Ok this week was quite interesting. We have met some pretty awesome people. We went knocking doors in this neighborhood in our area... also known as "the projects." It was awesome. We met some of the best people ever.
Wait side note, let me say something because I know some people may not understand a mission so i want to lay it out our schedule for you guys. Shouldve been done a long time ago... sorry

6:30 AM Wake up/exercise
7:00 AM Get ready/eat breakfast
8:00 AM Personal Study from the scriptures
9:00 AM Companion study
10:00 OUT THE DOOR... going to appointments with people youve met or go find people to teach. Every minute of everyday is dedicated to the Lord...
Ok so this is basically our schedule.... And somewhere in there you can throw in lunch and dinner. I know a lot of people think that a mission is like a year a half/two year vacation and then in the meantime you teach a few people here and there. Well that would be nice but this is the Lord's work. All your time, talents, efforts etc are focused on finding people to teach and have them try each and everyday to become who God wants them to become. So it's no walk in the park, it's hard and it SUPPPPERRRRR awesome!! I LOVE IT!!! alrighty now that thats out of the way... We found some awesome people that we hope to start teaching this week and have them progress and accept the Restored Gospel in their lives. Oh, i had an awesome birthday yesterday I thank all of you that sent me cards and love you all are great. We ate with a family on the military base and they baked me a cake they are so awesome I love them. More than anything the best gift was the people that we got to teach and introduce to Christ. I don't know if there is anything better. Well i love you all sorry this is so random and scattered... Talk to you soon.

Though our numbers may be few...

Though our numbers may be few...
So I have been thinking about the number of people that tell us there is something different about us. I find it so amazing that people can see and feel the different aura that we bring and how beautiful it is to know that it is definitely not us but the Spirit of the Lord that attends us when we are obedient to His commandments.
The work is coming along great we are continuing to teach people who are keeping commitments and progressing towards baptism. I love when they come to church and say things like "wow i felt the same way at church that I did when you all taught me." How merciful is the Lord to bless us with a portion of His Spirit to abide with us at all times. To be able to testify to those that we teach that this is indeed true, that if accepted it will change the rest of your life. How blessed are we!?!?! I have had the opportunity to teach in Spanish a bit more lately and we will begin teaching a older gentleman whose wife is a member of the church but he is not. He is from Peru. I'm excited about that. He really is awesome. So many miracles that I am able to witness each and everyday. The lord is amazing and infinite. He continues to teach me how to humble myself and become more like Him. Although impossible in this life, I am trying my hardest. I have made a mental list of things i will and will not do when i come home to keep this same Spirit that I have now as a missionary. Boy will it be hard!! But I'm ready. This blog is short but i want you all to know that I'm doing fine. I said i would write more so im trying just be patient.

As I Knelt in Earnest Prayer...

This week has caused me to do a lot of praying, pondering and studying. Which I guess isn't too different from every other day of my life but so much has been going on. Update: I'm still in the same area, Susquehanna and I am really learning more than I can even handle at times. We have had the honor and privilege of teaching so many people from all different walks of life, as always. I have noticed such a popular trend in this area which is the same of course throughout the world. Children truly are their parents. Awhile back we visited a mother and son who havent been to church in a very long time. When we went by her house we tried to commit her to come back to church and in a long drawn out voice she said "I'll tryyyy." We then turned to her son who is 8 yrs old and tried to commit him to come to church as well (if his mother takes him of course) and he said "I'll tryyy," in the exact same voice as his mother. My heart broke. I thought about my mother and how amazing she is and how I'm everything I am because of the time, effort patience and i do mean PATIENCE she had in raising me. As I knelt in earnest prayer I thought "what did I do to deserve such an amazing Mother?" I felt so unworthy and sad for the things I had done to cause her heartache and pain. I also thought about how important parent's roles are in the lives of their children and two famous quotes came to my mind from former presidents of the church. I believe it was David O. McKay who said "No success can compensate for failure in the home." I want you all to know what I know and what I know is very simple. No matter how many college degrees you have, how much money you make, how "high up" of a position you have at work, how many trophies you have it doesn't compensate for quality teaching time that needs to be done in the home. Heavenly Father is very serious about the welfare of His children. If you have had your own children... WHAT A BLESSING!! But guess what they are still His and their spiritual needs need to be met. I believe it was President Spencer W. Kimball who said "the most important work we will ever do will be within the walls of our own home." Our children and families are to know "of the goodness of God." We have the scriptures, we need to use them in our home. The Lord has commanded us to read the scriptures DAILY as a family, pray DAILY as a family. It's not a suggestion it's a commandment. When we do these things we have been given apostolic and prophetic promises that any wayward children will return. They will be able to remember the Spirit that testified to them of the truthfulness of the things they learned as a child. Be patient if it doesn't seem to happen on your time. The Lord's timing is different from yours. Going back to the night I thought about these things I felt so overwhelmed, overpowered and inadequate, but I knew the Lord was there. So as I knelt in earnest prayer, and asked the Lord what I did to deserve such an amazing parents and the answer was quite clear... Nothing it was just one of His many tender mercies. I want you all to know I love this work. I love my family and more importantly i love my Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ. This is their work. I know it because the Lord continues to show to me that its true and that He lives. I know I am blessed to share this message with everyone I meet. I come back to one of my favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon, 3Nephi 5:13
"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people that they might have everlasting life."
Brothers and Sisters, I testify to you of the divine role that you have as parents, soon to be parents, one day parents and as children of a Heavenly Father period. I know we are to teach those who don't know the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ how they can be happy and receive all the blessings that God wants them to have from it. I LOVE YOU ALL.... UNTIL NEXT TIME... JUST CONTINUE TO BE AWESOME!!!