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| serving an investigator |
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| Spaghetti dinner with Alex |
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| Cute kid playing with my ipad |
Monday, November 9, 2015
November 9, 2015
I am really starting to realize how precious time is. Things have been going by so fast that I cant even notice what I am doing and soak up the experiences I get to have.
This past week was great we were able to teach a lot more people that are more solid and are more interested than others we have contacted. We have been teaching a recently married couple Alex & Etie I think I have mentioned them before. They are so awesome! They have been looking for a "Church Home". They couldn't come to church this weekend because they had other plans but hopefully this week. They are so fun to teach! Alex is so funny and a good friend. We brought a recently married couple over to a lesson and they got along so good! Tonight we will be doing an FHE with a family and they invited Alex & Etie over but Alex is the only one that can.
A while ago we tracted into a lady who seemed pretty interested but kept canceling and wouldnt get back to us. We stopped by her again this past week and she accepted a return appointment. It was so good. Her and her family invited us in and we sat down at the table and had a "Bible Study" as she likes to call it (really we just taught the Restoration). They accepted the message and just believed that it is true. They accepted a baptismal date as well and will be working towards it! The biggest thing is getting them to church, that is a struggle in missionary work getting them to leave the church they go to and come to ours. I have the Faith though.
Here is something funny. We were walking to the church and we were passing a black guy and tried giving him a card with a picture of Jesus Christ. As he walked past he looked at the card and said "Nah man I don't do White Jesus". I thought it was funny but its a legit concern. We tracted into a guy last night who said similarly. He told us to read Revelations Chapter 1 and told us that Jesus was Black... It doesn't matter what Jesus Christ looks like!! He could be purple or green or black that doesn't matter. What matters is what he taught and what he did. He has laid His life down for US and for that I am thankful.
Keep strong in your faith and always remember... God is a Mormon.
Elder Gardner
November 2, 2015
Happy Halloween!!! Sorry Im a Tadd Bit late but its ok!!
Halloween was strange in the mission field. We did a little bit of tracting and every house that we knocked on brought candy to the door. Its almost like they thought we had a costume on... oh wait. It was fun though we were able to talk to quite a few people and say a prayer with some people before they head out to trick of treat. That is one thing that people in Florid a love is Prayers. That is the approach we do at doors a lot of the time and it is succesful. A lot of the time they come out and want to hold hands and pray. I love it when Im praying and people say "Yes Jesus". Sometimes it is difficult fighting the giggles. That is something that is unique and you don't find that too much in Utah.
Farony wasnt able to come to church again because his parents had work and he had to watch his sister. Keep him in your prayers his baptism is coming up soon.
We have been working with a recently married couple that lives in our apartment complex. Their names are Alex & Etie and they are super awesome! Etie comes from a baptist background and Alex was raised Catholic. They have been looking for a church to go to and we told them we know a good one to go to. They came yesterday just for sacrament meeting and they loved it. One thing Etie noticed is she loves how the kids are crying and the families are together the first hour. Sometimes it is distracting but I love it as well. It is such a family based church and that is what it is all about. Next week they will be staying for longer.
One thing that I noticed this past week and it hit me pretty hard is my purpose as a missionary. We are called to Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel through Faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the end. I have basically been expecting blessings as I have been obedient but that is wrong. We are obedient because we Love God and Jesus Christ, not because we will receive blessings. When we are being obedient for the right reason that is when blessing come. I love this work and am proud to bear the best name and the best Life this world has ever known, the name of Jesus Christ.
Until next week!
Elder Gardner
October 26,2015
Oi familia lol jk that is Dani's phrase.
Hello!!
What a great week. It flew by way too quick for my liking but "it is what it is" as Mom would say. We had a lot of success this week in finding more people to teach which is always good.
This week we have been teaching a lady named Sherice. She is really nice. We got her as a referral from some other Elders in a near by area that talked to her. We have had a couple lessons with her and on my Birthday we gave her a tour of the church with a member of the ward. She wasn't able to come to church this week because something came up but hopefully next week.
We also have been teaching a recently married couple that lives in our apartment complex that we live in. We gave the husband a tour of the church as well on Thursday with a member there and he liked it as well. They are looking forward to coming to church.
