Martha's Conversion

 While I was serving in Great Falls, Elder Willey and I had the opportunity to teach Martha Gladue about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Martha was a sincere seeker of the truth and eventually received her answer that this is the one true church. She did not receive that answer all at once, but the answers to her questions came over time through lots of study, prayer, and great amounts of faith. The following excerpt, which is in her own words, is Martha's conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

Kami's Conversion

  From April to November of 2009 I was serving in Great Falls, Montana. I covered the 3rd ward, 7th ward, and the Fort Benton Branch. My first companion there was Elder Garcia. Kami Tryon lived in the small town of Geraldine and eventually moved to Fort Benton. We limited our visits there because there wasn't too much work going on. In early May we had taught Kami the message of the restoration in the Helewell's home. I remember that lesson very well, especially the strong spirit that was felt. After the lesson we set up a return appointment for the following week. However, it ended up that Kami wasn't able to meet with us when we had planned. In fact, we lost all contact with Kami until about September. At this time I was serving with Elder Willey. One day we got a call from the Giles family who invited us to Fort Benton to teach Kami and her mom, Jamie, in their home. We retaught the restoration and I can remember how strong the spirit was telling me to extend the baptismal commitment. I acted on the prompting; Kami was hesitant at first, but we worked through some things and she accepted the invitation. Shortly thereafter she entered the waters of baptism. The following excerpt is Kami's conversion to the gospel written by Kami:

 

I Am A Child Of God

  A couplethree days ago, Elder Thomas and myself were knocking on doors in Missoula trying to find people to teach. We knocked on a door and this old guy answered and immediately identified himself as a follower of Christ. We got into a bit of a discussion and he told us that he disagreed with most of the Latter-day Saint beliefs. At this point, to avoid contention, I felt impressed to bare my testimony. I started out by telling him that I know that God lives and that he knows and loves all of his children. This man then cut me off and said that he doesn't believe that we are all children of God. He said that God only loves the "good" people here on earth.

   Remember--through a beloved children's song--who you really are.

  I am here to testify that Heavenly Father loves ALL of His children. He may not love some of the the choices that we make, but he does love us - every one of us. It doesn't matter what race we are, how old we are, or if we even believe in Him. He knows us and has an infinite love for all of His children.

How I Finally Taught The Big Guy A Lesson

   The main trait that I try to have other people see in me is that of optimism. I heard the following short story the other day and have really been pondering on it ever since. Enjoy!

"How I Finally Taught The Big Guy A Lesson" 

“I did not provoke the fight, so I feel no remorse for what I was forced to do. We were arguing, and since I was right and he was wrong, he decided to fight to cover his stupidity.

He swung at me first, but because I was in top physical condition, I was able to act quickly and block the punch neatly with my head.

I then jumped to the ground, knocking him down on top of me. I placed my ear in his mouth and poked his finger several times with my eye.

His teeth hurt so much from the strength of my ear that he became irate and tried to kick me, but I cleverly blocked the onslaught with my ribs and face.

I scrambled to my feet and ran to my car in hopes I would get away and save this man from my deadly hands. Before I could start the car he pulled me from the still open door. I then proceeded to swing at him, but only managed to hit myself in the head.

To this I said, “What’s this two against one?” That was the final straw—I lost all control. There will be no mercy!!

Taking him in my death grip, I pounded him in the knee with my stomach—then I hit him two or three times in the fist with my teeth! He had had it! I could tell. After that he didn’t even try to pick me up off the ground. He was too chicken!!

Perspective is everything!

-Author Unknown

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op·ti·mism

[op-tuh-miz-uhm]

–noun

1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.

2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.

3. the belief that goodness pervades reality.

 

 

Dedicated To My Mother

   While serving a mission, the contact that I have with my family back home is very limited. We're not allowed to call or contact each other in any way other than by email once a week and by phone twice a year. That's why it was such a surprise for me when I got a message from my mom on facebook a couplethree months ago. She got permission to write me and proceeded to inform me that she had a cancerous tumor in her brain. She has been fighting cancer since 1992 and, needless to say, it's been quite the ongoing battle for my family. When I left on my mission back in July of 2009, she was regularly going in for chemotherapy treatments and was actually doing quite well. I was definitely not expecting to hear that her cancer had, once again (for the 5th time), come back.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shares an encouraging tribute to mothers who, through both challenges and accomplishments, work in partnership with God to raise His children

  When I first read the news, I was overwhelmed with many negative feelings - fear, stress, sadness, and despair. For some reason, I went to the Church's YouTube Site  and found myself searching for videos about Christ. I  watched a particular "Mormon Message" that really touched me entitled, "Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ." As I watched with humility and a very open heart, more feelings overcame me. This time, the feelings I felt were those of peace, love, gratitude for my Savior, hope, and comfort.
  It was incredible to feel a change in my countenance as I let the Spirit of God weave into the fibers of my being. We will never be able to wrap our minds around the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. I do not understand how He did it. I don't fully understand how it all works. However, I am able to feel of the power, cleansing and the purifying effect that it can have on me as I sincerely seek for Christ.