Week - 16 - Triple Layer Socks and Warm Water Fonts

Hey everybody! So this week was pretty crazy! All I can say is Christmas miracles do exist! 

WE HAD ANOTHER BAPTISM!! The best part was we planned it in 24 hours ahah. Angel Puga is one of the most inspiring men you will ever meet. He is the example of how the atonement can change your life and bless your life as well! I always knew Angel would be baptized, and so did he, but we had to wait for special approval! We got that approval on Thursday and then learned we had to do it this Saturday so some of the special individuals in Angels conversion could also be there! It was a beautiful service and the spirit was definitely there! I was able to give Angel the Gift of the Holy Ghost in church and that was quite the experience.. there is nothing quite like that moment where you start performing a blessing, or ordination.. I always notice how the chatter of the little children and cries of the babies always grow to an absolute silent in those moments. I love what Elder Uceda of the Seventy told us in the MTC that," GOD SPEAKS IN SILENCE" Those blessings are guided by Him and the Spirit and its a blessing and a sacred privilege to be able to exercise my priesthood responsibilities.  

The week as a whole was really successful! Elder Shoemaker wasn't feeling to well on Saturday so we had to stay in the whole day until Angels Baptism but even amid that we still had a great week!  

Besides the white stuff that falls from the sky there isn't anything that can stop us from working hard! I learned some very valuable lessons this week such as: 

1.  Don't bike on ice..

2.  Don't try and turn while on your bike on the ice

3.  If you don't ware three pairs of socks you wont have feet to put socks on after your done for the day.

I really love and enjoy the blessing it is to be a missionary! One of my favorite things about coming on a mission is that we commit ourselves to give our whole selves to the Lord, which means all of us so even amid all the snow and cold there is always a warmth you feel while your talking to someone about the gospel and it simply doesn't matter about your afflictions! I mean in all reality i would teach the gospel in shorts and a t-shirt in subzero weather if it means one family can have the joy of the gospel in their life! This week I have been testifying using the name of the Savior as the first thing that comes out of my mouth and testifying all things in his name and its amazing how powerful it becomes.. This gospel is a gospel where you are bold we Teach repentance and Baptize Converts. I know that as we testify those that hear will come and feel of the glorious message I hope you all know home much i appreciate each and everyone of you.. God loves you soo much.. Let us all get on our knees and give a prayer of thanks for all that we have!

Angel Puga and Elder Gerrard

Angel Puga Baptism
The Mission Crew

Elder Gerrard /Angel Puga/ Elder Candland

Elder Shoemaker / Angel Puga/ Elder Gerrard

Merry Christmas 2016

Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree

Week 15 - We Greenie's

Hey everyone! 

I hope the first days of December have treated you warmly:)

This week was pretty crazy since I was called to train a new missionary on Monday night.  I went to President Sorensen's home and participated in a new trainer meeting that they hold, which was great! it really comes down to being a great example no mater the circumstances or conditions! 

My new companion is Elder Shoemaker! He is from San Diego, California he loves to skateboard, surf, and just enjoy the warm weather! I just asked him if he could describe himself in one word what would it be and he said, "Gnarly" I think we will get along just fine haha!

The first day we were togeather it snowed on us so if you can imagine.. two Elders one from California and one from Las Vegas Nevada.. We were just having a grand ol time laugh about how funny this is that the two Elders from some of the warmest places you can go are stuck in Idaho biking in snow! We enjoyed it and had smilies on our faces so thats all that matters the work goes on!

So if you remember Jaden from last email we set a baptism date for January 7th with him so that's gonna be awesome to see his progression for that day to enter into that sacred covenant! This was huge and amazing news! Its a testimony that God places people that are prepared and ready! We just have to find them! For the Christmas Initiative we did all day of service on Thursday where we went to a store similar to a goodwill or DI and just helped them sort through things and do whatever they needed! they were soo thankful and impressed to see all these missionaries come and help them out! And today we are going to visit some sick members of the ward and just visit with them! What amazes me is that we don't need to wait for a specific day to do any of these things! All we need to do is simply look for Christlike opportunities to serve others around us!

