¡Aló!
For those of you that are still scratching your head at the subject line, I have been officially called to be in the office as the mission Historian. According to the records (which, coincidentally, I have now) that makes me the youngest Elder ever in the office, in terms of mission weeks. Basically I am in charge of all of the records of the mission, including inputting all of the convert records and generating reports and powerpoints, cell phones, Computer and Software support, Weekly letters from the office, and being the general record-keeper/type monkey. It looks to be a pretty fun job, and because of all of my previous experience we are already automating a lot of it. I´ll also be in charge of taking over the brunt of the responsibilities of the Pensionist (we´re reducing the office size) and a gigantic end-of-the-year mission journal record that is kept in the granite vault at Headquarters as a general Journal of the mission. Finally, I´m also keeping all of my jobs as ECM (Especialista en Cuidado de Misioneros) and whatever random projects the President throws in. All in all, I´m excited to take something new on, and it´s a blessing to be able to continue working with the ward here as we´re moving forward with various things.
As for the work here, we are working with a whole bunch of really fun people. Right now it´s mostly members as we´re trying to get this ward functioning, but we still have various investigators with whom I am really having many wonderful experiences. Primariamente, tenemos Hector. El es un hombre de 80 años con quien estamos compartiendo. He learns kind of slowly, but he is attending church and knows that it is the only true church on the earth (he told us without us needing to prompt him, so that´s bakan..) so we are working with him to prepare him for his baptism. I love him so much for his effort- it really is inspirational for me to work with him, and SO easy to bring the spirit into his home.
I also received a letter from my dear hermana Lorena, from mi primero sector. She is still doing really well and staying really strong, and after talking with the elders from Lo Prado the other day I really feel good about her and about all that she has done and is doing to stay strong. She even said that her son is becoming more and more interested in the Gospel- and quite a few of the contacts that I made in my last week there are progressing towards baptism these next few weeks. I am so blessed to have been a part of something that big. If you have not experienced the thrill of watching somebody´s life change for the better, get out and serve- because there is nothing better.
The other day we were out proselyting when a rock flew past my head and hit a wall. Suddenly it was followed by another and another, and as we came to the top of the stairs we saw two teenagers with their faces covered chucking rocks at us. I felt like Samuel the Lamanite as rocks whizzed past, and I felt no fear as I began walking towards them. Even though my companion and I were getting closer and closer, the rocks would always miss us- and finally the two kids got scared and ran away. It was one of the coolest physical protections I´ve been part of so far- and upon further reflection, as always, I have some thoughts to share.
Samuel the Lamanite was a prophet of the Book of Mormon who was sent by God to prophecy to the Nephites about the impending birth of the Savior on the other side of the world. He began to teach once and was thrown out of the city, but God told him to go back. He climbed the city wall and stood to prophecy as the people shot arrows and threw stones to try to kill him. He stood his ground until he was finished with the work he had been directed to do, and all of the stones and arrows miraculously missed. When he was done, he left to continue on his way, and we do not hear more of him.
In my case the other day, it was a literal manifestation of this same miracle- however, we are also afforded another protection by applying the same principle. Samuel prepared himself, and then received the will of the Lord and acted on it immediately. We must do the same. Many times we feel fear because of the things that appear to be coming our way- the fiery darts of Satan have never been easy to resist if we are doing what is right- however we have the assurance of protection from the Lord. Each of us can experience this same miraculous protection physically, emotionally, and spiritually if we act in the same way, with perfect faith and the intention to endure to the end regardless of the cost. I can promise, as do the scriptures and the prophets of our day, that as we do what is right we will receive and be witness to that protection.
I know it sounds like I´m lecturing you all or writing a book, but this is really how I think when I write- and it doesn´t make it any less true!
Go Fight Win Take State!
Vaya Con Dios-
-Elder Wheelhouse
Side note- I also solved a rubik´s cube for the first time the other day- I feel really good about life right now. :P
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Just a short one again...
Hey everyone!
Don´t have much to talk about this week, and I´ve got to go soon anyway, but here is the weekly letter for this week!
I´ve been helping out in the office, especially with automating a lot of processes that have to happen here. My work with the Office suite has come in handy, and I´m glad to be able to do the work. Elder Prunty and Elder Foster (My companions) are both awesome, and it´s great to have such good friends. I expect that Elder Foster and I will be friends for many years to come, in particular.
