James letter 10-22-12

This was a great start to a new transfer. There seemed to have been a lot of sickness going around, and we weren't able to meet with a few people, but those who we were able to teach this week are taking great strides. This Tuesday we were finally able to get C G and B J to mutual. It was the first time that they have attended in Springville ward. They have gone previously in Rock Creek, but have not been since they moved. They also came to church on Sunday, which actually surprised me a little, because they have been "going to come" for several months, and havn't. It was such a joy to see them.

Wednesday we had a great district meeting, we learned about recieving revelation. Elder C and myself gave a spiritual thought. We read from the Bible Dictionary that it is impossible to be saved without revelation. Without it, we cannot know what God expects of us, why we are here in this life, where we are going, or how to get there. Life would truly be a meaningless glob of chaos if revelation were not there to provide an anchor to us. Whats neat is that no matter how the world changes, the principles of revelation do not. We can always learn from God, and His standards don't ever change. God does speak with us, and provide a way back to Him.

T D is still doing super well, and is still moving towards her baptism on the 3rd. We met with her twice this week, although the second lesson was cut short due to a bit of a family emergency. She got a cold as well, and was unable to come to church this weekend, but she has been reading and praying, and still wants to be baptized.

 

I have a few great stories from tracting this week. The first one came on Thursday, we were tracting, and we met a guy that goes by the name of "Matter". He said that he goes by that because he cannot be created or destroyed. He also had several religous books including: the Qoran, the Bible, the Jehovahs Witnesses"What does the bible really teach, and their translation of the Bible. as well as a Book of Mormon, and other literature. We had an interesting conversation with him, we had one of our priests with us, Michael Cook, who is preparing for a mission. "Matter", who was obviously cracked out on drugs, rambled on about conspiracy theories, a ring that Solomon had to control demons, and a staff as well, which he used to force the demons to build his temple. He asked us if we were voting, we said no, because we don't know anything about the election. He reply was this, "I don't know anything either, but I'm voting because its my right to vote. I'm voting for Obama, cause I voted for him last time. Its cause some problems, but I'm going to stick to it." That is whats wrong with our country...He also said that he always thought of us as God's "go to guys" He  comes to us when he needs More Men, get it? He also called Michael the archangel, and told him not to pull out his sword, and not to cut anybody, because the worlds not over yet.He was crazy...

 

Then on Saturday, we had a guy try and prove us wrong, because the Bible says that its complete, and all you need, and you can't ever become god. He had heard some misconstrued things, and believes that its church doctrine. HE wouldn't believe that it wasn't. Later that day though is the really cool story. We knocked into a lady, and she wasn't interested, but she saw my backpack, and said, :oh, Columbia, my sister works there, do you want some passes to the employee store?" she then gave us some passes. So I have been needing a few things now that the rain is back, one is shoe covers, as my feet get soaked, the rest of my body is dry, but all the rain goes in the top of my shoe and I end the day with a puddle. ALso I need some waterproof gloves, because my hands are so cold all the time. It shouldn't be very much, but if you could get a little extra money in my account that would be great. THe passes are good until 12/31/12.

We had the opportunity to have the sacrament at the retirement center again yesterday, we have a member from the ward that has been called to oversee that, and the services yesterday went by really well. The spirit was great, and as we left we had the opportunity to do some service for one of the residents. It was a great chance to plant some seeds.

We had another miracle this week. Last night we got a call from a woman named J S. She said that she wants to take the lessons, and join the church. Her mom is an existing member in the ward already, and she has been talking with the bishop for some time. We have an appointment set for this week, and bishop R is coming with us. It will probably be his last visit as a bishop, because we got word yesterday that he is being released, and we will have a new bishop next week.  I am sad to see him go.

Elder C and myself are still doing great. We make fun of each other all the time, keep the mood joyful and loving. When its raining outside, and the day is tough, we are always able to find something to laugh about and lighten our moods.

