Hello my favorite peoples!
This week we started our bike week. Yeah! The very first day, Mother
Nature decided to rip us a new one by sending a torrential downpour
upon us. At one point, the winds were roaring and the rain was
cutting across the landscape in ferocious fervor. I was pretty sure we
were going to die. But we managed to make it to the church building
where we found safety from the storm. In the process, however, us and
our copies of the Book of Mormon and our pass-along cards got soaked.
Once again, it was a great struggle in getting in contact with our
investigators. Door after door they either are not home or they are
busy. On one particular day, ever single person we talked to was like,
"now is not a good time. Come back later." It is so frustrating!
Missionary work is definitely work, but it is still a sweet labor.
Amid the trials we have faced, miracles were witnessed. While walking
down a street, we passed by a group of what appeared to be a group of
teenage girls. The spirit prompted us to go talk with them, but I
thought, "they probably aren't interested." Plus it is difficult for
me to teach children. When we where a few yards past them, one of the
girls ran up and told us her mom wanted a bible. So they were not all
teenagers. We went over, gave the mom a bible and a Book of Mormon,
and taught a brief restoration. The mom took it very well and was
interested to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Afterwards, the
spirit chastised us that they had to come to us. It should have been
the other way around.
On Friday we had a Specialized Training, and for part of it we all
went out into the city we were in and practiced what we were
instructed on. The people I encountered were not receptive. Yet we had
a cool experience with one guy. We shared a brief message about how
Christ's church has been restored and we have a prophet today. The man
told us he had talked with missionaries before, read all the
pamphlets, and was not interested. But then I asked him, "What do you
remember about the Book of Mormon?" showing him a copy. "I don't think
I've heard of that," he responded. He seemed to soften a bit and was
less stiff as we explained it to him. The guy still was interested.
But it was cool to see that after bringing up the Book of Mormon, his
whole demeanor changed. There is power in the Book of Mormon. Never
underestimate that power.
Training is going well. Elder Lewis is leaning fast and has potential
to become a great teacher and leader. My understanding of the gospel
and ability to teach it has also improved. It seems that as I teach
Elder Lewis, the Spirit teaches me. It is such a wonderful experience;
part of me actually enjoys it. There are also challenges that come
with this responsibility. I have to be the example and give correction
as needed. Each day I have to rely on the spirit to guide me on how to
give training. How well I try train Elder Lewis effects the course of
his entire mission. It really puts things into perspective. Training
cannot be taken lightly.
"And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so I would that ye
should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and
temperate in all things."
-Alma 38:10
Things are going awesome! I love my mission! I hope to hear from y'all!
Elder Price
Sent from my iPad
(11/9) Transfers and Training
So as my last email stated (and as the subject title reads), I got transferred and am now training. Before I go into all that stuff, some background info is needed. In Jonesboro, there are three sets of missionaries. All three are technically considered different mission areas, but work in the same geographical area. When I got transferred, I simply switched areas within Jonesboro. Basically, I moved across town. Such a far transfer.
My training situation is a little different as well. The last six weeks of his mission, Elder Hamblin (a missionary that was here in Jonesboro) did half the training of a greenie. Elder Hamblin is now home. I just took his place to finish training his greenie. Its all a very weird and complicated situation.
My greenie's name is Elder Lewis and he is from Chico, California. He is already half way trained which makes my job a whole lot easier. Elder Lewis is outgoing and has a strong desire to learn and improve. His teaching is a lot better than when I first came out. I feel he will be an excellent missionary. Stay tuned for The Adventures of Training!
"But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another." -Mosiah 4:15
Elder Price
My training situation is a little different as well. The last six weeks of his mission, Elder Hamblin (a missionary that was here in Jonesboro) did half the training of a greenie. Elder Hamblin is now home. I just took his place to finish training his greenie. Its all a very weird and complicated situation.
My greenie's name is Elder Lewis and he is from Chico, California. He is already half way trained which makes my job a whole lot easier. Elder Lewis is outgoing and has a strong desire to learn and improve. His teaching is a lot better than when I first came out. I feel he will be an excellent missionary. Stay tuned for The Adventures of Training!
"But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another." -Mosiah 4:15
Elder Price
(11/2) Halloween Happenings
Things were really happening here in Jonesboro this past week. Agnes (The preacher lady) still wants to join the church, but she has some concerns. As an "ordained minister of Jesus for life", as she put it, Agnes is very involved with other churches and ministries. She wants to be able to continue ministering to others and teaching the gospel and is worried that by joining the church she will no longer be able to do that. We explained to her that this church is very much a missionary church and will provide many opportunities to share the gospel with others. However, she may not be able to serve in the the same way she currently does. Agnes still does not understand priesthood authority and as yet can't see the need to be re-baptized. We are working on it.
