Spiritual Battles and Baby Showers.

Hello Everyone.

This week was pretty busy. We knocked doors all week and found 10 new
people to teach. This is the blessing for cleaning out our books.
Found a lot of really cool people, now I just have to learn to love
them. That Is a legitimate challenge I have. But, faith in the lord
will sure help me do that.

This week I came to know what it truly means to be at spiritual war.
It's interesting how hard the enemy of our souls works to beat us.
Coming to the knowledge of his game plan, because the truth is, he's
all around us, his angels constantly tempt us, they are screaming
impressions and suggestions, and thoughts at us. Acknowledging this is
only one step closer to defeating him. I don't think any soldier goes
to war without having a background of the enemies tactics. When you
know the tactic, you can know how to beat it. As a missionary, my job
is to guide people, and help them beat the enemy, as they come closer
to Christ, they will feel his strength defend them from the fiery
darts of the adversary, and open the door to light. The savior is
anxious to stand as a shield, if we diligently seek his help, and pray
with faith that he will protect us, he will step in, and he will guard
us.  Knowing this it gives me comfort.

I'm doing just fine, I'm learning to enjoy my mission. Sometimes I get
into robot mode, and I lose the joy in the journey. This is why I'm
trying to work on loving those I serve. Often times, I look at a task,
and do it because it needs to be done. But I forget that it needs to be
done, because that person is struggling, and that I love them, and
God. It's a hard concept for me to grasp. But I am determined to
practice it. One day i will learn;)

I found this odd baby shower invitation in the relief society room
during district meeting on Wednesday. What has relief society come
to?;) haha weirdos...

Apparently, in Jared's Ward, everyone in the RS is invited to the baby shower (look at my handsome guy!)

 Look At Jared being all tough!

A Letter to Myself

This week was alright, Maggy didn't get baptized. Her boy got put in prison so we postponed, one more succor punch from the adversary, anyway. I have been writing in my journal at night, and I took the challenge from Elder Clarke of the 70. And that was to gain a vision of what you cam become, and then write about it, take it a step further and share it with those back home. So I did. Sorry it's long. But this is what happens when Elder Greenburg actually says what's on his mind. Enjoy. :)

I would like to describe the vision I have of myself. A goal, or a stretch towards a mark, in hopes that I can move towards it. What I have to say will not be hard to do, but it will change my life, if I apply it. I promise.

If these characteristics are applied I will be happy, I will have peace of mind, and my knowledge, capacities and talents will expand. If I apply this, godly virtues will become a part of me, and the service that I render will change me. If I don't apply this, I may live a righteous life, I may do much good, and yet live in quiet frustration and discontent. The good that I do, and the service I render, will do me little good. The virtues of godliness will not be incorporated into my soul. 

I have a choice, I can decide what kind of missionary I will be. I can choose what person I want to become. My most important creation is, and ever will be me. What personality will i have; what strengths; what knowledge, what character; what emotional state; what presence; what qualities, what virtues? What will I look like? Or sound like? What will it be like to be around me? Who will I be? As I consider my choices, I recognize that I have 2 choices and they are light, or darkness. Do I want to be powerful or weak? Certain and confident, or afraid and insecure? Comfortable with myself or arrogant and abrasive? Do I want to be filled with light or darkness? Do I want to have peace or conflict within? Selfish or generous? Influential or inconsequential? Do I want to be free or be a slave? Happy or miserable? Do I want to be forgiving or hard and unforgiving? Do I want to be loving and kind, or mean and cruel? Honest or dishonest? Do I want to be a person of faith or doubt and fear? Trustworthy or unreliable? Hardworking or lazy? Do I want to be cheerful or despondent? The first of each of these choice is an attribute of light. They are incorporated into my character as I choose to follow Christ. I am constantly changing, i might say "that's just the way I am" but to believe weaknesses and deficiencies in my character are unchangeable is to reject the central truth of the plan of salvation. I not only can change, but I do change all of the time, I am a dynamic, evolving being. I am always changing. I never stay the same. I cannot stand still. 

