4/7/15 - Family History

Hey y’all gonna be short this week running on short time! This week our mission president wanted each of us to learn more about family history - for 2 of the less productive hours of the day. We went and I learned how easy genealogy is! I have found more than 100 of my deceased ancestors. In the church we believe that baptism is something necessary for eternal life.  Many people who didn't get to hear the restored gospel went to the spirit world without being cleansed from their sins. In sacred holy temples we perform essential ordinances like baptisms for the dead, using our bodies as proxy so that everyone from every dispensation has the opportunity to receive full celestial glory. I am so happy for those people waiting in the spirit world that will have the work done for them. Family history work is just as important as missionary work and it is fun to see where our roots go!

Next week is transfers - P day will be on Monday I will let you all know whether or not I am still staying in El Paso.  General conference was great and so many wonderful talks: Jeffery R. Holland and David A.  Bednar and Boyd K. Packer’s talks were a few of my favorites - what were yours and why? Watch and read over the words of Prophets and Apostles and all of your questions will be answered! I love you all have a wonderful week! 

Watch or listen to the conference talks here:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/?lang=eng

For the specific talks I mentioned:

Jeffery R. Holland:    https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/where-justice-love-and-mercy-meet?lang=eng

David A. Bednar:   https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/therefore-they-hushed-their-fears?lang=eng

Boyd K. Packer:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng

Thank you all for the Easter Packages and letters – and for all your love and support!

3/24/15 - a 19 year old marriage counselor

        [If you missed conference - you can still listen or watch here:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?lang=eng  ]

          Another week in the mission field full of greatness, so we went over to a less active families house for dinner they bought us Little Caesars on Sunday.. the husband who has been trying to get his wife to come to church with him and be more active was the one who bought it. She was frustrated because he didn't love her she said he just cared about her going to church. He said "I love you so much I went and bought you a new phone last week if that's not true love I don't know what is" the worst part is I think he was serious. this brother every time we meet with them I feel like a 19 year old marriage counselor and I am talking to children. We wrote out a list of things to do for them when they want to argue, (we just made them have a companionship inventory like out of section 8 of preach my gospel) We found out that they weren't praying together and I remembered a talk that president monsoon gave when he recalled the wards the ordinance worker in the temple gave them when they were sealed together that as  long as they lived if they would kneel and pray by there bed every night switching each night who gave the prayer, that they would never have a disagreement longer than a day. The wise man said a couple who prays together stays together. I love how when we invite the holy ghost in our lives he truly reveals to us what really matters and can help us see forward with an eternal perspective. 

Another week in the mission field full of greatness.  so we went over to a less active family’s house for dinner - they bought us Little Caesar’s on Sunday... the husband, who has been trying to get his wife to come to church with him and be more active, was the one who bought it. She was frustrated because he didn't love her - she said he just cared about her going to church. He said "I love you so much I went and bought you a new phone last week, if that's not true love I don't know what is." The worst part is I think he was serious. This brother, every time we meet with them I feel like a 19 year old marriage counselor, and I am talking to children. We wrote out a list of things to do for them when they want to argue, (we just made them have a companionship inventory like out of section 8 of Preach My Gospel) We found out that they weren't praying together - and I remembered a talk that President Monson gave when he recalled the words the ordinance worker in the temple gave them when they were sealed together  - that as long as they lived, if they would kneel and pray by their bed every night, switching each night who gave the prayer, that they would never have a disagreement longer than a day. The wise man said, “A couple who prays together stays together.” I love how when we invite the Holy Ghost in our lives he truly reveals to us what really matters - and can help us see forward with an eternal perspective.

I am excited for general conference this year and for the opportunity we have to hear from our Apostles and Prophet. I want to extend the same commitment for conference we have extended to all of our investigators - write down questions or concerns of your soul have on a piece of paper and then watch general conference. I guaranty that all of them will be answered. I was greatly impressed by a B.Y.U. devotional that elder David a Bednar gave. He was talking about searching the scriptures for answers. He said while reading through the Bible and Book of Mormon he found several instances that people could not understand something with their carnal mind, but they understood with their hearts. Don’t over think the gospel. The prophets of old and now testify of Christ - hear their messages with your hearts.