I had really good studies this week. On wednesday I studied out of chapter 10 in PMG on repentance and addiction  recovery, and I started to read through, and I found that I read the first sentence, and the rest of my study was devoted to a study on humility, as it was one of the steps listed for repentance. I realized that the reason you fall back into bad habits is because as you repent you rely too much on what you can do. You think that you can overcome the addiction with sheer willpower. I have seen this many times in my own life, and as I studied I realized, that in order for me to truly repent and change my behaviors permanently I had to trust in him, and be humble. As I have worked to apply that into my life I have already seen a difference. The temptations are fewer, and easier to deal with, and I have confidence that WE can really do it. Not I, because I have failed, but WE. With Christ I can do it. I love the scripture of Ether 12:27. I am also reminded of Moroni 7:33 "And Christ hath said if ye shall have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me" How can we have faith unless we live by His teachings. He teaches us to be humble. It is expedient unto Him for me to overcome the world, just as He has. It is a beautiful thing to know that he really is there to help you.

Love Elder Schultz 

James letter 10-15-2012

What a great end to the transfer! This has been one of my favorite transfers thus far on my mission, not only are we teaching a bunch, but we are being obedient, and we are loving each other and the work. Elder C is such an awesome guy. During this past week or so I have been letting him take the lead during some of the lessons. He has really stepped up to the plate, and he does such a great job at teaching. He is heartfelt, and simple in his explainations. When he bears testimony, you know that he knows. It is great to be able to see, and to try and learn a little more from him. 

So you know that saying, "use it or lose it"? Well that saying is true. Yesterday during our fast and testimony meeting we had the privledge of bearing our testimonies. As I spoke I again felt the confirming witness of the Spirit that what I was saying was true. I found myself stopping to listen to the words that I were speaking, and they took on a new meaning. I don't remember what I said, but I do remember what I felt, and it was a feeling that I would like to have more often. I know what I can do to have it more, and my goal for this transfer is to do it. I've written down a few steps to help me. 

One of those steps is study. Someone in one of our wards yesterday said something about the study of scriptures, and how it should be more than just reading, and how we need to dig in their and feast! He recommended that as we read we ask ourselves the question "what does this have to do with me? Why did the prophet decide to include this?" As we look for the deeper meaning, we will start to find them. As we figure out why it is important to our life, it will become easier to apply because it has relevance. Study is one of those things that kind of goes up and down with me, sometimes it is more fruitful that others.

The work here is still going great. We can still see the Lord's hand directing the work her, especially in the Rock Creek ward. T D, our micacle, is progressing well. She has already cut her smoking in half, and is working hard to get off completely. We should see her on Tuesday. Our ward mission leader, however, didn't want to put her on the progress record Saturday night. He didn't feel that she was to the point of investigating yet, even though we had taught four lessons and set a baptismal date. When she came to church yesterday I think he changed his mind. I don't think he fully understands what the progress record is, he won't include less-active members on there, and he has a hard time taking people off when we are done working with them. 

S is still doing great, and her less-active husband is progressing as well. He has been helping us to direct, and teach the lessons, and helping his wife to understand. After the lesson we were talking with him, and he said that what we were doing was great, and that he felt that he was getting in the way of her baptism. He finally said what we have believed from the beginning. I think he is starting to see the Lord bless him, and he puts forth his effort, and he sees her desires to follow Christ, and knows that she doesn't want to do this without him. We are going to try and get him to baptize her when he is ready. That would be a special moment for them. 

Friday I had a great exchange with Elder B(he is from Japan) We had a fun day tracting, and biking in the first real rain of the winter. By the time we got home the rain had soaked through my waterproof shoes, my waterproof backpack, my gloves, and almost penetrated my waterproof jacket. It was a crazy day, it rained hard all day long. Oh, the joys of being in Oregon, on a bike, during winter. 
 
