So another week has passed again... this is nuts. I survived transferes, luckily, so we're still together, me and Elder Sanchez. :) YAY! I love this guy :) Best trainer EVER ;) 

Some shout outs:

Maggie: was said to be a FANTASTIC witch in the HS production of Wizard of Oz

the unnamed lion: I know not whom thou art, but I know of your valiant qualities. (apparently stole the show.

Madame Davis: Hi back! I'm sorry, but learning Spanish has destroyed my French. I don't even remember how to make the nasal sounds... kinda sad really... 

Don't drink and drive!

Now, on to the fun part. What the snot has Elder Decker been doing this week, well I'll tell ya. 

Elder Decker, first off, has been trying to learn how to teach the gospel to white people. White people are SUPER weird, no offence. I just don't know what to say (which is funny, cause I actually speak English...) I've started teaching gringos, because this week we started bilingual work here in Jackson. English work is way different. It's way easier. 

A miracle that has happened in the English work is that WE GOT A GOLDEN REFERRAL! We're going to meet her tonight. She's into the BoM, and wants baptism. She even wanted to FEED us before she even met us. We're super excited. This is especially significant, because we JUST started bilingual, and the English Elders who we transferred were flojos (slackers) and they got the referral, but it was right before they left. They haven't been obedient, and we have, and we got the gold. 

Friends, if you are obedient, God will bless you abundantly. If you keep the commandments, you will be blessed with Eternal Life! What MORE could you want? BUT it doesn't stop there. God blesses us in this life too. So... DO IT. KEEP the commandments. It's the only smart thing to do! SO DO IT!

I got my new BIKE this week :) We're going to ride a SWEET trail today. Trails are in abundance here, and I'm stoked. 

So, my spiritual thought for today.... you may be sick of this topic, but that's that. gratitude.

When we show gratitude, studies have shown, that we actually psychically become happier.  Studies have shown that when you are more thankful, you exercise more, are much less likely to be depressed. 

PLUS it makes everybody around you happier too. When people show gratitude to me, it COMPLETELY  changes my day.
Show gratitude. 

The people here are fantastic. SUPER giving, and SUPER kind. We've gotten a bunch of delicious goodies that we don't have the stomach capacity to eat, so we share with our District. :) good problem to have :)

the work is STILL progressing here! :D we've got another baptismal date with more probables. Friends, the work in hastening, but the only way it can actually do it in by everybody working, so do it :) 

I love you! I miss you! but NEVER enough to THINK about coming home. That would be awful.

Honoring God

Elder Decker

ANOTHER WEEK HAS GONE BY ALREADY! This is madness. I've been out for 12 weeks. The only things that convinces me that this time has gone by is the snow on the ground, and I'm almost out of a transfer agenda. What the freedom fries?!? 

We've been working like dogs here in Jackson for 6 weeks, and NOW WE HAVE A BAPTISMAL DATE!!! :DDDDDD Pray for Moises :) He's a great guy. :) 

Another pretty big change for the work here in Jackson is that... This is now going to be a bilingual area. Elder Sanchez and I will be the only 2 missionaries for 10,000 people. This is insanity. This is madness. We're going to have to be Spartan missionaries. This is our planner just for the Spanish work that we filled out before we knew what was going to happen. 

We understand, though, why we won't be getting more English Elders. The ones we have are flojos (slackers). They really haven't been doing anything. We'll probably be doing more English work in bilingual than they do going just English. It's super sad, but true. 

So, this work has got me thinking a lot about the Book of Mormon and how key it is. It is the proof of modern prophets. It is the proof that our Church is the only that has all the truths. Through reading it, pondering about it, and prayer, God will answer all our questions about it's truthfulness. I have done just this. and guess what? IT'S TRUE. We can talk about the Bible all we want, but in order to have faith in this church, we need to KNOW the Book of Mormon. We need to read it, mark it up with color (you should see my Alma 32), and act on the thinks it teaches. 

The book of mormon is true. It teaches the gospel of Christ. It is the same gospel that was taught by Christ and the Apostles, just by different prophets in america with different stories. 

Yesterday I was kinda down with stress, and I needed some lifting. Then we got a text from a member asking us to take part in a mission farewell :) We sang the 2nd verse of "Bring the World his Truth" in Spanish. It was very powerful and reminded me why I'm here. I love this work. To bring all to come unto Christ is my sacred calling and purpose. It is a calling and purpose we all have. Why should we share our church? Cause it's true.

