4-8-13

Annie’s Letter

Hello wonderful family of mine! So first of all, transfers aren't until May 1. My slip for my prom dress is in my dress up box. Somewhere in the shed. I think it is the long one. It has my tudor dress, my belle dress, some other stuff, jewelry, makeup... stuff like that. That is where it should be. If it's not I have no idea. PS.. BEAUTIFUL DRESS RACHEL! you just look GORGEOUS! Have so much fun at prom! I can't believe how grown up you are! and don't worry about the jerkish guy. He's just dumb. You are amazing to have a job in high school. You're right, it will help you in life. Of course you don't want a minimum wage job forever, but in high school that is a really great thing to have! Speaking of growing up... Natalie. Oh my goodness. You will be a beautiful bride! Make sure I get lots of pictures! I am so proud of you for the wonderful decision you have made to be married in the temple and Jon for all the progress he has made! And his family too! That is so amazing. You two are and will continue to be amazing examples to them. Good luck with the end of school. :-) Landon, Thanks for the hat bud! I absolutely love it! I'm trying to attach a picture but I'm having problems. Your email was so inspiring bud! It was amazing. You're so right, we have SO MUCH to be grateful for! Thanks for your wonderful example! Megan and Justin, thanks for all you guys do! Thanks for the pictures! Your dogs are so pretty! It sounds like you are all having a lot of fun! Jazz game! Man, I miss those! Oh, President Rahlf. Yeah I know him. He is awesome and is going to be a bombin mission president! He is seriously amazing. So there was a quote I really liked from the October 2012 General Relief Society meeting. It says "God allows you to feel increasing love for those you serve." (Henry B. Eyring). TRUE THAT! Sometimes I feel like my heart is just so full it is going to explode! This is the most amazing work ever! Mom, you're right about the attitudes. When I was in Springfield there were over 700 members on the rolls. Only about 150 came. A lot of them were convert baptisms. I don't ever mention the welfare program when I am teaching. It is something they can come to learn about and benefit from later, after they are converted to the gospel. It is just a perk. Not something to join the church for. Someone was talking about how as a stake president he got tonz of calls "we are moving into the area, which is the best ward" only once did he get a call saying "we are moving into the area, which ward needs a good family?" That is the kind of member we want to be. A how can I help member! Also, I can't believe all the baptisms there! That's crazy! Andrew! And 6 in the singles ward! Who are they? Anyone I know? That is seriously just blowing my mind! Such wonderful work! The work is progressing everywhere! Even in Lyman, Wyoming! How great!

So I know this will not come as a shock to you but when we rely on the Lord and really just pour our hearts out to Him in fasting and prayer... MIRACLES HAPPEN! So Here is an update on David. He didn't come to church last Sunday and felt he was a lost cause. So we dropped by on Tuesday. Set up an appointment for Wednesday. So Wednesday he texted us and cancelled. We said a prayer and felt that we should go anyway. So we did. We knocked once, twice, three times... no answer. So Sister Winther texted him and he said "I just really need some space..."lalala. whatever. So we backed off. Saturday morning we were wondering if we should tell him about conference. After the morning session, Sis Winther asked us the same question. She went out and prayed and got a prompting to ask him to help her move some things from one storage unit to another. He was more than willing to help her and so they were able to talk about his concerns. His major concern is that he doesn't want to commit to something that he is not sure he will be able to follow through with. She told him that stopping learning and coming was not the way to find out if he would be able to follow through. He agreed and said he might be able to make it to the next session of conference. He had his daughter so he wasn't able to make it. But it was amazing. She had a great contact with him and hopefully things will be able to continue to progress there. When we fasted last week, we also fasted about what to do to help Miles. Well, on Wednesday we were talking to him and found out that his heart has been giving him problems. He has had 3 heart attacks and a stroke and he is only 34! So we explained a little about Priesthood blessings and asked if he wanted one. He did. So on Friday the Elder's came to the lesson with us and were able to provide Miles a priesthood blessing. Oh. My. Goodness. The spirit was so strong. He was told that he wouldn't have heart problems anymore and that the Lord was proud of his decision to learn and come to church and that he was a good dad. It was just beautiful. After the blessing Miles was explaining how he felt. He said that it was like instant warmth all over his body. and his arms and legs felt tingly like they had been asleep except it was a really good feeling. And that as soon as Elder Whiting said his heart wouldn't bother him anymore, his heart rate immediately felt normal, which is super unusual for him! How amazing! We had a lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ. We had a lot of little activities for his kids. It's super awesome because we aer trying to teach super simply to his children so he picks up the principles and then teaches them to his kids himself. It is amazing. Then we started talking about baptism and how he feels, if he's ready and some of his concerns. The result of that conversation was him moving his date from May 11 to April 27! WOW! And then we told him we would teach him about some of the requirements (commandments) and he was like "ya'll are gonna make me give up my dippin'." Yep. So he did. Right then. Spit it out. Then he came to the ward activity, participated, and after... handed over all his chew and nasty stuff. :-) It was amazing. He hasn't touched it since. He was able to watch conference on Sunday and after we had a great lesson. There was a member from Columbus there and she was able to share some experiences and things that really I think helped him. Things that we could never help him understand like she could because we aren't parents. I think I have a small understanding of how parents feel about their children, because it's how I feel about my investigators. But I know it is nothing compared to the love of a parent for their child and certainly not compared to the love our Heavenly Father for each one of us. One thing with Miles is that he feels like he doesn't deserve to be forgiven. He recognizes that he is not perfect and that he will continue to make mistakes and so why should he be forgiven? So that is something we are working on helping him understand. Heavenly Father WANTS to forgive us! The price has already been paid! It's done! All we have to do is take advantage of it. Let it work in our lives. Humble ourselves... that is the hard part. He is very selfless and doesn't pray for himself, but for all those around him. Those who are important to him. So that is something else we are working on helping him with. He has to pray for himself so he can gain that testimony for himself. He has felt the spirit SO STRONG. He loves how he feels at church and when we are teaching him. His testimony is growing. But there is still a long way to go. But with earnest and sincere prayer, he is going to be solid. And baptized on April 27.
I'm grateful for the opportunity we had to listen to conference. SO INSPIRED! Those men truly are called of God. I am thankful for the messages that they shared and for the inspiration and instruction I was able to receive for me and for my investigators. The work is progressing. God is working right a long side us. We are never alone. We need only turn to him and all will ever be well.

