October 24, 2011...Dear Family,
This is probably going to be shorter than usual because I don't have much time.
This week went really well. Elder Maxfield and I were blessed to find more people to teach. It's so wonderful to help others come unto Christ! We taught Lin again. He is really wonderful. I am always so happy when I leave his house. He is so sincere in his desires and is willing to do those things we invite him to do. It's really incredible. He knows very little English, but has still been diligent in studying the Book of Mormon. He studies about 30 minutes each night. Through his studies he has been able to read 4 pages of the Book of Mormon. It's incredible that he hasn't gotten frustrated with it. That shows how much desire he has. Today after we taught him he thanked us for, "bringing him the truth." He also said that he knows God will help him learn as he continues to study.
On Saturday we had a wonderful experience. We felt like there was a certain street we should tract while planning the night before. When we got to the street we parked and after we had gotten out of the car we noticed a man outside sweeping his porch. We talked to him and ended up teaching him on his porch! It was a powerful lesson and he is really great.
I know that we can all see great miracles as we are humble and follow those subtle promptings we receive. They happen to us every day, but it's so easy to get caught up in the distractions of the world that we don't even notice them.
While at church the topic of technology came up. With it we started talking about the Internet and how it can be used for good or evil. The evil that inevitably came up was pornography. It truly is disgusting and destroys us if we indulge in it. However, there are many other "evils" on the Internet that aren't so clear. One of the biggest things is the simple fact that we waste so much time doing unimportant things. There are hours spent on Facebook, games, and other websites that waste our time. We get so occupied with these things that we let the most important aspects of life fall by the wayside! Satan truly is diabolical! He gets us through his cunning little traps. That's why we need to be diligent in all things. We need to focus on the best things and hold tight to them. This includes reading the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, praying, and going to church. If we're not reading the Book of Mormon daily and praying daily then we have our priorities in the wrong place!
I've got to go now.
Love Always, Zach
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Random man in the parking lot...
October 17, 2011...Dear Family,
Progress really is made in small and often simple steps. Elder Maxfield and I had a better week. We did some little things better and were blessed in ways I did not expect. There wasn't any one thing that stands out that we did differently. I think we simply did things better.
On Thursday we went and did some service for a member. We helped him split logs for firewood. I really enjoyed it. I loved being able to get out and do some physical labor and most importantly to offer service. It was a nice change of pace. We helped for a few hours then they fed us lunch. It was a wonderful way to start the day.
We've been getting fed really well lately. There have been several times where a member will randomly call us and tell us that they made us some food and to come pick it up. It's been so great that over the last few weeks I've spent very little money on groceries. Last Monday we saw a member and after the lesson he went to his freezer and got out a bunch of steaks for us to cook! I've attributed this influx of food to paying fast offerings. The Lord blesses us when we do what He asks of us.
One great thing that happened this last week is that we started teaching an unbaptized child in the ward. The family was less-active for a long time, but recently started coming. The youngest son is eight and not yet baptized, but turns nine this Friday. So we went with our high priest group leader and taught the family and are helping them continue to get active and preparing the youngest boy for baptism. Right now he has a date for November 6. It really is a miracle because we didn't set any of it up. The mom expressed the desire to have her son learn from the missionaries to the bishop and our high priest group leader set up an appointment and then told us about it. Another miracle was what happened yesterday. We got out of a meeting before church and were in the foyer when some members walked in and told us there was a guy wandering around in the parking lot. We went out and talked to him. He is from China and said that he simply wants someone to come and teach him about God....WOW!! I was, and still am, amazed! The Lord placed this man in our path. All we had to do was go out and ask him if he needed any help. We got permission to teach him this morning. His name in Lin and he is very humble. He will take longer to teach because of the language barrier, he speaks very little English. Also because he has no religious background at all. This morning we taught primarily about God, prayer, and the scriptures. It went really well! I'm really excited to teach him. I'm also humbled by these experiences. The Lord definitely blessed us for our work, and He did it in ways I never would have expected.
It all goes back to grace. Elder Maxfield and I had to do all we could and then the grace of the Lord made up the rest and brought about the miracle.
Other than that things are relatively normal.
I'll talk to you all again next week.
Love Always, Zach
Progress really is made in small and often simple steps. Elder Maxfield and I had a better week. We did some little things better and were blessed in ways I did not expect. There wasn't any one thing that stands out that we did differently. I think we simply did things better.
