Photo from Brother and Sister Connell 09.26.2017

Week 13: Camdenton, MO Good Week

This week has been great!! 

Too much to say in one e-mail, but it was DRAINING!!

So, what I would like to focus on this week is the Sacrament.  In 3 Nephi 18, it talks about Christ giving the Sacrament to the disciples and then to the multitude.  It talks about how it filled them, and I know that when we partake of the sacrament, our spirits, minds, and bodies can be filled :)

Love from Missouri,

Elder Eliason​​

Week 12: Camdenton, MO

This week was amazing!! 

We had two baptisms, a 9 year old and a 33 year old.  It's been crazy to see their progression, even in the short time that I've been here!!  Elder Morris and I are having such a great time, we love the people here, and the member missionary work is going wonderfully!! I know that the Lord has a unique and special plan for each and every one of His children.  We had 6 baptisms scheduled for last Saturday, but due some illnesses, that didn't happen. I was praying for them to get better by the 16th, but I know that even if I don't know the plan, our Heavenly Father does, and He will direct His children in His work.  I love the work!!!  

Another experience we had is we have visited a less-active member who lives WAY out of town.  We visited him about 1.5 months ago, and he seemed very cordial and nice.  However, he texted us about 2 weeks later, and said that he was "happily inactive".  We let it go, we can't force anyone to do anything, but we were bummed out about it.  We got a call this week from him, and he said he needed a priesthood blessing.  We met him at the church, since his house is way far away, and he explained to us how he has been really sick for 12 days, has gone to several doctors who haven't found anything wrong with him, but he knows he is sick.  He was fumbling around in his house the night previous to when he called us, and he tripped.  He landed on his hands and knees, and said to himself "well I guess this is one way to get me to pray!"  We gave him a blessing of healing, and afterward he was emotional, and said "when does church start on Sunday?"

Even if it wasn't the plan we thought our Heavenly Father would have in store for him, it was the plan that He had for this man.  That experience showed me that all I can do is invite, and invite, and invite, and the spirit will work on people, and they have the final decision whether or not to accept.  I love you all!!!

Elder Eliason

Bobert

Bass Pro Shops Headquarters

Gators in MO

 Krispy Kreme 

 Revolutionary War to Present day

Week 11: Camdenton, MO

 Elder Eliason and Elder Morris

This week has been amazing!! Elder Morris and I have been scheduling baptismal interviews for 6 of God's children, and they have caused me to look back on the progress that they have all been making since I got to Camdenton 8 weeks ago.  I love this work!! In a zone conference this week, we listened to Sister Loveland (MP's wife) talk about how we can feel joy more on our missions than any time in our lives, because we do not have the cognitive dissonance caused by not living in harmony with God's commandments.  I testify that this is true, even if it feels like a mission isn't very fun sometimes!!  I feel like joy also comes from helping our Heavenly Father achieve His work and His glory.  How great is our call!!

So, Scripture of the Week is Moses 1:39 :)

Zone Conference

 Zone Conference

Zone Conference

Lake of the Ozarks

Video of Lake of the Ozarks

The firetruck is hoisting an American flag for 9/11. I love it out here!

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Week 10: Camdenton, MO

This week has been very good!

It was my first week with Elder Morris, and we are learning lots about each other and new things about the area.  We are having lots of good experiences.  We had a very good testimony meeting this week, it was all centered on missionary experiences, and this ward is so good on doing missionary work!!  I'm so happy to be on a mission, it's a great experience, and I am loving being able to devote all of my time to serving others!!  We do a lot of service here, it's helping me to become in shape again, a donut shop right across the street doesn't help!!  I IMPLORE all of you to try disc golf!! It is great exercise, it helps to relieve stress and to create an environment where you can talk casually with the person you are playing with.  I have found great success talking things out with my companions while playing sports or exercising, it really works!!  I would encourage all of you to read the scriptures regularly, just as President Monson said in General Conference, with the 4 blessings that we can receive by reading the Book of Mormon.  I am so blessed to be out here, I hope everyone will do missionary work in whatever circumstances we are!!

Love,

Elder Eliason