Ok I bet all of you are wondering what I did for my Birthday so I will tell you... MISSIONARY WORK!!! Shocker! We had District Meeting in the morning and so afterwards I was serenaded by the district. Other than that I basically forgot it was my birthday for the rest of the day. The Lord called me to be a missionary so I will be a missionary whether it is my birthday or not. Next birthday I will be about to come home and I don't like to think of that. Thursday was my Hump Day!!! For the occasion I got a shirt that says Hump Day and wore it all night. For the classic tradition I did burn one of my shirts.
Cool story time: We have a member that works as a dialysis nurse at a cancer hospital and had a patient that she talked to about the priesthood and he asked if he could get a blessing. We gave him a blessing and an hour later after we left he was able to urinate which he hadn't done for about 3 months. That was a testimony builder for me.
What a blessing it is to have such an amazing ward family. I constantly get awesome letters from the primary and they keep me going when times get tough. That is what this church is here for to strengthen one another. It is my testimony that the church of Jesus Christ is true. It has been a blessing in my life and I am grateful I can call myself a member of it. You all should be as well. Stand tall because we have the truth that others seek after. Don't be afraid to open your mouths and share what you know to be true, you never know who may be seeking the light that you all have. Thank you all for your love and support. Your prayers are felt.
Elder Gardner
October 19, 2015
Boy oh boy is this week going to be good!!!!
As for this past week it was an average week. Farony came to church again and he had a good time again. His fellowshipper Keiran was sick so he was a little bored but he knows some other priests from school. The Assistants to the President serve in the YSA ward that meets at 1pm. They had a baptism at Noon right after our church got out so we had Farony come to it and he thought it was strange because he is used to a Catholic baptism. Well the catholic baptism was false and this one is the correct baptism so that's why it looks different.
We have also been teaching another lady named Sherice who has been trying to look for a church to go to. We have met with her a couple times and every time she just wants to get a better understanding of the Book of Mormon which is awesome. She just recently had a baby so it kept her up all night on Saturday otherwise she would have come to church. She is really humble and willing to learn. A lot of people have been looking for something during the week that the church does and there isnt really anything other than Mutual. We are going to be starting up a bible study and inviting as many people as we can to it. That will iliminate the concern of "Mormons dont read the bible they have their own." I will keep you posted on how that goes.
My Birthday is tomorrow and I dont feel like im 21 I still feel like im 18. I am excited though. Also I will be hitting my Year mark on Thursday!!!! I cant even put into words how the mission has changed my life. I love it. I love talking to people about the Gospel and I love He who created it. I know that my knowledge is small still but I know that Jesus is the Christ. He suffered for us so He can lift us up. I know that Joseph Smith isnt blasphemous but that he did what he said he did and saw what he said he saw. I am excited to hit my year mark but more excited to see what God has in store for me this last year of my mission.
I love you all!!! Have a good week! I know I will!!!
Elder Gardner
pics
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| Tadd, Kerian, Nettleton, Ferony |
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| Selfie, God Loves you, He always has and always will. |
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| driving billboard we saw in Florida |
October 12, 2015
What a week! Life is good here in Tampa Florida.
This next week is Transfers!!! I wont be going anywhere I will be staying in New Tampa with Elder Nettleton.
Since we have been meeting with Farony his mom wasn't too sure she wanted him to get baptized. We had a lesson and invited his mom to join. We talked about the importance of baptism and talked about the restoration again. After talking she said if it is something he wants to do I am fine with it. We were able to set a more solid baptism date for him to work towards. He came to church yesterday as well and loved it. When we were meeting with his mom he told his mom how he likes coming to our church because its an actual church and not a wal mart church! Harsh but im not going to say that its false!
I learned a good lesson this week about real intent. I dont have to go into detail but the Holy Ghost taught me a good life lesson. We had to repair a car and I didnt ask much about the detail of what happened I just gave them their money and took their word for it. I found out later that we had a warranty on the car. Trough multiple phone calls we found out the reason the warranty didnt cover the repair. If I would have had real intent I could have got all the information on the first call instead of just taking their word for it. It is like "The parable of the Orange" given in a BYU Idaho YSA devotional. I highly recommend reading or listening to that talk, it taught me a lot.
This past week I ponderized Alma 7:11-12. I love that scripture and how it explains that Jesus Christ has taken upon himself OUR trials and OUR afflictions. We do not have to go through trials alone. He promises He will not leave us comfortless. He has payed the ultimate price for all of US! In return He asks us to do so little. Keep His commandments.