I am right now the sum total of what I have ever thought, said, seen, heard, and done. What I think, say, do, hear, and see, cause me to change. To change for good or evil. To become either stronger or weaker, to either eternalize the qualities of light or darkness. I am responsible for who I am, and I am responsible for who I will become. Do I know what person I want to become? Do I see in my mind who I want to be? Do I know? 

What manner of men ought ye to be? Jesus asks a similar question. He said, what manner of men ought ye to be?" On this occasion he was speaking to his Nephite disciples and so he asks of me. What manner of men ought ye to be?" Then then answering his own question he said, "even as I am".  Jesus Christ not only came to Atone for my sins; he also came to show me the way. He is the way. I not only may become like him; everything is stacked in my favor to become like him.  I think of this life as a path on which I never stand still. As I move forward, I incorporate into my being the characteristics and qualities of God. As I move backward I assimilate the qualities of Satan. Every challenge I face, every hard thing I confront, every bad thing that happens to me, every unfairness, every conflict, every sadness, tragedy, every disappointment and heartache, every temptation and every opposition happens for one purpose only; to give me opportunity to respond by applying in my life the teachings of Jesus. As I do so, I am changed to become more like him. 

If I was never faced with some advantage to be dishonest, such as recognition, or money, or a better grade on a test or avoidance of punishment or embarrassment, I could never develop integrity. If no one ever offended me, I could never learn to forgive or internalize mercy. Were I never wearied by annoying behavior of another or repeated failures of someone else, I could never become patient. Were I never subject to appetites and passions of physical body for food, for water and for sexual fulfillment, I could not develop self mastery. Without opposition the plan would be frustrated, I could not progress and the purpose of life would be unachievable. When I choose to follow Christ I move forward and assimilate attributes of light; when I do not, I move backward and acquire attributes of darkness. 

Can I see, have I seen, who I want to be? What will happen if I don't plan? What will happen if I have no vision of who I want to become? There are two ways of evolving: deliberately and accidentally. I can either decide who I want to become and deliberately work toward that end, or I can just go with the flow and become whatever life makes of me. In that event I will become whatever the fickle circumstances and forces of life and society will make of me, whatever is currently considered to be popular, or in. Whatever is the easiest. But whatever I become accidentally will not nearly be the full measure of my potential. I will become just someone, somewhere in the middle. 

There are 4 kinds of missionaries. The one I'm trying to describe is the only way to become more like Jesus Christ. The way of this missionary is the only way to light, intelligence, strength, capacity, peace, contentment, grace, knowledge, power, happiness, mercy, joy, and every other good thing. 

I have 4 choices, I will describe them and then talk a little about them.

Missionary number 1.) I can be disobedient, choose not to keep the commandments of God, or much less the mission rules. I can do what I want to do. This attitude might bring on thinking that obedient missionaries are weak. I could see myself as a bit of a rebel, a free thinker, and I could feel a drive in the fact that I am not like the others. 

(Here are the consequences of this choice): I get sent home or return home at my own insistence. I wouldn't complete my mission. I would fail. I am either sent home because of disobedience, or I return home at my own insistence. The good I would have otherwise done, goes undone at least by me. The fruit of my service is not harvested, at least by me. Those who would ha e been changed by my service, go unchanged, at least by me. I would forgo the personal development that I otherwise would have experienced. Remember that I said I think of this life as a path on which I never stand still? As I move forward I incorporate the qualities of God. As I move backward  the qualities of satan. If I were chose to be this missionary I would be going backward. I would move the wrong direction. I would forgo the light, knowledge, strength, intelligence and virtues that I would otherwise have, and instead develop the qualities of darkness. I would forever be waiting for the "good life" but when I return home there will only be shame to greet me.  My faith will be impaired. Three things are taught by the prophet Joseph Smith concerning faith. "First the idea that God actually exists. Secondly, a correct idea of His character, perfectionist and attributes. Thirdly, am actual knowledge that the course of life he is pursuing is according to his will". Being this missionary, I cannot have faith because although I may correctly believe in God, I cannot believe in myself. I cannot know "that the course of life which I am pursuing is according to Gods will" because it isn't. As a result I cannot exercise faith. I could not have the faith sufficient to get an answer to my prayers because I did not know and could not know that the course I was pursuing was pleasing to God, because it isn't. I would be going in the wrong direction. So here is a question for you, Elder Greenburg. Do you not understand that if you are not doing what the Lord would have you do, you cannot believe In Yourself. You cannot believe that you are worthy to receive gods help and guidance in your life? You cannot have faith to pull down the blessings of heaven into your life. 

