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