On Thursday we went and did some service for a member. We helped him split logs for firewood. I really enjoyed it. I loved being able to get out and do some physical labor and most importantly to offer service. It was a nice change of pace. We helped for a few hours then they fed us lunch. It was a wonderful way to start the day.
We've been getting fed really well lately. There have been several times where a member will randomly call us and tell us that they made us some food and to come pick it up. It's been so great that over the last few weeks I've spent very little money on groceries. Last Monday we saw a member and after the lesson he went to his freezer and got out a bunch of steaks for us to cook! I've attributed this influx of food to paying fast offerings. The Lord blesses us when we do what He asks of us.
One great thing that happened this last week is that we started teaching an unbaptized child in the ward. The family was less-active for a long time, but recently started coming. The youngest son is eight and not yet baptized, but turns nine this Friday. So we went with our high priest group leader and taught the family and are helping them continue to get active and preparing the youngest boy for baptism. Right now he has a date for November 6. It really is a miracle because we didn't set any of it up. The mom expressed the desire to have her son learn from the missionaries to the bishop and our high priest group leader set up an appointment and then told us about it. Another miracle was what happened yesterday. We got out of a meeting before church and were in the foyer when some members walked in and told us there was a guy wandering around in the parking lot. We went out and talked to him. He is from China and said that he simply wants someone to come and teach him about God....WOW!! I was, and still am, amazed! The Lord placed this man in our path. All we had to do was go out and ask him if he needed any help. We got permission to teach him this morning. His name in Lin and he is very humble. He will take longer to teach because of the language barrier, he speaks very little English. Also because he has no religious background at all. This morning we taught primarily about God, prayer, and the scriptures. It went really well! I'm really excited to teach him. I'm also humbled by these experiences. The Lord definitely blessed us for our work, and He did it in ways I never would have expected.
It all goes back to grace. Elder Maxfield and I had to do all we could and then the grace of the Lord made up the rest and brought about the miracle.
Other than that things are relatively normal.
I'll talk to you all again next week.
Love Always, Zach
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Another busy week
October 10, 2011…Dear Family,
Like the title says, it was another busy week. We were in Macclenny for a trade-off on Tuesday and then Wednesday we went to Jacksonville for another Zone Leader Council. They were both enjoyable experiences! I learned a lot at both of them. Whenever we have stuff like that it makes the week fly by!
Elder Maxfield and I are in an interesting position right now. We don't have any investigators. We started last week with about five and by Saturday afternoon we didn't have any. I can't remember if I have ever been in a position like this before. It's strange. Usually whenever we have people stop investigating we at least find one person. However we didn't this last week.
With that being said I'm not feeling down about it. I'm not quite sure why. Other weeks when we haven't found anyone I've been really devastated, but this week I'm not. I think part of it is because we have some really great potential investigators. Also because we have really been focusing on finding more through the members. Whenever you try to change something like that there are going to be struggles and setbacks. Another part of it is because I think we realized why we haven't been finding and know what we need to do. We were focusing too much on the members and weren't having a balanced approach. That's one thing I've really learned on my mission. Is that there is a balance in all things. I think the Lord is trying to teach me this to prepare me for the rest of life. I know for myself I can get too focused on somethings and not spend time I need on other things. I think that's the perfectionist is me. All this makes me think of a scripture. It's Mosiah 4:27. It says, "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." When I keep the big picture in mind and do things this way I know I will find more success now and in the future. It's a wonderful principle that we can all apply and learn from. There are a lot of other thoughts that come to mind, but I don't have time to write them all...I don't know if they would make much sense anyway.
Overall I am feeling very happy. Months ago we were taught something called C.O.N.T.A.C.T. and it basically is a way to talk to people without being rote, or saying the same thing each time. The first "C" stands for clues and connect. That's where the variety really comes from. We look for clues and connect with people. We find common ground to gain their trust. We had some really great experiences with this last week. One guy we tracted into had a shirt that said something about cave diving. We asked about it and he told us that he is a cave diver. That in the caves there is a line so that if silt is kicked up and you can't see you can hold to the line and be able to find your way out safely. Does that sound familiar at all? It did to us and we connected it to Lehi's vision of the tree of life and the iron rod (see 1 Nephi chapter 8). It was so perfect!
