Week One Hundred and Five -The Final Weekly

I honestly thought that missionaries were just being dramatic when they said God makes your last week in the field one of the best, but after this past week I'm a believer! 

We were able to baptize and confirm Jojo this week which was a miracle in itself. She is awesome!  We had our mission leadership conference, and we had a great final exchange with the Farmingdale Elders.

One of my favorite things to do as a missionary was teach the Restoration. The very first point in that lesson is that God is our loving Heavenly Father. As my mission went on my testimony in this principle grew stronger and stronger. Just like my love for the people of New England. Having been able to serve in Maine twice, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the beautiful land of Massachusetts; I've had the privilege to meet a wide variety of people. From lobstermen downeast, to people of the great north woods, down to the melting pot of Boston. Everywhere I've been I have found and taught people that needed to hear that principle. I've felt His love the most as I taught his children. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It has shown unto me in many different ways the power it holds. 

I've learned for myself that God loves us, and He loves us so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to show us a perfect example, and to atone for our sins. I've seen the atonement change lives out here. In turn it's changed my life, and how I view it in the grand scheme of things. My mission was hard. It has definitely put a beating on me, but I have grown, and learned so much out here. 2 years 5 days 4 areas and 11 1/2 companions later. 

New England holds a special place in my heart, and I'm glad I was able to serve here. It is going to be very hard to come back home. I feel the same way when I first left on my mission, except I'm leaving family and friends on this side of the country. I've held out on using some new England slang my whole mission, but I'll let it slide here at the end. It's been a wicked good time, and I love Jesus Christ and this gospel that brings us together. 

Brad Brown and his kids, Isaiah is getting baptized soon

Jojo's baptism!

Caught some fish with Chris

Caught 2 with one swing of a net 

 Final district Council 

Booth with the Farmingdale sets

I died in Winthrop!

Week One Hundred and Four

Had a great week here in New England. I had my final interview with President Beck this past Tuesday. After that we had exchanges with the Lewiston Elders, and I got to hang out with some more African refugees.

On Wednesday we did a booth in Brunswick and gave out waters and did The Book Of Mormon experience. Fast forward to Friday, and we had some exchanges with the Oxford Elders. 

We got things all settled for the baptism this week. I can't believe there's actually one happening the week before I leave. Miracles do happen. Even in the land of Winthrop. 

The time has gone by so fast. I hit my 2 year mark this Friday. Not many missionaries get to see that point. I'm just happy to still be here serving. I've got one final full week to give it to the Lord.

Went fishing with the people we are teaching. We met Chris in the green while we were doing it. He's 19, has a brain tumor and one of the coolest dudes I've met out here. He gave us a bunch of fishing gear. 

Week One Hundred and Three

I am a grateful Elder this week. We asked God to bless us with some miracles, and He delivered. We are having someone that we've been working with for a while be interviewed today. If everything goes to plan, she should be baptized on the 27th, confirmed the 28th, and should be speaking at sacrament, the next day on missionary work. We keep em busy out here😂

This week we taught a ton of lessons. I think now that its warm outside, people are just happy to be here so they let us come back. Two of my favorite people we are teaching would be Cindy and Chris. They made it to church again yesterday! Chris was a little wild, but that's ok. They want to go fishing with us this next week. One of the hard things serving out here in Maine and this lake region is all the people that want to take us out on their boats. We must look like two Elders that need a ride on a boat or something, because it's almost daily. Whether it be an invite to go swimming or cruise on the boat and fish. They said they know some good fishing spots, so maybe next week you will see a picture of us with some fish. The missionaries around the zone have been doing some fishing finding recently, and it's been working awesome. People are down to have deep spiritual conversations while fishing😂

Fireflies are out again too. I was on exchanges with an Elder this Friday, and he flipped out when he saw one. I remember my first time seeing them last year. It was like there was some sort of rave going on outside in the dark night. Cool little dudes.

This little land of Winthrop is beginning to blow up spiritually. In a good way. We had 6 Amigos at church! I'm so glad to be a missionary at this time. I know that the Lord places us where we need to be. Even if we don't feel like we should be where we are, God can make great things out of any situation. It's something I've found time after time on my mission. Whether it be for myself in my areas and companions, or the people we are teaching. Trust God. Believe that there is something He has in store for you, and it will be ok. Learn to laugh, find the good in each situation, and have fun in the process. 

