The Atonement Has Changed Me

Fall is never coming!!

  

  This week was awesome! Man I can't express to you how busy we are. We had a week full of activities. Let's start with earlier this week😊 we have been trying to focus a little bit more on our less actives. And we were able to teach quit a few lessons and it was a pretty cool experience. Something that really sticks out to me as we talk to them is that, evertime we ask them what hey remember about their baptism, it really opens their heart and they get so exited to tell us all about it. What a blessing it was for us.

     On Thursday we took our big trip down to sulphur well. People refer to it as Deep South. It was such a beautiful drive and it was about an hour and 20 minutes. And we got to attend our awesome district leaders training. His name is Elder Shelly. And he gave such a wonderful training. And after wards we started our exchange and elder hoole and I came back to Etown.  And we had a eventual 24 hours. 

   The next day on Friday, we drove back to sulphur well with a member from Louisville. His name is brother Carr. He is a good friend of mine and he has come out with me to teach in every area and he provides meals whenever we need it. He makes me want to be a better person. So we ended our exchange. And we went and taught a recent convert named ryanne. She is awesome. We call her snoop Ryanne 😊 we talked a lot about how the gospel blesses families and the spirit was very strong was awesome.

     We had a good sabbath day also💙 and I got asked to give a talk on repentance. And as I was studying for it, I was amazed to see how the atonement has changed me so much. Just to look at where I was a year and half back to now.. It mind boggling. I love this gospel and I know, it can work for anyone. My love for Jesus Christ has grown. I can never repay him. And I can never do to much for him. 

   Kyra came to church. And she isn't even a member is so involved that they asked her to teach the class on eternal families and she did a fantastic job. She is so great. And after church we went to the new member fireside in Louisville. And Kyra and sister Brimhall came with. And I got to see my son. The missionary I trained🙈 I was so happy. And it was so cool to see how well he has adjusted to missionary life. I was a proud father💙 

     A funny story for the week is that, so my pants were ripped and I didn't know  the entire day and my garments were showing on my butt. And I had them on  most of the day and I came home and when we're changing I discovered it.... I was so embarrassing 😂🙈 love it. 

    Anyways I am loving my mission. I hate how fast it's going. And the girl I was writing the most got engaged this weekend and I had the opportunity to find out about it😊 but it's okay this going to help me focus a lot more. I am going to take it as a blessing. Thank you for the email and I love you very much. 

👳🏽Stay mellow🙈

Spiritual Nurishment

So we had a pretty awesome week this week. It's been such a good
weather to begin with. My tan is coming in just right☺️ earlier this
week I went on exchanges to okolona! That's the Spanish elders area!
And I had such an awesome time. First of all okolona cover my first
area so that was so sweet. And they had some people to try over where
I use to work a lot so we saw a lot of the people I taught and they
still remembered me🤗😆 I was so exited that I just wanted to scream😂
anyways that was a really cool experience!!

     And two days after that, i went on another exchange with a
different missionary but I stayed in my area! It definitely was an
interesting one but I learned a lot and had a good time. It rained
must of the exchange it felt like haha.. And the missionary that was
with my had An Amish hat  and everyone was asking us if we knew any of
their stores need by as we were talking to people haha that was so
great😂

      We also got to go see the twynens this week! They live out in
Hodgenville💙 if you don't know where that is.. It's the town Abraham
Lincoln was born in. Anyways we had a good visit and a lesson with
them! Sister tywmen made us some cookies to take home☺️ she is an
angel😀

      The other family that we have been working a lot with is the
Rackhams! He is a member and she isn't but she doesn't like the church
in the slightest. And it's really sad because I can see the desire he
has to live the gospel but his wife is holding him back. It just made
me realize how important is it to stay close to the church and to Mary
someone of your Owen faith. She has a lot of qestions and we have been
working hard to answer them but she is stubborn as a slice of bread!
But they are a sweet family and we love them so much.

