progression

Hey hey,

One of the missionaries I live with is going home tomorrow morning and he commented that one of the many things he has learned on his mission is to appreciate his family. It made me think about how much I appreciate all of you. Thank you for your heart-warming letters and for letting me know how you're doing. It sounds like each of you are staying active and making progress in life. Jessi, I don't know where that book is. I doubt I have it any more. Tyler, you're a stud, in every good way.

Well we had several dust storms this week. One was on Saturday, pretty intense. Ben, do you remember having all those? They're visible from a distance because the sky gets cloudy with sand and it keeps moving closer. They just bring a lot of wind and sand and occasionally rain. It makes things exciting.

Elder Valdez and I had a good solid week. Our investigator with a baptismal date is so excited! She came to the baptism of someone else in our ward on Saturday night and just loved it. She's meeting members of the ward and is understanding more about God's plan. She genuinely seems happier. It's a thrill to witness. Those are the most cherished moments and the sweetest memories.

After the leadership meeting from last week, we have been more diligent with inviting others to be baptized. It makes a noticeable difference with their progress in learning the Gospel. And it helps us to address their concerns and for all of us to be on the same page of understanding. It sets the expectation and then we can help them along at their pace. One lady in particular has been very receptive this week. She is willing to learn and make changes as she receives answers from God. That is so critical. We talked to someone last night - who's attitude represents a majority of people here - who refused to accept, in a sub-conscience way, that he needed to make any changes to his current lifestyle. The Lord can do nothing with us if we do not remove the blindness, humble ourselves, and give Him our hearts. My friend this week sent me the talk "His Grace is Sufficient." The Savior doesn't ask us to repent because He wants payment; He doesn't expect repayment. He knows that repentance starts a developmental process of becoming more like Him. Our purpose in life is to become more like Him and prepare ourselves for eternal life. He is like a parent who has paid for our piano lessons and just wants us to practice. And if we don't practice, we'll never become pianists.

It was a great week. We got transfer calls last night (the summer is flying by), and I'm staying in the same city. I'm not sure if I'll ever leave :) But I like it here.

Keep your hope and press on with enthusiasm. Life is good. I love you all dearly.

Yours truly,

Elder Joshua Gathro

Woohoo!

Dear All,

Yay for the Holladay's and their new chamaco! It's exciting to know that everything worked out well. And thank you for your letter, Carrie and Rachel. I love my family.

This week has probably been the best so far this transfer, even though it started out as the most stressful of my mission (funny how that works). Thursday and Friday we had a mission leadership training which I attended as a trainer. It was absolutely wonderful. So very uplifting, and very timely. More than anything, it was the presence of the Spirit that made it such a great event. As a group of about 60, we discussed the Fundamentals of Preach My Gospel and other ways to refocus ourselves on what is most important and how we can better serve others. I know you know this, and I know I knew it, but I had forgotten how central the Spirit is for doing this work effectively. The purpose of Gospel is to help us change; to be clean and made perfect through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit is the One who effects the change within our hearts, to change our desires and habits. In all we do, personally and with others, the Spirit should be present to continually help God's children to progress toward eternal life. As long as those we visit feel the Spirit, our goals will be realized.

Saturday afternoon the most rain I have yet to see in Arizona came pouring down. We got out of a lesson and had to walk a couple hundred yards to our car, crossing through a street flooded several inches. It was sweet! The air got a bit muggy this weekend because of it but it was also a lot cooler. Felt really nice.

We got a referral on Thursday for a man who went to the Mesa visitors' center a few months ago, and we left a note on his door on Friday. Saturday he called us back, and yesterday he came to church with his 11-yr old son! They really felt good and we have an appointment set this week. We're excited and feel confident that he'll soon be progressing. Another one of our investigators is still planning on being baptized in 2 weeks. She is understanding things well and just simply feels happier in life. Her nephew just moved in with her from Mexico and he seems to be honestly interested. 

Yes, Mom, you were right in telling David that things are going well. Very well I would say. But not too well that we start slacking. This is the last week of the transfer and we're gonna end it with a bang. I love you all and pray for you. Best of luck in your missionary efforts!