I haven't been able to write A yet, but I am planning on doing that this week. I'm glad that you are enjoying Astro-Camp mom, that was one of my favorite fieldtrips when I was in school, I'm glad that you have the opportunity to make it a great experience for those who are going there now. I am confident that things will work out sooner or later, the Lord always takes care of his own. There are several promises made in the Doctrine and Covenants that also promise blessings for the service of loved ones. As I serve out here, you will be blessed. God does not lie.
 
It was neat this week to see some of the members who have been waiting to go now have the opportunity to leave now. One girl was worried about it now, because it was real now. She said that she wasn't sure if she could do it, because she doesn't know everything. We may not know everything, but we know that God lives, and that the Gospel is true, and thats enough. As we trust Him, he will help us, and fulfil the promise that we "will not be confounded before men". We don't have to know all of the details, or be an expert in doctrine. All you need is a testimony, and to be converted enough to share it, then you can be one of the "weak and the simple" that God has called to share His word. I hope we will all be able to be a missionary no matter what circumstance we may be in. 
 
Love Elder Schultz
Also I am looking forward to another transfer with Elder C, he is such a great missionary, I love working with him.

James Letter 10-8-2012

Well, the only way that I can really describe this past week is that it was a "good, bad week". We had a lot of lessons cancell, but we were busy all week long, and we still saw miracles. I would like to share one miracle from this week.

Thursday started like any normal Thursday, we did our weekly planning, we had lunch. Looking on our totals for the week we were behind what we normally are, but we were confident that we could still reach the same standard that we had set for ourselves. We had a lesson set for 2:30 that afternoon, and we took one of the prospective elders with us to the lesson(he has been waiting to turn 19, now he doesn't have to...). We walked up to the door, and there was a note that said she was unable to make it, and wanted to reschedule. We let out a sigh at another cancelled lesson(probably our 7th one that week), but we decided that we would go tracting on that street.

As is common for tracting we knocked on doors for almost an hour with no success. There were a few people that we were able to talk too, but they weren't interested in the message we shared. The very last door we knocked on the lady answered the door, said that her sons were sleeping, but that she wanted to listen, and she invited us upstairs. We were able to go in, because we had our soon-to-be elder with us. She told us about herself, and her life. She had grown up mostly on the streets. She had been a drug addict for a long time, but had been clean and sober for the last two or three years. She had been praying the night before, and she wanted to join a church, and be baptized.

We shared with her the message of the restoration of the Gospel. So many of the things that she said when talking about her beliefs beforehand tied in perfectly to our message. She recognized that her Catholic baptism was incorrect, and she wanted to do it right, and gain direction in her life. We told her about the chance we had to hear from our current prophet and hear his words. She committed to joining us for a session of conference on Sunday.

We picked her up just before the afternoon session on Sunday. She loved conference, and we were able to introduce her to a few members in the ward, including our ward mission leader. After conference we went over what she thought about it. She had loved the messages of repentance and forgiveness, and how to be converted. She mentioned that she just needed commitment in her life, and we extended a baptismal date to her for November 3rd. She accepted.

We are going to see her on Tuesday this week. She does smoke, but she seems truly commited to bettering her life, and this is the way that she can do that, and gain control of her life. She is looking forward to coming to Church next week and getting a new family there. It was a miracle. We were able to answer her prayers. We had a lesson cancell yes, but without that we wouldn't have gone tracting, and who knows if we ever would have found her, and we wouldn't have been able to get her to conference. I am truly grateful for the hand of the Lord in our work. We are truly blessed in this area.

Friday we were able to attend the temple, one of my favorite things. It was truly one of the most interesting visits though, and Elder Crockett forgot his temple recommend. Thankfully we were able to get in contact with you over the phone, so that we could still go through. I took my patriarchal blessing with me, and was able to read and ponder that while I was in the Celestial Room. It was a marvelous time to reflect.

General Conference this week was truly incredible. I would share with you some of the impressions and notes that I took, but to share all of them I would need more that an hour. Here are a few things that have stuck in my mind though.

