I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!

 I am gonna apologize in advance! I didnt have alot of time today to write this email! But I would love to share some of the cool experiences/miracles I saw this week as well as things that have strengthened my testimony and deepened my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! 

This week was transfers so you know I was super excited when I heard I was getting my boy ELDER LARSON!! we were really good friends in online MTC!! When we saw each other! We literally freaked out haha! So happy to be companions with him!! So it is me, Elder Shaw, and Elder Larson!! And we had honestly such a great week and we worked so hard! We set goals and worked on things to keep each other accountable and to stay obedient in all we do! And I can testify that as we set those and have kept each other accountable we have seen blessing and miracles! I'm so grateful for their example and their love and willingness to work hard, we had to fix and talk about many different things this week but I would definitely say this has been the most fun, successful, just happy time! I love my companions!!!! We have been using Facebook a good amount and talked to A TON of people this week, we taught 2 lessons with people we found and we set up 2 as well for this upcoming week! We talked with a guy named Tim and he was open to hearing anything and asked questions about our faith! We answered them and taught him half of the Restoration and half of the Plan of Salvation! Afterward he said he wants to take us to dinner and talk more so were excited! Andy from the last couple weeks could not make it to church because of work but we talked and he said he wants to really badly come this week with his whole family!! Super excited for him and how hes been desirous to learn!! The last person I will talk about is someone we talked with at WALMART!!! YAYA! so our mission has a new thing to TALK TO EVERYONE (invite everyone, and invite them to invite others to hear our message) sooo I gave a training on that last week and I asked myself if I'm teaching about this I really gotta implement it in my work! Sooooo that's what we did!! At walmart I told my companions that I wanted to start slow and just talk to 2 people today while we were getting groceries! So while we were walking LITERALLY! this lady walked past and I saw she was looking at our tags so I said hey hows it going, and she respond good and we got talking about how my companions and I are missionaries for the church and she said awesome then we invited her and she very kindly turned us down.. but that was effort and I did it so I was proud then like 5 min later i saw this worker walk out of the back and i just felt strongly i needed to talk to her! So I told my companions and we "accidentally walked into her" 

I said Heyy, hows it going? And she responded great and asked can I help you with something, I said no then after that we got talking and she asked about our tags and about who we were, the next 30 min we talked while she was working! She asked questions and we answered them! She kept saying how there is no way it was a coincidence she met us and talked, she explained that he grandpa just died and she was trying to figure that all out and we tlaked about it, then she said the way you smiled and joked with me just gave me so much joy, she said when we gave her our names she felt like she knew us and it was a weird feeling! Then lastly she said I feel like I'm supposed to meet you!! IT WAS HONESTLY THE BIGGEST MIRACLE AND SO COOL !! talk to everyone! Invite everyone!!! YESSSSSSS 

So we got her number and asked if we can meet with her or even just video call and teach her! She said she would lobe to do that and understand more about something we said! HOLY TENDER MERCY FOR BOTH OF US!!!! 

so happy right now hahaha AHHHH 

Anyway that about sums up the week but I will share a couple things I learned and loved! 

One thing that really stood out to me was in Alma 17:24-25 so this is when Ammon comes to king Lamoni! I love this because President gave a some of us a training to help us help our our districts and misisoanires in general! When Ammon comes to Lamoni, Lamoni becomes pleased with Ammon because of how righteous and great he is! So he offers his daughter to him!

This is how it connects, President explained! Throughout out work we will have those moments where members or others will offer us great and amazing things wether it be, come watch the superbowl, or come play games with us... etc. But the purpose of us being on a mission is to serve and that's why I love Ammon's response!

" Nay, but I will be thy servant" how powerful is that! He gave us those fun, cool, or in this a beautiful daughter to just serve and change lives! I know that we can apply this to us( might not be the best analogy haha) but we will have those things come up wether on a mission or out in the world and worldly things come up! I promise that as we focus on the things we need to focus on like missionary work and serving and as we go do that we will be blessed and br able to change and love people like Christ and even as Ammon did for Lamoni and His people! 

