Ways to Grow, Ways to Go!

    Read this talk given by Elder Boyd K. Packer in March 2002... https://www.lds.org/new-era/2009/06/the-20-mark-note?lang=eng I met Elder David A. Bednar's companion at the time of this experience! His name is Brother Smith and he lives in the White Plains 2nd Ward. He asked us what our favorite experience from our missions are and I shared a few, then he started telling this story about when he worked in the mission office and Elder Packer visited the mission, and I realized I had heard the story in conference before! It really brought the humanity of the apostles into perspective for me. They are truly ordinary men. They've been called to do something for the Lord, and it is truly the Lord working through them to help them do extraordinary things.
     Yesterday we got to know this couple from Fresno that were invited over for dinner by one of the members of the ward. They are very faithful Christians and have the most adorable family. He is a police officer here in DC and has such a cool story. He inspired me to be better at working out, just like my coach used to do! We talked about families and the temple, and I love to share the testimony that I've gained of how the restored gospel blesses families. It's truly made a difference in my own, and I'm so happy to share that with any family that I get a chance to.
     We have great goals as a mission. We want to work towards helping as many people come unto Christ as possible. I want to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to help bless and inspire others, but I often feel like it's a job bigger than I have capacity to accomplish. I think that's just the nature of the responsibilities we are called to do as disciples of Jesus Christ. But I believe that it is through our faith and trust in Him that we are able to overcome our weaknesses, and do great things. Just like I could have never learned to do a Ring routine without my coach lifting me up, we can't do the Lord's will without His help. Let's try and find out how we can better do that this weekend at conference!

Up the Road!

     I could not be more stoked about my new area and my new companion! I was transferred to the ward the borders the north side of my previous area, the White plains 2nd Ward. I can already feel a great love from them, and an enthusiasm to do missionary work. My companion is now the Elder Tim Hansen from Kaysville, UT. He was my zone leader last transfer and is by far one of the greatest missionaries I have ever known. His diligence and insight have been a great strength to this mission. I couldn't believe when I found out that I would get to be his companion. We have great plans to hasten the Lord's work in the Suitland Zone, I can't express how inspired I am. I feel like I am part of a winning team.  

     The highlights of the week have been the opportunities I've had to sit in councils. The work of the Lord does not move forward as one person sits in the big chair and calls all the shots, but rather as we sit together and discuss the needs at hand, and then reach a consensus. We council together one on one, in our districts, and as a mission. Through these group discussions I have received inspired training and personal revelation for how I can better serve. I'm learning that the culture of a mission doesn't change by adding rules and regulations, but understanding correct principles and learning new skills. For example, at the beginning of my mission, I was not trained to talk with people on the metro. In fact, it was preferred to just drive our cars to destinations and that it would be a violation of some public transit policy to talk about the gospel. On Friday morning on our way up to a meeting, we took public transportation and I got to meet two very special individuals. This girl on a car waved to us and we found out that she served as a missionary here 3 years ago. Elder Hansen started talking about the work with her, and I noticed the man sitting next to her was reading out of the New Testament. I took a moment to build up the courage to speak with him, and commented that I liked the chapters he was reading in James. He immediately lit up and started talking about the scriptures to me. As the conversation wore on, he opened up about the struggles he has been having in his life. He recently separated from his wife, and despite his efforts to go to church weekly, read his scriptures and say his prayers, he has not been able to quit his addictions to various substances. I testified to him of the power of the restored gospel and ordinances, of the sacrament. Something sparked in his eye that just lit up his whole countenance. We prayed there together, and I shared passages from the Book of Mormon. We exchanged contact information before our final stop, and I felt like I was able to touch the life of a single soul that morning, because I have been cultured to talk with everyone. On the trip back home, I sat next to a lady that appeared to be very concentrated on her book. After several minutes I got the courage to ask her what she was reading, and she was so friendly! We had a 10 minute conversation about the Book of Mormon and the Church. I realized that I don't need to be a full-time missionary to just talk with people like that. You can do it too. (:

