Friends and Family,
I would like to start by thanking the Lord for His wisdom in the foundation of our church. We have the 14 most capable men in the world all looking towards the Lord guiding our church. I know that whoever is the next prophet will be the man who is needed to progress the Kingdom and the Work even farther. My testimony is firm and solid, now let's just tell others! When Elder Hill and I found out (about President Hinckley's death) we had a lot of great discussions. My first thought was of how happy he was. This man loved the work and his wife, and now he can watch over and be with both. His welcoming in Paradise certainly was sweet, but brief, because they have people to teach! Elder Hill and I shared a lot of feelings and stories about the prophet. We sobbed together, we laughed, we wrote our thoughts and our feelings. It will be a day we will not forget.
Things in Stretford are ready to go Boom! The only reason they wouldn't would be because of our weaknesses. The whole world is ready to do so. As we thrust in our sickle with more heart, might, mind, and strength we will start to see God work through us more. There is no reason why miracles of scripture magnitude cannot happen in these days. The world is being prepared! I know that without any doubt!
We had a wonderful baptism on Saturday with C******. He is doing so well and is excited to start coming out teaching with us. We found a man who will be a beacon of strength for those around him wherever he goes. He has been praying and consulting' the scriputres a lot since his baptism. What a great guy! We got two investigators there, and our most promising one was T****. She is getting so close and we most likely be baptized in February. I wish she just had a car. That hold a lot
of people back, which is too bad, because some people walk for hours to church. SACRIFICE BRINGS FORTH THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN. We have been focusing our lessons more upon the Savior and bringing everything back to Him. Even with people who already have a Christian background. It is the most sure foundation for our investigators. We are realizing more and more how weak we are. We rely upon the Lord so much, and it will only happen through Him.
We still have no contact with X***, but we have been looking into different avenues of getting in contact with her. We also have J*** and R***, who have been coming along well. They would either have to get married, or move apart til they do, before they are baptized, but we have one of them convinced of this. There are other people out there. The trick is sifting through all of those scary ones. I love learning what I am and I appreciate your prayers. Sorry this is a little short. I love you all!
Elder Davies
Current Mission Address
Mission Office Address
England Manchester Mission
Springwood, Ste G5
Booths Park, Knutsford, WA168QZ
ENGLAND
Connah's Quay
WALES
England Manchester Mission
Springwood, Ste G5
Booths Park, Knutsford, WA168QZ
ENGLAND
Current Physical Address
2 Golftyn DriveConnah's Quay
WALES
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Elder Hill, Miracle of the Week and Some Scriptural Thoughts
Things this week have been great. I love serving with Elder Hill. He is a really great guy who is so incredibly easy to get along with. I just wanted to say Thank You for your support. I would love to say words of wisdom for all of you, but I just have loads of stuff running around in my head. We have been working really hard to get everything organized so we can just continue to oil a high-powered machine. We are excited about the progression of our investigators. We have a baptism this Saturday with a Golden Investigator named C******. He is universtity student over here from Malaysia. We are trying to get our investigators there so show them how great it is. We also had the opportunity to be in a threesome for about 24 hours. Elder Brewster came over from the area next to us to spend some time while his companion is in the hospital with appendicitis. He left the next day though to be with the other Elders in his area. It was nice to have an older, British companion for a while, just because the accent is awesome, well at least his is.
Stretford is becoming such a blessed area, and we are working to get the most out of it. We depend so much upon the Lord though, because there is no way this work would happen any other way. It is amazing everything that must go on to accomplish the work.
Miracle of the Week:
We had a lesson with an investigator named K** yesterday. She really like her achohol and enjoy smoking too. We have of course talked to her about how those things are bad, but this time we decided to say why. Why we have commandments and why we stay away from things like that. We went through the Plan of Salvation and talked about what we are here for, and the Plan that God has for us. She is slowly becoming closer to the idea. This time she said, well what if I just drink every once
in a while . . . so that is better. We have had a lot of people being able to commit to those things, so the desire is there.
Another miracle happened on Monday in the town centre. I saw this lady and was a little scared to talk to her. At first, I just ignored the prompting, but then I turned a 180 and just went for it. To my dismay, she had been stopped by a charity person, but I patiently waited my turn. I stopped her and she just unloaded her life on me. At the end she said such a sincere thanks for being able to share that with someone. She has had some trials in her life, but she is so ready for something the is better
and will help. We got all of her information and are anxiously awaiting our lesson with her. Follow that prompting Elder Davies!
Mosiah 23:21 speaks about how the Lord sees fit to chasten his people. That makes sense to me, but others might see that as cruel. Helaman 12:3 gives us the answer. So that we will remember Him. Men have the habit of being prideful and giving themselves the glory(sounds a bit like Satan), so God must helps us remember, because we cannot do so ourselves. It really is a mercy in the end. He wants us to turn to Him with our faith and just experiment upon the word. Our witness will come after the trial of our faith. Ether 12:6. The trial is to lift our ability up to the task. God sends us these to help our progression. Our trial will never be brought down to our ability, but God will lift our ability to equal the trial. I talked to a man on the bus one day, and he said that he had a really religious friend who had lost his faith because of what had happened in his life. He decided that having faith did him no good, but he never exercised that faith. It can be really tiring, isn't exercise always tiring?
