9-2-14

What’s up Everyone!

This week we picked up one new investigator. His name is Blake, he is a friend of one of the members of our ward, Emilio, who is actually a recent convert of about a year or so. He has had somewhat of a rough past and is looking for peace and guidance in his life. Emilio has brought him to church and to the FHE activities we've been having on Monday nights. He told us that he has seen a huge change in Emilio's life since he joined the church, that he used to be a crazy trouble maker in high school and has completely changed his life since being baptized. He said that’s what he wants in his life. We were able to teach him right after church on Sunday about the restoration and were able to commit him to baptism for the end of this month. I can’t wait to teach him about the Plan of Salvation, he had a lot of questions and thoughts about why he's here and what happens after this life. He is a good kid, if he embraces the gospel it will bless his life in so many different ways.

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting and it was one of the most spiritual ones I’ve ever been to in my life. During the sacrament portion of the meeting, two of our recent converts were carrying out their Priesthood duties. Josh Bolliger blessed the sacrament for the first time, it was awesome because he said the prayer with such reverence because he knew how important his duty was to perform that ordinance. Liam Armour was able to pass the sacrament for the first time. I wish you guys could experience it for yourselves, how amazing it is and the feelings you feel when you see those you come to love grow and progress in the gospel. Maybe that’s what being a parent is like. Haha. And Alfonso was able to receive the Priesthood on Sunday as well. Our ward mission leader Toby was able to ordain him. Toby has a very cool story also, he was inactive for years and years and just recently came back into activity. He has some tattoos, didn’t want to have anything to do with the church, and was just way off the beaten path. Until earlier this year, he came back and was called to be the ward mission leader of our ward. And he is honestly the best one I’ve had on my mission so far. In my opinion I am serving in the best ward in the mission, I love it so much. We have the best members, the best leaders, and the best fellowshipers. When wards are focused on missionary work, it thrives and everything falls into place. It’s kind of frustrating as a missionary when you get transferred to a ward that doesn’t take the work of salvation seriously. President Monson has said that "Missionary work is the life blood of the church", couldn’t be truer. Without missionaries and member missionaries, the gospel would crumble.

We have dinner with our bishop's in laws every Monday and they have a quote hanging up in their kitchen. "Happiness doesn’t come from doing what we like, but liking what we have to do". I love that quote. As members of the church, callings are given and we have responsibilities and duties. We need to learn to enjoy doing the things that our Heavenly Father has asked us to do instead of seeing it as a burden. Life is meant to be enjoyed not endured.

I love you all,

Your friend, big brother and son,

-Elder Daniel

p.s. Congrats Matt!!!

 

Hopped on the bikes this week

Elder Moolenbeek and some cash from his homeland
View from a member’s back yard and all their avocado groves
Words to live by