March 5, 2018 Remember to Laugh!

Its crazy I've already been out over 6 months! Time just flys. This week we had transfer calls and I am staying in the same area with Elder Gibby. This week went by fast as usual and work is about the same. This week we were trying to help with visiting less active's or the low hanging fruit. We have had a few successes and are hopefully helping lots of people come closer to Christ.

This week something that stuck out to me was the power of laughing. Sometimes life doesn't go how we want it to and the best medicine is laughter. When I laugh every day, my day goes better. So... I challenge everyone to laugh at least once a day this week. Find something to laugh about and laugh! I think there is a song about laughing... Listen to that and sing along! HAHA

Well this week was awesome and full of Missionary Work! Im glad to be serving the lord and im greatful for every day on my mission. Most of all im greatful for the ability to laugh! Laughing is the best! I hope everyone has a great week and takes at least a few minutes to laugh. I love you all!  

 

February 26, 2018 Moroni 7:12-13 Choose God or Satan

This week was fast! It fills like just yesterday I was writing an email to send out to everyone! This week has been a good one. We were able to visit quite a few people. One of the people was a potential who had been contacted once and never taught. We decided to stop by when we were driving around out in the sticks. To get to her house, there was a super, super  steep hill. It was very uneven and Sandy. It was a miracles we made it over the hill. Thanks to our Rav 4 and 4 wheel drive we made it! I had drank a bunch of water before and had to go to the bathroom super bad. We went and met Ashley. She was very sincere and willing to listen and wanting to learn. We had a good hour discussion. After I asked if I could use the restroom. On my way out, I saw her son trying to solve a Rubik cube. I was able to solve it and get to know him better. They really wanted us to come back and visit and they showed us all their animals. They have 80 chicks and 2 baby ducks. We got to hold them and it was awesome. They are planning on getting some pigs and some other animals. It was good to be able to open up more with them and talk to them one on one and build a friendship. It was awesome. We also had branch conference this week. We got trained on ministry visits and the importance of helping those in the branch progress and advance in the church. It was cool to see how closely it relates to missionary work.

In my personal study, I was reading in Moroni 7: 12-13

       12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

       13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

Something that caught my attention was the inviteth and enticeth. We each have agency and have the ability to choose for ourselves. Satan can invite and entice us to sin and he does with everything and anything he possibly can. His goal is to make us miserable. He however can't force us to do anything because he has no power over us. 

God does the exact same thing. He invites us to do good. He invites us to follow his commandments. God can't force us to make any of those decisions. He pleads with us and wants us to follow him but it's up to our choice.

We get all these invitations through our life to either follow Satan or God. Like many ad's Satan can make things look super good and enjoyable but in the end, we will end up waiting our money and wanting a refund. God however has never tried to trick people into following him. He however is the product that has perfect 5 star reviews, no complaints, and in the end we get more than what we ever invested. ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD! His product has a life time warranty. No matter how much we damage or break his product (commandments) from miss use, he will always as we promise to do better and read the instructions and use the resources (scriptures, prophets, family....) he has provided we will Receive a new tool with no questions asked. 

What do we choose to purchase? Of the 2, God's gifts and blessings are where I want to invest my talents, money, and life. I know that as we remain cautious to Satan's invitations though they may be tempting, and strive to always follow God and choose him we will be blessed immensely. Following God can only bring joy. Following Satan will only bring heartache and misery. 

I love you all and hope your weeks are all great. Remember to always look to follow the perfect example, Jesus Christ! I know it will bring everyone joy and happiness as it has to me. Love you all!

Another cool tree

Big twisty tree

Elder Elgaaen and Gibby

Elder Gibby poking a fire ant hill

Baby Chick

Jacob and a baby duck

Just before sunset

 It's a jungle out there

 

 

February 19, 2018 Life is Good if it isn't Make it!

This week was good. There was a lot of good things happening. We focused this week on reading the scriptures with our investigators and servi mg. There is truly an amazing power in the Book of Mormon. Brad, one of our investigators, said that the Book of Mormon explains what is happening right now in his life and gives him the answer to what to do in that situation. That is truly what the Book of Mormon does for us every day as we read it.

