Week 60: Zippity Doo Dah

Hey y'all!
This week was really good. We definitely saw the Lord's hand moving things into His order!!

We are switching from an apartment to a house this week, it took us FOREVER to find something suitable for the missionaries, but we think we found the right place.  We have been trying to have more regular contact with our investigators, it's been working out well!!  I have definitely seen faith grow in some of the people we are teaching.  

Some people take longer to accept the Gospel than others.  Some grow roots before limbs.  Some almost don't make it.  But the thing that brings joy to all of them as well as all of us is the Book of Mormon, another Testament of Jesus Christ.  It truly is the keystone of our testimony, the keystone of our witness of Christ, and the keystone of the doctrine of the Resurrection.  The Book of Mormon is such a valuable record!! 

In the new book put out by the church, "Saints," it narrates the beginning of The Book of Mormon.  It shed new light for me on how small the flame of the Restoration got at many points in time.  What it also shed new light for me on is how much the Lord requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit to do His will.  We can help others so much as we submit our will to His.

I love y'all!

Elder Eliason

Our new crib

 Pose with mushroom

A cool sign on the side of the road, complete with an engine and transmission!!

Week 59: A Good Week in KS

Hey y'all!

This week was good. I love the fly-over states!! Good people are everywhere in this big colorful world!

One thing I was pondering on this week is the great blessing of living at a time where we can: be baptized into a covenant with our Heavenly Father, partake of the Sacrament, be sealed with our families for all eternity, be led by prophets and apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, receive personal revelation to guide us throughout our lives as we live in the presence of the Holy Spirit at all times, read multiple testaments of Jesus Christ, and share this great message of the Restoration of the Fulness of Times with all of the many people around us "who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it."

We have been busy here in Parsons, planning is not one of my strong suits, but we have been trying hard and working hard and we are seeing success. There is a part-member family here that we are working with, they came to church this week for the first time in a couple of years!! They enjoyed it and we hope that they will continue to come. 

The teachings of Jesus Christ, summarized as "The Gospel," truly are the most important things we can learn and apply in this life. They also bring us the most happiness! I know that that is true!

Love ya!

Elder Eliason

Week 58: Weekly Letter

This week was really good! We had a lot of success and worked hard.  It's been a bit rainy this week, which has kept the temperatures down a bit. We have been focusing on part member families, and it's been pretty successful. We have had lots of experiences where we have seen the Lord's hand this week, and my faith has grown. 

Elder Johnson and I have been studying preach my gospel chapter by chapter, just reading it through and doing the companionship activities. It has been really insightful, I have learned a lot and enjoy companionship study when we do it that way! 

Well, that's about it for this week! 

Have a great week! 

Love, 

Elder Eliason

 This is a car that I just had to chuckle at this week :) 

I started coloring in a coloring book this week, it has really helped me to chill at the end of the night.

Week 57: Fast Times in Labette County :)

Hey! 

This week was good.  Transfers came and went, and now Elder Johnson is learning the ropes.  We are doing some good work and enjoying life. Kansas is doing well, when I came to Parsons they had just planted the corn, and now they are harvesting, and it has been a good experience to see the circle of corn life ;)

But for real, life is good!! I have been reading in the war chapters in Alma recently, and one thing that has stuck out to me is that if we have confusion and struggles internally, the enemy will capitalize on that and weaken us.  What Moroni did in that situation is quickly put an end to the dissensions, so that the Nephites could be of one accord in trusting in the Lord.  I know that as we cast out our doubts, fears, and other struggles, we will be strengthened by the Lord and develop faith, confidence, and a general hope for good things to come.  

One quote that hit me this week by Elder Holland is, "Believe in miracles. I have seen so many of them come when every other indication would say that hope was lost. Hope is never lost. If those miracles do not come soon or fully or seemingly at all, remember the Savior’s own anguished example: if the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead." -Oct. 2013, 'Like a Broken Vessel'

I love all of you, and hope that you always have happier days!!

Elder Eliason

Elder Johnson and me at transfer point

 Two of my past companions, Elders Hutchings and Olsen

 Things like this brighten my day, break up the tracting!

  These pallet flags are pretty popular here, not sure if they are "in" out west or not...

 I LOVE looking at church signs haha!  Sometimes they say funny things!

Funny truck!

Week 56: Behold, in my middle age I have begat a son!

Hey y'all! 

Transfers are this week, I'm staying in Parsons and training, Elder Hutchings is going to the land of endless pdays :'(   :) 

The work is going well, lots of driving and tracting and not as many lessons as I would like, but it's definitely picking up. We have been trying to get things prepared for the new missionary, it's going to be a great transfer!! 

One thing that I have reflected on recently is that both missionaries, whether they've been out for 2 years or 2 months, were called to a particular mission, area, and companionship at a specific time. 

The gifts that we each have as individuals can bless the lives of others as we seek to obey the will of the Lord and "Feed [his] sheep." 

Well, not much more from this week, expect some pictures next week tho;) 

Love, 

Elder Eliason

The Labette County fair, Demolition Derby. It was AWESOME