Spiritual Confirmation

Sept 16, 2013
Once upon a time Apache Junction was explained to me as this, "Less teeth, more tattoos." That statement has proved itself true on many occasions and especially today. I am a regular old Apache Junction-ite. The only thing I am missing now is the tattoo, because this morning Chelsie Taylor's uncle ripped out my tooth.

There you have it. He took it, he came out in broad daylight and ripped out my tooth, and I'm not kidding. I went to the dentist this morning, and it ends up that my dentist was a friend of mine's (Chelsie Taylor) uncle and we're pretty sure that his son trained Riley Hansen in the Philippines. It was all a blur but I'm really appreciative. I just don't have a tooth.

Well on another note I heard from Grandpa Ron today, which was a treat, and he said that Colorado is in a pretty rough state. We're safe down here, we only had a sprinkle on Monday this week and that's about it. 

We were able to teach a lot of people this week, which was awesome. Herman is doing so great. He missed church yesterday...... Because he climbed a mountain to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. I was alright with that. Bishop Duke and I gave him a blessing of comfort last night to help him feel peace in his mind. Tomorrow we are going with him to the Visitors' Center to watch a movie about Thomas S. Monson called, On the Lord's Errand.

Have I told you about William? Well William is Jessica's son. She got baptized when we first arrived and now he's getting baptized!! On September 28th, I'm really excited. He's 10 years old, and he's a really smart kid. Like he really gets it. I don't feel like I got it til about 9 months ago haha. But here's a funny story. We were teaching him about the Law of Chastity and I wasn't too sure how to teach him ya know? So I sat there.... And I decided to ask Jessica if she remembered what the Law of Chastity is. At first she didn't hear me because she was on her phone and there was a long pause.... So I asked her again. This time she heard me. And she yelled (she's a sweet spirit) "William don't have sex before you're married!" And that was that. 

We have a really awesome family that we are teaching. Kelly, Glynda, and Jordan. They're black and they're sassy as can be. It's the best. We took them to watch Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration and Kelly (Mom) was sooooooo excited. She thinks that Joseph Smith is a Prophet already! Glynda (17 yr old daughter) still wants to pray about the Book of Mormon before she decides, but she gets it! I'm really excited for them. We're taking them on  a church tour tonight so I'll keep you updated.

We had a good week. Really good. We were definitely blessed, and I appreciate your testimony. As it says in Romans 10:17 my faith is strengthened by hearing your testimony. Thank you thank you!

Thank you for the support and the love! Don't worry about the tooth, don't you freight, I'll be fine. It's a good excuse not to have to bike and to get some members out with us! I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and I know that I will one day be reunited with that tooth, but in it's prefect frame.

I had a Spiritual confirmation this Sunday as I sat in sacrament meeting. The Spirit really confirmed to me that I am a Son of God. That I existed before, that I walked with Him and saw His face. He is my Father, and I really thought about who I am. It's amazing.

Have a great week! Love ya

This is the Dentist they sent me to. When I approached it I thought of 1 Corinthians 13:11, thinking that I had put away such childish things. But I was brought to the depths of humility as my tooth departed my gums forevermore. Until the resurrection of course. 

"Live Life Living."

Sept 9, 2013
So I did receive my package and boy was it a treat! I appreciate it for sure. Here's a funny story. Back when Elder Bartlett first came out his mother sent him some of those dried mangoes for his birthday. They were a hit and the Spanish Elders almost killed us for them. When I opened my package (luckily we were at lunch when it arrived, I don't trust this AJ place) it was like a pack of ravenous wolverines was unleashed. We love those mangoes, and needless to say they are already gone.... 

Jayce is so cute, it's been nice hearing from Adam lately! He sent me a picture of their Beta Fish, Sam. I can't believe he's talking so much now! (By he I'm referring to Jayce and not the Beta Fish named Sam..... I hope that was apparent.) How's Jen doing is she still working at Scheels?? I heard from Elyse and Dal today. He's the ward mission leader! He's going to do awesome at that.

