August 22, 2011
Lakeside Ward/Tucson, Arizona
Hey everyone!!!!
How are things in the world???? Things are going just dandy over here in Tucson. Transfers are coming up so I'm getting a littler nervous for that. I really love this area and I think I might be leaving. I'm not really sure, its all up to the Lord. I have really gotten attached with this ward. It reminds me of the Kettle Moraine Ward and how they treat the missionaries. But guess what???? WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!!!! The mother did not get baptized and that's okay...she wants to mend fences with the dad and things of that nature. All four kids that were able to get baptized did indeed get baptized so that was a really cool experience. I had the privilege to baptize the oldest daughter, and then I confirmed the oldest son. That was such an amazing experience. To see the family that Elder Stapley and I teaching for so long to finally see them be baptized was an amazing feeling. I'm so happy for this calling to be missionaries right now. I wanted to give the daughters and the mom a hug so bad but I couldn't so I told them to imagine it. After they exited the font the light in their eyes changed. It seemed as if they were a whole new person. It was such an amazing experience to witness. Confirming them was a scary experience. I felt really nervous in the beginning but then when I laid my hands on his head, I felt this cooling calmness come over my body. It was something that has never happened to me before it was so cool. I confirmed him and it was amazing. Elder Stapley and I went back to their house the next day to see how they are doing and the house felt so different. The spirit was there. I loved the feeling in the home. Now, because the mother has the spirit in the home, you can tell that she wants that feeling her kids have now more than ever. The father is still being a little hostile but we are praying for him every day to soften his heart. It will happen and I have the faith that it will. I also have to remember that I can't make people do something. I know that it will help them so much but, I can't force anything. The spirit has to work through them to have them understand what is best. Something that our zone leaders keep telling us is to become invisible. We need to be there to speak the words, but then we need to be invisible, and let the spirit do all of the teaching. Sometimes that is so hard to do. The natural man comes out and wants to do it all, but we have to remember that we are the Lords missionaries not our own.
Zone conference was so good. It was all about prayer and how we can improve our personal prayers and also improve our prayers with our investigators. If we don't pray with them there, how and why would they do it by themselves when we are not there. Prayer is such an important part of this gospel. Through prayer we receive so much strength. How amazing is it to know that our loving Heavenly Father hears our prayers, but not only does he hear our prayers, he answers them. Someone that you can fully rely on and say this is how I am feeling, please help me. WOW. What knowledge that is. I am so thankful for that knowledge. It helps me everyday in my life and especially here on my mission. This is hands down the most exhausting thing I have every done in my life. But this is also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. To see the change in people is just amazing. I'm so thankful that the Lord trusts me to teach and work with the people here in Tucson. Its kinda scary, but if pray and ask to have the spirit with us, which we must qualify for, we will be alright. I've seen the changes in peoples lives here so much already.
Right now...Elder Stapley and I are in a huge finding mode. We only have 3 investigators. Which is low. We are doing all that we can do to try to find people. Its so hard sometimes. Some days I wish it was as easy as saying GO HERE. That would be so nice. But Heavenly Father is teaching us a lesson. That is have faith and all will work out. I really like this quote "Work as if it depends on you, have faith like it depends on the Lord". This is so true. I see it everyday. He is teaching me how to work, but also how to work smart.
After labor day, mom your gonna love this, I GET TO RIDE MY BIKE. YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really miss my bike. I feel so much more like a missionary when I'm on my bike and I love it. I'm so ready, But mom don't worry I will use both hands the rest of the time I promise.
I'm so jelaus that you are going to Cancun. REALLY!!!!! It's all good. I promise. I hope you all have an amazing time. It will be so cool. I can't wait to see pictures of it. I'm sorry I'm not sending any pics this week, I forgot my camera at the apt. so that's a bummer next week though.
I miss you all like crazy. I love you all so much, more than my fingers can type. I hope you all have an amazing week.
Remember, if you don't know this church is true. Find out for yourself. Honestly search for the truth and look for it with a sincere heart having real intent, having faith that God will answer you. If you have those few things, you will get your answer. I know you will. Having a relationship with your Heavenly Father and knowing that He knows you, loves you and He will be there for you. He will give you strength when trails come your way. Knowing this will also give you peace. It happened for me, my companion, and now the investigators we baptized. Please do this search, ponder and pray.
