June 13,2016

Hello,

This week was great. We had a good zone training. Thankfully we were
able to relay the message that Elder Soarez had for the missionaries.
We feel successful in our instruction.

We got a wild hair this week, and decided to contact people that are
"Do not contacts" the missionaries in the passed didn't keep very
detailed notes, and half of the stories that are there aren't true. So
we contacted some, and found that the situations are not that bad.
There's about 46 of them. With the exception of the one that pulled a
gun on the bishop, we plan to contact everyone of them. We have found
through this that people are prepared behind these doors. They just
need a loving hand.

I was called a "sudo Christian" this week. I didn't even know what
that meant until I ran into a guy that was persistently looking to
bash. He works as a "bible councilor" for his church. It was at that
point that I realized how hard it was to love someone that literally
compares you to Satan. It also presses your nerves when he says "hope
you find Christ someday". Then says that my feelings aren't from the
spirit of God, but that they are coming from Beelzebub which is the
Name of a Philistine god. Used as a title for the “chief of the
demons,” or Satan. The Pharisees referred to him as the “prince of the
devils” (Matt. 12:24). Jesus denied that He cast out devils by the
power of Beelzebub (Luke 11:14–20). Also 2 Kgs. 1:1–6, where it is
spelled Baalzebub.

Whipped out Moroni 7:12-17 all things which are good cometh of God;
and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy
unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and
enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.
13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good
continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do
good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.
14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge
that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to
be of the devil.
15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may
know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may
know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

I thought that was a pretty simple doctrine. But of coarse it went no
where. Good night.

I had a good week, I just feel like I've been treading though bashes
lately. Some weeks we find, and we have success and our people
progress. Other weeks we find that the bells of hell ring after us,
and we are working against n resistance. This was one of those weeks.

Jared is still so cute and fun! Missionaries have fun too!

My handsome boy

 Searching for big Ronda?

Washer flooded....oops!

June 6,2016

Hello!

This week was pretty eventful. Elder Monroe got transferred, so that
was cool. My new comp is chill too. 2 areas in our zone got white
washed, so that has been pretty stressful. They also realigned the
districts. I'm super excited though because our zone is stacked with
sweet missionaries!

 That's about all I have for this week. Nothing too crazy.

May 30,2016

I have been to sooooo many graduation party's this week. Tongans eat a
lot of food, and I get fatter, and fatter because of that fact.

This week was sweet! We contacted like crazy, it's weeks like these
that I actually believe I'm a good missionary, and know what I'm
doing. I've learned that those moments only come so often as a
missionary. Most of the time I still don't know what I'm doing.

Monday night we got a media referral from some member that lives in
Platte City (bout 45 minutes away from our area) The person lives in
Blue Springs, and the referral stated this in the description "Looking
for a church". Those kinds of referrals mean 1 of 2 things. 1.)
someone's looking to bible bash 2.) Looking for new world Christian
values, and will likely become less interested when you come to the
door. We contacted the Women, and she said "WOW Elders, that was fast.
I knew you were coming, I just didn't know it would be that quickly.
Can you come by Friday?" I have honestly never had someone dropped my
path that was THAT prepared. Monday's are extremely tough as a
missionary. You're trunky from writing home, you're tired from P-Day
sports, and you just don't want to get moving again. But the Lord in
his grace and mercy set a fire under us that we could not comprehend
at that moment. We sat in our car for five minutes just staring off
into the distance. We were dumb founded with gratitude.

Going from that spiritual high we went to our next appointment with a
women that has sincerely been investigating the church for a year. Her
husband and his family are all members of the church, and she has
studied diligently for a long time. We sat there, and I prayed
fervently for the gift of discernment. I saw her as God sees her, a
struggling confused women, who is trying to overcome the problem of
being raised in a different world than me. I put myself in her shoes,
I thought about my beliefs and how much I truly get frustrated when
people don't understand me. As we read Alma 32 with her, I could see
her mind begin to be enlightened. Her countenance was bright. When the
time was right I asked her "what are your concerns with the things you
read here?" She said "I have none, I just wish I knew more of what it
was" I saw that as a good desire. Just as Alma had mentioned, it was a
"good seed" We set some goals, and she told us that she wasn't trying
as hard as she felt she should be. I truly believe that she will get
baptized,  I can see her in the Celestial room of the temple, and
furthermore in the sealing room with her spouse.


