The Best Is Yet To Come
Date
November 7, 2016
Area
Boulder Colorado
Companion
Elder Layton
The Best Is Yet To Come
I keep thinking things can't get any better out here... but somehow they just keep getting better. I am sure you are sick of me saying that every week, but it is true.
So earlier this week, we decided to stop by some people that I taught last week when we were on an exchange. They happened to be neighbors. Neither people where home, but we ended up having even better lessons with both roommates of the two people, and one girl is now actually a new investigator! So now we have taught 4 different people in two apartments right next to each other. Kinda strange but also funny.
This past week, we went to the Temple and it was beautiful, as always. It is tough though because we have a problem in the mission where people see it as a time to hang out. The second they get out of the temple, it becomes a giant hangout and missionaries stay too long and they waste time. We talked about that in our Mission Leadership Council meeting this past week and I gotta say I about lost my cool. Some of the missionaries just don’t get it. We were told by the Area Authorities that we can’t go to the Temple if it is out of our mission, and so President and Sister Mendenhall submitted a proposal to get permission to go. Some of the missionaries still look at it as if we are owed a trip to the temple. Anyway, I didn't say anything rude to anyone, so I guess the Lord is helping me be less abrasive - who knew that was possible?!
While I was in the temple, a missionary came up to me that I didn’t really know. He is serving in the ward in Arvada that I served in. He told me that the people missed me and talked about Anthony. Man I miss that kid! It is so tough sometimes leaving different people that you teach. I take faith knowing God is at the helm and He knows what is best. I am hoping to see Anthony soon, as he might come up to visit! (Boulder is only 20 minutes north of Arvada)
Things with Anna are a struggle. She is the NICEST person and happiest person I have ever met, but lessons are SLOW and we can’t talk about very much. However, she comes to every activity and every church meeting and seems to enjoy them a lot! We are trying to help her understand what the Spirit is and how the Spirit can help us to know truth.
Speaking of the Spirit, I think one of my favorite things is to recognize that people are feeling the Spirit, and then telling them that they are feeling the Spirit, and helping them recognize answers and seeing the lightbulb click in their head. That happened twice this past week. One time was with Anna, and the other was with Richard. It is soo cool to see when an investigator understands for themselves that they can actually feel the Spirit! Also, speaking of the Spirit, Elder Layton and I are both giving a talk in church next Sunday, and I am talking about the Spirit, one of my favorite topics! SO that is exciting!
The Boulder Stake boundaries were changed yesterday and we lost a ward. Our area isn't effected because we cover the whole stake, but we lost one ward, so tomorrow we are meeting with President Mendenhall to discuss where we will place missionaries and what will happen moving forward. It will be a tough adjustment, but it should go well!
Everything else is going swell here, I won’t update too much. We did our studies early this morning, because we are about to go hiking with one of our investigators.
I'll end with sharing the power of pure testimony, as described in Alma 4:19 – "And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people... that he might preach the word of God unto them...seeing no way to reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them"
This past week, we stopped this guy on the street who happens to be studying the same major as Emiley. He knows her roommate, whom we have taught. He is a Christian and told us about why he didn't think Joseph Smith was a Prophet or that The Book of Mormon was the word of God. We had a very good conversation with him, and then at the end I recited to him the first vision as recounted by Joseph Smith. I then bore my firm testimony that Joseph DID see God the Father and Jesus Christ. He had been a bit nervous and fidgety while we were talking to him, but when I began to bear my witness of what I knew to be true, he was completely still. His eyes were fixed on me and I saw water begin to well up within his eyes. The Spirit was strong in that moment, witnessing to him that what I said was true. I knew that he felt the Spirit. We asked for his number and are now planning to meet with him later this week. I don't know what will happen with him, but I do know that he felt the Spirit, and I know that we have given him an opportunity to act on what the Spirit bore witness to him about. That is the only real way we can teach, to bear our witness and then allow the Spirit to confirm that witness.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary and teach people the truth, day after day. It truly is not a burden, but a marvelous chance to stand as a witness of my Savior Jesus Christ. For that I will forever be grateful. I love you all!
