ZL with a new companion: Elder Downing
Cardston, Canada
Hey Family and Friends!
So Transfer week.
Everyone that was being transferred got a transfer notice. Phew! So that was nice. I am with Elder Downing now. He is from American Fork and he has been out as long as me! So that is pretty cool!
Today I wanted to mix things up a bit. There are a few things that I felt like I needed to share.
I've been pondering a lot over my testimony. Before the mission, I knew that this gospel was good. I knew that keeping the commandments was good. I knew that I was happier when I kept the commandments. I knew the Book of Mormon was a good, uplifting book. I can say that I'd had a lot of good experiences with the Church, with the Gospel, with Heavenly Father. I knew that it was good. Being raised in the church was great. I don't think I would have made it very far in life without the good example and support of friends and family. Probably would have been on a whole different path. But anywho, last month our mission was trained on the Book of Mormon. Like I'd said, I knew that the Book of Mormon was good. It was the answer to a lot of my prayers! But I'd never felt the confirming witness of the Spirit that it was true. I'd struggled to either understand my answer or get one. I don't think I ever prayed with as much a sincere heart and real intent as I did on my mission. I'd been looking for an answer to this for awhile. Well, our mission was challenged to read it in 2 transfers (about 3 months). I'd been reading it, and enjoying it like normal. Great book. Well, one night I knelt down to pray. As I was praying I felt like I should ask Heavenly Father again if it was true. I felt the importance of it as the Spirit pressed upon me. And I asked. I felt so at peace. My heart was warm, my mind was clear, and it was confirmed to me by the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon was the word of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It truly testifies of the truthfulness of Christ our Savior. I know that the stories in it and the doctrine in it is true. My testimony has only grown since then. I know that anyone who reads the Book of Mormon and prays about it with a sincere heart and with real intent can gain a witness of its truthfulness by the power of the Holy Ghost. And I know that as the do that they will be able to continue to learn and grow in Spirit and in testimony. The Holy Ghost can help us learn the truth of all things.
God lives and loves us. He wants to hear us and help us. He wants to give us answers to our prayers. Christ is our Savior and He has His arms stretched out towards us, and will lift us up if we hold on to Him. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Christ's Church restored to the earth today. I know these things are true and I know them by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Love,
Elder Call
{my letter from him had a lot of info, so I'm sharing that as well!!}
Hey mom! How are you doing this week? Thanks for your words on attitude. I feel like a lot of what has been said by the family this week is what I have been needing! I love Hunter's experience. Sounds like he had a great mission. I'm sure that will be true for me too! Glad that Zac and Dad could have some bonding time doing some service for Grandma. And glad that you and the girls could have some bonding time too! Tell Grace great job! She's only a freshman isn't she? Crazy. She'll be a great player. Hope Erin did well on the ACT too!!
Haha, thanks for answering the questions! Haha, you are such a blog-stalker. Its great. Haha, I love it! Maybe I should send a few pictures, eh?
Thanks for your birthday wish mom! I'm glad Heavenly Father sent me to the Call family, because I don't think I would have made it any other way. You are all exactly what I needed.
Question Time.
Who is the lucky companion? Elder Downing!
Where is he from? American Fark!! (Haha)
How long has he been serving? Same as me!
How did your first week together go? Pretty good. He is a pretty sweet guy. He's really quiet though. I'm gonna need a hammer to break this shell!
What is one cool thing about him? He loves ice cream!
What is a strength that he has? He is a really good teacher. He understands the doctrine really well and he knows how to use it to help others.
What have you learned this week? I've learned that when we do what's right its easier. Literally life is easier. Christ says, "my yoke is easy and my burden is light." I've learned that the burden of sin is so much more than that of discipleship. {I really loved that part of his letter!}
What was a highlight of the week? Probably working on the reserve! Our mission is focusing on the Book of Mormon and we are trying to give away 10,000 this month. And we've been able to give out a lot this past week! Our Zone has the goal of 249 Book of Mormons this week (In honor of Hymn 249, Called to Serve).
What can we specifically pray for, for you? That our Zone can pass out tons of Book of Mormons and that the people will have a desire to know of the truth of them and act upon that.
What are your thoughts about turning 20!!? Its weird. I can't believe how fast the mission has gone by. How fast life has gone by!! I keep thinking about how I feel too young to be in the position that I am in. Graduated. On a mission. Over halfway done. Weird right? And now my teenage years are almost over! Its just weird.
Thanks for all the support mom. Thanks for throwing together a mission scrapbook. That means a lot and I really like that idea! Thanks for being a sweet mom. I brag about you all the time. I hope you know that your advice always helps me out! Thanks for listening to the Spirit and for being there for me! I love you so much!
Love,
Elder Call
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