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

Four months

Dear Family,

My Thanksgiving was delightful. We actually had a lesson that morning with a new investigator that went great. She showed up at church with a Spanish-speaking English member and wanted us to come by this week. She has already been to the Mesa Visitor Center and read from the Book of Mormon. Her first question to us was, "How can I know what the truth is?" She is willing to be baptized with she feels a confirmation that this Church is true. I was amazed at how prepared she was, and I still am. It was really encouraging to know that God has prepared individuals to hear the Gospel. And what is interesting to note is that we work our hardest to find people, and then God puts someone in our path that we would have never found through our own efforts. It's a reminder that we are dependent on God for everything, that He gives us the success, and that He does reward us for our efforts to serve Him.

The rest of Thursday was just an eating fest. I have never been so frequently full in all my life. After one lunch and two dinners, it was painful. Luckily we got to burn some of it off at an activity that night with some other missionaries. At the first "dinner," we sat in front of a lady from the Dominican Republic. They have a reputation for speaking quickly, but she wasn't too fast. And I was able to have a conversation with her and understand it all.

Here's a side note for Erin: I watched a Mormon.org profile video this week of the owner of Communal in Provo. His name is Colton Solberg (not sure on the spelling). You should check it out. The Church has an ongoing media campaign right now, and hundreds of videos are up on the website for people to view and become more familiar with what Latter-day Saints are like. Members are encouraged to make their own profile and direct their friends to check it out, as well as check out all the information about the Church on the website. The Spanish version will be fully-operating in February, but the English one looks good. I recommend taking a minute to visit Mormon.org.

Well, that's all I have for this week. Best of luck in your missionary efforts. I love you all!

Elder Joshua Gathro

Seasons greeting

Hola familia,

Well, as some of you have mentioned, it's starting to feel like holiday season with Thanksgiving (dia de dar gracias) this week and the cool weather. Unfortunately, that has yet to mean that we have more lessons in the week. They're always falling through. BUT, Father is blessing us for our efforts nonetheless. Yesterday, a Spanish speaker from an English ward came to our Spanish branch with her non-member friend from work. The lady is interested and seems pretty open to the Church. Elder Morris and I estamos animados (are excited) for the lesson with her this week. The greatest is when people have a sincere desire to learn the will of God and change.

We had a lesson last night with a couple that are so friendly. We shared with them the first lesson, about the Restoration of the Gospel. It was fantastic, the Spirit was present, and they accepted the invitations we extended. It was the best example of a first lesson that my companion and I have every had, even in his 10 months of being on the mission. Part of what made it so excited for me was that I could understand everything they were saying. My Spanish has really improved recently, or at least my comprehension. That in turn means that I can contribute more in discussion and teach more effectively. It's incredibly exciting. When I got to Arizona I felt like I could speak more than I could understand, and it was hard to recognize individual words. But now it has reversed, and I can understand more than I can speak. Life continues to improve for those who love Father and do His will. One of my favorite scriptures is Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19. I hope verse 19 has special meaning as we approach Thursday. God loves us. His perfect plan is motivated by His love as a father. When we remember that, life takes on a new perspective.

Thanks for everything, family. It sounds like you all are doing well. Have fun, stay safe, and know that I love you.

Elder Joshua Gathro

P.S. Happy Birthday to my friend who will see this on the blog

Helped by an angel

Buenas dias a todo,

Sorry for any who haven't been able to find an interpretation to my Spanish in some of these emails. I hoped that Google Translate would be your aid in learning a word or two, but my Spanish is probably too poor for Google Translate to recognize. The opening line says "Good morning to all."