I was also working on prayer. I made a goal to say one of my personal prayers out loud every day. It was awesome on the amount I was able to concentrate more on my prayer, better communicate with Heavenly Father, and it was an overall better experience. The power of prayer is amazing. 

On Saturday, we were able to do some service for one of the members. They were very appreciative and after asked how one of our investigators was doing. We said he was good but not really wanting to listen to our message. She said that her husband and this guy were cousins. She wanted to confirm that so she could better do her family history work. We called up this investigator and he was very open to talking about family history. His wife just passed and so he is going through a lot. This really hit home and drew in his interest. We will continue to work with him on doing his family history online. I also was able to do some family history work on Saturday. We went to the library and in a hour, I found a bunch of people who needed their work done. Everyone should do family history work. It does bring joy into your life. Life is great. I am greatful for my family and especially for the temple. 

Life is good. If it isn't make it! Attitude is everything. Keep up everything you all do! I love you and hope your weeks are all great! Love ya!

 

February 12, 2018 The Tale of Three Tree's

This week was a good one. We had around 10 lessons and they all went good. LaDaniel is doing well and is planning on coming to church next week. We had an investigator in church which was awesome. We had a bunch of lessons with members and they were super powerful and filled with the spirit. Our baptism date set up days and times for the next 3 weeks to meet with us which is definite progress from the past. Something we had a problem with was contacting her. We realized that we weren't praying for her to specifically contact us. When we did 2 days later we were contacted by her. It really shows the power of prayer.

I got to share my testimony in church this past sunday and I shared a poem... 

 

The Tale of Three Trees.

Excerpt from the book "Your Best Life Now" by Joel Osteen


I recently read a retelling of the timeless story The Tale of Three Trees. This fictitious children's book relates the lofty aspirations of an olive tree, an oak tree and a pine tree. Each of these trees had a great dream to become something special in life. The olive tree dreamed of becoming a finely crafted treasure chest. It wanted to hold gold, silver, and precious jewels. One day a woodsman chose the one olive tree, out of all the trees in the forest, and cut it down. The olive tree was so thrilled. But as the craftsmen began working on him, the tree realized they weren't making him into a beautiful treasure chest; they were making him into a manger to hold food for dirty, smelly animals. Heartbroken, his dreams were shattered. He felt worthless and demeaned.


Similarly the oak tree dreamed of becoming part of a huge ship that would carry important kings across the ocean. When the woodsman cut down the oak, he was so excited. But as time went on, he realized the craftsmen weren't making him into a huge ship. They were making him into a tiny fishing boat. He was so discouraged, so disappointed.


The pine tree lived on top of a high mountain. Its only dream was to always stand tall and remind people of God's great creation. But in a split second, a bolt of lightning sent it tumbling to the ground, destroying it's dreams. The woodsman came and picked it up and carried it off to the scrap pile.


All three of these trees felt they had lost their value and their worth; they were so discouraged, so disappointed. Not one of their dreams had come to pass. But God had other plans for these trees. Many years later, Mary and Joseph couldn't find any place to give birth to their little baby boy. They finally found a stable, and when Jesus was born they placed Him in a manger made from---you guessed it---the olive tree. The olive tree had wanted to hold precious jewels, but God had better plans, and it now held the greatest treasure of all time, the Son of God.


A few years went by and Jesus grew up. One day He needed a boat to cross to the other side of the lake. He didn't choose a large, fancy ship; He chose a small, simple fishing boat made from---you guessed it---the oak tree. The oak tree wanted to carry important kings across the ocean, but God had better plans. The oak now carried The King of kings.


A few more years went by, and one day some Roman soldiers were rummaging around in the pile of scrap wood where the discarded pine tree lay. That pine tree just knew they were coming to cut him up for firewood. But much to its surprise, they cut only two small pieces out of it and formed them into a cross. And it was on this pine tree that Jesus was crucified. That tree is still pointing people to God's love and God's compassion to this day.


The point of the classic story is clear: All three trees thought they had lost their value, that their stories were over, yet they became integral parts of the greatest story ever told.


God knows your value; He sees your potential. You may not understand everything you are going through right now. But hold your head up high, knowing that God is in control and He has a great plan and purpose for your life. Your dreams may not have turned out exactly as you'd hoped, but the Bible says that God's ways are better and higher than our ways. Even when everybody else rejects you, remember, God stands before you with His arms open wide. He always accepts you. He always confirms your value. You are His prized possession. No matter what you go through in life, no matter how many disappointments you suffer, your value in God's eyes always remains the same. You will always be the apple of His eye. He will never give up on you, so don't give up on yourself.

