This week was awesome! Starting with P-day. We got to go to Silver Dollar City for the day. If you don't know what it is, it's a huge pioneer styled amusement park.
It was so much fun! We got to go because my stake of missionaries won a fitness challenge.
Then later in the week we were able to visit Peewee! It was so good seeing him again, he said he'd come to church! We're super exited for him.
Sorry this week's email is kinda short.
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
E-mail August 28, 2019 from Springfield, MO
This week was pretty good. We had zone conference and Elder McKay of the Seventy was able to come speak with us. His words really helped strengthen my testimony about why I'm out here. I would like to leave y'all with my testimony this week.
I know that the church I represent, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is the exact same church that Jesus Christ established while He was on the earth. The same Jesus Christ that healed the sick, caused the blind to see, and raised the dead. The same Savior that suffered and bled, atoning for my sins, and the sins of all mankind. The very same Jesus that was crucified on a cross so that I can live again. That is the Savior that I not only worship, but also strive to pattern my life after.
Through the power of the Holy Ghost, I have gained a witness that the Book of Mormon is the keystone to eternal life. It is the rock witch we need to build our foundation.
Anyone who has prayed about the Book of Mormon and said that they did not get an answer to whether it was true or not, did not want to know. That is a garbage excuse. Anyone who has left the church because of anti literature, did not ever have a testimony of the gospel.
Moroni 10 3-5
If you will read the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart and real intent, God will manifest the truthfulness of it through the power of the Holy Ghost. That is a promise from me. And even more importantly, it is a promise from God.
For anyone who is struggling with their faith, please read the scriptures. God has told us what we need to do to gain a witness of Him. We cannot just sit back and wait for a miracle before we believe. Far to many people are holding back from reading the scriptures because they know that if they do, they might actually feel something. And that means they have to change their lives. Change isn't easy. God never promised us it would be easy. But He did promise us it would be worth it.
This is my rock, the foundation of how I will live my life. And I testify of these things in Jesus Christ's name, Amen.
Until next week,
Elder Cloward
I know that the church I represent, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is the exact same church that Jesus Christ established while He was on the earth. The same Jesus Christ that healed the sick, caused the blind to see, and raised the dead. The same Savior that suffered and bled, atoning for my sins, and the sins of all mankind. The very same Jesus that was crucified on a cross so that I can live again. That is the Savior that I not only worship, but also strive to pattern my life after.
Through the power of the Holy Ghost, I have gained a witness that the Book of Mormon is the keystone to eternal life. It is the rock witch we need to build our foundation.
Anyone who has prayed about the Book of Mormon and said that they did not get an answer to whether it was true or not, did not want to know. That is a garbage excuse. Anyone who has left the church because of anti literature, did not ever have a testimony of the gospel.
Moroni 10 3-5
"3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
This goes out to everyone, whether you already have a testimony and want to strengthen it, or if you decided the church wasn't true.
If you will read the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart and real intent, God will manifest the truthfulness of it through the power of the Holy Ghost. That is a promise from me. And even more importantly, it is a promise from God.
For anyone who is struggling with their faith, please read the scriptures. God has told us what we need to do to gain a witness of Him. We cannot just sit back and wait for a miracle before we believe. Far to many people are holding back from reading the scriptures because they know that if they do, they might actually feel something. And that means they have to change their lives. Change isn't easy. God never promised us it would be easy. But He did promise us it would be worth it.
This is my rock, the foundation of how I will live my life. And I testify of these things in Jesus Christ's name, Amen.
Until next week,
Elder Cloward
E-mail August 19, 2019 from Springfield, MO
This week was super weird. It was transfer week so there was a lot of helping people pack as well as cleaning apartments. Thankfully because I'm staying, I don't have to pack anything!
As far as missionary work goes, this week we didn't find any new people. But we were able to visit a lot of less actives and invite them to church. I love less actives because they already like missionaries and they are super open with us.
One of the highlights of my week was, I got too see Elder Plummer at the transfer point! It was so good to see him, he's doing very well. For district council, me and Elder Manning got to dress up like thugs and explain how not to do missionary work, so here's a picture for that.
As far as missionary work goes, this week we didn't find any new people. But we were able to visit a lot of less actives and invite them to church. I love less actives because they already like missionaries and they are super open with us.
One of the highlights of my week was, I got too see Elder Plummer at the transfer point! It was so good to see him, he's doing very well. For district council, me and Elder Manning got to dress up like thugs and explain how not to do missionary work, so here's a picture for that.
E-mail August 12, 2019 from Springfield, MO
This week was actually kind of a blur. It went by super fast and we didn't have a lot of luck with finding people. But we were able to do a lot of service. We do service at a small thrift store sometimes and while we were sorting books there we found two Books of Mormon there. This was a surprise because typically people from Missouri don't like that particular book. It was a pleasant surprise to find it though.
