Another Awesome Week!

Hello!

This week was by far the best out of all! We picked up 4 new investigators! Holy Cow! The first one was Megan, she is homeless and lives out of a hotel, I never thought I would be teaching out of a Hotel. Also, this Hotel in particular just so happens to be the biggest place for Meth traffic. Drugs are bad. Stay away. Anyway, the first lesson went amazing, she basically said, "I know that it's true, how could it not be?" we invited her to being Baptized and she accepted. This was on Saturday, we then had another appointment shortly after that with Mary. Mary is super awesome, she doesn't really have a religious background, but we taught her the Restoration and Invited her to be Baptized, she also accepted. That's 2 in one day! How crazy?!?! Hopefully they will keep their commitments! I have faith that the Lord will guide them to where they need to be. 

Brandon is also a new Gator, we were knocking doors on Friday and he opened up and said, "I use to meet with Missionary's but they just stopped coming by". We asked him if he had read the BOM. He hadn't, we taught him the Restoration on the door step, and invited him to read and pray about the BOM. It was a sick lesson! My eyes filled up with tears, as did his when I recited the First Vision. The spirit had never testified to strongly, every time the First Vision comes up the room goes quiet and the spirit sinks in. Without doubt, Kids will hush, Dogs will stop barking, and then room will thicken. What a powerful experience. 

Josh is a new Gator. (A little background story) We do service at this place called Vintage Park. It's a retirement home for the disabled and old people. We serve lunch for them. The main cook's name is Josh, while we were serving there on Thursday I had the impression to ask him if he had a religious background, but I didn't because I was too scared of what he would say. So, as I kicked myself the whole day, I told Elder Dastrup about it, he said that he had the same impression, but felt like he shouldn't say anything yet. So we prepared what we wanted to say to him, and on Friday we asked him about it. He said his Grandpa had a church baptist church growing up, but one day he walked in and his Grandpa had died via heart attack, we kinda asked him, what his faith in God and Jesus was. He said that he felt like they saved his life from Alcohol, and helped him quit. We asked him if we could come teach him a lesson about  Jesus Christ and he accepted. We are meeting with him tomorrow. Super Pumped about that!!!

The Lord puts people in our paths, we may feel like it's awkward to talk to people about our faith, but I can assure you that God knows whose ready. God knows more than Elder Greenburg and Elder Dastrup. And as long as he is at the Helm of this ship we will have great success. I love this Gospel, I love these people, and I love this work. I had the opportunity to Teach a District training on Charity and Love. Never before has a new Elder done something like that in this area. I guess that means that I need more Charity and Love. I learned that you cannot teach without it. How can you help someone desire salvation, if you yourself don't desire their salvation. 

I hope all is well back home. 

Love you!

--

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

LIfe of a Missionary

Hello!

This week has been pretty crazy! My companion was sick all week so it's been pretty tough getting out to visit with people. But that left me with a lot of time to do some personal studies. It's amazing how much you think you know until you really dig into the doctrine, and then you realize that you only know the top layer of things. We picked up a new Gator this week. His name is Charles, we told him a little bit about the Book of Mormon, and he said he likes reading things about Jesus. We invited him to pray about it. We have an appointment with him today, he told us that any time he is home he will let us in. He said that anyone that has a message about Jesus is welcome in the door. We thought that was pretty sweet. He has gone to the Catholic church for about 5 years. I wonder what this will bring. Too bad I can't meet with him tonight because I'm on an exchange right now with the District Leader. But Elder Dastrup has it in the bag. What a great guy! We had a pretty awesome experience Sunday. We were able to confirm Norma as a member. Elder Dastrup and his last comp Baptized her, but she couldn't get confirmed that following Sunday due to something at work. So we finally got around to it this week. It's amazing to see the light in the eyes of a new member. It's like they are floating on air.

I had the opportunity to lead during a dinner message with a member family. I opened by saying "I'm glad you all could make it here tonight, It's great that you could come" I was so nervous....And then the Father of the family said "thank you for inviting us into our own home..." At that point I realized what I had said and everyone started laughing. It was super funny! I got the first one out of the way though! The joke throughout the zone is the phrase "now....get out of my house".

