t
all happen like I wanted it to. Then we visited members for the rest of the
night and had a great lesson with Argelia (the Book of Mormon answer woman and
the one who we taught the commandments to in Feb.). She's changed so much and it’s
been awesome to help her change, see her change, and teach her why, the where,
and how.
Life is
so good.
As I
start being district leader, any tips and ideas and knowledge you have to share
would be super appreciated. I feel honored and humbled and not worthy. But I’ll
do my best and that’s all the Lord asks of me.
I love
you all so much
Sam!
No comments:
Post a Comment