Special shout out to my little/not so little anymore sister ALEXA!! Happy Bday tomorrow!!!
I love you all and hope you all have a great week!
Elder Gardner
October 5, 2015
Conference was amazing as always!!! That was the Highlight of my week for sure. Other than conference we didnt have a lot going for us. We have been working with Ferony a little bit but we need to meet with his mom to talk to her about baptism. We were trying to get some investigators to join with us at Conference but no one was able to come. We have been having a struggle with finding people that stick and show some commitment, but we will press forward with faith. I know there are people prepared that are waiting for us.
I had a cool experience this past week being in the office has its perks. We are over all the vehicles in the mission and have to sell vehicles when they get close to 50,000 miles on it. We also get to get new cars that come in for our use and this week we picked one up. We got to go to the dealer and get a 2016 Toyota Carolla! I signed for the car and drove it off the lot with 4 miles on it!!! It still has the new car smell. We get to drive it around for now.
I really enjoyed the talk given by Elder Durrant on Ponderizing the scriptures. That is one action item I am going to take from Conference and apply into my life. As we do that we can center ourselves on the potters wheel by centering our lives on Jesus Christ. I also really liked the talk given about the surfer dudes that were bummed about the barriers protecting their lives. I know those Barriers are the scriptures. As we more fully use and study the scriptures we will avoid dangerous situations and feel the Holy Ghost more abundantly in our lives.
Thank you all for your love and support.
Elder Gardner
September 28th
Basically another month in the books. October should be a good month!!!! Who is with me?!
This past week was a lot of time to find more people to teach. We have been diligent and obedient and from that we have seen blessings. Not only being blessed with more people to teach but just being more in tune with the spirit and having a lot more happiness from living the Gospel and living the mission rules. One thing I have realized is that the Gospel brings happiness. It only brings happiness if you live it, if you don't it wont. As a representative of Jesus Christ I can promise that you will be more happy as you are obedient to the commandments He has set for us.
We got a call from Cindy after a couple weeks of not meeting with her or having any contact with her. She has been having some health challenges and told us she wants to meet again. I think she has realized that she has seen a change from when she has met with us and when she hasn't. The only tough part is going to have her stay all 3 hours because of her social anxiety. That has been her hold up the whole time is keeping the sabbath day holy. It is tough in the world we live in today.
One thing that I have noticed is that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. That is for both the good and for the bad. Satan works by small and simple things as well. If he gets you on the small things they will lead to worse and worse things until he drags you carefully down to hell (2nd Nephi 28:21).
I love you all and am grateful to all of you for the support and encouragement. It strengthens me every day.
Elder Gardner
September 21st
Well family and friends tomorrow I will be out 11 months and it doesnt feel that way. I feel like I just got here yesterday but at the same time I feel like I have been here forever! Months go by like weeks out here in the mission field.
As for us we had a good week here in Tampa. We set out to find a lot more investigators and we got quite a few. It is amazing to see how the Lord puts people in your path so you can meet them and he truly does prepare people and softens their hearts. The other day while tracting a guy let us right in his home and gave us some water and explains how he has been raised religious but has fallen away from it and has felt a change. He has been opening up and he wants there to be someone who is there listening to his prayers and comforting him. I know there is.
It was Elder Nettletons Birthday on Friday and so we were able to celebrate it by doing missionary work! He got a couple packages from his friends and family and I got a little jealous but mine is next month on the 20th for all of those who are reading this email (hint hint). Just kidding I will love you all no matter what.
We were walking through a neighborhood last week and came across a sweet new invention! I sent a quick video of it. This should be the new way to do missionary work. I will send it to President Monson and see what he thinks! Just kidding.
Unfortunately we will no longer be in a tripanionship. Elder Newbold got a new companion and so it will be just us but that is how the Lord designed missionary work.
We have been working with Ferony this past week on getting him to come to church and he finally came to church!! He knew a couple kids from the ward who go to school with him. He said its a lot better than the church his mom goes to. We will see how things go with him.
Love you all!!
Elder Gardner
September 14th
This past week was good and bad at the same time. A lot happened.