( Hopefully that kinda made sense haha) 

The last thing I'll share, plus I will invite you to read a talk but first 

Mathew 14: 22-33 the story of Jesus and Peter walking on water! I like this story especially because of some deeper meaning I was able to find! In the story Peter has the faith to walk to Jesus, so he goes and does. He then becomes afraid and sinks, but Jesus IMMEDIATELY SAVES HIM!! He was right there ready to save Him and love him I think its important to understand He is there for us! The other thing is, I was speaking with the Stake President and he had great insight about how we wonder if Peter remembers that experience as He sank or as He was walking on water! He made a great comparison to us, he mentioned that sometimes we compare ourselves and we like were sinking and nothing's working but more times then not we are walking on water and blessing people! We walk on water more then we think and we should he looking for those unique and incredible experiences cause they happen all the time! I'm grateful for this insight! I know for a fact you all walk on water as do as Christ does and I invite you to continue to do that! I love you all so much! Thank you all for the support! I just want to invite yall to read this talks!! 

• "Rise to your call" - 2002 Elder Erying 

• "Becoming like Him" -2020 Elder Whiting

Love yall!! Have a great week keeping being you, dont ever let someone change you! Your personality is so unique and that and your talents and efforts will be used to further the word of the Lord! Keep pushing, keep working, and keep loving!! 

Love, 

Elder Wold 

Pictures!! Not alot haha:

1. Picked up Larson... LETS GOO

2. First night together!! 

3. Talk I shared!! A good quote! 

4. Another great quote by the one and only President Hinkley 

5. Love this quote, it's been really powerful to me 

6. JESUS CHRIST :) 

Wayne got baptized!!

 This week was insane!!!! Soooo many miracles and tender mercies!! First off we got transfer news and I'm staying here in the cumming area, over the Chesstatee and Pilgrim Mill wards still! Super super excited!! Elder Shaw is staying with me and Elder Payne is leaving and is gonna be a Zone leader in a different zone! Super happy for him! Truly truly grateful for him for training me the last 3 months! Definitely an amazing guy and an amazing friend! We just clicked with everything we did! It was amazing! So Elder Shaw and I are staying and we’re picking up...(drum roll please).... 

ELDER LARSON!! my man from my MTC district!! He's a good close friend! We’re all excited to be together! All three of us have been out for a little over 3 months now! Soooooo were gonna learn alot! But I'm excited to learn and to rely so much on our Heavenly Father for help because I know he’s always there!! SOOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!! REALLY EXCITED TO BECOME BETTER AND TO CONTINUE TO LOVE THE PEOPLE WE’RE TEACHING!! 

This week WAS THE BEST EVER!! Only one sad thing, that I will address now... Jeanette the lady we've been teaching, she texted us and told us that the church was not for her and that she'd appreciate it if we didn't contact her... this was just heartbreaking :( she was progressing and truly she was learning the gospel, I know she was feeling the spirit and she wanted and desired to learn more and change. We know she had some things at home going on but it's just sad to see her walk away. But I know without a shadow of a doubt we planted that seed God needed us to and that she’ll find her way from someone else! 

SOOO Wayne Stalcup is the guy that got baptized on Saturday! He's a heck of a man!! We had his baptismal interview on tuesday and we taught him just a couple more points that we needed to hit on! He was taught previously by sisters in Florida! That Saturday he was baptized!! Then confirmed on sunday! He is a great man and is engaged and after learning all these great things, HIS GOAL IS TO BE MARRIED AND SEALED IN THE TEMPLE WITH HER!! literally the coolest and cutest thing ever! He has been working and sacrificing to get himself to that point! He can’t be married in the temple for a year because he was just baptized but he will be continuing the steps on the covenant path, priesthood, other things! He is super excited and we’re happy to be here to help!! 

Thursday was our district council... our last one together before 3 people from the district will leave this transfer! The 2 questions we had for this council was

• how can I receive personal revelation?

 I learned alot about this question, it's become personal to me and I hope it does to you as well! Personal revelation is key, and as President Nelson has said, there is no way for us to survive spiritually without it! A huge part of this is acting and making sure we’re putting forth effort and looking for ways to figure out the answer then turning and trusting God! The Talk we read was 

"The Spirit of Revelation" by Elder Bednar! I invite you all to read this and make it personal! Everyone feels the Holy Ghost different, and we all have different questions and different ways they'll be answered! One major thing I loved was these quotes, 

"Always put yourself in a place to receive revelation" this hit me! Am I always striving to be in a place where the Spirit of God can dwell with me and speak to me in the way He needs too? Are my thoughts, words, actions, body language etc., connected to the Holy Ghost and the way Christ would be?