Aside from that, it has been another slow week as far as missionary work goes. It was raining a lot this week which did not help at all. But Halloween this year was a blast. The ward here put on a Trunk-or-Treat and a Chili cook-off. This was the first Trunk-or-Treat I had ever been to so I didn't know what to expect. For those like me who don't know what it is either, everyone just parks there car in the parking lot and hands out candy from the trunk (Really, its quite self explanatory). Some people will decorate there trunks to make it more festive. It was lots of fun. For the Chili cook-off, us elders were the judges. We tried 21 different chilies of varying spice and flavor. But I wasn't complaining.
The actually night of Halloween, a member invited all six of us missionaries over for dinner and to carve pumpkins. Elder Ceron, one of the Spanish Elders, is from Mexico and this was his first American Halloween. It was different for him, but he enjoyed it.
As yet another transfer comes to a close, I discovered that I am being transferred. Not only that, but I will also be training. Kind of. The missionary has been through half the training process so I will just be finishing it up. I feel so unprepared for such a calling! But the Lord qualifies whom he calls. Many new adventures await...
"Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance." -3 Nephi 21:28
Y'all be blessed!
Elder Price
Aside from that, it has been another slow week as far as missionary work goes. It was raining a lot this week which did not help at all. But Halloween this year was a blast. The ward here put on a Trunk-or-Treat and a Chili cook-off. This was the first Trunk-or-Treat I had ever been to so I didn't know what to expect. For those like me who don't know what it is either, everyone just parks there car in the parking lot and hands out candy from the trunk (Really, its quite self explanatory). Some people will decorate there trunks to make it more festive. It was lots of fun. For the Chili cook-off, us elders were the judges. We tried 21 different chilies of varying spice and flavor. But I wasn't complaining.
The actually night of Halloween, a member invited all six of us missionaries over for dinner and to carve pumpkins. Elder Ceron, one of the Spanish Elders, is from Mexico and this was his first American Halloween. It was different for him, but he enjoyed it.
As yet another transfer comes to a close, I discovered that I am being transferred. Not only that, but I will also be training. Kind of. The missionary has been through half the training process so I will just be finishing it up. I feel so unprepared for such a calling! But the Lord qualifies whom he calls. Many new adventures await...
"Yea, and then shall the work commence, with the Father among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance." -3 Nephi 21:28
Y'all be blessed!
Elder Price
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| The trunk or treat! |
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| Pumpkins we carved |
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| Mr. Pumpkin head |
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| At the ward party... |
(10/26) No Subject...
Hey peoples!
Well, this past week wasn't that all that impressive. It was dismal and rainy and my companion was off and on with a cold. It was just a slow week. There was at least one thing good that happened. One of our investigators randomly came up to us while we were outside chopping wood with her son and told us she wanted to join the church. We were thrilled. She is an old preacher lady that we have been working with for over a month, and is about time she decides to be baptized. we haven't worked out all the details yet, so...
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof." - 3 Nephi 13:34
Elder Price
Well, this past week wasn't that all that impressive. It was dismal and rainy and my companion was off and on with a cold. It was just a slow week. There was at least one thing good that happened. One of our investigators randomly came up to us while we were outside chopping wood with her son and told us she wanted to join the church. We were thrilled. She is an old preacher lady that we have been working with for over a month, and is about time she decides to be baptized. we haven't worked out all the details yet, so...
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof." - 3 Nephi 13:34
Elder Price
(10/19) Power week!
Thank you for all the wonderful emails this week! I appreciate being able to see how the gospel is in effect in the lives of others. I have drawn inspiration and motivation from all y'all's emails. I rejoice with you in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank you all for what you do, but mostly for who you are.
Last Monday, I was blessed with many opportunities to use the priesthood which I hold. While on our way to contact a referral, we received a call from one of our investigators asking if we could pray over one of her sons in the hospital. We rushed over there and administered the blessing. This faithful woman had complete trust in us as the Lord's servants believing that her son would be all right. After the blessing she kept telling her son, "You will be alright. These two boys have prayed over you, and I know God heard them." This is the kind of faith that produces miracles.
Later that night we had another opportunity to use our priesthood. We met a younger lady named Dedra who is very much prepared to receive the gospel. We were talking with her about how we are missionaries and what it is we do when she randomly asks, "do you believe in spirits?" Dedra than explained to us how she felt there was something else in her house and she didn't feel safe there. We offered to bless her home and she accepted. It was a unique experience for me to use my priesthood to cast out an evil spirit. But now I can say I exorcised a house.