In the ward where we are serving there is 2 sets of Elders, us and another set. The other set was Elder Newbold and he was training Elder Stott. Elder Stott Unfortunately had to go home due to some health issues and so Elder Newbold is going to be in a tripanionship with us for now. It was sad to see him go home because he was a good friend and wanted to be out so badly. So there is the bad news.
The good news is now there is 3 of us and we have been really hitting the pavement this past week. We tracted quite a few places and there was a lot of people that opened up and were willing to say a prayer or hear a message. We have just really been seeing who will stick and keep commitments. We are combining our areabooks and working with both.
The only real person that we are working with has been Jacob. We met with him this past week again on Thursday because thats the only day he can since he is a busy guy. We did a review and he remembered a lot of what we shared. We stay there and teach him for a little over an hour and its mainly because he has so many questions and just wants to know everything. He said that he has never really felt on the right path in his life until he started meeting with us. He was seeking for the truth! You never know who might be seeking the truth and doesnt know where to find it! WE HAVE THAT TRUTH! Open your mouths and share it!
A good talk is the blueprints of Christ's Church by Tad R Calister. If you are questioning the church I advise you to listen to that talk.
One thing we need to do is to constantly be improving our testimony. That means the primary answers through Praying, studying, and attending church we will strengthen our testimony. In a storm do you want a house built with sand or with Rock? Christ is the Rock we need to build upon.
Love you all!!
Elder Gardner
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Sept 7th, 2015
Well this week was pretty hectic for me personally. I got a new companion named Elder Nettleton. He is from Payson, UT. Another from the Factory. All my companions so far have been from Utah. I am having to train him in doing the office work and what I know. We had more issues with cars in the mission this past week than any week since I have been here I swear!
On Friday we had a good lesson with Cindy and went through all the baptismal interview questions with her and got the program figured out for who is going to talk and who is going to baptize her. Then on Sunday we were waiting for her to show up to church and sacrament was about to start so I called her and she just said I dont think the church thing is right for me... She said she likes to keep to herself and she feels just overwhelmed. That was a bummer for us. We are having her fellowshippers call her and see how she is doing and hopefully they can help her out and get her motivated again.
We have been working with Feroni who is 15 and his mom. We tracted into the mom a couple weeks ago and she didnt seem too interested to meet with us again but she said we could come back sometime so we decided to go back and try them. We met Feroni and he has been the one that is really interested. His mom said that she has been working with him for the past little while to get him to come to church and pray more and then we showed up. Ever since we have showed up he has been praying more and reading the Book of Mormon. We will see how that goes throughout this next week.
We have been teaching a referral that we got from the best members in the ward the Yorks. Sister York was Muslim and then converted over while she was in her 20s. Sister York is a crazy good missionary! She has a personal trainer Jacob who she just talks about the gospel to all the time and invites to have a discussion with the missionaries until finally he came over. We have been teaching him once a week but every time we go over there he always just soaks up everything that we share. We will keep you updated on how that goes but it will be a slower process.
Although we live in an uncertain world, we are not governed by an uncertain God. God knows what all people need and what is best for them.
Love you all
Elder Gardner
August 31, 2015
August is basically over now and that is crazy. Weeks truly do go by like days out in the mission field. Last week was the last week of the transfer and Elder Holmes will be getting transferred and I will be receiving a new companion and training him in the office. That will happen on Wednesday so watch Facebook to see who my new companion will be! Its always exciting and nerve racking getting a new companion.
This week was a quick one to say the least. We had a lot of things to do in the office, prepping for the new missionaries coming in and what not. This week we will receive 19 new missionaries. 17 and 2 visa waiters. On Wednesday we go through some things with them and tell them about things with the cars.
We had stake conference this weekend and we had Elder Bluth from the 70 speak to us about sacrament meeting and how to make it sacred as it should be. It was good. I only have 2 more stake conferences left in the mission!!
I now can say that the weirdest thing I have eaten on my mission has been cow feet! I guess Dani, otherwise known as Sister Gardner, had cow feet this past week too! The meal was called Fufu. We have a family from Ghana that we are teaching and they made it for us. I will send a pic of it and the family. It was a good experience though. You dont have to travel the world for different culture experiences you just have to come to Florida. I will not be eating cow feet again any time soon though. It was just like eating fat from meat. Also there was Turkey neck in the soup as well. We tore off pieces of the fufu (dough looking thing) and dip it in the soup and eat. All with your hands. We wanted a full Ghana experience.
