tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35126062204910578362024-02-19T18:54:38.791-08:00Joshua's Mission BlogChadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-52540133809152618452017-12-19T22:02:00.000-08:002018-07-21T10:08:35.443-07:00December 19, 2017 - Josh Comes Home<b><u>From Dad:</u></b><br />
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A spiritual evening going with Sam to the Stake Center to be set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to server in the Lusaka, Zambia mission, followed by a last session at the temple together. Sam got to stand in the circle with Sis Carlson and made her cry.<br />
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We then headed to Boston Pizza in South Edmonton Common to wait the final nail biting hour to go and pick Josh up at the airport.<br />
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We got there just as his plane landed and ran into the Sturko's waiting for their Son Michael to come home from the Saint George mission.<br />
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I started the Facebook live video going right away, but was dismayed that my battery started draining too fast and hearing from the Sturko's they had waited for 40 minutes for their son to come out of Customs. Sure enough I ran out too quick, so we switched everyone watching over to Jen's phone. But it too started to run out. 40 minutes in, I decided to make a mad dash back to the van to get Jen's charger. Huffing and puffing I came back in time only to realize I'd forgotten the charge cord, so away I ran again. Luckily made it back with about 3 min to spare. Watch the drama below!<br />
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Video and Pictures from the Airport:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg213NdzXDiZOgPiwsNVr30iHkROyRAQEpn768hBYYmpIlYIocNLsjw0obeNcOyrMBKAkONlBlVEYW98nz7O-fg26vMdZH38b2jvOtX9SX-qPR2c9QtxbBtuXKpNDETxncmFoXjT26MilE/s1600/Brothers.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg213NdzXDiZOgPiwsNVr30iHkROyRAQEpn768hBYYmpIlYIocNLsjw0obeNcOyrMBKAkONlBlVEYW98nz7O-fg26vMdZH38b2jvOtX9SX-qPR2c9QtxbBtuXKpNDETxncmFoXjT26MilE/s320/Brothers.JPG" width="240" /></a>Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-31810072049060125492017-12-18T21:53:00.000-08:002018-07-21T10:08:26.603-07:00December 18, 2017<b><u>From Jen - Lasts and Firsts</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Elder </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I’m laying in bed this morning, already feeling tired in anticipation for the upcoming week. There are so many things happening and so many things to do yet, it makes my head spin. I decided to relax a bit longer and write you the last email. (Can you believe it?) First ... some perspective.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbUBHyD4nff0ix1xoUx_t87t-4RcjSfmWCim7VRd6tANdUeRdToTMxg3JWKb6dnxGoStlMG9DEeieb3kg6TkcdqPKI2kyk-PB2Pjau9RprBHWafvBDOhR_VvDpmCc9YT0xD3-z5Mp3Eg/s1600/image1+%25284%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbUBHyD4nff0ix1xoUx_t87t-4RcjSfmWCim7VRd6tANdUeRdToTMxg3JWKb6dnxGoStlMG9DEeieb3kg6TkcdqPKI2kyk-PB2Pjau9RprBHWafvBDOhR_VvDpmCc9YT0xD3-z5Mp3Eg/s320/image1+%25284%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I needed this little quote when I read it yesterday. If we focus on the essential, then everything else is just gravy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It is essential to connect with the Lord everyday in a meaningful way. If I can do that, the rest of the day goes smoothly, I handle busy-ness better, and I see the joys in the midst of it all. The weird thing is ... when life starts to feel busy, the first thing to go is scripture study. Why is that? So, once I’m done writing this, I’ll open up my scriptures. Essential. I hope you are doing yours, too.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Relationships are essential. I’m praying that you will fully recognize all of the eternal connections you’ve made on your mission and have the chance to say good-bye to all of them. Luckily, social media makes it easy to keep in touch post-mission. Your family relationships are essential. When you get off the plane, it will be just us. Just your family. We’ve told everyone we only get six hours with you and Sam and we want to keep in in the family. After that, though, and with the Christmas season, you will see all of your loved ones. You’ll be busy. Grandma and Grandpa </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> are staying here for Christmas so you will also get quality time with them!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So, no stress! Think of what is essential for you, then do those things. The rest is gravy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dad and I are so proud of you, </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. You did it!! You held your course to the end! You are a finisher! The personal foundation you built on your mission will springboard you for the rest of your life. Keep in mind, it’s okay to freak out a little bit as you transition from missionary to normal life. Christian Graham got home a week and a half ago and you two should make time to chat and commiserate.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">*******</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was full of performances and company and doing last minute stuff for Sam’s mission. He’s pretty much all packed and ready to go. We just went through his personal pharmacy while in Africa. It’s a lot of medicine “just in case.” It brings a whole new meaning to the word Prepare. (Sorry, don’t have a picture.)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But we do have a few of the play ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TWxYs_FiSNON5KoqX6l9KgVVVvScpIyY0cexI3uHq0yzrrNDqKsBlxUZbmMcXRftFK4DHZ4vsDiUY-4ROPxLhOSr4Pygz8501qkSlWCc04JfbqqAE8Rv3AAX_eaYWxxxDh822qwPpjo/s1600/image3+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TWxYs_FiSNON5KoqX6l9KgVVVvScpIyY0cexI3uHq0yzrrNDqKsBlxUZbmMcXRftFK4DHZ4vsDiUY-4ROPxLhOSr4Pygz8501qkSlWCc04JfbqqAE8Rv3AAX_eaYWxxxDh822qwPpjo/s320/image3+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Ben did fantastic in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I hope the DVD comes out soon so you can watch it. He had a solo that he nailed!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI381_xknCi2Bs-Hi8Jw-7Q6sg3sYzVvZUYxpiiY5slNnLwaMAL9jrs7fUonxElnvfkx1b42O-cis87cxaNVIGAJEqrLiybgk6OfZrpo67azDpDbFJJypdGGbov54Za8RsSF8HL4Ppq-s/s1600/image2+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI381_xknCi2Bs-Hi8Jw-7Q6sg3sYzVvZUYxpiiY5slNnLwaMAL9jrs7fUonxElnvfkx1b42O-cis87cxaNVIGAJEqrLiybgk6OfZrpo67azDpDbFJJypdGGbov54Za8RsSF8HL4Ppq-s/s320/image2+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Abby’s piano is also getting really good. We’ll have to do a mini-concert for you when you get home. She played at the Christmas recital with no nervousness at all.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqHuXBR-k3CJUEickEquGpURw35YwMuQIIAoUAZRkCAbiSEMXshY5bwd732NajkmXCV4sQou7aDbAc83agEmjRuipYPhXUFHxXUn_e_9Ku28squesbw__zt15VYxfhbkuzchi0gHYZ1c/s1600/image4+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqHuXBR-k3CJUEickEquGpURw35YwMuQIIAoUAZRkCAbiSEMXshY5bwd732NajkmXCV4sQou7aDbAc83agEmjRuipYPhXUFHxXUn_e_9Ku28squesbw__zt15VYxfhbkuzchi0gHYZ1c/s400/image4+%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I’ve been helping Wendy Francis every Thursday for awhile and Sam came with me the last two times. He’s super good at assembling furniture and set up four bookshelves for her.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This picture made me laugh because as he was unbolting this shelf to move it, he found a ukulele and started playing it. Lol! I told Wendy that you would be coming with me next time. We’ll provide service to her and she’ll cut your hair. Haha. So, you see, I’m already booking you with appointments. 😉FYI, we’re also planning to meet Ebony in Edmonton to shop for some street clothes for you.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1yKzcXXZYgs_VyTRKFi7rRHGEEfA-PCKoHAFHHBjAySarxdZKhKuy2HtmWIvjcL7GiMWLIEKLO7ges3kG8hqRThi27Z5cyTN23kJizxNYiJmwyPQ189tLA30jQhOuWwjvXZKfi-mi7Y/s1600/image1+%25285%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1yKzcXXZYgs_VyTRKFi7rRHGEEfA-PCKoHAFHHBjAySarxdZKhKuy2HtmWIvjcL7GiMWLIEKLO7ges3kG8hqRThi27Z5cyTN23kJizxNYiJmwyPQ189tLA30jQhOuWwjvXZKfi-mi7Y/s320/image1+%25285%2529.jpeg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mia keeps us on the straight and narrow for FHE. This week we only had time to do this week was spotlight and a game. She picked Apples to Apples.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xoYflfyLJLctcPUPOfkONHe-c8ve1UigFdm8USJB6NnHgNOKbYp0GQqog8UrryuKHF4_RGuZQXbE6ui4rN7QtAsGrRJHqF4HHKQLn3-4srAVFQBRTgMyqLLRTgWqB-wUdxj3hGcYdOw/s1600/image2+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xoYflfyLJLctcPUPOfkONHe-c8ve1UigFdm8USJB6NnHgNOKbYp0GQqog8UrryuKHF4_RGuZQXbE6ui4rN7QtAsGrRJHqF4HHKQLn3-4srAVFQBRTgMyqLLRTgWqB-wUdxj3hGcYdOw/s320/image2+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Be prepared to play games with Mia. It’s her favourite thing.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So, you see, life goes on. There is a lot waiting for you and coming home at Christmas is about the best thing ever. You are still in every prayer and in our thoughts always. We love you.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Good luck with the flight home and all the connections. We’ll be waiting for you on the other side.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love forever,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mom</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Dad:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'll add my two cents really quick here + some pictures.</span><br />
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Ditto to what Mom says about being so proud of your service to the Lord for 2 years. It will be a foundation for years to come.</div>
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I hope you can find someone like her some day (soon? :) ). We don't have a perfect marriage, but we are committed to each other and we are perfecting it in small and simple ways all the time. </div>
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This process of small and simple improvement really struck me this time when I read Alma 37. It is now my new favorite B of M chapter. I especially like the idea of the scriptures enlarging our memories of the Lord's dealings with our forefathers so that we can add that to our memories and become confident in the Lord's promises for us and our families and to turn us to the Savoir. Also, the analogy of the Liahona is so powerful and struck me in new ways this time.</div>
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We are steadily preparing the downstairs bathroom and probably won't have it done completely in time for your return (that was the goal), but as Mom has mentioned, our goal is progress every day, no matter how small.</div>
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Love you lots. Savor every last moment.</div>
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Dad.</div>
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Pics:</div>
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Cody got a haircut after Grandpa Bruce told him he'd give him $50 to do it!</div>
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Sam at the Institute choir</div>
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Ben's write up for the play</div>
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Ben and De Vries boys (who were also in the play)</div>
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Bathroom progress.</div>
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<b><u>From Josh - He Lives:</u></b></div>
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I feel like I have not learned a lot on my mission, but what I have learned I value over all things.<br />
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I have learned that in all things God is there, He loves me and is reaching out to bless me and everyone. I have learned that if I trust in Him I can resist all evil, know what to say, be unafraid. If I trust in Him I never have to doubt where to go, what to do and how to do things. </div>
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When we trust in God it does not eliminate trials, turn away trouble, people will still be jerks and those you love may not always be protected and kept safe in ways that we think. But when we put our trust in God we can fall into His holy arms, rely on the mercy that he freely gives to those who want it. even in the darkness, we have a place to turn to... Jesus Christ once said "I am the light that shineth in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not" I know that in all things he emulates the Father, I know that Jesus Christ was sent into the world to save us from ourselves. I know that he has lifted me out of darkness many times, I am grateful for his love, that even when I mess up and make mistakes he still is reaching out to pick me up. </div>
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I have gained a testimony of this work, and I know that this Church is God's true church on the earth, Joseph <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span> was a prophet, he did translate the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God, I know that there is a true prophet on the earth today, and as we live by the words that he gives we will always be in the right way. </div>
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I believe in the power of personal revelation and know that if we ask in faith then God will always give us answers. No power of influence in this world can compare to the power of a direct answer from God through the Holy Ghost. </div>
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I guess over all I wanted to add my witness to that of the prophets and apostles when they said.</div>
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"Now after the many testimonies that have been said this is the testimony last of all...That he lives!"</div>
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And I truly, truly know that of myself, Jesus Christ does live, is he our savior, and redeemer, our advocate with the father, we was born for us and he died for us, and he lives for us still. </div>
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In a recent Christmas concert that the Valencia stake had it was titled Christ the babe was born for you. It was a super amazing and throughout it I felt so much of the truthfulness of it, before the director, Richard Rich said a prayer for the Angels to sing with them and I wish I could get a copy of all that they sang because it was something I never want to forget. </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-90448233378281191762017-12-11T20:40:00.000-08:002018-07-21T10:08:17.530-07:00December 11, 2017<b><u>From Jen - Nine Days but Who's counting?:</u></b><br />
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Dear Josh,<br />
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Well, Sam’s Farewell happened. He gave a very spiritual and mature talk about why he’s serving a mission and The Path of Happiness. It’s starting to become very real, suddenly. We’ll spend our time doing last minute stuff as well as preparing for YOU. It’s crazy. I get a lot of comments about how emotional it’s all going to be. Yes, thanks for the reminder. Haha.<br />
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Great week. Here are some pics explaining it all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo8nh_hkaPeHuJ1x94-0DgFt_woT6MhEY2FVif1Rd8WENJE59p9smt-VXRagpKhBaPMM442ohUxb_TE8MaNSuoOhO92tTdqXBkW3DxDz5MIPFsvqNhJb6qQv1vkhSxCeJ5BJiOOCfkxc/s1600/image1+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo8nh_hkaPeHuJ1x94-0DgFt_woT6MhEY2FVif1Rd8WENJE59p9smt-VXRagpKhBaPMM442ohUxb_TE8MaNSuoOhO92tTdqXBkW3DxDz5MIPFsvqNhJb6qQv1vkhSxCeJ5BJiOOCfkxc/s320/image1+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Our dug out froze into a beautiful skating rink. So fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhIH7m8ybPGfZ5E-p8BNQ9ctfUjcXDo-6fTyvpFtpCgNnzXjXMACRGwxxNfiJtQXU1nKyAmmM7vhCz7hAoXfdzXTKoMeQsmXpmrhmjuvmIlue7E1pdSXYYYXxUVp_kNiOo8PX8pozVtc/s1600/image2+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhIH7m8ybPGfZ5E-p8BNQ9ctfUjcXDo-6fTyvpFtpCgNnzXjXMACRGwxxNfiJtQXU1nKyAmmM7vhCz7hAoXfdzXTKoMeQsmXpmrhmjuvmIlue7E1pdSXYYYXxUVp_kNiOo8PX8pozVtc/s320/image2+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Ben, who falls asleep every moment he can. He spend 12-15 hours a day at the school practicing for his play. He’s tired.<br />
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We performed at the Ward Christmas Party.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJfNd7ezGpiZpi5D2430sreuBvHjnQ9ttrFUbVoiDHbZlsmm2uL0aVLvLQvRWV9lDKOhWBvJq8x3Jy1LQWx3kItl_EiuNm4XB5omKweIwT50iHgctCetkj1084pmo_5IYxiSzR-0s8_4/s1600/image4.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJfNd7ezGpiZpi5D2430sreuBvHjnQ9ttrFUbVoiDHbZlsmm2uL0aVLvLQvRWV9lDKOhWBvJq8x3Jy1LQWx3kItl_EiuNm4XB5omKweIwT50iHgctCetkj1084pmo_5IYxiSzR-0s8_4/s320/image4.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Sam preparing for his talk<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwKnjYGOEi9ozZuRIh8ORfcCueKbxzp3kp-Npa5EMqj_dwWCmXB9HgPk1KCso4U59dqDlaKUU4FAhu3gcFtGIuAkwexMY8tjO3wQ7BO2WehODQ8u7YiGODFe_tcQ6pMeSwA5jXhb98kI/s1600/image5.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwKnjYGOEi9ozZuRIh8ORfcCueKbxzp3kp-Npa5EMqj_dwWCmXB9HgPk1KCso4U59dqDlaKUU4FAhu3gcFtGIuAkwexMY8tjO3wQ7BO2WehODQ8u7YiGODFe_tcQ6pMeSwA5jXhb98kI/s320/image5.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Any other spare moment ... playing Dungeons and Dragons.<br />
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We’ve also enjoyed focussing on Light the World and paying attention to different ways of serving. Sam and I are heading out this morning to go help Sis. Till with some cleaning and maintenance on the apartment she manages. It’s good to serve.<br />
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Also, you have nine days to pay attention to your personal prayers and scripture study. I have LOTS to tell you when you get home and I want you to be able to say that your last week of being a missionary was impactful because of your daily devotion to connecting with the Lord. Don’t slack. I love you.<br />
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Mom<br />
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<b><u>From Josh - A lasting change:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Don't let it slip away" was the counsel from a member of my ward, it is easy to lose a lot of what is learned on a mission. In my departing interview with my mission president said that with every decision that I need to move forward confidently. So here I go. </span><br />
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I have learned a thing or two on my mission... I have learned that in order to get the trust of people you need to be yourself, be real, help people to see that you are not just there for yourself but for those you speak to.</div>
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Two years can change a man... It is super weird that I have only one week, I am trying to do all I can to leave a lasting impact and help this ward to be better for having me rather then giving up... It is hard at times, I am grateful for all the words of encouragement and support that I have gotten on my mission, I realize that I could and should have done better on a lot of things, like sending letters home, being more confident, and speaking to more people, I still have many things to work on as a person, and I am excited to continue to rely on the Lord for what I stand in need of. </div>
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I was reading recently in Alma just beginning the war Chapters and I have been struck by the onset and the integrity of Moroni, and in the most recent story I was surprised to admire Zarahemna and his honesty, when given the option to enter a covenant and leave or continue fighting he could have accepted it and lied about entering a covenant, but he told Moroni that he would not enter into a covenant that he felt he could not keep. I wrote in my margins "don't promise things that you won't follow through on" A good proverb for life... Another thing about that story is the comparison with armor and testimony, even though the Laminites fought like dragons, they still were swept down because their armor was not there, they had none, the same would happen to us if we had no testimony. The Book of Mormon is amazing. </div>
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I love you all and hope things are good, this week will be full of lasts and good bye's, and next week will be a lot of firsts and hello's I am excited for one and not so excited for another, I will truly miss it here, the people, the places, and the experience, I love my mission, and I am so glad I was able to serve with all my heart, so many things have come and gone, every day is a gift and I hope to cherish and value it as much as I can. </div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzhS9mT2A8hCRo8boNA9uZl3eyNrTNDnEr9Yx0E9SizCFg57sU-Qx4ubjWI5cYb3Zk20HBZ3sy4UNE-OVNK-o6g4ffdHfD8CaoPcVfSlgmjj1VnvxhQlvVXaRAQwCrsgPArS-J827q-M/s1600/IMG_9501.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzhS9mT2A8hCRo8boNA9uZl3eyNrTNDnEr9Yx0E9SizCFg57sU-Qx4ubjWI5cYb3Zk20HBZ3sy4UNE-OVNK-o6g4ffdHfD8CaoPcVfSlgmjj1VnvxhQlvVXaRAQwCrsgPArS-J827q-M/s320/IMG_9501.JPG" width="320" /></a>Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-197228736813406322017-12-03T16:50:00.000-08:002018-07-21T10:08:08.376-07:00December 3, 2017<b><u>From Mom - Elder Smith:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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Here is a picture to start the email ...</div>
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(They were watching promo videos.) It’s such a strange idea to think we’ll be swapping Sam out for you. In three weeks, I’ll be sending a picture like this to Sam but you will be in his place and I just can’t wrap my brain around it. Don’t get me wrong, we all are SUPER super excited to see you. The girls are marking off their calendars until the big day (and it’s not Christmas). <img alt="😊" data-goomoji="1f60a" goomoji="1f60a" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f60a" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></div>
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It’s been a busy, busy week. Ben is at the school until 9 every night (that makes 15-16 hour days). It’s insane and I’m not happy about it. Having said that, I think it will be a good experience for him to be in a live play. They are doing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. </div>
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We also performed as a family at the Stake Christmas Event. This is what my journal has to say about it ...</div>
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<b><u><i>Sunday, December 3, 2017</i></u></b></div>
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<i>Our family was asked weeks ago to sing at the Stake Christmas Event. My opinion was a resounding “NO” but Chad had other plans. I reluctantly and petulantly went along fighting with my own inner demons along the way. The end result was Mia singing her rendition of Jingle Bells on the ukulele which morphed suddenly into Ben’s God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen piano solo which morphed to Sam playing guitar while Abby sang Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus where Chad and I joined at the end at which point we all sang Away in a Manger. I was particularly proud of my role playing percussion on the jingle bells (insert eye roll) but I was NOT prepared for the onslaught of sincere compliments. </i></div>
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<i>My favourites were, </i></div>
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<i>Jeff Fitzner: “I do not often get emotional, but when your family went up and I heard you sing, I was definitely teary-eyed.”</i></div>
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<i>Danielle: “I loved your song! I loved it! My favourite from the entire night! Your children are so grown up and adorable at the same time.” (Coming from a girl in my young women’s group 17 years ago). </i></div>
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<i>Ron and Alaina Sirtonsk (from our old ward): “We were at the temple and decided to crash Riverbend’s Christmas Concert. Boy, are we glad we did. Seeing your family up there (everyone is getting so big!) made our entire night. Beautiful. Thank you. We miss you.”</i></div>
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<i>Church society is not where I look for validation, but I was surprised by it this time. I attribute it to the softening of my heart I’ve experienced recently. My humility project has opened my eyes to possibilities I’ve never considered before. While we were singing I saw teary-eyed Kenny sitting with Ruby. For that alone, I was glad. For the few who matter to me, worth it. Worth it all the way. Thanks, Chad. If it wasn’t for you, many things wouldn’t happen in my life that need to. We’ve somehow become “that musical family,” which is the biggest surprise of my life. </i></div>
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Now we can focus on the rest of Sam’s prep. He has one rabies shot to go and he’s caught up. Poor kid has had enough needles and pills to last a lifetime to prevent him from getting malaria, typhoid, cholera, rabies, poliomyelitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, influenza and any number of bacteria he might encounter in Zambia for which his little-white-boy-first-world-<wbr></wbr>upbringing has not prepared him for. Oi!</div>
