This past week in Bentonchill is what going on a mission is all about; seeing lives changes and hearts coming closer to the lord through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Well, for me that's how it is anyways :) I could not believe how powerful the spirit of the lord manifests the truthfulness of this gospel. I feel like since i got to this area, week after week is better than the past. Obedience to EVERYTHING has led to the abundance of blessings received this past week.
We were able to get off 18 lessons this past week and set baptismal dates with 5 investigators. 5 dates set in the month of December. One for every Saturday with the exception of the 8th...for now at least :) Its been amazing to see people gain the faith to want to be baptized and follow the example that Jesus Christ set for us all. Im just happy to be along for the ride. Anyways, here was my past week.
Tuesday November 13th: Well, today was the last time i emailed but the afternoon is what was huge. First this we did was go see Sister Hale. We read some scriptures with her and talked about the restoration of the gospel. At the end of the lesson the spirit was so strong and we invited her to be baptized. She was always iffy about baptism when we talked to her before but this time she said it feels right and she wants to do it!!! We set the date for December 15th. After that we visited another investigator, Brother Ingram, who we've been having trouble with. Not anything bad just trying to get him to believe the teachings of this gospel. He is all about the bible and loves the savior like us and has nothing against the LDS chruch but he just wants to know what he needs to do to achieve the kingdom of god and find wisdom about the saviors. We talked about some questions that have been on his mind but left not being able to see eye to eye on things so we left him an invite to read the book of mormon and to pray about it. Skipped dinner so we could hit another appointment with the SOHSE kids, Sue Ann and LJ. Its not Sosi like i typed up last week. My Bad :) Anyways, we taught them about the Plan of Salvation and all that awesome post portal stuff and they loved it. They all said they want to get married in the temple!! Notice i said all....when we go over there to teach theres about 7 or 8 kids running around including sue ann and LJ all ranging from 4-11 haha They are awesome. Always a fun time being there.
Wednesday November 14th: A very long day filled with meetings and interviews with President Shumway. It was cool to see everyone in our Zone. We have 22 missionaries. Including 4 spanish Elders, a senior couple and a set of Sisters. Our Zone Pretty much puts this mission on our back though...so much determination!!! haha Nah but for real, we have an amazing zone that works hard. We go to work...true winners. haha Okay im done. Anyways. We just discussed how to be better Elders and Sister and set new goals for transfers. What numbers we want to achieve for the transfer per week. Good things to work towards. After Zone Training I had an interview with President Shumway...I swear hes one of the greatest guys i have ever met. There is soooo much love that just emanates from that man. We talked about how my new area was and all that good stuff. Ya'll dont need to worry bout the rest...smh...nosey haha just kidding. After that we had a awesome District Leader Training meeting. My companion is a District Leader so I got to attend. That night we had dinner with a Member who used to be a Mission President in the Philippines from 99'-02'. Hes a funny guy. After that we went and saw this awesome family in our ward, The Ovandos. We've been working with them to get them to come back to church on sundays. They work so its all good but we still like to visit with them every so often.
Thursday November 15th: Today was the most epic and jam packed day ever. Started my day off feeling like P. Diddy and went and got a hair cut. But this wasnt any ordinary hair cut ladies and gentlemen. For all you members who have gone through the temple, I got my hair cut by Eve herself today! Haha the lady who plays Eve, Blonde hair Eve not Brunette Eve, cut my hair. Yes...I know, a mile stone not many people achieve. Be jealous. Oh and her husband plays Adam!! Whos in real life is working with THEE Bear Gyrlls. I've touched greatness ladies and gentlemen. ANY WHO :) After that we came home and finished up some weekly planning and started off the teaching day by meeting with a Lady who was very nice and supports anything that believes in the savior. She even told me that i was going to be a Prophet (O_o) ...dang. haha It was funny. Shes awesome though. After wards we went to this place called "The Fly Burrito" and i dont know if theres a giant sign around my neck that says "Feed the Fatboy" or something but as soon as we walked in there, the member we went with got me the biggest burrito that they had... (.__.) The thing was the size of an infant child haha Butttttttt im not complaining because i slammed it down and it was bomb. d=(^_^)=b haha After din din we went on splits with members in our ward. I went with our Ward mission leader Brother Van Slooten and Elder Smith went with the 1st Counselor in the Bishop Rick, Brother Clark. Both the are awesome. Brother Van Slooten and I first went to see Sister Page, the mother of a Recent convert and planned on teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ but ended up answering some questions she had as well as the famous "Magic Underwear" question haha. It went great. The spirit was so strong and I invited her to be baptized when she finds these things to be true and she said yes. We didnt set a solid date just yet but we did (2 days later) After that we headed over to see LJ and Sue Ann. I bought a Book of Mormon stories book to better help that understand the book of mormon. Its awesome...i use it when i do personal study cause im handicapped in that area haha. But that was Thursday. We taught 5 Lessons all together in this day. Elder Smith had great success on this splits with Brother Clark. Blessings, every single one of them.