The next question was, "What do I have to do to be the best person I can be?" 

I have been non stop thinking about this!! And for me personally, all my thoughts and feelings have come back to THE PURE LOVE OF CHRIST! CHARITY!! AHHH I HAVE SO MUCH TO SHARE! but it all comes down to what I've been saying and what I've been striving to put into the nature of who I am and that is 

FORGET YOURSELF AND LOVE OTHERS!!

We read the talk

"Charity Never Faileth" - President Monson! 

This talk is WORSE THAN GOOD! you need need need to check it out! The other one, and this one woke me up and literally changed me, is by J.B. Haws in a BYU devotional called," Wrestling the comparisons" I INVITE YOU ALL TO READ BOTH! I promise you need it! I also invite yall to share your thoughts I know I say that every week but friends please do I wanna hear from all of you and hear all your thoughts! Because they mean something to me! 

Friday!! Was a good day! In the morning we met with Andy Coleman! He's a man I found on Facebook and we've been teaching him the last two weeks! We gave him a Book of Mormon and also The plan of Salvation pamphlet! We taught him the first 2 lessons! Then invited him to read those and come to church and HE DID WITH HIS DAUGHTER HARTLEY! SHE LITERALLY IS THE CUTEST THING EVER!! and after we talked and he loved it and he said I think I want to bring my whole family next week so that includes his other two kids and wife!! We’re  super excited to get to know them even more and to deepen our relationship with Christ together through the ward! We did service later and the lady we did it for asked us to come back over and teach them so we have a return appointment for Paula next week! We have had Member meals everynight and have even more next week haha super excited! The Family Mission Plans have been taking shape and we’re excited to follow up and see how it is going! 

I'm grateful for everything I've learned this week! I finished the BOOK OF MORMON AGAIN! and I'm super happy! I'm happy I got to start all again! The bible has been cool reading I didnt read it a ton before my mission but it has so many amazing things and it connects with the Book of Mormon perfectly! I read alot about the prodigal son in Luke 15! And guess what hahaha it is about forgetting yourself (the older brother) and serving and loving( the son that was lost) it's about forgetting yourself! Yes you've done good and yes you've done what God has asked but... It's not about me or you or him! It's about others and especially those that are desiring to change and come to Christ! We need to be ready and open to receive those like Christ would! 

I'm so happy to be a missionary/disciple of Christ!! He is everything my friends! We can learn from him and strive to be like him! Remember the invitations I gave you!! I love you all so much and appreciate all that you've done for me in my life and for the love and prayers! Don't worry you get that same love and prayers! 

Have a fantastic week and everyone, let's work hard and forget ourselves and LOVE LIKE CHRIST WOULD!! share your experience with me as you do it this week!! 

LOVE, ELDER WOLD!! 

Pictures:

1. Cruzado's (family)took us out for dinner and ice cream! (Alex in the picture has a mission call).                                                    

2. Last District council with this district     

3. Find Joy!! Its important;).                             

4. Wayne being baptized                              

5. Wayne, fiance, bishop, us                        

6. Taka and I at a BBQ, we made some bling, be jealous!!                                           7. Zone Pday!! Lots of people leaving         

8-9 Homan and Newbold family!!              

10. District breakfast!! (If you're wondering we’re like super duper close! Literally we cried)                                                            

 11. We got our district shirts that came in and we went to Sandy's home to just be with her, also helped her with lots of family history!! WE LOVE SANDY!                   

             

 

EXACT OBEDIENCE!! -> MIRACLES

 WHATS UP EVERYONE!! THIS WEEK WAS AMAZING! IT WAS THAT WAY BECAUSE OF THE THINGS OUR TRIO DID!! so last p day which was last Monday we talked for hours that night! We all had come to the conclusion that yes we were having success but we could have even more! So we committed ourselves to EXACT OBEDIENCE! we decided to make goals and plans to make sure that we do every little detail our mission President has told us to do! We became accountable for each other and we decide that we were all gonna sacrifce the little things!! So we did no matter what it was we changed it and sacrificed everything to Christ! We then had our final thing to be WORK!! so we put our head down this week and WORKED!!!! 