We´ve been working with various families inside the ward to try to help them get stronger, and we´ve seen a lot of success through that work. We have started receiving references (a HUGE help to a missionary, btw) and we are contacting them as they come in.
I am also teaching piano lessons to one of our investigators. What a blessing to be able to teach again! They are waiting on the permission of their Father to be baptized, as he is the only one who is not set on baptism, but we are hoping to meet and play futbol with him later this week on our next P-day. We hope to baptize them next Sunday, if we can get permission.
Health is still up and down, mostly up, and I´m glad to be surrounded by good people who take care of me.
As always, I want to take the largest space in my letter to share something spiritual. I hope that at least one or two of you enjoy it, and I hope that it makes all of you think a little bit more when you read my letters. I hope that God will guide me to say the things that can bless you all the most.
We all pass for difficult times. We are human, separated physically from the presence of God, and part of a giant network of human souls- some of which are bad, but the majority of which I believe are good. Often times in our lives, things unexpected happen- death, destruction, financial hardship, weakness to temptation (meaning sin), pain, separation from family and friends, sickness, and every imaginable opposition that could be thrown at us. During these experiences we are buffeted and tossed like a small ship amongst the waves, and at times we may feel helpless and afraid. This is natural, and even expected- however, we ALWAYS have a glimmer of hope that, if we build upon it, cannot be taken away and secures safe passage. That hope is Christ.
The atonement of Christ was and is an infinite atonement- a sacrifice of such great magnitude as to save EVERY soul that clings to it. There is no obstacle too great to overcome, nor is there any distance too great that He would not cover it in a heartbeat if we would just cry out. Even though many times in our lives we will experience things that may not be a result of our personal actions (directly or indirectly), we have the promise that if we are following the Great Master, even Jesus Christ, WE CAN NOT FAIL.
It is the nature of the times that we live in, and the paths that we hopefully have all chosen (that is, to follow Him) that we will be targeted by the forces of the adversary to be literally dragged away from the presence of God. We are in the last days of this earth, and we know by the mouth of God Himself that this is a time to be tested. That being said, any man who says that this path to perfection is impossible and that therefore we should take our own path, asking God to save us, does not understand his own divine birthright. We have the covenant with God, the creator of all the universe, that if we will but do our part the best that we can He will provide a way for us to return to live and prosper with Him. This is a covenant that was in place before this world was even created- "and though the heavens and the earth will pass away, [His] words shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled." Our God is not a God of Lies.
I testify that this moment is but a small moment. The storm will subside, the waves will calm, and we will witness the fulfillment of the promises of God. "Do your duty: that is best. Leave to God the rest." No tempest can swallow the heart bound to the Master of all things! As always, I share this in His name, Jesus Christ.
-Elder Wheelhouse
Don´t have much to talk about this week, and I´ve got to go soon anyway, but here is the weekly letter for this week!
I´ve been helping out in the office, especially with automating a lot of processes that have to happen here. My work with the Office suite has come in handy, and I´m glad to be able to do the work. Elder Prunty and Elder Foster (My companions) are both awesome, and it´s great to have such good friends. I expect that Elder Foster and I will be friends for many years to come, in particular.
We´ve been working with various families inside the ward to try to help them get stronger, and we´ve seen a lot of success through that work. We have started receiving references (a HUGE help to a missionary, btw) and we are contacting them as they come in.
I am also teaching piano lessons to one of our investigators. What a blessing to be able to teach again! They are waiting on the permission of their Father to be baptized, as he is the only one who is not set on baptism, but we are hoping to meet and play futbol with him later this week on our next P-day. We hope to baptize them next Sunday, if we can get permission.
Health is still up and down, mostly up, and I´m glad to be surrounded by good people who take care of me.
As always, I want to take the largest space in my letter to share something spiritual. I hope that at least one or two of you enjoy it, and I hope that it makes all of you think a little bit more when you read my letters. I hope that God will guide me to say the things that can bless you all the most.
We all pass for difficult times. We are human, separated physically from the presence of God, and part of a giant network of human souls- some of which are bad, but the majority of which I believe are good. Often times in our lives, things unexpected happen- death, destruction, financial hardship, weakness to temptation (meaning sin), pain, separation from family and friends, sickness, and every imaginable opposition that could be thrown at us. During these experiences we are buffeted and tossed like a small ship amongst the waves, and at times we may feel helpless and afraid. This is natural, and even expected- however, we ALWAYS have a glimmer of hope that, if we build upon it, cannot be taken away and secures safe passage. That hope is Christ.
