2/10/15 - Always having a Book of Mormon

President Miller extended a challenge to us to always have a book of Mormon in our hands - wherever we go. Our ‘finding’ opportunities have been so much more successful. The Book of Mormon is definitely the biggest gift that we have been given. All that we can say stands or falls on whether it not it is true. If the Book of Mormon is true, we know 3 things:  1) Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration, 2) This is the church of Jesus Christ restored in the latter days, and 3) that Jesus is the Christ. The Book of Mormon has brought me out of the darkest abyss and truly helped me understand what repentance really is.  It has answered all the questions of my soul and I know that it will do the same to anyone who diligently seeks truth with an open heart and a real intent. I am seeing that happen in people’s lives every day.  The people who actually read the book of Mormon are changing! They are still themselves - but yet they are changing.

I think that change is such a special part about our life on earth because we can be changing always for the better.  I am a witness in people’s day to day lives of the power and influence that God really has!  We have a baptism this week for an 11 year old boy who has been taking the lessons and is the only one in his family who was interested.  He is such a leader.  He reminds me a lot of  (my little brother) Corbin - such a strong leader who stands up for himself and what is right - no matter what situation he is in. Now because of the integrity of a young boy, his family’s hearts are being softened also. The best part is one of the youth in our ward (who likes to come out to lessons with us) is going to be the one baptizing him!

We might be moving soon to a better apartment, thank goodness!  Our apartment is getting way too crammed. It is a good thing we are almost never there.  We have been so busy and I am loving it.  So many people are progressing, coming to church and just, reading and doing all the good things we have been asking of them. Elder Goff and I have been having such a good time - even though we have been really busy. I love it here. I had the opportunity to baptize William Page last week and it really was a special experience.  The look of peace on his face just reassured me of the good work the Lord is doing. I love you all and love hearing from you thank you for all your support it means the world to me!

2/3/15 I have lost track - Happy Groundhogs Day!

Happy Groundhogs Day!

     Time is just cruising by.  I feel like yesterday I was just entering the MTC.  My mission is going by way too fast.  I love my mission so much. Christ's mission is my mission and I love anything to do with Christ. We almost had a big fight break out at our apartment last night - but it was just a bunch of "bros" yelling at each other.  Then once someone decided to do something, they all ran away calling each other chickens. It is sad to see what people think is important. It is even more sad to see that I use to see some of these worldly things as important.  

     The Gospel of Jesus Christ is centered to his Plan of Happiness.  It is the reason that we have direction in this life, because Jesus blazed the trail from the beginning and has reinforced it in every dispensation and time. He has given us Prophets to guide each generation and through specific questions as to the doctrine which Christ taught on earth, translating scripture, and having the power to act in Christ's name - to perform perfect ordinances like baptism and to perform miracles like healing the sick. I know that that same authority and power is on the earth today to help each and every one of our lives. Our bodies are built to have a yearning for God- a love (and something to be faithful in).  When we do not practice our Faith it dwindles and we fill that void with things of the world.  Those worldly things only bring temporary happiness, and in the end brings sorrow. This Gospel is for everyone to enjoy.  

  Heavenly Father loves us all.   No matter what we do - we are still his children.  He created us in his image and wants us to be just like him.  It is so great to be able to see every day how the Gospel changes lives.  I am stoked to be able to baptize my good friend William this Saturday - with that same Priesthood authority which God has on the earth today and has from the beginning.  I love you all so much and I know God loves you even more than I do. I know that there is no better place for me to be right now than in El Paso Texas serving the Lord by serving others - Mosiah 2:17 [And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.]

Heavenly father has his hand in everything we do...  it is just our job to recognize it. I love being a missionary and I know that this is the right thing for me to be doing.

P.S. - Mom asked about the weather.  It is 65 degrees - but I still have to wear a sweater.

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1/27/15 Week 12???

Elder Goof (Goff) and I and some fun camera art

    Transfers are over and the Lord still wants me to be in El Paso :)   I love it here we have been building this area from the ground up and there is some reaping to do! they closed down the other missionaries in our ward [because the big influx that came 2 years ago when they lowered the age of missionaries is all going home] - so now our area just got a whole lot bigger with some awesome new people. I am getting to teach a family I have wanted to ever since I helped them move in - now they are in our area. I am going to base this transfer on a quote by Ezra Taft Benson "I have often said that one of the secrets to missionary work, is work! If a missionary works he will have the Spirit; if he has the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit, if he teaches by the Spirit he will touch the hearts of the people and be happy. Work! Work! Work! There is no better substitute especially in missionary work." 

     My new companion is Elder Goff he is from West Jordan Utah and is a pretty funny guy, kind of quiet - but we are going to get along really well. We just set a baptismal date for February 7th with [one of our investigators].  He is coming back to the fold I thought we lost him! His baptism fell through because the bishop wasn't there... he took it personally like it was his fault and he kind of fell of the face of the earth. We started teaching him again and he says he wants to be baptized. It is so amazing to see the Lord fulfill his work - and I can be a tool in His hands.   There are no challenge we can’t overcome in this life - just things that will make us better.  That is how we become perfect in the next life - by overcoming challenges. 

