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

Week of April 25,1016

Hello!

This week was the bomb! We had an awesome lesson with an Investigator
that his been meeting with missionaries for a very long time now
(Eternigator). We took her to the Visitors Center in Independence and
talked about eternal families, which is exactly what she needed. Her
husband is member, but she is having a hard time knowing if the church
is true, based on her religious background (Southern Baptist) #Anti!
Her parents aren't taking to kindly to her joining the Mormon church.
Nevertheless we had a good lesson with them, they cried! They have a
desire to be sealed in the temple. They just don't see the whole
picture yet.


We did a ton of service on Saturday. My companion and I are 6'4 and
6'5 so our backs and knees are shot! We landscaped a lady's yard. That
took about 3 hours, then we went and picked up a Part Member Families
construction project, and cleaned out their garage, that was about 3
hours. Then, we went and planted strawberries for this old lady, her
hip is busted all to pieces but she still makes it to church every
Sunday. She's a trooper.


Last P-day was cray. We went to down town Kansas City and got some
Fried Chicken with a member in our ward, then I had an interview with
President Vest, and before ya know it, your P-day is over, and you're
chasing Satan lovers across KC MO!

Anyway, the best work I think I have ever done is the work of the
Lord. I have seen myself grow so much lately. I feel like the Lord has
helped me intellectually, and spiritually, just when I think I
understand everything, I find something more to search, ponder and
pray about. I find that most people will hide their questions from us.
In reality, nobody can be helped that way.

There was a semi-active man that we had dinner with this week. The
Bishop told me I had one task with this one. Find out why he hasn't
gone to the temple. So, after dinner we had a discussion about
potential, and privileges. We asked them why they hadn't been through
the temple yet. They started to blame their son that had fallen away
at first. But I felt like I could see right through them. So I asked a
more probing question. "You know that you can receive your endowments
without your son right"? That's when the true colors started to shine.
He started to mention some stuff he read online. The stuff I heard was
definitely nothing new. There is plenty of Anti Mormon stuff that we
get hit with out here. The benefit of this setting is that I knew how
to help him, and even better, this man trusted me enough to open up
about his thoughts and feelings. I don't exactly know what fell out of
my mouth, but my companion told me after that I Said something to the
effect of "If you wanted to know about dodge trucks would you go to a
Ford dealership for information? no, because they wouldn't have the
proper info." So why on earth would you go to an online sources for
something so sacred and spiritual. Do you not believe that God answers
prayers? Have you sought answers in the scriptures? You can't seek
spiritual advice through worldly resources. He said that he would pray
about it. His wife totally started crying! She wants to go to the
temple so bad! Hopefully we can help them!


We had transfers this week, and Elder Monroe and I stayed in Flemming
park for 6 more weeks. Every companionship in the zone but us and the
sisters got changed up! That was a blessing! The people that left the
zone were causing a lot of grief. But they've been replaced with
missionaries that are here for a reason..a lot of them have been out
for over a year!  I'm excited!


Last but certainly not least! I think I'm getting sick. So, yeah. That
happened.


That about caps my life right now.

I attached a picture of the entire mission, and the Mission Leadership
Council at the mission home

Love ya!

Picture of the entire mission

Week of April 18,2016

Hello,

This week was eventful! We found a family of 8! They are super sweet
people, and we are excited to take them to the next level of
progression. This area seemed hard at first, but then I adjusted my
attitude, and things got better. I think there's a common misconception
that occurs with missionaries. "I'm on a mission, I'm not supposed to
get discouraged, weak, lonely, irritable, sad etc." that's a fat lie if
I ever heard one. The gospel was built on opposition!!!! Why on earth
would we believe that we would never feel negative feelings after
baptism? After Christ calmed the tempest did the waves ever pick up
again? So it is with being a missionary, the setting apart comes with
blessings, but that doesn't mean that all struggles are put aside. It
all sits on your attitude.


We had a great baptism this weekend! I attached a pic! This was a
miracle, the mother of this kid didn't even want him to be baptized at
first. She said "if he comes in here, and can say he wants to be
baptized, then I will let him" the kid comes in we ask him if he wants
to be baptized his answer: "no" we were a little thrown off but then
he said "it might be windy, and I don't want to be cold". We fixed
that problem, baptisms aren't held outside. So he committed to be
baptized.

We got to go to KCK today, that was legit! I love the city!


This week has been tough,  yet rewarding. I'm ready for another round though!



Love you!!!

April 11,2016

This week was interesting. We had our Mission Leadership Council on
Wednesday (Meeting where Zone Leaders&Sister Training Leaders have a
meeting, and receive trainings for the missionaries in their zones) I
got a call on Tuesday morning from the assistants asking if I would
give a training. That was a hectic way to start your day. A training
in front of all of the leaders of the mission and the mission
presidency puts a guy on edge! But it went well, and I loved the
experience.

Then we prepared for zone training. That was another great experience,
it's always a great opportunity to address the missionaries and get
their feedback of all the struggles they are having.

I also met a Less-Active family. They stopped coming to church because
both spouses had really bad marriages previously to meeting. So they
just moved in with each other as boy friend and girl friend. Kind of a
sticky situation but they are sincerely seeking to repent and come
back. I received a personal confirmation from the spirit that these
two are the reason I was transferred here. Also, they are both hair
stylists, and they do a stellar job on my hair!

I loved Elder Bednars talk. It was pure doctrine. GOLD! So I studied it.

"Holy ordinances are central in the Savior’s gospel and in the process
of coming unto Him and seeking spiritual rebirth. Ordinances are
sacred acts that have spiritual purpose, eternal significance, and are
related to God’s laws and statutes. All saving ordinances and the
ordinance of the sacrament must be authorized by one who holds the
requisite priesthood keys." -Elder Bednar

The Lord has invited us to come unto him. The gospel of Jesus Christ,
as outlined in the scriptures as Faith, Repentance, Baptism, The gift
of the Holy Ghost, Endure to the End. Is the way we can accomplish
that goal. It is central to obtaining his mercy and grace.

Those who criticize Latter-Day saints for "working their way to
heaven" do not understand the action words the Savior used time and
time again in the scriptures "come unto me". I imagine coming unto the
Savior as a pathway on which we all need to walk in order to use his
Atonement. That pathway is Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and the
sacred ordinance and covenants in the temple. No wonder James wrote
Faith without works is dead. It's not a working motion he was talking
about. He wasn't talking about how many doors you need to knock in
order to be saved, or even how many baptism you get. He was talking
about how you can actually be saved by choosing to enter into a
covenant with God, and then honoring that covenant by keeping the
commandments.

I love the work here. It has shaped me into something that I could
never imagine being! It continues to teach me every day. When you stop
asking questions, that's when you stop progressing.

Elder Jared M. Greenburg
Missouri Independence Mission
Fleming Park Ward