We have been teaching Cindy as well still, she has been progressing a lot. We have a great new young couple that just moved in from Orem and they have been fellowshipping her a lot and inviting her to things. That will be key to her conversion. Keep her in your prayers, her baptism will be on the 12th on September.
The other picture is of Ryan and Natalie. We were teaching them a while ago Ryan is not a member but Natalie is. They are fun. They just moved to Smithsfield Utah!!
I love you all and want you all to know how grateful I am to be a part of this great work. I have grown here more than I ever could have at home. I have developed a love for Joseph Smith and what he did. I know Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and gives us all hope for the future.
Elder Gardner
August 24, 2015
It always feels like one day you start a month and then the next day its the end of the month!
Monday was a great day for us. We had 2 referrals that we got from awesome members in the ward and then we taught them both in their home.It was great to get member trust. Teaching with members is the best!! We taught a guy named Jacob the restoration and set his baptism date. He is really solid as member referrals usually are. He has been searching for more truth. You never know what one of your friends is doing the same!! Dont be afraid to share what you know!
After Jacob we had Family Home Evening with a family and there were 2 other families there as well, one family was non members. We did an object lesson with the kids. We played Jenga Restoration it was really fun. You write start out by writing things from Jesus Christ's church on each block, you build the tower and then play jenga. Once the priesthood is taken out then the tower falls over. Then you teach about the apostacy and how each church has a part of the truth but not the whole tower. Then explain about Joseph Smith and how he restored it and you build the tower back up again.
Cindy one of our investigators we have been working with has anxiety and so going to all 3 hours of church is a little difficult for her most of the time. We encouraged her to stay for all 3 hours this Sunday and members did as well. Members and how they fellowship investigators is the most important part in missionary work.
We were coming home from church yesterday and there were some Jahovas Witnesses at our door. It was a young couple going around with their 4year old kid. They gave us a watch tower and were really nice to us. That was the first time I have talked with one out proselyting. That was interesting.
Elder Holmes got new shirts for his year mark and he had an allergic reaction to the fabric in it so he had a nasty rash for couple days. A lot of our time was spent in the dr. office trying to figure out what was wrong. We got everything figured out and he is in good condition now so back to work for us!
We are getting 20 new missionaries this next week and so we will have to get everything ready for them. The work truly is hastening!
The mission has opened my eyes in many ways and has helped me realize the light of the world. The light is Christ. As we center our lives on the Gospel and on what Christ has taught things will work out and we will have our eyes opened.
Love you all!
Elder Gardner
August 17
Well this week was tough, but its over and im happy to start a new week.
We were planning for Rachel to be baptized on Friday, but she didnt come to church so we are done with having her be lukewarm. We tried calling and texting her and even dropping by and got nothing in return so we have to drop her. Its tough dropping people but we always get super big blessings when we have the faith to drop people not keeping commitments. I was really looking forward to the baptism but that is in the past.
I think this past week we tracted all of New Tampa area and got nothing. Tracting is not very effective and I haven't realized it until just this past week. Ever since we have started tracting the baptisms have gone waaaay down. We see all the baptisms that happen in the mission and we have been hurting. We have been doing our best to work with members and seeing if we can teach their friends. Today we have 2 appointments with 2 member referrals and both are going to be taught in their homes. True conversion comes when members are there to fellowship.
Missionary work would be a lot more effective if we had 15 million of us doing work as compared to 88 Thousand.
Thank you all for the love and support.
Elder Gardner
Sunday, August 16, 2015
August 10, 2015
Weeks go by days and days go by weeks.
This week was good for missionary work here in Tampa. We were able to talk with a lot of people and tract a lot more doors. The week previous we dropped a lot of people because they werent progressing which was sad. When we do that we always get blessed with more people to teach.
As for people. Rachel finally came to church!!! She was only able to stay for Sacrament and then she had to take her husband to work but she is on her way towards baptism. She has been progressing a lot and its fun to see her change. She was going through a hard time this past week and really ever since we have met her she has noticed that Satan has been throwing everything at her. We shared the mormon message "Mountains to climb" and it really hit her. That is a great video. If you havent seen it I suggest to watch it. The Savior is always there by our side and he will not forsake us. He will not leave us alone if we call out to him. Keep Rachel in your prayers so that she can keep doing good and Satan can lay off.
