Week 81

What can I say? Missionary work is the hardest think that I've ever done by far, but it's the most rewarding thing that I've ever done, by far.

To share the truth, to share the news that this world's been waiting for since the martyrdom of Christ's 12 apostles: that power is back! That church is back! It was predicted by those apostles. (See: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Peter 2:1-2, Revelations 14: 6-7)

The truth is here and it's awesome! 

My companion and I have come up with many amazing ideas together that will either make us Youtube famous or just solidify accusations of insanity. I'm ok with either way.

I didn't get to eat corn beef and cabbage as is a tradition in my family, but I did get to look like a gangster in walmart. 

That's really all that I've got for today... except

2 Timothy (hey that's me!) 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.

 

I love you all! Stay out of trouble!

Honoring God

Elder Decker

Week 80

I am now starting to question if I actually existed before my mission. I doubt it... I just have these strange memories...

My health's thrown a curve ball at me again. I have a constant pain, and in the mornings I hurt a TON. It's all in my chest and it doesn't seen to be getting better. The Mission doctor is looking into scheduling a colonoscopy for me... The only definitive way to figure out if i have an autoimmune disease is by looking at my colon. The moment of truth! at least we'll have more information to work with now. I just want to get this who thing figured out so I can get on with the work.

I was feeling really sick one night. I had accidentally eaten egg noodles (WHY DO EGG NOODLES EXIST) and I had to sleep it off. I had a dream that I was saying goodbye to Elder Sanchez who trained me. His family was picking him up and they were about to head home. I was super sad. Then my dream branched off and I was in a HUGE house walking up a massive staircase. It was shrinking and it kept shrinking until I was crawling through an air duct. It continued to shrink and I got stuck.

I woke up with a re-found love for my mission. I don't have a long time left to be able to do SO MUCH WORK that I want to do. Now, at the end of my mission I have to work harder than ever because the walls are closing in. I have to help as many people as I can before the surreal real life gets me. 

On an interesting side note... I haven't seen you people in forever... it's weird to think, but I associate myself for with the random people that I've met here than with people at home. When people say "dad" my first thought is Elder Sanchez my trainer... It's strange.

The weather's been nice. The sun went up AND came down every day this past week... but seriously, spring is here

We had an awesome experience last Tuesday. We had the chance to give blessings to two ladies who were having a REALLY hard time. They were both trying to get off addictions and change their lives. The spirit was so thick in the room you could cut it with a knife as I felt God speaking to two of his precious, lost daughters. That was the most spiritual part of my mission to date. 

A cool scripture that I read and found new meaning in this week:

1 Nephi 16:29

29 And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things.

Those scriptures that say "by small means" are referring to our faith and diligence. We must be diligent in doing the good things.

How many times have we been told by the prophets that the "primary answers" are the way to eternal life? Those so called "primary answers' are the real answers and there's nothing more important. "Pray, read scriptures, go to church" are really always the answer, because if you're doing those things, you'll find the answers. It that simple! 

It's quite ridiculous to try to live this gospel, or t try to live a happy life without these principals. Those are the small means that "bring about great things."

If you feel that you're not feeling the spirit as much as you'd like in your life, work on those "small means."

Honoring God

Elder Decker

week 78

So, announcement one:

I'm now serving in Idaho Falls in the Mesa Spanish 2 area :D

Announcement two:

I ate at Tandoori Oven! 

Here in IF there's an extension from the one in Logan Utah ! It's pretty much a big deal. It's still the best thing ever.

So, I have not broken any more pants. that's exciting and fun! 

I'm with Elder Pinkston who's awesome! I've known him for a while now, so it's been cool to be companions.We are doing what's called "White Washing." Which means that two missionaries are put into an area replacing both of those who were here previously. It's a rather stressful but incredibly exciting thing to do. I am SO glad that I already had a GPS to help us find addresses and get around. If we didn't have it, we'd have to ask the very plump Idaho Squirrels and other road kill frequently found in Idaho Falls. Thank you Father for your generous gift.