I also studied about hope. It was really wonderful. While studying I noticed how hope and faith are so similar that at times it's hard to tell them apart. Then I found this quote, "faith is rooted in Jesus Christ. Hope centers in the Atonement. Charity is manifest in the ‘pure love of Christ.’ These three attributes are intertwined like strands in a cable and may not always be precisely distinguished. Together they become our tether to the celestial kingdom" (“A More Excellent Hope,” Ensign, Feb. 1997, 61). WOW! There is also a wonderful video that talks about hope. If you go to "mormon messages" on youtube you should be able to find it...I can't find a link from lds.org. Regardless it is really good and worth looking for.
Also, THANK YOU for the card!! Elder Maxfield and I got a good laugh out of it. It's nice to know I'm missed at least a little.
Well, I've got to go now.
Love Always, Zach
Like the title says, it was another busy week. We were in Macclenny for a trade-off on Tuesday and then Wednesday we went to Jacksonville for another Zone Leader Council. They were both enjoyable experiences! I learned a lot at both of them. Whenever we have stuff like that it makes the week fly by!
Elder Maxfield and I are in an interesting position right now. We don't have any investigators. We started last week with about five and by Saturday afternoon we didn't have any. I can't remember if I have ever been in a position like this before. It's strange. Usually whenever we have people stop investigating we at least find one person. However we didn't this last week.
With that being said I'm not feeling down about it. I'm not quite sure why. Other weeks when we haven't found anyone I've been really devastated, but this week I'm not. I think part of it is because we have some really great potential investigators. Also because we have really been focusing on finding more through the members. Whenever you try to change something like that there are going to be struggles and setbacks. Another part of it is because I think we realized why we haven't been finding and know what we need to do. We were focusing too much on the members and weren't having a balanced approach. That's one thing I've really learned on my mission. Is that there is a balance in all things. I think the Lord is trying to teach me this to prepare me for the rest of life. I know for myself I can get too focused on somethings and not spend time I need on other things. I think that's the perfectionist is me. All this makes me think of a scripture. It's Mosiah 4:27. It says, "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." When I keep the big picture in mind and do things this way I know I will find more success now and in the future. It's a wonderful principle that we can all apply and learn from. There are a lot of other thoughts that come to mind, but I don't have time to write them all...I don't know if they would make much sense anyway.
Overall I am feeling very happy. Months ago we were taught something called C.O.N.T.A.C.T. and it basically is a way to talk to people without being rote, or saying the same thing each time. The first "C" stands for clues and connect. That's where the variety really comes from. We look for clues and connect with people. We find common ground to gain their trust. We had some really great experiences with this last week. One guy we tracted into had a shirt that said something about cave diving. We asked about it and he told us that he is a cave diver. That in the caves there is a line so that if silt is kicked up and you can't see you can hold to the line and be able to find your way out safely. Does that sound familiar at all? It did to us and we connected it to Lehi's vision of the tree of life and the iron rod (see 1 Nephi chapter 8). It was so perfect!
I also studied about hope. It was really wonderful. While studying I noticed how hope and faith are so similar that at times it's hard to tell them apart. Then I found this quote, "faith is rooted in Jesus Christ. Hope centers in the Atonement. Charity is manifest in the ‘pure love of Christ.’ These three attributes are intertwined like strands in a cable and may not always be precisely distinguished. Together they become our tether to the celestial kingdom" (“A More Excellent Hope,” Ensign, Feb. 1997, 61). WOW! There is also a wonderful video that talks about hope. If you go to "mormon messages" on youtube you should be able to find it...I can't find a link from lds.org. Regardless it is really good and worth looking for.
Also, THANK YOU for the card!! Elder Maxfield and I got a good laugh out of it. It's nice to know I'm missed at least a little.
Well, I've got to go now.
Love Always, Zach
Monday, October 3, 2011
Good Weekend!
October 3, 2011…Dear Family,
I hope that all of you are doing well. I am doing okay here in Lake City. Last week was a decent week. Some of our investigators made good progress. One of which is Josh. We've been teaching him for about two weeks now. He is really great! We were able to teach him in a member's home on Thursday night. It was a powerful lesson. We taught him the importance of living the law of chastity and then the members bore their testimonies about how much living the law of chastity has blessed their lives. They talked about the added trust it has brought to their relationship. The greatest blessing it has brought to them is the privilege of being worthy to enter into the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity. What a wonderful blessing!! Then we left and Josh spent about an hour at the members home hanging out with them. I was really excited when I heard that.