I pray every day to be able to adapt to these people. I want to obtain the Love and Charity that comes with being a missionary. My goal is to find that peace and work it into myself, sometimes it's extremely hard to be patient and long suffering. It's a very humbling experience when the door is slammed in your face. It makes you feel like you have failed sometimes, and even hesitate to knock on the next. But all-in-all I know why I do what I do. The Lord will help me reach the potential that is needed for me. When I follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost, and am obedient to the Gospel Principles I can be whoever God wants me to be.

Not much this week, but a lot self finding I guess.

Hope all is well at home, Keep the Faith

Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

Elder Jared Greenburg has arrived in Indpendance Missouri!

Hello!

This week has been super bomb! My first air plane ride was....interesting....The companions that I flew with neglected to tell me that there are air vents on the plane to keep you from passing out....I didn't....but I don't remember much of the ride because I was clearly light headed....I guess breathing is important when you do these things..Anyway! Missouri is super great! Everyone here is so friendly! They will literally let you in, open their fridge, and feed you, and even if they don't agree with your message they are always willing to listen to it, and they always discuss it with you. I never knew how generous people could be until I came here. My first area is in Paola Kansas. It's about an hour from Independence. We live in a town about the size of G-ville called Louisburg! Again, the people are amazing. I pray every night to know them better, and to seek out there needs the best way I can. We live in this little apartment. We named it "Brolob" named after "Kolob" if you could hie to Brolob. It's such a unique place. My companions name is Elder Dastrup! He has been out here for three months and is already training! He is such a great example to me! We get along great and he has really taught me more things than I could ever imagine learning! Last night we met with the Cates family. They are less active in the church. They have been through many struggles, from health issues, to death in the family. I heard sister Cates story and my eyes filled up with tears. This families life lined up perfectly with mine. How I grew up, the feelings I was feeling at the time, and the things I had to do to cope with it. Their son is 17. He's a drummer, he's super sick! Love that kid! Such a great family. I never thought I would love a stranger so much in my life. We have one Investigator in date for the 31st! He's a stud! Hopefully we can help him receive the Holy Ghost! He will be a Dino Member! I can't even express how much I have loved being here! I feel the spirit stronger than I ever have. I have been called to this area. These are my people, I will help show them know  who the good Shepard (Jesus Christ) is. What a wonderful experience. Also, I have found that the break offs of our religion are weird. It's like each one of the takes a verse, or a chunk of Doctrine and puts it into their own words. But fun fact, It's not as heavy as everyone thought it was out here. Yeah, their are about 1,000 different church's out here. But I have found more people without religious background at all. Weird! anyway, I can't express my feelings this last week enough, I waste too much time! I have a burning testimony of this work, I strive every day to forget myself and focus on others, It's a work in progress, but I surely know I can do hard things, I want to know the pure love of our Savior. I want to help others know that as well, and the first step to teaching is to find that pure love and to write it in your heart.. I hope everything is well at home. My new address is 404 South Broadway Louisburg Kansas 66053.,If you send anything to the mission home I won't get it for at least a month. So send everything to this address from now on. I love ya'll

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

Zone Leaders, 2 companions and we are out of here!

Hello!

This week was the best week ever! We met with our new TRC investigator her name is Sharon. She is a sweet Woman! She is from the Church of Christ out of Tennessee. She is very head strong on her beliefs, and has had a pretty rough life, so her trust in God is like 1 out of 10. I could feel nothing but pure love for this Woman. On Wednesday she asked us out of the blue if she could have a "special prayer". We said: "a priesthood blessing?" and she said: "yes". She told us that there was "something about you Elders that makes me comfortable, and I feel this peace when you are here" She was going in for neck surgery the next day and was very nervous about it. So, on Thursday we taught her about the Priesthood and the wonderful blessings that come with it. At the end of the lesson we gave her a blessing. The spirit was so strong! She started crying and she said that she felt so calm, and that she had nothing to worry about anymore because God was going to take care of it, she said it was like how she feels when we are there but X10. We helped her recognize the feeling as the Holy Ghost, and I firmly believe that her heart was touched, and her view point of the gospel was changed from that point on. 