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We also had the privilege of babysitting Todd and Jamie’s boys this week. Just a little recap from Instagram ...</div>
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I suppose we’ll have to remind you of everyone’s names when you get home but apparently Connor has diligently prayed for you for two years despite the fact that he can hardly remember you. Todd says he prays “bless <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span> on his mission that he will be safe.” So cute. </div>
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And this is Nate, who was a tiny baby when you left. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd1xHV1JKZK0WvHd6hQeuDMB6Gj7ytBLJRFbwUEuZmIohJysX7Gn5TBXhE4om4TclKkkXjqUOEU8A_ch-oznpnpUKgKH-QL6IFZabcPHJ4zt6fpb462JgErXz59WsLQsTPECsz0VfetA/s1600/Nate.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd1xHV1JKZK0WvHd6hQeuDMB6Gj7ytBLJRFbwUEuZmIohJysX7Gn5TBXhE4om4TclKkkXjqUOEU8A_ch-oznpnpUKgKH-QL6IFZabcPHJ4zt6fpb462JgErXz59WsLQsTPECsz0VfetA/s320/Nate.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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It’s going to be a pretty fun Christmas this year. </div>
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Just to be accountable, my personal scripture study is going strong and I’ve loved the challenge of making it a higher priority to my morning routine. It makes SUCH a difference. I’m excited to show you my new study method. Keep a going, Elder <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span>. Stay focused. Make as much difference as you can. Strengthen your testimony daily. Follow the Spirit. Keep smiling.</div>
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Love you forever,</div>
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Mom</div>
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See our driveway made of ice? Dad’s getting good at pulling people out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3MTISF33rpIYv05y_ACheKNZBfHSJoaHpIm9zhyg0e4x7EuouyHRxNVskHGTIPklU4YUEJ_eUkyPVw2s4SMchvrTwlQE_C_RA6k-uQunj3v_mDpMpHOiOmiFokO3odZQ5zUHmLnDPxE/s1600/DrivewayRescue.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3MTISF33rpIYv05y_ACheKNZBfHSJoaHpIm9zhyg0e4x7EuouyHRxNVskHGTIPklU4YUEJ_eUkyPVw2s4SMchvrTwlQE_C_RA6k-uQunj3v_mDpMpHOiOmiFokO3odZQ5zUHmLnDPxE/s320/DrivewayRescue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For fun:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15AMxpX5ZTO7DpTM8vnaH6afhKz2-y3JazvNi3R1gH5O5nT3t6MWbNh3C-3UJKhyFYn0WYRgexm1YHCUvAKdle6QfaOTYRV9UwZXgmsYZca3Y2QxIj15nM1sJB4ZzvHC6HEAQaTBvrUw/s1600/Shark.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15AMxpX5ZTO7DpTM8vnaH6afhKz2-y3JazvNi3R1gH5O5nT3t6MWbNh3C-3UJKhyFYn0WYRgexm1YHCUvAKdle6QfaOTYRV9UwZXgmsYZca3Y2QxIj15nM1sJB4ZzvHC6HEAQaTBvrUw/s320/Shark.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>From Josh - Peace is my watchword</u></b></div>
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This week has been a constant up and down... mostly up though, which is good, I have been really slacking these past couple weeks on my prayers and scripture study, and I have been really trying this week to get back into the groove of things, saying my prayers every night, reading the scriptures more devotedly, and this week I have been the recipient of much peace and energy.<br />
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One cool experience was when my companion got an energy drink to keep awake and going, and I really wanted one because I was super tired, but I prayed instead and asked for the energy I needed to continue on, because I knew that nothing in this world can compare to the wonders of God, and throughout the day I was filled with so much excitement and energy that I didn't know what to do with it all, I felt as if I could walk and not be weary, run and not faint. It was pretty cool to feel. That was my little miracle this week.</div>
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Most of the things that stuck out this week were the ward Christmas party, teaching in spanish and members feeding us soooooo much food, I love it though, there are so many people are that I have grown to love, and a fact I have realized my whole mission is that the Lord doesn't transfer me from an area until I truly fall in love with the people in that area. And this time he times it perfectly, he knew exactly how long it would take for me to truly feel like I found my place and that was when I was going home, I am really looking forward to coming home, but will miss it here, I will miss the wonderful experiences and the great people who have had such a great impact on me. I have learned a lot here and one of the things I have learned the most is that people care more about how much you care rather then how much you know it has been a guiding light and a great realization for me, that no matter how many people try to prove me wrong when I tell them how much this matters to me and bear my testimony from my heart, when that happens no human logic can deny someones passion for the gospel, and no one can take away the love you have for someone else. People can feel that even when it isn't expressed, when you do something out of christ like love it impacts those who need that love. I may have said this before and it may sound kind of nerdy but in Star wars those in the dark side try to avoid feelings of love, because love is weakness, it is a reliance on someone else, an opening up that leaves you vulnerable to more pain, but when you open yourself up, you open up to greater peace and joy, happiness and wonder. </div>
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Christ is always reaching out to us. We may withhold our hearts because of others or because of disbelief, he is always ready to lift us up, he is our master and peace is his watchword, he offers it freely to everyone who will have faith in him and keep his commandment.</div>
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We were in a lesson recently and we were teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, (something that sam will get pretty acquainted with) and after the lesson the member piped up and said, that no matter what happens, no matter what anyone tells you, if you rely on the gospel and kind of go back to the basics whenever someone offends you or whenever something comes up that makes you doubt if you go to the simple gospel it can help you keep a focus on what is important. That really stuck out to me because there will be offenses there will be things that come up that we don't know, church leaders are imperfect, but the gospel is perfect and if we rely on that we will make it through. </div>
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Well I love you all, these emails are in shore supply, but I want you to know that I have a testimony of this Church, it is truly Gods church on the earth in these days, the fulness of the gospel is found on the earth once more, that is the gospel I have been called to preach, and its the gospel that we all are responsible to stand as witnesses of. At all times, in all places. </div>
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Hope you all have a good week. </div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>. </div>
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Pictures with members, important memories to keep. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WsKRgfp0IXgffaj3Kjh7XqzQ2wtSLj1kyD2YJpB9UqBK0_Ei9fWE_9rt_D8uqEh7wGDnAXJmi6E-IFn7uWog_XVMgKQRUhKAhR_hpZ-GDlzSEqoJE2NzeyfUcEirfukd9tRW2kvKDYE/s1600/MissionFamily3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WsKRgfp0IXgffaj3Kjh7XqzQ2wtSLj1kyD2YJpB9UqBK0_Ei9fWE_9rt_D8uqEh7wGDnAXJmi6E-IFn7uWog_XVMgKQRUhKAhR_hpZ-GDlzSEqoJE2NzeyfUcEirfukd9tRW2kvKDYE/s320/MissionFamily3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxbuCFix4HIKLMxaNQpc-VV0hoXygA_QCPKm8VKxEXwZL841TygmyNMDaQKxYVRU88hkEJj22hcDPNn43b5rt_eiyH6V0R3rp9hO1qfh-s0PL5zg_2RICqqO_68D0Anyi4oPq_DSTYkk/s1600/WardParty.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxbuCFix4HIKLMxaNQpc-VV0hoXygA_QCPKm8VKxEXwZL841TygmyNMDaQKxYVRU88hkEJj22hcDPNn43b5rt_eiyH6V0R3rp9hO1qfh-s0PL5zg_2RICqqO_68D0Anyi4oPq_DSTYkk/s320/WardParty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And... Flying spaghetti monster religious sticker... funny idea that. </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-37316426280772462732017-11-27T16:45:00.000-08:002018-07-21T10:07:54.978-07:00November 27, 2017<b><u>From Dad - Busy Season</u></b><br />
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Hi <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>. Hope things are going great in Sunny California. We've been having some unseasonably warm weather here. The challenge is that everything is turning into a skating rink especially our driveway. Ben pulled a little too far out of the garage before turning towards the driveway and ended up stocjnin the slope mainly because his front wheels were on pure ice. </div>
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We are slowly pulling together a medley of songs for our family to perform at the Stake Christmas party on Saturday. We are both excited for it and excited to be finished it. Here is the plan:</div>
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1. Mia starts with "Jingle Bells" on Ukelele on a stool in the spotlight at the mike with Mom playing bells in the background</div>
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2. Ben comes in with a piano solo "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"</div>
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3. Sam and Abby come up and Abby sings "Said Samuel" while Sam plays the guitar.</div>
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4. Mom and Mia and then me join in the second verse.</div>
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5. Ben plays intro to "Away in a Manger" and accompanies the family singing this to close.</div>
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Amelia pulled out her homeschooling calendar today and started writing down all our December events and pretty much filled every day in with something. Ben has a school Christmas concert plus a play. Sam has an institute choir concert just like you did before you left. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHIUL12VNogfdssFx5UPxXV-62Ww9Y9r9nL596e8tfn4yy00Nfu0BBGsys20L8c9Unev3dYzpMi6mUrGkN86AWC6RXGxjpUKugWei55F0gSX4qsI3GbCzKbokjywgyYf4C76evsO5u_k/s1600/JenHat.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHIUL12VNogfdssFx5UPxXV-62Ww9Y9r9nL596e8tfn4yy00Nfu0BBGsys20L8c9Unev3dYzpMi6mUrGkN86AWC6RXGxjpUKugWei55F0gSX4qsI3GbCzKbokjywgyYf4C76evsO5u_k/s320/JenHat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ben was invited to the LCHS awards ceremony. Little did we know we would have to wait through 2h of awards to get to the honor role so Ben could get his very own.... wait for it ... pen. Woot woot. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCEGDx8ihRI1R1rAPTSVAYxy8SLXdqbVaMVBoSVYH_i71rCtzB9aXVR6ZujA9zDAYoE0qFSGuarzk_e26N4o4EncYED7hj-FpJsKk035_rLTHAKyo0Lv4mGUPGPuwIbCCC9R5wQ1crE0/s1600/JenAwardsCeremony.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCEGDx8ihRI1R1rAPTSVAYxy8SLXdqbVaMVBoSVYH_i71rCtzB9aXVR6ZujA9zDAYoE0qFSGuarzk_e26N4o4EncYED7hj-FpJsKk035_rLTHAKyo0Lv4mGUPGPuwIbCCC9R5wQ1crE0/s320/JenAwardsCeremony.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOYe5q2ZzB5e-_JChyphenhyphenA8iYRb35tCeWyvc3eb9bEPLeYL5tWa2KbcOvmD60jd_JUzbHj_Ef1zuAvBSlJUnGHV2nJjyJ6RxR_ijvLu2hCNnpbY3ZoSEsyT5h6yrGZuf-kkR_bSQ4ytHzk4/s1600/BenHonors.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOYe5q2ZzB5e-_JChyphenhyphenA8iYRb35tCeWyvc3eb9bEPLeYL5tWa2KbcOvmD60jd_JUzbHj_Ef1zuAvBSlJUnGHV2nJjyJ6RxR_ijvLu2hCNnpbY3ZoSEsyT5h6yrGZuf-kkR_bSQ4ytHzk4/s320/BenHonors.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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As you can see from the attached picture that the girls have already imposed their Christmas spirit on our home with decorations. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ZgKmW6hJ9MRe0rPa8x9lQ5kYfdX77VgePeCDinyxOSF4NdWJjGZ2eYHO-ER_kry-LuDswvcIm4-PwMvKKPCHXOfKmI9l1j00mt4QL1O5RqyZJ4-LuQSnkhv64P7WDrocgMtzyA6hAU/s1600/MiaCoco2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7ZgKmW6hJ9MRe0rPa8x9lQ5kYfdX77VgePeCDinyxOSF4NdWJjGZ2eYHO-ER_kry-LuDswvcIm4-PwMvKKPCHXOfKmI9l1j00mt4QL1O5RqyZJ4-LuQSnkhv64P7WDrocgMtzyA6hAU/s320/MiaCoco2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCguuZclRk5V5-G0iHGY3HoeTbSR3yIWktIkML3HJjn_aCy3GhM5iSGU7OBXfTbVOn0zPZLWTVFwl3g_ioKJ0z1_ymAVCOhQhKAiow52u54EXUGCAYpZjySo8xdHbZCr5XKENPWm_2anI/s1600/TreeDecorating.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCguuZclRk5V5-G0iHGY3HoeTbSR3yIWktIkML3HJjn_aCy3GhM5iSGU7OBXfTbVOn0zPZLWTVFwl3g_ioKJ0z1_ymAVCOhQhKAiow52u54EXUGCAYpZjySo8xdHbZCr5XKENPWm_2anI/s320/TreeDecorating.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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In other news, the boys have found an alternative to video games. Once Sam stopped working, he decided to help fill he time, he would get into Dungeons and Dragons... in my day parents worried about this game like we do about video games today. The good thing is that it is face to face and the kids are doing it together and with Cody and even the DeVries boys. Like all things, done in moderation it can be good.</div>
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I got an invitation from Sister Lambert this last week to pause every day and identify the hand of God in my life and to note the whispering of the spirit. Then, she invited me to share in Sunday School. </div>
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So I shared my most recent experience from yesterday. </div>
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One of the people that Sam worked with (Daryl Teeter) at Classic, has been coming to Church and was baptized yesterday. Because Sam worked with him, Sam wanted to go to the baptism after coaching his Gymnastics class. I had met Daryl in SS class a few Sunday's ago and I had the impression to go to the baptism. Saturday afternoon the opposition started. First the car was dead, then I plugged in the charger to a cord that started spitting fire. Finally I got the car started and headed off. First tender mercy was that the baptism started late and so I got there just in time and when I entered the RS room, there was Sam. It was a great feeling to see him there of his own volition. Then, on Sunday, in Ward Council, I found out that Sam had been asked to perform the confirmation! Of course he hadn't thought to tell us, but we were proud of him all the same. </div>
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There is something just amazing that happens in little ways when we follow the spirit.</div>
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Another conversation that I enjoyed at Church yesterday was with Brother Don Bates. He was telling me about his new job and how they were dealing with various challenges and implementing different initiatives. He made the statement that he was "Drinking the Kool-Aid, essentially meaning he was buying into the company direction and philosophy wholeheartedly. This sparked a conversation with Ben and I this morning before he drove himself to Seminary (still hard to believe that he's able to do that!) where we talked about drinking the Kool-Aid of the Gospel plan and participating in the church. We talked about the purpose and joy of having a calling and serving in the church. I shared with him my testimony of how important that has been for me and about wholeheartedly being "All In" so that we can have the full joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his Church. </div>
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So now you have just a few weeks left, I hope you are still drinking the Kool-Aid of your mission experience and being wholehearted about your service and efforts. It is the true path of happiness.</div>
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Love Dad.</div>
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<b><u>From Josh - Enduring to the End</u></b></div>
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The gospel of Jesus Christ embodies five main points, first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by the proper authority, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.<br />
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I feel on my mission it has been such a great chance to develop faith, I have had many opportunities to repent, I have taught and have tried to stay true to my baptismal covenants, I have been following the spirit as much as I can... Enduring to the end is a little difficult at times though. </div>
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This week was not the most eventful week, since it was thanksgiving, we have been having a fun time though with the Christmas initiative #lighttheworld, it has a great message, but what frustrates me is when people don't want to listen, or get into the spirit of Christmas, what makes me the most frustrated is when you have such a wonderful message that you know will change peoples lives and they don't seem to see it. </div>
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I recently read in Alma 27 and one of my favourite few verses are 17-18 when Ammon sees Alma and his joy is so full that he is overcome and falls to the ground. Then next verse explains that that is the joy in which only comes to the humble seekers of happiness. A happiness that is explained earlier that comes from seeing each other still strong in the faith, I encourage you all to seek to continue to develop your testimonies that we may see each other whether it be in this life or the next still strong in the faith. </div>
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I am sorry that this is short, we have been busy and I don't have much time, I hope all is well with you all! That everyone is getting into the Christmas season! I love you all a ton. See you soon.</div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-36507125140897215582017-11-20T09:28:00.000-08:002018-07-21T10:07:16.977-07:00November 20, 2017<b><u>From Mom - Hang on for the Ride:</u></b><br />
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Dear Elder <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span>,<br />
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You will be pleased to know we had a Pie Making Extravaganza at our house and our freezer now has 25 apple pies (and a few strawberry-rhubarb). Perfect for the winter months when we need our house to smell delicious and when we’re in the mood to eat something warm and yummy. </div>
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The lady you see in the back ... her name is Tonia Rice. She’s new in our ward along with her family. Her son, Kylan, is the same age as Sam and it’s been fun for Sam to have someone to go through the missionary steps with. Kylan is going to Paris, France and enters the MTC on the same day as Sam. We’ve enjoyed having another family in our ward in Calmar. </div>
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In other news, Ben passed his driver’s test and can legally drive now. We went early for the road test so he could practice around Millet and while making a u-turn, got stuck in a snowy patch. We could not get out despite Ben and Abby pushing, throwing sand under the tires (we were on a slight slope). I finally said, “if we can’t get out in the next two minutes, I’ll have to call the registry to say we can’t make the test!” In a last ditch effort, and a silent prayer, we looked in the trunk and found a bag of gravel Dad put in for weight. We dumped a bunch of that under the tires and it did the trick and we got to the registry in time for the test. Phew! (I don’t have a picture. Too stressed at the time. Haha.)</div>
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THEN, on Saturday, we were so happy to send Ben on his own to the dump. He got there and promptly locked the keys in the truck while it was running. (*face palm*) I just told him it’s all part of having your license. “Live and learn, Ben. Live and learn.” Dad was a hero and unlocked the truck with a coat hanger. The best thing about this story, is that Dad went to rescue Ben with no idea how to help (we don’t have extra keys), but he went anyway and was able to solve the problem. We love our Dad!</div>
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We’ve been having fun in the snow. The water in our dug out in the back has frozen solid and the girls have been building crazy carpet runs off the berm. I hope this little video comes through ...</div>
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It is so fun. Even I went out and tried it a few times, promptly wiping out and bruising my rear end. Worth it. <img alt="😉" data-goomoji="1f609" goomoji="1f609" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/e/1f609" style="margin: 0px 0.2ex; max-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle;" /></div>
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One fun surprise this week was spending some time with Shemona. She moved out about four months after you left and we’ve hardly heard from her since. We miraculously were able to get in contact with her through the WhatsApp app and happened to be in Edmonton on her 20th birthday, so we went out together and she helped me shop for pies. </div>
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You know, Grandpa always says, “Life is a rush so hang on for the ride.” More and more I’m seeing this is true, especially if we want to grasp hold of “every good thing.” Sometimes (or maybe always) we need time to ponder what is most important and do that thing. By the way, my personal study is still going well. I had a bit of a lull when I finished one Book of Mormon and starting another. I wrote this in the front cover of my new one,</div>
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<i>Let is not be content with where we are, but neither let us be discouraged. As a simple but thoughtful hymn urges us, “Take time to be Holy, the world rushes on; spend time in secret with Jesus alone.”</i></div>
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I decided that my new course of study would be “spending time in secret with Jesus alone” with a special focus on Holiness. In last Conference D. Todd Christofferson said, </div>
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<i>If</i> we <i>yearn to dwell in Christ and have Him dwell in us, then holiness is what we seek <u>in both body and spirit</u>. We seek it in the temple wherein is inscribed <b>Holiness to the Lord.</b> ... We seek it even in the details of daily living: our speech, our dress, our thoughts.”</i></div>
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I was/am intrigued by this idea of holiness in every thought and deed and wondered about a spiritual challenge for myself, which is, if I spend time alone with the Saviour every morning, I can’t help but be influenced positively with more light, knowledge and holiness. And be default, it’s an enabling power, which spreads that light to others. Pretty awesome how the Lord works with us as we turn to Him. </div>
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I’ve been enjoying pictures sent to me by Kaz Forbes, which gives me the impression that ward members love you dearly. Ha! And they should be, because you’re fantastic. I love that you’ve made eternal connections because of your mission. You have a month to go. Keep studying your scriptures every morning and making that spiritual lifeline a priority. With that, the Lord can take your knowledge and experience and help you with enthusiasm and energy in these last few weeks. </div>
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Love you forever,</div>
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Mom</div>
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P.S. Our pets deserve a small part in this email since they give us a lot of laughs. </div>
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<b><u>From Josh - Flights and Anticipation:</u></b></div>
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Well I got my flight itinerary... and wow was it a punch to the gut. I have learned that my imagination is pretty active and the fact that now I know what time I will be home really got to me, thankfully I have been able to put it off of my mind so far and focus on the work, I love seeing here and the more time I spend with the members here, the more I want to leave the area in the best way I can, they all have a confidence and a trust in us as missionaries, a few of the members here know when I am going home and like to tease me with how little time I have nevertheless I am still focused.<br />
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Something that was pretty cool this week was when we were in the second hour of church one of the investigators that we have struggled to get in contact with walked in and it was super exciting because he has really wanted to change and we were about to write him off as someone who had dropped off the band wagon, thankfully he came and we are excited to continue teaching him. His name is Abe Cena and recently there was a car crash that killed a member of another ward that one of his family was involved in... so he went to the funeral and felt such a feeling of calm and forgiveness their that he wanted to learn more, the missionaries of that ward got in contact with us and as we thought him we found such a humility there that he truly wanted to feel more peace that came from the spirit, so I am super happy that he showed up and that we will be able to continue to help him towards lasting peace.</div>
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Just yesterday I was able to attend a Face to Face Broadcast with Dallin H Oaks and M Russell Ballard, it was super amazing and would highly recommend it if you haven't watched it yet they were able to answer some tough questions that people struggle with and I learned a lot. a thought I got from one of the answers Elder Oaks gave was that if you get an impression to do something that you don't want to do, and that thing is good then that is probably the spirit telling you to do it. It was in answer to the question "How can you tell the difference between your own feelings and the spirit" and throughout it they give further insight. </div>