Our area has been given the permission to test out the member dinner appointments. We were able to have a good meal with a family in the ward. We got to know them over a good meal and shared a thought. We were able to get them more missionary minded because thats of course the purpose of that and to build trust.
We were walking just yesterday and talked with a guy that was working on his car. We said a prayer with him and then all the sudden it started pouring so we got shelter and were able to teach him the restoration. The thing that caught his attention was the Book of Mormon. People dont know about the Book of Mormon. If they have heard about it they think its our version of the bible but that is not true. Don't be afraid to talk about the Book of Mormon! At least give them good information instead of something to guess. The Book of Mormon is the Keystone of our religion. If its not true then I am giving up 2 years of my life to teach false things. I know I am not doing that. The Book of Mormon is true.
I love you all!! Keep being awesome!!!
Elder Gardner
August 3, 2015
Well this week has been rough but its all good its nothing a Gardner cant handle!! There is a mormon message that I love. Its called "Come what may and love it" Joseph Worthin talks about advice that his mother gave him. That is what I am trying my best to do, love every moment even when times get hard.
It has been really rainy the past little while. I didnt know what rain was like until I came to Florida.
The other Elders in our ward had a baptism of 3. A mother and her 2 kids. It was an amazing baptism. Rachel came to the baptism and she is just so pumped to get baptized. It was a really spiritual experience for everyone especially the ones getting baptized. They all went one at a time and waited for each other to get dressed so they all could witness each others baptisms. Every time I go to a baptism its almost like you could cut the spirit with a knife its so thick.
Rachel wasnt able to come to church again unfortunately. That is her biggest struggle. We talk to her all week and she is always super ready to come to church and so willing and then every sunday there is always a new excuse. Then every time we meet with her she balls because she is so sorry she didnt show up. We have taught her basically all the lessons and so thats all she needs to do is come to church 2 sundays and then she can be baptized. Keep her in your prayers that she can come. We are going to be attending her FHE night on Wednesday to play games and have a fun time with her family.
We had a run in with a lady that is super big christian and apparently doesnt like missionaries. She was just trying to preach to us and we couldnt fit any words in. Probably the most frustrated I have ever been. She just kept saying that if you believe you will go to heaven. It doesnt make one bit of sense. The grace of God is good but we have to show God that we love him and want to follow him. Faith without works is Dead! All I wanted to do was argue and its hard just to brush those off and carry on.
The Gospel that has been restored through Joseph Smith is true. That was a big testimony builder for me to hear what she has to say and then think about it. The Gospel makes sense. The Gospel is as simple or as hard as you want to make it.
I love you all and thank you for your prayers.
Elder Gardner
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
July 27th, 2015
Well family and friends I am now famous!! Not really but sometimes I like to think I am. On the 24th (Pioneer Day) We got to go to a MLB game and sing the National Anthem! The video is on the mission FB page. We got to practice a little before the game and while we were practicing some players were practicing! One of the batting coaches gave us a round of applause haha. We went right by the pitchers mound and sang our hearts out. After we sang us and a lot of other missionaries were able to watch a couple innings until our curfew.
We had to get rid of our 3rd wheel this week and that was tough. He isnt too far from us though. We get to stay in the ward though.
As far as the work goes it has been going good. Rachel has been doing really good, we have been meeting with her a lot and helping her progress. We gave her a priesthood blessing this last week and ever since she has been strong in not smoking!! She said when we gave her the blessing she just felt so warm and it was like someone was hugging her. Every time she talks about it it brings her to tears. Her baptism date was originally for the 8th of August, but unfortunately she didnt show up for church because she had a really tough time at work on Saturday. Ill keep you informed on her.
We have been teaching a guy named Paul from Nigeria who lives with a Less Active member who he works with. Kind of a weird situation but its whatever. He has been comparing the bible with the Book of Mormon ever since we have given it to him. He says he likes it and hasnt found anything to scare him away yet. He came to church this last week and had a great time! We were able to introduce him to some members and President Cusick as well because he came and visited the ward yesterday. We are going to set his baptism date this next week, he is really cool guy.
It seems like when times get tough and it seems like no one is going to listen to you the Lord always puts someone in your path. We went tracting and met a lady who invited us in lovingly and we shared the video "Because of Him" and we are going to be teaching her and her family tonight, she has 18,16 and 12 year old kids.