The thought I would like to share items from the training I gave to other missionaries in my zone based on the talk this past General Confrenece entitled "You Are Enough" by Elder Cornish.   To demonstrate the principle that I wanted to teach I proceeded to tell the zone that I have worked out every day since I got into the mission so I'm feeling pretty strong and felt like I could beat someone in an arm wrestle compition... well I have three videos all proving that I lost all three times the last one being to a sister missionary! So clearly my confidence in my abilities and streghthes were shot.. the point I extended to the zone is we shouldn't compare oursleves with anyone because we will allways come away disappointed in our selves and our abilities, since thats all we do as human beings! So I suggest we simply look back at ourselves and set goals and work towards them and thats where true happiness lies! Not in the lives of others, but in our own lives! 

We also got to make a youtube video with some members talking about the Christmas initiative! There channel is called "Judkins Journey" and the link is supposedly https://youtu.be/oOZKt78zGs4    

I also played in the Christmas ward party this last Saturday so it was fun being able to play "O Holy Night" for them! I sure do miss playing the cello for people! I encourage us all to look for those opportunities to participate in the light the world!!

Keep Smiling

Love Elder Gerrard

Elder Candland - (North Carolina)  and Elder Gerrard - Transfer Time - Elder Candland transfered to Star Idaho

New Companion..  Elder Shoemaker ( San Diego) - Elder Gerrard (Las Vegas)

Ward Christmas Party  Elder Shoemaker, Santa  and Elder Gerrard

Let's Eat!  Panini Sandwiches! 

Week 14 - Fonts Fill Faster Than You Think

Hello Everyone!

This week has been yet another testimony builder to me.. what an amazing thing to see how God works! We knew that this past week was going to be hard, since school was out for the week and Thanksgiving so most of the lessons we would have usually taught were not going to happen, which only meant that we had to find new people to teach:) And sure enough when you are looking and praying with a prayer of faith you will find those God has prepared. 

Last Monday night we were about to go home and we biked past this kid on the way home who was standing on the corner wearing shorts (it was pretty darn cold that night) after we passed him we felt like we needed to go back and talk to the person on the corner. His name was Jaden and he said that he was waiting on the corner for someone, but when we finished talking with him he ended up just going home so we are not sure what happened with that.  We talked to him about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration and invited him to church but because he is14 we wanted him to go see if his parents would let us teach him.  He said he would get back to us about whether his mom would let him or not. We actually have talked to his mom before but she wasn't interested. Well we went a week without hearing from him and this past Sunday Elder Candland and I fasted for our investigators and our Area and out of no where guess who shows up and stays for all three hours of church by himself!? You guessed it.. Jaden! It was super sweet and a tender mercy for sure! 

The other cool finding experience came from going and knocking on some doors on a street of a neighborhood that we haven't done much on.. So we got started and the first door was a members home, which is always slightly awkward, since we probably should know they are members but yet we knocked on their door and at that point you dont know what to say besides just act like your were coming for a visit the whole time haha! We knocked on Sister Dowleys home and shared a message with her and asked for any referrals and she didnt have anything for us but then she mentioned something about a family that recently had a grandpa pass that was living with them.   She wasn't sure if it was true or not or if it was the right house but we knocked on that door two different times that day and no one was home so kinda too bad.. but right before we left the street we were knocking I decided eh lets knock one more! So we knocked on one more house, which turned out to be a new investigator that were able to teach the first lesson to! ( Even though he dropped us middle of the week we gave him his chance to hear the first lesson! and he said he would keep reading the Book of Mormon so I know that the book alone can work mighty miracles!)

After knocking doors in that area we moved to a different area to knock some homes we haven't visited before, but after the second house our eyes were drawn to a kid walking by but he was too far away so we basically speed walked after him to catch up to him, but when that wasn't working I started running up a different road to intercept him "casually" after these attempts we weren't successful and we had to give up so we walked back to our dinner appointment,but went the long way to hopefully catch someone outside when BAM there was a new car in the driveway of the house with the family that had a death recently.. So we knocked on the door and they were home and we are planning on teaching them the Plan of Salvation!! WOOHOO! super awesome stuff so our stalkerish running paid off in the long run! 