Elder Richards
So earlier this week, we decided to stop by some people that I taught last week when we were on an exchange. They happened to be neighbors. Neither people where home, but we ended up having even better lessons with both roommates of the two people, and one girl is now actually a new investigator! So now we have taught 4 different people in two apartments right next to each other. Kinda strange but also funny.
This past week, we went to the Temple and it was beautiful, as always. It is tough though because we have a problem in the mission where people see it as a time to hang out. The second they get out of the temple, it becomes a giant hangout and missionaries stay too long and they waste time. We talked about that in our Mission Leadership Council meeting this past week and I gotta say I about lost my cool. Some of the missionaries just don’t get it. We were told by the Area Authorities that we can’t go to the Temple if it is out of our mission, and so President and Sister Mendenhall submitted a proposal to get permission to go. Some of the missionaries still look at it as if we are owed a trip to the temple. Anyway, I didn't say anything rude to anyone, so I guess the Lord is helping me be less abrasive - who knew that was possible?!
While I was in the temple, a missionary came up to me that I didn’t really know. He is serving in the ward in Arvada that I served in. He told me that the people missed me and talked about Anthony. Man I miss that kid! It is so tough sometimes leaving different people that you teach. I take faith knowing God is at the helm and He knows what is best. I am hoping to see Anthony soon, as he might come up to visit! (Boulder is only 20 minutes north of Arvada)
Things with Anna are a struggle. She is the NICEST person and happiest person I have ever met, but lessons are SLOW and we can’t talk about very much. However, she comes to every activity and every church meeting and seems to enjoy them a lot! We are trying to help her understand what the Spirit is and how the Spirit can help us to know truth.
Speaking of the Spirit, I think one of my favorite things is to recognize that people are feeling the Spirit, and then telling them that they are feeling the Spirit, and helping them recognize answers and seeing the lightbulb click in their head. That happened twice this past week. One time was with Anna, and the other was with Richard. It is soo cool to see when an investigator understands for themselves that they can actually feel the Spirit! Also, speaking of the Spirit, Elder Layton and I are both giving a talk in church next Sunday, and I am talking about the Spirit, one of my favorite topics! SO that is exciting!
The Boulder Stake boundaries were changed yesterday and we lost a ward. Our area isn't effected because we cover the whole stake, but we lost one ward, so tomorrow we are meeting with President Mendenhall to discuss where we will place missionaries and what will happen moving forward. It will be a tough adjustment, but it should go well!
Everything else is going swell here, I won’t update too much. We did our studies early this morning, because we are about to go hiking with one of our investigators.
I'll end with sharing the power of pure testimony, as described in Alma 4:19 – "And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people... that he might preach the word of God unto them...seeing no way to reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them"
This past week, we stopped this guy on the street who happens to be studying the same major as Emiley. He knows her roommate, whom we have taught. He is a Christian and told us about why he didn't think Joseph Smith was a Prophet or that The Book of Mormon was the word of God. We had a very good conversation with him, and then at the end I recited to him the first vision as recounted by Joseph Smith. I then bore my firm testimony that Joseph DID see God the Father and Jesus Christ. He had been a bit nervous and fidgety while we were talking to him, but when I began to bear my witness of what I knew to be true, he was completely still. His eyes were fixed on me and I saw water begin to well up within his eyes. The Spirit was strong in that moment, witnessing to him that what I said was true. I knew that he felt the Spirit. We asked for his number and are now planning to meet with him later this week. I don't know what will happen with him, but I do know that he felt the Spirit, and I know that we have given him an opportunity to act on what the Spirit bore witness to him about. That is the only real way we can teach, to bear our witness and then allow the Spirit to confirm that witness.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary and teach people the truth, day after day. It truly is not a burden, but a marvelous chance to stand as a witness of my Savior Jesus Christ. For that I will forever be grateful. I love you all!
Elder Richards
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