Con carino,

Elder Joshua Gathro

Saludos

Family and Friends,

Monday night we met with the lady who came to church last week and had a terrific lesson. She is so sincere and wants to be closer to God. And she has decided to be baptized at the end of this month! She's a single mother with 4 daughters and she is trying to put her life in order. It is a thrill to see the Spirit work within others and help them progress toward eternal life. We saw that again powerfully on Saturday with a couple who are have been faithful members of their Christian church for 7 years. It was a very interesting lesson, about our 3rd or 4th time with them. They have been reading parts of the Book of Mormon and comparing it with the Bible and are seeing that the Book of Mormon is true. The wife actually said, "I know the Book of Mormon is true, I'm sure of that. I know your church is true, I'm sure of that. I know my church is true, I'm sure of that." So we helped them see all the implications if the Book of Mormon really is true, and that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that the church of Jesus Christ has been restored. We clarified it for them and made it very simple, and then invited them to find out the truth. Really, what we want is for others to have a strong enough desire to find out the truth, that they commit themselves to study and prayer, pleading a confirmation from God to know if this is His church. I am seeing the importance of teaching it clearly so they understand, and then helping them foster the desire to know. Because this is the most important message in the world. As part of forming the desire, I've thought quite a bit this week about the role of the Holy Ghost. He is the only one that can work within them and teach them intimately what is right. In all we do, I believe that the most important thing is that we work by the Spirit. It matters less what we say, or what we do. If they feel and recognize the Spirit, our purpose is accomplished. And success will come.

Fourth of July went well here. It was one of the nicest days so far this summer. It rained in the morning, which brought temperatures in the 80s. We had to be in by 8pm so we didn't see any fireworks. But it was a good day, and I have a tie that was perfect for the day. 

We got permission to go on Saturday morning with our ward to a temple session in Spanish. It was my first time hearing it all in Spanish. I still prefer English but it was a neat experience and very uplifting, as always. 

I'm excited that Mom will finally get the house the way she wants :) And enjoy your time in Utah, Mom. I'll take care of the loan info and I'll be praying for Rachel. Congratulations, Erin, on your acting award. That's exciting. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and soaking it up. Our week passed really well and we found several new individuals and a couple. We feel that our companionship is strengthening and we're becoming better missionaries. The Lord lives and loves us. Don't forget to live the first principles of the Gospel. I love you all!

Elder Joshua Gathro

cool beans

Family,

That's a great story about a bb lodged in your chest. It's a much better alternative to cancer. Carrie, happy late birthday! Dad, my companion loves saying "cool beans" haha.

Well my impression from this week is honestly just how much more I need to work on. It's been a good and trying time. I realize that there are a lot of areas where I can focus to be a better missionary and a better trainer. I thought I was pretty patient before, but now I'm finding out how impatient I really am. And even though it's hard to swallow the truth, I feel the importance of having those things brought to light in proper timing. God's purpose is to help us become the very best we can be and the most happy that we can. I remember reading once in the church handbook that the purpose of every calling in the church is (1) to become a more faithful disciple of Christ, and (2) to help others become more faithful disciples of Christ. My branch president in the MTC said that the way to accomplish the first purpose is by forgetting it and focusing on purpose number 2. That is something I believe but it is difficult to apply 100%. In my personal study this morning I thought about the missionary purpose of "inviting others to come unto Christ." In part, that includes providing others the example of someone who serves as Christ did, and helping others develop the desire to change. Someone that impressed me a little more strongly this morning is how inviting others to come unto Christ is not exclusive of our investigators. It applies to our family, friends, ward members, everyone. 

Well we have been working hard. I'm still here in Chandler and suppose I will be until the end of the 12 week training for my companion. Our investigators right now are giving us some disappointments but we have an investigator who came to the church yesterday for her first time and she loved it. Her sister is already a member and came with her to church. It's a thrill to see her desire to learn. She is so sincere and is understanding things well. We're excited for her progress.

I better sign out now. I love you all! Thank you for your prayers. I pray for you all as well. Have a great week!!

Elder Joshua Gathro

Cold These Days

Family, 

It's good to hear that the baby has arrived and all is well! I hope things go well with Carrie and Eli if he comes early. Sounds like there's a lot going on these days, weather included. And no, I didn't know that Dennis was called to teach seminary. He will do more than well. Thank you for the email, Erin. You're a hero :)

Well this week had some stressful points and happy highlights. The language barrier between my companion and I makes it difficult at times, but he is a really good teacher and is teaching me as well. We spent a lot of time on bikes this week and stopped to talk to everyone. It made things really exciting actually. This weekend God blessed us with the chance to meet 3 new people who seem like they will be great investigators (want to learn keep commitments and progress). Two came from members that live outside of our area who referred there friends. One of them, when we arrived, was super excited to see us. He had been reading in the Book of Mormon and believes it! He was loving the lesson, as were we. Unfortunately he can only meet once a week because of work but we a feeling really optimistic about him. My companion couldn't believe that someone was so open and desirous to learn about the Gospel. He was super excited to have found someone like that. I had the feeling again that only God can direct us to people like that, or direct people like that to us. As long as we are doing are best with what we have, He will prosper us. 

Well I don't have much more to share. I'm having a blast and things are going really well. My companion is helping me with my Spanish and I get to teach him English phrases. It's really funny hearing him pronounce certain words or try to explain things like "foot fingers" for "toes." We had interviews this week with President which really helped me feel better about this new responsibility I have. It's going to be a good week and a good transfer.

I love you all! Enjoy the summer rain :)

Elder Joshua Gathro