To Know Our Father
Date
January 9, 2017
Area
Burleson Ward
Companion
Elder Matthew Newey
To Know Our Father
We had a wonderful week this week! We worked hard and we saw quite a
bit of success. We also made some great progress in revamping the ward
mission plan to get it more in compliance with both the stake
presidents example and the handbooks recommendations. Here in the next
couple weeks we will start to see a lot more progress. The ward is
really responsive and the members are wonderful!
On Monday, we had a little bit of extra time so we decided to go try
to find a white board/make a white board with things that we could
find at Home Depot. We looked around and finally, we actually found a
legitimate whiteboard. It was 4' by 8' so it wasn't going to fit in
the back of our little pickup without the tailgate down. So now, we
had another problem. The whiteboard could slide out while we were
driving back to our apartment. Well, we figured if we had something
that we could put on it, it wouldn't slide out. We decided to go buy a
bag of cement mix and use that to weigh the board down. Man, we must
have been a sight. Two younger guys, dressed in white shirts and ties
getting a singular bag of cement and a big whiteboard... Well, it was
all fine and dandy until about 50 feet past the Home Depot entrance
when the bag of cement slid off the back end of the truck. So we got
into the turn lane to turn around and get it but as we did, we saw a
big cloud of powder rise into the air. Someone had already hit the bag
of cement and it went everywhere... as a result, Elder Newey sat in
the back seat and held on to the white board through the back window
the entire way home haha. Missions give you really funny stories!
Victor was sick so he wasn't able to make it to church yesterday and
he almost made it to the mission president fireside but he was still
feeling sick. He is still reading the Book of Mormon, the Gospel
Principles manual and the Gordon B. Hinckley book. He loves the Gordon
B. Hinckley book. He is also reading True to the Faith occasionally so
that he can further understand the vocabulary of the church. He is
just eating it all up!
We had an amazing day on Saturday. We were invited into literally
every door that we knocked and we taught them. It was funny, as we
were talking with one family, a thought came to me to share the
#LIGHTtheWORLD video with them even though it is no longer Christmas.
We did, and that among other things, led to a wonderful conversation
about temples and eternal families. It was a great experience. We were
not able to get any return appointments, they all had really weird
work schedules and it was a miracle that we caught them at home.
However, because it was a miracle that we caught them at home, we will
continue to try to set appointments with them.
We also saw a man named Lynn. We went to his house under the
impression that his name was Bryan and he was an investigator. We
found out that Lynn had been less-active for about 15 years and his
name was not Bryan. As we were talking to him, he kept on mentioning
going to church. After a few times of him staying this I just asked
him, "What is preventing you form coming to church?" And he said,
"Nothing, just out of the habit." I asked him if he would come this
Sunday and if we could teach him a refresher and he said yes. That was
probably the easiest commitment I have ever helped someone make.
Unfortunately some work issues came up so he couldn't make it to
church. But, we have and appointment with him this upcoming Saturday!
Every Thursday we go on an exchange with Brother Andrews. Brother
Andrews is the most lovable, kind, loving, faithful, joyful,
optimistic and genuine person I have ever met in my entire life. Every
time I see him my heart just swells. He is completely faithful up and
active in the church despite his wife being 100% against the church.
He still maintains a hope that she will go to church with him one day.
He is so converted it is amazing.
On Wednesday night we met with the stake president to make sure that
we know where the missionaries fit in his vision of the Work of
Salvation in the Burleson stake. He looks exactly like Agent Burke off
of White Collar. It is freaky. He also acts like him. That was pretty
cool. There is also a sister in the ward that looks exactly Erin
Lindsey off of Chicago PD. That was a really weird dinner haha. I
thought it was her half the time haha. It wasn't though.
There has been a subject that has been on my mind lately so I will try
to get it out in words. It all kinda is based off of one scripture.
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3
Life eternal is knowing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. How does
that work? Well, Elder Neil L. Andersen said that "to truly know God,
we must put Him first, trust in Him and keep his commandments." The
commandments of God help us to become a refined version of ourselves.
"[W]e are the children of God: and if children, then heirs, heirs of
God and joint heirs with Christ; if it so be that we suffer with Him."
We suffer with Christ by living the doctrine of Christ (faith,
repentance, baptism/renewing covenants, receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost and endure to the end) and thereby yoking ourselves with Him.
The doctrine of Christ is what helps us tap into the changing power of
the Atonement to help us become a person who would enjoy the presence
of God (See D&C 88:22-37ish). It all starts with Faith. There is a
direct correlation between faith and knowledge. The JST to Hebrews
11:1 teaches us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen." Faith is an assurance. Therefore, when
we act on that assurance from God, our knowledge in that thing grows
and the more it grows, the more assurance or faith we have. That
process helps us in everything we do in the gospel. Repentance,
keeping the commandments, etc. That helps us become closer to God and
knowing who He is. Not sure if this is confusing anyone. I hope it
isn't. If you are, Elder David A. Bednar taught this in his talk this
last October General Conference. Read it. It's good.
But it is my testimony that when we draw closer to God, He will draw
closer to us and we will come to know who He is by being close to Him.
I promise that when we do the simple things and serve others, we will
grow strong in our spiritual knowledge and our faith. We will be
prepared to receive our King.
I love y'all so much!
Keep the Faith and Hurrah for Israel!