The other cool experience this week of course was Oredi's Baptism! Word to wise the font fills alot faster than you think it would haha we were super close to over filling it haha but we didn't so you know I learned haha.  Unfortunately we wanted his dad to baptize him but he said he wasn't ready.. so I was chosen to baptize Oredi, which was pretty amazing.. its very true that Gods power is manifested when his priesthood is exercised worthily and I really felt that when I was baptizing Oredi it was really really cool. Im grateful for the knowledge of the Priesthood and what a sacred, sacred privilege to hold that mantel for the blessing of others. Oredi said that during the confirmation he couldn't stop smiling and that he felt pretty good after the baptism too so its awesome to see that step that he took especially since he dropped us last transfer!

So as far as transfers go Elder Candland will be moving to Star, Idaho and I got a call from President informing me that ill be training! sooo thats gonna be way cool! Everyone including myself is really surprised that im training considering i just finished my training yesterday! But i know the Lord needs me to train so of course 

I'll do it! its super exciting and gonna be pretty fun! There is no better way to change a mission than to train a mission!

My thought I would like to share comes from the Christmas Initiative! I encourage everyone to watch it and participate, because its truly inspired and i know that its one of the best ways we can shine our light it makes me soo happy to have a testimony of what the Light of Christ is! we read from the bible dictionary that its a feeling of enlightenment, knowledge, and a ennobling persevering influence. As I have been reading the book of Mormon with this in mind I realize that Nephi's light brought more knowledge to himself and his family closer to the gospel and we too can receive that same blessing as we let our light shine towards others! I love you all and appreciate your prayers for myself and for those not of our faith!

Keep Smiling

Love Elder Gerrard

Order and I at his Baptism

Elder Candland, Oredi, and Elder Gerrard

Order's family minus  younger sister's

Idaho Beauty

Beautiful Idaho

Idaho Beauty

Week 13 - Gratitude is the best Attitude

Hello Everyone! 

What a wonderful time of year! Im super excited for this years Christmas Initiative by the church encouraging the members to serve 25 ways in 25 days! Its truly an inspired message that I encourage everyone to take a look at this Friday to see the full video on www.Mormon.org   It's truly a message that no one could get offended with you sharing it with them, since its all about the Savior and the service he gave to us! 

This week has been pretty interesting! Weather wise its been very moderate temperatures...(or so the locals say) But this week it rained on us and had pretty bone chilling wind! And its definitely a lesson to be learned in all this. Throughout the week it seemed as though its been one of our slowest weeks, but the Lord definitely blessed us! 

At the end of the week we can now say that this week was our best week so far in the 3 months we have been in this area! Its all because we have been being obedient, and would work as hard as we can. And over the course of the transfers we have turned this area into a very prosperous area, which i'm confident many of the people we are teaching will come around and be baptized in the Lord's time! We will be having my first baptism this next 

Saturday the 26th at 6pm with our investigator Oredi! So thats something to be way excited for! And we also found some super awesome people that we are going to start teaching! 

It will be interesting seeing what comes of transfers this Saturday as either one of us (Me or Elder Candland) could be moving to a different area. I know that its in the Lords hands though! Its a real testament looking back on this week, since it would be really easy for a missionary to just go back to the apartment because its raining hard, and 27 degrees outside but when you show Heavenly Father your here for Him and not yourself.. amazing miracles happen!

The thought I would like to share comes from the scripture I Ponderized this week   

( yeah remember when we all use to do that)

 I have been ponderizing the scripture Jarom 1:11 "Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them."

There were a few things that really stuck out to me in this scripture. One of which was the fact that the prophets,  priests, and the teachers all labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence. When we think about missionary work we always want it to be fast and quick but reality even the members of the church in the Book of Mormon had to try for a long time with persistence just to get people to make progress. 

I would encourage us all to remember that the invitations we extend to those not of our faith, will get rejected. The pattern will always be there! but that doesn't mean we quit on them! It means we continue to be that good friend, neighbor, and if they use their agency right they will come to know its true! 

The other interesting perspective I saw from this scripture was the part where they encouraged to believe in the Messiah as though he had already come. This made me think about us as members of the church. We need to have the mentality of living a life that is consistent and ready for as though the Messiah has already come to gather his fold! 

I know this is His church and I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ applies to each and every single one of us! What Joy this brings to me to know that we can receive forgiveness from any situation we go through and that comfort is available to all of us because of His grace! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! BE THANKFUL

#LIGHTOFTHEWORLD

Keep Smiling

Love Elder Gerrard

Brrr... I am not in Vegas anymore!