Have a great week everyone! 

Best strawberries in the world.

Wood stacking pro's.  Two years of it makes you baller.

 Had a classic New England Saturday night bean dinner with Bill.

Best bread in town.

My cow had a baby.

Best watermelon ever.

Week One Hundred and Two

Hey everyone! 

It was a fantastic week here in the middle of Maine. It was pretty hot and humid all week, but that's great because I don't like being cold! We started out the week by meeting our new Mission President. The anticipation was real, but then when we saw him and his wife we all felt good about it. They are really cool. I won't have him for long, but obviously I need to learn something from him, or he from me, or both from each other! We had a good conversation already about future leadership as we are losing 6 zone leaders in the next transfer. And then 3 the next and then to top it all of both of the current assistants will be home by the middle of September. The mission is young. We have some hard workers, and some great leaders to help move it along.

We were able to do an awesome booth in the state capital of Augusta! We did the Book of Mormon experience, made balloon animals, gave out otter pops and water, played corn hole, and three a Frisby. It was great because before and after the parade we were swamped with people to teach, and during it we had some fun with them! Then to end the night, we went with our investigators to the fireworks.

Since we had the meet and greet with the Mission President and his wife, they cancelled all district counsels. I have no idea why, but we made the most of that time, and went on exchanges with the Farmingdale Elders. I went with Elder O'Rourke, and it was great! We did some service at the hospital. We were out finding, and decided to go to a nature preserve to find. It's called Hobbit Land. While we were there we were able to find some people to begin teaching. Amazing place. People were confused to see us out in the wilderness with our white shirts. It was a great conversation start though!

Then to top off the week, one of the people we are teaching Cindy, and her 8 year old son Chris came to church again this week. Since it was fast Sunday we told them that members of the congregation got up to share what they know is true. Chris wanted to get up there, so we helped him up there. He got up and told everyone that he knows everything happens for a reason, and he was super happy to meet the Elders. There's a little more to the story, but it was a super sweet thing to see. It reminded me of when my girls Marthene and Maria were in the primary program. 

The mission is a great place. I'll miss times like these. 

Anyways hope everyone has a great week! 

Augusta booth

Hobbit Land

 

Week One Hundred and One

Hey everyone! 

This week was amazing. We saw miracle after miracle, and we had a great time while doing it. So over the past month some of the missionaries in the zone accepted a challenge I issued. It was called the Tab Cats challenge. It was listen to nothing but the Tabernacle Choir, and their sacred music for the whole month of June. This is a little bit annoying for some areas because you spend a lot of time driving. I have to say though, everyone that accepted the challenge and stayed true to it, saw blessing after blessing. Heavenly Father can work through us better and we can hear him clearer when we make the conscience choice to surround ourselves with reverence.

This week we made a big step with one of our people we are teaching. We committed her to pray about baptism, and that Heavenly Father would tell her if it's the right thing to do. Missionaries have worked with her for a long time, and she has avoided baptism like the plague. Well Elder Steenson and I came in guns ablazing and didn't beat around the bush in our lesson on Baptism. She texted us that Jesus told her to get baptized. We are meeting with her later this week to hopefully set a date.

On Wednesday we went over to Booth Bay Harbor and walked in the Windjammer parade. It reminded me of the good old times in Camden and Rockland.😢 We had a blast though giving out starbursts, glow sticks, and pictures of Jesus. We got a bunch of contact info, so those Elders should be busy for a couple of weeks.

We also went on exchanges this week with the Oxford elders. I was with Elder Anderson and we tore up the Throp just working. It was hot outside and we were out on some highway in the middle of Maine knocking on doors. We also got back in contact with my homie Iyesha. She wanted to play ball, so we balled up with her this past Saturday. She gave us a dank watermelon and said be ready for round 2 next week. She's a baller, straight out of Brooklyn. I don't know why she's here, but she's funny. She's trying to get Sundays off permanently so she can come to church, so we are planning on writing another official looking note and signing it. If it worked for Patrick, hopefully it works for her😂

Well everyone I'm glad to live in this country. Someone in church yesterday got up and told everyone on the pulpit that the testimonies of the founding fathers give all of our prophets a run for their money. Hope y'all have a good, and safe 4th of July. God bless America.