The Work of Salvation

I hope all of you were able to watch the broadcast last night. We've been hearing and talking about it for the past month and it was terrific! We don't know when our mission will actually be given instruction to start using the internet to proselyte, or what will happen with opening meetinghouses to do tours. We already do tours with investigators or anyone we meet who's interested, but it sounded like they want missionaries at the building during the  day in case people just show up hoping to check it out. But we'll wait for the word. Aside from that news, it was surprisingly familiar. We hear and talk about the need for us to work more closely with members all the time. And like was said, after all that has been said, our greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel. And we can do that as we live lives in which the Spirit can guide us in our service to others. To be honest, I felt like if we just "do good," everything will fall into place. Yes we have to be more proactive and shine a little brighter, and INVITE others to do that which will increase their faith, but that means just being more faithful disciples. I'm super excited that the Brethren are renewing the focus. Our ward mission leader came up to us after the broadcast and said, "Elders, our ward mission needs to start setting goals with you guys. And I need to be filling your planners." We're stoked! Our new YSA ward is already really missionary-minded, so they'll do great in moving the work forward.
Oh, didn't you like the videos they showed? Especially the example of that family where all the family members were helping out their friends and acquaintances. It helps to set the vision. But I believe that vision will grow as we prayerfully study it out. Please do. May we think about how we can take a greater part in the work of salvation. I know that the Spirit will fill our lives in greater measure as we do. Thanks for everything,  family. I love you guys. Have a great week!

Elder Gathro

Here You Go

Dear Family,
"This is my first last best chance to have any hope for a fresh start at a new beginning for the first time again." This is my last first day of the transfer. I've been thinking a lot about the goals I want to set and what I want to still accomplish and become before my time runs out. I set some exercise goals too, and this morning I had to wake up and haggle my companion a little bit for him to get up early with me and run. Really, you get what you go for. If it's a priority, you'll do it. So we'll see what happens.
This week went really well. Monday night we had skit night for FHE that we participate in with our investigator. So much fun! And afterward we sat down for a short lesson and it turned out that he was having doubts about his baptism (scheduled for this past Saturday) because of some opposition from his mother. So we decided that we would do a fast with him on Tuesday, and it worked miracles! When we met with him after the fast he was picking out people for his baptismal service. There is power in fasting. I know it. His baptism turned out really well! It was a really spiritual event.
Last night we had the mission president's fireside at the local institute. Elder Perez and I decided we wanted to translate, which I was excited for but a little worried because I don't use my Spanish nearly as much. But the translation came out really well, and I talked to a few native-speakers there. With them the Spanish still flows no problem.
Transfers are this Wednesday so things are a bit crazy around here. It's all coming together but there's sure a lot going on. I really gotta get better at administering. Any advice?
Anywhooligans, that's been my week. Thanks for everything, Family. You the best siblings and parents I've ever had! Enjoy your week!

