Sir, You Shouldn't Be Smoking, It's Bad For You

Hello everyone!

   This week was a great one! We saw lots of success and Elder Berryhill and I are growing immensely. We went on another exchange with the Traveling Assistants. They are mostly supposed to be going with areas and missionaries that may be struggling but Elder Pace said that they went with us again because he wanted to go with me at least once before he goes home in a week. He's a great Elder. He was my District Leader last year when I was in Bloomington 2nd.

   Elder Pace and I found 5 people on our exchange and we are working with them to help them progress towards baptism. Four of them were found by an impression to turn down a street and then Elder Pace awarded them mother of the year awards for playing outside with their kids. Just 30 minutes earlier one of the women had something really bad happen to her family so they told us that we must have been sent by God. It was really cool. Another guy we found isn't really that interested but as we were driving I jokingly said "sir you shouldn't be smoking, it's bad for you." Elder Pace them suggested we turn around and tell him that...so I turned the car around and we told him. It wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be and we were able to get in his house and talk for a bit. Overall it was a great exchange. Anqunette is having some real struggles with the Word of Wisdom and isn't quite sure if she wants to live it. She is still wanting to meet with us but she is moving to Peoria next month. Hopefully she'll meet with the missionaries there. She did ask for the church address in Peoria so that's a great sign. Joyce came back from her vacation and we spent a little time cleaning up her yard for her before she came back and she was so grateful for it. Trying to find little ways to serve our investigators so that they can see that we love them.

   We are finding people, the biggest problem is just getting them to baptism. Find, find and find, eventually someone is bound to be prepared with the more people we find. We are trying to focus our efforts on those whom the Lord is preparing and not spending a ton of time with people that either aren't interested or aren't willing to progress.

   I had the wonderful opportunity to interview three people for baptism this week. Each interview made me realize even more how important baptism is in God’s plan. Everyone was so excited to be baptized and it brought a great Spirit into the interview. I love it when people decide to make a commitment with God and then make the changes necessary to bringing their lives in harmony with His will. It's a beautiful blessing to be a part of it. I have a testimony of baptism and of the importance of the commitment we make with God through baptism. We renew that covenant every time we take the Sacrament and feel a renewed sense of peace and life come into my soul. The Spirit fills me and tells me that what I'm doing is right. I have developed a great love for the Sacrament and it is more than something I just take every week. It becomes a time of reflection and repentance. I rejoice because of Christ's sacrifice and I hope each of you do the same I pray for you all and the pure love of Christ, charity, fills my souls whenever I think of you. You're the best. Never forget it.

Happy Easter!

Hello everyone!

   This week was a good one! It all sort of felt like a blur because it went by so quickly but there were a few things in particular that were awesome. For one, Anqunette is doing great. We had a hard time meeting with her at first but we were finally able to meet with her on Friday and we taught her the Word of Wisdom which she committed to live. It was good that we taught her that because the day before she had gone to a Relief Society activity and at the end they gave her some creamer that they had leftover which she responded to saying that she could put it in her coffee. The member jokingly told her, Oh, the missionaries haven't taught you that yet? Suffice to say Anqunette was a little confused by that comment. We cleared it up though. She gave us her last cigarette and her coffee and is prepared to start living that commandment. We're excited! We also were able to find two new investigators last night. 

   On Saturday we went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders in Morton. We did some good work and had a really fun service opportunity in the morning. It was at a food pantry and instead of people coming in a getting their stuff and having to take it out to their car they just come in and get a number and then go get in their car until their number is called and we put it in their car for them. It was really fun. 

   Sunday was fantastic because it was Easter! We had Stake Conference and Elder Carpenter was presiding. I wish we had been able to go to the adult session on Saturday because literally all of the talks were apparently about Missionary Work. We had dinner with the Albrechtsens, Kiblers, and Anderson's. They are all family so we went to the Kiblers house with their three big dogs that I took a picture with and had some good Easter food with them all. Afterwards we went out and worked. We stopped by Tom and Beckie who we taught a month ago and was finally able to set a time to come back and teach them the Plan of Salvation. Easter is so great! I love remembering the new life that comes from Christ and sharing that with others. Hopefully you all had a great Easter where you had the chance to remember Christ and all that he's done for you. I hope you have a great week! I love you all!

-Elder Eddenfield

 

All Things Are Made Right Through Jesus Christ

Hello everyone!

   This was quite a good week. It's odd because we didn't get nearly as much finding time as we would have liked because we were teaching a lot and doing service and other things but we still feel good about our week. Quite a few miracles though!

   So, to start Anqunette is amazing. We taught her a few more times and she is liking and understanding everything and she even came to church! It was wonderful because we did nothing to get her to church except invite her. A member texted her and offered a ride and then took care of her and her kids during church. Literally all that we did was shake her hand I say hi. It was perfect. We also went to a member’s home for dinner on Friday and they teach the Gospel Principles class. She asked what she should teach and we gave her a few choices to pray over. She chose the Priesthood and after church when we asked Anqunette what she thought she mentioned that the class helped her to understand the things she didn't quite get yet! She is also planning on going to a Relief Society activity this Thursday. Things are almost going too well. It's great.

   We also got two referrals from members this week! We were having dinner with a family and felt like sharing the Easter video and just simply asking them if there is anyone they could share the video with and if there was anyone that we could share it with. Our luck turned out and two families were at the house. The family who signed up didn't have anyone in mind for us but the other family did. They ended up being able to set up a time for us to go show the video and share a message about Christ!

   There is also a brother who just came back from his mission last week and it so cool to have someone who is super pumped to do Missionary work in a Ward. He is inviting all of his friends to everything and coming out with us and he teaches well and fellowships well. It's awesome.

   Things are really starting to step up here in Normal. You might say that things are not so normal anymore. Sorry, I had to.

   I would like to end with my testimony of Jesus Christ. This week is a great week to remember our dear Savior because next Sunday is Easter. My thoughts turn to his last week in mortality where he accomplished all that His father had in store for him. He suffered for us, died for us, and rose again for us. Because of His resurrection we have no reason to fear death. Because of His endless Atonement we have no reason to fear sin or pain. All things are made right through Jesus Christ. I know it, I've felt it, I've seen its effects in people's lives. My dearest friends and family, please do not let anything get in the way of your following the Savior with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength. He will bring peace to your life. I promise you this. Helaman 5:12 states; "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." I love you all!

Have a great week everyone!
- Elder Eddenfield