Week 89

I had a birthday party on Saturday. It was wonderfully catered by my parents through mail. It only involved me and my companion, but it was great. We had a tiny pinata, we made a cake, we took stupid pictures, it was wonderful.

This past week I've been sick a lot (including on my birthday) which hasn't been fun, but we just have to keep trucking along! 

In my studies this week I found a scripture that I love SO MUCH. 

2 Nephi 9:41

"O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name."

The path is straight and right in front of us if we will just take it! Jesus Christ is waiting at the gate for you with love in his eyes and a hug waiting. That will be one of the most joyous and glorious moments for me. I can't wait to see may Savior, see his eyes and receive his hug that's just for me. 

Do what you know that you must do to stay on the path that leads to those glorious gates. 

Honoring God

Elder Decker

Week >88D  <----(It's a 4 eyed alien! :D) 

This week's been intense. Seriously, everything that hasn't happened in the previous 2 weeks happened this past week. 

First: OUR APARTMENT FLOODED. I was woken up at 12:44 Thursday to my companion yelling. We ran upstairs and found that the hose that connected the toilet to the wall broke and water was spraying everywhere. 

Starting that morning until now, we've been in a ghetto hotel. We've each got queen sized beds, but it's really thrown our mojo off. There's no room for studies, so we've had to do it on our beds. It's hard to keep it effective. We are also out of clothes and are in a finding a washing machine emergency. I'm currently wearing my old toe socks that I wore with my toe shoes, because I have no other socks.

Second: I got to talk to my family yesterday! It was enjoyable. :) (Oceanology, no Oceanography, I TOOK A CLASS) We talked about classes and a whole bunch of other random stuff.

I happened to skype in the home of the Buck family. Brother Buck graduated from Skyview with my mother. He showed me their yearbooks and here's a picture that I found of my mom in one of the yearbooks! :D

My message today is for those of you who might be struggling through deep waters of trials, sickness, depression, or stress. To console the Prophet Joseph Smith and other the Lord said:

Doctrine and Covenants 50:41-42

41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;

42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.

Fear not. He is there. If you lean on him he will be your support and you will not be lost. 

Honoring God

Elder Decker

week 87

May the Fourth be with you.

This past week's been hard as well. I started to get sick 4 days ago and now I'm SUPER sick. I'm hurting a lot. Met with the doctor this morning and he attributed my stomach discomfort with stress amplified irritable bowel syndrome. It hurts a lot, so any prayers would help.

I've been sick a lot on my mission. It's awful because this is when I want to be working the hardest. 

2 Timothy 4:7-8

 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

As we push through our trials, God rewards us. Pain, suffering, stress, challenges, are all things that will end after this life. 

Even with trials and challenges. Even though we will have them always, it does not mean that God's hand is not in our lives. Think about the original 12 apostles that Christ chose. They were beaten, rejected, and killed,. Think about Abinidi. He stated the truth and was burned for it. Think of the early saints who left footprints of blood on an untamed prairie as they searched for a place where they could worship their God freely and without persecution. 

Trials prove our faith.

Honoring God 

Elder Decker

Week 86

This week's been intense. Everything happened. Everything. 

Elder Andersen in gone. He got emergency transferred to Blackfoot. I miss him, but I've got an awesome new companion: Elder Mendoza. He's from Florida, his dad's from Spain, and his mom's from Italy. He's just a really great guy and an incredible missionary. Here we are emailing! :D

At the same time as the emergency transfer (which happens when some missionaries in the mission don't get along or get in trouble) and all of the confusion (including moving into another apartment), we've had some success. God always balances out the bad with good in the large scheme of things. 

We've been talking with a wonderful 14 year old girl that we'll call Amy (though that's not her real name.) She's awesome! Since we met her she's been really great, committed, and sensitive to the spirit. She's noticed that she feels really good when she prays and reads the Book of Mormon. 

From what I've noticed, answers come to all who truly ask and seek.

Matthew 7:7-8

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

2 Nephi 4:35

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

These and many other scriptures indicate that if we will ask we WILL receive.

This basic doctrine stated by Jesus Christ and his prophets- ancient and modern- is what many in this world so greatly lack. Many have lost hope in God's ACTUAL POWER to change our lives. He can change us, he has changed me and will continue to do so, and he will change and help you if you will simply seek it with a heart open completely to his direction. 

ask him

seek his direction

be humble and teachable like a child (see Matthew 18:2-3)

follow his direction

I know that if we will follow Christ, search him out, and follow him we will find peace and happiness in this life and the next. 

His love is real.

 Honoring God

Elder Decker