Never give up.

Kids, never give up. Repeat that to yourself whenever something seems too hard; whenever you lose an interest in finishing a task; whenever you feel hopeless; whenever you feel that you are not important, repeat this in your head (maybe even better out loud): NEVER GIVE UP.  Heavenly Father did not allow us to be born just to fail. In fact, the odds are in our favor. We have been saved through Our Savior and Redeemer, The Lord Jesus Christ. We shall all receive immortality.  There is no possible debate in regards to this. The deed was done. He suffered, bled, and died. Yet he rose on the third day. The same shall we inherit. But eternal life on the other hand, that requires a transformation. Eternal life means exaltation; it means that we shall live in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and shall be united with our families everlastingly. This will be our reward, if we shall press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. NEVER GIVE UP.  Pray for help, ask for blessings, live in order to bless others, have faith. Heavenly Father changes lives when we expect it from him. Pray every day, and get to know your Heavenly Father.

We found a couple of people last week that we have return appointments with this week. Tracting has been our main resource as of late for finding new investigators. The members are stepping up though. We planned a missionary fireside for the ward, and it's happening on the 29th. A member will tell their conversion story, and President Fenn will speak on the blessings of the restored Gospel. We're really excited. Members will be coming, and hopefully they will bring their friends. There is no doubt that President Fenn will astound all who are present at the meeting. Well no duh. He was taught personally by his wife's father, Bruce R. McConkie, an all impressive apostle. President Fenn is an amazing example of integrity. Something I have somehow failed to mention is the state of his health. First of all, he's deathly allergic to peanuts, and second, he has a clogged artery.  He discovered this following an allergic reaction, in which he also suffered a minor heart attack. This was just before my arrival to the field. Since learning of his heart problem, he resigned himself to intense physical exercise, so he began biking miles and miles during the day. He's an example of someone who, when they want to do something, they dedicate their whole self to the work. On Thursday he went in for surgery to correct the clogged artery, but the operation failed. He's a bit disappointed, but he knows that he much yet to accomplish in the field. He's met so many challenges during his service as a mission president. Along with his health issues, his father passed away the same week he suffered that heart attack. While he had the opportunity to the leave the mission and attend his father's funeral, he knew he could leave the call he had been given by The Lord. I greatly admire this man. I'm nowhere near his level, but neither was he at my age. Incremental consecration and conversion is what brought him to where he is now.

Well, I love all of you!  Do something as a family tonight.  Please.
Have a wonderful day!

Helping others feel the spirit

This letter talks about how we can, in our everyday lives, help others feel the spirit and open their hearts to understanding.

First, a couple of references: Alma 37:35-37. Also check out this talk by Richard G. Scott:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/10/learning-to-recognize-answers-to-prayer?lang=eng&cid=email-shared

As we ask our Father in faith, with real intent, we can be assured that as we endeavor to exercise our complete efforts, He will compensate for our infirmities and bring to pass miracles. Most often it is our own definitions of miracles which cloud our minds with sorrow and discontent. Though some people may seem to be impenetrable, each opportunity they have to feel the Spirit, every friend from the church who reaches out to them, and every mention of the blessings of the Gospel, the efforts have been made valiantly. The Spirit can only come unto their heart. It cannot force its way inside. But what I can suggest, and what I exhort the family to do is to take ten minutes this evening to bear testimony of the blessings of the Restoration of the Gospel. As President Fenn continually reiterates, and as I have sensed first hand, is that the Spirit is abundant as we testify of the Restoration. I promise you that if each of you succeed to expose your testimonies of Joseph Smith and priesthood power, they will not be able to deny the Spirit which will approach them. Another measure I recommend taking is, after bearing testimony, ask them how they feel.  Remember that the "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] temperance” (Galatians 5:22–23). Explain that they do not need a dramatic spiritual manifestation to recognize truth. The Spirit speaks most often in impressions and feelings. As you take the care to help them recognize the Spirit, that they will know that what you say is true, and that they will have inched their toes onto the narrow path to the kingdom of God. Then get them to read the Book of Mormon.

Preach My Gospel talks about how members are usually afraid to invite people to church/read the Book of Mormon/meet with the missionaries.  But all you have to do is be sincere and assure the person that your relationship won't change, but that you wanted to share something you cherish to them. 

Anyway, the cookies arrived intact, but are a touch on the stale side.  They're still delicious, and I have two other witnesses to this. Being in a trio, I'm learning double the amount and at double the rate, which is no bother to me. Missionary work is thankfully becoming second nature, and the apprehension which originally ailed me has
dissolved considerably, allowing my desires to trump my fears to yield my joy. I am happy now.

I'll leave you with this quote from Lorenzo Snow, which has truly reformed my personal expectations: "Do not expect to be perfect all at once. If you do, you will be disappointed."

I love you!

Mama's boy

Mom,

I miss you! Happily, I have updates as to the conditions and circumstances of my mission thus far. When I arrived in Rockford, the Rockford 1st Ward had two sets of elders serving in the area. With my arrival, another elder transferred into the area, and we joined the two elders experienced in this area of the mission. Of course I joined Elder Noho, and the other new elder, Elder Williams, joined with Elder Davis. They are both incredible missionaries because they use each of their unique capacities to bring all others into the fold of Christ.

Elder Williams is from South Carolina, and has been out for four months now. Elder Davis will return to Montana in August, and will have served honorably for two years. Elder Davis is our district leader, and it's amazing how he is able to both control the weekly meetings and inspire all of its members. I really look up to him because we have luckily much in common. In the beginning of his mission he struggled with depression and allowing himself to change, so his advice on those subjects has been incredibly instructive.