Week 12 - In a moment of dispare

Hey Everyone! 

What a crazy week! In case any are wondering what a election is like for a missionary..it basically means all the plans you thought you had that day become plans that you don't have anymore haha

But luckily our investigators wanted to meet with us enough to schedule for a different time this week so that was awesome! 

As far as our work Elder Candland and I are really trying to be escalator missionaries, which essentially means that we aren't just focusing on one investigator and then get them baptized and then realize that we have no one to teach now haha so instead we are going up the stairs with them and then going down to grab more people and its been awesome! The work is hastening here in the United States and truly the world. 

I pray that the members can understand that the missionaries need the members to start planting seed of the gospel more so than ever, because thats how the Lord needs ​​us! We have our usual two investigators that always without fail ask questions that you never see coming so its fun to go home and study up to understand doctrine of the Gospel that you thought you knew pretty well enough to answer questions, but nope. There is never enough! which is awesome! Because do we ever really know everything when it comes to this Gospel?  By this Saturday we will find out if our investigator Oredi will be baptized or not so thats way cool! We are shooting for the 26th of November! So its amazing and awesome to be a missionary! 

I have a few thoughts and insights from this week that I would like to share with you all.

The thing I would like to direct peoples thoughts to is the beauty of how the Lord works with his children. If we look closely there is a beautiful, but simplistic pattern that can be seen in many many different things. For example the pattern of the Plan of Salvation. Since Adam and Eve we have been leaving somewhere great, out into the world or wildness of some sorts so that we can be guided and led to a promised land! Which is the exact same pattern we see with Lehi, Moses, our Savior, and even us as we left God so we could come back just like Him and to be with him forever! The pattern I would like to focus on is the pattern of Faith.

I won't lie to you all and say that this week was perfect. In comparison to my other weeks in the mission this one wasn't bad, but it felt a tiny bit off. I wondered to myself what was going on. While I pondered this subject I came to some very powerful insights. One thing that has made a pretty big impact on the mission is simply the end of daylight savings! You would never think right! That daylight savings affects the missionary work, but its true! When the sun goes down. No one wants you around haha so I believe as we have been trying to do missionary work during the hours of 6-9 I have allowed myself to doubt that anything will happen. And I was right! Nothing happened. 

Thats because without the faith then of course nothing is gonna happen. Since I'm not trying to make anything happen, nothing will happen! I'm grateful for Church, because within that building you can receive answers from any single person. And my answer was faith. I pondered this concept and realized that what I underwent is what we read about in Jacob 5:70 "And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few." 

We will labor diligently in the vineyard and only a few other servants will be brought back to the Lord with us. 

Then it opened up to me to ask the question: what will happen to us when darkness and the workings of the adversary will surround us so much so that there wont be anyone to turn to? Just like while we are out trying to meet people at night and its dark, cold, and empty. I imagine as we get closer to the Saviors second coming we will experience a much similar experience where it will become just us in that dark environment surrounded by the adversaries workings! There will only be a few that will truly be ready to take it and it all comes down to our faith. 

Do we believe something can happen? In the Bible Dictionary "Miracles" it states, "Miracles are a part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If miracles cease it is because faith has ceased." I am indeed appreciative of all the thoughts and words of encouragement that I receive from everyone and its amazing to see how inspired what you wrote to me was what I myself have been thinking about or needing to hear! One of the only places we will always be able to go to for refuge is and will be the Temple! 

This week is going to be awesome, because I chose to believe its going to be!​

Keep Smiling

Elder Gerrard

Week 11 - Marvelous Work and Wonder

Hello Everyone,

So we all have heard those crazy stories about what happens to missionaries right? you know..The missionaries save a cat out of a tree, have to run away from vicious dogs, or even the kind that the Fire Department shows up, because the fire alarm was set off? 

