Sorry I wasn't able to email you all last week, it was a very hectic morning that day. Anyways, these past weeks have been interesting. Last week Sunday we had interviews with our Mission President, as well as workshops where the assistants to the president work with our zone leaders and give us counsel on how we can be better and more effective missionaries. They really want us to start working with prospective Elders, un-baptized children, and part member families. They said if we work with the members on these 3 categories, we will be able to have more effective lessons taught, and more people to work with. So far it's been hard because the members never have time to come out with us, but we are working with our ward mission leader to change that.
Anyways, work has been really hard here the past couple of weeks. Our investigator Ashley Maez, said we have to post-pone her baptismal date. We aren't exactly sure why yet, but we hope to find out in our next visit with her.
So we started working with a new investigator recently, which whom we call our eternal investigator. They are the Schell family. They have been investigating the church since 2006. They know its true, they come to church every Sunday, their son served a mission, and he is now in the bishopric Somewhere in the pan handle of Florida. I think panama city. But Brother Schell has a smoking problem and he is trying hard to quit. The wife is ready but she won't be baptized until he's ready. It's been tough working with them, but they are so great, and I'm sure they will be ready soon.
Our other investigator Cheryl Vance is progressing greatly! She came to church last Sunday and really enjoyed it. We are planning on setting a baptismal date with her in our next visit! So apparently, my second cousin Greg Greer, worked with her when he served here years ago. She told me he was her favorite missionary and she is excited to have me work with her now too. Its a small world here in the valley haha.
Anyways, another cool thing that had happened this week, happened last night. We were asked to give a blessing to a few members in our ward because they have been going through really hard times. So we did, and the spirit was so strong, it just truly testified to me the power of the Priesthood and the importance of having it on the earth to bless Heavenly Father's children.
So far, those are the highlights this past week, but I have to get going now. I love and miss you all and hope everything is going great!
Elder Greer
Monday, April 28, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Service Project Week! (Week 28 In The Field)
So this past week, we have been able to do a lot of service, but first let me start out with what happened on Monday! So we went to Alamosa, pretty much the only, some what of a city, in the valley that has the only Walmart around. While I was at Walmart I got to see someone I miss a lot. My Dad! (My trainer Elder Manase) I ran up to him and gave him a big hug haha! Wish I got a picture with him.
Anyways, he's doing great and loves being a district leader up in Alamosa. Apparently all the missionaries in the Valley go to Walmart on pday, there was like 20 missionaries there haha, it was a great pday!
On Tuesday I got to have lunch with one of my grandpa's close friends from when he served his mission in England, Valdin McGinnis! He lives up in Mannassa and came down to La Jara to have lunch at one of the only places to eat here. Out of the three places to eat here, this was the best one! Anyways, we had a good time talking and eating together, telling me stories about how my Grandpa was the best missionary in the field haha. :) It was a short visit but I'm pretty sure I'll see him again soon! :)
That night we had a lesson with our investigator Ashley Maez and that went pretty well. We actually got her to talk in the lesson and she's becoming a little less shy. So we read 3rd Nephi, chapter 11 with her and talked about the crowning event in the Book of Mormon when the savior comes to the Nephites after he's resurrected and teaches the pure doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She really liked what we read and she truely felt the spirit. However she had some deep doctrine questions, that I had trouble answering for her, so I told her that she doesn't have to know everything, and that you learn line upon line, precept upon precept. I told her to pray about it, and that Heavenly Father can answer all your questions if you just have enough faith that he will. So she still has a Baptisimal date for May 10th, so we are going to help her prepare for that. She comes to church every Sunday with the member that she lives with, so she's doing pretty good!
The rest of the week we did a ton of service! Helped somebody in the sisters ward move into their new house they just built. And on Wednesday, I went on exchanges with my district leader and did service with him as well. We helped pick up trash in someone's front yard, and on Thursday we helped serve food at a school event they were holding for the Basketballs team's win in the state championship. So little fact about the area my district leader is serving in, 90 percent of the town is Mormon and everybody who lives there grew up there. And for being a small town and huge on sports, this was a big event! The whole town showed up and they even had players who played on the team in the 1950s show up and give speeches. it was crazy! So many people showed up, it was hard serving everyone haha. I also did service on the farm helping members with their cows and what not. That was the dirty work, got poop stains all over me haha.