We also had a great miracle with prayer. At district meeting we asked
the district to pray specifically that the Lord would prepare a way
for our friend to get baptized. I won't mention his name, or any names
for that matter due to data privacy laws. He is 16 years old, and
lives with a less active family 2 days out of the week. The other
family he was staying with had him on the weekends and they made him
attend a baptist church. When we met him, his countenance was rather
dark, and he showed no signs of any hope. After a few minutes he was
talking to us about all kinds of questions about life. He wondered if
he really had a purpose. He became a foster child at about 12, and has
never had a steady home. His mother was addicted to drugs, and when he
turned her in for dealing, she told the court that she doesn't want
him back. With that heart breaking story, I was in tears. I have never
felt such compassion in my life. After the district prayed, and much
fasting, we went to his appointment and he announced that he would be
living full time with the less active family. He will be baptized on
the 11th.


I attached a photo of the district with President and Sister Vest.
They are the best! President Vest amazes me with the things he can do,
I can't even imagine the stress he is put under as a mission
president. I think he only sleeps 3 hours.

May 23,2016

Hey guys!

This week was pretty eventful. Our new investigator friend couldn't
come to church, so we had to push his date back to the 11th. But
that's okay because he's super prepared. Love it.

I learned a lot about humility this week. It's humbling to know that
the lord would have me to be his instrument.

Viewing, and recognizing our weaknesses enough to the point that we
are discouraged instead of encouraged, is when we have gone too far,
and we have become self critical.

I find a significance in the words written in Doctrine & Covenants
Section 4:5 "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an EYE SINGLE TO
THE GLORY OF GOD, qualify him for the work."

There is an example in Alma 29 of having an eye single to the of God.
Alma expresses his desires to cry repentance with Angelic zeal. He
bares humble testimony that the Lord grants unto men according to
their desires, whether that be to destruction, or Salvation. With this
testimony he asks a few questions: 1.) Why should I desire more than
to perform the work to which I am called? 2.)Why should I desire that
I were an Angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?

In answering these 2 questions, he shows the perfect example of being
an obedient, purpose driven missionary. "I know that which the Lord
hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I
glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me....and this is my
glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to
bring some soul to repentance, and this is my joy."

The joy of a missionary should not come by his peers watching him, or
his parents and family back home being proud of him, or merely his
leaders. The greatest joy and fulfillment comes when he is an
instrument in the hands of God. The brethren knew this when they gave
us the white handbook, God knew this when he gave us these
commandments to live the highest standards of conduct. That perhaps we
might become the Lords instruments, and thus feeling the joy that
comes within. A consecrated missionary does not measure his success
with numbers, or being set as an example to other missionaries. He
measures his success based on the peace he feels within, knowing and
feeling the joy that comes with being obedient, and being an
instrument in the hands of God. If that is our desire, than it will be
granted to us. I pray that I will make the sacrifices necessary, to
qualify for the Lords great work, and feel of that joy. It is a
blessing to know that you are trusted by the Lord enough, that he
would use you each day to teach the most sacred part of his gospel,
the plain and precious truths, the Atonement of Jesus Christ.


Here is a face swap with me, and Channing Tatum. A member took this
photo. Also, we had dinner with this super cool family in our Ward. I
was packing heat (JK, that's an air soft gun)

May 16, 2016

This week was full of ups and downs. Tuesday nights appointment fell
through, but we were able to have a great district meeting Wednesday,
which had a high emphasis on accountability, and having the Faith to
Find. The other district had a similar training, and thus the zone had
a killer week with finding! Every companionship but 1 actually found
someone to teach, and not just anybody, but those who are part member
families! Those are the Gold mine!

To finish out this little miracle of a dry area finding a lot, each
companionship but 2 now have people on date For baptism! Which is a
Kansas City Zone record!

Watched an old dude walk out of his house in his undies (Whitey
tighties), no shirt and tube socks to call for his cat the other day.
Up to this point I literally thought I had seen it all. But I was
mistaken. We talked to him for 45 minutes, that's the sad reality of
it. Had a good conversation. But Judas Priest the dude had no shame,
or social cue that he should probably get some clothes on. Nice guy,
he's a bro.