This week was pretty great. We got back up to teaching 20 lessons which was awesome. The members have been really great at helping us out and getting to know our investigators. We have a lot of people to teach but at times it's hard to focus on each of them individually. Sometimes I wish we could just focus on one at a time but hey, we've been called to the work and the Lord always provides a way!

 I just want a more effective way to memorize some scriptures. That's been one of my big focuses the last couple months is using the scriptures in our lessons and I've seen a huge difference when we teach through the scriptures! I know that they speak in a way far stronger than I can, and being able to expand on them is such a blessing. It's amazing how many things each scripture can resolve.

I love in 3 Nephi chapter 23 when Jesus Christ calls Nephi to bring the record which has been kept forward. At first when I read it I thought about how intimidating that would have to be for Nephi, here's the Savior of the world proof reading the record which they have been commanded to keep. It really goes to show how important this record was. The Savior found something that wasn't perfect and they were able to fix it. Everything in the Book of Mormon is for us, today. How amazing!!!

I learned so much this week and I'm so grateful for the ways that Heavenly Father prepares us for His work. We have experiences every day that prepare us for eternity. I want to tell you about Herman who showed me that this week. He was a referral from the American Sign Language Missionaries. His wife passed away from cancer this past Christmas Eve and it has been really tough on him. Since we contacted him on Thursday night we have stopped by every night and talked with him. He has the most incredible stories in the world, he's still searching but everything he says testifies that God has prepared him. When I talked to him Saturday night he was in a rough spot, really depressed. It broke my heart when I asked him if he believed there was peace out there for him and he said no. It's interesting because Herman knows that he will be with his wife again, but he just wants to get there. He doesn't see his purpose to live anymore. He used to use the phrase (I really like it) "Live life living." But now he doesn't want to live at all. He often says "my wife was my life", it's amazing how much he loved her. It really is amazing.   

That following day he came to church and afterwards he went on a hike. He told me that as he was walking a subtle thought entered his mind. "Maybe there is peace after all." That wasn't him that was the Spirit, and I told him to grasp to that and we can help him reach it. It's only been a few days but I can already see him changing.  We are going to teach him the first lesson tomorrow and I can't wait, I know that the restored gospel will give him a reason to live. I'll keep you posted on him!

I love this gospel and the peace it brings. I know that Heavenly Father truly does want us to be happy. Yes, this is a time to prepare to meet Him. Yes, we will face trials to achieve that. But I do not believe that we ever have to be sad. Sure we will be, but God wants us to be happy and I know that.

 Dad, hope your knee is healing well. I keep you in my prayers always. Love ya!

I love you lots! Have a good week and remember to "live life living."

Love, Elder Alexander

                                                                   MissionConference  

      

My old Ward Mission Leader, Bro. Olson, got me some scripture cases form El Salvador!! They're sweet. Here's the Book of Mormon one..

                                                                     And the Bible

I experienced my first Monsoon

Sept 2, 2013
Well let me tell ya, when it rains it pours. Literally. This week, we had rain. The first wave of it was on Tuesday I believe, we were going to talk to a referral with a young man named Tate that is about to head to Peru on his mission. We were walking up to the door and the lady was sitting outside, we she saw us she yelled, "I can not talk to you today!!" in an angry (what we believe to be) Yugoslavian accent. As she storms inside a single drop of rain falls in front of me about the size of a 50 cent coin. It was completely sunny. As we got back in the car the heavens were opened and gallons upon gallons of water fell upon us. It was insane. It lasted all of  6 minutes but it was nuts. (I believe the Yugoslavian woman was behind it but that's neither here nor there.)

  And then on Friday I experienced my first Monsoon. Just as we got back to the apartment for dinner (the member we were going to eat with had to cancel, but we had left overs so don't you fret) it started trickling. Within fifteen minutes the right outside our apartment was a like and right out back there was a river. The wind was absolutely INSANE. The thing is the ground in AZ is so hard. So, when you pour tons of water on it it doesn't seep in. It flows. The roads were rivers, in some places I heard it was up to peoples waists. We obviously didn't go out on our bikes but a member in a big ol truck came and picked us up which was nice. The next day all the water was dried up and there were seriously fallen trees around every corner. And dirt covered the roads. I actually crashed on my bike because of a darn sand bank that was left over on the sidewalk.