 We're going to go get some free haircuts and have a district farewell party :) ttyl :)

Elder Decker

Ok, another week has flew by

twas a week of awesome work

and zero pie. 

I had the sweet opportunity to have 2 exchanges this week! My first was with my valiant District Leader, Elder Machen, and the second was with one of our Zone Leaders, Elder Solorzano from Guatemala. I learned SO MUCH from both of them. It was nuts. 

From Elder Machen I learned that I am super stressed and that I don't need to be. I've been down because we haven't had any kind of success, not even people coming to church. I learned that even though Christ was a perfect teacher, HE got rejected and killed, so me in my imperfectness, having been out in the field for only 5 weeks now, I don't have to beat myself up. I just have to continue trying my hardest. 

I don't have much time, cause we're heading to Rexburg to go shopping. We NEED some stuff. I'll just share a quick testimony:

I know that this is The true church. I know that through the atonement of Christ, we can return to live with God again. And the only way to actually repent is through Baptism by one who holds the the priesthood, and only those in this Church have that priesthood. We are the only ones who can save the world. 

I've seen some miracles this week. We've met some golden investigators, and the only reason we found one of them is because of a member referral. You have the real power in the work of salvation. 

Living is laughing and loving, and the love that lasts forever, eternal marriage, can only be found through this church. Your friends are looking for what's important. Help them find the light. 

with love,

Elder Decker

picture- Me, my comp Elder Sanchez (big hat) and the ZL's, Elders Solorzano (far right) and Morales (far left)

Blog time, week 9! 

FIRST OFF SOME SHOUT OUTS:

-everybody give a high five to:

Maggie Beard! Got 2nd place at SC-Idol singing "Don't Rain on my Parade."! I don't think I know the song, but WOOT! She's a boss

Noah Burnett! Got 1st place SC-Idol doing a piano vocal thing! I don't know what song, but if it's Noah, you KNOW it's good.

Brad Rasmusen! (misspelled!) I saw his singing in the CES fireside like a boss! 

Madison Beard! Cause I'd imagine that she was singing there too, cause she's just that awesome. If not, she's still pretty awesome and always deserves some palm to palm contact (though she may look confused and awkwardly accept your high five)

-hi back to:

Grant

Coach Clark

Alright, Halloween was a blast! We played gatorball (which is a mix of football and soccer) for a bit then ultimate dodgeball (every man for himself. Hit you die, when the guy that got you get's out, you're alive.) THEN (drum roll) We watched...................................................... MONSTER'S UNIVERSITY! I forgot how good it is :) the short purple guy with the crazy legs and tiny arms is my favorite. "I CAN'T GO BACK TO JAIL!" "Yeah, I don't want to get... toooo big..." 

We had a great time :) 

The work this week has been tough. We only got 10 lessons... half of our goal, but due to interviews, Halloween, transfers, and other things, we weren't able to work really that much. We've got 

 zone training tomorrow which is going to be fun! I've been asked to lead the music :) And interviews with the Mission President and his wife were good. They're both amazing people, and I'm glad that they're my mission parents, cause I can't have my own... ;)

It's amazing how the Lord takes care of us, even though we're imperfect and dumb. He still loves all of us, his blind dogs, running into sin and transgression. If we listen to him, he will not lead us astray, but he'll lead us to his home once again.

Hearing about you all is a testimony builder. Even though I'm not there to help with anything, God is. always. I wish I could hear more from you, but this is where I need my focus. 

why must it be so hard to focus? Yesterday, actually, I actually helped with the lesson while the tv was on and loads of people in a small space. It's cause I had my back to the tv, but still. The Lord's mercies, I was having a hard day. 

I've been having a little trouble keeping my faith and my head up. Today I read some of my Patriaricle Blessing and Alma 32. Alma 32 says: 

 17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it.

I was asking for miracles, signs, amazing lessons with baptismal dates, and by doing so... I lacked actual faith. 

We need to experiment. We need to "just do it" (have faith) for a little while, then we will know.

33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

 34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.

I don't know everything or even almost everything, but I have felt that swelling several times. I just need to have faith and remember what I have experienced, and hope for more experiences, though I may not be having one of those right now. 

I love all of you, I'm praying for you. Make the right choices and stay fresh. 

Elder Decker