And then, on Thursday we were able to go to a Cardinals game! Sadly they were just the collage team, but it was still super awesome! We got to talk to a lot of people and there were some people being taught that went with us. Even though they lost the game, it was still super fun!
We also had our transfer calls last night, thankfully I am staying in Hillcrest along with my companion, Elder Woodworth.
Also, I've taken up a new hobby, turtle catching is my new favorite pass time on prep days.
Until next week!
And then, on Thursday we were able to go to a Cardinals game! Sadly they were just the collage team, but it was still super awesome! We got to talk to a lot of people and there were some people being taught that went with us. Even though they lost the game, it was still super fun!
We also had our transfer calls last night, thankfully I am staying in Hillcrest along with my companion, Elder Woodworth.
Also, I've taken up a new hobby, turtle catching is my new favorite pass time on prep days.
Until next week!
E-mail August 5, 2019 from Springfield, MO
This week was super fun! We got to do service at the mansion again, and I also had the opportunity to run a 5k for a diaper charity. I was also able to hangout with a snake while helping someone move.
Lately we have been meeting more and more with the Swahili family that we are working with, they have come to church and are very interested in the gospel. The language barrier has been a bit of a challenge but I've been able to see how God has blessed us with resources for teaching them. This week I had the opportunity to listen to someone bash on the church, and although it kinda hurt, it made my testimony more strong. I'm so thankful to be on a mission, and bring the gospel to those who are prepared.
Lately we have been meeting more and more with the Swahili family that we are working with, they have come to church and are very interested in the gospel. The language barrier has been a bit of a challenge but I've been able to see how God has blessed us with resources for teaching them. This week I had the opportunity to listen to someone bash on the church, and although it kinda hurt, it made my testimony more strong. I'm so thankful to be on a mission, and bring the gospel to those who are prepared.
 |
| Me and Sis. Thomas and our snake friend |
E-mail July 31, 2019 from Springfield, MO
This week was really crazy. We ended up doing a ton of service. One of the service opportunities we had was that we got to go help with construction clean up at a guy's mansion. Holy cow, I've never seen a house as big as that one. We got to clean up tarps and cinder blocks from off the drive way, and we had so much fun.
We were also able too visit the Swahili family that we are working with, and then they came to church on Sunday and brought their friends! It was so cool to see them at church, even though they couldn't understand half of it. Covering two areas has been a change but I've seen the blessings that came from it.
It finally cooled down a bit! ...well for a few days it did!
I'm so thankful to be out here, and I know it's gonna bless my life as I learn to become a better servant of the Lord.
We were also able too visit the Swahili family that we are working with, and then they came to church on Sunday and brought their friends! It was so cool to see them at church, even though they couldn't understand half of it. Covering two areas has been a change but I've seen the blessings that came from it.
It finally cooled down a bit! ...well for a few days it did!
I'm so thankful to be out here, and I know it's gonna bless my life as I learn to become a better servant of the Lord.
E-mail July 24, 2019 from Springfield, MO
This week was pretty slow as far as missionary work goes, but super crazy as far as everything else goes.
There was an elder that unexpectedly went home in an area next to us, so they put his companion (Elder Manning) with us in our area. So now we cover the Hillcrest area, and the Ingram mill area.
And then we also had zone conference this week, it was long as usual but oh, so uplifting. President spoke about the importance of the gospel and the impact that just talking to everyone has.
Oh so something cool, this week our mission president surprised us by letting us go see "The Other Side of Heaven 2". That movie was amazing. I don't know if I'm saying that because I haven't seen a movie in a few months, but I really enjoyed that.
Something that hit me this week was the importance of patience. We need to be patient with not only our fellow men, but also ourselves, and our Heavenly Father. I encourage y'all to think about that this week.
The only picture I have for this week is of how insanely hot is was this week. This picture was taken at 7 in the evening.
There was an elder that unexpectedly went home in an area next to us, so they put his companion (Elder Manning) with us in our area. So now we cover the Hillcrest area, and the Ingram mill area.
And then we also had zone conference this week, it was long as usual but oh, so uplifting. President spoke about the importance of the gospel and the impact that just talking to everyone has.
Oh so something cool, this week our mission president surprised us by letting us go see "The Other Side of Heaven 2". That movie was amazing. I don't know if I'm saying that because I haven't seen a movie in a few months, but I really enjoyed that.
Something that hit me this week was the importance of patience. We need to be patient with not only our fellow men, but also ourselves, and our Heavenly Father. I encourage y'all to think about that this week.
The only picture I have for this week is of how insanely hot is was this week. This picture was taken at 7 in the evening.
 |
| This is from the mission FB page. Luke is right in the middle. (You can click on the picture to make it bigger.) |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)