Anyhow, what happened was that as Elder Williams entered into the area, he found that he had suffered a tear in his esophagus, which limited what he could eat, and how much of it he could eat. This began to stress him out, and exacerbated anxiety attacks he'd always had to cope with. Eventually these conditions couldn't allow him to be effective, so President Fenn had to send him home. Now Elder Davis, Elder Noho and I are in a trio. It's strange to have basically two trainers now, but with an extra person to provide their own vision, I'm learning that much more.

Another update is that my happiness has increased exponentially since we last spoke. It was uncomfortable and agonizing to allow myself to be shackled by the adversary. I could not allow him to discontinue my hope. So ultimately it was a decision to work together with my Savior so that the changed me could change others. I made that decision, but the results did not sprout over night. It's a process, and every day that I smile more and speak my mind, the day is a success. Every day I feel the Spirit and understand the miracle of introducing someone to the restored gospel, I'm happy, and I'm changed for betterment of my future, and theirs if they make the right choices.

Anyway, I'm steadily improving, and wouldn't rather be anywhere else.

Although I do miss all of you so much, and think about you all of the time. I'll have to send you a picture of the three of us. Love you all! Thank you for the package! (I think this is the "greenie" package I sent a few weeks ago!)

Hello all! Well, I surmise that what will function as a sufficient description of these past weeks is the word brutal. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and all the chaos in between.  Naturally there's a beginner's apprehension toward the many facets of the work, but it's been exhaustingly aggravated with my ADD. It's frustrating. When I make a mistake or am reminded of something which should easily be remembered, the logic unveiled is not exactly foreign. It becomes more of a mutated memory than a factual remembrance. And that's been difficult for me as well as my companion.  When I am struck with these ridiculous realizations, I'm honestly embarrassed. If circumstances were otherwise, my memory would serve me loyally. ADD weighs down not only attention span, but memory. It's a challenge not to forsake myself. What sparks my rejuvenation is my knowledge that I'm not an idiot. I just have a stumbling block. I know that as I fast and pray humbly, that The Lord will compensate for weakness, but I must do all that I can to assist the process.

On a more positive note, we finally have a progressing investigator named George. He's been reading the Book of Mormon, has committed to be baptized, and will be attending church meetings this upcoming Sunday. Teaching has definitely lessened the aches and pains of the mind. People matter more and more to me as I abide in their homes and connect with their families. I'm thankful for the Spirit and it's ability to transcend man made chasms of prejudice and malcontent. Other prospective baptisms are two nine year-old girls from two part-member families. I have faith that The Lord will have three new children by the end of this transfer.

Anyway, glad to hear that everyone is well and occupied. Congrats Dad (on going back to work full-time).
Well I love all of you so very much. Have family home evening tonight and each of you share your favorite story from the Book of Mormon and how it adds to your testimony. I love you all!

First lesson delivered!

I got a text from Elder Campbell's surrogate mom today, letting me know that he taught his first lesson today and he did great!  I mailed him a package containing a big jar of his favorite strawberry jam and some instant breakfast. Good news is that the jar of jam didn't break, but instant breakfast envelopes might not make the best packing material. You win some, you lose some!

Um, ouch?

How has your day been? We were playing soccer this afternoon, and a
run for the ball resulted in the pulling back of my left foot's big
toenail. Wrapping it it up in band aids was all I could really manage
to prevent infection. Anyway, I'm fine other than that. Love you

Best. Kid. Ever.

Hiya family! I've been anticipating this moment the entire week since I first arrived in Rockford, IL. Before, even in the first few hours with my new companion, I felt confident that the transition would pass by as smoothly as my expectations permitted. But my commitment became real when we arrived at the apartment.

The apartment is stark, simple, clean, and we have our own washer and dryer, but when I deposited my bags into the room, there were no sheets and there was no pillow. Thankfully Elder Noho's previous companion left behind a comforter. Consequently, I was forced to adapt to the state of my bedding. My robe functioned surprisingly well as a pillow.

Next we went to the store. I picked up a few items, under the impression that we'd be fed most evenings. Thankfully I bought some spaghetti. But I don't mind having to cook for myself. I'll make the best of it and hopefully attain some mediocre cooking skills.

I could go into detail as to what has filled my days this week, but I'll summarize by saying that it's been hard to get through to anyone this week. The area is interesting because quite literally on most street corners, there's a church, some which cater to a very specific demographic. So when we knock on doors, more often than not, the
person or family is already Methodist or Baptist or Catholic, just name a few of the available denominations. What's more interesting is that when we knock on a door, ready to share our message about Jesus Christ, the Christians don't seem to desire to hear about Him, which is both illogical and frustrating. Much of our teaching has been to recent converts and less actives, which is noble in it's own regard, but when we reported our numbers last night, it was difficult to continue to report zero after zero. But I know who to rely on.

It's been hard to be away from you all. It's not like I ever took you for granted, but the reality of my situation became painfully apparent. When I'm scared or would easily come to any of you for guidance, I realize that you are no longer readily accessible. I've never appreciated and loved my family as I do now. I'm grateful for that. But I wish I could have reached this understanding some other way.

I want you all to know that I love you with a magnitude which defies description. You make the world worth living in, and I'll always love you.

Anyway, I love you all, and want you to know that I'll be okay, that I know that this isn't about me. It's about the people who need to hear the truth. I'll assimilate eventually, I'll become excited to work, and I'll change for the better. I love you all. I love you.