In conclusion to this missionary (your result will be this:) after you return home you will feel like you don't fit in. It will be hard for you to remain active in the church. Every sacrament meeting that involves a missionary farewell or report you will be reminded of and haunted by your failure. You will feel like you don't measure up, and you never will. You will typically become inactive, or will be relatively unproductive in your involvement in the church because of your lack of faith-because you will not believe in yourself. 

Missionary 2). I could be like the first option. Disobedient, do what I want to do, ect. But serve my entire mission. I would be ineffective, counterproductive. The good I would have done would go undone because I wouldn't be worthy of the spirit. Thus, the fruit of my service is not harvested.  I would experience regret. I would complete my mission, but faith. Oh sure, I wouldn't have to go through the public shame. Be I would be ashamed in my heart. I would look back on my two years with regret. It would be a bad bargain, sacrificing 2 years for an exchange of regret. I would not have faith, I would not know the course of life which I am pursuing is gods will, because it isn't. If I don't what the lord would have me do, I could not believe in myself. I could not believe that i am worthy to receive gods help. I could not have faith. Not because I don't believe in God, but rather, I do not believe in myself. I would be miserable, I would not benefit from my mission, I would drag down my companions and other missionaries. 

Missionary 3) I could be Obedient and faithful. I could be worthy. But I would withhold my heart. There are two ways to be obedient in the church, this is the fine line between what I want to be, and what i do not want to be.. The hard way is this: I could live the gospel, and serve in the church with the bite the bullet approach, I could just grin and bear it, or gut it out. I could be obedient and do what I am supposed to go, I could do my duty. I would get through it and then at long last i go about doing what I want to do, I serve with my might and strength, but withhold my heart and mind. I could do what the lord wants me to do, but then do what I want to do. In my head and in my heart I would be focused on what I want to do. I would measure my success by comparison and recognition. But in the end the other way I is much easier. Here's why, the consequences for this attitude are this: sure, I would be a successful missionary as measured by standard of the people. But the process of transformation would not be full, I would change my behavior, but not my nature. I would be frustrated deep in my heart because of the discontent feelings I have. I would labor all but by thinking of home, or how things used to be. Little would I know that things can't be, nor will ever be the way they used to be,. Life is always changing. I could look forward to P-days, or transfers, or being made a district leader or zone leader, or in particular when my mission will be over. I could think that I will be happy when I can get done what I am supposed to do, and finally do the things I want to do. I won't benefit personally from my mission. Here is the heart of what I am trying to say to you, Jared, here is what you must understand. 

The purpose and essential blessing of life is to be changed to become more like the savior, to realize your full potential. The process of change, this process of evolving, becoming, is the object of the gospel. Change is the design of faith in Christ, repentance, and baptism. Redemptive change is by the power of the Holy Ghost. But it happens only if and when your heart is right. It happens only if you do not fight against God. It happens only if you unconditionally surrender your will to the Lord. My nature can change, that is the truth. I may permit the lord to change my if I give myself to him, and his work. He cannot work on what he does not have, he cannot have me unless I give myself to him. I cannot be happy if I don't want to do the things that lead to happiness even if I do those very things. My world is in my head, if I get my head right my heart will follow and I will be right. It is up to me, I cannot be changed to become more like god if within my heart, I resist, resent and hold fist to what I would rather do. 

