Family and Friends,
This week has been an amazing first
week in the field. We woke up ridiculously early on Wednesday morning
and 30 missionaries arrived in Des Moines at around 1:30. We got to meet
President Jensen and his wife and the Assistants to the Presidents at
the airport. I love Pres. Jensen and his wife so much. They are
fantastic. We at some food and got some training on how the mission
works and then got to bed at around 10:30. I stayed with the AP's since
the mission home wasn't big enough to hold us all. The AP's place is
sweet and I forgot my camera or Id send pictures. They have name tags of
all the missionaries who have lived in that apartment before them which
I got a picture of. Anyways, we woke up at 6 and then headed to Iowa
City for our transfer meeting and to meet our trainers. It was good to
hear from the mission presidency. They are a great group of men and I
love them. So for the news everyone wants to hear.
My new
companions are elder Berthold (my trainer) and Elder Tanner. And I love
them to death. Im basically elder bertholds twin. He says that we are
both hilarious, handsome, like the same music, are consistently border
lining insanity, and love the Lord. He does say he is better looking
though. And I would have to agree. He is a handsome man. Anyways, I love
Elder Berthold. this is his last transfer before he heads home though.
But its been great getting to know him. We have been sharing an
apartment with The spanish missionaries who are hilarious as well but
they moved to there new apartment this morning. Elder berthold and I
have been able to go running everyone night from about 9:30 to 10:30 and
it's been great to be able to talk with him about his mission and
family and working out and all the fun stuff we did in Highschool. We
will most likely be friends for the rest of our lives which Im looking
forward too. Well, after meeting my companions we my junk in a members
van and headed to Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids is gorgeous. We live in a
little town called Hiawatha just outside Cedar Rapids though. Our area
is huge and although we are in the Cedar Rapids 2nd ward we don't cover
CR. We cover all the little towns outside of it. The Zone Leaders are in
our ward and they cover most of Cedar Rapids. The Spanish missionaries
do as well. So at church on Sunday there are 7 Elders which is
ridiculous. Anyways, when we arrived in Cedar Rapids we headed straight
to an appointment. I hadn't even seen the apartment yet. But we went to
go see a referral named Luarie hansen. Luarie works for a companie named
Fanzz which is a Mormon owned sports memorabilia store. And she siad
that there are two types of people in the company. The mormons, and the
people who drink. And she feels very comfortable with those who are LDS.
So she wanted to know more about where we came from and what we
believe. And we were able to teach her the Restoration and how we have
the Restored Gospel. I was able to recite Joseph Smith's first vision
and the spirit was amazingly strong. Anyways, things went flawlessly and
she commited to be baptized on September 21st and commited to church on
Sunday. She didn't make it because she was battling Kidney Stones. It's
interesting how things like that would happen. But we did warn here
that Satan would try to bring her down. Anyways, its amazing to see how
Father has prepared people so well. She was so ready to hear our message
it was unbelievable. Im so excited for what the Lord has in store for
me and the people of Iowa. The area Im in is fairly new so we hope to
really spread the word as much as possible here. We have some potential
investigators that really could turn into something great. I look
forward to teaching and to be able to share my testimony with others.
This is something that has brought me such happiness and I want the
whole world to know why I have literally never not been happy in my
life. My course is set, the questions are answered, and I know my
purpose. To make it back to Father and to bring as many people with me
as I can. There is truth in this work. When we tract most people seem
uninterested but encourage us because of what we are doing. They say,
keep working hard, everyone needs Jesus. And that's what I love most
about Iowa. I know everyone says that the mission they go to is the
best, but mine truly is. And Ill tell you why. The Des Moines Iowa first
ward leads the American continent in convert baptisms per year. Our
mission set a goal of 400 baptisms in 2012 and they reached that goal on
the very last day of the year. Our goal this year is 550 and we are at
around 315 with plenty of time to continue. The goal reminds me of a
scripture in Phillipians 4:13 I believe," I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me." Its so simple yet so true. I truly can
do this. And the mission can as well. Every morning at 9:50 we pray
mission wide for help in accomplishing that goal. And I know with hard
work we can achieve it. I love this work and miss you all. I hope the
best for you. Your in my heart and in my prayers. Thanks for all you do.
Im safe here. And thinking of home helps me remember my purpose. To
bring souls unto Christ. I hope I can achieve all that the Lord wants
for me. I hope through love and patience I can show these people the
path. I love them all so much already.
No comments:
Post a Comment