Hello everyone!
What an adventure it was
serving in the North area of the Central Tucson Ward. I have learned so much
there as a missionary. Serving with Elder Talbot was a great privilege. We
worked hard together, and learned lots from one another!
Today was Transfers, and Elder
Talbot stayed in the Central Ward, and is going to serve with Elder Hearn. Elder Talbot
will have a big opportunity to show leadership in this situation. I have full
confidence that he will work hard, and be obedient. Elder Talbot so far I
believe on my mission has been the most diligent of all my companions in
serving the Lord. I was transferred today to Sierra Vista on the Fort Huachuca
Army Base. I am really excited for this! I went from a large down town city to
rolling hills of desert. It is quite different, but I know there is a reason
why I am here. My new companion is Elder Sigland. I haven't met him yet, but I
hear great things about him.
It was pretty sad to leave
Central Ward. The goodbyes were pretty hard. Especially with the Investigators
that Elder Talbot and I have been teaching. But I know it's just a see ya
later. I'll definitely come back to visit the Tucson mission.
Things are getting pretty
exciting here in the mission! They are about ready to announce the ground
breaking date of the Tucson Temple. It will spur lots of Church curiosity and
activity! There are lots of great things happening in the mission. I'm excited
to be here and to witness them!
Yesterday, in my last day in
Central Ward and 8:00 PM we went to see a referral in a half way house which
was really sketchy, and the promise of someone genuinely interested wasn't very likely. But we went there anyway and we had to sign in because of
security reasons. We met with the referral, Chris. A security guard had to
go bring him out of the house and escort him over to us, and on the way over to
us we saw that this guy was HUGE! He had a beard, pony tale, only 3 teeth left. Elder Talbot and I overheard the Security Guard telling him firmly that we were
not allowed to go inside, and that we need to remain outside, and he is not
allowed to touch us at all for our safety and for his... so this had me kind of
worried. On the way into the complex, two cops walked up and asked
"Are you missionaries?" and we replied, "Yep!" And he asked
"Are you brave missionaries?" So all these events weren't making me
too comfortable. Long story short, we sat down and talked with Chris, and
he is a great man. Really genuine. He has a sincere desire to change. He has been
investigating the Church in Prison for about 7 years now. He was sent to prison
for a mistake he made when he was 16 years old. We had planned on teaching him
the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but he ended up
teaching us the lesson and sharing his powerful testimony, wanting to be
baptized.
I testify that repentance is
real, and it is for every single person who ever has been, is, and will ever be
on the face of the Earth. It is so important to view all of God's Children with
an eye of charity, which is the pure love of Christ. In the Central Ward it has
been hard to do that, due to the mass variety of people and characters, but I
soon came to realize that everyone has a path and is being guided, and has a
divine potential. I have learned to see people not as who they are, but as what
they can become. Then I as a missionary am better able to understand how they
need to be converted. I know that this Church is true, and that we have living
Prophets today, who we will have the privilege of hearing this coming weekend.
I implore EVERYONE to listen to their counsel, their advice, teaching and
direction, because it is from our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I love all of you, and hope that you have a great week!
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