I hope the subject line is kosher to use. It means the field is ripe, all ready to harvest. And that is the truth. During companion study this morning my companion and I received a phone call from someone who said, "I want to take the missionary lessons." ...What?? I couldn't believe it. His friend is a member of our ward who gave him our number. We'll see what happens. There are great things taking place among the hearts of the children of God. Angels are preparing them.
We made a lot of progress this week I feel. The members are helping us forward the work as we align our goals with theirs. God is blessing us to be in the right place at the right time. The scripture D&C 68:6 has become real to me.
This week our zone had a temple trip scheduled. We forgot to ask a member to drive us there so the we had to use our car, and when we pulled out of the apartment complex at 6:45am we realized we didn't know how to get there. And I had no idea whether or not we would make it for our session. We called other missionaries and one of them gave us some help but we still felt lost and pressed for time. So it was a miracle to walk into the temple with just enough time to make it in the session. It was relaxing to feel the peace of the temple in contrast to the intense worrying just minutes earlier. I believe the Lord helped us find our way so that we could enjoy His sacred house.
I was reading in the November Ensign and found this quote from Elder Scott: "Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one's ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing." Trust in the scriptures and the powerful influence they can bring into your life.
Enjoy your week of miracles and find joy in the struggles!
Elder Joshua Gathro
Monday, January 23, 2012
"Pre-Columbian warfare is what it's all about"
Hey Fam,
Well it was a good week. I'm not sure if I have very many updates.
Although one of our investigators is making significant progress
toward baptism. It's a thrill! And I feel like I really have little to
do with it. We found him through a referral from the temple Christmas
lights - although we didn't really "find" him. He was given to us it
seems. He works with a member of our ward and they are great friends.
The member is helping him understand and feel comfortable with the
Church. The Lord has just put this one in our hands.
I know this is probably the shortest email I've ever sent but that's
the weekly highlight. Moroni 8:3
Elder Joshua Gathro
Well it was a good week. I'm not sure if I have very many updates.
Although one of our investigators is making significant progress
toward baptism. It's a thrill! And I feel like I really have little to
do with it. We found him through a referral from the temple Christmas
lights - although we didn't really "find" him. He was given to us it
seems. He works with a member of our ward and they are great friends.
The member is helping him understand and feel comfortable with the
Church. The Lord has just put this one in our hands.
I know this is probably the shortest email I've ever sent but that's
the weekly highlight. Moroni 8:3
Elder Joshua Gathro
Saturday, January 14, 2012
The real reason for the flood
Salutations,
This week was exciting and we made a lot of progress. We received 9 referrals from the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center and one of them turned out to be less actives that are not on our records. Another is a really cool guy in his 20s who has been trying to arrange a time with his wife for us to stop by again. And another is so eager to learn about the gospel. We stopped by and he said, "Hey can we set up a lesson for tomorrow?" I was actually on exchanges the following day but the lesson went through and we said that he will absolutely be baptized, but wants to see a baptism take place before deciding on a date. Pretty incredible right? And he works with a member of our English ward so he's already got someone he can turn to for questions and support (a man from England who is a hoot). It's amazing how prepared some people are. Hopefully I'll have more to add next week about him.
We are teaching a 12-yr old right now that has a lot of family troubles. My companion thinks that the mother is crazy :) Our lesson early last week had a lot of distractions from her family and she was really unsettled about religious things. Her brother told us she seemed really bitter about the Church because some other family members had discouraged her. But when we came back a couple days ago it was drastically different. The lesson was reverent, free of distractions, and she told us about things she had done to help her family, and be more of a peacemaker in the house. It was wonderful. She seems to be understanding the teachings of Jesus Christ in relation to her life and she is recognizing the Spirit.
Last night we were cruising the streets and walked past a husband and wife sitting outside. We couldn't see more than the husband's outline and the wife was the one chatting with us. She said English missionaries had been by a couple weeks ago, but her husband couldn't learn because he only speaks Spanish. So we turned to where he was sitting and starting speaking Spanish. He stood up and walked over to us and accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. Our brief conversation with him made me think about the need to explain first that the Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus is the Christ. First and foremost it leads all people to the Savior. And our words should first and foremost do the same.
Well there are many more experiences taking place out here but I hope you enjoy and are uplifting by these. I love you!
Elder Joshua Gathro
This week was exciting and we made a lot of progress. We received 9 referrals from the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center and one of them turned out to be less actives that are not on our records. Another is a really cool guy in his 20s who has been trying to arrange a time with his wife for us to stop by again. And another is so eager to learn about the gospel. We stopped by and he said, "Hey can we set up a lesson for tomorrow?" I was actually on exchanges the following day but the lesson went through and we said that he will absolutely be baptized, but wants to see a baptism take place before deciding on a date. Pretty incredible right? And he works with a member of our English ward so he's already got someone he can turn to for questions and support (a man from England who is a hoot). It's amazing how prepared some people are. Hopefully I'll have more to add next week about him.