The atonement of Christ was and is an infinite atonement- a sacrifice of such great magnitude as to save EVERY soul that clings to it. There is no obstacle too great to overcome, nor is there any distance too great that He would not cover it in a heartbeat if we would just cry out. Even though many times in our lives we will experience things that may not be a result of our personal actions (directly or indirectly), we have the promise that if we are following the Great Master, even Jesus Christ, WE CAN NOT FAIL.
It is the nature of the times that we live in, and the paths that we hopefully have all chosen (that is, to follow Him) that we will be targeted by the forces of the adversary to be literally dragged away from the presence of God. We are in the last days of this earth, and we know by the mouth of God Himself that this is a time to be tested. That being said, any man who says that this path to perfection is impossible and that therefore we should take our own path, asking God to save us, does not understand his own divine birthright. We have the covenant with God, the creator of all the universe, that if we will but do our part the best that we can He will provide a way for us to return to live and prosper with Him. This is a covenant that was in place before this world was even created- "and though the heavens and the earth will pass away, [His] words shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled." Our God is not a God of Lies.
I testify that this moment is but a small moment. The storm will subside, the waves will calm, and we will witness the fulfillment of the promises of God. "Do your duty: that is best. Leave to God the rest." No tempest can swallow the heart bound to the Master of all things! As always, I share this in His name, Jesus Christ.
-Elder Wheelhouse
Monday, November 7, 2011
The Secret to Life, the Universe, and Everything. (Not 42.)
¡Buenas Tardes, todos!
What an interesting week! Working in the office has been a blast, and getting to know the ward and the area has been even more interesting. I gave my first talk in Chile on Sunday, with about 5 minutes of warning. What a blessing to have the Spirit and the gift of tongues! Without a formal assignment, I said a quick prayer and opened to the first scripture that came to mind (my mission scripture, coincidentally, which I hadn´t thought of in at least two months). The spirit bore witness that that was the one I needed to read, along with another scripture referenced underneath, and so I trusted and kept praying while listening to the sister just before me give a short talk. What do you know, the Spirit was right on- and the topic that she talked about led perfectly into what I wanted to read. I still had no clue what to say, but when I stood up to speak words suddenly started to flow into my mind, and I was able to be vessel to a powerful lesson and testimony about the blessings that we can begin to experience now as we choose to work in faith instead of waiting. I can still bear testimony to that principle, and I invite you all to work with those spiritual promptings to bless your lives.
The following day we set up an appointment to go and meet the Bishop of our ward. The ward we are in is full of good people, many of whom have been strong in the church for many years, but for various reasons the attendance has dropped over the last 3-4 years and we have had to work much harder to maintain within the ward, much less bring new members in. We met with him and talked about his vision for the ward and for us, and what his goals were to achieve it. Elder Prunty and I bore testimony of the value of righteous leadership, and as touched by the Spirit we were able to ask some very key questions that have lead us to begin to see progress and feel a change within the Bishop and certain key members within the ward.
One of the very strong impressions that I had received when I first arrived here in the office was that we needed to work with the ward to strengthen the members and use that as our focus first before we focus on bringing new members into the ward. That is something that is very radical for a mission that has traditionally been one of the top missions in terms of baptisms in the world, and especially to some of the older, more experienced missionaries. Nevertheless, one of the other Elders felt the same way and we backed each other up, and today we got to have a special meeting with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve who backed up what we had expressed exactly. He talked to us about certain areas in how we as missionaries need to change, including the focus in baptisms. The key, he said, was not to focus on baptisms so much as blessing lives and strengthening the church. It was a blessing to see that faith rewarded, and to watch as eyes were opened to the greater purpose of missionary work.
Why do I tell all of these stories? Not to try to put myself up, nor anything like it- rather, I want to encourage you all to see a common theme. God loves us, and He wants us to succeed. Because He wants us to succeed, He has provided a way for us to receive guidance. Whether it be immediate, short term, or long-term He wants to help us be the best that we can and receive the most blessings possible- and so He asks us to do our part to be worthy to have a member of the Godhead with us at all times. When we do our part, He has promised to guide us and care for us in ways that we don´t even comprehend. If we "Take no thought for scrip or purse" and put the laws of God first, He will "be on your right hand and your left" guiding us in EVERY aspect of our lives.