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I have been feeling so much of the spirit these past few days and I tie it directly with my studies and diligence in reading the Book of Mormon, during sacrament meeting just before the sacrement hymn I looked over at the people who were to say the blessings and break the bread and realized that there was only one priest up their and as soon as I noticed I felt the spirit smack me in the face that I needed to go up there at that moment. So I did, and it was just in time for the sacrament hymn. That really was super refreshing, I am sooooo thankful that I am worthy and ready to serve and to participate in the ordinances and while I read the blessing on the water I had a sense of its great sacredness and power. I am grateful for everything in this church and have been receiving so many witnesses of its truth. </div>
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Well on the more temporal feel of life, I am pretty much out of money, my budget plan pretty much jumped right out the window and now I am down and out, I think I bought milk and carrots this week... Luckily I still have some food in the fridge... looks like it Ramen noodles and leftovers next week. </div>
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In other news, Its all about enduring to the end, with my mission, my companion... and my clothes, some of my cloths are so thread bare that they are see through, so for now I am working on using up the rest of my good pants... hopefully they will last till I come home...</div>
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Anyway I love you all, if you have questions feel free to ask! </div>
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Now for some pictures.</div>
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Elder Lorensen.</div>
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My zone.</div>
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Us! </div>
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Light the world christmas campaign is coming!!!!!! make sure to tune in on November 24! </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-40855684077624006472017-11-13T09:10:00.000-08:002018-07-21T10:07:10.040-07:00November 13, 2017<u><b>From Dad - A Temple Week:</b></u><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hi </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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We had a wonderful week this week taking Sam to the temple for the first time. He looked fantastic all dressed in white and I am so proud of you, Sam and Steph for choosing to enter into eternal covenants with the Lord and receive those great and marvelous promises of the endowment. I imagine if we all stopped to think about it for a few minutes we could identify times when we have experienced that endowment of power we received in the temple. I believe that if we remember it more and have faith in the Savoir's ability and willingness to bless us because of this choice to covenant with him, we would see even greater miracles in our lives.</div>
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Sam got laid off this last week and so has been able to drive the kids around a bit. On Friday, he got Cody and took the girls to meet Ben after school and went to the Movies and saw the latest Thor movie. After they left, Mom and I looked around and realized we had the house to our-self for 6 hours! So we had an in house date and it was awesome. We made an amazing meal together and watched a fun movie on Netflix and ate some of the girl's Halloween candy. I sure love your Mother and hope you and Sam and Ben can find someone like her who loves the gospel and listens to the Lord.</div>
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Sam has decided to try out Dungeons and Dragons with some of his free time and he has been helping all the kids create characters as well as Cody. D&D always has had a bit of a reputation but I think it is a fun way for the kids to interact with each other and is more interactive than video games. All things in their proper balance and life is good. I actually played D&D a few times with junior high friends. It's an old game.</div>
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Ben is getting into full Musical Theater mode as they have to spend from 2-8 pm every day and 4 hours on Saturdays up until the performance in December. Too bad you'll just miss it. It is "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat". He absolutely loves musical theater (even more than basketball :|).</div>
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Abby and Mia continue to grow up and you are going to be shocked I think at how much they've grown and matured. Circle of life keeps turning. They are enjoying the snow and we even have a skating rink on our very own dug out! Life is good!</div>
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I've been pondering a lot lately about the power of good habits and have been thinking how I need to develop some more of them! Specifically I'm working to bring back reading the Book of Mormon daily into my life. As you and Mom have mentioned, I find that it brings a purpose and direction into my day that is missing otherwise. I also really enjoyed D&C 76 a couple of mornings ago as I pondered on the great mercy of the Lord. We are are religion that believes that 99.9999% of the Lord's children will go to Heaven and receive a degree of glory! Of course healthy eating and exercising habits always top the list of wanting to improve, but still sporadic there. </div>
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It comes back to the principle that when desires come up against self-discipline, desires always win. So the solution is to change our desires... but how do we do that? Elder Ballard suggests that this can be done with the help of and as a gift of the spirit. So I need to change my true desires from the cravings for sugar and my favorite foods and comfortable desk job to desires for health and strength and increased energy and mobility. I guess I know what I'll be praying for if I want to do this!</div>
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Keep sprinting to the end, my beloved son. You are doing a great work, not the least of which is building your self into a man of God.</div>
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Question for the week: </div>
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<b>What habits have you developed on your mission that you hope to carry forward when you come home?</b></div>
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Love,</div>
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Dad.</div>
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<b><u>From Josh - Missionary shenanigans:</u></b></div>
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So President Henrie is either a genius or a little crazy, my new companion Elder Lorensen is an older missionary in fact he goes home the transfer after me, Pro's and Con's to this companionship....<br />
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Pro's </div>
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We both know pretty well what we are doing.</div>
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We both have been through enough companion's that we know how to First adapt to each other's teachings styles, and Second learn to get along despite our differences. </div>
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We both can work together and have a lot of experiences to share and knew a lot of the same people, so never a lull in conversation. </div>
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Con's </div>
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We are both trying not to think about home, but both are losing fire, I am doing my best to keep trucking on, it is difficult with so little time on my mind. </div>
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Well other then that not too much, that is the biggest one. </div>
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One of the cool experiences of this week happened today, we were heading to email but a potential investigator had said that the only time she had was today at 10 so we went over. </div>
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She had previously implied that Her husband would be able to show us a thing or two about the bible... and also that her dad had converted to christianity from mormonism... a few things that a missionary who just wants to help people come to Christ does not want to hear, but we said we would come by so we went fully expecting a bash session that would probably last 2 hours (that is how long they usually go for) My companion came fully ready for a bash, he brought his quad with so many sticky notes and book marks that you could not see the pages. Needless to say, we were prepared. So we walked in not knowing what to expect, and we sat down and her husband asked what our purpose was as missionaries, and we told him that we were to help others come unto Christ, and we started sharing how after centuries of being lost the fullness of the gospel has been brought back by a living prophet. We talked about Christ and his setting up the original church and talked about how it was lost and brought back, we testified of the truths and simplicity of the gospel and after we asked if they had any questions, it was interesting because this ladies husband didn't bash us he just said that it was pretty interesting, because the bashing question came from the lady, she asked why we think that we can add to the bible with the Book of Mormon, and I saw a gleam in my companion's eye and he started whipping out the Bible, I didn't want to get into anything too deep so I just simply testified of Gods love for all his children and how he wanted to speak to all his children. Elder Lorensen was super awesome and came in clutch with the spirit and used the scriptures to explain the reality that God speaks in all ages, and explained what Revelation 22:18-19 meant using also Dueteronamy 4:2 to explain that God simply wants his gospel and his teachings unmixed with error after that we testified of the truth of the Book of Mormon and gave them a copy. </div>
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Other then that this week has been a little bit of a drag, we have been really trying to get out and find people but not too many people are that receptive, we had a ward scout fundraiser it was a big luau and the young women of the ward did a hula dance, and the scouts did the haka which was hilarious, we were able to help set up and had a good time meeting people and eating the food. </div>
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It is weird how the spirit works... its been directing me recently like a wave pool, when i am in a place where I don't need to be (not that its a bad place its just not where I am needed at that moment) I don't feel the spirit, and I keep thinking that I am not a good missionary... then the thought comes to move to a different area, and I know exactly where i need to be as soon as the spirit comes flooding back. I think the spirit works differently with each one of us, to guide and direct our paths, it may not be a loud voice... though I have heard its voice before... but mostly it is a quiet feeling. It comes in feelings of peace, love and calm, it speaks through other people and helps us to understand truth, I am grateful for the knowledge that we have of the reality of God being able to speak to all of us individually through personal revelations... a lot of people we talk to don't have that and are very confused.</div>
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Habits that I have developed as a missionary has helped me to grow closer to God then ever before, a few of the habits that I have developed is reading in the scriptures, i would love to keep that going because there is so much more to learn then just on the surface layer, there is symbolism and analogies, parables and doctrine, I want to maintain a habit of personal study everyday. </div>
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Another habit I would like to keep would be to wake up early and exercise, I have woken up early pretty much my whole life (thanks mom and dad! But seriously... thank you) The one thing I lacked was a steady habit of exercise, after exercising I have a lot more energy then before and it prepares me for the day. </div>
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Another thing would be maintaining healthy eating... this isn't so much a habit I have formed on my mission (Its kind of hard sometimes as a missionary) but I would like to develop it <u>because</u> of my mission. </div>
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I love you all so much tell everyone that I love them and can't wait to see them. </div>
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Love <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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P.S.</div>
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Sorry I don't have any pictures this week I am emailing at a place where I can't plug any pictures in. </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-29838227763312861552017-11-09T13:17:00.000-08:002018-07-21T10:07:02.595-07:00November 9, 2017Mid week surprise message from a member in California. Jen posted this on Instagram:<br />
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Dear Elder Smith,<br />
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Sometimes I sit back amazed at how quickly time is flying! I am reminded of a visit I had with Sue Bolan, shortly before she passed away. She expressed some regret for actions in her early life and was a little worried she would have to meet her maker soon. We talked about the power of the Atonement and the gift of repentance and how she was on the right path. I asked her if she could live her life again, what is one thing she would change? She thought for a moment and answered,<br />
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“I would make every day matter.”<br />
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It’s an idea I think about often. How does a person make every day matter? I suppose a simplified answer includes living worthy to be guided by the Holy Ghost. If we lived every day with awareness of the Holy Ghost’s guiding influence and acted accordingly, our days would matter. Then those days would string together to form weeks and months of true Living. I love this idea!<br />
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We had a busy and eventful week. Halloween was Tuesday and we discovered the country generosity for handing out treats. Here was my Instagram post of the day...<br />
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It was a fun Halloween despite Abby’s sickness. We went to Devon afterwards and spent the evening with the Driessen’s so Mia could trick-or-treat with Emma, who was a Dice as well. Get it? Pair of dice? They were so cute! Dad handed out candy to about 20 kids. It was chilly and started to snow after we came in and woke up to this ...<br />
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So winter gently came and it’s here to stay.<br />
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It’s just so gorgeous living out in the country although the roads are terrible. I just want to stay in all the time. Ben is scheduled to take his driver’s test on November 16. I’ll never know why we waited until winter came. He is enjoying school and doing well academically, involved in musical theatre and choir. He’s busy. We just had a specialist appointment where they sent a scope up his nose and we found out everything is healthy ... his congestion is due to some inflammation which is easily remedied (apparently).<br />
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Sam is working his last week this week. He will be glad to be done with Classic and he’s happy he has all his mission money. He still has immunizations to do and we’re planning to go to the temple on Saturday for his endowments. It feels like serious déjà vu from two years ago when we were preparing for you to go. Capital City Gymnastics asked him to do some coaching up until he leaves and he’s pretty happy about that. He misses his training and now he will be able to do it for free.<br />
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Dad is dad ... the same steady guy who keeps us taken care of always. I’ve been feeling extra grateful for him lately. He works hard, his income pays the bills and keeps us fed, he jokes and laughs and keeps us smiling, he works to keep himself worthy of the priesthood and blesses us with spiritual guidance, he helps out around the house and fixes our vehicles. I’m a lucky girl. And I’m also a lucky mom because my sons are turning out just like him.<br />
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In this picture, he’s reading a book called Rules For a Knight. I think you would like this one. Which reminds me ... Rob and Naomi Burton asked me if I would direct Liber Youth Retreat this year. I agreed to as it seemed the only way to keep it going ( it was cancelled last year), so be prepared to help out if you can! They will plan it alongside me but they won’t be able to be there in person in August, but our family will be there making sure it runs smoothly.<br />
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We also agreed to prepare a family Christmas number for the stake Christmas event as well as organize the music for the ward Christmas party. With Ben’s piano playing, Mia’s ukulele, Abby’s singing, Sam’s guitar playing, we should be able to put something together. Wish us luck!<br />
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How is your personal study going?<br />
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I finished my B of M and will be starting again with the challenge of becoming more Holy. I don’t even know what that means, but I’m looking forward to finding out! I love, love, love the spiritual strength that comes from dedicating mornings to developing that relationship with God. It really does magnify and affect the moments of every day.<br />
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Tell us a teaching story from this week!<br />
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Have you decided what you are doing with your bike?<br />
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Are your shoes holding up?<br />
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Know that we love and pray for you always. We’re so proud of you.<br />
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Love forever,<br />
Mom<br />
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<b><u>From Josh - Six weeks to do everything.</u></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Well looks like I have made it to my final transfer on my mission, I never thought this day would come, and it kind of makes me nervous to think that I will be doing a lot of "lasts" as a missionary, we will see how it goes, I am going to be getting an awesome companion this transfer, though I have no clue what we will talk about, he is into hunting and fishing and outdoor sports... well I don't relate too much because I am more of an indoor person, but hey! we will figure it out. I am going to be serving in this ward for the last few weeks of my time and for that I am kind of grateful, I won't have to lose the fire by not knowing the area or being in a different place with a new comp. So I get to keep working with these amazing people. This last week we have had a lot of good opportunities to teach and to share this message and also a lot of rejection, teaching in a trio is a lot more interesting then teaching as a duo, it takes a lot of comp unity. We honestly don't get much opportunity to teach in this area, at least impromptu teaching moments, we recently have been teaching a young women, her name is Mikayla Soucy, she is the daughter of someone I recently helped to baptize, we have been helping to gain a testimony of the truth of our message and so far she is receptive, she is 11 years old though so she has trouble focusing, we have had to keep our lessons short and to her level, it has been fun to see what ways we can make the lessons fun and exciting, including hand gestures, pictures and questions... I am grateful that I can have the spirits help in teaching because I am not the most eloquent of speakers and the spirit does a pretty good job at filling in the gaps. </span><br />
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I have been delving into the Old Testament recently and trying to get through the standard works before i finish... I got to around the 5th book of moses before I felt I should stop going deep into the Old Testament and focus more of my studies concerning the Book of Mormon and New testament, even though the Old Testament is super interesting and I have gained such an appreciation of its intricacies and prophecies of Christ, but I feel the spirit much more when I read the New Testament and The Book of Mormon, I have been reading the Book of Mormon everyday, and there was a day this week that I missed, all throughout that day I was struggling to feel guided and directed by the spirit and the next day after reading the Book of Mormon I felt much more confident in the abilities God has given me.</div>
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Recently we have been getting bashed on the topic of becoming like God, Elder Rather put it a in a good context, a lot of people looking in see all our beliefs from the perspective of or in comparison to their beliefs. When comparing our beliefs to theirs it can seem like night and day (Which is interesting as we consider the apostasy and restorations as night and day as well) But going back to the main point, I believe that God wants us to become like Him, to live up to our full potentials, and what an enabling power and understanding. If God wants us to become as He is, then that should drive us to develop more self control, more respect towards our fellow man, more love towards our enemies, greater compassion and charity, deeper love for nature, more drive to learn and grow our talents. I loved Jeffrey R Hollands talk on how God has not given us a commandment that he doesn't keep himself, so in expressly giving us a commandment and even new commandments He is inadvertently telling us that we should become more like Him day to day. </div>
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I love you all so much, I am doing my best to be the missionary that God wants me to be, I fall short a lot of the time but I am grateful for the redeeming power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, I am trying to follow his example and my invitation would be to all just to try the same, we can always do a little less of something bad and do a little more of something good, look for opportunities to improve, ask God to chasten you to bring you to a remembrance of your duties, I hope that after all is said and done that we will all meet triumphant in the kingdom of our God. </div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>.</div>
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-When we join the dark side and become sith lords.</div>
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-Halloween I dressed up as a bike missionary, Elder Rather dressed up as a new missionary, and Elder Erickson dressed up as Dan Jones one of the greatest missionaries in this dispensation.</div>
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-Zone pumpkin carving</div>
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-The state of my shoe at this time... but all in all its holding together. </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-79407102267803258292017-10-30T12:39:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:06:40.935-07:00October 30, 2017<b><u>From Dad - Sam's an Elder!:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hi </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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Hope your having a great week. Loved hearing about your adventures as a trainer and District Leader. Missions are great training grounds for life and we love it that your facing each new experience with faith.</div>
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We had a wonderful week-end this week. On Saturday, Abby, Ben and I went down to Red-deer to watch Lindy sing in a an all Alberta choir. It was fantastic music and we met Grandma and Grandpa <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span> there along with Auntie Liz and Rachel.</div>
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Sunday was Stake Conference, and we enjoyed inspirational messages and joyfully sustained Sam in his recommendation to become an Elder. After the meetings we met in a room with the Rice family (Kylan is Sam's age and going to the Paris France mission the same day as Sam) and ordained both to the Melchizedek Priesthood.</div>
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I'm so proud and pleased with my sons and their righteous desires.</div>
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We also enjoyed a fun "Trunk or Treat" and Chili cookoff with the ward. Candy time! Abby and I threw together a chili 15 min before leaving. It was pretty good, but we didn't win a prize. Fun to participate though.</div>
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The other day, Ben and I encountered 3 moose on the road home. It was quite a sight. We were so excited we turned around to get a closer picture and just about drove them to distraction as we were right by some elk fencing and they couldn't get away. Just glad we didn't hit them!</div>