Now this is the whole reason I started this letter, because i need to have a vision of what I need to become. The characteristics are as follows: as I start to explain these characteristics be it know that this is something that is not beyond your reach, it is a quest to become this missionary. I will not be perfect, I will have weaknesses. I will struggle and may have times of sorrow, disappointment and discouragement. But here is the difference. I will surrender all, unconditionally. In addition to giving my time, talents and energy to the lord, I will give myself. All of my will. My hopes, dreams, desires, and wishes to the lord. In my heart and head I will let go of what I want to do. The lord does not want to frustrate the natural man, he wants to kill it. I will let him kill it. I will consecrate myself to the work.  I will forget my own concerns, and let go of my wants. I will not count the cost. I will measure my success by the peace that comes to my heart from time to time, when I can honestly say I am doing my best, I am faithful and serving with all my heart, might, mind and strength. I give my all. I will kick when I don't want to kick, not because it's my duty, because it's the only intelligent thing to do. My nature will change, I will acquire the attributes of godliness I need to, so I can be the husband father and person the lords needs me to be. I will not settle for half hearted work. I will love the lord, and his attributes will become apart of my character. Just give it up, surrender everything to him. Stop fighting him. Trust in his power, his matchless and infinite atonement. Trust that he will make of you Immeasurably more than you will ever make of yourself. You will create a smudge, he will create a mountain. My mission president said that I have the potential of being a true warrior of the gospel. Just like those in the Book of Mormon. That is the vision I have, it isn't that I am boasting of myself, but of my God, so that I can be the example, of what a man can become if he yields to the will of the lord. This i do testify. 

I have attached a picture of how remember Christ in my life, at the end of the day I place my tag on the picture of Christ, I compare my name to his, and I give a report of my day. Since I've started doing this, my love for him has grown. I actually think about the choices I make everyday. And I become one step closer to the ending result. 

P Day Nap!

Woah! What hole?

Hello friends. This week was cray cray! We got our iPads, I'm loving
how much easier it is to do missionary work, there are so many awesome
tools we can use now, they have helped our lessons be more effective.

This week I did what I have done in two areas now, and that is, clean
the books. I take the people that missionaries have worked with for
years that never progress and give them the "drop talk". The problem
is this: missionaries will show up to their house, share a message,
and leave no commitment, here's what happens here's the result of
this; The missionaries leave, the investigator feels good, and nothing
changes. I know that the Lord will bless us with people that are
prepared to enter in to the waters of baptism because of this change.
We are no longer wasting our time with eternagators.

Today has been nuts. I think I drove like 290 miles because we had to
drive to the mission office, the to KC and then to Warrensburg. I was
road raging pretty bad....lol but seriously, we almost wrecked like 6
times, nobody believes in blind spots here...it's weird.

Anyway, we are baptizing Maggy and Oli on Saturday, pretty pumped for
that, and then it's time to star finding! That's my week in a
nutshell. Love y'all!!!

Sent from my iPad

The story of My redemption (compare to Alma)

I received this today from Jared.  I felt very impressed to share this, as it might help someone along that is struggling with their own conversion. This is very lengthy.  But well worth the read!

Alma 36:17 "And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. (On June 6th 2014 While I was sitting in sacrament meeting, reflecting on my life. "How sinful" I thought, "I'll never be a missionary, I'll never get over what I have done. It's too hard, I've gone much too far". My soul was in agony, I tried so hard to think of something else so I could burry the pain I was feeling inside....that technic worked for a minute....but then Jake Black from the high council got up to give his talk, about the Saviors Atoning sacrifice.....how I matter to him, how Jesus loves the addict, the guy that looks at porn, or drinks, or smokes, the deranged that just can't seem to stop, no matter what I've done, I matter to my Savior, he understands me, he knows me...but most importantly, he forgives me. This moment brought me to tears, real tears, not over emotion, not somebody's looking at me so I better look intent, but real tears flowed down my cheeks, the spark of the Holy Ghost pierced my heart, and my heart softened...and I knew what needed to happen, I knew that God had spoken to me, and I knew what I had to do. 

