me and bro Peralta

So, I'M BEING TRANSFERRED TO REXBURG. I'm sad to leave Jackson, but I'm excited to go. I'm SUPER excited for cheaper groceries! (yes, Tim Decker is excited about groceries, the day has come) I can't believe that I've been on my mission for 7 1/2 months. That's nuts. Yesterday we spent a lot of time going around and visiting people and taking pictures with them. 

I've been changed SO MUCH (for the better, at least I think). I now notice how self centered I used to be. I notice how focused I was on myself and what others did for ME. I notice that I think about others much more. So, to all those who my pride may have hurt, I'm sincerely sorry. Please forgive me. When I come back, I'll try to make up for everything. 

me, sis Isabel and Karim*

Me and Romo and fam

me and Luis/ fam

Again, as usual, I've been thinking a lot about Jesus Christ. How great is He? He will always be there for us. He loves us more than we could ever know, individually. He loves every one of you more than you could ever realize. He will help you through everything. EVERYTHING. Al that you must do is LOOK FOR HIS HELP. All that is necessary for success in life is working hard, and Spiritualing hard. Work as if all depends on you and pray as if all depends on God. Study and apply the scriptures to your lives. Then all will be well with you, and you will be blessed. 

me, Jose, and Hernandez family

me and Guillermo

I testify to each one of you that Jesus is the Christ. I testify that he cares. I testify that He suffered and died alone, so that we will NEVER have to be alone. His love is infinite and eternal. His church has been restored in these days. I declare with all my heart that this is the true church. Come and see it for yourselves, and you will come to know it's truth as well. 

Honoring God

Elder Decker

this past week has been VERY eventful. first some shout outs:

Young Family: it was CRAZY to see them when I came out of the temple on Friday (mar 14) Shallyn was going into the temple for the first time! That's SO EXCITING! AND she's going on a mission! 

Congrats to her, Chris, Danny, and Shannon for mission calls/ sending papers in!

My Mom: cause she's the best. y'all are jealous. 

My Dad: also the best. 

Ok so going on to what's happened this week. 

The Mission President, President Brinkerhoff, and his wife came to Jackson for the weekend. We had lunch with them. They helped us to see more opportunities to find people to teach. We talked to our waiter and he totally gave us a referral. He even said that he's interested. It was nuts. They came to church the next day and gave us 3 referrals. They're powerhouses. We're going to start going shopping to find people to teach. Or at least act like we're shopping. ;) So Dad, if I accidentally spend a couple hundred dollars, it just means that we just started teaching an art dealer. Don't worry about it. ;) 

On Friday we went to the Temple, as I've already mentioned. It was the most spiritual time in the Temple I've had so far. I hadn't been for 6 months. That's way to long. we're allowed to go once every transfer (6 weeks), and we haven't been. Go to the Temple as often as you can.

Well, me and my companion have been having a bit of trouble getting along. It's been a really hard transfer, BUT on Thursday we had a SUPER good talk, and we're now both willing to work forward. Our biggest problem has been communication, so... COMMUNICATE! Never assume that anybody knows something. Make sure. It will bless your lives in you marriages and friendships. 

Christ is always there. In good times and bad. 

Honoring God 

Elder Decker 

This past week has gone by SUPER slow. I'm SO GLAD that it's over. 

Highlight of the week! Exchanges with the District Leader Elder Machen, who's awesome! I REALLY learned a lot. He's a great Elder, and really wants to be obedient. During that exchange we had a white out. We couldn't see the road at all, but we didn't die even once. All was well, and we taught a few people. :) 

What I've been thinking about for the past while is Christ, again. He's a pretty awesome guy. ;)

I've been thinking about how contradictory his life was. HE was perfect, but his life was actually kind of awful. For his miracles and perfect love, he was rejected and hated. Men have their way of persecuting goodness.

How does this apply to us? Elder Jeffery R Holland said "When you struggle, when you are rejected... you are standing with the greatest life this world has ever seen." Good people have hard lives. There will be people who reject and strive to destroy your light, and that's ok. That just means your walking in the path of Christ. "Standards are not set for when it's easy." (Jane Eyre) The standards we have as members of the Church are for when we have to stand, when we have to "arise and shine forth." It's my humble prayer that we will be willing to stand, when darkness and hell attack, because it will come, and it will attack. be prepared. 

Honoring God

Elder Decker