Sooo yeah everything was just going all good as I was cooking my pasta for lunch in the stake center, using a metal mixing bowl as a pot when i look over and smoke is billowing out of the microwave! So I quickly call for help and fan as fast as i can, but it was too late the fire alarm tripped and then we had to wait for the Fire department to come and investigate the situation.. once the Fire Engine comes whaling down the street they pull out all geared up. One guy already pull his ax out of the truck with his mask on when they find out what caused the smoke.. My companion wanted to warm his snickerdoodle in the microwave, but he left it in there for like.. I don't even know 1min? so the cookie turned absolutely black and burnt and well it tripped the fire alarm.. It was probably the funniest thing ever because it was all thanks to a homemade cookie from Mama Candland haha I felt bad for Elder Candland! Because it was super embarrassing for him. So lesson learned.. If you want a warm Snickerdoodle you better watch it.. especially with the holiday season.. snickerdoodles should not be treated lightly.

My Heart is indeed humbled and sincerely grateful for the blessings our Father in Heaven pours out upon us when we align our will with His and gain His trust to be His tool.

This week we have been able to find 4 new investigators all in whom we will be teaching hopefully this week, and its all because of two things. Two very simple things. 

1. Obedience

2. Praying specifically for answers and particular blessings

One of my favorite sections about Missionary work in the Book of Mormon in Alma 31:24-35. The prayer that Alma offers is one that I have been emulating in our area. For our investigators. And from doing these things and having no fear to talk to everyone that comes in our path we have been happier. And the work truly has become what it's supposed to be a joyous time. And as I have prayed for charity and love for those that I have been teaching.. Its true as it says in Alma 31:31 " O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength , that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people." I love these people. They are the Lord's sheep. and because He loves them I must love them. And I know this is his work. It changes lives. So pray to let it change yours. I just love the Hymn 219, Because I have been given much, I particularly love the third verse which states, "Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord, I'll share thy love again according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed: thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed."

I'd like to share my thoughts that I have had this week concerning the relationship that exists between us, our Father in Heaven, and our Savior Jesus Christ. After talking with one of our investigators He proposed an interesting question to me concerning the relationship that we have with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

For a little back ground context this investigator is a major in linguistics, and so is his wife so every word I say is important haha. He wanted to know if we essentially worship two Gods because Jesus Christ was the God of the Old testament and the Book of Mormon, but yet we also worship our Heavenly Father. However we as a church worship one God that being Heavenly Father. So how does this all work? Well It all ties back to the beautiful plan of salvation that our Heavenly Father has created for us. Jesus Christ is the great mediator. And the more I have thought about this the more amazing and wonderful and deep that has become as I have studied. 

I first love this quote from Jesus the Christ that states," What other man has lived with power to withstand death, over whom death could not prevail except through His own submission?...He literally gave up His life." What a powerful statement to take in. Jesus Christ could have lived forever. He was the only one stopping himself from living forever. He had the power to get down from the cross and walk away. But the Savior fulfilled the plan which He himself said he would do. He stated,"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (John 17:4). He was submissive in the moments within the garden in which every other man would have turned inward and backed out, but he turned outward and did it for us. For Heavenly Father. To fulfill his work to bring to pass the Eternal life and immortality of man. So that we could know our Father in Heaven (John 17:3). 

Finally in 1 Cor 15:28 "When all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all." Jesus Christ had the power to do anything and everything He created our world under the direction of our Heavenly Father, but when its all said and down ALL glory will be to him. This is why we chose Jesus Christs plan because we would gain our agency and all glory would go to our loving Heavenly Father.. Ultimately our comprehension of this relationship will be minuit in this life, but i'm grateful for my Savior and Heavenly Father and when we become one with them we experience what the Nephites and Lamanites experienced in 4 nephi 1:15-17.

We carry a tremendous message I implore us all to go out and share a simple truth with someone this week!:)

Love to all

Keep Smiling

Elder Gerrard

Be your own kind of Beautiful

Elder Candland and his burnt Snickerdoodle

Who doesn't love a Lama?

Week 10 - Lady Killer..?

Hey Everyone! 

Sorry for such a short email last week! Its honestly all such a blur that I can't believe it when I realize that its already another P-day! This week has been wonderful! Its starting to drop into the 60's and 50's but that's nothing yet so you see people still in their short sleeve shirts and shorts. 

Yesterday there was a crazy thunderstorm so we were talking to one of our recent convert families on the doorstep, and then it just dumped on us but because we had a member! We were able to come in and teach them about fasting for next Sunday! And that is why you have Members come out with you! Because we would of had to stay out and get soaked in that rainstorm and then freeze ourselves riding our bikes back home ahah. 

