This week we finally got our smartphones. Man does it feel weird to have a smartphone, but it is awesome. We have so many tools and resources on the phone that I'm really excited to apply into missionary work. The only problem is I have to figure out how to use this phone. I didn't think I would forget how to use a smartphone in only 9 months, but I have. So this week a lot of our time has been spent figuring out how to use the smartphones and adding teaching records into the phone. It is a big change, but I am grateful for the opportunity and blessing to use smartphones in missionary work.
So a funny story this week, we were walking around and we saw a couple families in their backyard cooking food. We decided to go and talk to them. We introduced ourselves and could tell they were pretty drunk so we tried to leave, but one of the guys asked us a question. He said, “Do you guys drink beer?” And we responded, “No we do not.” He then went over to the cooler and grabbed 3 beers. He tried to give them to us but again we said we were fine. He then said, “You guys believe in Jesus right?” And we responded “Yes.” He then explained to us how Jesus created everything. He created people, he created the animals, he created the plants, and he created the whole world and we agreed with him. He then said so that means that Jesus created beer and Jesus would want us to drink the beer because he created it.
Also this week the Milwaukee Elders got a referral for a lady who requested a Bible, but they don't have a car. They asked us if we could go drop off the Bible to her. We went over to her house, introduced ourselves and gave her the Bible. We then asked her if she had ever met missionaries before. She said no and was curious about what we believe. She started quizzing us on all these different things. After we had answered them all we asked her if she had ever heard of the Book of Mormon before. She said she hadn't so we explained what it is and how it came to be. We then tried to give it to her, but she hardcore rejected us. She said I need my Bible and my Bible only. I then bore my testimony on the Book of Mormon and the whole situation changed. You could tell her heart had softened and could feel the spirit testify that the Book of Mormon is true. As we were leaving she said, “Actually I will take one of those Mormon Books.”
Our testimonies are our strength and our best tool in helping us share the gospel. I am grateful for these past 9 months on a mission and how much my testimony has grown and has been strengthened. When I first got out to the field I was a little hesitant and scared to share what I knew to be true, but now I don't care. I want to share the message with everybody and give everybody the opportunity to know about it. There really is power in our testimony. Especially when we take the time to strengthen and nourish our testimonies. M. Russell Ballard gave us a 30 day challenge to read the book of 3 Nephi - chapter 1 to the end - starting on May 28th (yesterday) and while we read, look for ways that the Savior ministered to others and look for how we can be better ministers to others. I want to leave this same challenge with all of you and I am excited to share what I learn with you guys and also hear from you guys what you learned. I promise as you take just a little time each day to do this, you will come even closer to your Savior, your testimony will be strengthened, and you will feel of the Savior's love for you in your life.
Love,
Elder Rich
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| I got to skype in and watch the bro open his mission call to Ecuador Quito mission. I'm excited for him. It was really fun to watch him open his call |
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| Zone conference |
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| Home cooking |
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| Golden Plates winner again! |
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| Our new smartphones |
