March 9

Probably one of my favorite quotes of all time is, "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory" - Dr. Seuss  I say this because I was reflecting on my journal last night as I was writing in it.  All the things that have happened on my mission so far, all the people I  have gotten to know, have influenced me in amazing ways and it was a little strange to think about.  It was like remembering when I had a good time with a friend or hugged my mom before leaving for the summer to have tons of fun with my cousins in Mexico.  Riding horses and lighting dangerous fireworks, falling out of a truck and hitting my head really hard (that ones not so fond), and getting to drive for the first time (I was 11 for that one).  These moments create us, they define us.  Its through these that we grow into something better than what we are now.  It works the same with mission experiences.  They define what kind of members we will be.  If we can't even work hard on the Lord's time how difficult will it be when its our own time.  I love being here for a few reasons but the foremost one would be because this time with these wonderful people is helping me to love who I am and can be, just like the Lord see's me.  Doing the right thing feels good but being the right kind of person is one amazing experience.  I hope that I don't forget these feeling when I go home.  Love you all.

March 2

The weather cant make up its mind.  Today I wore jeans and a t-shirt and nearly froze to death, but yesterday seemed to be to hot for a jacket.  And that's still the most exciting thing to happen to Yuma Colorado in the last decade.  I'm doing fine, naturally of course.  I am not to usually one to demand more from situations.  The work is good too.  We have almost switched from a bigger investigator pool to a bigger focus on less actives and recent converts.  It just worked out like that.  But its what needed to happen which is the strangest part.  I seem to also always be tired but that's something I could post in every weeks blog.  My time is measured in a particular way too.  It seems like either last week or last year I left home.  I don't know which one it is.  I'm hitting my 1/4 mark tomorrow and I don't know how to celebrate.  Perhaps I'll treat myself.  Even better than hitting a mark is that as I was thinking about it, I'm in the swing of it.  I know a lot of things pertaining to a missionaries life.  I have had tons of experiences, spiritual and more trail based ones too.  Enough to help me for a lifetime.  But the Lord doesn't put us on 6-month missions for a reason.  Its my opportunity to use what I've learned and be a good missionary.  Then continue to learn more and more and so much more.  On Sunday I got up and bore my testimony.  (As I normally do every fast Sunday because not a lot of people do).  And even though I "prepared" what I was going to talk about so I wouldn't be so nervous of going up there and not being able of saying anything as my mind would probably go blank.  As I started talking my babblings went to a different set of subjects.  I talked about what the Lord wanted me to say even though I didn't have the faith to know it would have happened anyway.  Its that kind of faith that separates a person serving a mission from a missionary.  If a mission has taught me anything (which it has, a lot of things) its that if we work hard to do the right things, eventually something will happen for our benefit.  Its a seemingly open promise but It will always hold true.  I love you all.  Stay strong in the gospel.  Later!

February 23

This week went alright.  Nothing to shout for joy about (other than getting a new companion).  Monday was almost all day packing then Tuesday was all day in Greely, so by Wednesday we were already pooped out for the week.  A big storm hit and we actually missed church.  We were told not to drive anywhere by direction of the mission president.  We were stuck indoors for a day and a half.  It was pretty crappy.  We went up and down the streets next to us and shoveled snow but even then that ended quickly and we could only study more and more.  No cat or chicken stories this week.  I'm told I shouldn't share them anyway.  For the spiritual moment I thought I might share one of Fathers favorite Scriptures.  Mosiah 3:19 - It basically says that when we do everything for our own personal gain and nothing for others we are of the natural man.  Elder Bednar described the natural man like unto the cookie monster, "I want cookie, NOW!"  That, while funny, really emphasized the simplicity of what the natural man really is.  But even better than King Benjamin telling us (or at least the people of his time) only about what not to do and be, he gave us things to work for.  Those things are Christ-like attributes.  And when worked on they help us become better people.  In a District Meeting a few weeks ago the Elder Giving the "Training" (or lesson) wrote out all the Christ-like attributes we could think of.  And then all the problems we were or could experience while being on a mission.  I then realized the point he was trying to make and stated how if we work on at least one attribute a day those problems will eventually become lesser and lesser until they seem almost non-existent.  And even though I understood it so well and felt the spirit so strongly at the time I have trouble working on those attributes daily.  That's my goal for the week and I hope it makes it to yours.  I know blessing will come when we at least try, Because trying is all we can do. I love you guys!

February 18

So some interesting things this week.  For transfer information I found out that I will be staying in Yuma for one more and I'll get a new companion.  Speaking of companions there was a recent holiday and I wanted to clarify that this year I had an excuse.  (Valentines Day for all you that still haven't figured it out)  The actual day of the Valentine went well, or at least ended well.  We ate at the local restaurant that is owned by a member and I ate Crab Legs and Fried Shrimp.  It was glorious.  The not so glorious part was how that morning our plumbing went on the fritz and the toilet flooded the whole bathroom.  It took hours to clean what I've decided to call "The Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse"  For more spiritual matters that have been requested by Father I wanted to share something that happened this week.  Now this isn't an experience.  Its a life lesson that I was contemplating and now understand fully.  Obedience will bring blessings, but strict obedience brings miracles.  We can consider how its still going to be on the Lords time but the Lords time is exactly when we need them the most.  A mission contains a lot of rules and regulations that seem insignificant or foolish but they are there for our safety and if not for our safety then for our development as sons and daughters of a God.  This doesn't just apply to being on a mission.  It should be included in the "real world" too.  Heavenly Father has given commandments and a perfect example so that we have a way to actually be happy in this life.  And even after all of that he still helps us through the Holy Ghost and the wonderful people we find ourselves surrounded by.  I know its from living the laws of God that make me experience constant joy.  Its the reason I strive to be a better person and better dedicate myself to the mission.  I would invite everyone to follow those base commandments that have helped me so much.  First, constant and heartfelt prayer.  Giving ourselves the opportunity to re-connect that bond with our heavenly Father.  Second, scripture study and repentance.  These bring us closer to our father in heaven but in a different way.  That way is our receiving revelation that can help us.  Lastly, everything else.  It may take time since we seem to be ignorant creatures who are quick to forget where true happiness comes from but eventually it gets easier.  I know its by living the gospel that gives us a chance to be better and in time, best.  Reaching our potential is the lords desire, not doing anything about our life is not.  I love you guys.  Keep it real.