Week 19

Fellow Americans,

 I would like to quote a scripture to keep in mind as I discuss the previous week.

 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9)

 I have thought about this scripture while I was reading over some general conference talks Monday night. Amid reading, I churned in my mind decisions I had made that led me to where I am, and what decisions I can make that will lead me to where I want to be. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we choose not to faint, and we choose to do good. Please remember, as the First Presidency reminds us in the new Missionary Standards handbook, 

 "Jesus Christ...commanded [His disciples] to 'make disciples of' (see footnote a to Matthew 28:19) 'all nations'"

 It might seem like a task, however, making disciples of all nations starts with us and our examples. Please continue to sacrifice and do good to those around you, as King Benjamin proclaimed, "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings" (Mosiah 2:17), you are doing what Jesus would do, "the will of him that sent [you]" (John 6:38) 

 We had zone conference Tuesday, and we talked about family history, expectations from the area presidency about the covenant path, and the new handbook. Something President said that really stuck out is how in the book, it makes it very specific that we are agents unto ourselves, and we do the work of the Lord because we love him, not because it's rules, if we were true disciples, we wouldn't look for loopholes, we wouldn't rationalize. We are extensions from the Apostles to spread the word worldwide, and when we remember our covenants, and the temple, we realize we need to give up a lot of ourselves for what's at stake.

 Our zone had the opportunity to go to the Fresno temple Wednesday. It was great to be back, it feels like forever. On our way back, we ate at a barbecue place called the Dog House Grill in Fresno, and it was wayyy good. Elder Pendleton and I have been focusing a lot on encouraging our members to get excited for Christmas season, because we hope that if we can motivate them and give them a spiritual boost, they'll want to share it. Us missionaries have early access to the Christ Child video sponsored for Light the World. It's a great video and I encourage you all to watch it when it releases and to share it with EVERYONE!

 Covenants are a blessing. The promises we make to God help us become more like him. When we remember our promises, we are less likely to give into temptation, and more likely to find joy in the simple things. Mission expects a lot from me. Not as much as some other missions, maybe not as much as other missionaries, but I was given this assignment to better myself and prepare to live along the covenant path, the Plan of Happiness. God wants us to be happy, and living the law that he has provided did bring happiness. If you haven't found that to be true, live it a little better, it might change your mind.

 I had an exchange with the district leader this week. It was good to have a break, to lead the area, and to drive. Elder Pendleton doesn't like to share the wheel too often. He had some good advice, a specific line I needed to hear was, "control what you can control", I realized anything was possible as long as I had the drive and determination to change. To take control. I was really able to recalibrate and decide what I wanted for the area, and what I was going to do about it. Because of that experience, I feel motivated, and I've taken initiative with my area and with my companion, despite some of the trials and setbacks that cause the work to suffer. Sometimes I forget that there's people on my side, encouraging my success. I'm grateful for my leaders out here. 

 On Sunday, we talked about casting out our idols, or burying our weapons of rebellion, as talked about in Elder Renlund's most recent conference talk. In sacrament meeting, there was a talk on living after the manner of happiness. Happiness can be found, even in situations of distress or sadness. He shared insights from stories and former conference talks, but what stuck out to me was the idea of "doing what happy people do". When someone is truly happy, it's because they make decisions to serve others and to be patient with their trials. He talked about the patience and lack of looting that took place in Japan after a devastating earthquake in 2011, in comparison to the impatience and abundant looting in other places around the world amidst similar circumstances.

 We finished that night by making some visits, especially with some former investigators. Most rescheduled, but one contact turned into a full on lesson, and we invited the guy and his family to church and some ward Christmas stuff, and he said he would do it. We're excited for him and his family.

 Please don't forget that you are never out of God's reach. You are never too far gone. Because of Jesus Christ, we can all turn our lives around. I want each of you to CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL this week. As you sacrifice your will to the will of the Lord, you will have MORE blessings, MORE happiness, and MORE success in that which you focus on. It's easy to be lazy, but it's not okay to stay that way. It's okay to ask for help, but it's lazy to always need it. You know what you can control, so just do it.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all

Elder Gneiting

Enjoy some pics of me mobbin' this week. (The teddy bear was the "cleanest car" trophy for our zone, we won. Literal soft flex) 

     

Week 18

Ayyyyye

My testimony has grown significantly.  The Lord's timing still manages to surprise me over and over again.  Last Sunday, a man on a religious quest arrived at our chapel on a whim, the sister missionaries brought him to us, and he attended all of church.  He had some questions, wrote more questions down during sacrament meeting, and afterward we had a long lesson on the restoration, the plan of happiness, and his questions.  He's a very cool guy, and he's missionary age, but he recently moved to the central valley from the bay area.  He's getting used to adult life and finding himself spiritually.  It was a great opportunity to see another perspective and to have an enlightening spiritual conversation.