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Ever since conference, I've been inspired to take more time in the book of Mormon and I've enjoyed the insights and answers I've found there. I was pondering about baptism the other day and wondering why such a simple physical act could be so vitally important in one's salvation and wondering that it could possibly be something that would keep someone out of the Celestial Kingdom even after this life. I also pondered on why if it was so vital, little children didn't need it at least after this life if their spirits grow up. So I studied in depth 2 Nephi 31 and found some amazing insights into baptism and re-enforced my understanding and testimony of this vital ordinance.</div>
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I attached a picture of my study sheet for your preusal and thoughts.</div>
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Make it a great week, son. You are amazing and loved and prayed for.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Dad.</div>
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<b><u>From Josh - Another week full of Adventure:</u></b></div>
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It goes by too fast, week by week it is almost overwhelming, I have been learning a ton about myself and I have to say I have a lot to improve on yet... God has helped me with so much, one thing I need to focus on that I have learned is dedication and diligence, If I focus my efforts on there work I can more fully accomplish it. One of my most recent struggles has been staying awake during studies, some of those studies can be pretty invigorating and others are just a struggle.<br />
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I think I know a little of why, I have been reading the Old Testament lately and right now I am in the book of Numbers. It is kind of boring going through the Old Testament, but I have been able to broaden my understanding and learning about the Old Testament has actually helped me appreciate the New Testament more, because It helps me to see all the Laws and ordinances that Jesus keeps perfectly while he is on the earth. I would recommend a thorough study of it to those who want to truly appreciate the goings on in the New Testament, and even understanding the Laws the Nephites lived before Christ came could be really beneficial for appreciating all they worked through. </div>
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I have been having a fun time with both Elder Rather and Elder Erickson, something I am constantly reminded of as I learn from them is how mature and how immature you can be as an 18 year old, I am reminded of a lot of my crazy moments back home, and I have to say I am still a lot of the same person as when I left but with all the experiences I have been through I am more of me then I used to be if that makes any sense. I have put off a lot of the foolishness I had when I came out and I have adopted many things I have seen in a lot of my companions, I have a greater confidence in myself as well as God and I have seen many things that I still struggle with that I can't wait to work on in the future. </div>
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The other day we were invited to do a mall booth by our zone leaders and we accepted, so we went and stood at a set up table to represent to everyone the church and to talk to those around the mall. Pretty soon after we got there two younger guys walked up to us one in a black sleeveless shirt and the other in a red polo shirt, they started off the conversation with us by asking, "what is the Gospel to you?" and we told them we believed that it was Christs teachings, and It all boiled down to 5 things Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by emersion, receiving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the end. I could tell they were getting ready to bash us because my heart started beating, and adrenaline pumped into my vains, nevertheless I took a deep breath and tried to look calm... I could tell that this would be a long night. After we stated baptism the guy in the black shirt stated a grace scripture from Galatians and said that we were trying to work our way to heaven by the act of baptism, we reassured them that we indeed believed in grace that it was impossible to achieve heaven of our own works, he stated then a scripture in 2 Nephi "we are saved by grace, after all we can do" and continued the argument that we were working our way to heaven, we tried not to argue with them instead we would agree with those things that were true and disagree with that which was not true, but these guys were determined to pick a fight they brought up becoming like God, they brought up our beliefs on Christ, they brought up many different things distracting our purpose until we had to pack up and leave, over all it was a complete waist of their time and ours, afterwords they stated that they were simply concerned for our souls and wanted us to come back to Christ, and I called them out and told them that they had come up in the spirit of contention and we had come to simply spread a message of peace, we told them that the spirit of contention was not of Christ and we left, they then promised to come back next time, it was kind of frustrating but all in all I am grateful for that experience because it caused me to think and to consider on those things that were true, through prayer and study I was able to strengthen my testimony. </div>
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I have learned on my mission that it is the hard times that have allowed me to learn the most so I embrace them, I pray for those trials that will help me to grow the most, I pray for humility and I ask for chastizement because the greatest thing I have learned about myself is that I am in constant need of improvement, that I have so much to learn.</div>
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Another experience this happened to us just yesterday, we were walking down the street and a man driving by start screaming at us to stop preaching and to get a life and a few other things that we couldn't understand and probably wouldn't be worth repeating, we just shook our heads and let it slide, it happens consistantly enough not to let it get to us, but this lady came out of her house who we had just talked to and apologised for that guy doing that, she said that it just wasn't right and told us to have a good day. Simply that comment restored my faith somewhat in humanity, there are good people out there, and it also enphasized to me the importance of the little things that when we do small things for eachother we don't know the impact it may have. May we never be "weary in well doing" </div>
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I love you all so much, remember if you would like details about my life then all you have to do is ask more detailed questions. </div>
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I am healthy and happy, learning more and more each day, I love being a missionary, and I hope to serve with greater dedication this last transfer I have. Next time I email it will be within my last transfer as a missionary so that is pretty crazy! I will keep that out of my mind for now.</div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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Trying on suits at macy's </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb1xBoUbKkhUzu_XAFIhaHvRUNsapQWK6Se454kag32zT8UHDGvC87vEuQSqtjSciQG3i2fqZe9C6ETrFMAuX74siFu6nA9bjxQzRtnVS2daKGEY7ANAZMbjTeZMt2K2-2D_PHRDOdaM/s1600/Oct30-4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOb1xBoUbKkhUzu_XAFIhaHvRUNsapQWK6Se454kag32zT8UHDGvC87vEuQSqtjSciQG3i2fqZe9C6ETrFMAuX74siFu6nA9bjxQzRtnVS2daKGEY7ANAZMbjTeZMt2K2-2D_PHRDOdaM/s320/Oct30-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All of my food I had left before today. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ0hVXDUPSllAnFRoZ1KQSEfs1nuG8v5HIfmgOnnnNTam1wjnzuDNHx5dA7nUfPeZd5aXG-Rq7qZcfGO1ymrWuWrbLWTrFX6Vjc-qf9Jwa9zQfW4R3KX1nutptgr6C2DTNMhZq58cDd0/s1600/Oct30-5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZ0hVXDUPSllAnFRoZ1KQSEfs1nuG8v5HIfmgOnnnNTam1wjnzuDNHx5dA7nUfPeZd5aXG-Rq7qZcfGO1ymrWuWrbLWTrFX6Vjc-qf9Jwa9zQfW4R3KX1nutptgr6C2DTNMhZq58cDd0/s320/Oct30-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Elder Erickson deposating his check after being reenbersed by the church for all his clothes he needed for this mission. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HMXyq08em5tgR5FzA5ZOOmdYHM4K1vP8_rhKhobTXh0LPE8A_GcQpYwrZufODWNFxWLqlAkcfvV2l3Ku-G94tzXutwhpreJcvh_joJ-qRG8_3diXPmBy4EVjgI0SkrIC2TRHGwbpyZw/s1600/Oct30-6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6HMXyq08em5tgR5FzA5ZOOmdYHM4K1vP8_rhKhobTXh0LPE8A_GcQpYwrZufODWNFxWLqlAkcfvV2l3Ku-G94tzXutwhpreJcvh_joJ-qRG8_3diXPmBy4EVjgI0SkrIC2TRHGwbpyZw/s320/Oct30-6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-79419916690526171032017-10-23T12:34:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:06:30.502-07:00October 23, 2017<b><u>From Mom - The Holy Ghost:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I had the realization this week that I have one son who is serving a first world community with all the challenges of riches and pride and another son going to a third world country with all the challenges of poverty. Polar opposites. But you know what? You are serving in California because your talents are needed there and Sam is going to Zambia because his talents are needed there. Also, the Gospel and the Atonement is the answer for all our challenges, regardless of place and circumstances. It’s pretty awesome how that works.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We just returned from Lethbridge where we witnessed Autumn’s baptism and baby Holly’s blessing. Mark and Shannon’s family is growing and we loved spending time with them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_M2MuMU2a0tXtyBBKcoSD8LBNocE4h-FrF9LvLAXZjIFzNeJ7kgNt1MyEBbDwwcmHuR520VYUEq3OS0IdvZ4DYyjjU_a7O2bi0KVp5nXDqGSMuU-L9ku63TWjOilS1dy9NLK7lwH6IOw/s1600/Oct23-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_M2MuMU2a0tXtyBBKcoSD8LBNocE4h-FrF9LvLAXZjIFzNeJ7kgNt1MyEBbDwwcmHuR520VYUEq3OS0IdvZ4DYyjjU_a7O2bi0KVp5nXDqGSMuU-L9ku63TWjOilS1dy9NLK7lwH6IOw/s320/Oct23-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">(It was a little windy in Lethbridge.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6J4n1VY3YH8PXdMFev1eP31Bn3rxwu0W_tf9bjr4ZOJ_ylHnVsK8MvETWMJCKwjnmpX-3m6R4rApWzkY2SyypTc_m0MK6kfVriWmYCChZy6cJMFPvzy2zn1v74YRFkK2oCvY9-yf-8I/s1600/Oct23-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6J4n1VY3YH8PXdMFev1eP31Bn3rxwu0W_tf9bjr4ZOJ_ylHnVsK8MvETWMJCKwjnmpX-3m6R4rApWzkY2SyypTc_m0MK6kfVriWmYCChZy6cJMFPvzy2zn1v74YRFkK2oCvY9-yf-8I/s320/Oct23-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mia got a ball to the face while playing dodgeball with the cousins. After her bloody nose was cleaned up, she held baby Holly to make her feel better.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL9f3WRxnE-MiX1MgXOYOWCM5jUz4t4FOP29YtwzpQA1fAI6XAOYir1D76e6ZwBzeToN9gsYDAbNV7sjhNynRfhOxy8-AZFOl88SkMgEfUcfpGBil0zArL3TyBCS86Co6WWlDLgQOt_o/s1600/Oct23-3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL9f3WRxnE-MiX1MgXOYOWCM5jUz4t4FOP29YtwzpQA1fAI6XAOYir1D76e6ZwBzeToN9gsYDAbNV7sjhNynRfhOxy8-AZFOl88SkMgEfUcfpGBil0zArL3TyBCS86Co6WWlDLgQOt_o/s320/Oct23-3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sam and I had a chance to visit with Great Grandpa and Grandpa. They are hanging in there despite many health challenges. Great Grandpa told Sam that he would see him in two years but many are hoping he will graduate to the next life before then as his body is weak and failing. They are still supportive and loving as ever though and have left a powerful legacy of hope and charity.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmsjnlE58Ky9RGdGKfcPk5WJg-yBbnF4-KTgb6GlCSe6DyLnXBCRpgKTL5KTr2aun4TgGY78pwusj5eFxGu_efH1_izqJ5zF7FlhHVrLS9i3RGCJ1CBI05HneMZGP2ywGE6ymGG3SK0U/s1600/Oct23-4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmsjnlE58Ky9RGdGKfcPk5WJg-yBbnF4-KTgb6GlCSe6DyLnXBCRpgKTL5KTr2aun4TgGY78pwusj5eFxGu_efH1_izqJ5zF7FlhHVrLS9i3RGCJ1CBI05HneMZGP2ywGE6ymGG3SK0U/s320/Oct23-4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sam and I went to Utah last weekend and basically repeated the same thing you and I did two years ago. So fun to get all the stuff for his mission and see Steph.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIciZsLX3FCr2p5hIt8ikqsjCTfkztyjeuDJrXK9N7yPHLiPypuyx1jbVpgI0NPwV7zHBDs-oAMdIDNys3FQwHsFvZ7UdNFx1LfIlEox8i2oCoeBbW4CcjoOa_ePP_0_ZPeQ9EOt1VI-M/s1600/Oct23-5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIciZsLX3FCr2p5hIt8ikqsjCTfkztyjeuDJrXK9N7yPHLiPypuyx1jbVpgI0NPwV7zHBDs-oAMdIDNys3FQwHsFvZ7UdNFx1LfIlEox8i2oCoeBbW4CcjoOa_ePP_0_ZPeQ9EOt1VI-M/s320/Oct23-5.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The most important thought I’ve had this week is about the power of the Holy Ghost. When we live worthy of His companionship and seek it out, it magnifies every aspect of our lives. We serve more effectively, our humility increases, we are inspired to act in ways the natural man doesn’t, our desires change to something better. When I look back on my week and see the pictures, I can’t help but feel such gratitude for a God who loves us and blesses us as we strive to live his commandments. Dad and I often say that you (and all our children) are our greatest blessing in life. We love you and cherish you.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Keep working hard and seeking inspiration for your mission until that last moment and then come home with all your knowledge to apply to the rest of your life. We pray for you and are so proud of everything. I’m excited for the debrief in December!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love to you forever,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mom</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2NNSyYjUZwGcWlSOiexscLB9U-2jWrtTXpcx1yaOa5dBvZ7eaZ-DOhy7yCxMC1Jx_o5R8o40o6G7cTGO2Q8KkoRKMVIGwxEBVQOPjPZdCwBMz83ueU58Haj2BtniXCyKMw8s3fzsjzI/s1600/Oct23-6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2NNSyYjUZwGcWlSOiexscLB9U-2jWrtTXpcx1yaOa5dBvZ7eaZ-DOhy7yCxMC1Jx_o5R8o40o6G7cTGO2Q8KkoRKMVIGwxEBVQOPjPZdCwBMz83ueU58Haj2BtniXCyKMw8s3fzsjzI/s320/Oct23-6.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">(Does the baby look a little desperate to you? Lol!)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Josh - Twists and Turns</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our week was pretty great, and a lot has happened, this week started out like normal and things are going pretty good, we have been biking a lot so that is fun getting used to that when we have a ton of hills in the area. </span><br />
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On Thursday as I was conducting district meeting president walked in which is always a little stressful as a district leader though he was only there to make an announcement that we would be receiving two missionaries from Madagascar and they would be coming the next day, we thought that was pretty cool, we then got a call later that night from the Assistants to president saying that our companionship had been selected to get one of them and that we were to be at the mission office at four the next day, we got pretty excited after that and looked forward to it with anticipation, then we were informed the next day that he had been delayed and would be arriving on Saturday so we had to change our plans, finally on Saturday we went to the office and picked up Elder Erickson the new addition</div>
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Both my companions are pretty amazing and I am glad to be serving with them, they are both in training and sometimes I forget what it was like so I have to catch myself sometimes when I expect them to do things they have never heard of before, so going back to their level has taught me a lot about patience. </div>
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In other news, I have been working on centering myself on the Book of Mormon and on following the spirit, I have been really trying to be in tune and focused on what the Lord wants me to do. In my last email I said that I was not too trunky and I am not in the way of thinking, but it seems like i get tired more easily and I am less motivated, i have been working hard to stay focused and dedicated to what i am doing and I know that if I trust in the Lord he will guide and direct my efforts.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLxbVm0AdLxfHdsLARHcw9whMHNsOQRYiW-StbMt3AYohj_UGlmLrwo8EwHVDcGlQbxoKMYZ23RhMM217AkYm_ZNsIoQaCHhdCd3lK9W4_h5SD_2urfAMk6kZjmTHtT764_gaPA7fd-k/s1600/Oct23-8.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLxbVm0AdLxfHdsLARHcw9whMHNsOQRYiW-StbMt3AYohj_UGlmLrwo8EwHVDcGlQbxoKMYZ23RhMM217AkYm_ZNsIoQaCHhdCd3lK9W4_h5SD_2urfAMk6kZjmTHtT764_gaPA7fd-k/s320/Oct23-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You would be proud of me for eating healthy... well at least until you know that this was pretty much the last of my food... good thing I got to go shopping today though end of the month budget gets pretty tight, no problems though, a member was super nice and payed for our food for us. So thankfully I still have some money left over to be used in next months budget. </div>
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I love you all so much, I am grateful for all the blessing we have, I have been hearing a lot of the 3rd world problems that is presented by Elder Erickson coming from Madagascar and its pretty sad, I am grateful to be free, I am grateful to be clean, I am grateful for my family, and for our prosperous living conditions, I am grateful that even though we weren't the richest we never went without, I am grateful for all of the tender mercies of the Lord and how he is always watching over us, I have made a lot of mistakes in life and I am overcome by the mercy that God gives to us his children, I am doing my best to help him in his work and its something I think we all are doing our best at.</div>
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One thing that the Lord keeps reminding me though is that I can always do something more, that no matter what I am doing I can do something more to help him and to help others, so in our busy lives always consider what you can be doing more, whether it is saying something nicer or giving a smile to someone random, maybe its thanking the cashier by the name on their name tag (one of my personal favorites) The moral is that in everything we are doing we can always be doing something more to "let [our] lights so shine...that they may see [our] good works and glorify [our] father in heaven" </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-30529552717968317702017-10-16T12:28:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:06:21.034-07:00October 16, 2017<b><u>From Josh What a week:</u></b><br />
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I have been thinking a lot about what I can do to be a better missionary, and the greatest difference I have seen in my missionary work is when I am dedicating myself to reading the Book of Mormon everyday and studying the scriptures, as a missionary you have access to a lot of revelation and understanding about the scriptures and I believe the Lord blessed you to see things you don't ordinarily see, I love delving into the scriptures and seeing all the rich treasures that they hold and I always feel an increased confidence when I am doing what is right and also spending times on things of the Lord. </div>
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We had stake conference yesterday and Elder Parrella of the seventy spoke, he talked about the importance of the youth, and he talked about how many good youth this stake had, and he made all fo them stand up telling everyone to see all the youth and he made a comment that struck me, he said "parents, leaders, everybody, we can't lose a single one of these youth, don't let it happen" He went on to talk about a survey that he saw about the youth, and one thing that stuck out to me was the the youth of today want "authenticity and transparency" that they desire people to be honest and sincere and I feel like I can do a lot better at that with the people around me.</div>
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A few more things that stuck out to me that stake conference was </div>
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"You are what you do, and you do what you choose. If you don't like what you are, then change what you do"</div>
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"Tell me the facts and I will learn, tell me the truth and I will believe, but tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever"</div>
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That last one is something that is so true, and I know it personally, I have fond memories of Dad telling us the adventures of the "Doll House" I love stories so much and I feel like I get a lot of my creativity from the stories told throughout my life.</div>
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I was thinking about it and I remember one of the greatest moments that I remember was one time when we were trying to fill up a bean jar with all the good things we did and when that bean jar was full we would be able to go to the movies, well the day came and a movie came out that we really wanted to see, but the bean jar was not full, and I remember Dad taking the bean jar and another thing full of beans and telling us that because we had fallen short we would not be able to go to the movies. Then he took the extra beans and poured them into the bean jar filling it to the top, and he said that because of the fall we all come up short but because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ he makes up the difference... I didn't think much about it at the time but it is one moment in my life that I treasure, because now I can't even remember the movie we went to watch but I remember the lesson learned. </div>
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We talked to this lady the other day who we approached and she was pretty friendly but kind of demeaning, she saw we were mormons and told us that she didn't believe the same things, in fact she believed that we were going to go to hell because we were mormon, curious I asked why she believed that, she said that we were adding to the bible by bringing up the Book of Mormon, and that it contradicted the bible... I asked her what was contradictory about it, but she brushed off the questions, we asked if she believed that God couldn't add anymore that he didn't have the power, she told us that she did believe he could add to it but that he hasn't, after jumping around a few issues to the next from the king james version being hard to read to telling us we needed to speak to one of her pastors. Finally knowing that we wouldn't be getting anywhere we went our separate ways, but it always troubles me to think that a lot of people are so blind to the truth that they aren't even willing to seek it out to test if its even the least bit true. </div>
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I had an experience where I was having a fun conversation with another missionary over which peanut butter was better, Canadien peanut butter or U.S. peanut butter, after some debate I encouraged this missionary to try it... my offer was denied, why? because they did not want a better peanut butter to ruin their opinion on American peanut butter. It boggled my mind that one would refuse something better for the sole reason that what they had would appear less amazing to them... Do we get into that rut sometimes? What are we fearing to try on the grounds that life won't be the same? are there risks that we are not taking on the grounds that our former life may seem less amazing as it seems to us now? What is holding us back from reaching our full potential? </div>
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As a district leader I get the opportunity to give trainings in district meeting... something that I found this week that was really fun was not giving a training but letting everyone discuss the topic at hand, Everyone that was there knew all the material I was using and so why would I try to put myself above? it reminded me of a discussion I had with another missionary in the past, where we thought about the difference between the gospel view and the world view, in the world Teachers and leaders should always be one step ahead of the student, know more then those they are teaching, and we figured that was a lot different then a gospel teacher should be. A gospel teacher should come just as willing to learn as the student, I am definitely not the smartest person in the world so I have so much to learn. </div>
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I am grateful for you all and love you more then anything! </div>
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I am eating as healthy as I can, me and Elder Rather have goals to be as fit as we can, so we have been hitting up the gym extra hard, and we have been walking and biking as much as we have opportunity to. The members are great in this ward and I wouldn't mind finishing up here, it is a real possibility and I am looking forward to all the opportunities to serve here. I love being a missionary, and I love serving with so many great people all around me. </div>
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I love you all and hope all is well. </div>
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-Me and Elder Rather taking a break on a curb</div>
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-Finished both large pizza's against all odds. </div>
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<b><u>From Dad - Missionaries:</u></b></div>
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Hi <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>,</div>
