Oi!

Hello everyone!

Not too much happened this week. We got in a car wreck today on our way to the Library! Louisburg doesn't believe in stop signs! I will attach pictures! So that was kind of a bummer. The cop is a Baptist preacher also, so we had a pretty good discussion about religion while we were waiting for the Sheriff to come and investigate the accident. 

We have been singing at our dinner visits with the families in our ward. We have a pretty good Quartet going on right now. It brings the spirit more abundantly into many homes. 

We have been working on finding, and contacting less active families this week. Parker is coming along great. He said his goal is to baptize one of his friends (who's investigating the church) This was a big step for him. He hasn't been to church for a very long time but we feel that he will make it. And his goal can be accomplished. 

I have been struck with humility this week. I never understood it until now. (funny how that works) It has helped me realize the importance of relying on the Lord. It's interesting how close you can become to God when you recognize your weaknesses, and ask the Lord for the strength to press on. This is the Lord building me into the Man I am supposed to be.

Anywho....have a great week!

--  

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

April 20, 2015 Letter, yes, we are a little behind!

Hello Everyone! 

This week was jam packed with awesome things. We met with a Less Active member. His name is Parker. He plays the drums too! I got to play some licks on his pad! That was a nice release of musical build up. Parker had expressed his concerns about knowing what he needs to do, having lived the principals of the gospel in the passed, but then being completely disobedient to those principles later in his life. He said that he felt that we had a good enough connection with him that he could tell us the true desires of his heart. He doesn't know how to get back on the path. I was able to tell him my experience with "falling off" the spirit was very strong. We told him that you can start now, there is no formula on when you can start. We are going to be teaching him the Discussions and help him on his was back to becoming a returning member. Parker is 18 years old, and I feel like his desires will be to serve a mission after this process. I hope that is his outcome. 

We sang in church on Sunday. Elder Amosa, Elder Verkler, Elder Williams and I sang Capella. It brought the spirit into the meeting, and it was a strong spirit. Music brings the spirit more than anything else.    

 I had the opportunity to give a training on "The Importance of having a positive attitude" at Zone Training on Friday. I have never given a training before, but the spirit was filling me with divine revelation on what the Zone needed. The conclusion of my training was this. Negative, is opposite to positive. We know this. However, we also know that a light can't turn on without a negative force, and a positive force. They both work together to make the light turn on. We teach in the message of the restoration about the great Apostasy, how when Christ was on the earth, he was a positive impact to all mankind. The people rejected Christ because of this impact, and he was crucified. The prophets taught the gospel, but then the people also rejected them, and killed them. Negative impact began to arise, gospel was taken off the earth for thousands of years. This was Gods PLAN. So. In 1820 God called a prophet, and the Gospel was restored. Having again a positive impact on many lives. Here is the final application. Without opposition, the restoration wouldn't have meant anything to anyone. Without the Great Apostasy, we wouldn't have appreciated the Last dispensation. It would have just been handed over. God meant for opposition to build Men and Women. It wasn't meant to tear us down, and chain us to the adversary forever, but it was to show us this one lesson: We can't experience Joy or Happiness, without Pain or Sorrow. Now, here is the equation that I have come up with regarding a positive attitude. Positive Attitude= Faith in Christ. You can't have Faith in Christ if you are constantly doubting the Lords power to find those who are prepared. You have to have all your hearts dependency focused on the will of the Lord, with a positive Attitude. Faith in Christ= Holy Ghost. We are taught in Preach my Gospel under Christ Like Attributes that Faith in Christ leads us to a greater abundance of power. God works through Faith. That is how we obtain power to teach. Holy Ghost= Guidance and Direction. This is a big one! How are we supposed to find those to teach if we have no guidance? We can't align our will with Gods if we don't listen to the Guidance of the Holy Ghost. Guidance and Direction= Fulfillment of our purpose as missionaries. We execute our purpose when we follow the steps given to us by the Holy Ghost. HE will help each one of us, as we listen and obey. The perfect disciple is one that has the ability to FEEL the promptings of the Holy Ghost and to have the Courage, Faith, Humility, and Diligence to execute the task at hand, no matter what is at stake, or who is watching. Conclusion is this: None of the Christlike attributes can be fulfilled without a positive attitude. Being positive is a source to having Faith.