I got my new companion on Wednesday. He is Elder Maxfield. He is from Murray Utah and has been out for about 15 months. It's funny because he was transferred from the Gainesville 3rd Ward. Which if you remember is where I used to be. He actually went there when I left. It's been good talking to him and finding out how the ward is doing there. Apparently things are going well. I think we're going to do well here this transfer. I'm happy I get to stay and work here a little longer. There must be something I still haven't done yet.
We had a neat experience the other day. We went to see a less active man and when we got there his dogs were out in the yard. One was chained up and the other wasn't. As soon as we looked I noticed that the one which wasn't chained up wasn't a dog, but it was a wolf! We walked up anyway because there were some people in the yard. We talked to them and were petting the wolf. It was really big! The guy we were talking to also said it was only one year old and would grow even more. I now can say that I have pet a wolf....part of me wants to get one someday.
General Conference was wonderful! I think that's what made last week good. It's such a wonderful experience! I love going with questions and then having them answered through the Holy Ghost. It really is a revelatory experience. I hope that you all got a chance to watch it ALL. If you didn't I would recommend doing it. There were so many wonderful talks. One thing that stood out to me is how important it is to read, study, and PONDER the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY. Also the importance of prayer and the amazing things that come through that divine gift of being able to communicate with our Heavenly Father. I feel like my prayers are pretty decent, but I am going to work on them more. I also am going to put more effort into pondering the Book of Mormon. I read it every day, but I want to really study and ponder more. I did better with it this morning and I really loved it. I slowed down when I was reading to let my mind think about what was being said. I "likened" it to myself and the world today. It was a wonderful experience. I know that if we all do this every day we will receive answers to our questions and greater guidance. The path that leads to eternal life can and will be illuminated. We will be able to walk the road of life with more certainty and confidence. We will be able to understand our true identity and understand all that our Savior went through for us. I love the scriptures and know the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
Love Always, Elder Zachery Snow
I hope that all of you are doing well. I am doing okay here in Lake City. Last week was a decent week. Some of our investigators made good progress. One of which is Josh. We've been teaching him for about two weeks now. He is really great! We were able to teach him in a member's home on Thursday night. It was a powerful lesson. We taught him the importance of living the law of chastity and then the members bore their testimonies about how much living the law of chastity has blessed their lives. They talked about the added trust it has brought to their relationship. The greatest blessing it has brought to them is the privilege of being worthy to enter into the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity. What a wonderful blessing!! Then we left and Josh spent about an hour at the members home hanging out with them. I was really excited when I heard that.
I got my new companion on Wednesday. He is Elder Maxfield. He is from Murray Utah and has been out for about 15 months. It's funny because he was transferred from the Gainesville 3rd Ward. Which if you remember is where I used to be. He actually went there when I left. It's been good talking to him and finding out how the ward is doing there. Apparently things are going well. I think we're going to do well here this transfer. I'm happy I get to stay and work here a little longer. There must be something I still haven't done yet.
We had a neat experience the other day. We went to see a less active man and when we got there his dogs were out in the yard. One was chained up and the other wasn't. As soon as we looked I noticed that the one which wasn't chained up wasn't a dog, but it was a wolf! We walked up anyway because there were some people in the yard. We talked to them and were petting the wolf. It was really big! The guy we were talking to also said it was only one year old and would grow even more. I now can say that I have pet a wolf....part of me wants to get one someday.
General Conference was wonderful! I think that's what made last week good. It's such a wonderful experience! I love going with questions and then having them answered through the Holy Ghost. It really is a revelatory experience. I hope that you all got a chance to watch it ALL. If you didn't I would recommend doing it. There were so many wonderful talks. One thing that stood out to me is how important it is to read, study, and PONDER the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY. Also the importance of prayer and the amazing things that come through that divine gift of being able to communicate with our Heavenly Father. I feel like my prayers are pretty decent, but I am going to work on them more. I also am going to put more effort into pondering the Book of Mormon. I read it every day, but I want to really study and ponder more. I did better with it this morning and I really loved it. I slowed down when I was reading to let my mind think about what was being said. I "likened" it to myself and the world today. It was a wonderful experience. I know that if we all do this every day we will receive answers to our questions and greater guidance. The path that leads to eternal life can and will be illuminated. We will be able to walk the road of life with more certainty and confidence. We will be able to understand our true identity and understand all that our Savior went through for us. I love the scriptures and know the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
Love Always, Elder Zachery Snow
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