Much love,
Elder Gathro

Road Trip

Hey familia,
My whole mission I've heard about this one town in the middle of the desert where missionaries have to take a shuttle to get there. Not a lot of action, just a small ward. Kinda dead but somehow magically fun. Well, I got to go this week! The missionaries who cover the town also cover another small town so my companion stayed with one of the elders and the other elder and I took the shuttle down to Ajo, AZ! It's also always been my dream to teach someone on a bus. Well it was a dream come true. Except that the guy I was talking to and teaching wasn't very interested haha. But it was cool anyway. The town actually has a lot of work right now. The members are fantastic and the bishop has a vision for the ward. The missionaries are teaching this cute little family in which the husband is a bit hesitant but is progressing well. I wish I could have stayed another full day. Although after the exchange I felt like I had just come back from a campout, because the place the missionaries stay at down there is a little shack that a member owns. Food was scarce but I learned how to make microwaved pancakes...with honey they're not too bad :) 
We did another exchange with some Spanish elders in our zone and it was more challenging than I thought it would be. I have not ceased to learn how very important communication is. As our mission president says, the degree to which we communicate is the degree to which we teach, which is the degree to which we can lead, which is the degree to which the Lord can use us in blessing the lives of others. And for some missionaries in our mission, it's very difficult to communicate. For me at times it's still hard, especially in unfamiliar situations. But I firmly believe that the Lord can help us overcome those barriers. It's basically a question of how can God help us improve our weaknesses. As we've been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon recently I found again the scripture that says, "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." (Enos 1:15) I believe that. I know that the Lord is eager to aid us in whatever our struggles  may be, even to the farthest extreme. And I believe that as me make it a matter of consistent prayer and focus in our lives, God will bless us to become stronger. A lot depends on our faith and vision of what we think we can accomplish with the Lord.
I did my first baptismal interview in Spanish yesterday! Things are going great in our wards. We have a baptism coming up this Saturday for a young man who's been learning for several months. He's a really great guy, a student at ASU, and he's making evident changes in his life. It's hard to upload photos because I don't have a cord, but I'll see if I can borrow one to shoot you a few pics. I love you all and wish you a wonderful week!

Elder Gathro

Week Tras Week

Dear Family,
This was a really good week with some good personal growth. We did an exchange early in the week that I kinda felt sloppy about just overall. Like it wasn't very purposeful. But then we did another exchange on Friday that was very different. I insisted that before we went to bed Thursday (it was an exchange from Thurs night to Fri night) we had to identify what we wanted to get out of the exchange. Then when it came time to exchange back and we evaluated how the day went, we had something to measure it against. And we were all looking for ways to improve on things. It was really uplifting. I'm learning week after week more about "vision". When we can see what God sees, it makes us powerful in what we do. We can know the will of God and how we are to carry it out. I'm finding a lot of connections to that subject that I thought possible. It's an answer to prayer.
Our mission right now is attempting to read the entire Book of Mormon before our mission president and wife leave. We started this week in our district meetings and are focusing on the Atonement of Jesus Christ as we study. It's another answer to my prayers because I really want to become even more knowledgeable of the scriptures and know how to use them better in my teaching. So this is forcing me to make it a greater priority. And it has already make a marked difference. I can't help but feel like the Spirit is working more closely in my missionary service. What a blessing! :)
Good to hear from you all and thanks for the video, Ben! I love you all!

Elder Gathro

PS- We went hiking this morning right by ASU Stadium. From the top of the hill we could see the entire Phoenix valley. Quite the sight! And my first time hiking since I've been in Arizona.

Before I forget, we had a really funny moment this afternoon. Our mission president took us out to lunch with another companionship today, but he wanted to go to the nearest Ihop which is in the Mesa mission. So we went there and were walking up to the door when a car of 4 Mesa missionaries drives past slowly. President Howes just waves and says, "Hey elders!" before we walk in. They looked so confused. It was classic :)

Whoa, so weird to hear that Brandon is now a married man. I'm impressed he managed to pull it off, haha. And Brad too. YSA wards talk about that stuff a lot. But otherwise its pretty sweet being in YSA wards as missionaries. We're getting to know the members really well now. In Gospel principles class I was meeting the person in the seat next to me and she said, "Oh yeah you guys are new. In ward council they said you're super solid missionaries." Sweet! What's sad is that we might get a new ward when the mission splits. But wherever we're needed. "The kingdom of God or nothing."

So we had a really powerful training this Wednesday with two reps from the Missionary Department who came down to train us. Dad might recognize their names. It was Tracy Watson and Lee Donaldson. Absolutely fantastic! They addressed the fact that our mission is splitting and prepped us so that the handover between mission presidents doesn't result in a drop in the work. Tracy shared a lot of general advice as well. He is the director of proselyting for the church and used to be the Mesa mission president. He said that missionaries do best when they focus on just 2 or 3 things that they're working to integrate into their teaching and lives. And that when we set our focus, we must be loyal to it. Do not give up until you achieve what you set out to do. Hit it again and again until to get what you want. It inspired me to focus more on the most important and to be diligent in my efforts. The same counsel goes for anyone. Stay focused always and stick with it. Ask and ye shall receive. 

