Week 75- Grandma Overson, The most Christlike person I have met

Hello world!

I am going to say I love the Lord! I am grateful for His love that has been poured out on me. I am so grateful!

There have been a few miracles this week. I got sick on Tuesday. Like to the point where I couldn't move or I wanted to die! :P The worst part was that we had probably one of the busiest days of my life. But we had a little miracle where a few of our appointments canceled. And they stalled me enough to where I could finish the day with a couple lessons. So it was a miracle in that sense. So I guess thats the good thing to see in that.

We have alos had a couple of new investigators and we have a couple more that really are now progressing! Its amazing how The Lord is hastening the work. I am happy to be in it! :)

On Saturday I received a call from president while I was driving he asks if he could speak to me privately. So I pulled over the car and went out side on the road. He called to tell me some of the saddest news I have ever heard. He said that my dear sweet Grandma Overson has passed... I was heart broken, I was sad, crying, I couldn't believe it! President said I could talk to my family for a few mins. So I did just that.

I called my parents first and I could tell they were a little heart broken. But even through all the tears and all the sadness I was still at peace. I can say for sure that the Lord has been preparing me for this moment of my mission. I decided a long time ago that if this ever happen in my mission I would not get mad at God. And honestly President Monsons talk this past general Conference "I will not fail thee or forsake thee" has brought me so much peace. 

When I called my Grandpa the first thing he said was isn't the Gospel wonderful? We get to partake of the sacrament on sunday and renew our covenants and think of Christ...Grandpa you honestly are one of my greatest examples.

Even though I cried most of the time when I was on the phone with my family I can say this for sure that I felt the love of the Savior more powerfully than ever before. I love the Savior. I know for a fact that familys are together forever and that God is real. I know I will that she is watching over me right now and that I will see her again. Thank you Grandma for all that you have done. We have traveled the world together from California to Europe and other places. And your Christlike example is one of the greatest things I have looked up to. Especially Charity, the pure love of Christ. I love you Grandma! Rest well!

On Sunday I had the opportunity to give a talk in sacrament and I was able to share with them about what happened on saturday. And I have felt the spirit so strong as I shared that. I can feel how grandma is with me right now. I love this Church. I love this Gospel. I love my Heavenly Father fro all that he does! :) He is so good to me! :)

Week 73

Hello world! 

Its been a good week! We are seeing allot of miracles and things really happening in this area! 

The Leadership is really getting into the work of the Lord! Its amazing to see how things are coming!

Yesterday we had a Ward mission leader set up an appointment with a new investigator. What he did was he parked his car in front of the fellowshippers house and asked him what is the best approach to meet this guy and start teaching him? And we asked him then went to the investigator and approached him that way. Then we set up the appointment went back to the neighbor and got him to come to the lesson! All within 5 mins! This guy was amazing! And not only that we have 3 lessons on Wednesday in a row!... Crazy!

So we also visited a less active who has allot of instruments that are literally vintage! This is a picture of a banjo that is like from the 1920s! I don't even know how to play banjo! But it was allot of fun! I enjoyed it!

We have gotten allot of new people to teach this week! We are teaching 3 kids that age from 9 to 13. And we started teaching them and they committed to be baptized! Awesome! And On sunday we taught a guy that I met like a couple months ago and at the time he didn't seem interested in the church. Well we stopped by Bishop Dalton's house to see if he could come with us to a lesson and while we were there his son yelled "Hey Missionaries I need to talk to you!" He brought that same guy that I met a while ago and said "Want to set up a time cause he want to take the lessons and be baptized!" haha it was awesome to hear. 

We taught him for the first time yesterday. He was really nervous. You can tell. But we had a great lesson with him! He was a little concerned about Joseph Smith.  He said he believes that it is possible that Joseph Smith is a Prophet but has some concerns. But we managed to help him resolve that concern by asking him to pray about Joseph Smith. But he said everytimg he thinks of Baptism he feels at peace! And he loves the Feeling of it. SO that was nice to hear. He said he will be baptized! Its awesome!

It is awesome to be a missionary right now! I love the Lord! I love Him! I love Him! I love Him! He does live! He does love us! He wants us to have joy for our entire lives. I love you all and I am grateful to be here! I love you all! I will be getting transfer calls on Monday! I am excited to see what is going to happen next! Take care everyone! :)

Week 71-72

Well Hello everyone!

I am so sorry for not writing last week! It slipped my mind. But I will do better next time :)

During Christmas we had three meals! One at 1pm then 3pm then 5pm... I was stuffed! I could barely make the 3rd meal. It was crazy! But I got to talk to my familyfor a bit. That was cool :) We got to use facetime for 45 mins. It was awesome I had allot of fun seeing my house and seeing everyone on Christmas morning. It was  pretty cool. I can't believe how big my niece and nephew are getting! Cute to hear them say Hi Dallin! :) Life is good.

SO yeah that was our Christmas. got allot of candy and chocolate that I believe is giving me allot of breakouts... we still have allot that is from 2 weeks ago. So we just have allot! haha. But Everyone was so kind and generous this Christmas. I could defiantly feel the Spirit of Christ :) And we got allot of good gifts like ties! :) (And I hope you all like my ugly Sweater :) )

So on new years eve was a normal proselyting day. But new years day we got to sleep in till 7:30 and then organize a district activity for the morning. It was fun! We played volleyball and this other game that was like dodge ball with those exercise  balls that are huge! haha it was allot of fun.

Then after that we went on exchanges. I had allot of fun! Elder Lewandowski went into our area not knowing much and I went into Saratoga Springs with Elder Stephans. He was awesome I learn allot for being with him.

So this week we had a couple of good things happen.We are teaching a less active guy who really want to change his life. He has gotten involved in all the bad life like drugs, alcohol, all that bad stuff that makes people miserable. But he wants to change. He said I had a craving for a beer and I just knelt down and prayed and read the scriptures and I didn't have the craving anymore! He said that beer is in the fridge its the last one. Then I said at the beginning of the lesson if I could throw it away. He laughed and then said Its something I have to do for myself. Then We taught the lesson and after the closing prayer he said, so one of you want to throw away my beer? Haha I was so excited! It was awesome! And so we did! Awesome night!

We also are teaching a less active guy from south Africa who knows all the doctrine knows what he has to do to go to church and knows everything. But on Saturday night we basically asked him why are we here? And I don't know how it worked out but we made a goal for him to go to the temple in 3 months and he will go to Church in 2 weeks all 3 hours... How did that happen I don't remember. But it worked out. So now we are making progress! Awesome!

SO yeah I love life. I Love being a missionary. I hate how short it really is. Time is going faster and faster. I can't stand it! I am praying to be a successful missionary. I will continue to work hard and love The Lord. Its great to be out at this time.

I know God lives and he loves us! I know the Book Of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Restoration of the Fullness of truth. I love my Savior. I am grateful for this Christmas season. its my last on but its going to be a great on! I am loving the Lord and happy for His hand in my life. I love you all and I hope you have a great week! till next time! 

--Elder Gleed