Love, your missionary son and brother, Elder Jefferies
Sorry, no pics this week! :(
bit of success. We also made some great progress in revamping the ward
mission plan to get it more in compliance with both the stake
presidents example and the handbooks recommendations. Here in the next
couple weeks we will start to see a lot more progress. The ward is
really responsive and the members are wonderful!
On Monday, we had a little bit of extra time so we decided to go try
to find a white board/make a white board with things that we could
find at Home Depot. We looked around and finally, we actually found a
legitimate whiteboard. It was 4' by 8' so it wasn't going to fit in
the back of our little pickup without the tailgate down. So now, we
had another problem. The whiteboard could slide out while we were
driving back to our apartment. Well, we figured if we had something
that we could put on it, it wouldn't slide out. We decided to go buy a
bag of cement mix and use that to weigh the board down. Man, we must
have been a sight. Two younger guys, dressed in white shirts and ties
getting a singular bag of cement and a big whiteboard... Well, it was
all fine and dandy until about 50 feet past the Home Depot entrance
when the bag of cement slid off the back end of the truck. So we got
into the turn lane to turn around and get it but as we did, we saw a
big cloud of powder rise into the air. Someone had already hit the bag
of cement and it went everywhere... as a result, Elder Newey sat in
the back seat and held on to the white board through the back window
the entire way home haha. Missions give you really funny stories!
Victor was sick so he wasn't able to make it to church yesterday and
he almost made it to the mission president fireside but he was still
feeling sick. He is still reading the Book of Mormon, the Gospel
Principles manual and the Gordon B. Hinckley book. He loves the Gordon
B. Hinckley book. He is also reading True to the Faith occasionally so
that he can further understand the vocabulary of the church. He is
just eating it all up!
We had an amazing day on Saturday. We were invited into literally
every door that we knocked and we taught them. It was funny, as we
were talking with one family, a thought came to me to share the
#LIGHTtheWORLD video with them even though it is no longer Christmas.
We did, and that among other things, led to a wonderful conversation
about temples and eternal families. It was a great experience. We were
not able to get any return appointments, they all had really weird
work schedules and it was a miracle that we caught them at home.
However, because it was a miracle that we caught them at home, we will
continue to try to set appointments with them.
We also saw a man named Lynn. We went to his house under the
impression that his name was Bryan and he was an investigator. We
found out that Lynn had been less-active for about 15 years and his
name was not Bryan. As we were talking to him, he kept on mentioning
going to church. After a few times of him staying this I just asked
him, "What is preventing you form coming to church?" And he said,
"Nothing, just out of the habit." I asked him if he would come this
Sunday and if we could teach him a refresher and he said yes. That was
probably the easiest commitment I have ever helped someone make.
Unfortunately some work issues came up so he couldn't make it to
church. But, we have and appointment with him this upcoming Saturday!
Every Thursday we go on an exchange with Brother Andrews. Brother
Andrews is the most lovable, kind, loving, faithful, joyful,
optimistic and genuine person I have ever met in my entire life. Every
time I see him my heart just swells. He is completely faithful up and
active in the church despite his wife being 100% against the church.
He still maintains a hope that she will go to church with him one day.
He is so converted it is amazing.
On Wednesday night we met with the stake president to make sure that
we know where the missionaries fit in his vision of the Work of
Salvation in the Burleson stake. He looks exactly like Agent Burke off
of White Collar. It is freaky. He also acts like him. That was pretty
cool. There is also a sister in the ward that looks exactly Erin
Lindsey off of Chicago PD. That was a really weird dinner haha. I
thought it was her half the time haha. It wasn't though.
There has been a subject that has been on my mind lately so I will try
to get it out in words. It all kinda is based off of one scripture.
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." John 17:3
Life eternal is knowing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. How does
that work? Well, Elder Neil L. Andersen said that "to truly know God,
we must put Him first, trust in Him and keep his commandments." The
commandments of God help us to become a refined version of ourselves.
"[W]e are the children of God: and if children, then heirs, heirs of
God and joint heirs with Christ; if it so be that we suffer with Him."
We suffer with Christ by living the doctrine of Christ (faith,
repentance, baptism/renewing covenants, receiving the gift of the Holy
Ghost and endure to the end) and thereby yoking ourselves with Him.
The doctrine of Christ is what helps us tap into the changing power of
the Atonement to help us become a person who would enjoy the presence
of God (See D&C 88:22-37ish). It all starts with Faith. There is a
direct correlation between faith and knowledge. The JST to Hebrews
11:1 teaches us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen." Faith is an assurance. Therefore, when
we act on that assurance from God, our knowledge in that thing grows
and the more it grows, the more assurance or faith we have. That
process helps us in everything we do in the gospel. Repentance,
keeping the commandments, etc. That helps us become closer to God and
knowing who He is. Not sure if this is confusing anyone. I hope it
isn't. If you are, Elder David A. Bednar taught this in his talk this
last October General Conference. Read it. It's good.
But it is my testimony that when we draw closer to God, He will draw
closer to us and we will come to know who He is by being close to Him.
I promise that when we do the simple things and serve others, we will
grow strong in our spiritual knowledge and our faith. We will be
prepared to receive our King.
I love y'all so much!
Keep the Faith and Hurrah for Israel!
Love, your missionary son and brother, Elder Jefferies
Sorry, no pics this week! :(
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