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Last night we were sitting around the front room watching home videos. These included many recorded by you and the boys and we roared with laughter over Bens burping and sound affects as well as episodes of "super glasses boy" etc. We also watched some family home screamings with Mia demanding her glass of milk as well as a Christmas morning when we surprised everyone with a new WII. </div>
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As we sat there watching, Ben turned to me and said "I miss <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>". And then a few minutes later, "I'm sure gonna miss Sam!" </div>
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Life is ever changing and we will never again have just the 8 of us sitting around a Christmas tree opening presents and squeaking and Sam shaking all over with joy after getting a new Bionicle. But that's ok. It's part of the plan. Just like you are having unique experiences with the wonderful people of California. Hope you are able to enjoy every minute with them. </div>
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Sam and Mom took a road trip to Utah to visit Steph and Tyler and to get all of Sams mission list. It is a tradition now to have Mom go on a trip with the next missionary to Utah. Maybe I'll do it with the girls! Though I'm not sure they want me picking their dresses out :)</div>
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Just realized I forgot to finish and send this. Sorry <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>. Double letters next week. </div>
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Sam and Mom got home safely and sam got all his mission supplies. He also got some good advice from the Pretes ( they own the Cardston bookstore ) as they served a couple mission in Zambia. The biggest advice was for Sam to fully immerse himself and not think of himself as a Canadian but rather as an African missionary for 2 years. Biggest reason Ishtar many of his companions will be from Africa and be so poor as to hardly comprehend he amazing advantages we have here. It will be a humbling and amazing experience for him. </div>
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This week the priests got to go to the foodbank and sort food for a service project. I really love having Ben in Proesrs quorum. He's so positive. </div>
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He was recognized as a youth community leader by an anonymous teacher and got to attend a mayors luncheon. While there he managed to both get his picture on the front page of the Leduc Rep and get his back pack stolen. </div>
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Sorry again for missing the send button this morning. </div>
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Have a great week regardless. Praying for you always. </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-27052604292030518182017-10-08T12:24:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:06:12.481-07:00October 8, 2017<b><u>From Josh <span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.6px;">Everybody thinks I am trunky...</span>:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Right around where I am at right now is where most missionaries get really missing home... and don't get me wrong I do miss home I am super excited to see everyone when I get back, but I am not really feeling it effect my mission, I love being here and love serving and working with so many good people.</span><br />
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I recently had the opportunity to help with two baptism's one for a lady named Ashleigh and one for a lady named Shelby, it was one of the more stressful weeks on my mission trying to set everything up in such a ways as to help them best... but with working with the ward and helping them keep strong we were able to bless them very much with that ordinance, I am grateful that I was able to be part of it. This whole transfer has been an interesting turn of events from the missionary that came out that I was meant to train going home, to those baptisms to getting a are companion, to general conference to zone conference and back to the apartment, its been a rush and I can hardly even keep track of all that has been going on, I am so blessed to be here and I am grateful for being able to see so many tender mercies of the Lord in this service.</div>
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I have been trying to be deep in the scriptures, Preach My Gospel talks about how your ability to teach by the scriptures is dependent on how much time you spend in them, and with the prophetic inspiration to read the Book of Mormon I have been finding continual peace in its pages, when I have missed a day or have not been as deep into the Book of Mormon I have felt a lot more week during the day, and I can't describe how easy it is to fall into my shortcomings after not reading, but when I take a few minutes during a lunch break and delve into them I can feel that steady spirit come back into my life and I am a lot more confident. </div>
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Elder Rather is my companion at this time, he is waiting for his Visa to go to India on his mission so I get to work with him during this time, he is pretty fun and we are having a blast! I love serving with a person I can be myself around, transfers are hard when a companion is struggling. </div>
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I am still in Seco Canyon! I have been here for five months and I am facing the prospect of going home from this ward, I definitely love being here, the people here are fun to be around and work is definitely getting done. That being the case I still miss the Tarzana ward that was one of my favorite area's because of the ward members there, the things I will miss most on my mission is all the wonderful people that I have met and developed relationships with. </div>
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I love you all so much, everything in my life is so amazing, God has blessed me so much with an amazing family and friends to help me in my life, I am truly grateful for all that i have been through. </div>
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love </div>
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-Elder Rather doing the dishes. </div>
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<b><u>From Mom - Thanksgiving:</u></b></div>
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Dear Elder <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span>,<br />
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It's Canadian Thanksgiving today! Happy Thanksgiving to you, my good son. You are definitely one of our big Thankfuls in more ways than one. We're thankful for your unwavering commitment to serving the Lord, for your kindness to so many people through letters and actions, for setting a powerful example to your siblings and for being such an integral part of our family. We love you so much!<br />
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Sam said while attending Conference, you felt strongly about staying until the very end of the mission. We support you in all your decisions and know that when you do your duty, blessings will follow. This means we shift to Plan B, if you still desire to attend BYU-Idaho, which is to bump your application to the spring term, which starts in April. This gives you three months to be at home, adjust to normal life, brush up academic skills to write the ACT on Feb 10, get a new wardrobe, be put to work around the acreage (haha), etc, etc. Plus, BYU-I will give you a much needed academic record for your future plans, whether you attend there in September or not. It's a good plan, I think, unless you have another one? And it takes pressure off so can can finish a focussed mission, which is important.<br />
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Also, just an FYI ... you have over $4000 left in your mission account, plus whatever you have in your school savings, plus over $3000 in a RESP savings account Dad and I started for you when you were little ... so you're in awesome financial shape for when you get home. A great start, really. It will pay for one spring semester and another year of school.<br />
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Accountability ... I have faithfully spent time in the scriptures every morning and dedicated myself to communicating with heaven since we emailed on September 5. What a difference it makes!! The biggest evidence I see that seeking out and connecting with the divine every day is the effect on my attitude. I'm absolutely more positive, less prideful, make better decisions, care more about people, serve better and more effectively, am receptive to and act better on spiritual promptings. I love it!<br />
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One quick experience ... I had the strange thought to stop at Wendy Francis' and offer to do some laundry for her. I did. She cried and explained her washer died, laundry was piling up and she was so discouraged. The washer fix has turned out to be complicated and expensive so I've been doing a load of laundry for her every time I go into Calmar.<br />
1) I don't think I would've had the prompting if I had neglected my study.<br />
2) I don't think I would've had the confidence to knock and offer such a strange service without the extra light and knowledge from the morning prayer and word of God.<br />
3) I don't think I would have the energy or stamina to add another chore without the added boost that scripture study and prayer gives me.<br />
Wendy is tearfully grateful. I've lightened her load, literally. It matters.<br />
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And that's just ONE example.<br />
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I adore and absolutely appreciate the cushion of the Gospel. A force field, really. A spring board for the day. A magnifier of sight, an expansion of talents, a stretcher of patience. I can't live without it, nor would I want to. It's an antidote for bitterness and cynicism. Much needed in today's world.<br />
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As for the week, we finished off our garden preservation by pickling beets, making delicious pumpkin soup and creating a huge Thanksgiving feast yesterday.<br />
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We had the Rectors, the Francis' and the Driessens ... 28 people packed in and it was delightful. We had our first snowfall (it didn't stay) and are busy buttoning up our property before the big freeze.<br />
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We're getting into our learning routine for the year, which means the ongoing screen battle is revived. On the days we eliminate screen time, life is infinitely better and more productive. It's a process.<br />
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Life is pretty darn good, in any case. So happy.<br />
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Questions for you to answer ...<br />
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•How is YOUR personal study going?<br />
•What is your relationship like with your mission president?<br />
•What happened to the bike you bought?<br />
•Are you eating your veggies?<br />
•Did you get the article I sent about The Fourth Missionary? Thoughts?<br />
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I love you forever!<br />
<br />
Mom</div>
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<b><u>From Josh Re: Thanksgiving</u></b></div>
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Mom,<br />
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Just to answer your questions real quick I will expound more upon my life in my other email. </div>
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My personal study is amazing, I can't get through my day without being centered on the scriptures, the other day I was sitting in my bed at the end of the night and I was reading from the old testament, and I just felt an emptiness almost and a craving to just read from the New Testament or the Book of Mormon because they put things a lot more simply and straight forward doctrinally than anything else, I am truly grateful for the restored gospel.</div>
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I love my mission president, president Henrie is pretty connected to the spirit and I have finally humbled myself enough to see that, I used to not like him very much but he has grown on me a lot.</div>
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I am still using the bike that I bought, especially since president is encouraging using bikes more and more. I don't know what I will do with it, probably try to sell it to a missionary coming in or give it to the mission. I am unsure as of yet. </div>
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I am eating my veggies as much as I can, I usually have two salads a week for lunches and eat every vegetable available in member meals, I am still working on eating better but I think I have been doing pretty well as of yet. </div>
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I did get the article about the fourth missionary, sadly it is banned from the mission, not so sadly I just read the highlights and definitely felt a lot of inspiration for my missionary service.</div>
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I love you so much mom, and I am excited for being able to come and start life, but I in no way feel trunk at all. </div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-86915576023568425562017-10-02T06:29:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:06:02.135-07:00October 2, 2017<div class="b5 xJNT8d" jsan="7.b5,7.xJNT8d" jstcache="3436" style="background-color: white; color: #212121; cursor: text; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: -10px; margin-right: 60px; overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: hidden; padding-left: 10px;">
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<b><u>From Dad - Fall is here:</u></b><br />
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Hi <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>,<br />
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Hope your doing great this week. How are the people you are teaching doing? You mentioned some were close to baptism letter? Would love to hear some of those stories!</div>
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The leaves are turning here and it is beautiful out on the acreage. Fun to remember that a year ago we were just getting the basement walls poured and the house was almost ready to be put on. It's going to be fun for you to come home to a new house! We harvested our garden this week and even got a nice big pumpkin. It is pretty durable too, as I dropped it from our back step in the garage (6' up) and it didn't explode and with no visible damage!</div>
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As you are probably aware we are still looking into the BYU-Idaho possibilities. We will know more this week hopefully about whether it is at all possible. Not sure whether your mission president will feel inspired to let you come home to write the ACT or not, but we want to be sure it is worth it either way.</div>
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Really enjoyed General Conference this week-end and I'm sure you did too. Hard not to have President Monson there and sad to hear about Elder Hales, but not sad too. A life well lived and I loved Neil L Anderson's comment on him "Graduating" to the next life. We enjoyed having Auntie Liz join us for part of Conference as Lindey was up at a Choir retreat in Red Deer. The Rectors came over for the afternoon session. Enjoyed a good visit with them.</div>
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Ben played a fun piece "All of Me" by John Schmidt in a Leduc Showcase concert. He really played to the crowd and made it fun. He reminded me of you in some of his choir performances as well. He's pretty good in front of a crowd.</div>
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We finally got Sam's official mission call and there's a little confusion about whether he goes to the Provo MTC or the South Africa MTC. We'll get that cleared up this week, hopefully. Very exciting time for our family and it's going to be an amazing and crazy December no matter how it all works out.</div>
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I've been feeling some promptings to make missionary work a bigger part of my life. Given that I'll probably have boys on missions for almost 6 years in a row, I'd better start getting on board, don't you think? Funny how when you really start willingly thinking of who you can share the gospel with, names come quickly and I hope I can take some small and simple steps to share this amazing gospel that brings so much peace of mind and joy. You are doing a great work in California. You are making a difference. Keep sprinting to the end.</div>
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Sam may have shared this with you, but after conference, he came and showed me this saying he'd written based on the revelation he'd felt from the spirit during conference. He wants to make it into a poster for his room as an affirmation.</div>
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<b>"I will not let myself miss a single opportunity to serve others and become a better person by educating myself and learning new things." </b></div>
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We sure love seeing our children progress. There is so much power in the example each of you set for the other members of the family by being faithful and doing faithful things.</div>
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Love Dad.</div>
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<b><u>From Josh - Decisions and Hopes:</u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: sans-serif;">New transfer, new companion, new experiences, same area. </span><br />
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At the start of this new transfer I am still district leader, I am training a new missionary, we are preparing to have 2 baptisms in our area, a lot of which I have experienced before but some of which is pretty new to me, I am grateful for everything I have learned and everything I am learning, I am definitely at a different place then I was a year and a half ago when I first trained I got pretty overwhelmed and I struggled for a long time after I trained to regain confidence in myself, but looking back it was a necessary trial, and I am grateful to God for leading me and sending me tender mercies all throughout my time as a missionary, I am so much more confident and sure of what I can do to train and be a district leader though I am still figuring things out, I still get nervous and scared about the future especially when giving trainings but there are a lot of people around me who are ready and willing to lift me up and help me as I move forward. </div>
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I have recently been considering with the option to go home early or not, its something my president does not necessarily want me to do, and has encouraged me to pray and seek revelation on it, I don't know I really want to stay and serve the Lord to the end and I am afraid of what the outcome would be if I returned home early, but in general conference I learned that we should always act, but never should we act in fear. And there are definite benefits to coming home early, I can take a test for school and squeeze possibly getting a head start on my education, I would be able to see Sam for a little bit before he left on his mission. I went into General conference with the question on what I should do, hoping to discern an answer, what I got was mixed results that I should stay and that I should go. I will need to pray on it more and maybe fast... I am just grateful that God answers all our prayers that we send up in faith. And maybe he is leaving it up to me.</div>
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Just yesterday we had an opportunity to teach a less active family, and they are a pretty chill family and really open, we had a discussion on obedience to the commandments of God and how being obedient will always bring blessings, there were a few statements made that caused me to think. One was a comment made by one of them "What if I don't want to be obedient?" after some discussion and thought, Elder Brown (my new companion) said "then you don't want the blessings"</div>
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if you are half obedient then wouldn't it stand that you would only get half the blessings, if you are less active you will get less active blessings, whereas when you are active in the church you get active blessings, each commandment is meant for the benefit of man and for no other reason was it given, when we see it like that it gets easier to do it. When you want to get skinny then eating healthier gets that much more appealing, when you want to get a tan, baking in the sun seems less of a trial. When you see general conference as God literally speaking through his servants then it gets that much easier to watch all the sessions then to just watch the Sunday morning session and call it good.</div>
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Something that has been fun is meeting people that we have already talked to and being able to share something new, I have knocked this area entirely once already and will be doing it again before my time is done here, most people don't recognize me but you get those few, its fun to be in this scenario, and its fun to see how new Elder Brown is and how much I was like him when I first came out. </div>
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I love you all so much, and I am grateful for all the love I receive. </div>
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</section>Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-47631629207196806432017-09-24T08:13:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:05:29.624-07:00Sept 24, 2017 - With Great ResponsibilityFrom Mom:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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First of all, I want you to know that I haven't missed a day of sincere prayer and in-depth personal scripture study since our email two weeks ago. It makes SUCH a difference and so many millions of tiny ways. I went with my Mom to visit Kurri at the beginning of this challenge and I have to say that the Spirit of study and prayer deeply affected the visit in guiding our conversations and increasing my humility. I'm grateful for you and glad for your constant missionary influence. Thanks, <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>. I plan to keep it up until you're home and then I have another missionary son to keep me going. How lucky am I!</div>
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So, I have an interesting development for you to consider... </div>
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It sounds like BYU-Idaho will not let you enroll without your ACT. Having said that, they are extremely lenient with the deadlines, meaning as long as you write it before school starts, they'll accept your registration, so I went ahead and started the process. I called the mission office to see if they would allow you to write the ACT while on your mission (apparently some mission presidents do this but President Henry is not one of them). Having said <b>that</b>, there is an ACT exam date on December 9 in Edmonton and your mission president said he would give you an honourable release two weeks early in order for you to be able to take the exam and attend BYU-Idaho. </div>
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Don't freak out ...</div>
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When I heard this, I felt like President Henry was inspired. Not because of the ACT ... but because you would be able to see Sam before he leaves for Africa!! And President Henry has no idea about missing your brother by one measly day (does he?). I explained that this was your decision and we would abide by it, but I would get back to them soon with your answer. </div>
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What is your gut instinct on this? Sometimes we know right away what we should do and sometimes it takes thought and prayer. Is it possible for you to take a minute right now, as you're sitting reading this, to close your eyes and send your thoughts heavenward and ask Heavenly Father what you should do?</div>
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As a mom, I know Sam would benefit greatly from your experiences, especially if it's face to face. As it stands, you get home on the 19th and Sam leaves on the 19th. Also, there are a few of your acquaintances also attending BYU-I, namely Rebecca Olsen, Christian Burton and Hayley Hunter. Something to think about. </div>
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Just as a funny side note, I was leaving a chiro appointment and a set of missionaries came in. I've never seen them before as it was in Edmonton but I explained that I was Mormon and that my missionary son had a dilemma. I explained the situation and asked them what they would do. One said, "absolutely! I would go home early for my brothers' sake, but I wouldn't for the ACT." Lol! The other said, "I would want to finish my two years to the very end." So, I guess it's really a 50/50 decision, but you're entitled to revelation about it. </div>
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Just let me know ASAP, okay? Please? </div>
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******</div>
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In other news... </div>
