Wahoo! Family!

April 28, 2014  Wahoo!

So this last week was awesome! We had transfers, and I got a new companion. His name is Elder Jardine, he's quiet, from Lindon, Utah, has 7 kids in his family, he's third oldest, and he plays the violin. I love it. It's awesome! All last week I gave all the lesson - with Gods help. It is actually good for me because I'm learning and it's busy. So I'm lost in the work. Since Elder J is quiet, it makes me have to talk now. I love it though. My brain is constantly thinking and analyzing things and topics. I can definitely feel the spirit 10x stronger as I have to rely on his help. We set a record in our area last week with the number of lessons we taught. We taught a total of 22 lessons. Which may seem like a small number, but for Eugene it's huge.

I also got to meet with my biological aunt. (my mom's full blooded birth sister) Which was the highlight of my week, and so far my mission. The spirit was so strong in our lesson; I knew it was my grandma MaryAnn helping me out and helping out her lost daughter. She truly is seeking, and desiring to change her life and it's a great thing to see and be able to help her out. She cried. Wasn't expecting it. But she felt the Holy Ghost. She does look like you, mom. It wasn’t hard to teach her as she felt like a normal investigator. I did have to get permission from President Young to teach her. The trick is to not overwhelm them. It takes time to change. And through our faith in Jesus Christ he will help us.  I met with my cousin  on Saturday. It was really awesome. I told her about the power of prayer and how it could help her. She gave us some meat to eat. Was glad for that. Was dying of hunger lol. Trying to talk to her brother. He's the last one here. And your sister didn't come to church yesterday. I was pretty sad but she apologized hugely because she had some other things to deal with. I know I can help, and if not me, then God for sure.

I am constantly learning more and more everyday. This past week I finished the Book of Mormon again. Just short of three months. I absolutely, 100%, know that it is the true word of God. And if we read it, it will give us strength to climb those mountains in life. So I had many cool experiences the day I finish the BOM. And I shall take them from my journal... "amazin day! Omgoodness! So today started out slow. I finished the BOM. Amazing book! I took Moroni's challenge and prayed with all my heart, I had a warm feeling, I knew at that time and will forever that it is a true book. I had already shown my faith by reading it and know that it is true. So today was so successful. We went shopping for a quick sec during weekly planning, (our supplies were running thin. And Albertsons was having a killer deal on meat that we couldn't pass up). After shopping we clean our apt. I love a clean apt. And will always have one no matter the companion. The spirit dwells in clean things. Mom you were so right. We had the car today, so we were able to move much faster to our appointments. We were meeting with a golden investigator who has had her struggles in life and has desired change. We had his awesome game plan to teach her about the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we got there she told us she was feeling sick and didn't want to meet for a long time. She didn't keep her commitment to us so we ended up reading it with her. Mosiah 4. Really sweet chapter. I had a feeling as we were reading this chapter to ask her what baptism meant to her. So I did. And she said it means a fresh start. I also told her that we get the gift of the Holy Ghost, and talked to her about that as well. Then I decided I would just go for it and asked if she would be baptized on May 18th to show her trust and faith in God. She said it was a great goal and she would shoot for it. After this awesome lesson we continued on to meeting with a special woman with handicaps. We have to teach her as though she was a child due to a brain injury years before. She told us that she knows that God can help her, but he's not. So as I was listening to her and praying to God to help me with a scripture that would help her understand that he cares for her. I opened up to a random page. First it was Alma 7. Which is about the atonement. Knowing her intelligence I decided not to read that one with her. I prayed again and opened up to a random page, which happens to be one of my favorite scriptures... Alma 26:12,37. And told her God can help her because we are strong in his strength. She was totally happy and had a huge smile on her face. Made me feel so good. We did some finger exercises with her and I told her to quit smoking. I am very bold. No fear at all. Because I know the strength of The Lord will help me. Turned out to be an awesome lesson. But the day was not nearly over. We went to THE Best investigator ever. We talked and chilled. Then I figured it was go time and we needed to give him a spiritual uplifting. So again I turned to God and asked for help as I picked a scripture for us to read. We turned to Moroni 7. Super awesome chapter. He loved it. Told us he knows Joseph Smith is true and that the BOM is true. But still refuses to get baptized. Bummer but hey progress is progress."  

Now I do not desire to finish the writings in my journal as they are simply a waste of your time. But know this.. That through my experiences on Thursday April 24th, I know that God was telling me that the BOM is true. I have had many other experiences this past week with relying on Gods help to help those in need. And every time He has delivered. I love missionary work. I wouldn't trade this experience for any other in the world. I'm glad that I get the opportunity to be so close to my biological family who is in need. I know it is not by chance that I got called to Oregon Eugene at the crucial time.

Family, I understand a slacker family just not a slacker mom lol :) no breaks for u mommy. I love you mom. I am super happy today. Life is beautiful ! :) So amazing to be a missionary. I love you mom you make me laugh!  Your funny. I love the cut out of me. Need more mass though haha. Like a gut and some muscles, maybe a brain lol. But it's cool. You are a great mom.

Megan's talk.. I couldn’t hear it. It was sent as am mp4. Our iPads were stripped of a lot of things to keep us out of trouble. I don't have a memos thing. Or quick time viewer... I don’t know what the answer is lol. I wanna hear it so bad though. President is very family oriented. He is soft about my sister. He will let me hear it for sure. I’ll try again on Wednesday at the Family History Center. What's pura vida ? Yea a lot of people here do that finger snapping too. It's kinda annoying. Freak I ain't ever doing it. Totally lame. Keep them missionaries comin over Good! That's awesome Megan invited the stranded couple to church. That's what it's all about. I’m proud of all of you for helping them out of a tight place. Service! I got the maps of Alma's Mission and the War years, and the letters from the family. Super awesome to hear from y'all. Thanks.

Does dad like paddles now? Four wheeling? What changed his mind? Paddles?? No way this is you, dad!! Paddles. What?? Lol. Did u put paddles on yours? Lol Connor rocks! :) And Ryley. Dang that's legit! Proud of my boys. I'm afraid when I get back I'll be a baby. Haha. Xander ran all the way up the face??!! That's insane! Strong dog he is! Holy moly Hey stupid is harsh for him… Let’s say he is incredible!

I might also add in this email home that I love service.  Seriously relaxes you from the week. Your thoughts are on improvement and helping others. One of God’s tender mercies. I hope everyone reading this had a great week last week. I also hope y'all make a goal this week toward improvement. For we must feast upon the words of Christ. So we can be perfected in him.

GRIZZ 👻