MIRACLES!!! Friends! I cant even explain it!! We were so blessed! I know that as we submit ourself to the Lord and sacrifce ourselves and work! We will be guided to people that we can LOVE, TEACH, AND INVITE!! the main thing I've realized this week is FORGETTING MYSELF! and FORGETTING OURSELVES AS A TRIO! and just give pure LOVE to everyone!! Which brings me to this week! 

We got a referral that monday night! He has been taught everything ang is ready to be baptized!! HES GETTING BAPTIZED THIS SATURDAY!! his name is Wayne! And he is super cool and soooo ready to be baptized!! That is one of many miracles! The next is Jeannette the one weve been teaching! We have been praying about her and it feels right to set a date for her to be baptized!! She has been so open to learning and truly has committed herself to the gospel!! We then met with a man named Andy! We found him on facebook! He is a Christian and is very involved in local community! So he invited us over and we talked for 2 HOURS!! it was amazing and he is open to learning! He said my church is good but I'm not sure about many things! So this week we are teaching him, The Restoration! He said he knew some "mormons" and loves them and loves there character and said they are the most amazing people and he was happy we talked to him and wants to learn more because he doesn't think the church he goes too is good! So were so excited to teach him more!! We had member dinners everyday this week where we set up family mission plans! And everyone is doing amazing! :) this is the first step to making a difference! We know it'll bring so many opportunities for missionaries and the members to gather Israel!! We did service for a man named Lefty, Kathleen, and this week we have two other ones and everyone we already met wants us back and they asked about who we are, and they said what we do is amazing and they want to hear about what we believe so this is a great opportunity!! That sums about about everything!! I do want to share some things I learned!! I've been able to scuba dive into The Book of Mormon and also just in my studying in general and that's been a miracle because I've grown my testimony and I've gained deeper knowledge of principles and of The Book of Mormon!! I am about to finish and I'm excited to pray about it again!! I know the Book of Mormon is true!! It means everything to me! I'm grateful for the sacrifce of our Savior Jesus Christ!! Because of Him we can change and become better and become who God wants us to be and live with him again! 

So this week in district council! We had a good question on "how can I constantly use the Saviors Atonement to progress?" I loved this question! I learned alot and I want to hear your thought as well! We read this talked its called, "Pathways to Perfection" April 2002! - President Monson 

ITS OUTSTANDING!! Some things that stood out were how we cant ever stop improving ot using the atonement its gotta be daily! We talks about the Chesire cat in Alice in wonderland and I love how much he uses this example in all his talks! He speaks on how Alice didnt know where to go so the path didnt matter but...m We know where we wanna go! We know the path! So we need to choose now!!!! there's 4 points in the talk and I want you all to go read it and find which one is meaningful to you and apply it to your lives and make a difference the 4 are! 

1.An attitude of gratitude

2.A longing for learning

3.A devotion to discipline

4.A willingness to work

These are each incredible and we need to work and improve on all but it's good to take it slow and pick one!! I like this quote 

"We must be true to our ideals, for ideals are like the stars: you can’t touch them with your hands, but by following them you reach your destination" 

We need to choose now what our destination is and what we can work on to get there!! SO IMPORTANT!! each of us should have those spiritual goals! And I challenge you to make those and decide what you will do everyday to achieve them! With goals in mind you can learn, discipline yourself, and work towards it and finally give that gratitude throughout the whole process! I believe in everyone!! We can accomplish and do what God needs us to do! Trust Him, Follow Him! I was reading in Ether this past week and let me tell you! Christ truly can show himself to us in ways maybe not like the brother of Jared but in other ways if we believe and have exceedingly great Faith in him! The other is that God gives us weaknesses so that we can improve! And become humble and meek and use him and rely on him to build us up and become stronger! This is all a test and an experience here!! So let's learn/prepare and let's act/change!! I'm grateful for everyone of you! I'm especially grateful for my family and their love and support each week! There's nothing better then doing come follow me in the morning with my family! I encourage you all to stick close to family and friends and testify to each other and leanr from each other! I love you all SO MUCH!! I LOVE BEING ABLE TO SERVE AND I KNOW YOU CAN SERVE BACK HOME AS WELL!! BE JOYFUL AND LOVING THIS WEEK!! :) 