D&C 60:2. Read it and you will find that the Lord is upset at those who dont open their mouth because they fear man. So often we have doubts and dont want to talk to people because the fear that people will say no... well I dont know if you knew it or not, but missionaries get said no to all day and they still go forward with faith because there are people that will say yes. Its a lot easier said than done I know, but that is what we covenanted to do at baptism.
Love you all and thanks for the support!!
Elder Gardner
Monday, July 20, 2015
July 20, 2015
Hello Family and Friends!!
This week was good here in the New Tampa ward. We have been able to teach a couple new people and are seeing quite a bit of success. This next week is transfers and Elder Dungan is getting transferred so we will no longer be in a tripanionship. Its sad to see him go I really enjoyed being able to serve with him. This next transfer is going to be crazy! There is 17 new missionaries coming in and a lot of change happening!
We have been teaching a lady named Rachel the past 2 weeks or so and she has been really improving. She has been soaking up the Book of Mormon and reading it every day. We taught the Word of Wisdom to her and she has an addiction to cigarettes so she has to quit that. She said she was going to go on the Ecigarettes which is supposedly to help. The next time we came back she said she is just going cold turkey. So far she hasnt smoked and it has been 5 days. She has a good heart and wants to change.
We have been working with a guy Ray Ray and her mother Phillis. We taught them about the restoration and Ray Ray wanted to get baptized but his mom wouldnt allow it. She has a Brother who is a pastor in a church and she wanted Ray Ray to get baptized in that church. Her and her husband talked about it and we were just praying that they would be willing to let us teach them. Yesterday we came back and Phillis the mom said that she talked with her husband about us and she said that we can keep teaching them. Phillis really trusts us and is now opening up to us teaching her as well. The restoration made sense to her and she felt the spirit for sure.
Phillis said something that is common. She said" all these years she has been running away from you guys so that I didnt have to talk to you guys, but we are just trying to help everyone." It is so true. That is why I am here in Florida. That is why I left my family for 2 years. That's why I am out in this heat knocking on doors all day.
I love you all!! Until next week! I cant believe I have been out 9 months...
Elder Gardner
July 13, 2015
This week was soooo quick!! I thought for sure it would be a long week and I would get trunky because I will think of my LPF having a grand time. I just put my head down and went to work. Last Monday night we met a lady through tracting that was really interested. Her name is Rachel. There is a Less Active member that lives in her same apartment complex that actually shared the gospel with her and got her interested. We came into her life right at the perfect time. She just got married to her husband that she was dating for 13 years... that would have been a struggle. More info about how she is coming along next week.
We had another investigator that we came in contact with and taught the restoration to and he wanted to get baptized in our church but his mom wouldnt let him because she wants him to get baptized in the church her brother is a pastor at... I thought I would have never had to deal with parents not allowing their kid to get baptized. It happened to us right when I came into the area as well. Sad but you cant take away peoples agency.
The past 2 weeks have been a little hectic in the office because at the end of the month we have a lot to do. We have to do a lot of computer work keeping up on the cars and making sure that they get the proper maintenance. We have still been tracting and finding the people who are prepared.
This week we got notice that some missionaries from our mission will be able to sing the national anthem at the Tampa Bay Rays Baseball game on the 24th of this month!! We will me some of the missionaries singing!!! So we will get tickets and go on the field and sing our hearts out! I dont believe they will be broadcasting the National Anthem but we will get it on video.
Last but certainly not least GUESS WHO IS AN UNCLE!!!!! YES!! I AM!!
Well it was hard for me to hold back the tears while looking at pictures of my Niece but I do hard things. I wish I could be there to hold her in my arms but I am here to bring peace and happiness to families here in Florida. How great is my calling. More like how great is OUR calling because as members of Christ's church we all promised to share the gospel with everyone when we entered into the waters of baptism.
Love you all!!! Thank you all for the prayers on my behalf!
Elder Gardner
July 6, 2015
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!
How blessed we all are to live in a country that is sooo great!
I bet you were all wondering what I did for the 4th... I did missionary work can you believe it!!!!! We talked to a lot of people even though a lot of them were drunk but even the drunks need the gospel right? We werent really able to see any fireworks but we saw some lightning! It got really stormy at night and so not a lot of fireworks happened while we were out. When we got home that is when we heard all the fireworks!