Emerald is in our area but she is actually about to move to our Zone Leaders area so we're probably going to move her this week but we're going to teach her tonight! As for Jamie and Marlysa they love us too much to stop meeting with us haha. They just like their smokes and drinks a lot and they're having a hard time letting that go. They also have a lot of legitimate questions, we're stilling working with them. Focusing more on Marlysa right now because Jamie is a little stagnant. We fasted for them yesterday so we're hoping to see miracles ensue. 

This week we found a lot of new people by going to members that the ward hadn't heard from for a while and finding out if they still lived there. They never still live there. So... We teach the people there! It's an awesome way of tracting because we have a different purpose and then we find out when they moved in where they're from and boom their walls are down. It's been cool.

We also had a lot of people cancel, or just not be home which is ALWAYS discouraging but we did pretty good at staying on our toes and staying motivated. I was able to go and watch the movie about Joseph Smith yesterday and it was amazing. I've seen it tons but this time it really hit me when he was riding his horse to Carthage. The scene right before he says to the brethren, "My mission is to testify of Christ. I know He lives." (Something like that.) And he knew that he was going to seal that testimony with his blood. I have that same calling, obviously at a different level but still it's the same. Would I be willing to seal that testimony with my blood? I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet. The Spirit testifies it to me every single day.

Thank you for everything, I'm going to include some pictures for you so ENJOY!!! I hope you have an awesome week, tell everyone I love em!

Love, Elder Alexander 

                                         This is my friend Sharon. She is doing so awesome. 

                                                                   

                                                                  SUPERSTITION ZONE

He cares enough to answer our simple pleas.

Aug 26, 2013

Well... We got transfer news on Saturday and............ Nothing is changing. The way training works is that it's a 12 week program which means I will be training Elder Bartlett for 2 transfers. (That's usually the way it works unless something crazy happens.) So I'm nice and cozy out here in AJ. But there is a lot going on in the mission, we have 39 new Elders coming in on Wednesday. They opened up like 14 new areas, it's super crazy. The work is definitely hastening!

This week was tough. One of those weeks with a lot of cancellations left and right. Jamie and Marlysa, the ones that have a son named Jayce, took a step back.. They almost stopped meeting with us and started going back to their own church because they didn't see a difference. That's when I realized that we had focused too much on them focusing on reading, and praying, and coming to church that we forgot what truly leads EVERYONE to true conversion. And that's the Spirit. In Alma chapter 5, Alma tells the people that the way that he knows the truth is through the Holy Spirit. That's where conversion will come from. And I forgot that for a bit... The Spirit gave me a little smack in the face on Friday.

I'd like to share an experience. On Wednesday we had District Meeting, during the meeting we talked about being the answer to peoples prayers. I racked and racked my mind for experiences I had had where I had answered someones prayer. I know they've happened but I just couldn't think of a very specific one. That night I knelt in prayer and asked Heavenly Father for the privilege of being an answer to someones prayer. To truly do His work. That next day we were riding past one of our investigators, Marie's, and we noticed her car was there. We had an appointment for the next day but we felt like we needed to stop by. So we got our ward mission leader and we were off!! When we arrived there was another young lady there. She told us she was a member of the church but hadn't been to church since she was 8. (She's about 23.) I shared with her and Marie a scripture in Mormon 9 about God performing miracles. We got on the subject of prayer. This young lady (her name is Emerald) broke down and told us that the night before she had prayed for guidance and we showed up. 

I know that He hears us, and He cares enough to answer our simple pleas.

I love you!

Love Elder Alexander

Just another week in Paradise

Aug 19, 2013

Just another week in Paradise. I'm going to give you some people updates. Yep, that's what I'm doing.

Jamie and Marlysa (Jayce's parents): They missed church this last week because they all got sick so we'll have to push their baptism back but they are still so excited. Marlysa is in the process of quitting smoking, it's been cool to see her rely on the Lord more than she ever has before.