     The rest of our investigators are doing super mellow! We are
dying to have some more baptisms!!! So we are working hard to set some
baptismal dates this coming week! Thing s are going well. Something I
have realized this week is that how much even missionaries need the
atonement. It's so true. I have been out long enough now to see
missionaries change and myself as well. It such a neat thing. And the
other thing was that.. Since I have had this calling, I feel like we
are constantly on the phone or doing something for some missionary and
through this process.. I had missed a lot of personal study in the
morning. And the difference it makes is so big. I realize just as much
I need to eat daily. I also need to feed my spiritual body. I can't
expect to not read my scriptures for couple days and still think my
cup is full. I know it's important. I love you very much and thank you
for all you do for me. And I want to thank you for the amazing example
you set for me. You leaving the gospel makes me want to change and be
a better person. Have a good week💙

Exchanges and Taco Bell

It been quite the week here in Kentucky! Let me first start with
the weather😊😊 it's finally starting to cool down.. Kinda but it's
still super humid at times. I am super sorry I haven't been emailing
y'all as much as I should :) I guess I am kinda of a bum when it comes
to emailing😂
    I really am enjoying my mission. It's been so crazy this
transfer. I feel like we are always trying to get caught up with
stuff. So much happens everyday! But I love it. It keeps us super
busy🙏 this week I had the blessing of going on exchanges with elder
patten! He is a stud. He came to my area so that was pretty fun and
the area he is serving in is my first area😆 it's so cool!! It was
weird ending out exchange because I got to go back there and it just
seemed super wired.
    Anyways the work had been awesome and sad this week! Luke Logan
isn't getting baptized this month because his parents basically think
we are a cult😭 and they didn't really want to meet with us so we can
clear up all the false things they have heard about our church. So we
won't be meeting with him any more.... But last we talked with him, he
still was reading the Book of Mormon💙
   The budloves are a sweet family we have been teaching just for
over a month now! They are super into religion and love Jesus Christ!
I really admire their faith and dedication they have for their church.
Sister budlove just finished reading the Book of Mormon in like a
month and it's all highlighted too🤓 she loves her books I guess. But
anyways the next step for them is to come to church!!! So we are
working with them on that.

  Kyra is doing awesome! Even tho she is not a member yet... She is
in seminary. And she is just soaking it all in. She loves the gospel
and the members as well. She is solid as a rock and won't heart a 🐝!
We love teaching her because she just understands everything. It's
awesome! It's a blessing to be able to teach her!

   The highlight of my week was taco bell🙏🙈💙❤️ it was greAt!! I
tried the new spicy  cheesy core burrito😍 I felt this literally was
sent from heaven!!! It was so hot but yet so great! It's such a tender
mercy to be able to have it here so close!

  Thank you so much for the white shirts! And the socks haha.. The
short sleeve once were the most comfortable white shirt I have ever
wore!! And the socks are great as well!! And Vegas sounds super fun!!
Love you very much😊

👳🏽Stay mellow🙈

Humility and Diligence

Well I honestly couldn't tell y'all where this week went. Soooo much happened.  And we have been so busy😀 earlier this week we had an awesome mission leadership council in Louisville at the mission office on how to implement Facebook into the mission. And the next day we had to give a 3 hour long zone training meeting. It was my first training that I gave to the whole zone as a zone leader. I was nervous at first but it went very well. 

    

       Well let's start with Facebook. It's honestly been the hardest thing to use Facebook. First off all, I feel so disobedient just by using the dang thing haha... It's just wired because I haven't used for so long and just seeing everyone on there makes it hard. I feel as if I am starting my mission all over again. I thought I had missionary work figured out but no haha.. This is a whole new way of discipline. I have to train myself all over again. And it just scares me so much to come home. It really does. But oh well.. 

     Our investigators are doing fabulous. Kyra came to church this Sunday. She had a really good experience. It was a fast and testimony meeting of course and she bore her testimony and it really touched a lot of people's hearts. She is progressing and coming along super well. We are super exited to see her baptized soon. On Sunday she  came to church and went to the baptism with us and then went to a youth fire side right after. It really goes to show her dedication. 

    Sasha Simms is doing fantastic as well😊 she is so sweet. She wouldn't hurt a 🐝. She came to church and brought all her kids. She has been investigating our church and the Muslim Faith. Very different but we are going with it. She really got fellowshipped well and the members made her feel at home. And her kids loved church. They didn't want to leave. So we are hoping that they might be able to encourage her to come again next Sunday. 