We had kind of a parking lot party at the church on Saturday, had
Hawaiian Chicken, and then played this ponderizing game. We had 6
none-members in attendance. It was a success. BTW. Hawaiian chicken
does not have pineapple. Get that out of your head American
Mainlanders!! (I attached a picture below)

We also did 15 hours of service this week. We are working on serving
the Ward members, it is the key to working through the members to
teach people. Those who are referred by members are ultimately the
most solid out of anyone. Nevertheless, my dogs are barkin'. I came to
the sad realization, that I'm 21 and already have knee probs. I think
that runs in the family. That and I'm losing  my hair.
#Recedinghairline.


I have learned a few new things about faith recently  that have caused
much reflection.
We can choose to be fearless. Just as Alma went forth and exhorted his
people who were frightened. (Mosiah 23:27) he said "Remember the lord,
and he would deliver them." That was a choice, not the sense of being
acted upon. But a choice to act. The Lord does not control us, but we
need to choose him. We need to give him the thing that he doesn't
already have, that is, our agency. As Elder Holland says "Agency
doesn't work, until we are obedient." Thus the act of compulsion sets
in, and we lose control to the devil. But, with this stark reminder.
We get to choose Liberty and Eternal life.

Mosiah 24

In verses 13, 14, 15 it speaks of being in bondage, and the people
praying within their hearts that the Lord would deliver them. The
voice of the Lord comes to them, and promises them that they would be
delivered, that they would be given the strength to get out of
bondage. I believe at this point it took a lot of Faith that the Lord
would fulfill his promise to these people. They needed to believe that
the Lord would be back, and that he would fulfill what he said he
would do. With the Faith that they had, sure enough, the next day they
were given strength. That time period must have seemed extremely long,
I can't imagine. But what I can imagine, is myself. Wading through
every day trials, temptations, ect. It takes a manner of patience. It
takes that belief that the Lord did in fact Succor me, and that he can
help me. It takes patience in that moment, a time to think about the
Lord. I have probably put my foot in my mouth more times than anyone
in this mission, but if it's anything I've learned it is that in order
to succeed i must repent, and rely upon the Lord. ALWAYS. There are a
lot of counterfeits, and world is loud. But there is only one way back
to our Father.

I think the most rewarding part of missionary work is when I can
physically see someone's countenance change because of the gospel of
Jesus Christ. Seeing someone so dark, depressed, desperate, and then
to see them with light, confidence, and really motived to do good.
That is the joy.


I love this work, and I have a special place in my heart for the
people that I meet out here. I dread the day that i will have to
return home.

But love ya!

My Handsome Elder

Love this boy!

New Desk!

May 9,2016

Heeeyyyyoooo!

I really don't know what to talk about today, because I literally
spoke to you like 16 hours ago. It was good seeing you guys. Little Andrew is a cutie.

We had a really strong week this week. Our new friend is golden! We
had a great lesson with him Thursday night and he has gained a small
testimony of the Book of Mormon. "This book helps a lot, I feel joy
and happiness when I read it....When I touch the bible i feel good,
and peaceful. But when I hold the Book of Mormon, I feel power." We
helped him understand that it was his first testimony, and oh, how
powerful that was. He then got on his knees and prayed for the first
time. When I first met this kid, he had a dark complexion, now he has
a smile on his face that is contagious.

Our zone training went really well. We learned a lot about how we
should use the Book of Mormon. It has paid off!

Then we went on exchanges with the AP's that was such a good
experience.  It's always uplifting to go on exchanges with these guys!


Hmm, what else happened this week...OH! We went to teach a new member
lesson this week, and we asked for referrals. They women we were
teaching received a phone call right in the very moment we ended our
prayer. Her friend called, and asked if she knew anyone who could
minister to her. Her rib cage was out of place, and she was scared.
The new member sent us over to her house where her husband greeted us.
We administered the blessing to her, and she said "Elders, I don't
know what that was. But I feel no pain." We are going to start
teaching both of them this week.


