A Shout Out from Shelbytucky

Hey everybody!

 

This week has been another wonderful week of lessons learned and self refining. I have been pondering and studying the concept of pride this past transfer and I have recognized how much pride I have and how hard it is to get rid of it! The really cool thing about it is that because of my recognition of these things. I have noticed that the Lord has been giving me many opportunities to strengthen my humility and work on putting off pride. One of those experiences I would like to share. Elder **** and my relationship really struggled toward the end of first transfer and on into the second transfer. I would often try and be kind to him but he seemed to always seek to bring me down. I often caught myself getting very frustrated with him. Right around this time I noticed I had been getting great insight into pride and (with the help of Elder Wilson) I realized I needed to show an outpouring of love to this elder cause I do love the guy and desired to be good friends with him. So as I tried to be kind, at first it wasn't working to my knowledge and sometimes thoughts of discouragement came to me, but as I stayed persistent in just loving him and complimenting him something miraculous happened! It was like some invisible wall crashed down and we became really close within a few days! It felt so good to know that if we truly follow Christ's example and do what he has asked, it will be for our benefit. I loved learning this lesson and will cherish it.

 

I got to see Charles again yesterday! That old geezer is the funniest man! All 6 missionaries went over to dinner last night and Elder Willie and I were laughing so hard listening to Charles tell dumb jokes about other religions :) We are going to be having 3 baptisms here in the next week, possibly four. Melinda's (investigator) two daughters, Stormy and Dameona are getting baptized and then Casey Antle is also getting batized. Melinda is also planning on baptism but with her boyfriend situation she feels that she needs to move her date a little farther back. They are thinking about getting married but not sure. She is so awesome though! Such a strong testimony.

 

I had to give a talk yesterday in sacrament meeting and that went pretty well! They asked me to give my talk on "Not getting offended" (ironic right?) and it went good! Apparently our ward has a bit of a problem with that :D Next week in sacrament meeting I also have to sing with some of the ward members for a musical number. We are singing Holy Night and it should sound sweet (not as good as the 16th ward choir though, Mom :)!

 

Hope everything is going well. Thank you everyone who sent me packages and letters recently, I LOVED them! You guys rock! I love you all and will hope to hear from you soon!

Keep fighting the good fight!

Sincerely,

Elder Young

 

 

P.S.- These are a few pictures from our wards "nativity activity" they bring tones of nativities and you can walk around and view them. also you can dress up and do your own nativity. Elder Easter and I posed just as a goofy picture.... we were being dumbos :D also that was me standing next to someone's "Nativity" haha I thought it was funny that it was a picture of some random guy :D hope you like them!

 

 

 

 

Weekend Update with Elder Young

Hey there!

 

Wow, what a week it has been. There has been so many out of this world experiences with the Lord this week I just feel so happy :) Our Christmas party was this week and we almost had more less actives and investigators turn up than members! it was sweet! I also had to sing at the party :) Then 6 investigators came to church last Sunday! Then last night we had a fireside in downtown Indianapolis called "Why I Believe". It was an amazing experience. Recent Converts speak at it and three of our investigators went with us. What an amazing evening! 

Also I have had some amazing experiences with investigators and less actives this week that have strengthened my understanding and testimony in the Lord. I also have been having some amazing studies in the mornings and it makes me so happy to know that the Lord truly prepares us for what He needs to accomplish. 

I have been working on humility this week though cause as all of us struggle with this, I have a problem with it. But I am finding amazing new insight and am loving letting the Lord shape and mold me. I have three weeks left with Elder Wilson before transfers.... its going to stink. Elder Wilson and I have had such a strong companionship and he has taught me so much! I couldn't have asked for a better trainer!

 

Anyways, I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I love you all and hope the best!

Sincerely,

Elder Young

P.S.- Guila and Billy went to their new ward in Madison Indiana last sunday and have met up with the missionaries! they are so getting married in the temple!

Weekly Update #8...8 weeks in the field ahahahahah! :)

Hello Everyone!

 

This week has been wonderful! Lots of lessons learned and testimony strengthening experiences. So on Thanksgiving day we went and played in the Turkey Bowl with the ward, WHAT A BLAST! haha we brought our investigator Lovell and he had a fun time. Also (drum roll)...... I scored a touchdown! haha Mom, your son isn't as bad at sports as we all thought he was! :D Then that afternoon we went to Wally and Deanna Lopers house for a thanksgiving feast. They are so similar to Grandma and Grandpa Smith its crazy! Wally even has a dream catcher in his car! haha They brought over two investigators and they had thanksgiving with us. What a treat! We were able to teach them some of the Plan of Salvation before dinner and we just had a really spiritual experience the whole time we were there.

 

Yesterday at church, our investigator Casey finally came to church! We have been trying to get her to come for weeks! That was a great experience for her and after testimony meeting was over she leaned over to me and said "Hey, could I do that?" and I told her that she could do it next fast sunday (motive to keep coming to chuch :D ) so that was totally wicked. Also earlier that week the Featherston's invited us and Casey to come to their house for dinner and a message. That was so wonderful for Casey, they invited her to church and I think that is what got her to come.

 

We have really been able to establish trust with the ward and it is such a blessing to see the ward's motivation for missionary work increase. I love this ward so much, they are the type of ward I would call the "battle-field ward" cause they are the ones that are fighting everyday to strengthen the ward and do missionary work. It's funny cause they found out I do ballroom and my ward mission leader's wife really wants me to teach a ballroom class to the ward (mostly for her husband) and I told her that I dont choreograph and also I would have to dance with Elder Easter or my ward mission leader, but that didnt seem to phase her haha. So we will see where that goes...

 

FUNNY STORY: I might have found the funniest old man I have ever met in my life. His name is Charles. Brock, I know you would think he was the best thing since super meat boy. He is Sister Featherston's dad and he is about 90 years old and lives with the Featherstons. He is always cracking jokes and has the funniest laugh/facial expressions ever. AND HE WATCHES THE BIG BANG THEORY RELIGIOUSLY!! hahaha apparently the whole Featherstone clan watches it. Also he is presbyterian and studies "the details" of the Bible. Now your wondering why I quoted the details, here is the funny story: So while we are teaching the lesson I ask Charles something and he says "oh you don't want to teach me, you could'nt awnser my questions." and when I told him to "try me" he asked "How old was Mary when she was pregnant with Jesus?"....??? haha then he asked me how old was Joseph when Mary was pregnant and then Brother Featherston said "Charles, those questions aren't even important!" haha oh it was grand :) then before we left he came up to me with a smile on his face and said "Hey, you know why I am still alive?" and I asked him why and then he said "Cause Jesus doesnt want me and Satan knows that I will take over if I go to hell!"..... :D what a goof ball.

 

Anyways, be a missionary is truely one of the best things we can do in this life and I am honored the Lord trusts me enough to help out in this work. Love you all and hope everything is going well.

 

Sincerely,

Elder Young