Week 6

Brothers and sisters

Wowie zowie the weeks just fly by.  The members here are way cool, there's so many people from different backgrounds and different stories, also some dude had a heart attack in church, that was wild.  We went to Pinecrest last week, it's some state forest/lake/beach that's very pretty.  We had trainer/trainee in Fresno and I got to see the other freshies and how much they've also grown.  Teaching is always interesting, most friends of the church are either returning members or from part member families, its hard to find on our own, but the ward is working to help us.  On Saturday we handed out pictures of Jesus at the mall, it made everyone uncomfortable, especially the Jehovah's Witnesses.  Then we had a ward pool party, we didn't swim,  but we ate barbecue and played volleyball.  Everyday we spend a lot of time studying, I memorize new scriptures every day, and in the evenings I read lots of manuals.  Doctrine is cool and interesting, but the most stand out thing about Jesus Christ's gospel is the simplicity.  It just makes sense.  Whatever you think of Joseph Smith, of the Testaments, of Religion, as we live the principals of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end, we will find answers and happiness.  God loves all of us, He is YOUR Father, whether you choose to believe it or not.  The simple truths of the gospel bring comfort to those in need, and we as members need to unify and reap the blessings of, "...having one faith and one baptism, having [our] hearts knit together..." (Mosiah 18:21), as they should be.  I love this gospel, I love our Savior, and we can all be like Him if we choose to unify, to participate in temple ordinances for the dead, and to invite others to come unto Him.

A lot happens on mission, but the important parts are simply how we feel.  Seek revelation daily, and be worthy for it.  I have so much to learn.

Love,

Elder Gneiting

PS 

EVERYONE wish my Dad a happy birthday!! Love and miss you pops!

  

  

  

  

  

Week 5

Fam and friends, it is good to hear from y'all.

The people out here don't say y'all, or much of anything, but sometimes people will stop and talk, and right now that's all we ask.  This week has been a blast.  Elder Scheel and I are way into the routine, even though I'm not perfect, he patiently walks and waits me through the trials and challenges of being a new missionary.  We had our mission president interviews, and i met the rest of the zone.  Ours is the smallest, but everyone is tight.  We went on exchanges the next day, I went to Oakdale with another missionary and it was fun to change it up, it was a nicer area and the people were friendlier so it was a nice break from the norm.  I bike every day, I'm grateful for that cuz I paid for the bike so I'm finna use it.  We visit many people of all backgrounds, we stopped by a yardsale on our way to an appointment, and met a nice lady and her brother and granddaughter.  It's crazy how complicated everyone's life gets, it only takes a little bit to get to know them and find out what goes on in their world.  Not everyone is willing to accept our message, but I feel the blessings from our courage.  Earlier this week, we went tracting in a neighborhood and had many doors slammed in our face, people that cursed at us and and mocked us, and while it felt degrading, I knew that the Lord was watching me and had someone waiting for us.  We knocked on a door to no success, and before we left, we got a text from a stranger and his wife, and set up an appointment a few weeks ahead.  We've never met the guy, but he got our number from a card or something.  God has people for us to find, and even though we thought it'd be at the doorstep, it was by other means.  The Lord blesses our continual efforts.  We must remember to continue pushing forward, and not to ask "why must it be this way?" because sometimes it doesn't matter why, we do as we are instructed and we are blessed.  Like Nephi, the path might not be clear at times, but we must be obedient.  He was asked to get the brass plates from Laban and to keep trying, despite failing twice before. In 1 Nephi 4:7 he says, "Nevertheless, I went forth..."  Because of his diligence, the Lord delivered to him in ways he did not anticipate, I have seen the same in my life.  

Diligence is key to exaltation, I encourage you all to continue pushing forward, endure to the end, as Nephi did.

I thank you for the emails, keep them coming!

Love

Elder Gneiting 

  

Week 4 - Modesto

It has been the best week ever.

I flew in a bus with wings for an hour and made it to Fresno.  Lucky for me, I don't have to do it again for 2 whole years!!  I arrived in Fresno, spent the night at the assistants home, met with the mission president, his wife, his presidency, and then I was assigned to be trained by Elder Scheel, from Colorado Springs.  He's a way cool guy, we sat through some training and then they sent us out to Modesto.  We are currently serving in the Sylvan ward, formerly known as Modesto 7th.  It is awesome, I love this area and the people are so different.  It's kinda ghetto but there's nice places too, and the people are from all backgrounds and walks of life.  Most don't want to listen to the missionaries, but we keep knocking.  

We've taught a handful of lessons and been fed a couple times, but it's awesome being able to wakeup and make breakfast and pray and study.  My focus is solid and there's not a lot of distraction.  We reach out to lots of inactive people, we've contacted all our referrals, so it's just a matter of time before we find someone who is willing to accept lessons.  A lady in the ward fed us last night and brought a friend from work.  We were able to have a meaningful conversation about God and she accepted a Book of Mormon.  She had had some struggles recently, about life and about faith, she's not technically in our boundaries but if she accepts lessons, she'll be in good hands with her local missionaries.  

My companion has gotten really good at making food after being out here so long, he's experimental but it's always good.  He had me eat some "jack fruit" from a nearby Asian market, it was way good.  He also has a farmer's hat, it's hanging on our wall.  He is a hard worker and his mission flow is fresh, he called me "pre-trained", which is good for him, because he doesn't have to train me on gospel stuff, just the people and the area.  Saturday was his birthday, and a convert from Turlock came up to take us to Jack in the Box, it was my first time.  We taught a member and his non member wife, he graduated from high school with George Lucas and he's a big Star Wars fan, we met this guy with huge turtles in his backyard, and this sketchy ex-mormon who is anti-organized religion.  He gave us water, that was nice.  We celebrated P-Day eve with ice cream and The Testaments, Elder Scheel knows every word.  If you have that DVD, watch scene 11 in ASL cuz the translator makes funny faces.  

I've been reading a lot in Acts, in the final verses of the last chapter it says, "30... Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him"

Missionaries take after the dedication of Paul, his courage and determination are an example to me of how to love Christ, and how to teach like the disciples of old.  The Lord qualifies me, and I rely on his strength to make me whole.  Don't stress over many things at once, we have time to take it one fix at a time.

I love you all,

Elder Gneiting

 

     

  

  

Week 3 - MTC

Family and friends,

It has been an eventful week.  Today is my last P day at the MTC and I couldn't be more excited.  It's been a good learning experience, I have enjoyed the opportunities to teach and learn and feel the Spirit.  It's been great working with my companion and my district, I'm sad we're all going to different places.  Last week our district leader was sent home, we found out he had a throat condition and needed an operation, but he would return to the field in a couple weeks.  Our district was sad, it was a confusing time, companionships were reorganized, and I was assigned as district leader.  After he left, some of the missionaries became impatient with each other and we had to work to help everyone get along and feel included.  It was interesting working with all these different personalities, but people got over it and eventually grew together as a team.  My companion and I have worked well together, during classes and in lessons.  We learned how to approach members and non members, how to contact, how to maintain conversation, and how to work missionary work naturally into conversation.  It seemed like common sense but a lot of people needed coaching on talking to people, especially my companion.  He's really enthusiastic, but he's awkward to talk to.  I hope that some experience in the real world will help his communication skills, and make conversations sound less forced.

It's been a learning and growing process for all of us.  I'm happy to have had my companion, I learned a lot from him.  We will be the last in our district to leave the MTC, Wednesday at 10 AM.  I'm ready to join my brothers and forefathers in the harvest of souls.  God's children are waiting.

Email whenever you'd like, my P day in the field is Monday.

Love and prayers,

Elder Gneiting