The exchanges ended Thursday night. On Friday we had more service, a non member called us up and asked us if we could help him with a move, we told him we would love to! He wasn't moving too far from where his shop is so he will still be in our area. :) Moving his stuff was a long process, apparently he met with missionaries before and still had our number. So after we finished, he took us out to lunch the next day. He was so thankful for our help and told us he would call us in a couple weeks when he moves in! :) We were so glad to help him, and can't wait to teach him in the near future!
Anyways, that was my crazy week! I hope everyone else had a good week as well! Oh and my heater is fixed by the way, so no more seeing my breath in my apartment! :) I hope you all have a wonderful week! Love and miss you all!
Elder Greer
Anyways, he's doing great and loves being a district leader up in Alamosa. Apparently all the missionaries in the Valley go to Walmart on pday, there was like 20 missionaries there haha, it was a great pday!
On Tuesday I got to have lunch with one of my grandpa's close friends from when he served his mission in England, Valdin McGinnis! He lives up in Mannassa and came down to La Jara to have lunch at one of the only places to eat here. Out of the three places to eat here, this was the best one! Anyways, we had a good time talking and eating together, telling me stories about how my Grandpa was the best missionary in the field haha. :) It was a short visit but I'm pretty sure I'll see him again soon! :)
That night we had a lesson with our investigator Ashley Maez and that went pretty well. We actually got her to talk in the lesson and she's becoming a little less shy. So we read 3rd Nephi, chapter 11 with her and talked about the crowning event in the Book of Mormon when the savior comes to the Nephites after he's resurrected and teaches the pure doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She really liked what we read and she truely felt the spirit. However she had some deep doctrine questions, that I had trouble answering for her, so I told her that she doesn't have to know everything, and that you learn line upon line, precept upon precept. I told her to pray about it, and that Heavenly Father can answer all your questions if you just have enough faith that he will. So she still has a Baptisimal date for May 10th, so we are going to help her prepare for that. She comes to church every Sunday with the member that she lives with, so she's doing pretty good!
The rest of the week we did a ton of service! Helped somebody in the sisters ward move into their new house they just built. And on Wednesday, I went on exchanges with my district leader and did service with him as well. We helped pick up trash in someone's front yard, and on Thursday we helped serve food at a school event they were holding for the Basketballs team's win in the state championship. So little fact about the area my district leader is serving in, 90 percent of the town is Mormon and everybody who lives there grew up there. And for being a small town and huge on sports, this was a big event! The whole town showed up and they even had players who played on the team in the 1950s show up and give speeches. it was crazy! So many people showed up, it was hard serving everyone haha. I also did service on the farm helping members with their cows and what not. That was the dirty work, got poop stains all over me haha.
The exchanges ended Thursday night. On Friday we had more service, a non member called us up and asked us if we could help him with a move, we told him we would love to! He wasn't moving too far from where his shop is so he will still be in our area. :) Moving his stuff was a long process, apparently he met with missionaries before and still had our number. So after we finished, he took us out to lunch the next day. He was so thankful for our help and told us he would call us in a couple weeks when he moves in! :) We were so glad to help him, and can't wait to teach him in the near future!
Anyways, that was my crazy week! I hope everyone else had a good week as well! Oh and my heater is fixed by the way, so no more seeing my breath in my apartment! :) I hope you all have a wonderful week! Love and miss you all!
Elder Greer
Monday, April 14, 2014
Random Pics (Week 27 In The Field)
the pink palace! This is where elders used to be but now sisters are here
is that David?? I swear it looks like him! This is our family mission
plan pamphlet and there is a story about a women in it thats from
madison wisconsin. Coincident? I think not!
found this picking up trash in someones yard....
the dog and I!
Went on exchanges with my district leader in his area and they have a
dog that follows them around everywhere named little girl. Its a members
dog and whenever they pass by the house, the dog sees us and follows us
wherever we go and waits for us when we have appointments haha. She
wants to be a missionary too! :)
Monday, April 7, 2014
General Conference Week!! (Week 26 In The Field)
This past week has been great! Being able to hear the prophets and apostles speak has been such a blessing and the messages that they have shared has touched the hearts of many.