Because today is Halloween we had a Trunk or treat in our wards that we cover and it was funny because this weekend I believe I have two secret admires now haha. One little girl, whom I haven't even met or said hello to before came running up to me and told me she had a picture for me! And so she ran to the car and brought back this small paper with a full body drawing of me and then her name on the back haha She didn't even make one for Elder Candland haha then this same week at a dinner appointment another little girl one moment gave me a big hug and then later that dinner she got up on a chair and tried to kiss me haha ( pay no attention to the fact she just needed to stand on a chair to be at my height). It made my weekend haha they are just too cute! 

This week was my Companions 1 year mark! which is crazy awesome for him and cool that I get to be apart of it so below you will see some pictures of him opening his 1 year package! We also got to carve pumpkins! So I attempted the Angel Moroni pumpkin carving and you all will have to judge it for yourselves but i thought it wasn't too shabby!

As far as investigators we have a baptism set up for the 26th of November so that's gonna be way cool! And we are working with some other individuals as well but it all comes down to them willing to continue meeting with us but it's been wonderful! 

I would like to share my thoughts I have had for quite some time...This week was truly a wonderful week we have been continuing to meet with our investigators and boy oh boy. If there is one phrase that I constantly remember before I left for my mission. The award would have to go to Sister Stoker! When I got my call she told me and others that were going stateside that we,"better know our doctrine!" Lets just say that this week I have had to really know my doctrine haha, which is awesome! I love answering people's questions and digging into the Bible and Book of Mormon! They got together so wonderfully! But if there is one thing about this area in Idaho, 90% of the people here all have a pretty faithful religious background in their church! So it comes down really to one question... How in the world will a 18 and 20 year old change an individual from being a member of their church for 10, 20, 30+ years? 

The answer is simple. It is so beautifully simple I thank Heavenly Father everyday for such a wonderful and precious gift. The answer is the Holy Ghost. That's how it's done... I don't have to be some Bible scholar! My job as a missionary ISN'T to convince others why our Church is indeed the very church that Christ established in the meridian of time. My purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism by immersion, receiving the gift of the Holy ghost, and Enduring to the End. 

That's how anyone is converted to the church they accept our invitation to come...and see for themselves. How great is my calling.. I have a front row seat in witnessing the change that undergoes when individuals truly allow themselves to consider.. what if? And we are promised a great and powerful promise. A promise that extends too all individuals! No matter where they are spiritually.. That promise is to ask God the Eternal Father. Our Creator. Our Loving, Merciful God. And when we ask with that real intent.. having faith in Christ, and a sincere heart. We will receive an answer to all questions that have eternal importance.

 In Preach My Gospel it says that our investigators understanding of the Gospel relies on our Personal worthiness and Conversion. I extend a commitment to all future missionaries all the way up to the oldest high priest to ask God to deepen your conversion in the gospel and take that conversion and share it with all around you as it's the most important thing we can do. 

I truly appreciate all the prayers on my behalf! They truly warm my heart when nights get cold.. how else would a vegas kid survive??

Love you all!

Keep Smiling

Elder Gerrard

Elder Gerrard and Elder Candland Pumpkin Carving Fun!

Elder Candland One Year Mark/Package

Week 9 - don't bike with your mouth open

Hey all! 

I apologize for the brief letter this week I had to sacrifice an hour of my emailing so I could be obedient to the mission rule to be insight of your companions computer, and since there was only one open in one room and another in the second room I just let Elder Candland take the one  and I waited for one to open up somewhere where i could see his screen haha, but obedience brings blessings!

To explain the title.. Multiple times this week I have had bugs fly into my mouth and into my eyes haha its the grossest thing ever, but also hilarious because how does that happen! Any ways

I just thought I would share my abbreviated thoughts on this subject concerning the Holy Ghost. I would encourage us all to consider how much we are seeking out the Lord in our scripture study. Its become aware to me after meeting some investigators what the effects are if we dont seek the Lord out inquiring to know if what are conclusions are on a certain subject is actually correct! I would encourage us all to inquire of the Lord constantly throughout our studies so that the spirit can guide us! And after check back to see if its in line with what the scriptures say and or what the prophets have spoken on! 