Renea: I don't know if I've told you about her. She has been going to church since Easter. Never been real churchy but she loves coming to church and reading the Book of Mormon. She also has to quit smoking and has a truly sincere desire to do so. She's awesome. Her son is one of the reasons she started going to church and he doesn't turn 8 until next June. She wants to wait til then to be baptized but she'll be missing out on so many blessings if she does that!

Rodney, Valerie, and Tabitha: Tabitha had a baptism date. But..... Valerie left, Rodney came to church with us Sunday and has now decided to go to a Christian church and pick up smoking. And Tabitha is moving. But she is still going to get baptized! Which is fine with me!

William: Son of Recent Convert Jessica. Awesome kid, 10 years old, so smart. But his dad won't let him get baptized. So we're praying for it!!

Those are the main ones. We have others that we are working with like Steve and Carmen. We showed up to teach them this week and Steve arrived the same time we did. Drunk. Carmen was extremely upset and we were able to teach her the value of prayer. We testified of how much it will bless her life. Between Steve's off the wall comments the Spirit was really able to touch her heart.

We've been contacting Less Actives that the ward has set us on the week and it's been awesome. Knocked on a door. Guy was no longer living there but the current tenant was super nice. Just moved form Cali, and he's pitching at MCC. He invited us back and I can't wait to see the gospel bless his life!

Still working day to day. It's been hard to keep finding, we have to be on our toes. Even if somethings working really well, if we don't change things up we'll stop seeing success, and I know that's true, so we're trying everything we've got to find new people to teach!

We went thrift shopping today. I got three slacks and some brown eccos for 20 bucks. Call me Mr. Thrifty. One of the slacks are khakis so I'm pretty excited for that.

I learned a lot this week, so many of my weaknesses were shown to me. At first I got really down and then I realized what a blessing it was to have those things shown to me. So now I can do something about it! What a blessing it is that because of the Atonement we don't have to stay the same.

Thank you for all your support, I love you!

Love Elder Alexander

Another one of our Sister entered the waters of baptism.

Aug 12, 2013

We had a lot of meetings this week. So we didn't teach quite as many lessons, or find quite as many people, but we did have the opportunity to see Sharon enter the waters of baptism on Saturday. It was amazing. We showed the Mormon Message, "Waiting On Our Road to Damascus" after Sharon got baptized and talked about how we found her and the incredible miracles that we saw. As to Sharon's request we opened it up for everyone to bear their testimonies when she was all ready to go. (She had a lot of people there for her. Full house.) Sharon also bore her testimony. It was incredible to hear her testify of the Savior and of Joseph Smith. It's the first time I have heard anyone bear their testimony within 10 minutes of being baptized. 

She's a new person. We went and talked to her last night and to hear her talk about taking the sacrament as a baptized member of the church was amazing to me. I haven't appreciated throughout my life. Now I'm trying harder. We're truly washed clean every Sunday that we worthily partake of the Sacrament. I love that there's no set list of qualifications to taking the sacrament worthily (besides being baptized and confirmed) but Our Father in Heaven has given us the Spirit. So we can choose. We can know. By the Power of the Holy Ghost we can know the truth of all things. 

We're still teaching lots of people. Jamie and Marlysa were out of town this week but we're going by tonight and they are making us steak! I can't wait for that. We have to talk about the Word of Wisdom tonight which is also a little bit scary but it'll be great. They're so prepared that I'm not even worried.

That's so crazy that everyone is leaving!! I'll have to throw Madi a bone sometime! She's going to be a great missionary, as will Ryan. I'm excited to hear about all of the stories of the family missionaries.

 As for my I pod and all that jazz. EFY cds work great. Mostly I want unique hymns that still inspire the Spirit, and any other uplifting music that doesn't distract me. So it's pretty broad. Some Disney would be ok, but not all of it ya know? Like I can Go the Distance from Hercules and stuff like that would be good. Just use the Spirit. :)

We're still seeing so many miracles it's ridiculous. I continue to pray for everyone and I'm so grateful for all the prayers that I feel everyday. I'm so grateful for the restoration of this church. The organization of it and the inspired leadership. It's amazing. 