     Luke Logan is an angel sent from heaven haha.. This man just walked into church this Sunday. And said he has been studying our religion and he said he can see himself converting. And we were like yea! You would make one awesome Mormon!!!! So he also came to church this Sunday and attended a baptism our ward had. And it really was just a good day for everyone. The spirit was so strong. 

       I have been thinking about a lot of things lately and have had so many humbling experiences. It's really hard to see missionaries going through a hard time. I feel for them. Like the missionaries that cover the area I use to cover when I was first here... Are going through a tough time. That area was the hardest time of my mission and my life at times. It was so depressing and discouraging at times. I hated it. It was hard and it made me sad seeing them going through the same thing. So we had them over last night and counseled with them. Their humility and diligence to not give brought me tears of joy. I truly have a testimony of this work. I love it and it's very dear to my heart. I love having this sacred calling to serve a mission and how much help I get from him. He really has changed me. And I know the atonement is real. I know. 2 nephi 1:15 But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love. I love y'all so much and thank y'all for everything y'all do💙

👳🏽Stay mellow🙈

Transfering back to Etown

Hello mom!

      Well it's been quite the week here in Brandenburg. We got out
transfer news and it sounds like I will be going back to Elizabethtown
Kentucky to be a zone leader over there. So same ward I was in but I
cover the outer parts of e-town. I was completely overwhelmed when I
got the call and I still have no clue why the lord called me to this.
but I know whom the lord calls he qualifies. I was so humbled. I am so
going to miss the members here and investigators. They have been
nothing but a family to me. Man this making me cry writing this.... I
am also so exited and ready to serve in etown. The members have been
calling  me since Saturday and telling me how exited they are to have
me back home where I belong haha.. And they kept saying I signed up to
feed you... I am so blessed.
       The week in Brandenburg has been the hardest week of my
mission. Everything that could possibly could go wrong, went wrong.
Everyone we talked with seemed so mean and unprepared to here our
message. Some opened their car windows and cursed at us... Some where
throwing stuff out the window while driving and it really pushed my
limits... And the only thing I was looking forward to was Saturday so
we can have our baptism and the mom called and canceled that and hour
before the baptism. I don't know what to do so I just kinda of broke
down and cried... I don't why this was happing but the lord is trying
to teach me something... And he chose the wrong week to do it haha..
But it's alright. I am happy to be in his service.
        Our investigators seem to be doing okay. The only solid one we
have is sister Monson. And yes she is from is west and aren't related
to the prophet or at least we don't think so.. But she is our
investigator. She came to church this Sunday and had such a spiritual
experience. She said everyone had " aura" above them. And that she
felt the spirit so strongly. And was in tears. I wasn't able to sit
next to her because I had to give a talk but elder pasko said she
loved every minute of it.
    Things are going good. I am super sad I am leaving my companion.
Training and being a district leader has taught me so much about
myself. And I have grown to love my companion and we had a blast. But
I am sure he is going to have a very fun rest of his mission. He is a
really kid and devoted missionary.

Love, 
Mesafint

Brothers and sister good morning.
It's such a blessing to be able to speak to you this sabbath day.
I been asked to give a talk on some parables that I like the most.
I have decided i like that the parable of the 10 Virgins. In Matt 25: 1-9...
      I love the talk Ellen smooth once gave. She said come let us
walk in the light of the lord.
              She said "I’ve always loved receiving invitations. Do
you? Do you ever like to imagine someday you will be invited to
something so wonderful, some event that will acknowledge your
significance, your immeasurable Devine worth?"

 "Unfortunately, all invitations are not of equal value. Some arriving
in the mail, through the computer, or on television, some tempt--and
actually mislead. But, thankfully, the invitations we receive from the
scriptures, the prophets, and the Holy Ghost are invitations we can
count on. They give us direction, peace, comfort, and joy. A still,
small voice speaks to us and encourages righteous living."