The rest of the week we were focusing on finding new investigators. At a Zone Meeting this past week, our leaders did something...different. Towards the end of the meeting the left the room while we all sang "The Star Spangle Banner". Why were we singing the national anthem in the middle of October? As the song came to a close, the very talented pianist, Elder Phillips, transitioned into a military march. Suddenly our leaders came through the side doors in quite a spectacle. The Sister Training Leaders were toting little American flags and pushing in a chalkboard that had "The Union" written on it. On the other side, the Zone Leaders charged in with confederate flags draped over them like capes and waving a rebel flag high over head. A civil War had broken out in the Searcy Zone. All the companionships were divided up and enlisted to either the Union or the Confederacy. Each week there would be a different "battle" between the two sides. This week's battle was to see which side could find the most new investigators. My companion and I joined the Rebel Army. The South will rise again!!
For the first few days, our finding absolutely sucked. No one was home and those that were did not want to talk with us. We knocked on this one lady's door and she answered with a look full of disdain. Her expression seemed to say,'How dare you knock on my door?' It just not a good day for finding, And then the next day my companion got sick, so we accomplished nothing. But the weekend was full of miracles and blessings. We met this one guy sitting on his steps smoking. He has actually talked with missonaries in the past and wants him and his whole family to be baptized. Then we met another family that found the message of the restoration interesting and really wanted to learn more. It was awesome. I know that God has great blessing in store for us if we can just endure through the storms and trials of mortality and NEVER GIVE UP!
This work is truly great and the Lord is at the helm. We need not fear, for he his with us. The priesthood is real and the gospel brings a fulness of joy found nowhere else in the world, because it is not of the world. I testify to you that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the promised Messiah, He has reached out to us in love by giving us the Book of Mormon and restoring his gospel on the earth once more through the prophet Joseph Smith. This is truly his church, his work, and his gospel. I am so grateful to be have this opportunity to assist in this work. Brief as it is, the outcome is Eternal.
"And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life." - Doctrine & Covenants 101:38
Elder Price
Last Monday, I was blessed with many opportunities to use the priesthood which I hold. While on our way to contact a referral, we received a call from one of our investigators asking if we could pray over one of her sons in the hospital. We rushed over there and administered the blessing. This faithful woman had complete trust in us as the Lord's servants believing that her son would be all right. After the blessing she kept telling her son, "You will be alright. These two boys have prayed over you, and I know God heard them." This is the kind of faith that produces miracles.
Later that night we had another opportunity to use our priesthood. We met a younger lady named Dedra who is very much prepared to receive the gospel. We were talking with her about how we are missionaries and what it is we do when she randomly asks, "do you believe in spirits?" Dedra than explained to us how she felt there was something else in her house and she didn't feel safe there. We offered to bless her home and she accepted. It was a unique experience for me to use my priesthood to cast out an evil spirit. But now I can say I exorcised a house.
The rest of the week we were focusing on finding new investigators. At a Zone Meeting this past week, our leaders did something...different. Towards the end of the meeting the left the room while we all sang "The Star Spangle Banner". Why were we singing the national anthem in the middle of October? As the song came to a close, the very talented pianist, Elder Phillips, transitioned into a military march. Suddenly our leaders came through the side doors in quite a spectacle. The Sister Training Leaders were toting little American flags and pushing in a chalkboard that had "The Union" written on it. On the other side, the Zone Leaders charged in with confederate flags draped over them like capes and waving a rebel flag high over head. A civil War had broken out in the Searcy Zone. All the companionships were divided up and enlisted to either the Union or the Confederacy. Each week there would be a different "battle" between the two sides. This week's battle was to see which side could find the most new investigators. My companion and I joined the Rebel Army. The South will rise again!!
For the first few days, our finding absolutely sucked. No one was home and those that were did not want to talk with us. We knocked on this one lady's door and she answered with a look full of disdain. Her expression seemed to say,'How dare you knock on my door?' It just not a good day for finding, And then the next day my companion got sick, so we accomplished nothing. But the weekend was full of miracles and blessings. We met this one guy sitting on his steps smoking. He has actually talked with missonaries in the past and wants him and his whole family to be baptized. Then we met another family that found the message of the restoration interesting and really wanted to learn more. It was awesome. I know that God has great blessing in store for us if we can just endure through the storms and trials of mortality and NEVER GIVE UP!
This work is truly great and the Lord is at the helm. We need not fear, for he his with us. The priesthood is real and the gospel brings a fulness of joy found nowhere else in the world, because it is not of the world. I testify to you that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, the promised Messiah, He has reached out to us in love by giving us the Book of Mormon and restoring his gospel on the earth once more through the prophet Joseph Smith. This is truly his church, his work, and his gospel. I am so grateful to be have this opportunity to assist in this work. Brief as it is, the outcome is Eternal.
"And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life." - Doctrine & Covenants 101:38
Elder Price
(10/12) No Subject...
