Over load and a new car!

This week was overloaded with crazy things. The family that we had on
date dropped us on Friday. It was a pretty heart wrenching experience.
It's interesting how fast they make a decision about this stuff. We
just finished teaching them all of the lessons too. Hopefully one day
they will join.

The other family we are teaching is doing awesome! 12 days without
smoking, and moving forward with the goal of getting married.
Hopefully soon!

We got a new car this week! It's a 2014 Chevy Cruze! I'm not
complaining about that at all! Our old car was going to die
eventually. We did a lot of service and exchanges this week, not too
much teaching. It all just went by way too fast.

I've really hit the Book of Mormon hard this week! I honestly don't
think the Book of Mormon gets enough credit. There are so many things
that have helped me this week just from reading it. I never knew how
much of an impact it was. The lord knows us, he knows our feelings, he
does all things for our benefit and good, I think we are the ones that
miss the mark.


This weeks letter is kinda dull because not much has happened this
week (other than being pulled around the state). But I do know this.
That God lives, that our savior performed the Atonement for each of us
to not only be cleansed, but to be changed. We have been given a path,
and tools (his doctrine) to endure this life, and if we are ever
submissive the Atonement will change our very Natures. President Vest
wrote to me this week and said "Elder Greenburg, the Lord needs you,
and I need you to bless the lives of these missionaries. You are
everything that I and the Lord need to help those struggling. Please
prepare yourself". It was an extremely humbling moment for me. I came
to the realization that I not only need the Lord. But that he needs me
to be his instrument to bring salvation to the lives of those
struggling. He needs me. I can answer that call.

I testify that our Heavenly Father knows our full potential. He sees
what we can be, he sees us at our highest of highs. He is pulling for
us, and he loves us infinitely.

2nd pday in a row that I've had to work on a farm.

Service. I've been throwing hay, and I got peed on by a stupid cow!

Bllluuuuuuurrrrrrrr

This week was a blur. I went on a back to back exchange, probably drove 400 miles in 2 days. That's a lot considering we're only allowed 1,500 miles a month and we have 4 more exchanges to go. 

We had a solid week though. Our investigators are still set and on track for the 1st!

This week @district meeting I gave a training on "abiding in him" and how it is conducive to recognizing the spirit. It outlines how the Atonement can help us abide in the savior. To my surprise the Assistants to the President walked in and joined us for the meeting. That was kind of nerve racking. But I got through it, the spirit was strong, and it turned out great. 

I am often tempted to look at the world and think "what is this place? Why are people so ignorant, or blind, or lost, or fallen. Seriously? What's wrong people?" I get angry, and frustrated. But I have never thought to step outside myself and think "that person is a child of God, has been mis-guided and deceived, and probably has no hope for change" and then I thought about it this way "I am called to invite others to come unto Christ. I have the message of the Atonement. The Atonement can change everything."

To atone means to compensate or pay for something. Jesus Christ’s Atonement references His payment for the sins of mankind. It has the power to provide hope and alleviate the burden of sin for anyone. The following are eight things to remember about the beautiful gift of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

#1 It’s Personal

If you want to change the world you must know that Jesus Christ knows and loves you as an individual. He knows the challenges you face. He sees your successes and failures. In Gethsemane He suffered for all sins, mistakes, and sorrows. We cannot bare any moving, lasting testimony of the Atonement, if we have never known or felt of such an experience.  

#2 It’s Infinite 

 He suffered for the sins of all mankind. The power and scope of the Atonement is not easily understood. It is infinite, beautiful, and pure. We are not asked to understand it, only to partake of its cleansing power  Psalm 117:2 "For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord".

#3 It’s Available to All

Christ was not selective when He knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane. He suffered for every person ever born into mortality, from those who have lived and died to those presently living to those who are not yet born. Doctrine and Covenants 133:52 And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever.

#4 It’s Transformative

Unlike Christ, who was perfect, we trek through life and inevitably get spiritually dirty. Without the atoning sacrifice of the Savior, we would be doomed to shoulder our own spiritual burdens forever. The Atonement has the power to clean our souls and fill us with peace ( Isaiah 1:18) Doctrine and Covenants 101:9 Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards them. I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.

#5 It’s the Most Important Event in History

To suffer from spiritual death is far more serious than physical death. Without the Atonement, mankind would be spiritually lost and would be unable to feel the love and comfort of God. Now, mankind can repent, become spiritually clean, and consistently feel God’s love. 

#6 It Helps with Loss

Christ also felt our losses, grief, and pain in Gethsemane When we lose a loved one, the Atonement offers comfort and peace in our times of grief. If we will come to Heavenly Father in prayer during our times of sorrow, He will help us feel peace while we work through the pain. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know how we feel. They won’t let us suffer alone if we seek Them (John 14:18).

