Week 90: The Road Less Traveled is Often Harder to Walk

Hello everyone!

Not a lot of time, so just some pictures and a little thought :)

Also, remember: the road less traveled is often harder to walk. Strait is the gate, and narrow the way, that leads to our Heavenly Father. I know that I feel so much better and have so much more hope and joy when I am trying my best to be obedient to what I have been asked to do (as well as volunteered for). God watches over those who obey Him. He can bless them with all that He has!

Elders in the caboose are Elders Neilsen, Parker, and Williams

Week 89: Exchanges and Talks

Hey!!

This week was really tiring. We had 2 exchanges, one on Tuesday with Elder Haines and Elder Campbell, from the Monett area. The other one was with Elder Neilsen and Elder Parker, in the Aurora area. They are all some great missionaries!! They inspire me.

We also had zone conference. It taught me a lot, and I really enjoyed it. I got to see some friends I haven't seen in a long time. It makes me feel old!!

Elder Williams and I gave talks in church Sunday, we accounted for 1 youth speaker, what happened was there were 2 youth speakers and a young lady who got her mission call who announced it in church and bore a short testimony. We both frantically went over our talks to see what we could omit but still keep the flow haha. I feel like we both did well. I have done bullet point talks in the past, but for this one I wrote most of it out. I feel like that helped me convey the feelings I have without getting stage fright.

I have had some troubles this week, some hard days and some long days. I know that they are there to help me become something more. We have things we can be, and things we can do. Doing helps us become, and who we are is our nature. Our nature helps us do. I know things will get harder, but I will be stronger as I put off the natural man and become who God knows I can become!

I love my Savior!

Have a great week :)

Love,

Elder Eliason

We went to Bass Pro Shops after zone conference before the drive home.

From left to right:

Elder Plummer, Elder Eliason, Elder Parker, Elder Neilsen, Elder Bateman

(picture from Elder Williams)

Week 88: Lynn G. Robbins

Hello!
This week was crazy. We were in Joplin, Lamar, Springfield, Branson, Bentonville, and Springdale this week. It was very tiring. We had 3 different missionary meetings. A district meeting, a meeting with a family services guy, and Lynn G Robbins came to our mission!!

It was wonderful to hear from Elder Robbins. He is a very cool fellow.

He talked a lot about how mission life will help us as parents and spouses to deal with problems and move past imperfections to love and support and nourish.

He shared with us a chart, about 4 types of leadership/parenting;

High Love, High Expectations: What Christ taught. Lead by example. Teach.

High Love, Low Expectations: Buddy Mentality, Complacency, Comfort. 

Low Love, High Expectations: Enforcer Mentality, Policing, Hiding. 

Low Love, Low Expectations: Lazy, Counterproductive.

We should all strive to have high love and high expectations for those around us! It makes the world a better place.

I love sharing the Gospel!! It's so great to be able to see myself coming closer to Christ. What a wild ride :)

Also we had church this week. It was awesome

Love,

Elder Eliason!

Mission Leaders with Lynn G. Robbins

 A cool building

 Semi-frozen Stockton Lake

 Sunset

Week 87: Eye Single to the Glory of God

Hello hello!!

I had lots of fun this week! We were able to chase some armadillos, teach some great people, go to Joplin for a meeting, and get 2 inches of snow.

Church was cancelled for the third time in the last four weeks.... I really do miss church! It's not the same without it. 

There was an eight year old that got baptized this week, we helped set up the speakers and program. It was a very special spirit there, and lots of people from different religions came to watch. I think they all felt the peace and happiness that the Gospel brings!!

One of the lessons we taught this week was around the fullness of times. People on the Ranch already know about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, so what we did was talk about the blessings of the Restoration. For me, I have been so so so blessed from the Book of Mormon, modern prophets to lead and guide, and a true nature of the Godhead. Having that knowledge gives me peace for the future. It is so wonderful to see someone align their will with God's. I know that seeking for His will and having an eye single to His glory will pay eternal dividends.

I love you all!!
Have a great (and hopefully warm) week!!

Elder Eliason

Stockton lake last week

Snow!!

  Stockton, MO

 Stockton, MO

Tag in Water Stockton, MO

 Snow in Stockton, MO

Snow in Stockton, MO