We are teaching a 12-yr old right now that has a lot of family troubles. My companion thinks that the mother is crazy :) Our lesson early last week had a lot of distractions from her family and she was really unsettled about religious things. Her brother told us she seemed really bitter about the Church because some other family members had discouraged her. But when we came back a couple days ago it was drastically different. The lesson was reverent, free of distractions, and she told us about things she had done to help her family, and be more of a peacemaker in the house. It was wonderful. She seems to be understanding the teachings of Jesus Christ in relation to her life and she is recognizing the Spirit.
Last night we were cruising the streets and walked past a husband and wife sitting outside. We couldn't see more than the husband's outline and the wife was the one chatting with us. She said English missionaries had been by a couple weeks ago, but her husband couldn't learn because he only speaks Spanish. So we turned to where he was sitting and starting speaking Spanish. He stood up and walked over to us and accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. Our brief conversation with him made me think about the need to explain first that the Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus is the Christ. First and foremost it leads all people to the Savior. And our words should first and foremost do the same.
Well there are many more experiences taking place out here but I hope you enjoy and are uplifting by these. I love you!
Elder Joshua Gathro
Friday, January 6, 2012
Transferred
Hey family!
I was transferred this week to a new area and I love it! There's a lot I could say and I hope it comes out clearly. Our mission rearranged a lot of areas within zones and whatnot, and my new companion and I have been "white-washed," meaning that it is a new area for both of us. We cover a Spanish ward as well as an English ward, which is also a new thing for both my companion and I. When we were transferred on Wednesday, the mission hadn't arranged an apartment for us. (The Spanish branch was split so a new companionship came in to the zone which they needed to accomodate for). So we crashed with some other elders and finally moved into our aparment Saturday night, although the only thing we have besides our luggage is beds. And now toilet paper thanks to the member's custodial closet. But we're getting by just fine. The area that we're in is full of Mexicans. It is awesome! There are even street signs in Spanish. And because we're His servants in a new area, the Lord is helping us greatly. The day we started working in this area I had better Spanish than ever before. My companion and I have about the same level Spanish, so there's a lot more need for me to understand what the people are saying, as opposed to Mesa where I just turned to my companion when I didn't understand. It's making me be a lot more involved, which is something I have realized that I love. And I didn't realize how uninvolved I was in Mesa. I can already feel personal growth simply from being more engaged in the work. There is a lot more that can be learned. The wards here can use a lot of work. There are a lot of inactives and several good leads on people interested in the Church. I honestly hope they keep me here for a long time.
Side note: Tyler was in my dream last night and we were speaking Spanish. Also, last week I had a dream that the whole family was called to a Spanish speaking mission and Mom had fluent Spanish only after like 2 months. It was awesome, Mom!
We're staying busy and I'm being a lot more involved, which is really helping me become the missionary I want to be, even in the few days that we've been here. It's a struggle being so unfamiliar with the area, especially nightly planning, but the Lord is helping us. The Bible Dictionary says that where there is true faith there are miracles. We are showing our faith as we work, and I am excited for the continued miracles we'll see. I love you, all! Happy New Year!
Elder Joshua Gathro
I was transferred this week to a new area and I love it! There's a lot I could say and I hope it comes out clearly. Our mission rearranged a lot of areas within zones and whatnot, and my new companion and I have been "white-washed," meaning that it is a new area for both of us. We cover a Spanish ward as well as an English ward, which is also a new thing for both my companion and I. When we were transferred on Wednesday, the mission hadn't arranged an apartment for us. (The Spanish branch was split so a new companionship came in to the zone which they needed to accomodate for). So we crashed with some other elders and finally moved into our aparment Saturday night, although the only thing we have besides our luggage is beds. And now toilet paper thanks to the member's custodial closet. But we're getting by just fine. The area that we're in is full of Mexicans. It is awesome! There are even street signs in Spanish. And because we're His servants in a new area, the Lord is helping us greatly. The day we started working in this area I had better Spanish than ever before. My companion and I have about the same level Spanish, so there's a lot more need for me to understand what the people are saying, as opposed to Mesa where I just turned to my companion when I didn't understand. It's making me be a lot more involved, which is something I have realized that I love. And I didn't realize how uninvolved I was in Mesa. I can already feel personal growth simply from being more engaged in the work. There is a lot more that can be learned. The wards here can use a lot of work. There are a lot of inactives and several good leads on people interested in the Church. I honestly hope they keep me here for a long time.
Side note: Tyler was in my dream last night and we were speaking Spanish. Also, last week I had a dream that the whole family was called to a Spanish speaking mission and Mom had fluent Spanish only after like 2 months. It was awesome, Mom!
We're staying busy and I'm being a lot more involved, which is really helping me become the missionary I want to be, even in the few days that we've been here. It's a struggle being so unfamiliar with the area, especially nightly planning, but the Lord is helping us. The Bible Dictionary says that where there is true faith there are miracles. We are showing our faith as we work, and I am excited for the continued miracles we'll see. I love you, all! Happy New Year!
Elder Joshua Gathro
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)