The Prophet testified of Christ and the true revelations he received also." And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good." -2 Nephi 3:10 listen and study to the words spoken by God's true messengers. And listen to the truth confirmed to you by the still small voice of the Holy Spirit."

 I love you all dearly and thank you for your prayers and pure hearts talk you next week.

P.S. :  Please send that package  - I'm out of singular and the Mulberry trees around here are killing my allergy's - I'm a snotty, sneezing, mess

Looks like he is on the Moon - pictures in El Paso

I kept after him to send me pictures of the El Paso.  He finally did - with a sigh, saying it is a whole lot of nothing - very brown - and his garments were turning the color of the area.  Elder Goff took the pictures while he drove.

  

  

  

Elder Pedersen, Elder Goff, and William who they baptised.

 

  

3/31/15 - Another Eventful Week

Another eventful week. So we met a family this week who was driven away from the church because someone in the ward offended them. They have been without gospel fellowship for 8 years now! That is devastating to me. She filled us in on the situation and it was serious but I won’t specify to protect the problem all I can say it was a tough situation. Regardless everyone should feel welcome at church member or not active or not. It broke my heart to see some ones faith practically lost over any subject. Regardless of what our faults are none of our able to judge one another I sure know I am in no place to judge and nobody but God is able to that. We all sin some just differently than others. Each of us are brought into the world with our own trials we need to bear no one needs to judge us on what our troubles are. Jesus said -Say unto them, ye hypocrites, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. The only person we are responsible for is ourselves and for some the ones they are appointed stewardship over. Why worry about what others do when Jesus said "they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." instead of focusing on others faults we should take care of our own problems and help our neighbors with their struggles because we off all people should know how hard it is to overcome our own trials. Instead we should focus on that Christ died and is risen and lives today to help us. The debt has already been paid it’s our job to accept it and not condemn others I see hope for this family and for all of us that is the best thing about this life there is no limits on how awesome you can become! I love it because I know I need to make up for a lot of my own faults but one day I can become perfect Vince Lombardi said “Perfection is impossible but chasing it will bring excellence. The atonement of Jesus Christ makes up it all if we repent of our sins his purpose is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man not for us to wither in our own pride. Please remember Christ's example always and it will change your life”   JOHN 316 ¶For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

I love this gospel and what it can do to change us from our natural state happy Easter! And happy general conference. I love you all dearly and am so happy Moroni is getting his (Eagle Scout) court of honor this week!

3/24/15 - Musing and ConversationsMy mission president gave me permission to read miracle of forgiveness, the only problem is I don't have a copy of it.. I lovee you! how has your week been?

Jill just said" I just realized that when I'm grumping  at you I sounded just like Rick. I'm going turn out just like Rick" 

I just laughed and said, "sounds about right"

and she said, "Actually - I'm OK with that"

 :)

My mission president gave me permission to read miracle of forgiveness, the only problem is I don't have a copy of it.. I lovee you! how has your week been? 

(I read and loved  "a marvelous work and a wonder" I am sending you that. See if u can get permission to read it whole I try to get you a copy of their miracle of forgiveness.  )

Send me both. I am a book worm now I'll read them both.  My eyes get stronger every day. Elder Goff and I are on track to finish the whole triple combination in this transfer - 6 weeks!  It is awesome.  I'm on my 2nd time this year and I am loving it! I set a goal at the beginning of the year to read to whole missionary library.  So far I have read Our Search for Happiness, True to the Faith, Our Heritage, the BOM and I am finishing the BOM (Book of Mormon), Doctrine and Covenants (D&C) and Pearl of Great Price this transfer.

3/17/15 - Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Happy Saint Patty’s Day! 

      Well another great day in the mission, no complaints. I feel so great I just feel revamped.  President Miller was at Stake conference also this weekend.  He invited one of the youth (who goes out with us) to Zone conference. [A missionary only event]  What an honor for him!  He was really excited and is getting all this good experience before his own mission. 

      A couple of weeks ago, one of our investigators (two days after he committed to be baptized on a specific date) sent us a text saying he didn't want us to meet with him. We went to Zone conference and President Miller helped us out in Q&A session. We were able to find out our investigator’s concerns and help him with his problems.  Once he overcomes this concern I am sure that he will be truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ without fail. 