#7 It’s Founded in Love

Christ was able to accomplish His atoning sacrifice because of the immense love He has for us. He understood the gift He was able to give mankind and was unwilling to withhold it from us. He knew where we would be without His mercy. When we repent of our sins and try harder to make good choices, we are loving Him back and expressing appreciation for His sacrifice.  

#8 It Is an Expression of God’s Love for His Children

Lastly, if we want to change the world we need to testify that The Father gave His Son because He loves us (John 3:16). The Father and the Son cherish us. Through Christ’s life and Atonement, They worked together to provide a way for us to be spiritually free and to fully feel Their love for us, which is the ultimate reward of the Atonement.

I Pdayed waaaay too hard

Hey Y'all

This week was amazing! I love my District. It has changed my perspective completely. I feel this Love for the Missionaries. That love alone drives me to be a better example. The thing that I've realized the most, is that it's not me that is showing the love, it's not my Nature to love people, in fact most missionaries from time to time tend to annoy me, it's something I have struggled with dearly. However, I feel the companionship of the Lord as I council with the district, I see them as Brothers and Sisters, I feel his love for them, sometimes I even seen them as the Lord sees them, i feel sad when they are discouraged and I automatically want to help them not be discouraged. I love them, the lord has helped me love them. And not just them It is transferring over to my investigators too. For the first time ever Friday night, we were working with an investigator that has been struggling for a while. We were talking about change, and that relying on the lord is key. I got an impression that the man was saying within himself "don't stop coming, please, I need your help, I'm trapped" I heard it within me. the look on his face was a look of want. I said to him aloud. "We will never stop coming, because we love you, the Lord loves you, and he wants you to join his church, he won't give up on you, and neither will we". The man began to cry, he knew that I knew what his heart was feeling, without the Holy Ghost I know that I wouldn't have had that impression. The Atonement is changing my heart as I continue to understand it, and internalize. 

We were able to put a family on date for baptism this week (August 1st) the lesson was sweet. There lives had been flipped upside down, they weren't sure where to turn for guidance. A member in our ward who was the families lawyer referred them to the church. They came a few Sunday's ago, and we set up an appointment for the following week. We arrived at their house, but to our surprise they weren't home. We tried the next day, same thing, no answer. We figured they were avoiding us so we just moved on. But to our amazement, they came to church the next Sunday! Apparently the two times we tried them was just bad luck on our part. They scheduled with us again! This time they were home! We taught them the restoration and invited them to be baptized, but they were afraid to commit. They had a hard time trusting not only themselves, but other people. We were able to reassure them that the Lord wouldn't want them to join the church if they didn't know it was true. They said they would pray about it. We visited them again, and at the end of the lesson we extended the invitation once more. We had a date set, but they were shaky about it. Still had a road block on committing. We visited them again, we taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we talked about Baptism and Faith, and The Holy Ghost testified of the Atonement, the cleansing power of Jesus Christ. They assurance of the Holy Ghost, and it's guidance and protection in our lives as we exercise faith. The spirit was sweet, it almost felt as if we were all sitting in the Celestial Room together (that's where you want to imagine the people you teach) we again, extended the Baptismal invitation, the Mother was concerned that some of her kids that refused to sit in on the lessons would be separate from them. I testified with all my heart about eternal families, that if they did get baptized, it wouldn't be very long before they were baptized. 3rd time is the charm, they accepted the date with faith, and they are solid, and committed. I love this family, I have never wanted so badly in my life to share the peace and comfort of the Lord with someone else in my entire life.

Another sweet thing that happened was when we were visiting with an investigator that has eaten missionaries alive. They have been investigating for a long time, the visits from the missionaries has changed their lives, they were heavy meth users and drug dealers, been in and out of prison, almost committed murder once, before they met the missionaries. Needless to say they have had a rough life. They are clean of all of that, haven't used or dealt for years. Their journey has been long, and hard but they are hung up on one last thing. The only reason they haven't gotten baptized is because they aren't married, and they are living with each other. Even their kids are members! The hang up is that if they get married they will lose their disability income. And they do make enough from their jobs to support their family. We have told them several times about jobs that are available, we set them up with the LDS employment services, they wouldn't take any thing. It's been frustrating. Well, we were at their house, and we pulled the family together for a Book of Mormon study. Something classic, amazing, and inspired happened. The little girl in the family says "I WANT TO PICK THE CHAPTER!" I go alright, cool she wants to read. Good deal. So I told her to pick the chapter. She picks Alma 39. Waiting for everyone to turn their I start some small talk. Not paying attention to what the chapter was even about at all. After everyone was ready I said "ill read the chapter head and the first verse and we'll go around the room" I began to read. "Sexual sin is an abomination" was the first sentence. I read aloud "Se-HEY WHO CHOSE THIS CHAPTER!" But something told me we were supposed to read it. We got to the part where it talks about denying the Holy Ghost. The boyfriend said "wait so, me not getting married and living with her is almost as bad as denying God?" I sat there in silence for a second, my initial thought was to sugar coat the phrase. But I didn't. I said yes. It is. He went white as a sheet, and turned to his girlfriend and said "we need to get married, this is not good". The spirit bore testimony of the truthfulness of this passage, and it helped me guide the discussion to where it needed to go. I have never seen someone be so taken back by truth in my entire life. I love that family, and I hope they can figure out their situation. 