This week was really good, and I have learned a lot more about myself. 

Love ya'll 

Be Strong,Elder, Be Strong!

This week was awesome! 

We got these cool little things called "Black Boxes" put in our cars. They keep us safe from dying...No really, they tell you when you're speeding, or if you are driving too recklessness. If you don't change the speed, or calm down, it will send a notice to the Mission Pres. It's a good thing I don't suck at driving.....

This week we were able to here a special talk by Elder Uchtdorff, It was for all missionaries. The talk really changed my heart. He talked about Peter the apostle. How he was the one that said he would stay by the Lord no matter what. But then Later, as the story goes, he denies the Lord 3 times. We know that after the guilt and shame, Peter came to be one of the greatest disciples, and feared no man. He was crucified upside down, because he felt unworthy to die the same way the Lord did. This application was perfect for missionaries. He spoke of an Elder that feared no man, it didn't matter where he was, or what he was doing, he talked to everyone, and made it a point to share the gospel. He tore through many companions, for the simple fact that they couldn't keep up, they got tired of talking with everyone. When this would happen he would mention 3 Nephi 5:13 "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the son of God. I have been called of him to declare this word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." Simple as that. He feared no man. He said "I will baptize with you, or without you, but I would much rather baptize with you." 

This example stirred my heart. This week, I did my very best to be like this Elder. I found much success in doing so. We found 4 new people to teach, 2 of them being a family. We would park our car at one end of town, and circle the many neighborhoods in our path, knocking doors, talking to those that passed us by, and even did service for an old man that seemed to be struggling. When we would make our way back the car, we chose a different path so we didn't hit the same doors. We spent 5 hours doing this, and by the end of the day, we were whipped. But I noticed something a lot differently...When I knelt down to pray at night, I felt this overwhelming burning in my chest, it was unmistakably the Holy Ghost. It felt like the Lord was reaching out, and giving me a hug, I could feel nothing but pure love for those that rejected us that day, I felt nothing but determination to meet with the families we talked to, or to offer up meaningful thanks to God for the work that we had.  "Fear no man." is the excellent mentality of missionary work.

Hope Everything is going well for you all back home!

Love YA!

The Black Box!

Well, when you put it that way.....

--

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

First week as a Trainer.. new companion

Hello Everyone!

This week was super crazy! We went and picked up my new companion Elder Amosa. He is a determined Elder, I like that. He is from West Jordan, and his roots are from Samoa! It is going to be fun training him. We are still in Louisburg/Paola and we have been working our butts off finding people to teach, our teaching pool is super low, there aren't any investigators. But we have been relying on the Lord for help a lot more.

Conference was super awesome! So many good things revealed to us! I really liked Elder Bendnars talk, it really helped me recognize how to hush my fears of being a missionary. Sometimes it's hard to talk to random people on the street, or have your beliefs tried and tested at a door step. But, this talk gave me comfort in knowing that the Lord gives us the strength to hush our fears. "Courage for the Lord is on our side" has never meant more to me. Also, Elder Dale Renlund of the 70 (Gave a inspiring talk on Sunday) just so happens to be the General Authority that pulled me aside for an interview during our Zone Conference. What a cowinkydink.  

Not too much happened this week, just a lot of foot work and pushing through the changes of being with a new companion, and new Elder. I feel like I have grown a lot, and I feel like the Lord is stretching my capacity to a new level. Sometimes the growing pains are hard, but in the end we are better off than where we started, we are better off when we let the Lord determine the sum total of our eternal life. The United States Army says "Be all you can be" but neither the Army nor you knows all that you can be. The Lord says: "Let me make of you all that you can be". As measured by Mans standards Army Rangers are impressive, but compared with what the Lord can make of you, compared to the realization of your divine potential, they truly are nothing. The realization of your amazing, astounding, and true potential happens only in the hands of the Lord. But you, and only you can place yourself in those masterful, loving hands. 