I have been assigned as the Zone leader in my Branch. Usually they have a companionship as the TWO zone leaders, but my comp left on Monday so I joined Elder Williams and Elder Porter and they assigned me as Zone Leader, Elder Porter as District Leader, and Elder Williams as Sacrament coordinator! For the first few days it was just the three of us in our district (Elder Porter, Elder Williams and myself) And then we had 9 new missionaries come in on Wednesday. They are so awesome! They are a good group of missionaries and are going to do so well! 4 Sisters and 5 Elders

As much as I love the MTC, I am super glad I am leaving for the real deal this week. I am getting cabin fever here! I can't even imagine what it's like to be here 8 weeks like some of the foreign Elders and Sisters. Maybe that's why I didn't go foreign, God knew how much patience Elder Greenburg has, and that number is 0! Do people still live out there?? JK!    

Every day is an adventure in itself. I find myself feasting on the work as the day goes on. I get super excited about teaching, and finding the needs of those I teach. It has been a long time coming but I am getting the hang of it. I am sure when I get to Missouri everything I have learned will either come into play, or be tossed out the window and something even greater will come in. I guess we will see! OH! and I Elder Jared Michael Greenburg, have beaten the statistic of gaining weight while in the MTC. I have lost 12 pounds! Super stoked about that! Not complaining at all! We have had this amazing teacher. Her name is sister King! She is so powerful and such a sweet heart. last night was our last time with her. And she said the prayer, and it was legit! She poured her heart out and made me cry. #firstMTCcry! Whateves. Also, only Elder Greenburg goes in for a haircut and gets the only MALE barber at the MTC. He did a bang up job though, I think i could play the role as Channing Tatum, without the weird passion crap.

I hope things are going well at home, I pray often about you!

Keep the Faith! 

MTC Week 2

Hello!

This week was super amazing! Christmas in the MTC is one I will never forget! Russell M. Nielsen came and spoke with us about the Doctrines of Christ!  The spirit was so strong and I am sick of Christmas hymns! Their are literally only like 8 hymns that you can sing. And we sang each of them at least 5 times! (insert exaggeration) However, I have gained an even greater testimony about the savior. I learned more about the life he lived and the example he set. I learned to turn outward to others, rather than focus on my needs. Elder Galvin and I decided to put this attribute to work. We picked up another TRC, his name is Theo. He is a straight up G! We met with him and could tell what he needed in a matter of minutes, and that was the savior. We talked about the savior and we believe he gained a greater understanding of him. We visited him 3 times this week, and he committed to baptism. He will be baptized in February. (too bad I'll be gone by then) I have never loved a stranger so deeply in my entire life. But by the end of our time It felt like I was saying bye to one of my Brothers. I will be leaving the MTC on January 7th! I am here another week. Elder Galvin leaves on Monday (sad face) My new companion(s) are Elder Porter and Elder Williams. They are also going to Missouri Independence. Our branch president (Pres. Moshier) said that we will be training the new Elders when they come in. 

I am singing in a group this Sunday "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing"! I love that song. We are doing a quartet acapella! It sounds super good! I found that Missionary's sing louder! I like that! The power of music brings the spirit when nothing else does. Also, It feels like I pray more and more each day, I have never prayed so much in my whole life! The spirit is so sweet, and so calming. I have found that if you live your life in harmony with the Holy Ghost, you can always have that feeling with you. No matter the situation you are in. The Gospel is that simple. The Light of Christ never escapes from us, It might feel distorted at times. But it is always with us, even when we sin! 

I can't wait to see what next week brings us! I wake up everyday praying for a spiritual experience! I love this gospel and this work. My testimony is strengthened everyday I am here. I look back sometimes on my decision, and have yet to regret it. I can't even imagine where I would be spiritually right now if I hadn't taken that leap of faith back in June. I feel this overwhelming love for others. I want everyone to have a piece of that Light that the gospel brings. I have never felt so caring towards others in my life. I hope that when I am in Missouri that I can bring this gospel to those who are ready. A lot of us carry around this unnecessary dead weight, when we don't have to. We don't have to live in regret, or in sorrow. The Savior paid our debt.  Because he loves us more than our mortal minds can comprehend. 

