Saving the Best for Last

The sweetest ending of all.
Having the opportunity to bring not one...

I've loved my mission. I've learned a lot from it. It's interesting that two years of experiences can change an entire lifetime. I'm excited for the next stages of my life, but I'm sad to be leaving this one. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ changes people for the better. I've seen that change in myself as well as in the lives of others. Recently I've had several people tell me about the impact I've made on them. They were people that I didn't expects to have affected in any way but they were deeply touched by some of the things I did or said. I have Heavenly Father to thank for that. I'm grateful for the strengths He has given me and for the weaknesses as well. It's taught me to rely on Him and to give Him the credit. 

Serving in Winter Haven has been the best time of my mission. I was able to witness two baptisms of people that I taught just before leaving. These people's conversion stories are miracles. Each conversion story is a miracle, actually. The funnest part about serving a mission is being able to witness those miracles. I love the Lord and I love this gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

...but two amazing people into the waters of baptism and start
them on a path that will lead them to true happiness.

Take It Easy? No Way!

Serving hands make happy hearts.

I think it's only fitting that I talk a little about enduring to the end. Since the beginning of my mission I made myself and God a promise that I wouldn't be one of those missionaries who slows down at the end of their mission. I would endure to the end and work faithfully. I would like to think that I've held true to that promise. Now, at the risk of sounding prideful I would like to mention that it's God who has been providing the blessings and that ultimately He has been doing all of the hard stuff. 

A couple of recently baptized people were an inspiration this week to me. One of them has been extremely sick this whole week and he's barely been able to function. However, he wanted to come to church really badly. He loaded himself up on medication and came to church. He enjoyed it a lot and he was glad he made that effort. Another recent convert was asked if she would accept a certain calling. Despite some reservations she had, she accepted and knows that the Lord will support her. Enduring faithfully is what really brings blessings. Consistency builds faith which is why I'm not going to take it easy this week. I'm excited to see what miracles happen!

More...

...and more from the zone service project.

Embrace It

Car inspections at zone conference.

I love learning how God has been preparing people throughout their lives to receive the gospel. Sometimes He does it through sickness, trials, adversity, family troubles, or other ways. It's so complicated and yet so precisely done that I can't help but be grateful for the Lord's tender mercies in my own life. He's shaping each of us and we can choose to resist it and be unhappy, or we can embrace it and find eternal joy. 

This week we were able to talk with an investigator about how he has been feeling about what he's been learning. He was so excited about the difference he's felt in his life and the changes he's made! You can't just "trick" people into feeling like that. These people receive a witness from the Spirit that is true and clear and they act on that witness by repenting and following the Savior by being baptized and confirmed by someone who has the priesthood authority. It's not made up. 

There are no exceptions to this knowledge either. Everyone can know this message is true and that's the amazing thing about it. God's plan is perfect and will give everyone an equal opportunity to learn the gospel. This investigator has chosen to learn and it has changed his life. Each of us can experience that change as well.

The Perfect Plan

Smiles on a day of eternal significance.
(Elder Wadsworth, Jennifer, and Elder Griffiths)

This past week I was able to participate in the baptism of one of our investigators, Jennifer. She's amazing! I've loved teaching her and talking with her and seeing her recognize the blessings the gospel brings into her life. 

She told Elder Wadsworth and me that we were the perfect missionaries for her. Not to say that we're perfect, but that our personalities matched with hers in just the right way to help her feel comfortable and willing to learn about the gospel. It was a testimony builder to me of the perfect plan that our Heavenly Father has for each of us. He blesses us with attributes, qualities, and characteristics that can positively impact the lives of others. It was cool to watch the Spirit work with Jennifer's heart and help her to become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's been a great week!

You Can't Argue with It

Elder Griffiths's dad told him as a zone leader, other missionaries would look to him as a "wise old owl." Apparently this is what Elder Griffiths thinks a wise old owl looks like. #hedoesnotwearspecs #neitherdoowls

I love the power of the Book of Mormon. It was our goal to use it as a contacting method this week. We would tell people that it was evidence of God's love for us and of the divinity of Christ. It brought power into our teaching. 

The Book of Mormon is such a unique book and it proves itself true. I always feel a lot more confident in handing someone a Book of Mormon than handing them some sort of pamphlet or pass-along card. I know that the Book of Mormon brings the Spirit more powerfully than anything else we could offer them. If they read it and pray with faith in Christ, a sincere heart, and real intent then they'll know that it's true. You can't argue with the Spirit. I'm grateful that God has given us the Book of Mormon to solidify our testimonies of the Bible, and to provide safety for the soul in these days.

Working with a Pro

Sunset in Winter Haven.

My new companion is Elder Ashcraft. He's from Brownsville, Oregon. He's been out on his mission for 20 months now so he's not a new missionary. His previous area before he got to Winter Haven was Palmetto, which was an area that I served in earlier in my mission. He used to play football, throw things in track, and he wrestled. 

He is a hardworking missionary and he loves the gospel. He's very good at mechanical stuff too. For the first year of his mission he was on full bike so he's a pro at changing flat tires. We work really well together and I'm excited to see how this last transfer of my mission goes!

Last Transfer

Selfie smackdown, part two! Elder Griffiths received a photo from his brother in response to last week's challenge to "up his selfie game." Elder Griffiths's response? "Oh, please. He's got nothing." #moresmolder  

It's always sad to find out that your companion is getting transferred. Especially when you have good things going on in your area, and your companionship unity is at its prime. Elder Wadsworth is leaving to Port Charlotte, the area that I left just before arriving to Winter Haven. I'll miss him. The hardest thing about missions is getting a new companion. You never know what they're going to be like. I'm at least glad that these last few weeks have been amazing and we were able to end the transfer with a bang! 

I'll be receiving a missionary named Elder Ashcraft. He was trained for a little while by my trainer. He's been out on his mission a few months less than me. It'll be interesting to have a missionary who's been out for a long time as my companion. I'm used to people who are significantly younger than me. 

Have a great week!