Just give it up. Surrender your will to him. Unconditionally. Withhold nothing. Turn it all over to him; All of your wishes, desires, dreams and hopes.  Be true and faithful in your head, and in your heart, not just in your behavior. Trust in him, trust in him who knows all things. Trust him who has all power. Trust in him whose love for you is perfect. Trust him, who alone suffered, paid and atoned for your sins, and for your weaknesses as well. Trust him that he will make of you immeasurably more, than what you will ever, ever, in all eternity make of yourself. He will create of you a masterpiece, you will create of you only a smudge. You will create an ordinary man, He will create a God. That is my testimony to you. 

I love the Lord, and I love the change that he has placed in my heart. 

Have a great and safe week!

Keep the Faith

-- 

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

Jared and his new companion/trainee Elder Amosa

Times 2 Ward Easter Egg Hunt

They will make a GREAT team.. Give 'em Heaven!

I Love this kid more than words can express! He really is a spiritual Giant! #jaredrockshisgrandmassocks  #mamasboy! #goodlookinteam

Transfer 2 Week6

Hello everyone!

This week has been super crazy! I was in a Trio with the Zone Leaders, but on Friday one of them went home....so it's just been me and the other one this week and we have had some crazy busy days! #temporaryZoneLeader! It was all just a big blur! not even sad about what I've learned from this experience! 

I have been assigned to train a new missionary this next transfer! What a wonderful opportunity this is going to be, I am a little bit nervous about this, but I know that the Lord qualifies us for the callings we receive. I feel like it will be a great growing experience, and I will probably learn more from this than my Companion will. 

Recognizing the small miracles in this life lead to greater things to come. If we don't appreciate the small things, how can we expect to receive the big things? Our investigator Sam came to church yesterday! We tracted into Sam a while back. He yelled "hey! are you Mormon Missionaries?" He told us yesterday that he felt drawn to us that day for some reason, and then he finished by saying that he knew it was the Holy Ghost. He feels drawn to the Book of Mormon, and loves coming to church. This is a text book experience, one I didn't even think was a real thing. But this is just proof that the Lord prepares people for us. He is earnestly working with us to get us to that next level of our spiritual maturity. 

I have been going HAM on this punching bag lately. It is part of my morning work out, I find it relieves a lot of stress, and also it tones the arms...it's an awesome gift from a ward member that works for Title....except for when I can't move my arms the next day....eh....whateve....

I hope you all have a good and safe week!

Keep the Faith!

  

The Stress Reliever

The Monkey and the boxing Gloves

Some Words of inspiration given to his mama who is struggling right now!

-- 

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

Week 5, Transfer 2

Hello!

This week has been super rough. My comp went home on Thursday, that was pretty hard to see. But the Lord works in mysterious ways. I'm in a Trio with Elder Turner and Elder Verkler (the Zone Leaders). It has been a good time! They are working me hard, and I feel like I'm growing spiritually from that. We are covering the whole area of Paola by ourselves until my new companion comes in at transfers. This area is huge and is usually covered by two companionship's. Paul didn't end up getting baptized on Saturday. He is having some problems understanding the doctrine and won't progress. He has been lying to us about not smoking, and he isn't reading or praying. We are going to have the "Drop Talk" with him tonight. Not too much happened this week, just a lot of foot work, we are trying to build up our investigator pool again. Not much has been done, but I feel like the spirit is more abundantly in my life. 

Keep the Faith!

-- 

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission

Editors note: This was extremely hard on Jared to have his Trainer and Comp go home.  It's always sad when Elders are sent home. But, like Jared said, things happen for a reason.  We love them anyway.  The Savior wouldn't turn us away, and neither should we.. Please, leave the Judging up to the ones that have the authority to do so! #Lovemymissionaries

Week 4 Transfer 2

I had an amazing week! 