Invitations from our lord and savior Jesus Christ are very vital and
essential for our own personal salvation. They guide us back to our
Heavenly Father and lead us in the way of truth and righteousness.
Truly they acknowledge our infinite worth as sons and daughters of
God. They are so lovingly personalized. They come from our Heavenly
Father. He speaks to us in a language of invitations: “Come unto me,”
“Follow me,” “Come ye," Follow me and ye shall have eternal life.

Matt 25:1-9
The Savior likened the kingdom of heaven unto 10 virgins who took
their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Five of the virgins
took oil for their lamps and when the bridegroom came, they were
prepared to receive him. While the foolish five were scurrying to find
some more oil, the bridegroom came, and only “they that were ready
went in with him”

Elder bednar used this analogy couple years ago In a mission president
seminar!  And he added this two words "testimonies" and "conversion"
He said....

"1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which
took their lamps (of testimonies),and went forth to meet the
bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps (of testimonies), and took
no oil (of conversion) with them:

4 But the wise took (their) oil (of conversion)in their vessels with
their lamps (of testimonies).

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps (of testimonies).

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil (of
conversion); for our lamps (of testimonies) are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for
us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for
yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were
ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein
the Son of man cometh."

      Are we individually and collectively prepared to meet our savior
Jesus Christ?If not are we at least doing everything in our power to
prepare to meet him?! preparing ourselves for the generous gifts that
the Lord has promised to all who remain faithful? Are we prepared to
receive His light?  Are we prepared to receive all that the father has
to offer?!? There will come a time where testimonies won't be enough.
We have to be converted.

What are some things that could help us prepare best?!? And will help
us put drops of oil in our own personal lamp?!? President Kimball has
given some direction on how to fill our lamps with oil: “Attendance at
sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years.
Fasting, family prayer, home teaching [and visiting teaching], control
of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the
scriptures--each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to
our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste
thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity--these,
too, contribute … to the oil with which we can [by] midnight [be
ready].” And adding to what he said, temple attendance.

Bothers and sister I have a testimony, that baptism is only a point of
departure. You are not fully converted after baptism. Conversion
doesn't have an end. It's another step that helps us prepare. As Elder
bednar put it "Each successive ordinance elevates and enlarges our
spiritual purpose, desire, and performance"

Everything we brothers and sister's do, should be to prepare ourselves
to meet God. The more we live heavenly lives, the more heaven will
feel at home. Brad wilcox once said in his talk " heaven will not be
heaven for those who didn't not live heavenly lives" I testify that I
know this is true.

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God;
yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their
labors" Alma 34:32

"And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses,
therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of
your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is
given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our
time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein
there can be no labor performed". Alma 34:33

   The Lord declared, “When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by
obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C 130:21).
Brothers and sister We gain strength by living the commandments.
Obedience to his commandments shows a reflection of our own personal
conversion.  I know if we truly are prepared, it will be a glorious
day for us all, when you meet with your father above. You won't need
to worry about the things you did, because you have Truly repented of
it. It will feel like home. But if you don't prepare, I promise it
won't be so comfortable. Your are not gonna want to stay! Please head
his words when he says " follow me" "come unto to me" "come ye" for I
know it's through him that we can be saved after all we can do. I
testify....

Humbled

Hi mom! 

    Well... Here is another week😊 this weeks aughta be called days, because that's how fast they go by. We had a lot happen this week and it was good. And bad haha.. It was like an emotional roller coaster. On Monday we got invited to a place we do service at for a game!!! We played Mexican train, damonos!!! It was a lot of fun. We had Baptists, Methodists and non denominational Christians there and we got to play with all of them! And I won the game and elder pasko came in second haha.. And then they were all like " y'all cheated" I kept telling them I didn't haha.. And they asked, how did you win then?! So I told them " I belong to the true church of Christ" and they all laughed but I don't think it was funny at all haha.. But we had a good time!