I had the opportunity to sing in the Choir this Christmas. Brother Egget was the Choir director! He is soooooo funny, and inspiring. He was helping us get in tune with our emotions so we could sing with compassion. We sang "Where Shepherds neatly nelt" It's about the Savior and his sacrifice for us. Anyway, Brother Egget made a good point. If Christ appeared right now we would all engulf in flames. Why? Because his light is so powerful, and so bright that mortal bodies can't withstand it. I thought that was symbolic of something. I thought "we should prepare to be immortal, no unclean thing can stand in the presence of God. But no unclean thing will ever want to the least we can do is be the best we can be, so when the time comes to meet God, we can be as clean and ready as possible". I love it! 

Anyway, I have to go now. I love you all! 

Keep the faith!

Love, Jared

Jared and his Companion

I am telling Ya, that Elder has amazing planking skills!

Jared is a bit Sadistic... don't you think?

MTC Week 1

Hello Everyone,

The MTC is amazing! I love it here! The first day was so crazy, there was literally no time to do much settling, we were all just following our schedules and going with the flow. I remember just hitting the sheets and just catching up on information. My companion is Elder Galvin. He is from Canada! He is super on point and determined to work and be obedient! Super grateful for an obedient companion! The past few days have been a little rough, but not in a bad way! I feel like the first 4 days is the breakdown period, and the rest of the time is just building us up. Last night I had an awesome experience, we were able to teach one of our TRC investigators. I gained so much love for him when we were teaching him. And my knowledge of the restoration has increased so much! I was having a hard time teaching at first, I would have a thought, and then all of the sudden just stop talking mid-sentence! But then Brother Barton (MTC Teacher) was able to help guide me into digging deeper into the hearts of those I teach. I found this awesome power of discernment. I have found that if you listen to your investigators you will be able to dig deep to find their needs, when you hit that awesome sweet spot the spirit opens up to you, and it's no longer your lesson to teach anymore. It's Gods. We related to how the savior would teach us, and that is with pure love. Elder Galvin and I spent 3 hours preparing a lesson on the Restoration and Translation of the Book of Mormon. But when we got into to teach Mike (Our investigator) we basically threw out of our plans and answered his questions. On our first lesson we felt impressed to commit him to baptism, and he accepted! Mike has been studying religions for years, and one day he ordered a Book of Mormon from Mormon.org. What he didn't know is that two Elders came with it. I feel closer to my Heavenly Father. I recognize him more in my life as I be obedient in his work. The MTC food is sooooo fattening! OH! and it tears your insides to shreds. I have probably ruined more personal study sessions than I can remember because of my need for the porcelain Goddess! In fact just this morning I walked in and some Elders from another district were cleaning the bathrooms for service. I looked at them bold faced, said I was sorry, and went about my business in wrecking their masterpiece of cleanliness. #tendermercies! Anyway, everything is going great here! I feel the spirit and firmly believe that angels really do walk these halls. My testimony has grown so much the past three days! The power of prayer has really opened my eyes as to how much I really do need my Father in Heaven. He is anxiously waiting to hear from each of his children, he wants us to ask him for help, rather than us seeking answers from the world. I know that when I pour my heart out to the Lord that he does comfort me, and he is always with me especially in my darkest hour. I hope things are going well at home.

*Mom I'm sorry that my hand written letter didn't come* 

We have been so busy lately that we just keep missing the mail box, maybe one day! 

I love you all,

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

 Jared at the Temple the Day he Received his Endowments

Jared's Zone at the MTC

He is a BIG BOY

Elder Jared Greenburg leaves for the MTC

Well. It's done! We dropped our Elder off at the MTC along with several other Elders. Next to giving birth, it's the hardest thing I have ever done. Jared has always been my protector.  He has always had great love and concern for me, but I now must share that love that he has for me with others. He has a great gift and he will touch many souls. This is Gods work and Gods will. " if it so be that ye should labor, all your days and bring but one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him, in the kingdom of our father. How great shall be your joy. "