We had our Zone Conference this week, a General Authority Elder Renlund came and gave us some very inspired training's. After the training was over, for some reason and I don't think I will ever know why he did this. He pulled me aside, and we talked for a minute. He asked me how my home life was, how my parents were, and if my family was in good health. He then asked how I received the conformation to serve a mission and the steps I took to get here. I told him beginning to end about the miracle I had before entering the mission field, the battles I fought to get here, I expressed the desire I had to work, and to be in the Lords service. I told him that my head nor heart was at home right now, but that I had turned it over to the Lord. He hugged me, and told me that he felt impressed to pull me aside, and that I had answered the questions that were burrowed deep into his heart. What those questions were, I have no idea. But I do know this, my heavenly father is watching over me, he knows my struggles and trials, he knows the difficult paths that we can sometimes find ourselves in. Elder Renlund concluded by telling me that he is proud of me, and on behalf of the brethren, Thank you for choosing to serve, he advised that when I write home that I should tell my Mom and Dad Thank you for giving up a great son for 2 years. A great son? I have never felt that I was a great person, until this man told me and confirmed to me that I was, I CAN do hard things.. I walked away from that meeting somehow uplifted, and edified. I felt more pure, and I couldn't help but recognize the divine power of the Holy Ghost with me. My Heavenly Father was again reaching out to me, with love and compassion, he knew my desires, but he also knew what I needed to do to fulfill those desires. I can honestly say that God still inspires men today, and I sustain these brethren to the office that they hold. The Lords work out here has a purpose. That, I can Testify.

 Paul is doing an outstanding job at keeping his commitments. He is expected to be baptized this Saturday at 1pm. He also invited his friend to take the discussions and we have a meeting with her tonight. Miracles were made

 So, as you know our investigator Paul has been struggling with the Word of Wisdom. On Thursday we had an awesome lesson with him, he had kept his commitments of not smoking and had set his own goals to execute his ultimate goal of being baptized. This was a miracle, Paul never had this intent before. The next lesson we had with him was just as amazing and we found a great fellowship for him. As we were leaving the parking lot we saw in the passenger seat of his car a carton of cigarettes. This devastated me, I felt so disappointed, my heart broke, and my soul filled with anguish and pain for Paul. In no instance did I want the glory of his baptism upon myself to get gain, but that I knew Paul would be happy, and that he will eventually receive salvation for his soul. I couldn't help but remember the Savior, and his grief and sorrow for me, when I mess up. I caught a glimpse of the feelings he might feel when I mess up and give into temptation. I was reminded of the outcome of my own personal actions. And that they disappoint my Heavenly Father. The only difference is that I can be forgiven every time I have  real intent to repent and move on. And perhaps, for Paul it might be the case also. Later we found out that the Cigarettes didn't belong to him, but to a friend. Confirming that this was a lesson that I needed to receive. 

On Thursday we stopped by this less active members house because she was in need of a blessing, she has many health problems, and suffers from a brain default. After the blessing she said "for a second or two I couldn't help but feel relief from the pain I have been feeling lately, and my thoughts were no longer distracted, and I felt the Lord with me." That was an awesome experience. The priesthood really did help this Woman, It is a real power given from god, for the blessing of his children. It is my testimony that God lives, that he loves his children, and that he wants us to follow his Son, Jesus Christ. As we do this, we cannot fail. 

I love this work, I love these people, and I love my God. 

Have a great week!

-- 

-Elder Greenburg

Missouri Independence Mission


I want everyone to know this... Jared IS a GREAT son! He has been my rock.  I don't know of very many 18-20 year olds that are willing to help support a family.  He sacrificed so much for me and Kylee.  Cody did as well.  If they never do anything again, they have earned their spot in the celestial kingdom.  I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent them to me.  I am so blessed to have all of my kids.  What wonderful examples they are to me.. When I grow up, I want to be just like them!