That is about my week. I loved it,

May 2, 2016

Hello everyone!

I took part in something so sacred, and so sweet Saturday night. About
7 months ago I met a man who had second thoughts on whether or not he
was going to kill me when he met me. Elder Burke and I knocked on his
door, he thought we were cops. When he discovered we were
missionaries, he then gave this remark "I will never go to church.
Organized religion is a joke, and all they do is judge me." I can
still remember our response "Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you
think he was judged harshly?" The man invited us back for a return
appointment. As we walked away my faithful companion said "That man,
is our next baptism" As we entered the appointment, we talked about
his religious background. He believed that he was destined for hell.
From what he could tell, some were born in to the destiny of the
Devil, and some of God. He began to tell us all of the things he did.
He was raised on the streets in KCK. He was apart of a Vietnamese Gang
there.

In a moment like that, the spirit was stronger than I had ever felt
before, as I bore witness that he was NOT going to hell, that he had
just as much potential to get into heaven as I did, and I was going to
prove to him how that was true. We then taught him about the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. The Atonement, and the ability to be cleansed, and to
have a fresh view of God. A new life. I looked at this man, and tears
began to flow down his cheeks. We asked him how he felt. He said
"Elders, it feels as if you are taking a sponge and wiping away the
dirt from my soul." That was his first testimony of Jesus Christ. What
a powerful witness. As the months progressed, he quit smoking cold
turkey, he got married so he could live the Law of Chastity, he got a
new job so he could attend church on Sunday's. He prepared himself to
enter the waters of Baptism. On April 30th he was Baptized. I could
hardly recognize him when I saw him. I had the privilege of performing
the Baptism. Before we entered the water, I invited him to think about
all of the steps that he took up to this point in his life, and to
remember that it was by Jesus Christ that helped him get there. As he
was being baptized, he began to sob, and I couldn't help but think to
myself. "The weight of this mans burden is being lifted" as he comes
up out of the water. Later he told me that he thought the same thing,
and that he felt like he was floating on air. I found a deeper
understanding of friendship with him, I have seen him change, I know
that it was by the gospel that this all happened.

We found a kid who is in foster care. He is 17 years old. Has a lot of
anger issues, and the people he staying with are less active. We went
to visit them, and the kid asked us how he could serve a mission just
like us. We had a great discussion and I saw this big tough Samoan kid
soften up. We realized how big of a heart really has. We are hoping
that he can enter the waters of baptism soon. He can reach that goal
of being a missionary.

Here's another great experience we had this week. There is a lady that
has been meeting with the missionaries since 2012. She lives with her
boy friend, and has a few word of wisdom issues. Her answer has always
been that she can't decide if she should join, because she has never
gotten the confirming witness. She says that one day God will show
her. We had a really good lesson with her the other day, one that I
believe was delivered by the hand of God himself. There is no way I
could have asked the right questions, or said the right things. I do
not have enough wisdom. As we began talking I asked. "You have met
with missionaries for quite some time now, what is holding you back
from joining?" She began to give her generic answer. The one she has
given many missionaries. "I feel comfortable with the doctrine and
beliefs, I just need that direction of where I should go. God keeps
pressing me to choose which church" At that point I knew what I needed
to ask. But I waited until the time was right. We began teaching about
Obedience, blessings, and prayer. This started much discussion about
prayer.

By this point her boy friend had left for lunch, and it was just us,
the member present, and her. I asked "God speaks to our mind and
heart. Do you think that he would press you so much about an answer,
if this wasn't true?" I knew why I needed to ask that question, and
that specific moment. It was then, that I fully understood why she
hadn't joined. She began to sob. She opened up, and began to talk to
us about her relationship with the boy friend. It was at that point
that I had the impression "She is in an abusive relationship". She
started to talk about being trapped. She said she really wants to
follow the Law of Chastity, but she can't leave. With this in mind, I
couldn't really step beyond that info. We are instructed to give those
things to the Mission President. I left her with Mosiah 24. By the end
of the lesson, she had admitted that she knew it was true. She always
has. The spirit is the true teacher.



That about sums up my crazy week! This upcoming week is going to be
crazy too. I'm giving another training at Mission LeaderShip Council.

Love ya!

 Another Baptism