Hello Family & Friends,
I had one wacky week full of fun and zany adventures.
It all started last Tuesday, September 24th.
We were going throughout the day and seeking with faith, we left our area we were searching in and went to teach one of our friends. We began teaching the Plan of Salvation, with a emphasis on the Fall. I felt that it was important that we discuss how the Fall of Adam and Eve was actually a good thing for us, and allows us to do so many great things!
It all started last Tuesday, September 24th.
We were going throughout the day and seeking with faith, we left our area we were searching in and went to teach one of our friends. We began teaching the Plan of Salvation, with a emphasis on the Fall. I felt that it was important that we discuss how the Fall of Adam and Eve was actually a good thing for us, and allows us to do so many great things!
However our friend had other ideas...
He stopped our lesson abruptly and asked us,
"But did Adam and Eve really fall?"
He stopped our lesson abruptly and asked us,
"But did Adam and Eve really fall?"
We were all visibly confused
He continued,
"Because, that old lady with a wart on her nose had an apple!
We had not known this beforehand, neither did the Sisters in our mission who referred her to us. I see many "coincidences" in my mission. The Lady was heavily in sleep, but we continued to lay our hand upon her head and bless her. We signed the prayer just in case she was watching, and then left to go to another appointment. Both of my companions had a similar moment of recognition of the spirit and we all discussed the experience afterword.
So far I have found
-1 Laptop
-1 Phone
-4 full tires
-several syringes
And a new addition
-a very decayed dog
I took a picture of it, so be warned. It was rather spooky. Just a pile of hair and teeth. Eww.
I have a bit of homework for anyone who made it this far, read President Hinckley's talk from April 1971, titled "Except the lord build the House".
I stumbled across this talk, and it really changed my perspective on companionship. I should never speak accusingly, but rather softly. Anyone who can speak softly is in less danger of a aggravated response from whom they are speaking to. If you want people to understand you, or truly listen to you, speak softly.
Another talk for homework is Elder Uchtdorfs recent talk "Missionary work: Sharing what is in your heart" from April 2019.
Anyone who is willing to do this bit of studying, please email me your thoughts and insights, I'd love to hear what you learned from them!
That just about sums up my week, thanks for all the support!!
-Elder Vance
"Because, that old lady with a wart on her nose had an apple!
Like the one from snow white, and that can't be a coincidence"
A bit of background, our friend smelled slightly like weed (which happens more than you would think) and started the lesson by saying how it was okay to lie about small things,
"like if I was to say I didn't smoke earlier today, that's okay right?"
We of course answered "No, any lie is bad", but it wasn't until later in that lesson that I had utmost assurance that he in fact was high. Some of you (mom and dad) may be thinking, why are you teaching someone like that? He always tells us of how he feels good when we teach him, and is avidly interested in receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I know that if anyone has that desire for truth, regardless of where they come from or what they have done, has the same opportunity as even the Leaders of our church to feel the Spirit. No one is exempt from Gods Love.
Regardless, that lesson was hard for me to teach without smiling, whether from the Joy of the Spirit, or the strange stories coming from our friend.
Another great story from this week, Wednesday September 25th, we had a request to give a blessing to someone in the Hospital. We had no information and had never met the Woman. We went to the Hospital and got to have reserved "Clergy member only" parking. We also got a cool wristband and took a trek around the hospital to find this lady. Once we found her, we walked into the room. The spirit was palpable, I wish I could claim to have brought the spirit, but I feel as though it was the veil that was now close in the room.
We of course answered "No, any lie is bad", but it wasn't until later in that lesson that I had utmost assurance that he in fact was high. Some of you (mom and dad) may be thinking, why are you teaching someone like that? He always tells us of how he feels good when we teach him, and is avidly interested in receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I know that if anyone has that desire for truth, regardless of where they come from or what they have done, has the same opportunity as even the Leaders of our church to feel the Spirit. No one is exempt from Gods Love.
Regardless, that lesson was hard for me to teach without smiling, whether from the Joy of the Spirit, or the strange stories coming from our friend.
Another great story from this week, Wednesday September 25th, we had a request to give a blessing to someone in the Hospital. We had no information and had never met the Woman. We went to the Hospital and got to have reserved "Clergy member only" parking. We also got a cool wristband and took a trek around the hospital to find this lady. Once we found her, we walked into the room. The spirit was palpable, I wish I could claim to have brought the spirit, but I feel as though it was the veil that was now close in the room.
We were talking with the woman's family, and found that one (I think) of her daughters had served a ASL mission and that the Lady whom we were blessing was actually Deaf.
We had not known this beforehand, neither did the Sisters in our mission who referred her to us. I see many "coincidences" in my mission. The Lady was heavily in sleep, but we continued to lay our hand upon her head and bless her. We signed the prayer just in case she was watching, and then left to go to another appointment. Both of my companions had a similar moment of recognition of the spirit and we all discussed the experience afterword.
One last story, we often do service for a company called "Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful" and pick up garbage along streets. There was a large event where 500 volunteers gathered and spread out all across this county. We got free T-shirts and also free lunch!
It probably doesn't sound very exciting, but you can find some very strange stuff while picking up trash.
It probably doesn't sound very exciting, but you can find some very strange stuff while picking up trash.
So far I have found-1 Laptop
-1 Phone
-4 full tires
-several syringes
And a new addition
-a very decayed dog
I have a bit of homework for anyone who made it this far, read President Hinckley's talk from April 1971, titled "Except the lord build the House".
I stumbled across this talk, and it really changed my perspective on companionship. I should never speak accusingly, but rather softly. Anyone who can speak softly is in less danger of a aggravated response from whom they are speaking to. If you want people to understand you, or truly listen to you, speak softly.
Another talk for homework is Elder Uchtdorfs recent talk "Missionary work: Sharing what is in your heart" from April 2019.
Anyone who is willing to do this bit of studying, please email me your thoughts and insights, I'd love to hear what you learned from them!
That just about sums up my week, thanks for all the support!!
-Elder Vance
Some beautiful P-day hiking and fun!