     It is so good to know that there is something in this world that truly does answer all of our questions and concerns of our heart! The many stories and doctrines revealed in the Book of Mormon can truly help us with any of our problems. When we commune with our Heavenly Father and ponder on his words in the scriptures and remember the thoughts and feelings he speaks to us with the Holy Ghost - we can truly overcome all of our struggle with the most sure answers we can get, from God! I love this mission my family and friends and am so thankful to know everyone is doing well. We had a great Zone and Stake conference this weekend and some good lessons.  Thank you for the support I love you all!

P.S. - Happy Anniversary! To both of you (Mom & Dad and Grams & Pops). I am sorry that I couldn't make it :P The weeks are getting better and better.  I don't recall the last weeks being bad. [I reminded him that he got a ticket and got burglarized :) ] Sorry if it sounded that way. Have a great week - I need singular!

P.P.S - Tell Grams & Pops I got the Easter package - yes I did it was awesome! More meat less treats though [When I reminded him that the traditional meat for Easter was ham - which was hard to send through the mail - he responded, "Pork jerky" - Tee hee hee]

3/10/15 - Living in a Crime Scene

What an eventful week!  
I got a speeding ticket gerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  They have frontage roads here in Texas - so I thought I was getting on the free way but a cop nailed me. I had no Idea. I thought I was just accelerating to get on the I-10 - but I get the ticket and I didn't know any better and all the drivers with the Chihuahua license plates get of Scott free.  Oh well, the Lord will take care of my $298 dollar ticket some how....
Well, last Friday we woke up and looked to our little patio and noticed my companion’s bike was gone - which baffles us because his was an old rusty bike that was given to him by the mission.  They left my bike which is very nice. My camouflage worked! I had wrapped my whole bike frame in electrical tape so it looked like garbage.  Nevertheless I am keeping my bike inside the apartment now - no matter what anyone tells me.

Later that day we talked to some one in our apartment complex who came up to us and asked us if we sold Bibles.  We gave him a Bible and a Book of Mormon and told him about them.   The guy looked kind of sketchy and I just thought, “Ok - he is a guy who wants to change.”  We came back to our apartment before we went to our dinner appointment (which was green Chile chicken enchiladas - oomph they are so delicious!).  We looked around and noticed that my companion’s digital picture frame was missing - and some of the portable DVD players we have to show investigators church videos. We drove to the police office and they told us to go home and call the police so they could do an investigation. [crazy]  They took some prints and such. The next Monday we had an undercover cop come to our apartment to follow up with us.  He rolled up in a PT cruiser, that is an ingenious under cover car, Elder Goff and I still chuckle about it. The previous Sunday we found the returned picture frame on our door step after we returned home from church.  Before we went to church we talked to the same guy we gave the Bible to. The police dusted it for prints also. The same guy came over to ask to use our phone right when the cops where there - so it is interesting to see this whole thing unfold and to say that I lived in the middle of a crime scene investigation.

On the other hand we ate dinner at a very wealthy member’s house and were talking about scriptures.  He said mine where too big for a dinosaur.  So he bought me an Easter present and ordered me a custom new set of smaller scriptures - which I am so thankful for because mine were getting way too marked up. Now that I have figured out how, I properly mark my scriptures they will be so pretty. :)  It is weird how receptive people have been lately.  we have been contacting using the Book of Mormon and nothing else and people have been so receptive. I feel weird not getting any doors slammed in my face in a while - or the same, “I am Catholic and I am satisfied” response. People are interested what the Book of Mormon can do for them, and I can testify that it does more than we understand. We have several people on date to be baptized. I can see the adversary working on them - but I know that God is more powerful than anyone. I know that this is the fullness of times, Christ is coming and his kingdom is being rebuilt on the Earth today. Heavenly father loves us all. I have been pondering the word spoken by the Lord to Joseph Smith when he was in Liberty Jail - in D&C section 122.

 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

 9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

Remember whatever struggles we have Christ has already experienced them for us.   Let us all press forward with a steadfastness of hope and an eye single to the glory of God.

Mom, I think you should read 1st Nephi chapter 5.  Sariah was a worried mother and then when Nephi returned from his mission she realized how blessed she was.  I love you Mommmmy:)

I love you all so much and I love what the gospel of Jesus Christ can do for each of us!

P.S. - my new address is: 1531 George dieter apt.# 1101  - It is across the street from our last apartment here in El Paso.