Unfortunately my time is up! I will continue these thoughts next week! I really appreciate all the prayers its truly Gods work!

Keep Smiling

Love, Elder Gerrard

Week 8 - Holding on to the Rope

Hey Everyone!

This week has been a great and wonderful experience! I would like to thank all the prayers on my behalf and all other missionaries in the field looking back on each day you can see how much of an impact those prayers really do make each and every day! I hope that you all have had the same experience this week to learn and grow as much as I have felt! I found out that I will be here in this area with Elder Candland for the next transfer (which is 6 weeks) so I will be spending thanksgiving and Halloween in this area! That should be pretty awesome! 

Its definitely getting colder haha, but no worries! When you're out on the Lord's errand you aren't thinking about how cold you are! Instead your thinking about your investigators in your area! Last Monday night through Tuesday I went on exchanges with some other Elders so Elder Mata from Texas came and worked in my area for the day! It was way fun! We were able to meet some really cool potential investigators that one day we will hopefully be able to start teaching them the message that we share! Its all a matter of timing when they are ready to accept commitments and progress! 

Unfortunately our investigator Oredi didn't want to continue meeting with us so we have had to pull back and let him be especially when he was so close to being baptized! It was pretty obvious that the standards of living as a member of the church as a youth was just too much of a life change for him at the moment in High School. But we still work with his family so when the timing is right he will join the church with the rest of his family! After all he knows the Book of Mormon is true! But the law of compensation is real! When one door closes the Lord opens another window!

We meet with Cheryl and Phil who we contacted on the street one Sunday and they were willing to hear our message for ourselves and we had an amazing lesson with them! Its a testimony builder to me that we aren't trying to convert people as missionaries! Instead we invite them to hear our message and accept the commitments or challenges we leave with them and if they are truly looking to see if more blessings come into their life and ask God if its true THEN they will get that answer! When we contacted them on the street they weren't to interested until we just told them that its all on them if they don't want to hear it out they will never know for themselves and they changed their minds! I'm pretty pumped for our lesson with them tomorrow night! They accepted to be baptized when they get an answer that the church is true so we will follow up on that and see where they stand on the commitments we left them! 

We also set a baptismal date for November 5th for one of our investigators! Her name is Shirley I talked about her before and she is someone that has the deepest desire to rejoin the church! She has one of the most incredible life stories you will ever her and its been cool to see the light about her change as she has been reading and praying more often! She Glows!! This weekend was probably one of the more interesting weekends I will have on my mission.. As it went from really hot, to really cold, to really windy, to really windy and rainy! So we had the pleasure to bike through it all and it was funny because after getting home for the night i realized that it rained dirt on us! It wasn't rain at all everything in our area is just super dirty from the rain! It was just super bizarre!

I would like to share an experience with another older lady named Beth. There are quite a few individuals that have taken their names from the records of the church voluntarily in my area, but the majority I have met have regretted it immediately.  We were talking with Beth for the first time and apparently it's been awhile, since the missionaries have visited her. In fact it was the first time that missionaries have visited her while she has been living here in Boise. We were talking about the age of accountability and how could a child at the age of 8 really know what they were getting themselves into? It was in this moment that I felt the Spirit strongly overcome me as I bore testimony that though I may not have known what I was exactly doing at age 8 getting baptized, I knew one thing. That is as soon as those Priesthood holders laid their hands upon my hand to give me the Gift of the Holy Ghost, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that God was real. That this church had something special about it. And that was specifically that this was Jesus Christ's church on the Earth today. And because I was raised in the Church I could recognize what the feelings I was experiencing actually was! 

Elder Candland and Beth were both in tears, because they could remember that feeling. We all can remember the feelings of this sacred ordinance that set us on the path to eternal life, but we can't dwell on the past instead we are on the path of eternal progression! 