I bare testimony that Jesus is the Christ. He is our captain, he called us, he goes before us, he chose us to follow him. His Atonement is real, it is enough, and heeding to him will change our natures. I love this gospel and the change its made in me, but also in the change it is making in others. This is his kingdom on earth, this I do testify. 

I love you all 

Sincerely.

Elder Greenburg 

Colossal Berry Crunch! Breakfast of Champions!

A "Flood" of Blessings

This week was sweet. 

We got a lot of work done, finally got some solid appoints and a few investigators on date. One in particular that is from Russia, very friendly, she fed us cheese cake. It was super sweet, she said she felt drawn to read the Book of Mormon. Never had a 1st lesson go so smoothly. Im excited to see these people progress. The Lord has defiantly given me a lot of tender mercies this week, it's helped me grow, and appreciate what the Lord has done for each of us. As a mission we are studying the Atonement, and how we can better use it in our missionary efforts. 

Studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ has been a pleasant experience. It's helped me learn so much about our Savior. 
His purpose was to cleanse others so they could come unto the father, by helping them  use his matchless Atonement through faith on his name, Repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and to endure to the end and experience immortality. Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. We aren't just teaching them the knowledge of our church, we are teaching them the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we are teaching them HIS purpose, it is the underlying structure of our messages. With this concept they can know the means whereby man can be saved. The daunting realization I had this week was that when we choose not partake of that gift, we are choosing to deny Christ. Christ wants us to use his Atonement, because he has a purpose of cleansing and changing our souls to be worthy of the Father, and to partake of life eternal, when we choose not to let the Atonement change us, all of that grief, pain and heartache he went through for us would be a complete waste, it would be as if we were with the group that cast him out, and had him scourged and crucified. I have recognized that the Atonement has 2 important ways of healing. 1.)Redemption. 2.)Enabling power.  Redemption comes when we confess our sins, and ask for forgiveness. We feel the companionship of the Holy Ghost within us as a cleansing agent, we feel a peace, assurance, the future ahead, reborn, I've often said I felt like I was floating on air, the ability to become freed from the chains of the adversary or the unlocking of spiritual prison into spiritual agency within Christ. The Enabling power is his grace to help us put off the sins. In order for us to break free of our carnal state, to stay out of spiritual prison, and to overcome our weaknesses to indulge in sin is by relying on the merits and mercy of Jesus Christ or in other terms to "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and putteth off the natural man". I realized I am far better off using the Atonement not only to be cleansed, but to be CHANGED. I think We often stop trying after the cleansing and redemption has been made, but we never use the FULL blessings of the Atonement to be changed. I think this happens with Recent Converts too, and we lose them after a few short months.  The sooner we can help our investigators know these 2 principals, the better they will be rooted in the Gospel, and feel the converting Power of Christ's infinite love for them, they have to feel our hope for them, and the only way we can help them change, is by understanding Christ's hope for them, his charity. We are aligning our purpose, with his purpose. That all might be changed, and cleansed from iniquity to rest with the Father in his kingdom.

We got a flash flood here in Sedalia, pretty bad. The sisters apartment got flooded waist high, so we went and helped them. We got covered in carpet, and we were sore for days from working so hard. I loved it. This week was super awesome, although I got super sick on Friday, so we couldn't proselyte on the 4th. Which sucks, everyone was outside! We Also found an amazing family this week! I love them! I have never felt the love of the lord so full in my life. Studying the Atonement has really helped me build my charity level. Im beginning to understand the love christ has for us. It rubbed off on me, and I pray it rubs off on those I teach. 


Love you all, have a great week! Umma go play basketball 

This is what happens when you leave your apartment unlocked....

 P Day!

#GanstaBaptist.