However, that doubt is from the devil. 2 Timothy 1:7-8. We shall not fear when we have the God with us. That involves getting the Spirit. So now we know what to do, now how do we do it? When Nephi was in a similar position, he talked about who his strength was and where it had come from. He received this because he would pray mightily. 2 Nephi 4:24. So one is to pray. Pray for strength, pray for the spirit. Number two is to hold strong to the word of God. Helaman 3:29 explains what we can do with the word of God. It will lead us through a STRAIT AND NARROW path ACROSS, not around. Alma had a situation that sums the whole concept up. It is contained in Alma 8. He has loads of success in Melek (v.1-6). On his spiritual high he is told to go to Ammonihah, and things don't turn out so well (v.7-13). In the middle of those verses (v.10) he prays that things will go better, but when he goes back(v.11-13). Things don't go any better. What must have been going through Alma's mind? 'God, I wrestled with you in mighty prayer! Now where is my answer?' He had to exercise his faith. He got his answer when an angel appeared unto him and told him to rejoice. REJOICE? ARE YOU SERIOUS? Why did he tell him to rejoice(v.15), because he was keeping the commandments of God. After this Alma returned speedily(v.18) and boy did things work out. From then on, Alma and Amulek were forces for bringing thousands into the fold.
Sorry that was so long. My companion has been done for a while, so I better go. I love you all!
Elder Davies
Stretford is becoming such a blessed area, and we are working to get the most out of it. We depend so much upon the Lord though, because there is no way this work would happen any other way. It is amazing everything that must go on to accomplish the work.
Miracle of the Week:
We had a lesson with an investigator named K** yesterday. She really like her achohol and enjoy smoking too. We have of course talked to her about how those things are bad, but this time we decided to say why. Why we have commandments and why we stay away from things like that. We went through the Plan of Salvation and talked about what we are here for, and the Plan that God has for us. She is slowly becoming closer to the idea. This time she said, well what if I just drink every once
in a while . . . so that is better. We have had a lot of people being able to commit to those things, so the desire is there.
Another miracle happened on Monday in the town centre. I saw this lady and was a little scared to talk to her. At first, I just ignored the prompting, but then I turned a 180 and just went for it. To my dismay, she had been stopped by a charity person, but I patiently waited my turn. I stopped her and she just unloaded her life on me. At the end she said such a sincere thanks for being able to share that with someone. She has had some trials in her life, but she is so ready for something the is better
and will help. We got all of her information and are anxiously awaiting our lesson with her. Follow that prompting Elder Davies!
Mosiah 23:21 speaks about how the Lord sees fit to chasten his people. That makes sense to me, but others might see that as cruel. Helaman 12:3 gives us the answer. So that we will remember Him. Men have the habit of being prideful and giving themselves the glory(sounds a bit like Satan), so God must helps us remember, because we cannot do so ourselves. It really is a mercy in the end. He wants us to turn to Him with our faith and just experiment upon the word. Our witness will come after the trial of our faith. Ether 12:6. The trial is to lift our ability up to the task. God sends us these to help our progression. Our trial will never be brought down to our ability, but God will lift our ability to equal the trial. I talked to a man on the bus one day, and he said that he had a really religious friend who had lost his faith because of what had happened in his life. He decided that having faith did him no good, but he never exercised that faith. It can be really tiring, isn't exercise always tiring?
However, that doubt is from the devil. 2 Timothy 1:7-8. We shall not fear when we have the God with us. That involves getting the Spirit. So now we know what to do, now how do we do it? When Nephi was in a similar position, he talked about who his strength was and where it had come from. He received this because he would pray mightily. 2 Nephi 4:24. So one is to pray. Pray for strength, pray for the spirit. Number two is to hold strong to the word of God. Helaman 3:29 explains what we can do with the word of God. It will lead us through a STRAIT AND NARROW path ACROSS, not around. Alma had a situation that sums the whole concept up. It is contained in Alma 8. He has loads of success in Melek (v.1-6). On his spiritual high he is told to go to Ammonihah, and things don't turn out so well (v.7-13). In the middle of those verses (v.10) he prays that things will go better, but when he goes back(v.11-13). Things don't go any better. What must have been going through Alma's mind? 'God, I wrestled with you in mighty prayer! Now where is my answer?' He had to exercise his faith. He got his answer when an angel appeared unto him and told him to rejoice. REJOICE? ARE YOU SERIOUS? Why did he tell him to rejoice(v.15), because he was keeping the commandments of God. After this Alma returned speedily(v.18) and boy did things work out. From then on, Alma and Amulek were forces for bringing thousands into the fold.
Sorry that was so long. My companion has been done for a while, so I better go. I love you all!