LOVE, 

Elder Wold <3 

Pictures: 

1. Busiest day of the week! It was 10 oclock and our day was jammed so we took a mirror pic ;) 

2. Sandy (a lady in our ward who's alone and we go over twice a week to talk and give her sacrament on sunday) 

3. I love this quote!! 

4. This quote too- work, rise up, do it!! 

5. Sandy again... she calls us her body guards 

6. Chestatee ward missionaries with Sandy- she loves Coke! Literally the funniest and cutest person ever!! 

7. I love what this says! Let's shine out light as we do so keep covenants and share your testimony and strengthen it! 

8. Love!! My favorite thing AND 

"Forget yourself and Love" 

9. I love Jesus Christ (great picture)

    

Happy New Year!! 2021🎆🎉🎆

 WOW!! 2020 IS OVER!! that is so crazy! I'm personally so grateful for this past year! I would say from the beginning of that year to now! I'm grateful for the chance I had to change and become better! I would say that I've grown in the gospel of Jesus Christ!! And it has changed my life! I'm grateful for the many friends I've made at home and on the mission! I'm grateful to be serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! It has already been unforgettable and life changing I cant wait for this year and to help others, to teach them, testify to them and to ultimately invite them to come unto Christ just like me! Ohhh how grateful I am for our Savior, Jesus Christ! And for His Atonement! He means so much to me and because of Him I know I can continue to impact people's lives and even change mine as well! 

Anyway that was a huge tangent HAHA this week has been so great honestly! Like I'm so so so happy! This next week is EVEN MORE BUSY, which I didn't think was possible haha okay here we go! 

Tuesday: we went crazy with posting in groups: we posted service ads, spiritual messages, asked for comments to a questions, and offered up free Book of Mormons and bibles! We were commenting back and forth most of that day! We ended up setting up either service, a time to share a message, or dropping of a Bible/Book of Mormon with about 15 solid people!! That's all set up this next week!! HOLY IM EXCITED! We also called members in our ward to see what they need from us! :) 

Wednesday: we had a great companion study! I actually had a great personal study too but I'll explain later ;) the rest of this day we drove and dropped off a Bible to 2 referrals we received! We talked to only one of them and they weren't interested in learning more about our church but hey that's alright at least they were honest!

Thursday: DISTRICT COUNCIL!! so this is kinda where my personal studies from the past couple days come into play! I gave a training on a question to our District! The question was, 

"How can I truly sacrifce myself to Christ?" 

Then, "How can I personalize my relationship with the Savior?" Have been two questions on my mind!! So I taught the first one and a sister taught the second one! And I'm so grateful for what I learned! 

My discussion, I had it based of a talk, the Talk was,

"This is a day of sacrifce" - Ezra Taft Benson, 1979 

He speaks of different people throughout the scripture and church History that sacrificed, Abraham, Lehi, Founding Fathers, Jospeh Smith, Pioneers, but most importantly, Jesus Christ! He then speaks about 4 ways we can do this 

1. Deny yourself of all ungodliness 

2. Willing to serve a mission 

3. Solemnize your marriage in the house of the Lord 

4. Serve with your time and means to build the kingdom of God on earth

I love how he explains each one so you'll have go read it! There's to much to share HAHA a poem I liked from a different sacrifce talk was this and I've been thinking about this non stop and I hope you come to figure out what it means to you.... 

"°The “Praying Hands” are much, much more than just a work of art;

°They are the soul’s creation of a deeply thankful heart—

°They are a priceless Masterpiece that love alone could paint,

°And they reveal the selflessness of an unheralded saint.

°These hands, so scarred and toilworn, tell the story of a man

°Who sacrificed his talent in accordance with God’s plan—

°For in God’s plan are many things man cannot understand,

°But we must trust God’s judgment and be guided by His Hand.

°Sometimes He asks us to give up our dreams of happiness,

°Sometimes we must forego our hopes of fortune and success.