On Tuesday, we did service for our local Seventh Day Adventist church, which we do most Tuesday mornings.  We help unload and organize donated food for people in the community.  It's a good opportunity to meet people in town, make connections, and build trust with people, and also to get our name out there so "Mormon" stigma among local Christians will go away.  Maybe we'll find a teaching opportunity out of it.  We also had a lot of recent success contacting former friends. 

We taught one of our recent converts again this week.  Sometimes he tells us what his coworkers say concerning his conversion into our church.  One of his friends said,

"You know all Mormons have trampolines, right?"

That has got to be the funniest thing I have ever heard about members of the church.  Our friend responded that he had a trampoline growing up, so he didn't think it would be a hard transition.

Since meeting, my companion has been helping me to have spiritual experiences to make me more sensitive to the Holy Ghost.  For example, he woke me up in the middle of the night to cast out a devil from the apartment.  Then, he read the account of the angel condemning Laman and Lemuel for beating Nephi and Sam, and claimed to be that very angel, premortally.  I decided to take his word for it.  The other night, he wondered out loud, 

"I wonder where I can find some sage"

I replied, "what for?"

He jeered, "I'm part Cherokee, and I give blessings"

I'm still waiting for my blessing.

I've also discovered his fear of spiders, and other creeping things.  Whenever he senses a bug in our midst, he makes it a point to grab me and then stand a ways back as I defend the apartment from the arachnid intruders, rolled Ensign magazine in hand.  Overall, it's been a fun week

Saturday I had the privilege of attending the baptism of a friend I taught in my last area.  Even though I felt kicked out and robbed at the first of this new transfer, I'm now happy to see progress whenever it comes.  I know the Lord prepares people, friends and missionaries, to meet.  Even though I wanted to be there to convert him, it was never me, and never will be.  The Spirit converts, and the progress of our friends is according to God's timing, not mine. 

The Lord is awesome.  I don't get him a lot, or a lot of stuff for that matter, but I know that living the gospel of Jesus Christ brings happiness that can't be found anywhere else.  I'm grateful for his atonement and the privilege I have to repent and try again everyday and every minute to be a better person.  The blessings of the Temple and the Priesthood are phenomenal, I know that God loves his children and this gospel is meant only to bless them.  Recently, my Mama pointed out how in Alma 30 during the exchange of Korihor and Alma the younger, he describes the mental state of those following the commandments as "frenzied", and honestly, sometimes it can feel that way.  I know what he means.  However, I want to promise you all that I've never found more ataraxy then in the times I've chosen obey, and to kneel and thank my Creator for all the blessings I've seen in my life.  I invite you all, whatever your spiritual tendency, to reach out to the higher power and supplicate in appreciation for the life you have the privilege to live today.

Ya boi

Elder Gneiting

Week 17

Ooh boys and girls

It's been a good week.  Tuesday I had an exchange with Elder Crane from Colorado.  He's way cool and did a summer semester at BYU and we might've met before serving together - crazy right?  Anyway, we rode our bikes all over this tiny town called Waterford, he's a Spanish missionary there so I got to practice what little spanish I remember from high school, and Duolingo, from that morning's language study.  Sadly, most of our teaching appointments fell through and we kept running into english speakers.  However, one lesson was complete spanish, it was sick cuz I was able to follow the entire lesson and what little I offered still brought the Spirit.  Maybe next time the gift of tongues will kick into first and I'll spit straight español.

Since Christmas music is a staple for Elder Pendleton, he has a USB thumbdrive plugged into the Maliblu with over 800 songs, basically any conceivable rendition of every Christmas song.  One of those happens to be Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2, so I've had my music fix until next year.  Elder Pendleton also showed me his favorite frozen yogurt place, Super Mama's.  That action started a chain of daily ice cream intake, a habit I'm now trying to break.  It was tasty, but not very nutritious.  This week we had zone interviews with the President.  It was pretty nice to talk, to gain some encouragement, and to remember I always have someone to call on if I feel like it's getting too hard (especially if I'm personally struggling).  I've been working hard at being a better companion, and a better missionary, but that only comes as I rely on Jesus Christ.  