Elder Davies
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
New Companion 1/16/2008
Well, today was transfers, and . . . I am still in Stretford. However, Elder Reidhead moved on to the highest baptizing area in the mission. That is Telford. So my new companion came in from Lancaster. His name is Elder Hill. He has been out for 6 months. He is from Syracuse, Utah. He is a really great guy and has had some great success on his mission. He seems like a very smart Elder, which will be really nice for me. He is also very personable, so our ward will like him also. He is about 6 foot 1, has the same hair color as I(maybe a little darker), and has a fun personality. I think he will be a little more serious than Elder Reidhead. It will be different, but really great. I am excited to get back to work with him. Let's go forward and Baptize a
nation!
Well, this week has been pretty great, only because I am making it that way. We had a lot of people cancel on us. Last week total, I think we had 10 cancelled appointments, which is a lot for us. It was hard to continue to get things organized, because we have a lot of investigators we are trying to get back in contact with, and a bunch of new ones we are trying to keep contact with. Let's just say my pocket is being burned by the phone bill. We also got a bunch of contacts from our Zone
Leaders that we are trying to call and find the potential in there.
I have a question for all of you. What are some good ideas you have teaching little kids, or even teaching principles, in a simple and fun way. It really helps people to get more involved. I need to start creating my repitoire with that, and we all know how my creative mind works.
We have been teaching M***, our Buddhist friend, a lot. It is really nice that he is so available to teach. He just asked us about Baptism last time out of the Blue. He has a lot of opposition coming after him, but he is an honest guy, and loves the teachings.
Also, we challenged two of our investigators to pray about Baptism, and are meeting with them tomorrow about their answer. I have a good feeling about it, and hope that they feel great.
I love you all. I feel your support. I love the work and our Savior. God hears and answers our prayers. I pray for you everyday. All my love,
Elder Davies
nation!
Well, this week has been pretty great, only because I am making it that way. We had a lot of people cancel on us. Last week total, I think we had 10 cancelled appointments, which is a lot for us. It was hard to continue to get things organized, because we have a lot of investigators we are trying to get back in contact with, and a bunch of new ones we are trying to keep contact with. Let's just say my pocket is being burned by the phone bill. We also got a bunch of contacts from our Zone
Leaders that we are trying to call and find the potential in there.
I have a question for all of you. What are some good ideas you have teaching little kids, or even teaching principles, in a simple and fun way. It really helps people to get more involved. I need to start creating my repitoire with that, and we all know how my creative mind works.
We have been teaching M***, our Buddhist friend, a lot. It is really nice that he is so available to teach. He just asked us about Baptism last time out of the Blue. He has a lot of opposition coming after him, but he is an honest guy, and loves the teachings.
Also, we challenged two of our investigators to pray about Baptism, and are meeting with them tomorrow about their answer. I have a good feeling about it, and hope that they feel great.
I love you all. I feel your support. I love the work and our Savior. God hears and answers our prayers. I pray for you everyday. All my love,
Elder Davies
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Things are GREAT! January 9th
Dear Family,
YES!!!! What a week. I can hardly even remember everything that has happened. I wish I could tell you everything, but I really can't remember most of it. It is funny how things from weeks ago will come into my memory. So you will hear a lot when I get back, and am reminded of things. I just want you all to know that I am GREAT!!! The work is going forward, and I thank God everyday that I get to join in the effort. It is certainly not easy, but it is so important and we get to learn a lot. I felt that I have learned a lot in the past week, but mostly just how to relax, work hard, and be myself. I have seen the fruits of a
lot of my laboring lately, and we are being so blessed. I know that this will continue IF we continue to do what is right and bring the Lord into everything we do. It is definitely something that I have learned, to bring the Lord into everything we do. I am trying to develop habits that will serve me the rest of my life.
Anyway, as just a basic run-down. I am learning a lot, we are having blessings heaped upon us, and all is well. I am learning how to focus in on myself a little bit, and just trying to make sure that I am doing the right things. Of course, I want Elder Reidhead to do the right things too, but as we work together in unity, the Lord solves my problems a whole lot better than I
ever could. This is a true principle for life. We have just had a lot of fun, and are staying on top of everything. We have been able to teach a lot lately, but with finding in between our appointments. We have found some absolutely amazing people, and are just trying to continue to refresh our teaching pool with people, while trying to stay up with our old investigators too. So much to do. Thank you for the Spirit to guide and direct us. We have learned a lot about Gratitude, and how the Lord blesses us even more when we are grateful for what we receive. Things has happened that we could be really down about. We have had a lot of appointments fall through, and some people start to disappear, but we see the bad and just appreciate the good. We had a gratitude fast on Sunday, and we have just been so happy with what is happening.
I have been learning so much from the Alma chapters about missionary work. The Book of Mormon truly is for our day. I am seeing things in there and in Preach My Gospel that just fit together perfectly. I am just continuing to be brought up to a whole new level of understanding. I really like looking at the big picture and seeing how each thing we learn can play a role in our life. And looking at the role that the mission is going to play in my life. What is comes down to is just trying to do what is right, trying to be like Jesus. As we try our best, we are forgiven and lifted to new heights.