°Not all of us can triumph or rise to heights of fame,

°And many times what should be ours, goes to another name—

°But he who makes a sacrifice, so another may succeed,

°Is indeed a true disciple of our blessed Savior’s creed—

°For when we give ourselves away in sacrifice and love,

°We are laying up rich treasures in God’s kingdom up above—

°And hidden in gnarled, toilworn hands is the truest art of living

°Achieved alone by those who’ve learned the victory of giving;

°For any sacrifice on earth made in the dear Lord’s name,

°Assures the giver of a place in Heaven’s Hall of Fame" 

I won't share what it means to me but I get teary eyes everytime I read it!! It means alot and I hope you pull something out of it!!

I'm trying to study more on How to personalize my relationship with Christ and I talked with President Harris about it on Sunday so I have the goals I set, and the things i wanna study! Then he gave me a couple things so I can hit on it next week when I get closer and learn more :) 

Friday: IT'S A NEW YEAR!! EEEEE YAYAYA

We messaged everyone we had previously taught and people we have appointments with this week and with the people being taught right now! It was nice to connect again with everyone and see where they're at and what we can do! We had an amazing dinner with the Spitzer family and it was AWESOME!! 

Saturday: We helped clean the Church, trying to help out ward members! If you were wondering I did a CRAZY INTENSE WORKOUT! I was dying and I'm still killing today!! sore! We contacted the sisters in both our wards and coordinated what we can do! Then weekly planned everything for this upcoming week! We taught Jeannette Love again, we read the Book of Mormon with her and she randomly just said I want to understand better before I fully commit! Thus was awesome cause shes prayed about everything in the first two lessons and shes ALL IN!! shes progressing so much! 

Sunday: THIS IS THE MIRACLE DAY AHHH

So it was fast Sunday and I felt overwhelmed to fast for Jeanette and for her to continue to have an open heart and to continue to have a desire to learn and boom we drove to her house and walked with her and her daughter to the church (15 min walk) when we got there I got to sit by her again! And I explained fast and testimony meeting to her and she had the funniest response!! " I'm not getting up haha I'm too scared!" 

Shes so tender! Then we told her about how wrte fasting and she responded with this haha,

" why didn't you tell me, I would've done it too" she just makes me smile constantly!! When we got to church we finished explaining that people get up and testify what they love and know about the gospel and share what they're grateful for and for the blessings they receive! She knows alot about the Holy Spirit, so I explained that this is my favorite thing becuae I feel the Holy Ghost so strongly and she was excited because she wanted to feel also! There were many great testimonies, but one I realized had such a huge affect on her! It was the Relief Scoiety President who is about 30 and Jeannette is 51 but she was powerful and I looked over and SHE WAS CRYING!! I INSTANTLY FELT EVERYTHING!! this was the most tender thing ever! I know she felt the Spirit and she knows it too! We texted after the meeting once we left and had to go to the other ward and she told us about it then said she talked to 4 different people after church and they were so kind and loving!! I'm so grateful she felt the spirit and was loved by so many! There's nothing better then the feelings I'm feeling right now!! I JUST HAVE SO MUCH JOY IN MY HEART!! AHHHHHHHH I had my interview with President Harris after we had a lesson with a friend, it was a great conversation lots of things I dont want to share now but that I wrote down! But we talked about Jeannette and I explained everything to him and he was teaching me it's almost time to put her on date and that just hit me! He then trained me on how we can go about this and how I can make this happen! So I'm excited because that's our goal! She can do this! I think shes almost ready! We have another lesson with her this week! 

I am almost done with the Book of Mormon! AGAIN! It's crazy how much I've learned and how much more i understand now! Like I laugh about it cause it's insane! I'll share more once I finish HAHA! Anywayyyyyyy i love you all so much! Honestly dont even know who reads through this all... probably no one Haha they're too long, I will make them shorter and to the point! Welp i love yall please message me if i can help or do anything for yall! Were making a prayer list as well so send in people you want us to pray for! Thank yall message me whenever! 

Love , 

ELDER WOLD!!!!!

Pictures:

1.  Zoom call on New Years! 

2. Midnight drink haha (mom it's sparkling cider dont worry) 

3. Dinner with the Blake's 

4. Freezing COLDDD 30's and raining 

5. Walking to go get Jeanette to walk to church with us 

6. Lily Homan, little girl in our ward, the one that gave me the sweet Christmas card! 

7. Amazing Christ picture 

8. One of my favorite poems! 

9. Another Great talk!! Goo listen 

10. Another good quote!