(Alma 36:18) "Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death." (After the sacrament meeting was over, I found myself walking up to The Bishop, who at the time looked like a very stern man, I had never met him before, I fact. It was my first day attending the new singles ward. I was standing there, thinking to myself "never mind, I can just go, it's no big deal, I cam carry on like I always have" at that moment, Bishop, stepping down from the stand holds out his hand and says "Hi I'm Bishop Perry, it's great to have you here" at that moment the words spilled out of my mouth "can I meet with you?" And he smiled and said, "I have been waiting to meet with you, get with my clerk." My heart began to pound, why on earth would I do that!..the whole week, I was dreading to visit with him, I thought "what If he excommunicates me, I am on my last straw with the lord, this isn't my first offense" my soul ached. But something took hold of my heart. It was peace in knowing that everything was going to be just fine, the pain would be gone, and I would be able to finally be at peace, oh how I worried how long that peace would last before I messed up again. Finally I get to the meeting....Bishop: C'mon in Jared, have a seat. Can we start with a prayer, will you offer that? Me: Sure, I uttered. I hadn't felt worthy to pray, so I said a few short sentences, asking for the spirit to guide the meeting, and then closed. Bishop: well, what can I do for you? Me: well, I want to be interviewed for the higher priesthood, I thought to myself "what did you just say Jared? You aren't worthy of that, now you're just digging a hole". Bishop:  Okay great, now in order for you to obtain that, there needs to be a reason. What reasoning do you have? I mean your 19 right? Me: well. I feel that I need that priesthood back in my home. It's been gone for a while. "WHAT am I saying" I thought.. Bishop: Well, we can get you to that point. But I have a question for you, it's been on my mind since the start of this meeting. My heart sank, I thought he was going to bring up something he heard about me, or that my cover had been blown...he looked me dead in the eye, and with a soft spoken voice said "why aren't you on your mission yet son? What's holding you back from serving the lord?" My heart was pierced with a burning touch, everything had come to me, the goal I had as a boy was covered by the weaknesses and sins I had committed, I had lost track of this vision along time ago, no such phrase has ever hit me so hard in my life, I came to the realization after that question was asked, that my God had a plan for me, and it had been buried into my heart....I spilled, I told him my problem, I wasn't worthy, but instead of any past confession I had ever had previously, I had uttered in a soft toned voice, Bishop, I want to serve my God, but I NEED HELP in getting there. The humility was overwhelming, I felt as small as I had ever felt before, but  It felt amazing to get the things that I carried so needlessly off my chest, I felt a warm comfort of submission, and I could care less if that outcome was losing my membership, because I felt that whatever the response was, it was of the lord. I thought to myself "now here comes the lecture, I'm so screwed" but he said this..."Well, my young friend, thank you for telling me that, I have another question, Do you believe that the Atonement works for you too?" I said, I don't know. "I feel like I've done too much, I feel that I'm not good enough, I feel behind, how will I ever reach that goal." He said: "everyone has the same struggle, they compare themselves with one another. But the lord is focused on you, he loves you, and he knows you" My eyes filled up with tears, I felt a peace. He loves me....., but not only that. I saw far ahead. I could see my future. It wasn't blocked anymore. "The Lord needs you on his side, and if you're willing, I'm going to stretch you. I want to give you a calling, and I want you to pray about what that calling is. Pray about a mission. I want to bring you to a new level, and we will get you on that mission, your mission president is waiting for you, and he is going to stretch you. He needs you to lead, he needs you to set the example for these young and immature missionaries. So, Are you with me?" I nodded my head. "I would assume you've lived a pretty rough life, parents are separated or divorced, no structure, things that made you grow up fast? This gave you the experience you need to help these missionaries out. You have a bright spirit, a special spirit about you, I see your potential, and I'm not the only one who has said that." He nailed it right on the head. I asked him if he had a file on me or something. He said no, I can just see right through you, I can see your potential. You have a special spirit about you. One that can be used to strengthen others lives. What did he mean....I thought I was doomed, but now he's saying I'm saved? That all is well? What? There is no way that's true, but the feeling is burning so deep inside of me, I feel so clean, I feel re-baptized. It must be true. The thing I was lacking was GRACE....the saviors grace.....it is sufficient. God will not allow me to drop forever, he has given me a chance to begin again, and again, as long as it takes, to get it right. He doesn't throw me away into outer darkness like satan wants me to believe, but his son, Jesus Christ, saved me from the depths of dis pare. I could see it, I could see what Bishop Perry was talking about....and for the first time in my life, I saw, a child of God....standing before this man....and learning the saviors love for me.....he gave me a blessing, to help me fight off the darts of the adversary, he proclaimed my destiny... that I was a warrior in heaven, to fight for the freedom of choice, and that I have come to this earth because the battle is not yet over, that the work is not yet done, that I am being built in these coming months, for the battle ground of the adversary, the front lines, to unchain those in the depths of hell. He blessed me that I would see their potential as a child of God, and see the goodness of their hearts, he blessed me with courage, to stand as a witness, and to fight the good fight. As I serve today, in the Missouri Independence mission, I see the divine strength of that blessing in my work as a servant of the lord. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God, I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

Alma 36:19 "And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more."

