Philosophies mingled with scripture

Family and friends,

Last Tuesday we went on exchanges with the zone leader. It was a blast. The elder I was with is a great example of how to have fun while working hard. We talked to a couple people that had some strange ideas, including the "ancient astronaut theory." It might just end up being the leading religious theory in the world...if we find more evidence of 12 men coming down in rocket ships to mix their DNA with ours millions of years ago. And along similar lines, my companion and I spoke with several people on Thursday that shared a lot of our beliefs. They had a lot of truth mixed in with their assertions. It was amazing. And every case could be solved if they would just read the Book of Mormon and pray to know that it's true. Much of what they said agreed with the Book of Mormon, but they were reluctant to exercise faith and accept Moroni's challenge. It was good to have those interactions though. I feel more prepared to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ.
Also on exchanges, when we were on bikes, we got some rain. We weren't in it for very long but it was kind of exciting. That was my first time being really rained on while biking.
Well we received a referral this week from the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center. We stopped by on Wednesday with a lesson plan for potential investigators. After meeting with the family for a couple minutes we discovered that they are already members. They moved into our area in February and have been inactive since 2007 I think. But they either requested or consented to have the missionaries come over. We had a good visit with them, although they didn't come to church yesterday. But we'll keep working with them. The less-active work in our branch is really getting some momentum. Our elders quorum held a 40-day fast, with a different member of the quorum fasting each day within that time period. And now we're seeing the fruits of that faith. Ademas, a former investigator just showed up at church yesterday with her inactive member boyfriend. And another less-active just happened to show up yesterday as well and asked us when we are going to come by his house. His hand is guiding the work for sure.
Well I think that's the best I have to share. Thank you Rachel for your package. The cookies are delicious :) I'm excited to talk with you all next Sunday. Merry Christmas!

Much love,
Elder Joshua Gathro

Greetings

Family and all,

It was a great week. Great personal and companion studies and interesting interactions. Thursday night my companion and I accompanied an investigator and her daughter as well as a member to the temple lights in Mesa. It was fantastic and exciting to spend time with them there. They are progressing well and the mother is certainly diligent in her efforts to receive a confirmation that the Book of Mormon is true. She's such a solid investigator that she even bought us a 2-ft Christmas tree with lights and ornaments.

We went back to the temple lights on Saturday night just to help out. They assign certain missionaries to go certain nights to be on the temple grounds talking to people and helping them around. To be honest I was pretty nervous about chatting with people in Spanish, and for a time I was separated from my companion by about 15 ft, left up to my own Spanish. But it was great. My first time not having my companion's Spanish as a crutch. And people were excited to be there and see the lights. It was a blast chatting with people and helping them out. There must have been thousands of people. Ben, did you ever work the Christmas lights in Mesa?

Something neat this week happened Thursday night when we had to get a car wash - because zone conference was Friday, when they have car inspections. We went inside to pay for the cheapest car wash and they attendant took a second, then handed us a receipt and said "Have a nice night." Turns out she is LDS, and let us get the more expensive car wash for free, without us saying anything about it. It was really small, but it left an impression on this little greenie.

Zone conference was wonderful, with some really good training and it left us with some good direction for us to take. The most influential note I jotted down was a quote that president shared with us from Elder Neal A. Maxwell. "If you are serious about your discipleship, the Lord will require of you that which is most difficult for you to do." I hope that can help someone as much as it helps me.

A lady that we talked to this week on the street was telling us about herself and her husband. Before their wedding, the two of them felt really uncomfortable using the words "till death to you part." So in the wedding ceremony, they had the officiator change the wording around. It was interesting to hear. People want what we have but can be so reluctant to enjoy it all. The truths of the Gospel make explicit that which is already implicit in our nature (Stephen Covey's words, not mine).

One more thing before I sign out. A sister asked us this week what we wanted for dinner yesterday. With Carrie's delicious chicken enchiladas in mind, that was my request. But I have to say that I think Carrie's recipe packs a little more flavor... But still delicious nevertheless, and they gave us European cookies as a Christmas present. Awesome family :)

Enjoy your week, everyone!

Elder Joshua Gathro

Well, well, well

Family,

Well the weather is getting nippy. It was cold and rainy on Saturday and down to 43 degrees yesterday. I thought that wasn't supposed to happen? But this will still be the most mild winter of my life I'm guessing. So I can't complain.

First off I want to share something funny that happened at dinner this week (and pardon my Spanish). I had a question in mind, so I said to the member, "Estoy curioso." Without me really catching it, the member said, "No, esta bonita, Elder." They all started laughing, then filled me in on what had just happened, and we laughed even harder. It turns out I had said, "I'm cute" and her response was, "No, you're handsome, Elder." It was a fun way to learn a Spanish lesson.

This week I realized that I see a lot of the negative that happens around us, and not enough of the positive. One night this week I prayed that I would see the miracles that inevitably take place right before our eyes. Well the miracles came and the day was much more enjoyable. It made me realize that the negative is always there and it will never make you happy. But if you look for the positive you can feel God's hand in your life.

Last night I felt God's guiding hand. We had a lesson scheduled but the investigator wasn't home. So while we were walking back to the car I said, "Hey Elder let's knock on Vladimir's door." The thought was no different from other thoughts, and had no added urgency or distinction. But it turns out that Vladimir was home. Finally. We've been trying to meet with him ever since I arrived in Arizona. He's an inactive member and we had a wonderful opportunity to build some trust with him and teach a principle. He is committed to coming to the branch Christmas party this Friday.

All on a similar note, this week I studied the blessings that God has promised us if we live the commandments that we teach as missionaries in Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel. There are scriptures for every single one, and several for each one. God really wants to bless us. It's like Christmas for Him year round. He wants to give His children the best presents He has in store, and they are more grand then the lists we write to Santa. All of the blessings of heaven are available through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope we will be worthy to receive those more fully in this holiday season. I love you all. Enjoy your week!

Elder Joshua Gathro