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this is something I put up on your Facebook, which I find a little ironic considering the choice you have to make with the possibility of coming home early.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kgF0QAmkLcpEkoxjLuSPpjYT3suYi5M2Us9z6wZfKaxflcOh0Wp7l7v0N1XpHUHZaN482cLGcKn0y0uQaJEaltICo2wXvCYHf0eGYNBm6TPTvmV5CGophi_oyniUa9-xlAE0p-arqlg/s1600/FBPost.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kgF0QAmkLcpEkoxjLuSPpjYT3suYi5M2Us9z6wZfKaxflcOh0Wp7l7v0N1XpHUHZaN482cLGcKn0y0uQaJEaltICo2wXvCYHf0eGYNBm6TPTvmV5CGophi_oyniUa9-xlAE0p-arqlg/s320/FBPost.png" width="180" /></a></div>
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And this was a very cool response ...</div>
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This response was just confirmation that you are truly doing a worthy and fantastic work on your mission in the San Fernando area. </div>
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The week was busy as usual. Here are the pics...</div>
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Flying home from Victoria, I got a fantastic aerial view of Alberta.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZbXMLTawB_kirzwukqhULesu0k1ldhJLrdIUBoULbt4_Fa17Xr0QKpQGkTdpshr1pApu_b5ioOYxx5knclQ4RK7iAidT_8ifGqiUWMlHU63GLZ1SvfLryAgbeAZQCNEJ2LBhJrhaHaQ/s1600/Plane.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZbXMLTawB_kirzwukqhULesu0k1ldhJLrdIUBoULbt4_Fa17Xr0QKpQGkTdpshr1pApu_b5ioOYxx5knclQ4RK7iAidT_8ifGqiUWMlHU63GLZ1SvfLryAgbeAZQCNEJ2LBhJrhaHaQ/s320/Plane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mia got the game of Life for her birthday and Sam condescended to play. Lol!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWji5Egpqv3AURrHcM3ygYkQ-5IakCbwVSNyn_peJf_B-JDhYUTvKpW3zQHZPOJRwnhDdkD9wkiwukQZ5AUdYbsrsbzTJlTOecqfEH8oSMJn2EeSFWg1mNG-mvphSoT48YDbHAL96TX20/s1600/GameofLife.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWji5Egpqv3AURrHcM3ygYkQ-5IakCbwVSNyn_peJf_B-JDhYUTvKpW3zQHZPOJRwnhDdkD9wkiwukQZ5AUdYbsrsbzTJlTOecqfEH8oSMJn2EeSFWg1mNG-mvphSoT48YDbHAL96TX20/s320/GameofLife.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Maple walnut ice cream. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVy3CtCF9xmu-My9aJ8_ZhnQgJaCehDDcu-8kuyq-3p9pFLXB8r2pnG8ePce3hBWIEflNmNwGRZzZfoXrU6vRDVQ0aE8h2xAU6zqLngnrAkggpXMr_KfZKWeAaKNO8hEVcb0QLyx97g8/s1600/Icecream.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVy3CtCF9xmu-My9aJ8_ZhnQgJaCehDDcu-8kuyq-3p9pFLXB8r2pnG8ePce3hBWIEflNmNwGRZzZfoXrU6vRDVQ0aE8h2xAU6zqLngnrAkggpXMr_KfZKWeAaKNO8hEVcb0QLyx97g8/s320/Icecream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ward Camp service project .... scrubbing water toy equipment at a Scout Camp. </div>
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Sooo, life is pretty good. Today is my birthday (Sunday) and I can't help but feel the peace of a good life resting comfortably on my shoulders. Thank you for being a good son, for working towards what is worthy and right. Dad and I are so proud of you.</div>
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Again, let us know ASAP about your decision. We'll support you either way. </div>
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Love you forever,</div>
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Mom</div>
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With great power comes great responsibility, and with great responsibility comes great power.<br />
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Big news! Transfers are here and I have not been transferred! that is a first on my mission... this will be the first area that I have stayed in for six months, I am also training a new missionary and being a district leader as well, I am a little stressed but i know that if God is on our side then we need not worry about a thing. I have learned and related it to a supernal trust test where a lot of things in life seem to be going down hill and when everything seems dark and bleak and its all a struggle then those are the times where we just have to fall backwards and let God catch us in his arms. I have had to do that a lot in this transfer and have also been learning to be less worried over awkward experiences. I have to put aside a lot of my worry and doubt if I am going to be able to share trainings as a district leader and also let this new missionary take the lead, a constant balance.</div>
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This week has been a constant blur something I continue and love still is centering myself every morning on the word of God when I stop everything in the morning and read at least one chapter in The Book of Mormon I am filled with more confidence and surety and then I can move forward being able to know that what I do from then on can be more centered on Christ. </div>
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We went on exchanges mid way through the week and we were knocking in an interesting area and we ran into an israelite... let me explain, we knocked and a black man answered and he asked us if we believed in Christ we told him we did and he said that as long as we believed on the christ of the bible, and we told him we did, he continued to say that if we believed in the White Jesus then we had the wrong Jesus, because Jesus was "obviously" black, and he only taught his people, (meaning black people) and that only those of that decent were israelites, Elder Johnson (The Elder we were on exchanges with) said "its a good thing that we are from a tribe of Israel too" </div>
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"you might believe that because you are of a heathen nation" was his response. after going back and forth for a little bit, it was all I could to not react and we forced ourselves to walk away, especially since he told us that he had managed to confound every mormon missionary that came his way... the reason was that he was beyond reason, nothing we said really had any influence on him. So the only way to deal with people so hard hearted is to walk away. </div>
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I am loving life, I am sort of sad to say goodbye to my companions but I am also excited to this next transfer and for what it holds. For one I will be able to be a part of a few baptisms that I have worked with for a while so it is super exciting for me to see these people come and feel of the blessing of being a member of Gods church, I am hoping to be able to accomplish all that God has for me to accomplish in this area, I have come so far and have changed so much on my mission, my goal is to finish out strong and come home having no regrets.</div>
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I am super grateful for you all and love being able to give you updates on my life.</div>
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I am in good health... a little sick honestly (Common cold) nothing to worry about... I am eating more vegetables and exercising daily, going back to training life is going to be an adventure, developing new relationships and changing lives is in my future! </div>
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Love you all</div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSpUFnXs1REObS9GnE69bn328-J1u3SKD7E-PtgH_A0gDMmCNeDbBKyXXYlWQnpJb75icI_r-XBxEJie31td95pIjxJuv2u96196osJe3M16WFq_TGUZpH30Mev0IfUjRJUIG-nB60nY/s1600/JoshwMembers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSpUFnXs1REObS9GnE69bn328-J1u3SKD7E-PtgH_A0gDMmCNeDbBKyXXYlWQnpJb75icI_r-XBxEJie31td95pIjxJuv2u96196osJe3M16WFq_TGUZpH30Mev0IfUjRJUIG-nB60nY/s320/JoshwMembers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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-Us with our investigator and her mother (our investigator is the one in the pink shirt)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz3MgPEkssoQB40-fDd987mEq-Mx_WcutEItlF9VuuC0Fsfuk5tYg62MrVpv4U_sOCiWIJiwhxx8m9mxJJQ8Hw9VXmcknEkLGNkiQ1gyq16Q7wdw1B8f9nD21DuAyzSP8XQHjhEaGhuM/s1600/JoshwMembers2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirz3MgPEkssoQB40-fDd987mEq-Mx_WcutEItlF9VuuC0Fsfuk5tYg62MrVpv4U_sOCiWIJiwhxx8m9mxJJQ8Hw9VXmcknEkLGNkiQ1gyq16Q7wdw1B8f9nD21DuAyzSP8XQHjhEaGhuM/s320/JoshwMembers2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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-Pictures with some of the members daughters</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U-hE2Mwt0FKJK-cERNl9TBabAD8NvmqkwwauW1HYfjNGeWsuo7-dRsy9kZk2xIEmGO9qdbQ8mYGNOrp5RwXXt19tkBWBalyd6G3E9Isy3lfs5RJZunLrJWxFnseP4iaIF8i3l-_Fmd4/s1600/CrazyComps.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7U-hE2Mwt0FKJK-cERNl9TBabAD8NvmqkwwauW1HYfjNGeWsuo7-dRsy9kZk2xIEmGO9qdbQ8mYGNOrp5RwXXt19tkBWBalyd6G3E9Isy3lfs5RJZunLrJWxFnseP4iaIF8i3l-_Fmd4/s320/CrazyComps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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-the Companionship.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cU1hwEw4L7QxvsoxXjVBy9YcVyhM7Z3Zr_xXB5Abet-06LtVkNEmFet21p9HVNsKapNln2pAoosPEdX5HDIixIoOW4eJx1Ou8uE506l1rPGTWgoarsgtMHvZPgpxjFGHaAFdonp-5fQ/s1600/glassesboy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cU1hwEw4L7QxvsoxXjVBy9YcVyhM7Z3Zr_xXB5Abet-06LtVkNEmFet21p9HVNsKapNln2pAoosPEdX5HDIixIoOW4eJx1Ou8uE506l1rPGTWgoarsgtMHvZPgpxjFGHaAFdonp-5fQ/s320/glassesboy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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-Me in glasses. </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-56340075879207360152017-09-17T07:57:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:05:45.162-07:00September 17, 2017 - Sam's Mission Call<u><b>From: Dad</b></u><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hi </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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Biggest news this week is Sam's Mission call. I'm hoping he gives you a detailed account, but I'll give you some of my perspective.</div>
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It turns out that the Church Mission office accidentally mistyped a part of our mailing address and Sam's mission call ended up not getting delivered. Last week, the Bishop called me after 4 weeks had gone by and asked if we'd got the call yet. When he learned that we hadn't he suggested he give the mission office a call. He did, and he learned that the call had been sent 3 weeks before! After checking the address and realizing the mistake, he was going to have them send the call again, when he had the idea to check the post office.</div>
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After some rummaging around, the post mistress found a large letter in the out basket being returned back to Salt Lake. Bishop gave that to Sam and we arranged to open it on Thursday. Matthew Wright came over and Cody was here as we started a Google hangout and a Facebook live feed. Sam opened the letter and started reading. From the start, something seemed a little off. It started of talking about welcoming him to the South Africa MTC, then started talking about Visa application forms. So we thought that they forgot to send the cover letter! At first all we knew was that he was going to Africa!!!</div>
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After a bit more searching we were able to determine that Sam will be serving in the Zambia, Lusaka mission... in AFRICA!!</div>
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And guess when his departure date is? December 20, 2017... which if we're not mistaken is the same day you come home. So, what that means is that unless something changes, you and Sam won't see each other for 4 years! Sam is very philosophical about it and says he will miss you but is happy to sacrifice to serve the Lord. I'm sure you feel the same way, but we were sure hoping that you could somehow see each other however briefly. </div>
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Of course, we are just super excited for him to have his call and know you will be too. You are a great example to your brothers and sisters. Thank you for choosing to serve and serve faithfully!</div>
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Grandma and Grandpa Bruce are up this week for a bit to help with wiring the garage. Mom and Grandma took a trip to Vancouver island to have a nice visit with Kurri. Benson is living there now and Kurri is happy about that. Cody is staying with Uncle Tad at the cabin down the road. He's alone a lot of the time, so he spends lots of time here and Ben goes there often as well.</div>
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Have a great week. We love you and miss you and wouldn't have you be any other place.</div>
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One thing to stick in your head and give us some thoughts on is whether to try and register you for some classes in January somewhere in Edmonton. Think NAIT, Grant Mackewan. Probably a good idea to get busy soon after your mission to get your feet moving as you make new and exciting decisions about your future.</div>
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Dad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pwVq_MsqZVn4ypIhPH30832Zwqls7jSeOnims1Bx0OqYEpHMsycwmNaYPon7dQlBP5yULtuc-MttpvZZZdcRk2xVfDyFwXT0Hsau-0wvNjfIP4s4UUG7X-e_J4-047mhapU1sdTnGK0/s1600/Samscall1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pwVq_MsqZVn4ypIhPH30832Zwqls7jSeOnims1Bx0OqYEpHMsycwmNaYPon7dQlBP5yULtuc-MttpvZZZdcRk2xVfDyFwXT0Hsau-0wvNjfIP4s4UUG7X-e_J4-047mhapU1sdTnGK0/s320/Samscall1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>From Josh:</u></b></div>
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This week has been crazy busy, we have had so many experiences of stress and so many positive experiences.<br />
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What is sad to me is when stress overcomes missionaries. We had a sister in our district who wanted to go home because of self doubt and inadequacy and I totally understood where she was coming from because I had a lot of the same experiences and struggles, Satan does not want us to succeed and will use every tactic to dissuade and annul us of our desire to serve it is not an easy experience to be a missionary, I am pretty grateful for the elimination of the regular stresses of life, but there is a huge burden that is laid on our shoulders that not everyone can take, "Hence many are called and few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? because their hearts are set so much upon the things of the world" It is our call to be set <b>apart</b> from the world. So it is not easy at all to be serving the Lord, Unless your heart is given to him. It has been said that God is only angry when we don't acknowledge his had in all things. I have been able to more fully turn my heart over to God when I have been able to admit that His influence and direction are in every aspect of my life. I am still really struggling to follow him fully, and i am grateful for a companion who leads out when I am feeling unsure. </div>
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The other day we were walking away from talking to one of the potential investigators we had and this guy started approaching us, he was super friendly, extending an open hand much like we would do so we welcomed the change of not having people avoid us and we offered to help him with his yard (he had his entire garage emptied into his yard, which for California is a lot of stuff) he told us he was fine and started having a pleasant conversation with us, we noticed real quick that he truly was taking the role of a missionary by trying to "bring the mormons to the true christ" He used biblical knowledge and what he knew of our beliefs about Christ being the God of the old testament to "give us something to think about" (i.e. tell us we were wrong and to lose faith) We didn't try to argue though I really wanted to, Elder Bergeron my companion just extended his hand and said "thanks for the information have a good day" and we left. It was a negative experience that made me shake with adrenaline and frustration, however every negative experience precedes a positive and that day we did a lot of walking, we were able to talk to and share testamony with 8 people on the street, have really good conversations with pretty much every door contact we knocked into and near the end of the day we sporadically talked to this lady who was just about to carry her groceries in to her house, we offered to help her which she declined and so we just simply jumped into teaching and testifying of the Gospel, we learned that she was Greek orthodox (a sect of christianity that is deeply rooted in tradition and they never change) but after we shared our message we invited her to test it out and to ask God, she said that if God told her this was true she would be baptized into the Mormon church, after the lesson we helped her to carry her groceries in and set up an appointment for today.</div>
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Well the next day (this being sunday) we accidentally knocked into a members house and he told us an experience he had the day before. He was driving down the road and he saw this little middle aged woman surrounded by some gang bangers and as he approached ready to spring to her aid he noticed that it was actually three missionaries and that it was us! Guess we have to look a little less conspicuous when in public... kind of hard for a missionary to do... There were many more positive experiences that continued up into today. I love being a missionary and there is nothing i would rather be doing right now then dedicating my life to God, I was super happy to hear about Sam getting his mission call to Africa! A lot of cool experiences that await! A mission is a refiners fire for the Lords servants so be prepared Sam, you will have amazing experiences, and you will have experiences that will test your faith, fortitude and everything you are. Just remember that when you experience trials to fall into them, trials are like a trust test from the Lord, and as you experience trials you can know for sure that when you fall backwards trusting in God he will catch you and make you into what he needs you to become, don't be afraid to pray for humility, to trust in your leaders, remember that everybody on earth is not perfect and that there are three types of trials.</div>
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Trial from oneself (temptation, doubt, frustration)</div>
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Trial from others (unkind words, negative people, hard companions)</div>
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Trial from Circumstance (Trials that come for no other reason then you being in the right place at the right time, trials that God lets you experience to learn)</div>
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I love you all so much! </div>
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I have been working hard to eat a lot more greens, this is the last week of the transfer so a lot of anticipation on where I will go or if I will stay, working on not letting my mind think so much about coming home that I neglect my duty here. </div>
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I am grateful for all that you all do for me and for the relationships we can develop together. </div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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Holland Quoted this! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVH3L9SEoHXzJH50ciiLznAMTDNcnm5P_0ZZtGSapOWItJ6kvFi1Q1h18lYmSzws1FjgzqeDJgfkRxKKks0cgliD7F4iAKj5fHyPtXTlS-LuNG4cEmw72gIgqpudJFdZeI5ErTGPwbCo/s1600/Service.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVH3L9SEoHXzJH50ciiLznAMTDNcnm5P_0ZZtGSapOWItJ6kvFi1Q1h18lYmSzws1FjgzqeDJgfkRxKKks0cgliD7F4iAKj5fHyPtXTlS-LuNG4cEmw72gIgqpudJFdZeI5ErTGPwbCo/s320/Service.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Just after a service opportunity, actually this was a funny experience, we asked this spanish man if he needed a hand, he told us to come back tomorrow and we did we started helping move bricks and shovel dirt, then we looked over and realized that this was actually people working for money and we weren't asked to help serve we were instead hired to work for money! so we did our work for an hour, went and told one guy that we were actually missionaries and we loved serving them and before they could say anything dipped out... that is when I took this picture. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrb0hyphenhyphenllsgNEpVWAmhJ5yvr3GPbh9wmGO6fIKX1k4BgxflqQ9KQKZyjT-SZU06gUof7LVJz-fVBvdMZRWAxxXGXoazR3cln593IgsKXiP0a4-3guuTUvwcBWKU3Kz71xgq8QHiirqCvag/s1600/Shadows.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrb0hyphenhyphenllsgNEpVWAmhJ5yvr3GPbh9wmGO6fIKX1k4BgxflqQ9KQKZyjT-SZU06gUof7LVJz-fVBvdMZRWAxxXGXoazR3cln593IgsKXiP0a4-3guuTUvwcBWKU3Kz71xgq8QHiirqCvag/s320/Shadows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Trio life shadows.</div>
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Training our trainee how to tie a tie! I love training. </div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-50514673339454025642017-09-11T19:34:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:05:14.364-07:00Sept 11, 2017<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Josh - Persecution:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week was one good week, i loved serving and finding people and teaching the gospel. I would relate that to my scripture reading I have been dedicating myself to my studies in the Book of Mormon. I love the Book of Mormon so much because of the great feelings of peace that I get, I have been working on delving into that as well as keeping up my studies of the Doctrine and Covenants and I have been delving currently into the four gospels and learning about the life of Christ, the problem with knowing the New Testament well is that I have been sorely tempted to bash people, because I just don't like it when people are ignorant of everything but a few verses of the bible and then use those verses to attack us... I have been growing my self control though and working on simply testifying. I know that testimony is the most powerful thing, because it isn't I or anyone that can accomplish this work but only the spirit, the Lord is always in the details. </span><br />
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So down to the heading, I have had such a happy week, and in the midst of some not so happy experiences, there were a few people that yelled us off their property, someone yelled at us and cursed at us while they drove by, we got bashed for 25 minutes by this guy who thought we were going to hell for what we believed, we were told that we weren't christians and argued when we said we were, someone tried to use persuasion and logic to explain that there was no true church on the earth (which wasn't too bad because it was kind of refreshing to see someone else had a testimony of the apostasy) </div>
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It has been a learning experience because I thought that I was immune to some of the bashing techniques out there, but even then I was kind of shaken by one guy who really was adamant that we were wrong, so i have been really praying and searching for the will of God in what is true, and will be doing that for the rest of my life, "Our testimony today is not strong enough for the trials tomorrow" is a quote I heard from another missionary, that is why we need to dedicate ourselves to our studies, at least a portion of the morning, because we need to sharpen our swords and strengthen our shields. </div>
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I have been buying more vegetables to be more healthy, I have been realizing that I have not been having the healthiest food my whole mission, and my companion is a health nut so I am hoping to piggy back off of his healthiness outlook and do better.</div>
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One thing I have been enjoying is learning how my trials were for a reason, last year I went through the hardest time of my life, at the beginning of my mission I lost my testimony and went atheist for a little bit, but thanks to the tender mercies of the Lord and those around me I gained a stronger testimony and now I am able to bear it with a stronger conviction. When I first trained I was hit hard with a sense of being overwhelmed, I was so overwhelmed that one Sunday in sacrament meeting I could feel a literal crushing weight in my chest and for a few minutes I couldn't breath, I was nearly lost in doubt and negativity. But i was able to get through it, and now another missionary in the district is training and experiencing exactly the same thing, and I can relate to that and help in ways I couldn't if I hadn't gone through that. Every trial we go through in life is for a reason. Some people struggle to see that. </div>
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We have been teaching this less active girl who struggles with her belief in God and the church, she does not understand why bad things happen to good people and why God would allow bad to happen in the world if he loves us why would he let bad things go on? and we have been trying to explain to her the plan of salvation and agency of man and help her to see this is all for a purpose, and also that compared to our life before and our life after our earth life is nothing, it will start and end in a blip compared to our eternal life, I read somewhere in the scriptures that time is only measured by men and not God. That is why it is so important to maintain an eternal perspective. </div>
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I love the word "Maintain" because it denotes a cultivation, not just a one time thing. </div>