I will just choose two miracles for the week. We are getting D*** to read the Book or Mormon and he is on fire. He has been reading so much lately and just loves it. We were trying by on some people on Monday who use to be investigators and we starting talking to this lady on the street. She invited us in and we taught her and her husband. They are coming to church on Sunday and we are teaching them later that day. We have so many people who are planning on coming to church. Yesterday, we went to an appointment we had scheduled from a contact from another missionary. He is buddhist, but believes in God. We taught him about the Atonement, and were able to get him really interested. We are meeting with him tomorrow too, so I will let you know about more next week.
My favorite scripture: That is a hard one. I have been reading between 14 and 22 of Alma and there is so much. I love Alma 22:16, actually just the whole chapter, because is shows a lot of great missionary lessons about teaching people. Alma planted the seed, and then Aaron used the scriptures to expound. Suddenly, the Kind is interested and starts to desire Eternal Life. Aaron gives him a great commitment. Next thing you know, 7 Lamanite cities are converted. I love it!
I love all of you. Thank you for your hard work in everything that you do and your prayers. I really feel them. Continue to pray for hearts to be softened around the world. The world needs the gospel, not just to make it better, but to save souls! We are seeing miracles from our loving Father in Heaven, and he wants us to be a powerful people. I love you all,
Elder Davies
YES!!!! What a week. I can hardly even remember everything that has happened. I wish I could tell you everything, but I really can't remember most of it. It is funny how things from weeks ago will come into my memory. So you will hear a lot when I get back, and am reminded of things. I just want you all to know that I am GREAT!!! The work is going forward, and I thank God everyday that I get to join in the effort. It is certainly not easy, but it is so important and we get to learn a lot. I felt that I have learned a lot in the past week, but mostly just how to relax, work hard, and be myself. I have seen the fruits of a
lot of my laboring lately, and we are being so blessed. I know that this will continue IF we continue to do what is right and bring the Lord into everything we do. It is definitely something that I have learned, to bring the Lord into everything we do. I am trying to develop habits that will serve me the rest of my life.
Anyway, as just a basic run-down. I am learning a lot, we are having blessings heaped upon us, and all is well. I am learning how to focus in on myself a little bit, and just trying to make sure that I am doing the right things. Of course, I want Elder Reidhead to do the right things too, but as we work together in unity, the Lord solves my problems a whole lot better than I
ever could. This is a true principle for life. We have just had a lot of fun, and are staying on top of everything. We have been able to teach a lot lately, but with finding in between our appointments. We have found some absolutely amazing people, and are just trying to continue to refresh our teaching pool with people, while trying to stay up with our old investigators too. So much to do. Thank you for the Spirit to guide and direct us. We have learned a lot about Gratitude, and how the Lord blesses us even more when we are grateful for what we receive. Things has happened that we could be really down about. We have had a lot of appointments fall through, and some people start to disappear, but we see the bad and just appreciate the good. We had a gratitude fast on Sunday, and we have just been so happy with what is happening.
I have been learning so much from the Alma chapters about missionary work. The Book of Mormon truly is for our day. I am seeing things in there and in Preach My Gospel that just fit together perfectly. I am just continuing to be brought up to a whole new level of understanding. I really like looking at the big picture and seeing how each thing we learn can play a role in our life. And looking at the role that the mission is going to play in my life. What is comes down to is just trying to do what is right, trying to be like Jesus. As we try our best, we are forgiven and lifted to new heights.
I will just choose two miracles for the week. We are getting D*** to read the Book or Mormon and he is on fire. He has been reading so much lately and just loves it. We were trying by on some people on Monday who use to be investigators and we starting talking to this lady on the street. She invited us in and we taught her and her husband. They are coming to church on Sunday and we are teaching them later that day. We have so many people who are planning on coming to church. Yesterday, we went to an appointment we had scheduled from a contact from another missionary. He is buddhist, but believes in God. We taught him about the Atonement, and were able to get him really interested. We are meeting with him tomorrow too, so I will let you know about more next week.
My favorite scripture: That is a hard one. I have been reading between 14 and 22 of Alma and there is so much. I love Alma 22:16, actually just the whole chapter, because is shows a lot of great missionary lessons about teaching people. Alma planted the seed, and then Aaron used the scriptures to expound. Suddenly, the Kind is interested and starts to desire Eternal Life. Aaron gives him a great commitment. Next thing you know, 7 Lamanite cities are converted. I love it!
I love all of you. Thank you for your hard work in everything that you do and your prayers. I really feel them. Continue to pray for hearts to be softened around the world. The world needs the gospel, not just to make it better, but to save souls! We are seeing miracles from our loving Father in Heaven, and he wants us to be a powerful people. I love you all,
Elder Davies
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! It has been such a crazy couple of weeks. Buses not running, people making silly excuses, zone conferences, etc. Much different from the rest of my mission, and I am just excited to get back into the hard and rewarding work. There have been too many moments in the past few weeks that I have not felt like a missionary. I know that I am still a human being and not a robot, but we are here to do missionary work. We can do that other stuff later. I know that as we sacrifice and follow every commandment to the best we can, that amazing miracles were happen even more often in the work. We see miracles everyday, literally every single day! I know that God lives! I could spend a long time telling you about each one, but sadly enough there is a such thing as time. Also comes the problem that I probably couldn't name every one. So much happens in a day, that I struggle to write in my journal at night. I will have no good documentation of my mission!!!! I am just teasing. Mom challenged me to share at least one a week, and I will limit myself to one. Though it is just one, it is absolutely amazing.