One more quick thing, and you can ask me more next week. But those reps from the missionary department also came down to initiate a test in one of the districts in our mission for electronic area books and planners. Those missionaries are 8 of 44 in the church now using ipads and iphones, and who are instructed to proselyte on Facebook! It's wild, but apparently President Monson's reaction was this: "I don't see any problem with that. Do you?" We got to go to the training to witness it. Things are changing. God is hastening His work. It's a blessing to be a part of it. 

I love you all. Stay safe, work hard, and have fun. Happy summer!

Elder Gathro

Dear Family,
Boy oh boy, what to say. The only thing I got are recent experiences
and insights. And I know that Dad is already filled with insights so
there's not much new that I have to offer. But, this week Elder Perez
and I went on exchanges with two companionships in the Yuma zone. It
was nice to be back down there for a little visit :) I actually went
with a companionship down to the little border town of San Luis. We
had a great time and it was really uplifting as well. We worked hard
and had fun. All the missionaries in that zone now are Spanish
missionaries so I tried setting the precedent that we speak Spanish.
That's one of the things on my agenda for the mission. President says
us Spanish missionaries have to "get [our] swagger back." Well, we
better start speaking the language more then. Honestly, I feel that we
slip out of speaking our mission language because it's just gotten so
common. In gospel principles yesterday I made the connection that
often that's a reason we give in to sin. The adversary tries to
distort our perception of what is right and wrong in an effort to
hinder our ability to make righteous decisions. How wonderful is the
gift of the Holy Ghost, available only through baptism, which aids us
in forming an eternal perspective, like that of Heavenly Father. It's
a valuable gift we ought to appreciate.
Oh! I've been meaning to offer this update. So do you remember the
story of the family in Yuma who's son was living a bad lifestyle and
felt the Spirit during our visit, then came to church and wanted to go
on a mission? Well I didn't tell you of the events that followed. The
week after his deciding to serve a mission he slipped back into old
habits and old friends and we lost him. His family as a whole suffered
during those few weeks; honestly one of the saddest experiences of my
mission discussing the situation with his dad. Well, a week ago, I got
word that the elders got ahold of the young man again and his WHOLE
family came to church. He was like a totally different person, just
like he was in those early visits we made with him. It's a miracle and
an answer to prayers. The family is back on the path. I know that God
hears us and works even harder than we do to make good things happen.
Never lose faith and always trust that when we do our part, Father
does His. Keep on keepin' on and have a great week!

Much love to all,
Elder Gathro

Relaxation

Hey Fam,
So good to talk to headquarters yesterday. Send my apologies to the other
agents for not utilizing visual correspondence to communicate with them :)
It's been a wild week. On Tuesday we were with the new missionaries
all day long which was a blast. One of the funnest days in a while. In
addition to the normal amount of missionaries, we got 8 elders and
sisters who are temporarily here as they wait to receive their Visa
for Argentina. Everyone was so excited to be in the mission field
finally. We took them to different areas to do some street contacting
and basically just dropped them off in companionships after giving
them a few pointers. They came back with their own adventure stories
and really loved it. Wednesday transfer meeting was crazy! Just with a
lot of changes in prep for the mission split. But we got through it
all.
Hmm, I'm trying to think what you would really want to hear about the
week. I shared most of it with you guys last night. It's been a
stressful and tiring week, but a fun one too. I like change. New
experiences help us grow. I know that the Lord is the one who opens
doors in our lives when we just follow what He says. He will bless us
as we exercise our faith. I love you all. Be safe, work hard, and have
fun. Hasta luego!


Elder Gathro