I've had many opportunities this week to better my understanding of Christ's atonement as I explained it to those we visit.  The atonement is infinite.  The sins have been paid for.  The deed is done, death will not overcome!  But we have to accept it, otherwise, the healing won't begin.  The change won't happen.  It's not easy to rely on him, but it's necessary.  When you labor in his vineyard, when he really is the boss, you begin to see that picture more clearly, his commands are a little more direct.  Learning to rely on the Savior is work in itself, how do I recognize when God is answering prayers?  How do I let go of guilt while still truly repenting?  Many of these questions that we have won't be answered for a very long time, after stretching our patience and testing of our faith.  I studied a lot about meekness this week, and about "enduring well".  I think I complain a lot, so first: my apologies for that.  Second:  I'm working on it. 

I don't want to complain, I want to be like Jesus.  Do my future children want a complainer?  My future employer?  My wife?  My Father in Heaven? I doubt it.  The beauty of "working on it" means I can take it one step at a time, and be reasonable with myself.  You all can, too.  The time, however, is always now.

"It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till. What weather they shall have is not ours to rule".

Love y'all

Elder Gneiting

Week 16

 "A great and marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

 Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.

 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.

 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.

 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion"

 Zion is my life, and this call extends from eternity to eternity.  I'm praying for patience and charity this week.  We get to listen to Chrsitmas music starting November 1st until December 31st, and in California, you really gotta be dreaming for a "White Christmas".  So excited for a palm Christmas-tree.

 Elder Pendleton and I had frequent inventories to better our relationship, so we could work together and so I wouldn't be so angsty.  He told me to "go with the flow", and I really needed to hear that.  I haven't decided why God chooses to give me certain trials, but I realized I don't need to.  He doesn't "give" trials, but he doesn't always intervene either.  I need to go with the flow, and let the Lord take control.  I will have different struggles with different companions, but that doesn't mean it was a mistake.  That doesn't make me a failure.  The work will continue to move, because it's not me pushing, the Lord is pushing, He just happens to use my arms every once in a while.

 "...the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song...", so I must let Him push, and I must sing His name.  I've been studying a lot about the ministry of Christ, and being able to compare all the gospels side by side, along with the prophecies of the Old Testament, I see the purity and purpose behind His miracles and teachings.  Along with the inspired translation by Joseph Smith, the message of Christ's church is simplified and simplified again.  

 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it"

 "So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen"

 Like the disciples of old, I have the privilege of this call, to cry repentance and salvation to the children of men, to deny of myself and to give my life to the Lord.  It may seem hard, but any good thing is worth working for.  Things might get me down, but never for long.

 "In the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. … There’s some good in this world … and it’s worth fighting for"

 

 Elder Gneiting

Week 15

Hello All,

This email's theme is TRUST.  For one reason or another, the Lord and I are offering mutual trust to each other.  Honestly, I don't know why He's putting so much trust in me, maybe He just wants me to put trust back in Him?  There's a lot that I don't understand and I need to be humble and make sure I trust the Lord and learn to align my will with His.  I have a new companion, Elder Pendleton, originally called to the Modesto mission which closed in the first quarter of his call.  He leaves in January.  He does missionary work very differently than I do, but that's ok.  We will learn to draw the positives out of each other and become effective missionaries, more effective than those passed.  If he wants to, that is.  I'm helping clean out this area's teaching pool and other projects, and paving the road for consistent and diligent obedience and work.  I had the privilege of speaking to my new ward this last sacrament meeting.  I felt inspired to write on humble obedience to the Lord, His commandments, and the Altar of Sacrifice.  Ironically, my new companion introduced me to the idea of the Altar of Sacrifice.  When you want blessings from the Lord, you find the commandment connected to the blessing and follow it better.  For example, if you want exaltation and celestial glory, you place your imperfections on the altar and sacrifice those vices and sin for the reward of God.  It can be smaller things too, like wanting to be more energized, so you go to sleep earlier.  You want to be more spiritual minded, so you fast and pray for spiritual strength.  I love the Lord and know that He blesses His children, especially those who are obedient to the commandments.  I took commandments for granted back home, but I have learned that every commandment, even the small and menial ones, are necessary.  I encourage you all to read Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Living the Gospel Joyful" and Elder Klebingat's tall "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence",  both from 2014.  I also encourage you to look at the Altar of Sacrifice and see what more you could offer.  I love and miss all of you.  Thank you for the encouraging emails, you're all remarkable friends.

Love,

Elder Gneiting