We have been teaching X*** for quite a while now, and have probably dated her (for baptism) about 3 times. She keeps on being silly about it, and we honestly had run out of ideas, because obviously she needs something more than just the doctrine. It has to mean more to her in her life. One of the problems was with the language, and also thinking that is was just a English church. Needless to say, we have been praying for an answer or something that we could do to help her out. Well, a couple of weeks ago we, as a ward, passed out Christmas cards to the surrounding area inviting them to come to church. We didn't get much of a response, but last week we had a girl walk into the chapel, and we went up to talk to her after Sacrament meeting. Well, she is about X***'s age. She speaks X***'s language, and she comes from the same town as X***!! In Manchester! Right near our chapel! I couldn't believe it. We are starting to teach her, and now her and X*** are becoming friends. I have to go quick, but that is the miracle in a nutshell.
We have been teaching X*** for quite a while now, and have probably dated her (for baptism) about 3 times. She keeps on being silly about it, and we honestly had run out of ideas, because obviously she needs something more than just the doctrine. It has to mean more to her in her life. One of the problems was with the language, and also thinking that is was just a English church. Needless to say, we have been praying for an answer or something that we could do to help her out. Well, a couple of weeks ago we, as a ward, passed out Christmas cards to the surrounding area inviting them to come to church. We didn't get much of a response, but last week we had a girl walk into the chapel, and we went up to talk to her after Sacrament meeting. Well, she is about X***'s age. She speaks X***'s language, and she comes from the same town as X***!! In Manchester! Right near our chapel! I couldn't believe it. We are starting to teach her, and now her and X*** are becoming friends. I have to go quick, but that is the miracle in a nutshell.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
12/19- Finding at Christmas
Everything here is going well. The mission is such a learning experience. I feel like I learn so much a day, that a couple of days later, I can hardly remember what happened. A lot of great things and funny things happen each day. Every day is just an adventure. One that I wish I could do justice, but my mind is swirling with all of the stuff that goes on. One thing I have learned this week is the importance of having the spirit. Our Father in Heaven knows each of us so well, and knows exactly what we need to learn and how and when, so I am putting my trust in him that whatsoever happens will be for my good. Everything happens line upon line. That is why it may be so difficult to sense change sometimes. I read a great quote by Thomas Paine. "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly".
One of the difficult things at this time of the year, is that people become very busy. Many of our people are on vacation for two weeks. Our current list of people to teach got cut by 75%. So that means a lot of finding, which is also difficult around Christmas time. One thing I know that will happen is as we stick through the hard times, miracles will happen. We will find someone. I had a neat experience Monday night. Elder Young and I(we were on splits) went into the town centre to do some street contacting. Neither one of us was doing very well. I got fed up with myself and with the people around me. I decided that it was time to pray. I asked God to help me have the courage to talk to people, and also to find someone searching for the message. I just started to have good conversations with people, but none of them were interested. I stopped a kid around my age, named Timi, who looked like he was ready to give me a hard time, but I just went for it. I started to talk to him about the comfort that the gospel can bring, and how it is for everyone at everytime. He just agreed with me the whole time. I told him that we go around sharing this amazing message with people. I don't even remember everything that we talked about, but at the end he just grabbed my shoulders and sincerely thanked me. We have not been able to get in contact with him yet, but I feel like there is a good direction. It is amazing the people that the spirit touches everyday. I was reading through my journal the other day and was noticing a lot of people that we contacted at the beginning of my mission whom we have never heard from since. It is sad to see so many people lose interest, that is why it is important to get their number, but you do what you can.
I have been reading about the importance of having the spirit and carrying the message with power and authority. The gospel is for everyone and has so much to offer people. I have taken it for granted so much in my life, and it has taken seeing millions of people without it to wake me up. Even people who are good, loving, serving people are missing something.
We have been progressing two investigators, D***** and T****, towards baptism. They are building a firm foundation, but I know there will be some road bumps ahead. Their testimonies can be the only thing to get them through. We also have C******. I cannot remember if I have told you about him, but he is amazing. He remembers so much, but also has so much to learn. Despite this, he just knows that he should be baptized. He is back at home in Malaysia, but his baptism is in January. I hope I am still here for it. We have an investigator named S****. His dad, J******, is also a bit interested, but his Mom is a pastor at a church. She knows her Bible, but WOW, Satan can work in sneaky ways.