We've had a fun week getting to know the area and talking to everyone. One guy was awkwardly rude. haha He was working on something under his car when we walked up and offered our assistance. I also asked him how he is. When he saw who we were he said "fine," put his tools in the back seat of the car, and jogged into the house. He jogged. It was awkward because he didn't seem angry or scared (which are the usual emotions we face when this happens) he seemed almost calm as he jogged into the house.

We had a regional Stake conference broadcast and Elder L. Tom Perry presided. It was awesome! I was so inspired by his words and the other words said. 

One theme of the conference was change. I think we all fear change to some degree (the man who jogged to his house for instance), but change is quite necessary for us. We all must continually change until we reach perfection through Jesus Christ. He is the only person who doesn't have to change because he is already perfect. 

It is only through the atonement of Jesus Christ that we can change. we can leave the past behind. We can be new people through Him. Well known examples are: Peter, Paul, Alma the Younger, Zeezrom, and for all of you who know me, me. 

Through Jesus Christ and how I have come to know him through the course of my life I have changed. When I was young I was the kid on the playground who was so focused on where I wanted to go that I pushed over everyone in my path. Now I feel of God's love for everyone and I do my best to make everyone happy. 

I have been a selfish jerk in the past, and though I'm still not perfect, I'm improving. Being with people that you hardly know 24/7 teaches you that quickly.

I know that God lives and that he loves us. This gospel is a gospel that allows us to change and follow Jesus Christ. Then change and chose to follow Him again. The only way to heaven is through change in ourselves to do the will of God.

Matthew 7:21

"21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

I invite you all to change and to do God's will for you. follow his command and like a soldier with a good commander, he will lead you to safety and victory.

Honoring God

Elder Decker

Week 79

The weeks and months are flying like moths and screaming like "eeks" as they slip through my fingers.(If you see what I did there.... Both of those other words is just one letter off of the first ones...... ha...ha...) It's INSANE.

I'm going to hit 19 months this week. I'm not ready for the big 20 in any aspect. In my own growing age and in my mission age. 

We had an awesome week last week! We're getting work DONE! We're finally getting kinda used to being where we are, and we're working on helping people come unto Christ! :D It's awesome! We're talking to as many people as we can to search out those who are the elect and prepared to receive our message. We're really enjoying it.

There's really nothing like serving a mission. You see the best of some people and the worst of others. Some are quite angry that your on their doorstep and that you exist. I don't see how our existence and our passionate search to find the lost sheep can offend, but I hope that someday Heavenly Father will help me to see them as he does, with perfect love. I'm not quite to that point, but I hope someday I can be. 

I read something really cool in my studies this morning. 

Doctrine & Covenants 50:26

26 He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.

It's a great mantle to be "appointed to be the greatest," and it's something that is quite humbling as well. Somehow I've got to change ridiculous me with all my flaws and challenges to be great like Peter or Paul. It's also incredibly important to note that I am called to be the servant of all as well. I diligently strive to serve everyone as much as I can, and the greatest service that I can perform is to declare to the ends of the earth the truthfulness of what we share. Jesus is the Christ. He died for us, and he had reached out to us as he did in times of old with a prophet in these days. These last days are the most important ones, where the human race is constantly bombarded with temptation and what's foul. Satan is attacking more now than ever, so now is the time in history when we need prophets the most, and we have them. I know that. I have heard his voice, I have heard his word and I have had several powerful spiritual witnesses that Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the earth. 

Watch "Meet the Mormons," and read the Book of Mormon because Christ said "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20)

Complacency is the bane of any progress, especially spiritual progress.

Honoring God

Elder Decker

Pictures: We went to see the temple

I saw Elder Carson Cummings who I saw leave for his mission from Jackson Hole. He returned from Dominican Republic for medical reasons and is now waiting for his visa and serving for a little while in our mission! Small world.