I love you all so much! You are all amazing and I am so thankful for you love, support, and testimonies. It means so much to have a wonderful family behind me all the time! Keep doing what you do! And invite people! To do anything! Something! Just invite :-) Love you all! tata!

Annie

Landon’s Letter

Hello mi familia,

I am staying here in Stoney Creek for a 4th transfer! That will make it pretty much being in 2 areas for pretty much a year. I think it is crazy. But this time Elder Washburn won't make it for the 4th transfer. He is leaving. I am getting a new companion, Elder Bergeson, he is from California. I know him because he is in the area right next to me. So I know exactly who he is. It's crazy!

I was noticing how much everyone was talking about General Conference this week and I completely agree. Wow it was wonderful! It always is but the most amazing thing is that we always get our questions we need answered answered. We each take from it something that we can do in our own lives or what we can improve on. The spirit directs us in the most peculiar of ways and confirms to us of things we need to do. We see the changes we need to make or we see the things we need to do. I also thought it was very interesting that they specifically mentioned 3 things: 1. The Home, 2. Sharing the Gospel, and 3. Building and Strengthening our foundations in Christ. But everything boils down to our love of the Savior. I can't decide which of all the talks I enjoyed the most. There were so many but I have been thinking alot about the central message of the Conference, of this work, of this Church. It is all on our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. 

This week was a good week. We are still striving to find people to teach but we are still persevering to find those who are ready to receive this restored gospel in their lives. I am wondering if you could send me a book. "Member Missionary Work and Finding the Elect of God" by Scott Marshall. I have a copy that's the missions copy but I want my own copy. Please :) That is all we have been doing this week. finding, finding, finding.

Rachel- I am glad things are going good for you! I am sorry about that rough experience with the Navy men. That's not fun at all. Learn from it. You know how you felt and you don't have to treat anyone else like you were and feel the way you felt. You have a tender heart. That's a good thing to have.

Natalie- I am glad that things are going good for you. I am glad that things for your wedding are going good. Keep up all the great work, all the great things you do, and your church responsablilties.

Annie- That is so awesome. Continueing Fasting and Prayer is so powerful I agree. You are a great example and I am proud of your decision to serve. Keep up all the awesome work you are doing!

Megan & Justin- Thanks for all that you do. I was so excited to see the pictures. That was awesome! I am also glad to hear that things are going great as well. Your dogs are getting not what I remember.

Mom- Thanks for you letter I got it today. I really appreciated it. Keep the gloves because I have another pair. I only wore them once and they are warm but they are for you. Thanks for all you do!

Dad- I am so grateful for all of the letters you send me. I got them and they helped me out alot. I love the quotes. I have started to really enjoy quotes. Thanks for all that you do!

I love you all and thanks for all that you do.

I'll let you know about what happens.

Love your favorite Son, Brother, and Elder

Elder Landon Webb