How are my favorite people in the world doing?
I am so happy to hear that things are going good back home. It means God is listening to my prayers. Keep me posted on the Temple Celebration thing. It sounds like a unique spiritual experience that I am sure will build the faith of Brent and Jacob and it will be something they will keep in remembrance. It brings great joy to hear the Alex is getting back in school and is enjoying it. It brightens my day to know that he is happy. I know our Heavenly Father is the same way. When we are happy, he is happy. He shares in the joy we experience.
It has been a good week. We have some really cool people we are working with right now. One of them is a really old lady who is a retired Methodist preacher. Every time we go over, she tells us how proud she is of the work we are doing. Teaching her can be really interesting. At random points her inner preacher will start up and she will ramble on about something for a good 15 minutes. We just politely wait for her to finish and then continue on. We are also teaching a really cool black family that love the gospel. My companion and I are super tight with the kids and it is fun to talk with them. They remind a lot of my cousin Evan.
Things are going well and work continues to move forward. This weeks ponderizing scripture again is in remembrance of general conference.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." - John 15:11
God has spoken, and so let it be done.
Elder Price
I am so happy to hear that things are going good back home. It means God is listening to my prayers. Keep me posted on the Temple Celebration thing. It sounds like a unique spiritual experience that I am sure will build the faith of Brent and Jacob and it will be something they will keep in remembrance. It brings great joy to hear the Alex is getting back in school and is enjoying it. It brightens my day to know that he is happy. I know our Heavenly Father is the same way. When we are happy, he is happy. He shares in the joy we experience.
It has been a good week. We have some really cool people we are working with right now. One of them is a really old lady who is a retired Methodist preacher. Every time we go over, she tells us how proud she is of the work we are doing. Teaching her can be really interesting. At random points her inner preacher will start up and she will ramble on about something for a good 15 minutes. We just politely wait for her to finish and then continue on. We are also teaching a really cool black family that love the gospel. My companion and I are super tight with the kids and it is fun to talk with them. They remind a lot of my cousin Evan.
Things are going well and work continues to move forward. This weeks ponderizing scripture again is in remembrance of general conference.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." - John 15:11
God has spoken, and so let it be done.
Elder Price
(10/5) General Conference
Can I just say I love General Conference weekend.
For us missionaries, it is like a holiday. We get to spend a whole weekend being inspired and uplifted by the spirit while eating snacks and learning how we can better to our job. It relieves a lot of stress and brings a lot of peace. I love being able to hear from the prophet and the Lord's other servants. It was also very exiting to get three new apostles. Even though they spoke for a few minutes, and I barely know them, I have already developed a growing love towards them. I fully sustain them as prophets, seers, and revelators; and the Lords chosen. May God bless them in their new calling.
We actually did manage to get one investigator to Conference, at the very last session. We had others who supposed to make it, but the adversary found ways to hedge up their path. One of them got called into work, another didn't wake up in time, and one of them had a seizure the night before. Satan was getting creative. But the one person that was able to come really enjoyed. She felt the spirit and a feeling of comfort and belonging at the church building. We had a good discussion after conference in which we were able to set a baptismal date with this person. It was wonderful.
I really enjoyed the talk about "ponderizing" the scriptures and have taken it to heart. From now on, the scripture I put in my weekly email will be one that I will be ponderizing throughout that next week. May it give you encouragement to also take the challenge. This week's scripture is in honor of President Monson's talk.
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12
I can't wait till next General Conference!
Elder Price
For us missionaries, it is like a holiday. We get to spend a whole weekend being inspired and uplifted by the spirit while eating snacks and learning how we can better to our job. It relieves a lot of stress and brings a lot of peace. I love being able to hear from the prophet and the Lord's other servants. It was also very exiting to get three new apostles. Even though they spoke for a few minutes, and I barely know them, I have already developed a growing love towards them. I fully sustain them as prophets, seers, and revelators; and the Lords chosen. May God bless them in their new calling.
We actually did manage to get one investigator to Conference, at the very last session. We had others who supposed to make it, but the adversary found ways to hedge up their path. One of them got called into work, another didn't wake up in time, and one of them had a seizure the night before. Satan was getting creative. But the one person that was able to come really enjoyed. She felt the spirit and a feeling of comfort and belonging at the church building. We had a good discussion after conference in which we were able to set a baptismal date with this person. It was wonderful.
I really enjoyed the talk about "ponderizing" the scriptures and have taken it to heart. From now on, the scripture I put in my weekly email will be one that I will be ponderizing throughout that next week. May it give you encouragement to also take the challenge. This week's scripture is in honor of President Monson's talk.
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12
I can't wait till next General Conference!
Elder Price
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| The district watched conference together. |
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