658 days left!!! But who's counting right ;)
All right so like legit, these days are going by too fast and I never thought I'd day this, but it hasn't taken me long to realize that that's not enough days!!! Time is flying! 2 years is not a long time!!! This gospel has been such a blessing to my life; I want to share it with EVERYONE!! Well 2 years won't cut it so I'm just prepping out here for another 658 days so that I'll be ready to be a missionary back home.
I've been thinking a lot this week about the nametag I wear on my shirt each day. That title of Elder. It really is such a cool feeling to be out here as a minister of the Lord's gospel. But really what's the difference between you and me?? I just get the opportunity to wear a shirt and tie every single day. My companion Elder Burgess and I have been extending a challenge to the ward for the month of July to pray and seek guidance for someone they feel needs to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Someone that is ready to accept the word and make commitments to come closer to Jesus Christ by reading the Book of Mormon. In the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon, chapter 37 verses 32-47 say it best. They reveal to us that we as children of God are to preach unto the people repentance. What does repentance mean?? CHANGE. Repentance is to recognize you have been doing something that isn't what you feel is best for you and being willing to change. Being willing to turn outward, away from yourself and turn to the Lord for guidance and forgiveness. But that key word "change". Super important!!
We don't walk up to people and assume they have issues, addictions, hard lives, or bad habits. We do not judge someone by assuming they are involved in wrongful ways but we simply INVITE others to come unto Christ. We INVITE them to read more about how we can become closer to Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father has given you EVERYTHING.... ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.
You think someone that loves you so much and cares for you more than you ever could yourself, would want to leave you all alone, helpless, lost, confused, worried, sad?? I'll give you a hint :).... NOOOOOOOO
Ahahaha not at all!!! Why would he do that?! He loves you so so so so so so so so much. I KNOW he loves you. It doesn't matter what state you're in our what country you're in while reading this. God loves you and I Elder Newbold KNOW that. I KNOW he loves you. I know I have been emphasizing God's love for you in the last few emails, but that's because I CAN’T SAY IT ENOUGH. He loves you and he wants you to know that and he wants you to understand his plan. AND YOU CAN!! BY READING THE BOOK OF MORMON :)
I'm not challenging the people to hand out books of Mormon to mark it off a checklist. I'm not doing it to say we handed out an entire box of books of Mormon. I'm doing it because I have truly come to realize how important this gospel is and the role that it plays in each of our lives. It will so greatly influence our lives...IF we let it.
I don't have enough days, hours, minutes to pass out, as many books of Mormon as id like too. I don't have enough time to share with everyone on planet earth my testimony of this gospel. But We gotta start somewhere right? So I leave that same challenge with all of you....No backing out ;) haha you've gotten this far in the email, to hand out a book of Mormon, to share a spiritual thought on social media, to share your testimony with those you meet. If you're not Mormon yet...haha just kidding...But not really this challenge is still extended to you! Find something you love, something you're grateful for, an experience you've had where you've seen God's hand in your life...and share it. Share it on social media. Share it with your children, your parents, your cousins, your dogs, and your neighbor. Share it with Heavenly Father. Pray to Heavenly Father and thank him for all that you have in your life.
I promise you, I can truly promise each and every one of you that if you are faithful and will put your trust in the Lord, you will experience miracles. MIRACLES. I can absolutely promise you that.
I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints contains the complete restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we all have a purpose here on earth and if we will turn our hearts outward and to the Lord he will help show us that purpose. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. You can and WILL know for yourself as well, if you read with REAL INTENT and have a TRUE DESIRE.
I had talked about a guy we met last week named K. Well we got a call from K this Thursday. He said, "Hey guys, we are going to have to cancel dinner for this weekend." Elder Burgess responded, "Aww man no worries, we can plan for next week." K, "Actually guys my care taker met with me today and told me that it's not a good idea I meet with you anymore. He said I should stay away from you guys. I'm sorry." I can't quite tell you how the rest of the conversation went...my heart dropped and my eyes filled with tears as I walked to my room. I knelt down and began to pray.
K loved us. K loved the messages we would share with him. K felt the spirit as we taught him about the gospel of Jesus Christ. K wanted to meet with us again I know he did. But because of something someone else said, because of the information someone else gave to him, he felt obligated to stop meeting us. It broke my heart. I wanted to share with him something I loved so much, and he said we couldn't meet again.
I can't tell you whether or not K will find his way back to meeting with us I really can't, but I can testify to you that there is nothing more true, there is nothing more important than your relationship with your Father in Heaven. We can't be mislead by the example of others. We can't be caught in confusion because of the way others choose to do things. We need to recognize what is important to us. We need to find truth for ourselves. We need to hold tight to what we know to be true. And as long as you have Heavenly Father right alongside you, you will not be lead astray by others that will try to pull you away.
I do not force my beliefs on anyone. I do not force people to believe what I say is true. I simply provide the OPPORTUNITY to find out for themselves that it is true.
I love you. I love you all so so so so much. Stay legit and if you don't accept the challenge and you don't feel like it's something you should do, then guess what?? I still love you :)
Peace out talk to you next week
Elder Newbold
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