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We have been working a lot with the ward members to help our investigators be fellowshipped into the ward, we are currently teaching one lady that has cerebral palsy in a miner degree and has intense learning issues so we have been slowly working with her and her mom to get ready for baptism on the 23 of September, she struggles to answer the baptismal questions because the way they are worded it is really a struggle for her to comprehend what they are asking. So that is an adventure, the other person we have on date for september 30, her name is Ashleigh Soucy he had brain cancer and can't remember anything we say until the next week, which is a hard problem to work with, the rest of our investigators are not progressing so we need to somehow help them to keep commitments and start coming to church. </div>
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I love you all so much, I can't wait to be able to get to know you all... again. Hope that all is well if there is any questions you have send them my way and I will try my best to answer. </div>
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Love </div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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1 IT RAINED MID SUMMER!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaw-LWkt4G39csgRzSWHXIEIqBCaKiig3VQoEr_Q3A4ljRZdeBgMVSVBS2uJ-bhKP_RQk3YmZK9lK6n7yZZIxJDJdkOlOmhOBpvyiPCVmSP5OMbLUZe2JG4K_TxdLoE7rPtQ0ybDV_w0/s1600/IMG_9237.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaw-LWkt4G39csgRzSWHXIEIqBCaKiig3VQoEr_Q3A4ljRZdeBgMVSVBS2uJ-bhKP_RQk3YmZK9lK6n7yZZIxJDJdkOlOmhOBpvyiPCVmSP5OMbLUZe2JG4K_TxdLoE7rPtQ0ybDV_w0/s320/IMG_9237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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2 Member from Saugus 3rd ward stopped us when we were walking on the street and gave us sprites </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjp2YBoWM8YS2Y_js9WA8cAAnN4FFPno6M7LRZS-CcMaVDbo7MkuCGPym0gNR8ICuH60I6tDdV_WrAjYEfXjXK5Kpvndy6ydS_g0sMa4V7bq9fOUpjQ0PwqcLlyXazL8sExp3i4-_I4o/s1600/IMG_9235.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjp2YBoWM8YS2Y_js9WA8cAAnN4FFPno6M7LRZS-CcMaVDbo7MkuCGPym0gNR8ICuH60I6tDdV_WrAjYEfXjXK5Kpvndy6ydS_g0sMa4V7bq9fOUpjQ0PwqcLlyXazL8sExp3i4-_I4o/s320/IMG_9235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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3 From the top of our area</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZYakkHQvWqeXTq9JDvK8jhoE_puH2n9CS7HwODXtTvzDyAxt3vmQ5wA7PP8vHGyb_-aYHg4Z4HNmLfVxBNzw0r3WxKfFWCSVRuuslKEJXkOALZrzfkFL5_0so0WYorau-Fdg-RR0mJs/s1600/IMG_9222.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZYakkHQvWqeXTq9JDvK8jhoE_puH2n9CS7HwODXtTvzDyAxt3vmQ5wA7PP8vHGyb_-aYHg4Z4HNmLfVxBNzw0r3WxKfFWCSVRuuslKEJXkOALZrzfkFL5_0so0WYorau-Fdg-RR0mJs/s320/IMG_9222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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4 Us at the top of the area. </div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Josh to Mom:</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">I will definitely takeout up on the prayer and scripture challenge, I have been really working on it this week, I have told myself every morning, 'before I do anything I need to center myself' </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><u>Mom:</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">I love it. And I love you. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Having you on your mission has been such a blessing in so many ways. Thank you for your constant striving and fantastic example of loving the Gospel. I hesitate to say it but we are all so excited to see you soon. We're prepping for you and it makes life so vibrant. I have this sure knowledge about God's divine plan that you (and all of you) needed to be part of this family. We're all in this together. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">My scripture study and personal prayers have been taken up a notch since last week and my testimony has been strengthened. Let's keep it up to the end. We just got back from Damon's Farewell. He reports Sept 20 something and will be in Australia sometime in October. He's nervous but happy to start his mission. No call for Sam yet. Soon, I hope. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">This week's pictures ...</span></span><br />
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-56071410256146247302017-09-03T19:10:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:05:01.932-07:00September 3, 2017<b><u>From Dad: - Still Waiting...</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">... for Sam's call.</span><br />
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Hard to be patient, but so excited to see if this week brings the telltale envelope in the mail. A new YM named Kylan Rice moved in a month ago and sent in his mission papers on the exact same day as Sam. He got his call last week. He opened it today and found out he is going to Paris, France! And guess when he is leaving? Dec 20... It would be crazy if Sam got the same leave date. Would be a crazy day with you coming home and him leaving! Hoping it is either before or after. but after would be nice to cross over and see each other even for a little bit.</div>
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We are fasting and praying for Great Grandma and Grandpa <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span> as you probably saw in Grandpa <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span>'s email. Life's challenges don't end, but they always refine us if we let them. Are you letting your challenges refine you?</div>
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This week has been a work week around the acreage. I've really enjoyed working on the garage and was able to get our entrance stairs built so we can go in and out of the garage from inside! </div>
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Our Septic system alarm went off again this week and we've been using the outhouse again while it gets fixed. Yard is all dug up again. Sounds like the pipe got pinched in the last half by the mound and was wearing out the pumps.Hoping this fix is the last time we need to work on it. Painful, but once again we are appreciating how important good drainage is and how nice it is to have indoor plumbing.</div>
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Auntie Wendy pulled out today as she has a good job lined up in Atikoken. She came up and finished parging the garage and back entrance. It looks great. Thankful for family.</div>
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My office had a fire in the basement after a transformer blew, so I've been enjoying working from home this last week. </div>
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School starts tomorrow, so back to the scheduled days and back to running Ben back and forth to Leduc. We are hoping he get's his license first try so he can start driving himself. He and I have been doing a moderately good job of doing regular P90X workouts, but I'm worried now that he is going back to school that I'm going to lose my work out buddy and fizzle out! Hoping Mom will join me and we can get buff together. Ben is looking forward to school, but has some hard choices to make around extra curricular activities. Can't do everything!</div>
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Benson had a going away party this week as he is going to live with Auntie Kurri. We are so happy for them. It's the right thing to do. As much as we disagree with Uncle Tad's choices and lifestyle, this was a good thing for him to do. He is living back at the cabin this year with Cody. Ben is excited. Cody will go to Calmar just because of transportation, but hopes to join Ben at Leduc Comp at some point.</div>
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Sam continues to work at Classic and is even driving bobcat on a regular basis. Is it in the genes? We'll see if Ben ends up there or somewhere else to earn his mission money.</div>
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Auntie Shannon had her baby last week and Mom and the kids got to see her on Tuesday after joining the uncles and cousins at Calaway park. They named her Holly..</div>
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Mom, then Mia bore their testimonies today. Then Mia went back and bugged the boys to do it too. They admitted that they hadn't planned to, but when Mia whispered they should, then they felt the spirit prompt them to go up.</div>
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Life is good. We are a great family and you are an amazing part of it!</div>
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Love,</div>
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Dad.</div>
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<b><u>From Josh - A Day Late:</u></b><br />
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Sorry for emailing a day late! since it was labor day yesterday we had a working P-day and ended up moving p-day to today.<br />
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This week has been a week of realization and discovery, I have realized that I have not been as dedicated to many things as I should have been, my personal prayers have been definitely lacking in depth and meaning, and I have not been as faithful in reading from the scriptures as I should be and I have been seeing a lot of the negative effects in my life, I have not been as focused or motivated and I have struggled to communicate clearly the message that we have been trying to share... so near the middle of last week I rededicated myself and almost immediately I witnessed so many blessings, i have more patience with my companions and more excited to go out day by day, I have had my thoughts put together and my mind open to insights and light. I had a cool experience yesterday when I was pretty annoyed at my companion, through no fault of his own and I prayed to receive help to feel happy and positive towards him and it didn't come right away, but when we went to a district leader meeting I was still pretty ticked until mid way through when all of a sudden I felt a hippiness that I couldn't not describe and all those feelings of annoyance and frustration melted away and I was able to see him in a much better light, it can be hard to be attached to someone 24/7 and there are a lot of differences you start seeing even when you are together for three months. Elder Bergeron is a logger and a landscaper a homeschooler that lived cut off from most everything so we don't have too much to talk about or relate to each other very much, he is also a doer, he does things without thinking and just goes for it, usually regretting it after, he is really simple in a lot of his thinking so it can be hard to have deep conversations with him, he likes it that way, so I get so frustrated because of how he acts, and in order to express my frustration I have to tell him bluntly because anything else will go off his shoulders... I love him a ton, its just something i haven't experienced before, I have learned a ton on how to express myself and to be bold with my companion. </div>
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There has been so many experiences this week that have interesting, recently we went on exchanges with one of our zone leaders and he told of a story of a man who was dubbed by the catholic religion as "defender of the faith" in missionary terms he would be known as "Basher" but through their conversation he stopped and said that there was one thing that he didn't understand, he said "I don't get the mormons, their doctrine is so perverted (in his view) but their works are so holy" </div>
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Jesus Christ said that a bad tree cannot produce good fruit, it is impossible. So, perhaps our works are so good because the doctrine is true, I know that what we share is true, the gospel has been restored, we do have a prophet on the earth and we are receiving direction from God right now!</div>
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Another experience that I myself had while on exchanges with a member of my district was when we came across this lady who asked some pointed but sincere questions, mostly about temples and tithing, those were the things that she could not get past, most people struggle with that but we were able to explain a bit how it differs from other christian faiths in that we don't pass around a basket for tithes, we explained out unique message and 40 minutes later she took a pamphlet to read over. She really appreciated the answers we gave. </div>
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Another experience was when we were knocking a guy opened up and we could tell he was a little drunk, but he gave a standard response that he differed on some key beliefs, and checking that it wasn't multiple wives or some other off doctrine that people still think we believe we asked him what those were, and he told us about the Godhead vs the trinity, that is something we get dinged on a lot here in such a christian community, but we explained it to him and we were able to testify of the truth of what we shared and it was cool to see him considering our responses, he may have been drunk and he may've been Grace baptist but that didn't stop us from testifying, we should all testify at every opportunity. </div>
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I love you all a ton and hope all is going well in your lives, I can't wait to hear more about your lives, I miss a lot of things but what I think I miss the most is my family. We will see each other sooner then you think. </div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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-some returned missionaries came to visit the mission</div>
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-It rained mid at the end of august! (that has never happened before in the past 30 years)</div>
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-So...Hot! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJuQ_sKDGRtcVWkYA2pniNW504QXebvM3eZK487gE7IBgnUX2CKDzEkiVZ88FB7OlFjqc5xIwFmvXsQEcRiTChqB9pT3vPft8V0UdtiWjSTl1F7VhWzMQhRFMTzRAc1VM8K5kawEx22M/s1600/IMG_9195.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJuQ_sKDGRtcVWkYA2pniNW504QXebvM3eZK487gE7IBgnUX2CKDzEkiVZ88FB7OlFjqc5xIwFmvXsQEcRiTChqB9pT3vPft8V0UdtiWjSTl1F7VhWzMQhRFMTzRAc1VM8K5kawEx22M/s320/IMG_9195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>From Mom:</u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">YES! YES! YES! Two things ... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Yes! Personal prayer and scripture study. So vital! If you do that, you'll be better than fine. No slacking! I'm taking it as a personal challenge. I promise to have meaningful prayers and scriptures every morning if you will! Is it a deal?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">And YES! By their fruits ye shall know them. Keep doing good work, my son. The Gospel is true! All of it. I know it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Love, Mom</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">P.S. Did you get my last snail mail?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Josh:</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">I didn't but I may get it today. We will see.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Mom:</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Are you going to take me up on the prayer/scripture challenge? We will have to be accountable to each other ...</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">What do you think?</span></span><br />
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-50462945261912568022017-08-28T19:06:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:04:53.291-07:00August 28, 2017 <b><u>From Mom - More Importantly:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dear Elder </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Before I forget and most importantly, Benson wanted me to send you his letter and even confirmed with me this morning ...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kurri is very happy that Benson will be living with her this year.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Summer is drawing to a close here. We're appreciating any day we can spend at the river. We're also enjoying time with Benson and Cody as they are living at their old property with Tad until the end of summer. Benson will go with Kurri at the start of the school year and Cody is staying here, which makes Ben pretty happy.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We're starting to harvest our first country garden. It's hilarious what a learning curve it is. I discovered that Irish Spring soap keeps the deer out and that dill weed will take over. We have a big pumpkin, crazy carrots, purple potatoes, delicious tomatoes along with a jungle of weeds, but we're loving it.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Our new kitten, Hawk, is slowly becoming a member of the family. She fits in as she had an accident with a rocker while we were in Ontario. Apparently she got her head and throat squished and seizured badly. Short story is she recovered (mostly). We're not sure about her vision or her balance but Coco has gotten used to her. Most importantly, she's a little cat who has overcome hard things and will continue to do so. Like us. 🙂</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dad already told you about our canoe trip. Here's my one experience ...</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">So that is the gist of our recent news but most importantly, I want you to know how much I still love the Gospel. It's really an ongoing love affair for me with joy and adventure on the side. Every morning, my favourite thing is to curl up in the library and take out my scriptures to study the Lord's will for me. I love it when I get sudden strokes of insights, then act on them, then see the ripple effects of the Lord's blessings. This is the Most Important thing in my life. The Lord teaches me to be a better wife, a better Mom, a better person all around. He teaches me to love more effectively, to have patience in key moments and to find consolation in grief. I'm okay as long as I can spend a portion of my day with the divine. (I just shared a secret to life. You should write that down. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I want you to know how proud I am of you. Keep striving, learning and working to the end. And every now and then, write down thoughts of what you'd like to do when you get home.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Question: Do you want us to do some applications to colleges and universities? I guess a different question might be, Do you want to take classes in January or the following September?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love you forever!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Mom</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Josh:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I never thought I would get trunky... I guess it all starts with my focus, where is my focus at? There is a saying in this mission "Check your motives" and to be completely honest I am having to check mine more and more, am I just clinging on to the end waiting for it to be done or am I immersing myself in the work? dedicating my mind to God. Every day I have a choice whether I am going to be motivated or not, and usually when I get out and doing I am good, but if by chance we are weekly planning I find it really hard to stay focused... it is interesting though when I feel the spirit I seem to have limitless energy and excitement, there are several different ways I can gain the spirit in super strong bursts, </span><br />
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1. Delving into the Book of Mormon and discovering amazing wonders that I knew or didn't know before. </div>
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2. Bearing my testimony to a basher who is trying to argue his point and we just tell what we know to be true. </div>
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3.Going to Zone conference</div>
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4.Attending a baptism of someone I taught.</div>
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Those are only a few of the things that really drives the spirit into my being and illuminates my mind and heart, but usually it comes slowly and I am left to wonder if iI am being guided or not, a lot of times as a missionary you must take the council of Moroni "...whatsoever is good is of God..." so we must trust that if we feel like we should do something that will be good then we must (for everyone I guess not just missionaries) act on it. </div>
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It has been fun getting to know a new missionary that we are training, I have been able to step back and see myself in him, he is an immature 18 year old who is still trying to figure it out, and I am realizing how much of a boy I still was when I first came out, and how much of a man I have been able to become, I have been changed so much and now that i am at this point on my mission I am hearing a lot of horror stories about going home, not about the experiences of home but how I may act, so if I am a little weird when I get home bear with me. I have heard a lot of RM's say that when they got home they thought their family was all apostate, I will try to be at least a little normal but it may take time for me to adjust to regular life, but we will tackle that when I get home... :)</div>
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I love you all so much and I am grateful for all the emails and letters from everyone, I may really suck at writing but never doubt that I love them all the same.</div>
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Love <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwUzjsW1Rp5fQuYe6Ay0lLzoOzP8-6FTChXQ7e00GwVwKRkBnbCRJaN0C1orpgU6MibRelpx8TYxEOd3zxFbZ_zCafdE1h99sdJghyphenhyphenmyOD6ZQ4qfrZX9nbRAONiOxoDjoxJLyyTsdBh4/s1600/Comps.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwUzjsW1Rp5fQuYe6Ay0lLzoOzP8-6FTChXQ7e00GwVwKRkBnbCRJaN0C1orpgU6MibRelpx8TYxEOd3zxFbZ_zCafdE1h99sdJghyphenhyphenmyOD6ZQ4qfrZX9nbRAONiOxoDjoxJLyyTsdBh4/s320/Comps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVTIy-v8eTU-f1ABPPfgxQFmK5bNgYYWZkZWdbuZQIMybnQrYXThiwSTw6lDPAUax0E1p5bC2vr4r3_eWaOtdYqq2g0v6SP5M2KL48TIXXFRC_WoUfRFoTlRJ4cknra88OUqplo4Q6qQ/s1600/Temperature.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVTIy-v8eTU-f1ABPPfgxQFmK5bNgYYWZkZWdbuZQIMybnQrYXThiwSTw6lDPAUax0E1p5bC2vr4r3_eWaOtdYqq2g0v6SP5M2KL48TIXXFRC_WoUfRFoTlRJ4cknra88OUqplo4Q6qQ/s320/Temperature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1E2cvBS6kU98VroXpYgqbfswOwg3bDQ48Xj89ifsxldrlb86hlEycmzQNiMI-HsxHCP8H1jyS4m7JkYfZbG42_RvwsI-mqzkWFmPjP3WTEST3vXIFJdzAPqJmlsNWb9hsPGK22RJI34/s1600/palms.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1E2cvBS6kU98VroXpYgqbfswOwg3bDQ48Xj89ifsxldrlb86hlEycmzQNiMI-HsxHCP8H1jyS4m7JkYfZbG42_RvwsI-mqzkWFmPjP3WTEST3vXIFJdzAPqJmlsNWb9hsPGK22RJI34/s320/palms.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-85658331792730591092017-08-20T19:01:00.003-07:002018-07-21T10:04:35.214-07:00August 20, 2017 - Ontario<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Dad:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hi </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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Sorry we did not get a letter to you last week. If we were better thinkers aheaders, we would have scheduled or sent a letter before we left on the canoe trip. As it was, we were totally without access to the internet for 8 days in Quetico park.More details to come on that later in the letter.</div>
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This week I received a popup on my Facebook reminding me that it was 2 years ago that you opened your mission call. </div>
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And now we're waiting for Sam's mission call! he went for his interview August 9th with the Stake President and was submitted that night. So the waiting begins! It will be interesting to see whether or not you will overlap or miss each other. From other reports of mission calls, if he ends up going out of country, you will likely see each other before he goes. That would be a fun blessing.</div>
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Loved hearing about your "Miracles". Hope you have many more as you run the home stretch. Keep going strong and serve with all your might mind and strength. It will be worth it. We're excited for your opportunity to serve as a District leader. You'll be great.</div>
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This last couple of weeks has been a great adventure. After the Olsen reunion, Abby and Mia headed back west with Mark and his kids to stay with Grandma and Grandpa <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span> and Taylie and Steve while we were away. Mom, I, Sam and Ben and Steph and Tyler packed up our packs and gear and headed out on a canoe trip with Grandma and Grandpa Bruce and a few others. 7 canoes in total!</div>
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We ended up going on the reverse route from what we did 3 years ago.The weather was fantastic and the fish delicious. </div>
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The "Hitting the Wall" moment came for most of us when we ended up lost in one of the swampy areas between lakes. At one critical junction, we missed the right turn to the portage into Sturgeon Lake and instead went North into more swamp, little lakes and run down portages. By the time we realized we had missed the turn, we were 3 hours down the path. As we scratched our heads and figured out where we were, we had a defining moment where we had the realization that there was no way forward. Rather, we would have to turn around and retrace our steps back through the crazy wild forest and swamp areas we had just fought our way through. And I mean literally fought our way through as this was a round less taken by anyone. We were portaging through bush wacking vs. trails. We were pushing the canoes through swamp and beaver dams, often falling up to our chests in water and grass. It was a daunting prospect. It was inspiring to see and experience the resolve and determination of everyone as we hitched up our soggy pants and shoved our way back into the quagmire. Grandpa had to take a little walk before we started out again to "double check", but I believe he probably was going off to be by himself, maybe to kick a log or two in frustration, but I imagined he also said a prayer for help and safety. You have a faithful heritage in your Grandpa and Grandma Bruce!</div>