Upon leaving his office I asked "so, should I take the sacrament?" He said, "yes." I was puzzled and he said "the savior forgives you, use that atonement to become pure again" and that point  went to sacrament and after that, I could remember the pain of my sins no more. 

Alma 36:20 "And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!"

I felt so good, I felt like singing! Rejoicing! I felt the redeeming love. The peace of which I so longed for was placed upon my soul. 

21 "Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy."

Alma 36:22 "Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there." I remember dropping to my knees and praying to my God. Saying oh thank you, for this wonderful gift. Thank you for the atonement" and in that moment the nature of God was so well known in my heart. 

Alma 36:23 "But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God." I received strength time and time again, as I stood the next fast Sunday and bore solemn witness of the saviors redeeming love, how it changed my life. 

Alma 36:24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost burns within me. I feel the lord with me as I testify of the truth, I feel him speak through me. My mission is clear 

Alma 36:25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors; 

Alma 36:26 "For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God." I am now out on my mission, and I can honestly tell you that I have lost sight of my conversion story, until right now, when I was reading the book of Alma, 36:17-26. The story fit mine. And my soul began to rejoice. I had questioned the past few days as to why I'm here....I had fallen so needlessly into old habits that I had, the past 6 months have been hell....so, why am I here? It's just that. In Alma. I'm here because of the redeeming love the savior has for me.....I have tasted that love, time and time again....and I took the steps to the mission field because my heart rejoiced, I felt the healing power of the atonement, it tasted so sweet, I desired that others would feel that love.....that they may taste of it also. Helping others taste of it has a price that needs to be paid, that price is the rejection, the criticism, the persecution, it's knocking on 1,000 doors in hopes that 1 of them be saved. The desire of that taste, for another souls redemption, is the driving force behind missionary work. What are you willing to go through? What will you give up? How hard will you work? Are you willing to endured this sliver of affliction to understand salvation? As I sat with my mission president, he said exactly the same things Bishop Perry said....and I could feel the atonement clean my soul in that very moment.....I now write of my experience. As I sat their, and talked with president he reviewed the last conversation we had, we have these sheets we fill out ranking our obedience to the mission rules. He said "Elder Greenburg, this is outstanding, you have improved exceptionally well. I have one question for you, are you happy?" I said simply enough "No, president, the past 6 months have not been well, I have lost the vision of my purpose here, yes, I have been obedient. But I have endured much affliction, my purpose hasn't been kicked off right, my trainer went home early, I was put into a companionship with the zone leaders, and one of them went home early. I don't feel that I've had an ideal start to my mission. I feel more effective at home honestly....but the other day I read Alma 36. I read about the reborn spirit of Alma.....and I saw myself.....I flashed back to the redeeming power of the atonement In the office of my home Bishop....and like Alma, I have tasted the joy of this gospel, I felt the strength of the savior lift my spirit. And I desire that others may taste of the joy that I feel, by calling them to repentance. That's why I'm here. He said something to me that will forever stay with me. He looked me dead in the eyes and said "Elder Greenburg, many of missionary has said to me, in letter and in person, that you are an outstanding missionary. One of them being my assistants. They told me that i can rely on you to lead in this mission, that I don't need to worry. And I look at you, and I believe that. I can rely on you. You are a warrior of this gospel, you are here for a good purpose, and you will change many lives in your path. You are in the battle ground, Go forward in faith, and let the Lord continue to build you into the mighty man you need to be. My assistants are outstanding missionaries....and you have the potential to be just like them one day, if you will continue to serve the lord this day." My countenance changed, I felt happiness in knowing that the past 6 months have had a reason behind them. I never knew who I was impacting, I didn't know how much my actions could do that. God is all knowing, he is merciful, and he sends Angels to bare us up in the most challenging times. I know that my redeemer lives, and because he lives, I can press on. I have been redeemed, I have been made alive, I have wrestled with the adversary, and continue to beat it with the strength of my savior, I will not let down, I will not give in to my weaknesses, i will work and wear out my life in the service of my fellowman, I will not let my body control my spirit, but my spirit will take upon my body, and I will have control. I no longer wish do evil, but my goal is heaven, I will uplift, expound, exhort, and testify to these people until every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ. They will feel his love, they will know him, as I have known him. He is the Christ, the son of God. He has shaken off the weight of my weakness, and has shown me who my true intelligence is....the savior said "my honor gives me power". Lastly, I will honor my savior, and my eye is single to the glory of him, not for me.....but for him. I hope that one day, I will enter into his rest, and be on the right hand of God with those that I have saved, and I will see my savior, In his glory and meekness and I will know him, I will come forth like the people in the Americas in times of old and I will feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet, and I will thrust my hand into his side,  and I will bow down before him, and my tears of gratitude will fall upon his feet, because he has saved my soul, so that I could have a chance to live again. This I so do testify.