She saw that in the introduction to the Book of Mormon it said that Joseph Smith had the Melchezidek Priesthood, and said that only Jesus had been called after the order of Melchezidek and that we were claiming that Joseph Smith was on the same plane as Jesus. We have taught her that Joseph Smith is just a prophet. He got his authority from God, as did Melchesidek, as did Jesus Christ. She asked if we would put Joseph Smith of the same plane as Melchesidek, and we said we would. They were
both honorable priesthood holders. She claimed that Melchezidek was Jesus Christ not yet revealed, and we were like . . . "WHAT!!!! Do you realize what you are saying?" Her son and husband stepped in at this point and told her she was crazy. She says that Melchezidek never died and they have no idea where he came from. I was just astounded.
As people read the Book of Mormon, they are changed. We saw it in S****. It is true for everyone. Our only investigators who go anywhere are those who do their reading. A lot of people don't do their reading though. If I had a pound for everytime someone told me that their life was just too busy and they were just too tired to read, I would be rich! No joking!
X***'s baptism this Saturday was cancelled. She just doesn't have enough desire. We cannot force her to do anything. We really need her to feel the spirit strong, but she just isn't ready.
K*** got sick last weekend, but she is excited to meet with us this weekend. She knows what she wants to do eventually, but she is going to take her own time getting there.
I talked to a man named A*** at the library last Saturday. He used to be a member, but didn't have enough faith to understand the atonement and believe in things he cannot see. I wish he lived in our area, but we want to call the missionaries who serve in his area. He just needs some faith building experiences. I love the power of prayer. It does everything!
We are working hard to try to continually contact people who haven't been contacted for weeks. We are having some success once we get into their home. There is a continual cycle that must go on. As you teach people, they either progress towards being baptized, or they are dropped. To avoid having no one to teach, you have to find people while you are teaching. It really helps to have member and investigator referrals to feed this cycle, but most of it comes from personal efforts. We
have been doing this pretty well to the point where we always have people to teach, but Chirstmas time is presenting a problem. I am excited to focus on Chirstmas and it's meaning more when we have time to just sit and think and read. The mission just prepares us for everything that happens later in life, especially with families. The most important
missionary work is done within the home. Harold B. Lee said something about that. Anyway, I love you all! Have a great Christmas!
Elder Davies
One of the difficult things at this time of the year, is that people become very busy. Many of our people are on vacation for two weeks. Our current list of people to teach got cut by 75%. So that means a lot of finding, which is also difficult around Christmas time. One thing I know that will happen is as we stick through the hard times, miracles will happen. We will find someone. I had a neat experience Monday night. Elder Young and I(we were on splits) went into the town centre to do some street contacting. Neither one of us was doing very well. I got fed up with myself and with the people around me. I decided that it was time to pray. I asked God to help me have the courage to talk to people, and also to find someone searching for the message. I just started to have good conversations with people, but none of them were interested. I stopped a kid around my age, named Timi, who looked like he was ready to give me a hard time, but I just went for it. I started to talk to him about the comfort that the gospel can bring, and how it is for everyone at everytime. He just agreed with me the whole time. I told him that we go around sharing this amazing message with people. I don't even remember everything that we talked about, but at the end he just grabbed my shoulders and sincerely thanked me. We have not been able to get in contact with him yet, but I feel like there is a good direction. It is amazing the people that the spirit touches everyday. I was reading through my journal the other day and was noticing a lot of people that we contacted at the beginning of my mission whom we have never heard from since. It is sad to see so many people lose interest, that is why it is important to get their number, but you do what you can.
I have been reading about the importance of having the spirit and carrying the message with power and authority. The gospel is for everyone and has so much to offer people. I have taken it for granted so much in my life, and it has taken seeing millions of people without it to wake me up. Even people who are good, loving, serving people are missing something.
We have been progressing two investigators, D***** and T****, towards baptism. They are building a firm foundation, but I know there will be some road bumps ahead. Their testimonies can be the only thing to get them through. We also have C******. I cannot remember if I have told you about him, but he is amazing. He remembers so much, but also has so much to learn. Despite this, he just knows that he should be baptized. He is back at home in Malaysia, but his baptism is in January. I hope I am still here for it. We have an investigator named S****. His dad, J******, is also a bit interested, but his Mom is a pastor at a church. She knows her Bible, but WOW, Satan can work in sneaky ways.
She saw that in the introduction to the Book of Mormon it said that Joseph Smith had the Melchezidek Priesthood, and said that only Jesus had been called after the order of Melchezidek and that we were claiming that Joseph Smith was on the same plane as Jesus. We have taught her that Joseph Smith is just a prophet. He got his authority from God, as did Melchesidek, as did Jesus Christ. She asked if we would put Joseph Smith of the same plane as Melchesidek, and we said we would. They were
both honorable priesthood holders. She claimed that Melchezidek was Jesus Christ not yet revealed, and we were like . . . "WHAT!!!! Do you realize what you are saying?" Her son and husband stepped in at this point and told her she was crazy. She says that Melchezidek never died and they have no idea where he came from. I was just astounded.
As people read the Book of Mormon, they are changed. We saw it in S****. It is true for everyone. Our only investigators who go anywhere are those who do their reading. A lot of people don't do their reading though. If I had a pound for everytime someone told me that their life was just too busy and they were just too tired to read, I would be rich! No joking!