     It feels good to be done training and to be blessed to be meeting the people I have here in El Paso. I would like to encourage everyone to be a better missionary.  It is a blessing to spread the light of Christ that we all have.  Make this world a better place.  Read the book of Mormon! It has completely changed my life and will do the same to everyone who reads with an open heart and a real intent of acting on what God asks them to do. This is the most real thing on this earth as Isaiah said - the Lord put a deep sleep over the world, but now we have a prophet on the earth! Share it! Wake up and be happy with Christ and he will bless you beyond belief. I love each and every one of you and am so excited for Gavin and Jared to be official missionaries. Let us all be the best disciples we can be and be happy with what we have and work so others can a greater joy. - D&C: 18

I miss the Weasel...such a goofy dog.  I am glad you have comic relief.  Bailey is more than welcome to stay in my room as long as she doesn't make it girly or mess with my stuff.  I miss you Mimzy and Jilligan and Dad. but I am not home-sick -which is good! I am really excited for the road trip when Dad comes to pick me up the only hard part is I don't want to leave... 

Jeffery R. Holland is coming to speak to us on February 22 - I am like a giddy school girl:)))

1/21/15 - Transfers this Week so P-Day on a Wed.

Denial baptized his brother this week in Juarez!!

The Bowsers are Awesome!

Brother Butterfield is one of the best people in the ward.

      Yet another great week!  I am still in El Paso, but I have a new companion Elder Goff.  He is from West Jordan, Utah.I love Elder Goff - he is hilarious.  All we do is laugh during our free time - but the work is going extremely well. One of our new investigators reminds me of my friend Jerry as a child.  He is such a good hearted person but a sponge to worldly things.  I think God is helping me have a second chance with helping him.  He said one of the most powerful prayers I have heard from someone who has never really prayed.   I see the same struggles in his life as my old friend and now I know how to deal with them. Having the influence of the Holy Ghost has been the best part of my teaching him and He is recognizing the goodness that comes from it.  I read with him in Mosiah 3:19

 [For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.]

- and it really hit him hard. He wants to change now and be baptized - which is so cool to see. I am getting to see the good effect that I have on others and it is so great.  It has brought so much joy to my heart, and is helping me realize how I fit in to this whole big puzzle called life.

     I have been reading about Alma.  How people were rebelling against the church of God and Alma was upset that it might be his fault. The voice of the Lord appeared to him and told him it was not his fault - that they had the freedom to choose.  And that Alma had brought many unto baptism and saved them from King Noah.  And that he continued to provide a way for them to have the good influence of God in their lives. “We believe that men are responsible for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression." Alma did his job and was promised exaltation.

    I am coming to learn that we must be responsible priesthood holders and provide a good example even to those who choose to rebel.  I know if I did not have well-founded priesthood holders in my life, I would not be where I am today.   If it weren't for a few that went the extra mile and helped me come out of the rebellion I was in, I would still be a lost sheep. Because Alma stayed strong and fulfilled his responsibilities his son came to a realization and repented and listened to the words of the messengers from God who were there to help him.  He then changed and his friends followed him. When we build ourselves upon the Rock we are immovable.  Others will follow our example when we are selfless and are following the example of Jesus Christ.

    We got into ward counsel for the first time in my mission last week - and it was only because the Bishop came to see that we were fulfilling our purpose, and we were there to serve him.   I know when we follow the examples of our leaders our lives become much easier. This is the Church of Jesus Christ restored in the latter days, and it is meant for everyone. So go and work while it is still day.  Do not wait until the dreaded night. Prove to the Lord by submitting your will to His. I love you all so dearly and pray for you often. Keep being the great people I know you to be!

1/13/15 Week 11 I Think - I've lost track

       Thank you every one who has sent me packages and congrats to the Cleggs on their new baby boy! This week was another great one for the mission. Slowly but surely the work is getting better after the lull of the holidays. We changed a members fuel pump and filter for a service project last Saturday.  I am really impressed with myself for not using foul language.  That has occurred before when working with cars - especially because the gas tank just did not want to cooperate with us.

        This week is my last week of training - which isn't even training because the book says I have to do everything I feel ready for - whatever the Lord has to offer me this next transfer. Next week P-day will be on Wednesday and I will be able to let you know how transfers went and if I am staying or not. I really thought it was funny when dad said to me that Lisa Mapel was probably dehydrated from Gavin’s farewell.