I forgot to tell you all but last week we met a lady on the street who we made a deal with that if we go to her church she will come to ours. So Saturday we went to the Seventh Day Adventice church and worshiped with them. It was really neat to see a different service. They had a lot of similar beliefs. They are one of the closest religions to us. They even had their primary sing LOVE AT HOME can you believe it?! The same song we sing.
This week we got news that me and Elder Holmes will be getting a new companion. On Tuesday we had Zone training meeting and we picked up Elder Dungan. He is from Lake Orion Michigan only a couple minutes North of Detroit!! He has only been out 3 weeks in the field and so Elder Holmes and I will be training him as well. It has been loads of fun! He crashed on his bike and fractured his growth plate in his shoulder and will be healing with us.
We had to do a lot of driving this past week delivering cars to areas and so forth, thats the blessing about being here in the office. We used to drive a chevy cruze but now that had to be taken to another area. Its all good though because we upgraded. We now ride around in a Minivan!! Classic mormons always driving minivans. Her name is Sheryl.
Blessing of the week. Yesterday we were tracting and didnt really have any set appointents until 8:30. We got a call and the appointment cancelled so we were pretty bummed. We werent getting a lot of success in the area but we decided to keep being diligent and keep going. The last door we knocked on was a nice lady that turned out to be really interested! Everything that we were sharing with her she was just eating up. The Lord always tests his missionaries to see if they will really be diligent and then he will bless them.
I hope you all have fun at Lake Powell but just remember to keep some of your clothes on! I am sad that I couldnt be going with the LPF but I know this is where I need to be. I know that God loves us so He sent His son. I know that Christ payed the price so that all of us dont have to go through anything alone. There are people here in Tampa Florida that need that and we are the only ones that can bring them that peace.
Now Mom wipe the tears away and go have some fun in the sun! I love you all thanks for all the love and support!
Elder Gardner
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
June 29, 2015
Well Family and friends tomorrow is the last week of June and it has flown by!
This week went by pretty quick but it has probably been the hardest week on the mission so far. We made sure that we are doing what we are supposed to but no one that we talked to were willing to keep commitments. Not saying we didnt have any cool experiences, but we just couldnt get anyone to stick.
This week went by pretty quick but it has probably been the hardest week on the mission so far. We made sure that we are doing what we are supposed to but no one that we talked to were willing to keep commitments. Not saying we didnt have any cool experiences, but we just couldnt get anyone to stick.
We have a Part Member family that we are working with. The Elders have been working with him for a looong time and he just hasnt been moving along with anything. He wasnt really able to come to church because of issues with work. This past week he burst his ear drum because he is a lifeguard and they had to switch his schedule around so now he can make it to church!!! I think the Lord is slowly working with him!
In my Patriarchal blessing it says that "You will be lead to doors of people that will listen" I have been able to see that a lot in this area. Especially with tracting. We had about 10 more minutes for the night and so we decided to say a prayer to be lead to one more person who we can talk to. After the prayer I was thinking of a door we could go to and I went with one. We knocked on his door and we were able to say a prayer with him and set up a return appointment.
I hope everyone has a good week and I hope that the baby comes this week im just sick of waiting!!!!
Elder Gardner
Monday, June 22, 2015
June 22, 2015
SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MY FATHER!!!! HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!
ALSO THE SOON TO BE FATHER!!
This week went by pretty quick I dont know about you guys...
As far as how it went it was pretty tough. We have been working hard to try and get families and really anyone to stick but we havent been able to yet. We have found a guy through tracting named Matt and he has a tattoo of FAMILY across his chest. When he opened the door we knew just what to say haha! He and his fiance are getting married soon and they have little kids I believe. We havent been able to meet the other family members yet but we will soon.
So weird story. We were praying all day yesterday to find some people that we could teach and hopefully prepare for baptism because thats what we do and all... all day we didnt really find anyone that was willing to change. Then that night we found out that the sisters in our ward are getting Emergency Transferred and we will be getting their investigators... How is that for an answer to a prayer haha. Sorry Sisters.
Back in Davenport Daniel who we were working with got baptized on Saturday!! Im sad I couldnt be there but its all good all that matters is that he did.
On to another week! June is flying by!!
I love you all and hope all the Fathers out there had a good Fathers Day!
Elder Gardner
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