This poem was one that I really like. It can put into perspective life. We may want to become something and feel like we don't accomplish that task. God has a plan for each of us though and things happen in our life which can lead us to become what god wants. The goal is to align our will with gods so we can become what he has in store for us. Everything in our lives happen for our learning and growth. We need to always have that perspective and always look to the Lord in our choices and decisions. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week! I appreciate all the encouragement and love from all of you. Remember your worth everything to god so keep up the good work! 

Chicken at McDonalds

Elder Elgaaen & Gibby

Random Tree

Tropical Storm

 

February 5, 2017 Week of Miracles

This week was full of fun and success. We were trying to work hard this week on family mission plans as well as find new investigators and set up appointments. Through prayer and hard work, we found tons of success. I want to share a few of the miricals that I saw this past week...

On Tuesday, we wanted to go out and try to find some of the members in our appartment complex that we didn't know. Successfully we found out that they all have moved. The last person we were going to stop by was Brother White. We looked for the appartment and found the building and knew what door it should be. The appartment that he was suppose to live, there was a guy sitting out on the porch/balcony. We asked him if he knew who Brother White was and he said no but he gets his mail and would love to know who he is. We talked about life a little bit with this guy and he was very kind. After talking from the lawn up to the second story balcony, Eddy invited us up to share "One of our pamphlets" with him. We taught him for a good hour and talked mostly about our similar views of the bible and the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we were getting ready to leave, Eddy said that he wanted to make some changes in his life and start off 2018 right. We told him that the message we share can help him. We gave him a Book of Mormon and have an appointment with him this next week. 

On Wednesday, we went to visit some investigators in a area. They all turned us away and said they were busy and that we should come back another time. As we were walking over to try another, we stopped and talked to a guy about his life. He is struggling to find a job right now and we were able to give him some encouragement and help him understand that God has a plan for him. We also left him with a Book of Mormon. We finished up talking to him and we headed to the next house. We saw some kids run inside and lock the door. I don't think their parents were home and so we found no success there. When we were leaving a guy across the street called us over to him and asked what we do. We told him that we share a message about Christ that can bless his life like it has blessed ours. LaDaniel was super excited and very supportive. He told us to continue to do what we do and to be bold and to not fear. He asked us to share a message like he was an investigator and wanted to know what our church is. We talked with him a while about it and he was super interested. He asked us if we were hungry and he invited us in. His wife fed us and it was super good. Then come to find out, he is looking for a church, wants to be baptised, has a family of 10, and wants to keep meeting with us! We have an appointment with him later tonight. This was a huge mirical.

On Friday, we met with a referral, Bradley, who lives at a hair salon with his gf. He has been going through some hard times and feels unneeded and unloved. We were able to share with him about the Book of Mormon and how much it will bless him. He has started to see things come together and the Lord watch out for him as he has been going through hard times. He is an awesome investigator who is full of potential too. 

Through the rest of the week, we had a bunch of lessons, a lot of very spiritual moments, and defiantly a growth of testimony. I know that as we work hard, pray for specific things, and seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost, then we are able to see miricals. Something else I've been thinking about is how much the Lord wants to bless us. To recieve blessings we need to be willing to work hard with what we have already got. A family of 10 is a huge trust the Lord has put in me, Elder Gibby, and the Branch. I know the Lord has more blessings in store for us and is looking for the right time to give them to us. We just need to show our willingness to submit to the Lord's will and do everything in our power to accomplish the work he has put before us. Just take a moment to think about what the Lord has trusted you with (family, job, gospel, food, safety, children, parents, priesthood, callings, ordinances...) and what you are doing to strengthen that trust. I bare my testimony and whiteness of the infinite blessings the Lord has in store for us. They are there to help us become like Christ who gave us the greatest gift known to man, The Atonement. I am greatful for this blessing and know I would be worthless without it. I pray that we will strive to use the atonement in every way possible and know that as we do so we will find and experience everlasting joy. I love all of you and am greatful for my family and friends. You all bring me Joy! I love this gospel and know without a doubt that it is the one and only way we can experience true joy and eternal happiness. I seal this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen (Idk if you are suppose to do that on emails... but too late now). 

