Hey Friends and Family!! THIS WEEK WAS CRAZY COOL! Not only
because we got to meet with Elder Holland and shake his hand and be able to see
him pound the pulpit right in front of our eyes, but we also found AN amazing investigator
named Kaelani!!! She literally has already accepted a baptismal date. I will
tell you about her more in a second, but I just want to start off by saying meeting
Elder Holland probably was a life changer. At least my missionary life changer.
Never have I been so lovingly taught and rebuked at the same time than I have
sitting in the same chapel with Elder Holland. That man is the most intense guy
I have ever met. But so loving. So crazy loving. I just felt like, even though
he didn't know me, he totally loved me. Which is weird. Really weird. But
awesome the same time.
Okay before I go more into Elder Holland I want to tell you
about Kaelani jones! So, we got a call from the Arcata elders this week telling
us they had a referral for us. They had gotten a church headquarters referral
and they went and visited her and she was a YSA, well they had a lesson with
her and she wanted to meet again the next day. So, they brought us along. Well,
we had a BOMB plan of salvation lesson where we really emphasized starting a
new through the atonement of Jesus Christ and baptism. We invited her to be
baptized and she accepted! So her date is March 10th! We then met with her 2
days later to teach about faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the holy
ghost. And she is just tearing through the Book of Mormon. She loves it!!! She
reads it every day!! She already knows it’s true. She is so amazing!!! The
blessings of working hard and being persistent. Such an amazing experience. I'm
so glad to be a part of her conversion! I thank God every day for it.
Anyway, on to Elder Holland and then I will wrap this email
up.
He taught us all about how important our missions were. He
explained how much his mission meant to him. And how every blessing he has ever
received has been through that short 2 years as a missionary. He also kept
relating us to himself saying how much missionaries are like apostles.
Apparently (this is pretty cool) Apostle is a Greek word, it means "One
who is sent forth" well guess what, Missionary which is an Indo-European
word means "One who is sent forth". He went on to explain that both
us and him have set our self apart for full time service in the lord’s kingdom.
The only difference is he has to die to get out of his calling (which he said
looks pretty appetizing at times XD ). He said we are apostles with a little
'a' while he is an Apostle with a big 'A'. So, that was pretty cool. We then
opened up to John 3 and he just tore that story apart. For those who aren't
familiar with John 3, it's Jesus teaching Nicodemus about baptism. We dissected
the lord’s way of teaching and how he addresses Nicodemus and taught him. He
then did the same thing with the next chapter John 4 (which is the woman at the
well story). He showed us how the savior taught and then basically commanded us
that we teach the same way because there is no better way than Christ's way.
Haha needless to say we all accepted the challenge. His 3 lessons were, 1. The
gospel is for everyone so for the love of all that is good and hol,y open your
mouth and talk to EVERYONE. As demonstrated in the 2 stories Nicodemus (who was
a Pharisee and was part of the Sanhedrin) and the woman at the well (Basically
a Samaritan prostitute) Christ taught all manner of people. 2. We need to
provide spiritual experiences for each investigator. Spiritual experiences will
over power any doubt and concern the investigator might have. 3. Get them
into the Book of Mormon. Immediately. In 1 Nephi 1:12 it talks about when Lehi
reads the book he was filled with the spirit of the lord. So, I need get people
in the Book of Mormon as quick as possible. And that has proven itself to me
time and time again. He talked about just working hard and serving with all our
hearts. There was a point, after his remarks where we all stood when Elder
Holland left. I was looking at the ceiling just being filled with an
overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my mission. I really love my mission. So
much. My mission has meant the world to me. Doesn't mean it hasn't been hard or
difficult, but it means I have learned so much and have developed such a strong
testimony of the gospel (and of modern day prophets) that will set me up for
the rest of my life. But it was in that moment of awe inspiring gratitude that
the spirit quietly pointed out that only have 4 months left. And this is where
the tears started. Thank the lord for Sister Dean who was sitting in front of
me, she gave me a tissue as I balled my eyes out. But while feeling so saddened
by the fact I only have 4 months left I really made a new commitment to my Father
in heaven to squeeze EVERY LAST drop out of my mission. The lord has been so
merciful to me. He has made me a tool in his hands. And I pray that he will
continue to use me. I love this gospel. I Love my Savior. I know he Lives. I
know he has called prophet in these last days to lead and guide us. The creator
of the universe knows us. He is our loving heavenly father. He has brought
forth the book of Mormon for us in our day so that we may know how to return to
him. Repentance is real. And it is only possible through the atonement of our
lord as savior Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is true and I love you all!
Have an amazing week!
God is Good,
Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field
Cheers!
-Elder Riley Field
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