This week was pretty sweet. I went to the temple on Tuesday, we did 2
sessions (I hadn't been for 6 months) what a lovely experience that
was. The spirit there tastes so sweet. It's always a refresher, it
puts life into such a greater perspective. Here's what happened. While
I was sitting in the celestial room, I gave the thought. Why am I
here? What can I do better? A subtle reminder came over me "because
the Book of Mormon is true, Jesus is the Christ the son of God, and
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is gods kingdom
established once again on the earth. He has called you, to declare
that truth" I wonder if I could have a clearer answer than that. I
prayed and asked. "Well, what more would have me do?" In short, I
simply gave it all. The lord can't change our hearts without total
submission or permission to do so. I just told him how I felt, I told
him about the things I struggled letting go of (laziness,
rebelliousness etc.) but in my best reenactment of King Lamoni, I
simply said. I'll give away all that I posses, all of my sins to know
thee. Just help me turn outward, help me change to have compassion for
these people, help me have charity, and to see these people as
children of God. I felt like a kid in a candy store, I felt happiness
within me. But the very thought of those afflictions, and fear of
going back to laziness, almost overcame my faith. I opened the Book of
Mormon, just a random page, and random spot. It was Mosiah 24 "14 And
I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that
even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in
bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me
hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do
visit my people in their afflictions. 15 And now it came to pass that
the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made
light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their
burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to
all the will of the Lord. 16 And it came to pass that so great was
their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto
them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will
deliver you out of bondage."

Well, I thought the answer wasn't going to come clearer than that. So,
we eventually left for home (after much soaking in the peaceful
feelings of the temple). On the drive home not even 15 minutes after
we left the temple. President Vest calls me and says this: "Elder
Greenburg, the Lord wants you to serve as a DISTRICT LEADER in the
Warrensburg Stake. Will you accept this assignment?" I accepted it
obviously. The Lord answered me. Simply enough, this assignment is
going to help me turn outward. Not just to those investigators. But to
the missionaries too. The Lord answered my call to change my heart. I
felt and overwhelming uplift within me, and I know that the lord will
ease my burdens in this assignment, but also will teach me how to LOVE
people. Because honestly, Loving the people I serve has been a
challenge.
 For example,
Friday I was very fearful of going to work, I don't know what it was,
but I didn't want to go work, I let my fear overcome my faith and I
laid down on my bed in agony. As I laid there I thought about all the
people that had ever contended with me, all of the anxiety it caused.
But then sure enough I began to pray. And I asked my Heavenly Father
to help me understand, I asked for strength and guidance, and safety,
and courage to talk to everyone. I said "I don't even know why I feel
this way, help me understand how to love these people". I felt this
urgency to get up, get on my knees and plead for the lord to loosen my
tongue, I did so. Then I got up, grabbed my Mexi companion, and we
walked for 6 hours straight, talked to everyone, handed out a bag full
of Books of Mormon, and got 3 returning appointments. Words can't
explain the way I felt after that day.

To add on to that experience though, we found a Gangsta. We were
hitting the "Wrong side" of the train tracks that day. I don't think
anything could have stopped us. This guy comes out and yells at us to
come over. "Ay! yo! What ya'll sellin?! Bibles? Can I pay ya'll for my
sins?" We explained that we don't have to pay money for sins, talked a
bit about Christ's atonement, and told him about the Book of Mormon.
He took one, gave us his number, and scheduled a follow up
appointment. We returned to the appointment and upon arrival ran into
another house of gansta. I was amazed at how well they accepted a Book
of Mormon. And sincerely wanted to know more, so on our way to the
appointment with this guy, we set up 2 other appointments. We get to
his house and he started flipping out on us, saying that he read
online a bunch of stuff about the Book of Mormon, that it was the
Devils book, and that he threw it away, I asked him if he actually
read it, and prayed to know. He said "no, I don't need to, I know it's
the devil, he's all over in it, his friends started backing him up
with all this anti propaganda about Joseph Smith". My heart filled
with anger, I wanted to shred this guy in his ignorance. We argued
back and forth for a bit, but at the end of the day, all I felt was
anger, and hatred. Further showing me, that I had a weakness, that I
don't know how to love people, and that I anger and get annoyed
quickly. Knowing this I have been calling on the lord to teach me how.
It hasn't taken its effects, but I am learning. It might take a long
time, but the lord has shown the way, and I all I could ever do, is
rely on him. Because it's the only intelligent thing to do. I asked
the lord in prayer when I was in agony on my bed that day, and asked
to help me understand. He answered me, he helped me understand my
weakness. Lots of work to do.


I bare testimony that God knows us, he knows our hearts. The Holy
Ghost not only comforts us, but it is a means by where we can be
cleansed, and that this church is the true church.

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