I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting this Sunday and I recounted a story where I was blindfolded and told to follow a distinct noise and after trying to follow the loud cowbell I realized that their was another sound being covered by the cowbell, and that was the soft sound of a triangle. Reaching this sound I was put on a rope that weaved through the forest, and there were multiple moments I was knocked off the path. The start of that path is our baptismal covenant we make with our Heavenly Father and that rope represents living the Gospel; however, when we get knocked off the path of living the gospel how do we get back on? Well we are taught that our Prophet Thomas S. Monson is our Prophet today and I bare testimony that he guides us onto that rope, as well as helps us continue on that rope! My prayer is for everyone to think about the things that our Prophet has spoken on in the past two General Conferences and ask ourselves are we truly following the Prophet? or are we like the people in the scriptures that we read about and wonder how do they not follow the prophets don't they know who they are!? Well we can be like those people even now! But we can always start heading towards that rope again and follow the prophet and start making the harder right decisions rather than the easier wrong decisions just like our dear prophet spoke on this past April General Conference! Pray for Him. He cares a heavy mantel. 

Keep Smiling and don't forget to Pray!

Love Elder Gerrard

Week 7 - Three Levels

This week was a really great inspiring week for me! I just can't get over the fact about how awesome it is to be able to wake up everyday to solely share and invite others to learn the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! Unfortunately this just wasn't our week to teach people as all of our appointments that we set up with people fell through at the last second! What a bummer right!? But this is okay because it's not about our timing it's all in the Lord's time! As I dont have alot of time to write today I would like to quickly share some thoughts from this week. 

One of the things i would like to share is the amazing ways the Heavenly Father works with His children. As many of you know my Nephew has CHD. There are many different forms of CHD but my Nephew has one of the most rare cases known as HLHS, Which means that he essentially only has half a heart when he is born. This resulted in 3 different open heart surgeries that occurred fairly quickly when he was born. Whats been so special about this experience within my family is the miracles that we have seen in this young boy as he has grown to me the best little 2 year old out there! You wouldn't even be able to tell he only has half a heart considering how big of a heart he has when it comes to being nice! What is so unique about this and its rarity is just this week I have come in contact with two other individuals in my area where im serving that have siblings or grand daughter that have that exact same form of CHD. Im so grateful that i have been able to help them understand how the Lord can bless them through the gospel even among these hard trials that make it really hard to believe that Heavenly Father loves us. Well I can tell you He does I love the scriptures in DC 98:1-3, DC 122:7-9, and Alma 7:11-12 as they testify the purpose of afflictions/trials/hardships so beautifully. Heavenly Father sent me to this area because he knew that i could be of use here that my experiences in my life can help others that have had the same, but have lacked one thing... and that's the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that his church has been restored on the earth again.

Secondly, I would like to share some thoughts from a zone confrence meeting that my mission was able to have with Seventy, Bradly D. Foster. He shared with us a vision that talked about three levels. The first level being the missionaries. We must work on ourselves to be the best teachers and learn to develop our skills to better convey the message. Once we develop our skills and spirituality we become ready to enter level 2 of this vision which is called members helping the missionaries. He encouraged us missionaries to help our members see that 1. They can do missionary work! Its possible! 2. Help the Members recognize the blessings IF they do missionary work!  This is where i would like to encourage all of you to try this simple thing out. Elder Foster then talked about "Soft Touches" which means instead of trying to take a Book of Mormon and have them read it... We talk to members not of our faith and tie everyday things back to some simple truth of the gospel. For example instead of trying to explain what the Book of Mormon is about. Simply. Bare your testimony that through this book it has guided you in every day choices and brought you closer to Jesus Christ. Thats all a soft touch is. What this does is it plants a seed. And because im in Idaho I have learned that its common knowledge that it takes 2 weeks to plant seeds 3 months to water and 1 week to harvest. Tying this back together. Going out and trying to give out a Book of Mormon is harvesting a seed that hasn't even grown yet! What this vision entails is if we as members Soft touch individuals that will begin to change the missionary work and prepare people who arn't members of the church to accept a commitment down the road when there seed is grown and they can progress in learning more! 

This then leads into level 3 and to show you what this looks like i will show you a video https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages-for-youth/this-life

I would encourage each and everyone of us to have a soft touch every single day and it will get to the point that members will come to missionaries with someone ready to teach just like this boy himself did!

Remember there is always someone the Lord is preparing to hear the Message of the Gospel! 

The more specific you are in your prayers the more specific he answers and blesses us!

Keep Smiling!

Elder Gerrard

D&C 98:1-3

VERILY I say unto you my friends, fearnot, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks;

2 Waiting patiently on the Lord, for your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.

3 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.

D&C 122:7-9

7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

Alma 7:11-12

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.