There is a difference between a testimony, and a conversion, and it is true. We can know the Gospel, we can know the commandments, and the expectations that our Heavenly Father has for us and not be converted. Conversion is a lasting devotion to our Heavenly Father. We must do what Jacob counsels, and "...be wise...". Wisdom is applied knowledge, or in other words, wisdom is conversion. We have to use the testimony that we have, and live by it. Only then can we become converted.

This week is looking good. We have many lessons set, and hopefully they will all go through. If not, I trust we will still have success. These last 5 weeks have been incredible, and I have truly loved serving with Elder Crockett thus far. If one of us is to be transferred I will look back on this time together with no regrets.

Love Elder Schultz

James letter 10-1-2012

This week we saw more great success. I know that the hand of the Lord is here helping us as we improve the work in this area and ourselves by our diligent efforts to accomplish some good. This week we were able to see the desires of some people change towards doing what the Lord wants them to do. We have one part-member family, and the mother knows that she needs to come back. She is committed for another week, but the next time we have church she is committed to come. Its great to see her as she realizes what is important, and that she wants that for herself and her family.

We were able to find another part-member family while tracting in our neighborhood on Thusday. She told us that she didn't come to church because of how busy she was, and it was easier not to go, but she mentioned how her and her husband had been talking about it, and he is warming up to the idea of joining. We hope to see the potential there take root and bring us success.

Zone Conference on Friday was teriffic. I was able to learn a lot of new things to help myself, and others. I recieved revelation on what real intent means, and how to help others understand it, and apply it to their lives. Just before dinner that day we tracted into a Muslim girl. She is here for school, and she told us that she was Muslim, because in her home of Iran you are Muslim, or you are dead. She hated that. She didn't want it forced on her, and she was amazed that we were just inviting her to learn for herself. We don't have anything set up yet, but she did say that she would try and come to church.

 

Yesterday was great. The 5th Sunday lessons in both wards were enlightening. In Rock Creek they talked about home and visiting teaching. Bishop spoke, and he related an impression that came to him in the temple.

"When Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden into the lone and dreary world our Heavenly Father was sad, because he couldn't be with them anymore. He couldn't go unto them, and give them the help they needed. So what did he do? He sent home teachers. They went to Adam and Eve, and found out their situation, then the went back to God to report; we do that in prayer. God told them what to do next to help Adam and Eve banish evil from their lives. They helped Adam recieve the priesthood, they helped him follow Christ, including going to the temple to receive the ordinances of salvation. That is the purpose of home teachers, to do what God himself would do if he were here in person. Home teachers are to help us get rid of evil in our lives, and help us follow Christ by pointing us to the temple. They are to turn to God in prayer, telling him of the situation, and then he will tell them what to do."

In Springville we talked about the For Strength of Youth, we went over some of the topics in the new pamphlet, and how they apply to us and our children, and how we can make them a part of our lives, to insure that the standards are being kept.

As for myself this had been an interesting week, full of highs and lows. There were a lot of great spiritual experiences for which I am truly grateful, but it seems that whenever you climb a peak you fall off a cliff on the other side. So it was this week for me. I had great experiences, and then at the same time I questioned and doubted, and lost faith. I really struggle with believing in what I am doing, which doesn't make sense to me, because I feel joy in doing it. Last night I read over my patriarchal blessing, it had been a while since I have read it, and it really helped me a lot. It told me what to seek after, and the gifts that I would be given. I my studies this morning I read over some of the topics mentioned in my blessing, so that I could attain them. I feel like I have a long way to go, but at the same time I was able to see the blessings and promises that had already been fulfilled. It was another testimony builder for me. I hope that I can continue to go up, and to progress, because I do find joy in this work, even if I sometimes don't find joy in my life. If I make this work my life maybe that can change.

 

 I am looking forward to this weekend. we have our temple trip on Friday, followed by General Conference, it is going to be great!

Love Elder Schultz