X***'s baptism this Saturday was cancelled. She just doesn't have enough desire. We cannot force her to do anything. We really need her to feel the spirit strong, but she just isn't ready.
K*** got sick last weekend, but she is excited to meet with us this weekend. She knows what she wants to do eventually, but she is going to take her own time getting there.
I talked to a man named A*** at the library last Saturday. He used to be a member, but didn't have enough faith to understand the atonement and believe in things he cannot see. I wish he lived in our area, but we want to call the missionaries who serve in his area. He just needs some faith building experiences. I love the power of prayer. It does everything!
We are working hard to try to continually contact people who haven't been contacted for weeks. We are having some success once we get into their home. There is a continual cycle that must go on. As you teach people, they either progress towards being baptized, or they are dropped. To avoid having no one to teach, you have to find people while you are teaching. It really helps to have member and investigator referrals to feed this cycle, but most of it comes from personal efforts. We
have been doing this pretty well to the point where we always have people to teach, but Chirstmas time is presenting a problem. I am excited to focus on Chirstmas and it's meaning more when we have time to just sit and think and read. The mission just prepares us for everything that happens later in life, especially with families. The most important
missionary work is done within the home. Harold B. Lee said something about that. Anyway, I love you all! Have a great Christmas!
Elder Davies
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
12/12/07 Investigator News and a Miracle
About recent news with our investigators: We overtook an investigator named C****** from some Elders that were replaced by sisters. He is from Malaysia and has a baptismal date for January 19th. Both of my baptisms I will have basically walked into. I will get one of my own one day!! He is amazing. He has been taught basically everything, and is just waiting that long because he is going on holiday for three weeks.
During weekly planning this week we prayed specifically for X***. I had a distinct impression to commit her to baptism on the 22nd. I love the spirit. Well, the next day we approached her with it, and . . . . . . YES!!!!!! It was awesome. She took a while to sit there and think and she said that she would like it. Recently she has hesitated a bit about it, mostly because her family doesn't know a lot about it, and because she is scared to have that responsibility. But then we watched the Finding Faith in Christ DVD and the spirit was so strong. She said she was very touched, and then started talking about how a baptism would be a great Christmas present and birthday present. We are praying for everything to continue smoothly. Things with Kath are going good. We figured out some stuff about her past, so we understand that everything has to move at her pace. Each time she gets more solid about baptism. We are loving teaching her, and being blessed all over.
We had a lesson yesterday with a couple named T**** and D*****. D***** had been taught before, and told us what he thought about Joseph Smith. It was awesome. T**** is doing everything we ask her and she is alive!! While reading about the atonement the night before their lesson, I suddenly knew that we had to teach about the atonement. It just went into repentence, and then baptism. We brought it back to the restoration more, but I think if things go well tomorrow that we could date them for baptism!
We had some investigators named A****** and R***** who were from India. I am teaching people from all over the place. I think K*** is our only white, English investigator. A****** and R***** are so great and humble, but they moved to London last night. We are calling the Elders in London, and I hope to hear more about it. We had a lesson with an investigator named C****. We watched the restoration DVD, which is awesome. But her girl was out of control. She ended up slapping her hand! It was pretty shocking, and the spirit just went whoosh [meaning it left]! This week will be awesome, so I look forward to have tons to say next week.
I have to tell you about a miracle I had on Saturday. Weeks ago I met an agnostic on a bus, and we had a great chat about missionary work. I felt really bad after leaving him, because I did not leave him with anything. It was probably a new missionary just feeling like he had to give everyone a Book of Mormon or something, but I still felt bad. So I have been praying to meet D*** (that is his name) again. This is where it gets good. Forgive my lack of suspense, because this could be
great in the right hands. Well, we had an appointment set up with a man named D****l on 10 Nash Street. He had been a previous investigator of missionaries many months ago, but we got in contact with him again. So when we knocked on the door, who did I see . . . . . D***!!! I was dumbfounded. He invited us right in like he was expecting us. I asked him if he knew D****l, and he said that D****l had moved. We called D****l, and it was true. So that is another call we have to make to missionaries in another area. I couldn't imagine it. Maybe the only reason that D****l was ever taught was because I was supposed to run into D*** again, in the house that D****l used to live in!!! I Can't believe it!! D*** didn't want us to have his number, because he is searching on his own, but we gave him our number. I so hope he calls us. God may have just directed me to D*** because I prayed for it, and he was showing me the miracles that can happen with prayer. Whatever the reason, I know that prayer works. I hope we are the answer to a lot of D***'s questions, but we can only continue to pray.
B***, our recent convert, has not been praying much lately, so we committed him to pray everyday. He told us he would read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover by the end of the transfer. 17 pages a day! That was yesterday. We talked to him today, and he had read all of 1 Nephi. 53 pages!! We promised him that if he could read the Book Of Mormon in 5 weeks that his life would change, and he would look back on the last five weeks and see so much change. I love it! Last Friday I learned the secret to the gospel, but I will have to share that with you another week!
