Week 86: Blessings on Blessings

Hey!
This week has been pretty cool!

We were doing some service on an old back road one day. While we were driving home, I had a thought to say hi to some members back a ways from where we were. I turned around and we headed back 200 yards. Not too big of a drive. We knocked on the door, and one of the youth opened the door. He said "great! You must've got my text message!" We said "uh, no?" He said "oh. Well my friend wanted to meet you guys today and so I texted to see if you had any time today and now you're here!!" 

We taught his friend and it was a great experience!! It's cool to see the little miracles and the big ones in the Lord's work. We can be led and guided always.

This week has been hard, but it has been good. The hardships and struggles in our lives make our hearts more tender.

We finally had church this week!! It is such a blessing to draw close to Christ. We can learn so much from those around us and their experiences.

Have a great week!!

Love,

Elder Eliason

Week 85: Commandments

This morning in my studies I found something really cool!!! I was reading in Ether 8:16

It says " And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms."

I pondered on how when we follow Satan we are in darkness and our agency is taken away from us. I made took the ten commandments, then put them in a T chart on one side.

I then went commandment by commandment, and wrote down how keeping that commandment can promote, encourage, or foster free agency in our lives. It was a wonderful exercise!! One thing I learned from Elder Williams this week is that if you don't study something you enjoy, it will not have as much meaning to you. I have found that to be true!! I have read this chapter multiple times, and one thing that sticks out to me every time I read it is verse 7. It says "And now Jared became exceedingly sorrowful because of the loss of the kingdom, for he had set his heart upon the kingdom and upon the glory of the world." 

I drew a little heart and a castle, and the words "Heavenly Father." I drew an arrow to the kingdom and listed what is drawing my heart away from my Heavenly Father. One man in Stockton asked about what the first thing you think about in the morning is. What you think about when you have five minutes just to think. He said that in a way that's your God. Your idol. 

                 Scripture Study                                                            Lunch with the crew

Week 84: Super Cold!

It's been a fantastic week!! 

It was super super cold, school was cancelled one day this week and church was cancelled. 

On the Ranch, we talked to a member and they gave us the name of a lady to go visit. We stopped by this week and asked if we could share a message about Christ with her. She let us in and we got to know her and taught a short lesson about overcoming fear, doubt, and confusion with faith, hope, and charity. The lesson lasted for 5 minutes, but we were there for about 30 minutes. She has recently gone through lots of changes in her life and she said that we talked about exactly what she needed. I felt the Spirit very strong at that moment. 

I haven't had an experience like that for a while, but I know that they can happen as we exercise faith. 

We went to a methodist church this week! Our church cancelled because it was icy out, so we called an investigator that we know goes to the methodist church in town. She jumped on that opportunity! Haha

We went to a Sunday school, choir practice, and the Sunday service. We even sat on the stand and sang in the methodist choir!! It was so much fun hahaha. And now she's more open to coming to our church. 

It's been a fantastic week!! 

Love y'all

Elder Eliason 

Beautiful Icy Morning

 Back in Arkansas

 Back in Centerton

 Custom Bug 

 Cold Lane and Bare Trees

Week 83: Lots of Great Moments

Sorry about a short email, picking up a new companion today :'(

We had lots of great moments this week!

There is a lady who came to church for the first time this week, she came with her two little girls. It was so awesome to see the ward warmly welcome them!! It was so great. Fast and Testimony meeting was wonderful. We were able to talk to lots of people this week.

We knocked on a door and a man shouted from across the street for us to get off the property. We looked at him and he was leaning on his truck, with his coat behind his hand, his hand on his hip, revealing a pistol. He was not very nice :)

We are really really excited about the people we are teaching!! It is a blessing to be in Stockton.

I am getting a new companion today, his name is Elder Williams. He's a super cool guy!! I am looking forward to serving with him, but I'm not looking forward to leaving Elder Coleman. He's a great missionary and I have learned so much from him! He is absolutely fantastic.

God knows us individually!! Satan doesn't want us to know that, or anything else about our divine roots. As we read the scriptures, we find ourselves. As we follow Christ, we find ourselves. As we lose ourselves in the service of God, we find ourselves. When we find ourselves, and our true identity as Sons and Daughters of a loving Heavenly Father, we are able to accomplish so much!!

I love each one of you!

Elder Eliason

 Getting the lighting right

 Elders Eliason and Coleman with members

New companion, Elder Williams. Photo from November.