The Spirit of God is a necessary component of our lives. This is something that has taken a lot of time for me to realize, and every day I realize a little bit more how much we deny ourselves if we do not have that divine intervention in our lives. I invite all of you to turn to the scriptures and prayer- MAKE TIME TODAY- to study your lives and prioritize in such a way that the laws of God will always be put first. If you will take that time today, regardless of where you think you are, I promise that you will receive a witness that God is your Father, Heavenly not because of where He is but Who He Is, and that He loves you personally. You will also see that He wants your success, and that He has not asked anything of you that you cannot do. I cannot promise that there won´t be something difficult or two in between where you are and where you know you ought to be, but I can promise that with the Strength and Love of God at your back it can and WILL be overcome.
I love you all. Remember to pray, with real intent.
-Elder Wheelhouse
What an interesting week! Working in the office has been a blast, and getting to know the ward and the area has been even more interesting. I gave my first talk in Chile on Sunday, with about 5 minutes of warning. What a blessing to have the Spirit and the gift of tongues! Without a formal assignment, I said a quick prayer and opened to the first scripture that came to mind (my mission scripture, coincidentally, which I hadn´t thought of in at least two months). The spirit bore witness that that was the one I needed to read, along with another scripture referenced underneath, and so I trusted and kept praying while listening to the sister just before me give a short talk. What do you know, the Spirit was right on- and the topic that she talked about led perfectly into what I wanted to read. I still had no clue what to say, but when I stood up to speak words suddenly started to flow into my mind, and I was able to be vessel to a powerful lesson and testimony about the blessings that we can begin to experience now as we choose to work in faith instead of waiting. I can still bear testimony to that principle, and I invite you all to work with those spiritual promptings to bless your lives.
The following day we set up an appointment to go and meet the Bishop of our ward. The ward we are in is full of good people, many of whom have been strong in the church for many years, but for various reasons the attendance has dropped over the last 3-4 years and we have had to work much harder to maintain within the ward, much less bring new members in. We met with him and talked about his vision for the ward and for us, and what his goals were to achieve it. Elder Prunty and I bore testimony of the value of righteous leadership, and as touched by the Spirit we were able to ask some very key questions that have lead us to begin to see progress and feel a change within the Bishop and certain key members within the ward.
One of the very strong impressions that I had received when I first arrived here in the office was that we needed to work with the ward to strengthen the members and use that as our focus first before we focus on bringing new members into the ward. That is something that is very radical for a mission that has traditionally been one of the top missions in terms of baptisms in the world, and especially to some of the older, more experienced missionaries. Nevertheless, one of the other Elders felt the same way and we backed each other up, and today we got to have a special meeting with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve who backed up what we had expressed exactly. He talked to us about certain areas in how we as missionaries need to change, including the focus in baptisms. The key, he said, was not to focus on baptisms so much as blessing lives and strengthening the church. It was a blessing to see that faith rewarded, and to watch as eyes were opened to the greater purpose of missionary work.
Why do I tell all of these stories? Not to try to put myself up, nor anything like it- rather, I want to encourage you all to see a common theme. God loves us, and He wants us to succeed. Because He wants us to succeed, He has provided a way for us to receive guidance. Whether it be immediate, short term, or long-term He wants to help us be the best that we can and receive the most blessings possible- and so He asks us to do our part to be worthy to have a member of the Godhead with us at all times. When we do our part, He has promised to guide us and care for us in ways that we don´t even comprehend. If we "Take no thought for scrip or purse" and put the laws of God first, He will "be on your right hand and your left" guiding us in EVERY aspect of our lives.
The Spirit of God is a necessary component of our lives. This is something that has taken a lot of time for me to realize, and every day I realize a little bit more how much we deny ourselves if we do not have that divine intervention in our lives. I invite all of you to turn to the scriptures and prayer- MAKE TIME TODAY- to study your lives and prioritize in such a way that the laws of God will always be put first. If you will take that time today, regardless of where you think you are, I promise that you will receive a witness that God is your Father, Heavenly not because of where He is but Who He Is, and that He loves you personally. You will also see that He wants your success, and that He has not asked anything of you that you cannot do. I cannot promise that there won´t be something difficult or two in between where you are and where you know you ought to be, but I can promise that with the Strength and Love of God at your back it can and WILL be overcome.
I love you all. Remember to pray, with real intent.
-Elder Wheelhouse
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