I love you all,
Elder Mortimer
How are things in the world???? Things are going just dandy over here in Tucson. Transfers are coming up so I'm getting a littler nervous for that. I really love this area and I think I might be leaving. I'm not really sure, its all up to the Lord. I have really gotten attached with this ward. It reminds me of the Kettle Moraine Ward and how they treat the missionaries. But guess what???? WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!!!! The mother did not get baptized and that's okay...she wants to mend fences with the dad and things of that nature. All four kids that were able to get baptized did indeed get baptized so that was a really cool experience. I had the privilege to baptize the oldest daughter, and then I confirmed the oldest son. That was such an amazing experience. To see the family that Elder Stapley and I teaching for so long to finally see them be baptized was an amazing feeling. I'm so happy for this calling to be missionaries right now. I wanted to give the daughters and the mom a hug so bad but I couldn't so I told them to imagine it. After they exited the font the light in their eyes changed. It seemed as if they were a whole new person. It was such an amazing experience to witness. Confirming them was a scary experience. I felt really nervous in the beginning but then when I laid my hands on his head, I felt this cooling calmness come over my body. It was something that has never happened to me before it was so cool. I confirmed him and it was amazing. Elder Stapley and I went back to their house the next day to see how they are doing and the house felt so different. The spirit was there. I loved the feeling in the home. Now, because the mother has the spirit in the home, you can tell that she wants that feeling her kids have now more than ever. The father is still being a little hostile but we are praying for him every day to soften his heart. It will happen and I have the faith that it will. I also have to remember that I can't make people do something. I know that it will help them so much but, I can't force anything. The spirit has to work through them to have them understand what is best. Something that our zone leaders keep telling us is to become invisible. We need to be there to speak the words, but then we need to be invisible, and let the spirit do all of the teaching. Sometimes that is so hard to do. The natural man comes out and wants to do it all, but we have to remember that we are the Lords missionaries not our own.
Zone conference was so good. It was all about prayer and how we can improve our personal prayers and also improve our prayers with our investigators. If we don't pray with them there, how and why would they do it by themselves when we are not there. Prayer is such an important part of this gospel. Through prayer we receive so much strength. How amazing is it to know that our loving Heavenly Father hears our prayers, but not only does he hear our prayers, he answers them. Someone that you can fully rely on and say this is how I am feeling, please help me. WOW. What knowledge that is. I am so thankful for that knowledge. It helps me everyday in my life and especially here on my mission. This is hands down the most exhausting thing I have every done in my life. But this is also the most rewarding thing I have ever done. To see the change in people is just amazing. I'm so thankful that the Lord trusts me to teach and work with the people here in Tucson. Its kinda scary, but if pray and ask to have the spirit with us, which we must qualify for, we will be alright. I've seen the changes in peoples lives here so much already.
Right now...Elder Stapley and I are in a huge finding mode. We only have 3 investigators. Which is low. We are doing all that we can do to try to find people. Its so hard sometimes. Some days I wish it was as easy as saying GO HERE. That would be so nice. But Heavenly Father is teaching us a lesson. That is have faith and all will work out. I really like this quote "Work as if it depends on you, have faith like it depends on the Lord". This is so true. I see it everyday. He is teaching me how to work, but also how to work smart.
After labor day, mom your gonna love this, I GET TO RIDE MY BIKE. YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really miss my bike. I feel so much more like a missionary when I'm on my bike and I love it. I'm so ready, But mom don't worry I will use both hands the rest of the time I promise.
I'm so jelaus that you are going to Cancun. REALLY!!!!! It's all good. I promise. I hope you all have an amazing time. It will be so cool. I can't wait to see pictures of it. I'm sorry I'm not sending any pics this week, I forgot my camera at the apt. so that's a bummer next week though.
I miss you all like crazy. I love you all so much, more than my fingers can type. I hope you all have an amazing week.
Remember, if you don't know this church is true. Find out for yourself. Honestly search for the truth and look for it with a sincere heart having real intent, having faith that God will answer you. If you have those few things, you will get your answer. I know you will. Having a relationship with your Heavenly Father and knowing that He knows you, loves you and He will be there for you. He will give you strength when trails come your way. Knowing this will also give you peace. It happened for me, my companion, and now the investigators we baptized. Please do this search, ponder and pray.
I love you all,
Elder Mortimer
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