        The mission is such an awesome experience and I love being an instrument in the Lord’s hands. We had an exchange miracle were Elder Elliott showed an object lesson for the kids and how to tear a piece of paper once and it makes a cross. It was with a lady we had been trying to meet with for a long time and she finally let us in (thank goodness for us having a member with us that day).  She had over 10 children she was watching and she wanted them to hear the message.  It was like trying to watch someone herd cats. We finally taught them a lesson and taught them about the Book of Mormon and she was really excited to get to reading.

         We started meeting with a Catholic priest.  So, now we are meeting with two big-wigs in churches from around here. He was from Colorado - so we instantly clicked and he enjoyed our message. Our other tough investigator, who was a pastor, is finally praying about what we are teaching him and we are getting somewhere with him! We would have dropped him already but President Pérez told us that eventually he will be baptized.  I am finally starting to see the good from that and he has been investigating for years! I feel like Ammon with King Lamoni. The cool thing is that when the Spirit is there in a lesson, He teaches better than any man ever could. I am so blessed to be able to serve the Lord and to see the blessings that are coming from that power being worked through me! Thank you every one for your support! I love you all and am so happy that I am able to always have the love of my family and friends with me wherever I may go. The Lord has a plan for each of us and it is exciting to see were in the puzzle we all fit –Alma 40:10  “And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.”

1/6/15 Zone Conference

I am really, really, excited for Gavin to be going on his mission this week.  He is going to be a great missionary. Every one support Elder Maple! The good things and letters and packages I have received from my family and ward back home have made all the difference! I am glad the holiday season is over.  I hate to sound like a Grinch but as a missionary it is hard to get work done when everyone is too busy to hear about Jesus on his birthday and New Year.

         I am really excited now that it is a new year and people are ready for change! This past week in zone training our zone leaders talked about our new goals as a mission and I am really excited for them. One is to have a change of attitude - which I think is awesome. “All that a mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.”  That is something the zone leaders quoted us from one of the Quorum of the Twelve. I am excited to have my first full year as a missionary and to be able to serve with all I have. The Lord has people prepared and I can’t wait to find them!

         I was reading this week and Ammon was describing how great his joy was just to be a tool in his Heavenly Father’s hands. "Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble." -Mosiah28:3.  I want to be just like the sons of Mosiah throughout my mission and the time is now!  It breaks my heart to know there are people just drifting through life without the goodness and fullness of the restored gospel.  We have something people are yearning for - it’s our job to share the good things that we have because we know how good it is and will bless others lives. Give this life all that we have - because there is always something to be done.

       We had a little miracle this week.  Some of the Spanish Elders who live just down the street with us, had their battery die.  The store said that the battery cells were completely dead [and I am assuming they did not have or could not afford a new battery]. We said a prayer and told them to put the battery back in -and it worked!  The battery was junk! That was the first time I realized the power of faith.  I fully believed it would start and the Lord blessed us because of it. I love being a disciple of Christ and am excited to see what the Lord needs me to do this year. The biggest thing I have learned is that you have a choice on whether to be happy and have a good attitude. I hope we all strive to be better to ourselves and others this year!  I love you all so much - thank you for your prayers and love!  It really helps to know I have such a big family. Let me know if there is any way I can serve any of you!

12/30/14 Happy New Year!

     Happy New Year! And Merry Christmas. This time of year is a time to reflect on what we did over the last 365 days and if we gained or lost in that amount of time. I think this is also the best time to set goals. Goals don't always need to be exceeded to make us better. It is a matter of if we have progressed or digressed in achieving our objective.  By setting goals we are forced down the hard road to improvement.  When you look back you are going to see you traveled a lot further than you thought you had come.

     My goal this year as last year is to become the best version of myself (I like the Elder Pedersen version better than before). The great thing about this life is there is unlimited potential for us to learn and grow. President Monson said that he reads the book of Mormon 15 times a year and learns something new every single time. That is the beauty of what Jesus Christ did for us through his Atonement - he gave us the ability to set a new resolution and become better every day. Being idle is not what our bodies are set up to do.  They are meant to move - a body in motion tends to stay at motion/ a body at rest tends to stay at rest. Heavenly Father wants us to be constantly moving.  The adversary tries to get us become complacent and satisfied in our own ways.

      Isaiah 55:8 states how the Lord’s ways are much higher and different than ours. The Devil wants us to make THINGS for ourselves. God makes things work better for others and helps us SEE the good things in life – not to become static - but happy.   An old coach of mine said, “Be happy - never satisfied.”  I think that is important to remember - especially when it comes to our eternal perspective.

      The best Christmas present I received was a book full of pictures with family and friends. Those are the only things that matter in this life - because they are the only things we can bring with us into the next life. I love my family and was so happy to talk to them this week! The week went very well considering a lot of our investigators didn't want to see us during the holidays. But through diligence we were able to help the ones that really were willing. And we received some new people to invite unto Christ. The work is going hard - but is so rewarding I am so thankful to be where I am - with the people I am meant to teach. I love my family and friends and with Heavenly Father they are the driving forces for my joy.