Farewell Patuxent

     I love this Ward so much!!! They have been the greatest examples to me of faith, and devotion to hastening the Lord's work of salvation. Their love for The Lord makes me want to be more faithful and dedicated in my missionary service. It's so hard to be transferred. Reflecting back on this transfer there are several lessons that I will not forget.
     This past week we were on exchange on Friday with the Lexington Park Elders and we got a call from one of the leaders in charge of a stake youth activity. There was an unanticipated rain storm timed for the following day that would rain out their planned kickball game. She wanted us to hold a youth missionary activity for groups of the youth that they could do indoors. I was more than happy to take the invitation to help out, but I was really nervous about putting on a good activity for the youth. We planned to teach them about teaching the gospel to people, rather than just giving lessons. At the end of each session, we had them group teach a single investigator. I was blown away by how well the youth did at teaching principles of the gospel and asking inspired questions. It was better than role plays that I saw in the MTC! The Lord is truly raising up the greatest generation of people the Earth has yet seen, we should look forward to the great things that they will accomplish.
      Afterwards, I got the chance to talk with the former Bishop of the ward I'm serving in. I asked him a few simple questions about his service in the church and he spoke of what he has learned of the atonement and of leadership. In a conference with an apostle, he learned that the time put into a mission can only be comparable to 72 years of attending a 3 hour church block every single sunday. He told me how he had seen disciplinary councils change lives for the better and how he witnessed the atonement literally change people. That strengthens my testimony that there truly is a way for us to overcome weaknesses and trials in our lives. I think we should take the time to talk about those lessons learned during our church service with others. I really appreciated those things that Bishop shared with me.

Something Meaningful

     The greatest blessing in being a leader is the opportunity to get to know and love the people that you serve. I love going on companionship exchanges with the Elders in my district because it is the best chance I have to do just that. On Friday evening we tried to ride our bikes a few miles to an area we might be able to knock doors. We only got 200 yards when Elder Clemon's brand new front axle popped and we had to walk our bikes back to the car. We had gotten a referral that day from Church Headquarters, but it turned out to be an electronic technology research company.. We had about 20 minutes left for the evening so we went looking for one of the members that we've never met before. We don't have his apartment number so we started knocking all the doors in the building to try and find him. We didn't find him, but we talked to this couple from the Caribbean. They attend a nearby Christian church and love to study the bible. He explained how he likes to emphasize that the most important commandment to love God and love your neighbor. Earlier in the week I read in Preach my Gospel on page 39 that when we introduce the Book of Mormon we should begin by giving a brief overview and sharing a passage that is meaningful to you. I opened up the Book of Mormon to 2 Nephi 31:19-20 "And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." I think they were surprised how this passage is so centered on Christ. It also mentions how important it is to press on with a love of God and of all men, that scripture is even more meaningful to me now.
     I am so excited for my brother AJ to serve the people in Nicaragua. I know that there are people prepared to receive the gospel, and that his talents are specially needed to serve the people that live there. I think what makes things meaningful to us are how closely they relate to our lives and our circumstances. The repentant loves to learn of forgiveness, the person who has lost their dear friend will love the resurrection. What is meaningful to you this week?

Come to the Light!

For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it-- D&C 123:12

     I have to admit I have often doubted the principle stated in this verse of scripture. Sometimes I feel like there isn't a single person left who isn't comfortable where they are, looking for more light and truth. That would be so perfect if every single person was seeking to know more about who they are and what their purpose is. We would never have enough missionaries for the amount of teaching that would need to be done! Yesterday I witnessed this principle fulfilled. Our plans for the evening fell through, and I had a thought to just start knocking doors in the area where we were in, but I also felt like it was a place that knew who missionaries are already. I remembered that there are a few names on the Ward directory that no one really knows about and so we decided to go check on them. We knocked on the first house off a main road and the lights were on, but no one came to the door. We knocked a few times, but Elder Thorpe said that he felt like we might be in danger so we gave up. I almost just walked back to the car to just drive over to the next house, but we decided to walk along the main road instead. The first house we passed there was a man sitting shirtless out on his porch alone listening to music. Without even thinking I started walking down his driveway towards him and started talking to him. Soon he opened up how he just moved here from West Virginia to live with his fiancé. He doesn't know anyone here in St. Mary's County, and has felt kinda alone for a while. He said he has offered up more prayers to God in the last few months than in his entire life. He explained that he had gone through some difficult times in his past, and made some poor choices. I could sense true humility, and I got a warm feeling while he spoke. I know the spirit was with him, and we were excited to tell him of the message of hope and redemption that we share. It is so easy for me not to judge others, because I know how easy it can be to make mistakes. I also know that the restored gospel has power to overcome any weakness. I think I would be helpless without it, and so I am happy to share it :) Looking forward, I'm going to have more hope that there truly are individuals seeking for more light and truth, I just have to be ready, worthy, and in the right place to share it.