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| At the door, with no handle |
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| Florida rainbows |
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
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