Hola! Just kidding!

Hey everyone! 

WHEW! What a week it has been. We had Chenggou LI at sacrament meeting last week. After investigating the church for 5 years, he finally said. "I Believe there is a God". We met with him on Wednesday to follow up and teach a lesson in Alma 32 concerning Faith. "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until yebelieve in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."   Since then he has told us he no longer believes. WHAT? This threw me completely off! Talk about a lead on. Broke my heart. But we still love him, and are working with him. He's still good to visit with us. But not too big of a focus right now. Magdelena and Olivario are solid. Maggy had to go to Mexico to see her daughter get married, but when she gets back on the 6th  she is entering into the waters of Baptism along with her Husband Oli. We are so excited for them! 

This week we had Elder Clarke from the Seventy come and speak to us! We are getting I pads really soon, like training for using them and everything. I'm excited, the work is going to explode, I will be connecting to Facebook within a few months. Elder Clarke is a straight shooter, he tells ya how it is! The spirit was indescribable. He talked a lot about self control. He stated "If I were talking about your future I would be willing to bet that there are a few Less Active Members among us in this room today" That was a big wake up call for me, and I'm sure for everyone there. He was so right. Everyone paints this picture of the mission field changing people by simply just "Going" but it will never change you unless you let it, unless you work diligently, and strive to be an instrument in the Lords hands it will never work in you. He said there is a difference "Some Missionaries work through there mission. The RIGHT Missionaries let the Mission work through them". There is a big difference. I liken this to the scripture that talks about service. "He giveth service, but he doeth it grudgingly" The conference was supposed to train us on the use of IPADs and online proselyting, we did that for about 15 minutes, but then put them away and talked completely about cleansing, and preparing, and being a master of self control because to be honest with you, I will be using my old Facebook from back home, and we are permitted to have our family members and friends on our lists so they can see our online work. I am excited about that, but here is the kicker. The self control bar has to be raised.  I love Elder Clark. I can honestly say he changed me in an instant. What a powerful messenger of the Lord. You could tell that he was there for a purpose, and he executed it, having confidence in the outcome. Some missionaries didn't like how bold he was, but that is because the truth probably stung for them. I could see the Love in this mans eyes, it was a pure love. He was humble, and diligent. I didn't know those 2 words could work together. 

He challenged us to do this. "Hang a picture of the Savior on the wall, and when you take your tag off at night, you do it in front of him, and you account to him what you did in his vineyard every day, how you helped those that have not yet felt the love and compassion he has for them". I did this, and it sunk deep into my heart. I immediately understood what I needed to do. 

It is my testimony that the Savior lives. His Atonement is very personal, and uplifts, and carries me through the most challenging times of my life. God knows my heart, and he knows everyone else's heart. With his divine help, I can help those with a troubled heart, to feel the love and change that comes so sweetly with the restored gospel. The men that have been called to lead and guide this church are men of God. They are wise as to the things not of this world, they receive guidance and revelation to help the work progress in these last days. I know this to be true. 

I love you! 

Have a safe week!