My dear family, this is an amazing time of the year. I would ask you to reach out to God's children this Christmas to those who would not have the chance to participate in the same amount of spirit we are able to. Whether it is some stranger, a family in the ward, a non-member friend, or even better a member of the family. We are so blessed to have the Chirstmas spirit that we have. Find a way to share it! Whether that is by giving of monetary blessings, or inviting others into the home to feel of the spirit, or anything.
Money may waver, where we celebrate can change, people you are around may change, but each year our testimonies can grow stronger. The greatest gift is one that doesn't run out, can be continually built upon, and is best when being shared. This gift is the great knowledge we have of the restored gospel, and the testimony we hold that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of us all!! Let someone feel of that gift! I love you all, and hope I was able to share everything. May our Father in Heaven watch over you!
Lots of Love,
Elder Jordan Davies
During weekly planning this week we prayed specifically for X***. I had a distinct impression to commit her to baptism on the 22nd. I love the spirit. Well, the next day we approached her with it, and . . . . . . YES!!!!!! It was awesome. She took a while to sit there and think and she said that she would like it. Recently she has hesitated a bit about it, mostly because her family doesn't know a lot about it, and because she is scared to have that responsibility. But then we watched the Finding Faith in Christ DVD and the spirit was so strong. She said she was very touched, and then started talking about how a baptism would be a great Christmas present and birthday present. We are praying for everything to continue smoothly. Things with Kath are going good. We figured out some stuff about her past, so we understand that everything has to move at her pace. Each time she gets more solid about baptism. We are loving teaching her, and being blessed all over.
We had a lesson yesterday with a couple named T**** and D*****. D***** had been taught before, and told us what he thought about Joseph Smith. It was awesome. T**** is doing everything we ask her and she is alive!! While reading about the atonement the night before their lesson, I suddenly knew that we had to teach about the atonement. It just went into repentence, and then baptism. We brought it back to the restoration more, but I think if things go well tomorrow that we could date them for baptism!
We had some investigators named A****** and R***** who were from India. I am teaching people from all over the place. I think K*** is our only white, English investigator. A****** and R***** are so great and humble, but they moved to London last night. We are calling the Elders in London, and I hope to hear more about it. We had a lesson with an investigator named C****. We watched the restoration DVD, which is awesome. But her girl was out of control. She ended up slapping her hand! It was pretty shocking, and the spirit just went whoosh [meaning it left]! This week will be awesome, so I look forward to have tons to say next week.
I have to tell you about a miracle I had on Saturday. Weeks ago I met an agnostic on a bus, and we had a great chat about missionary work. I felt really bad after leaving him, because I did not leave him with anything. It was probably a new missionary just feeling like he had to give everyone a Book of Mormon or something, but I still felt bad. So I have been praying to meet D*** (that is his name) again. This is where it gets good. Forgive my lack of suspense, because this could be
great in the right hands. Well, we had an appointment set up with a man named D****l on 10 Nash Street. He had been a previous investigator of missionaries many months ago, but we got in contact with him again. So when we knocked on the door, who did I see . . . . . D***!!! I was dumbfounded. He invited us right in like he was expecting us. I asked him if he knew D****l, and he said that D****l had moved. We called D****l, and it was true. So that is another call we have to make to missionaries in another area. I couldn't imagine it. Maybe the only reason that D****l was ever taught was because I was supposed to run into D*** again, in the house that D****l used to live in!!! I Can't believe it!! D*** didn't want us to have his number, because he is searching on his own, but we gave him our number. I so hope he calls us. God may have just directed me to D*** because I prayed for it, and he was showing me the miracles that can happen with prayer. Whatever the reason, I know that prayer works. I hope we are the answer to a lot of D***'s questions, but we can only continue to pray.
B***, our recent convert, has not been praying much lately, so we committed him to pray everyday. He told us he would read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover by the end of the transfer. 17 pages a day! That was yesterday. We talked to him today, and he had read all of 1 Nephi. 53 pages!! We promised him that if he could read the Book Of Mormon in 5 weeks that his life would change, and he would look back on the last five weeks and see so much change. I love it! Last Friday I learned the secret to the gospel, but I will have to share that with you another week!
My dear family, this is an amazing time of the year. I would ask you to reach out to God's children this Christmas to those who would not have the chance to participate in the same amount of spirit we are able to. Whether it is some stranger, a family in the ward, a non-member friend, or even better a member of the family. We are so blessed to have the Chirstmas spirit that we have. Find a way to share it! Whether that is by giving of monetary blessings, or inviting others into the home to feel of the spirit, or anything.
Money may waver, where we celebrate can change, people you are around may change, but each year our testimonies can grow stronger. The greatest gift is one that doesn't run out, can be continually built upon, and is best when being shared. This gift is the great knowledge we have of the restored gospel, and the testimony we hold that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of us all!! Let someone feel of that gift! I love you all, and hope I was able to share everything. May our Father in Heaven watch over you!
Lots of Love,
Elder Jordan Davies
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