Well we finally got our car back yesterday morning so we were on bikes all of last week. And Ben, you were right. Tengo que comprar llantas con kevlar (I have to buy kevlar tires.) I had a flat every day last week. And while it was annoying to replace the tube tan frecuentemente (so frequently), it was una oportunidad para ver el mano del Senor en la obra (an opportunity to see the hand of the Lord in the work.) Friday night my tire went flat and we were probably 5 miles from home. After saying a prayer, making some calls, and walking half that distance, an English member noticed us walking our bikes and pulled over. When he saw that my tire was flat, he said, "Let me drive home real quick and get my truck to drive you elders home. I'll be right back." We were planning on having to walk home, then call a member of the Spanish branch to drive us to Walmart for a replacement tube. But when the member came back with his truck he said, "Hey what size is your tire? I've had this tube in my garage for years and always felt like I should keep it." It was the right size. He was an angel for us when we needed one. (Hebrews 13:2)

I realized this week that the mission really is a time of self-discovery. It turns out I'm a fan of creamy peanut butter, cocoa-rich chocolate milk, and bread that compresses on itself just slightly when bitten into. I hope that can catch that visual :)

I read this week a line from PMG that I wanted to share. On page 189 it says, the best way for an active latter-day saint to help recent converts in the church is to be their friend. I always appreciate statements that help us now that most effective way to help or improve. I also stumbled on the scripture 3 Nephi 18:32. If any of you are struggling to help less active members, or friends who seem reluctant to learn more about the Gospel, I hope that verse helps. We do not know what it will take to help others establish their connection with heaven and experience the joy of the Gospel, but our efforts are never wasted. God delights in blessing those who serve Him, and He will reward us for our diligent service and love.

Speaking of love, I found a quote this week that I would have to say is now my favorite dicho (quote). President Joseph F. Smith said, "Charity, or love, is the greatest principle in existence. If we can lend a helping hand to the oppressed, if we can aid those who are despondent and in sorrow, if we can uplift and ameliorate the condition of mankind, it is our mission to do it, it is an essential part of our religion to do it." May we let love be the motive for all we do. Only then will we truly come to be like the Master.

With move love for each of you,

Elder Joshua Gathro

Me fui a pie

Hola a todo!

Esta semana ha estado bien. No mucho paso diferente. I should have reread my journal entries from this week to remind myself of everything that happened. Well, our zone had interviews this week with the mission president. It was nice to feel more love from President Howes and to see him more relaxed with a smaller group of elders. He's a good man.

One of the most exciting things this week was our cena en sabado. We have several members in our branch from El Salvador, and one of the best meals from there is pupusas. Everyone loves pupusas and starts salivating when they are mentioned in discussion. Pues la familia Erazo hecho pupusas para nosotros! They had to work for several hours on Friday preparing it for Saturday. And they were absolutely delicious. Me fui a pie (literally that means 'I went by foot,' but the phrase means we ate without utensils). But I had the biggest stomach ache despues. Hermana Erazo said that to her family, the missionaries are angels. Another family said the same thing last night when in prayer they thanked Father for the angels that could eat with them. It puts into perspective the great responsibility we carry, and is an added incentive to work hard.

Because our car is in the shop, we have been on bikes ever since last Sunday. It's not as convenient, obviously, but it's more exciting and more work. Although we haven't had a lot of teaching oportunidades this week, one family we're working with is still progressing. It's exciting and nerve-wrecking at the same time because they are like friends now, and we don't want to mess up in helping them see the beauty of the Gospel. We pray for them often and try to sense their needs. But something that helps me is to remember is that they were God's children first. He will help them, too.

A note about the weather: it's cold. Fifty degrees right now and this morning it was raining. I know fifty can be refreshing, and at Utah State that would be flip-flop weather, but after being on bike for several hours my fingers are so numb. Friday night we had a dust storm move through the area. For us it was just really, really windy, and visibility was limited to probably a mile or less. But towns further south were told to stay inside if they could. We were all safe though, no se preculpe.

I bore my testimony yesterday in la reunion sacramental. It was terrifying, haha. But our investigator appreciated it. And no hispanic will ever make fun of you for trying to learn the language.

Well, that's all I have to share for now. I'm sure I left something out, lo siento. Best of luck in your missionary efforts. I love you all.

Elder Joshua Gathro