   

 Our area is doing pretty good right now! I know I told you that, we were supposed to have a baptism this week but it fell through.. It really made me sad and kinda of was discouraging honestly. Dillion had a cup of coffee the day before his baptism😢 so dropped his date but he felt super bad and wants to still be baptized so he is getting baptized this Saturday! So he kinda made me sad. I caught myself complaining and murmuring a lot this week.. I just couldn't figure out how to help our investigators progress towards baptism. And this wasn't the first time a baptism fell through for me the day off... And I am just super sick of it.. And it really makes me sad. I really want the best for this people and I know how much the gospel would bless them.. So frustrating at times.. Anyways I got a prompting to read some scripture so I did.. I really liked this scriptures "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" and I love this scripture. I feel like as missionaries we get so focused on the numbers at times, that we forget that we teaching sons and daughters of God. And the other scripture that I read right after was this was this "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" This really made my day!!!!! 

     Other than that things are pretty good. We are trying to keep our heads up and work harder. This is probably going to be my last week in this area as well so it's kind of really sad. I have grown to love my members. I love their hard work in the vineyard of my father. And I love their dedication and love they have for their savior Jesus Christ. I got super humbled this week. But it's all good. I feel, he teaches me best, when I am in the humblest of times. And I am greatful for it. I love being on a mission. It's taught me so much. And it never stops... You learn so much everyday. Herding people's stories and the love they have for there families, brings tears to my eyes. I have been trying to focus on the good that happens and it made a big difference. 

  

       Thank you so much for the bike tires!! I did get some and it's so nice to have to worry about getting flat tires. I can actually look around and try to find people as I bike instead of having to constantly look on the ground, making sure I won't run over something that will give me a flat tire haha. Mom I love you too!! Getting an email from you every week is essential for the soul😊 love you lots 💙 and have a good week! 

  

     

👳🏽Stay mellow🙈

Divine Potential

Mommy😄
  It's been a blessed week here in Brandenburg. I can't complain.
The lord counties to bless us daily. Although the weather has been so
hot!!!! And very humid, we are still pressing on. But everything else
has been super mellow and good!!
  Our investigators are doing super good. We were blessed to have a
lot of them at church this week as well!! And that honestly made my
week. And we have also been working hard to work with our potential
investigators!!
  And yea she is going to the temple!!! And it's going to be in September!! I am super exited. And she just moved to my stake so that's super awesome. And that's super cool for damitu!!! I and sure it was a little scary for her!!! But I am happy for her!!

  Robyn is one of the investigators that we have!! And she is
super nice and very cool. Her Fiancé is also our investigator and his
name is Ronnie!! And he is super cool as well. They use to meet with
the missionaries a long time ago but never really went anywhere with
it.. Anyways we picked em back up and we have been teaching them and
they are both doing super good right now. They both made it two church
this Sunday and that was pretty rad! They even dressed really nice and
they really enjoyed church and are exited to come back next week!!
    Dillion is doing so good right now!! We met with him almost everyday this week and he is
killing it.we went over a lot of the lessons with him and his
understanding of the gospel is increasing super fast. And he will be
getting baptized this coming Saturday!!! And he asked if I could
baptize him as well and that was so cooool!! Anyways I am super exited
and I know this will mean a lot to me. And plus we have his whole
family coming back to church so that's super cool and they are loving
it. And his siblings are getting involved in scouting so that's super
rad!!
   And I am just going to talk about Wendell for a bit. He is doing
so good. We found out that the bishop had asked him to give a talk at
church this week. and so we tried to get a hold of him.. Just to see
if he needed any help, and he didn't answer the whole week so we got a
little worried and we didn't think he even was coming to church.. But
to my surprise he showed up a little later than expected and gave one
of the best talks I have ever heard on obedience. He did such a good
job and he had the spirit with him. It always amazes me to see how
much he has grown. He got the priesthood this week and he loves it.
     Anyways life is good. Our area is continues to grow. And we are
blessed. My companion is awesome. I just want you to know that, I

have a testimony of my savior Jesus Christ. I know he lives. And loves
each and everyone of us, despite our imperfections. I know he sees us
for what we can become and not what we are. And he knows our Devine
potential. I love this gospel. It's so true.  I know the Book of
Mormon is truly what feeds our hungry spirits. And it's the best way
we can increase our Fatih and testimony in Jesus Christ. I hope you
have a wonderful week. And thank you for the tires money.. I am sure it will be enough. If not I will just grab two tires and run from the store.. I won't. But thanks and love yea!!! 

👳🏽Stay mellow🙈