Elder Jacob Elgaaen in Jacksonville, Florida: March 19,2018 Short Week

What a WEEK!

This week we had a lot of different things going on. I will just highlight a few which are....

1. Many much referrals

2. Patriarchal Blessing Revelations!

3. ‎Elementary School Fair

4. Brother Barber and Purgatory

5. ‎Migraine Sunday

So this week was a very good week with the missionary work. We have received an explosion of referrals this past week. The best part is they are all from members or other missionaries so they are super promising and have a desire to learn! Something I feel really contributed to this was our preparation as missionaries. This week I have been refocusing my studies and studying for my investigators instead of myself. Selfless study! HAHA! Anyway, as I have prepared myself and searched for the best ways to teach and searched for the guidance of the spirit in how I prepare, I feel that I am better prepared to teach. In doing this, The Lord has trusted me more and is putting more people in our path that are ready for the message. Each of us can do a similar thing in our own lives.

Self Evaluation:

- What are some things I want in my life (More of, Less of, Change, Improve....)

- ‎What is my specific plan to prepare myself to accomplish these things

- ‎Are my "Goals" in line with Heavenly Fathers Goals (Pray and Ask!)

- ‎As we are blessed, What will we do to show our appreciation and build our trust with Heavenly Father so he can continue to bless us

I think in about every aspect of our lives we can use a very similar process and it will help us align our will with Heavenly Father's ultimately helping us achieve our end goal of Eternal Life with our Father in Heaven and our families.

Something I think everyone should try that I saw awesome results from this week was thinking of a life question, Praying for inspiration, and reading your patriarchal blessings and writing down things that stick out to you. Sometimes I wonder if parts of my Patriarchal blessing have been fulfilled and "Pass Away" or don't apply to me any more but in doing this exercise I have received new levels of inspiration and guidance in my day to day struggles and found answers to every question I've tried it with so far! Try it!!!!

On Friday, we had a opportunity to volunteer at a children's fair for a elementary school. Something that really stuck out to me was the impression people had of the missionaries as we served in the community. There were many comments similar to this, "Whatever group your from is awesome! We really appreciated your kindness, willingness to serve, and your example." As members, we may take this lightly but it really shows that there is something different about Those Mormons. We have a light about us and as we go out and follow the example of Christ in all we do, others will see that light radiate from within us and some may rub off on them. Service is powerful!

So probably the highlight of the week was Brother Barber! On Saturday, we offered to help him with some service after we ate lunch and he offered to take us to lunch. We drove around for a few minutes trying to decide where to go and in the end he decided McDonalds would be fastest and we were short on time. We pulled up to the drive through and there were probably 10 cars in the line waiting to split into one of the drive thru lanes. Brother Barber started driving past all of the cars so I was assuming we were just going to go in. While passing all the cars, he said in his low raspy voice.... "All those people choosing the left are choosing purgatory." I then realized that he was passing all of the cars that had been waiting and cutting into the right lane. Me and Elder Gibby were laughing so hard. Brother Barber didn't even realize what he was doing which made it funnier. He proceeded to tell us that his uncle told him that "When everyone else in the world is going left, go right!" It was defiantly a good time!

On Sunday, I woke up at 4:30 with a killer headache. I tried going back to sleep and just sleeping it off but I couldn't! I finally got up at around 5 and took an Advil and tried going back to sleep. After around 30-45 minutes I was able to sleep for a little until the alarm went off. It wasn't the best morning and for the rest of the day I had the worst headache right behind my eyes where if I turned to fast or bent over I would get light headed. It wasn't the best but its life. Just imagine how much of a Headache Christ had to feel as he did suffer for all of our pains and afflictions. I know that Christ is the one person who knows what each of us are going through in our lives second to second and has been through our pains. We can turn to him and as it says in

~ Mosiah 24: 15 ~

And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

Lets all remember to turn to the Savior in our hard times and look to him. He will help us through them as we submit to his will!

A Short week has come to a close. I am so grateful for each and every one of you. You make my life so much easier and help lighten my loads and I hope I can do the same. If you ever need anything, feel free to send me a email(Spiritual Message, Diet/Workout ;), Some Hot Weather, Want to share testimony w/ me...) Keep on following the example of Christ in all you do and it will bless you and those around you and don't forget to always choose the RIGHT! (Not Purgatory) Haha. I love you all and hope your weeks are spirit filled and full of laughter and smiles!