One of the many things I've learned from the talks that have been borne is that we need to stand up for what we believe in, and defend our faith. There will be many opposing forces that work against us, but we just need to remember that the Lord will be on our left, and on our right, and the gospel will be our anchor to hold us steadfast against these opposing forces.
Remember to be thankful for everything that the Lord has given us. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the 2nd counselor in the first presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, taught that "When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation". Our trials in this life are placed before us to help us learn and grow. We need to remember that we don't have to ever face them alone either. Heavenly help will always be there for us, all we need to do is just ask for it.
He added, "How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?". Don't let the rain of your trials bog you down, instead thank your father in heaven for them, because those are what will refine you into your greatest potential, and if you endure well you shall receive your prize at the end.
This past week our heater broke in our apartment, so it has been really, really cold. To the point where I can see my breath. The only warmth I get is when I am either in the car or under my blankets haha.
Since my time is short I'll tell you about the one good lesson we had with our investigator Ashley Maez. She is about in her 30's, lives with a member, and is super shy. She really wants to be baptized, and we set a date for her on May 10th. Unfortunately, as we were teaching her the commandments, we discovered that she hasn't ever read and prayed to ask if the Book of Mormon is true, and she doesn't even remember the first vision... The most fundamental doctrine you need to have a testimony of before you are baptized. We gave her an assignment to read and pray to ask Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon is true. We are going to teach her Thursday to refresh her memory of the restoration, and see if she followed through with our invitation to read and pray. Please keep her in your prayers. She is so nice and truly has a desire to be baptized.
Sorry about the short time here. Wish I could stay longer, but I've got to go soon. I am so thankful to be a missionary to further the Lord's work, and help him in this crucial time as he is hastening his work. I love the gospel and I am so blessed to have it in my life. I want everyone to receive the same blessing I have in my life. I love and miss you all and hope everyone is doing great back at home! :) Have a blessed upcoming week!
Elder Greer
"In His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings." Dieter F. Uchtdorf
P.S. Sorry if I quoted him (Uchtdorf) a lot, he just said a lot of great things! :)
One of the many things I've learned from the talks that have been borne is that we need to stand up for what we believe in, and defend our faith. There will be many opposing forces that work against us, but we just need to remember that the Lord will be on our left, and on our right, and the gospel will be our anchor to hold us steadfast against these opposing forces.
Remember to be thankful for everything that the Lord has given us. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the 2nd counselor in the first presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, taught that "When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation". Our trials in this life are placed before us to help us learn and grow. We need to remember that we don't have to ever face them alone either. Heavenly help will always be there for us, all we need to do is just ask for it.
He added, "How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?". Don't let the rain of your trials bog you down, instead thank your father in heaven for them, because those are what will refine you into your greatest potential, and if you endure well you shall receive your prize at the end.
This past week our heater broke in our apartment, so it has been really, really cold. To the point where I can see my breath. The only warmth I get is when I am either in the car or under my blankets haha.
Since my time is short I'll tell you about the one good lesson we had with our investigator Ashley Maez. She is about in her 30's, lives with a member, and is super shy. She really wants to be baptized, and we set a date for her on May 10th. Unfortunately, as we were teaching her the commandments, we discovered that she hasn't ever read and prayed to ask if the Book of Mormon is true, and she doesn't even remember the first vision... The most fundamental doctrine you need to have a testimony of before you are baptized. We gave her an assignment to read and pray to ask Heavenly Father if the Book of Mormon is true. We are going to teach her Thursday to refresh her memory of the restoration, and see if she followed through with our invitation to read and pray. Please keep her in your prayers. She is so nice and truly has a desire to be baptized.
Sorry about the short time here. Wish I could stay longer, but I've got to go soon. I am so thankful to be a missionary to further the Lord's work, and help him in this crucial time as he is hastening his work. I love the gospel and I am so blessed to have it in my life. I want everyone to receive the same blessing I have in my life. I love and miss you all and hope everyone is doing great back at home! :) Have a blessed upcoming week!
Elder Greer
"In His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings." Dieter F. Uchtdorf
P.S. Sorry if I quoted him (Uchtdorf) a lot, he just said a lot of great things! :)
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