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)