Friday November 16th: Today we had service with the other Elders who live with us. It was different service for sure. Picking up rocks...? Hahaha Yeah...random but it was entertain for the first hour but the 2 and half after that wasnt. Haha We came home and got ready to go out and teach. We went and saw Brother Ingram again and his wife was there this time. We discussed some of the Plan of Salvation before we had to jet but he got some answers to some questions but there is still a lot of things in the air that hes stuck on. We had dinner and then headed over to the Sohse's again to teach them about the the Gospel of Jesus Christ but more importantly, celebrate Sue Ann's 10th birthday!!! We went to Wally World and got her a chocolate cake and i walked up and down the girl toys aisle trying to figure out what you get a 10 year old girl who doesnt like Justin Bieber (There is hope for the future...haha) Well...I ended up getting her a Red Scooter and it worked out just perfectly! She wanted one for a while. It was a fun time :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE ANN!!!
Saturday November 17th: Had some more morning time service with my hopefully future Ute Teammate Jared Conover and his family and his homie Darrian. Cut some wood and stacked it. No big deal, nothing too new. That afternoon we went and taught Sister Hale and Brother Ingram with some member from our ward, Brother and Sister Dragovich. They both went amazingly well and we had dinner and a lesson with the Ovando's afterward. That evening we had a VERY good lesson with Sister Page. We taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ and set a date with her to be baptized on December 29th! Looks like imma have a pretty Dece Ave 20th Birthday haha.
Sunday November 18th: Always gotta love the Sabbath right? G.O.O.D Sunday. We met with Brother Ingram...for 2 1/2 hours today. Granted, an hour was dedicated to watching The Joseph Smith Movie but every minute was worth it. After struggling for the past 2 and a half weeks to get somewhere with him, we were finally able to following the prompting of the spirit and invite him to be baptized and set a date for December 22nd. It was crazy! Elder Smith and I talked afterwards and I told him that when I got prompted to invite him to be baptized, I opened my mouth to speak and He said exactly what I was going to say word for ward. I felt like i was talking haha. And then he told me he felt that prompting to invited but didnt know what date to set. I was the one who set the December 22nd date with him as soon as he finished inviting him. AHHH!!!! It was crazy! haha Hard to explain and i feel like what i typed doesnt do it justice but it was awesome. We also got a new investigator today, Brother Heinz. An very nice elderly man whos parents were converts. After we taught him we ended the night teaching the Sohse kids about the Word of Wisdom and Tithing.
Pretty hectic and busy week but i enjoyed every bit of it!!! I've learned the truth behind Moroni's promise to every in Moroni 10:3-5. Specifically for the Book of Mormon but is still so true about everything else. Know Joseph Smith is a Prophet and everything after that. The Holy Ghost is HUGE when it comes to teaching because without it, we cant do ANYTHING. Missionaries around the world never TEACH a single thing to anyone. We only PREACH the Spirit does the teaching. I've learned how hearts can be soften and change and how lives and desires follow in suit right after it. This is why i came out on a mission. I saw the happiness and joy that i've wanted to bring to people through this gospel be manifested by the power of the Holy Ghost.
My timer is winding down for how much time i got left on the computer but i just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and to tell you how thankful i am to have each and everyone of you in my life! From my Family to my Lost Boys and their families to Close Friends and Lost Friends. I love you all!!!
Happy Turkey Day!!!
Take Care
-Elder Isaac Asiata