Thursday, June 27, 2013

First Letter Home

FAAAAMMMM!!  Sorry I haven't written you guys till now, my P-day was a week after I got here. So I wish I could tell you my whole story of my time as a missionary thus far, but there is simply too much to say and not enough time, so I'll just get to the good stuff, how bout that!
So my comps name is Elder Mather, he is a stud and such an awesome guy. We have gone through a lot of the same things and relate in so many ways. And Adeline might get a kick out of this, he was one of the guys I saw on Instagram before I left! How cool is that!
Our district is amazing. I feel like they're my literal brothers and sisters. I gave a blessing of comfort to one of the sisters in our district, I was terrified when she asked me. All the Elders joined in and I started to speak. I can't really remember what I said, but I know it was the spirit talking through me. She was in tears after and she said it was exactly what she needed. I needed it to. I felt like I could fly afterwards! haha. Let me tell you, I felt so much joy that I was able to exercise my priesthood authority to help her fell better. It was amazing.
Me and Elder Mather have been called to be zone leaders, so that means we look after the new missionaries that come in. It's crazy how fast you can grow in a week!
Yeah! we got to go to a historic missionary broadcast on Sunday with a bunch of the apostles and the Whole entire MTC at the Marriot Center. They said we were really lucky that we were here to experience it, they never do anything like it. It was awesome, it focused on members getting involved with missionary work, a big change in how the work has been going for the last century. Saw Elder Holland and I screamed like a little school girl! haha, not really.
Lets see.. oh yeah, mom I did run into like 10 Elders in Dallas returning home from Argentina. They welcomed me with open arms and were super excited for me. One told me that He ate cow head on a daily basis, haha. Another started to get emotional talking about his experiences because he was sad to go home. Thats how I want to be at the end of mine. I got to see them reunite with their families in Salt Lake, it was so sweet.
OH, I saw Kent!!!!! I didn't have my camera on me but he had his, so look on Facebook to see if he put it up. I saw him just in time because he only had a few days left. He's doing great
Lets see. Pres Vaughn told "me that this will be the hardest thing you will ever do in your life." I didn't really believe him until I got here. It's been so hard. I've never prayed this hard in my life. I've felt like I don't know this gospel well enough and that I'm completely inadequite for this work. I'd even thought about giving up. I keep on getting the answer that it will be okay, all is well. Do not give up. You are here for so many reasons even if you don't know this gospel like you wish. Your only focus needs to be on those around you, to be like Christ and thats it. It's why your here. This work is not about you at all, your here to help others who are lost, and hurting, and can't even bare to stand to be relieved of their pain and to come back to their father in heaven.
we've started teaching our investigators. One is our teacher acting as an investigator that she encountered on her mission. I know it sounds like it wouldn't be that effective of a practice since she's acting and all, but let me tell you, it gets real. Her real name is Sister Grenfel who is our sweet, awesome, white MTC teacher and her investigators name is Ebony who is a black diva 'who don"t need no man'. haha.  We've got some amazing teachers. I don't know were I would be without them. We're also teaching an actual, real, legit, investigator. His name is Gabriel. He has such a strong testimony of the love Christ has for him and prayer, but he is a little confused at how the baptism in the catholic church isn't right. But the other day we committed him to read, ponder and, pray about the things we've taught him and he told us that he knows that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. How awesome is that!! It is THE coolest thing seeing people change and grow closer to their Heavenly Father.
What else... AAAAH there's so much I want to tell you, but not enough time!!

Tell EVERYONE to write me, its seriously like Christmas when you get letters or mail.
Well, I'm out of time.
I love you guys so much, and I miss you.
always say your prayers and put your faith in him in all that you do. This gospel is so important, don't ever lose sight of it
look out for each other
-Love your son and brother
Elder Jon Daniel