Quote of the week from Dean Davis... "An Oak Tree is just an acorn that stuck too it." 

 

January 29,2018 Week in Alachua

This week was CRAZY but AWESOME! 

This week we had transfers. On P-day, we took some good bye pictures. I'm glad that we have Facebook because then I can keep up with the progress of the investigators in Jax Beach. So transfer day came way to fast and we said our goodbyes and I left. There has been a flu going around and so at transfers, we weren't allowed to hug or shake hands(which was fine with me), but we could fist bump. I met Elder Gibby

Elder Elgaaen & Gibby

and he is awesome! He reminds me of Dory from Finding Nemo because he is always so happy and positive. He is very intelligent and consecrated as a missionary, always striving for exact obedience! 

So now I'm in Alachua Florida. It's a country town. There are lots of farms, cows, and Southern food. It reminds me of Idaho with all the country. Also most houses are a 1/2 mile apart. The people are all really nice and loving. The members attending in the area is not that many. Maybe 50-100 at most a week. They have a branch here and the building is the smallest church building I've ever seen. The Chapel has around 10 rows of benches and there is one overflow where the furthest shot you could shoot on their basketball court is 15 ft. The Stake wants to "upgrade" the building and make the branch a ward but they have to have a increase in attendance. 

With the missionary work in the area, it is going good. The investigators we have are very accepting and willing to listen. One set her own baptism date around 2 weeks ago for March. The branch mission leader is awesome! He has a very strong testimony of missionary work and its importance. He has been a ward mission leader before in different wards and knows what needs to be done to see miracles. The branch now just has to be willing to work and so they can be ready to receive the lords children to bring them into the waters of baptism. We as missionaries are helping all the branch families make family mission plans. The plan is how will they find someone who the missionaries can teach. They don't have to teach or prepare the person at all but just see needs and invite them to meet with the missionaries. 

I am super excited to work hard and really focus on missionary work this transfer and to strive to find those who are ready for baptism. Missionary work can and will bring so many blessings in everyone's lives who strive to  bring souls unto Christ. You are all awesome and I appreciate all you do for me! Continue to work hard and stay focused on Christ. I know if you do that the windows of heaven will open and blessings will be poured down upon you. I love you all and hope your weeks are all awesome!

Shaver in pieces

 

January 22, 2018 Bryce!

This week was full of miricals and was a ton of fun. The biggest miricals this week was with Bryce our new investigator. He was one we messaged on Facebook and asked if he would be willing to meet with missionaries again. He said yes and this week we finally got to meet him. On Fridays we'd have a sport night from 7-9 and it is super fun. Bryce said hewould be able to meet with us a little before then. As we met, we could both tell that Bryce is someone who was prepared before for meeting with us. He shared that 2 days before we messaged him on Facebook, he was praying at night and asked Heavenly Father to send him someone. He said that we were an answer to his prayer. When we talked to him and asked about his religious background, he explained that he had been searching since around 14 for a church and had gone to different churches. Meeting with us and learning he said just felt right and was familiar to him. He also felt comfortable telling about some of his challenges that he said he never talks about. For me this was a huge testimony building experience. The gospel does bless us and truly is the one and only gospel that is complete and through Christ we can make covenants and ordinances which will help us return to live with God. We were able to meet with Bryce the next day as well and set a baptism date for the 24th of February.

On Sunday, we were able to listen in on a US. South, East Multi Stake Conference. It was super good. David Bednar spoke and takes about using the atonement as we repent. He share how change without Christ is pointless or hollow and has little meaning. As we use the atonement, we become something better when we repent and move on from past experiences and grow. 

On Sunday Torry was also conferred to the arronic Priesthood and ordained to the office of a Priest. Christian Perry is also going to get the Priesthood soon but wasn't in town this week. 

Well this week has been full of amazing miricals as well as amazing council and testimony. I hope as we go about our week that we all strive to do our best and always look towards Christ in ever decision we make. I know that as we do this we can be blessed as well as bless the lives of others! I love you all and hope your week is fantastic! 

Elder Elgaaen & Pacella

Elder Elgaaen at the beach sort of