Love Elder Alexander

There are truly Angels round about preparing the hearts of the people.

August 05, 2013

Hola Madre,

(I'm really into Spanish right now.)

Anyways, it's been another great week in the 480. Lovin life. First I'll answer your "Motherly Questions"

1. Yes I am still on a bike, Schwinny's still doing her job, I love her a lot. She isn't the best bike but she gets me around. If I ever get a car, it's going to be a tough day for me. And being on a  bike is so much better! Sure there's the heat but on the other hand we get to talk to sooooo many people. It's such a blessing.

2. I live in an apartment now. I'll send you the address sometime. But it's a nice little place, I like it. It's just me and Elder Bartlett in there and then the Spanish missionaries Elder Duff and Elder Smith live right next door and they come over every night. But of course they leave before 10:30. It's nice to have other people to talk to every day.

3. I did get me a nice little mad bag and it's working out really well. Not as bad as I thought. It's pretty much a purse but whatevs, I like it well enough.

4. No we're not online proselyting quite yet. Apparently President said that we will have IPads and  Phones by the end of the year and I'm pretty sure at that time the show will begin. But the Sisters that serve in the Visitors' Center do have the I pads and I phones already and they're on good ol FB.

Now, we saw loads of miracles this week. Loads, upon loads. There are truly angels round about preparing the hearts of the people. Did I tell you about Sharon? Well, Sharon was a referral from church headquarters which we get over text. So we stopped by. She'd met with missionaries and was about to get baptized but she wasn't living the law of chastity (living with a less active member with a son named Colten) so she couldn't. When we talked to her she told us that she wanted to get baptized but she just didn't know when. Maybe in two years is what she said. Well not on my watch!! Haha. But we shared with her 1 Nephi 8:12. Because she knew she wanted her family to be a part of the church but her husband is still less active. We were pretty bold and told her if she's tasted of the fruit and knows it's desirable then she needed to lead her family to it. 

We went back this Monday and we had no idea what to teach her. About 15 minutes before we went over I felt like we should show her a  Mormon Message called, "Our Road to Demascus" (from that dvd you sent me, thank you momma!! (Speaking of which, you sent me Mormon Messages #2 because I had the first one in my last area. Well... I had to leave that there and I wouldn't mind having my own copy :))) Anyways. Check out that video. It talks about now waiting too long to dive into full discipleship. After it was over I wasn't sure how she was going to take it. And these were the first words out of her mouth, "When's the soonest I can get baptized?" Sharon's getting baptized this Saturday. It was so incredible to see the Spirit make such a mighty change in her heart. She's so prepared and I've already seen her grow so much.

Another story, did I tell you about Jamie? Jamie pulled us over when we were lost and told us his friend gave him a Book of Mormon. We met with him and his wife Marlysa on Tuesday. They have a little three year old son named..... Jayce!! He's really shy. But anyways, we taught them the first lesson. They are seriously the most prepared people in the world. He talked about all these incredible miracles that have lead their family to our church, he could seriously see God's hand guiding him straight to where he and his family need to be. Jamie and Marlysa were at church on Sunday and are planning on getting baptized on August 24th. 

It's been so incredible to find all of these prepared people. There are more but I'll probably tell you about them later!! Can't give all my secrets away. But it has been so incredible to continue to see the work building in the area. I thought with losing 4 investigators that were baptized last week that we wouldn't be as busy but we taught over 20 lessons again and we found 5 people preparing for baptism. It's no Brazil, but it's pretty exciting. I'm really grateful for Heavenly Father guiding His children in the way he does. He loves us, I found a scripture in 1 John 3:1 that talks about how incredible Heavenly Father's love is. It's so great that even though He is so much greater than us He calls us His children. I am His son. And we are all His children. 

I am so grateful for my family! I watched a video about Christmas and I got a little homesick, but I got over it. Thanks for the pictures of the partay. The fam looks really good. Tell everyone I love them a lot!!  

Til next time,

Love, Elder Alexander

 P.S. I decided against the GPS. We're getting the area pretty good and we see miracles when we get lost haha.