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After a few more hours of effort, we heard the joyous sound of Sam and Ben yelling back from a foraging mission down a side path they had found the portage out! And it was only 50 meters long! We finally emerged onto the welcome vista of Sturgeon lake as dusk descended and we had the unique experience of paddling in the dark to our campsite, the sandy peninsula where we spent Sunday 3 years ago if you remember.</div>
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Of course, we had many discussions based on Grandpa Bruce's oft repeated quote that "Life is like a canoe trip". I think we all, at some point or another reach a point in our lives where we look around and wonder how we could have gotten our selves into such a mess, so far off track.And we wonder if we can ever face the daunting task of retracing our steps back to the right path. But the joy that comes when we do and we feel the great joy that comes from being where we know we want to and should be is so wonderful. </div>
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The best part of the whole trip for me was having your Mom there with me. She is the light of my life and I can't imagine my life without her. She has heard about canoe trips her whole life. Grandpa Bruce shared that when his boy's were growing up he wanted to find something to help turn them from boys into men, so he came up with the bi-annual canoe trips. It was only a few years ago that he wondered why he hadn't done it with his girls! So it was a highlight for him to to have a daughter and grand daughter on the trip.</div>
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Sunday we had a very spiritual camp meeting and I really enjoyed Tyler's favorite scripture he shared in Omni 1:26</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><i><span class="m_8307782091143285381inbox-inbox-verse-number m_8307782091143285381inbox-inbox-verse" style="background: 0px 0px rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); border: 0px; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">26 </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">come</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">offer</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> your whole souls as an </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">offering</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> unto him, and continue in </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">fasting</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.01); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.</span> </i></span></div>
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He talked about how amazing it is to be able to offer our whole souls and encouraged us to consider if we are doing that for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.</div>
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Our journey home from Ontario took us 30 hours due to having to fix a trailer tire that we didn't have a tire iron for (had to drop the trailer and run into Medicine Hat) and had to get it repaired in Lethbridge. We met Mark there and Sam bought Marks old Hyundai Elantra for going back and forth to work with. We split up and Mom and Sam went to Ft. Mclead to pick up the girls and we met in Airdrie for lunch. The girls came running across the parking lot to greet me and gave me a big hug. It was nice to feel remembered and appreciated and I missed them Each one of you are so precious to me and Mom!</div>
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Hope you are finding joy as you persevere through your own swamps and challenges as you sprint to the end. Hope this doesn't make you too trunky :)</div>
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Love </div>
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Dad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYrUO0ShzAG0ow9YHNuA745Oz31qbQWPhYzf67dcH2NF02rkQscDj3z_syFzhs8JsIunkYyFimkBZl6ZZmxqALmStMehPbQS0yJJK-8HpOObLjwxAIii9NFUxgByWbsGNIXwTgdA73do/s1600/DivingCousins.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF_DjUtoLo7EorVOGpat6ErNwcpgiIHK3i9NjaQtDLR5thR86yIxkckmD2bzNGXMXzB6H178sw5vHX1au0cTSBAJ-YEz6RxRnlg79xMDqK62OwZPI2ckXiG5SSbAdvWL-2r73XjPmc9o/s1600/GranpaAndSam.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitF_DjUtoLo7EorVOGpat6ErNwcpgiIHK3i9NjaQtDLR5thR86yIxkckmD2bzNGXMXzB6H178sw5vHX1au0cTSBAJ-YEz6RxRnlg79xMDqK62OwZPI2ckXiG5SSbAdvWL-2r73XjPmc9o/s320/GranpaAndSam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindGVqbf-vf5g1wHvP1_9DzKt5CRdtmaTnjomdtEEltgixXNHmGoRrbzVZSpj7fzDlZYh-gNxq81A2K_0cMmM7AykGsM0k4oQ6NHvl6JCEDDlk7fohKdT1q1cxHnaWjldXQrKL6AZhS8I/s1600/StephAndTylerPirates.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindGVqbf-vf5g1wHvP1_9DzKt5CRdtmaTnjomdtEEltgixXNHmGoRrbzVZSpj7fzDlZYh-gNxq81A2K_0cMmM7AykGsM0k4oQ6NHvl6JCEDDlk7fohKdT1q1cxHnaWjldXQrKL6AZhS8I/s320/StephAndTylerPirates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCwqX81EYhC9EM2YbEanaBqmAxwoq9dZgMHydrxdwS7Pu_VWuyejDOOqjLorqfMqZTHcil9Z0top9Gh9VLcgwyHLqNNhSvAjtxfZ0qj7yxyMqm6wa5EfPJx0Ugor6p9COLiL9RkXZZfg/s1600/BenPullingCanoe.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCwqX81EYhC9EM2YbEanaBqmAxwoq9dZgMHydrxdwS7Pu_VWuyejDOOqjLorqfMqZTHcil9Z0top9Gh9VLcgwyHLqNNhSvAjtxfZ0qj7yxyMqm6wa5EfPJx0Ugor6p9COLiL9RkXZZfg/s320/BenPullingCanoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiwRGLlrIwQG99NdNtLj_t7QV3abpkDE4eRBNLplsnBEFAACb9CvSpp5ReUu_OIeAZqnJS0gPZmYs9aaR82kgsQAkEUCD9pzgnRAlhaZR72h16o1nrk9suQiHFKNQ-KRN6Fxc0MouZR0/s1600/MomAndDadCanoe.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiwRGLlrIwQG99NdNtLj_t7QV3abpkDE4eRBNLplsnBEFAACb9CvSpp5ReUu_OIeAZqnJS0gPZmYs9aaR82kgsQAkEUCD9pzgnRAlhaZR72h16o1nrk9suQiHFKNQ-KRN6Fxc0MouZR0/s320/MomAndDadCanoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsUcmaiwLornP_0NqvVKvNg7HgTP5WSsftFp3LxFW8GZCQRInAJaG19CnOFw-engO88kSaq7TRCNKWzXLgJvf5Uad9j7i3-knWyFJh2UdfuizEpXXW_RHXpUFWcCephLlstaRqcaM-9A/s1600/CanoeGroup.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsUcmaiwLornP_0NqvVKvNg7HgTP5WSsftFp3LxFW8GZCQRInAJaG19CnOFw-engO88kSaq7TRCNKWzXLgJvf5Uad9j7i3-knWyFJh2UdfuizEpXXW_RHXpUFWcCephLlstaRqcaM-9A/s320/CanoeGroup.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_v_X50RWyuSMbNM5cs_VHgThOwlzuAtMAipS16T214NMI0qOItkIIzobZQQGHlImBquDQZTYAZjKWf6utyI8RsePOhg6Yny8TpPX34yyA_P09FKKM2N83eH-0ECflQEgfeVN-KppyekQ/s1600/CT1.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL4nUJiFTkFVWPn3vamnCkyEhyphenhyphen3FLIXw9p4D70fttFBcnILbYPHjBxupYzdTYnuWHdY-aOE9TySlYNtemZqe2sgDtL-Ztn0G-qUFG2HkReDBWDhODS8OH6HQb5zSo4L5rQm1QEVupRe0/s1600/IMG_8780.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL4nUJiFTkFVWPn3vamnCkyEhyphenhyphen3FLIXw9p4D70fttFBcnILbYPHjBxupYzdTYnuWHdY-aOE9TySlYNtemZqe2sgDtL-Ztn0G-qUFG2HkReDBWDhODS8OH6HQb5zSo4L5rQm1QEVupRe0/s320/IMG_8780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>From Josh:</u></b><br />
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Changes are all over the place this transfer, i don't know if I said in my last email but I am currently training a Visa waiter and I am co district leaders with my companion.<br />
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I feel like this is going to be a great transfer.</div>
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This week has been up and down honestly, I am feeling hyper sensitive because of my trainee , we have come in contact with a few people this week that have tried to topple our testimonies and I don't know how strong my trainee's testimony is, we are kind of preparing him for the next faze of his mission, he will be going to India at the end of this transfer and we are trying to do all we can to help him, but I guess it can't be helped when you have a huuuuge church that hates mormons just up the street. surprisingly we got bashed by a Catholic, as usual he was super nice and gave us water but once we got into the gospel he started bashing back and forth, everything from Tithes to evidence. Too many people base their faith off of evidence, they want proof of everything that God has to offer. God has commanded us to walk by faith and not by sight.</div>
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We met this one person, his name was Adrien, and he does not believe in anything, he claims to even be unsure about gravity, he let us in and gave us water (figures) and no one lets us in, so we figured he was a basher, as we spoke to him we definitely realized that he was trying to topple our faith with logic and philosophy, every time that we mentioned faith he would stop us and say, "you mean pretending" and to be honest after a while I even started doubting my feelings, so I told him that we had to go, he didn't seem to want us to leave so we said that we had an appointment to go to, we finally left and it turned out to have taken 35 minutes of our time. Someone once told me that "if someone is taking up your time when you could be sharing the gospel with someone who will listen then they are a servant of the devil" it was funny because that same guy who told us that was taking our time and wasn't really willing to listen to our opinions. </div>
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Training life is a blast, everything we do is some new experience to Elder House (my trainee) </div>
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and I have realized more and more how much of it has become old hat to me, and so being able to try to help our trainee to see the fun in all of it I have been able to learn to appreciate things that I had put to the side. So I get to experience everything anew again. </div>
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District leader life is a fun time as well, I love getting to know more missionaries this way, I had to get used to being a regular missionary and being cut off from socializing with other missionaries to an extent but now I can develop relationships and help other missionaries, a lot of them are pretty new to the mission, so I am grateful that I can help with problems that I have faced and give advice and suggestions to how to deal with it better then I did, the key I think is being open and honest with everyone, the more open I am the more someone else will feel open to open up if that makes sense. </div>
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anyway I love you all, I am grateful for the influence of everyone i have come in contact in my life, and I love the things I can take away.</div>
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All the food I have in the fridge is super cheap and not too healthy because I am living off a limited budget but I am getting by, the members here are super nice and feed us a lot. Elder House is fighting to stay awake all day (I remember those days) we just keep telling him that he will get used to it. we have 2 companionships in the district, one set of sisters and one set of Elders, so its going to be a fun transfer... I have to say I started the D&C challenge, which is to read one section of the Doctrine and Covenants starting at the end and reading to the beginning as sort of a count down. its a stupid tradition but I enjoy it because its helping me to keep track of my scripture reading so I will finish D&C for the second time before I come home. </div>
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Love </div>
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Josh</div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-80369803395668983122017-08-14T18:53:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:04:26.315-07:00August 14, 2017 - A lot of changes...<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Josh:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This is the beginning of a new transfer and things are going to be crazy, I will be training with my current companion, a visa waiter, I am super excited and nervous, also the fact that I will be Co-district leader as well, I definitely will be needing the spirit in this. </span><br />
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This week went by way too fast, I can hardly put my thoughts together as to what happened, we were able to see some pretty cool miracles, one of the people we picked up as an investigator me and Elder Bergeron both had talked to before and he was not too interested both times, but we knocked into him again and started talking and through the conversation we were able to pick him up as a new investigator. </div>
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We have this thing called the Miracle Hotline that we send cool experiences in and this is what I put. </div>
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<span style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Miracle! We were knocking doors, it was a street we knocked before and not many people talked to us. We knocked on a house that we remembered and it was the same person as before with the same response of, "Yea not interested." But we persisted. He said he does not go to church because all churches seem self-centered. We talked about how Christ had a church and he said,"Yea, I would join Christ’s church." Long story short, we taught him The Restoration, taught to his needs, and now he is on date. He stated, "I wasn't going to answer the door and I usually tell you to leave, but for some reason I listened. Maybe this is a sign that this is the direction I have been searching for."#preparedbeforeyouknow #lastdoor #donotendKOearly!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">we were able to send another miracle in as well. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #e7e6e2; color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Miracle! We were knocking doors and we were not finding much success but we continued faithfully. We were going to be late for an appointment but we felt we should knock one last door. A lady answered and we started teaching. She stopped us and told us to hold on while she took something off the stove. When she came back, her daughter came with her. We were able to teach them The Restoration. She told us that she wasn't going to answer the door but she felt like she should for some reason. She said that it was a sign that she needed to start being more religious in her life and we testified of this message. We will be going back to share more! #letthheholyspiritguide #justonemoredoor #followthespirit!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have been so blessed to be</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> here in this mission, there have been so any hard experiences that I have had to work through, the other day a member told us that a mission isn't just the best two years of your life, but it is the best two years for your life, and I have to agree, through my mission and through everyones mission I think, it is sort of a refining fire that burns off a lot of excess self and reveals a better me, I can feel that I have changes so much, and it is going to be sooooo weird getting home and seeing everyone and adapting back into regular life. wearing t-shirts is weird, socializing without talking about the gospel in a conversation is something I have forgotten how to do. I am just enjoying the time I have at this moment being able to preach the gospel and being a missionary. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have officially ran out of food and its lucky that I am shopping today because I looked in the fridge this morning and it was completely empty. luckily I had a few odds and ends to make breakfast. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love you all a ton, I am looking forward to this transfer, though there were a few days this week that I was surprised by trunkyness, I have had to shrug it off more and more, its almost unconscious, but all of a sudden I will start not being motivated at all then I will have to shake myself free of those feelings and move on. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stay safe and keep growing in the gospel, magnify your roles in the ward and seek to understand the will of God over all things. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another transfer with this guy!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ben and Jerry's vermont original, (had to try it because of Elder Bergeron)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU83WSWQDaVm60yfDki8M1Nu5cmeE5mn1M2hieZ3iOnZQB45q7_cRlaA4kAefNLkcdUJJFoaETmASN_iyyl_KPfxMiDwRgg65Za1biqPy0j-ETs041wulmsKFSCdx0WzBh_NpUxZAmX4/s1600/comp5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU83WSWQDaVm60yfDki8M1Nu5cmeE5mn1M2hieZ3iOnZQB45q7_cRlaA4kAefNLkcdUJJFoaETmASN_iyyl_KPfxMiDwRgg65Za1biqPy0j-ETs041wulmsKFSCdx0WzBh_NpUxZAmX4/s320/comp5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXWio6g2SdpfGOoBs-mgKK_zFiavWjMZ7D92JkbfaTwJ0E_SWmSj97sD73EA4K9JW0NK48LF_nOZIOTQuzhiaN4l0Y9cAYvynzO_0WkRJe_1YM00e7fBJEQfqcYKVP7KhLVg68I6L2nA/s1600/comp6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXWio6g2SdpfGOoBs-mgKK_zFiavWjMZ7D92JkbfaTwJ0E_SWmSj97sD73EA4K9JW0NK48LF_nOZIOTQuzhiaN4l0Y9cAYvynzO_0WkRJe_1YM00e7fBJEQfqcYKVP7KhLVg68I6L2nA/s320/comp6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-1826571545311431722017-08-07T18:50:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:04:14.906-07:00August 7, 2017 - Lake of the Woods<blockquote style="background-color: white; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" type="cite">
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<b><u>From Mom:</u></b></div>
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Dear <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>,<br />
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I'm sitting in this little tent trailer trying to compose a letter to my missionary son. The tent trailer is parked at the old homestead in Bergland, Ontario. I can hear someone playing the accordion, the clink of a horseshoe game, laughter and the wind in the trees. There is something magical about returning to ones' roots; to realize that our genetics are from pretty resilient stuff.</div>
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Steph flew in a few days before we left and she submitted herself to the drive across Canada. 🇨🇦 It was a little cramped and required intense stretching at ever stop. Lol.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5T_6bum2s6vRJV_cO53QruejTR5jUP0Vtf7-tfvSs1RdPZs7nY1-P0P3_MtlojLbO7FUYiWkBgj9xOQk1njkaOkelTeMRIF83eEspEmuaVw7Z0yJVefwxwJ2y_qMz5UQMPcRhyphenhyphenKjMIM/s1600/StephYoga.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5T_6bum2s6vRJV_cO53QruejTR5jUP0Vtf7-tfvSs1RdPZs7nY1-P0P3_MtlojLbO7FUYiWkBgj9xOQk1njkaOkelTeMRIF83eEspEmuaVw7Z0yJVefwxwJ2y_qMz5UQMPcRhyphenhyphenKjMIM/s320/StephYoga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But now we are here, learning about our ancestors. I heard an inspiring story about your great-great-great Grandmother Kristina Olson. She was a midwife for the area and helped over 200 babies be born. She didn't lose a single one, which was remarkable for the time. The particular story I liked was one where she was called in the middle of a winter night by a feverish and desperate father. She bundled up in the -40 weather and arrived to a home that was devoid of food. She helped the mother give birth, then stayed to nurse the family. Somehow her husband, Peter John, showed up with 100 lbs of flour, which she made into bread. She didn't leave until they were fed and healed. She was known for her patient and sometimes miraculous healing. Kristina attributed all of her success to heavenly help. (She also smoked a pipe until she was 97, when she died. But I actually love that because it makes her human.)</div>
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What a legacy of service. </div>
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I also learned that your great-great grandfather Godfrey had a sister who died when her youngest daughter, Lilian, was three. They took her in and raised her in the Gospel. Her descendants (my fourth cousins) who were at the Reunion made a point to say they would be forever grateful for that, otherwise they wouldn't have the Gospel in their lives at all. It was a service that expands (and continues to reach) four generations. </div>
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We are planning to fish and spend the day at the lake. The nights are already turning cold. We are bundled in our sleeping bags and Steph wears a toque at night. On Wednesday we are leaving for the canoe trip. My first time. Wish me luck!</div>
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Benson and Cody are here. Cody will come with us on the canoe trip. Benson made a point to ask if you could say hi to him and to tell you that he misses you. 🙂</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuuUpOd6MkcQq9BpsqKdcRdc89LmetwB0zHNdjgZOZzef6EIa7TyCnalclsDXynYX8QgQJtoIV3Acfk0p4hzSbvQwMosrjEZGxPtyx2axphqFXU1yW-xSFDFN6aQ6D1oYuttl1Xgp06Q/s1600/CousinsMotorHome.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuuUpOd6MkcQq9BpsqKdcRdc89LmetwB0zHNdjgZOZzef6EIa7TyCnalclsDXynYX8QgQJtoIV3Acfk0p4hzSbvQwMosrjEZGxPtyx2axphqFXU1yW-xSFDFN6aQ6D1oYuttl1Xgp06Q/s320/CousinsMotorHome.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here are some other pictures of the Reunion...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMljP9XuA5ffOgfBDU6dYSzlV74zpiwg1O22caDe76YNeJhOERw8Q4fMeDfD2Vpb6PGV2OnvpKpHksvXer6XWM-4tuspRBVySekLYSmlOFtG-oGHMDUt1orNojuWRWbmuxghJ95diok_c/s1600/Games.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMljP9XuA5ffOgfBDU6dYSzlV74zpiwg1O22caDe76YNeJhOERw8Q4fMeDfD2Vpb6PGV2OnvpKpHksvXer6XWM-4tuspRBVySekLYSmlOFtG-oGHMDUt1orNojuWRWbmuxghJ95diok_c/s320/Games.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Playing a Swedish points game called Mölkke ... It's a cross between bowling and Koob. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS46-oIWeZv4h1WpRKDcCEbdlM9aTqjeMGJK4flIJs-jEdVirwOA-elXyNbIQoLQHOx5X7P94RdZ6fhzxPnUjZHG1zWhZBDBMK2KJ8xR0AC6JqoDOC-r9HJmFaWZIV-5OaeIuBmji4cFk/s1600/Games2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS46-oIWeZv4h1WpRKDcCEbdlM9aTqjeMGJK4flIJs-jEdVirwOA-elXyNbIQoLQHOx5X7P94RdZ6fhzxPnUjZHG1zWhZBDBMK2KJ8xR0AC6JqoDOC-r9HJmFaWZIV-5OaeIuBmji4cFk/s320/Games2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Slip and slide baseball</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpH-k1A2GpZiN8d7PV2eLeHQvmabMeQZkv-w8GzAt-hTEIBpQZBnyO9NzyBU9IW97jLJzSMNwGH8woHdDgCbna6QasarFflE8u4uO009hfUDAOF-8zivgMVJtMs4hGBNl4oXUKFsN1sU/s1600/MarkJenDance.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpH-k1A2GpZiN8d7PV2eLeHQvmabMeQZkv-w8GzAt-hTEIBpQZBnyO9NzyBU9IW97jLJzSMNwGH8woHdDgCbna6QasarFflE8u4uO009hfUDAOF-8zivgMVJtMs4hGBNl4oXUKFsN1sU/s320/MarkJenDance.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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Mark and I were polka-ing. He was whipping me around so fast I had a hard time keeping my breath. So fun!</div>
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Also, just before we left for Ontario two things happened...</div>
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We got a kitten which Abby named Hawk because she insists on climbing up your body and perching on your shoulder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKgTPckfG8Wh6cIUJGcU1HOycDEvqbDA5-9T7jx7f-9hnK2v8MHDDWKfgJtmE8Ctl6SkbghFskBoZ4uxPQsj3Ml06wT6BV6KEbYbz5gIWIBKylI6mVNIIvAhtHoq7gxhYZoSpqqAoMd8/s1600/Hawk.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKgTPckfG8Wh6cIUJGcU1HOycDEvqbDA5-9T7jx7f-9hnK2v8MHDDWKfgJtmE8Ctl6SkbghFskBoZ4uxPQsj3Ml06wT6BV6KEbYbz5gIWIBKylI6mVNIIvAhtHoq7gxhYZoSpqqAoMd8/s320/Hawk.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_K_M6a22lwKp0tnVrzO0HTsuMokNwKGl4VtO7-tHhjh0egaq-sqR8A4fm_3s5uIhDocclgkHxF4Ho_2j3om_42E4m02x77JS3tA3PlFygqvMeEGQQGuqgck3GmjYtAi5gRw5ORX4ViH8/s1600/Hawk2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_K_M6a22lwKp0tnVrzO0HTsuMokNwKGl4VtO7-tHhjh0egaq-sqR8A4fm_3s5uIhDocclgkHxF4Ho_2j3om_42E4m02x77JS3tA3PlFygqvMeEGQQGuqgck3GmjYtAi5gRw5ORX4ViH8/s320/Hawk2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And I did my yearly mountain summit hike. I got to the top of Bertha Peak in Waterton. It took us 12 hours when it should have taken us five or six because we lost the path. There is a Gospel analogy in there somewhere I'm sure. Stick to the path otherwise the journey is longer, harder and full of burrs that get stuck in your shoes! Ha!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xyv1NxTbPGDk5bRTyUq5OQ8oZvF4ta99GAVF0jfjFKusk2W1YLMKMcRTovxVeo3pxPTsk-E97PO_blBHFuiGASBrpnZJMHZrbVbYmo2nA2ZrD9bVAh8JcAWpB_wr1atQ3uNKFK_32mk/s1600/Waterton.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xyv1NxTbPGDk5bRTyUq5OQ8oZvF4ta99GAVF0jfjFKusk2W1YLMKMcRTovxVeo3pxPTsk-E97PO_blBHFuiGASBrpnZJMHZrbVbYmo2nA2ZrD9bVAh8JcAWpB_wr1atQ3uNKFK_32mk/s320/Waterton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Whenever I summit, I think of the scripture in Isaiah 58:13-14 about the Sabbath...</div>
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13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:</div>
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14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and<u><i> I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth,</i></u> and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.</div>
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I've often considered what riding "upon the high places of the earth" means. It's a promise for keeping the Sabbath Holy. When I am at the top of the mountains, I can see everything, everywhere 360°. So I think a promised blessing for keeping the Sabbath is perspective. And having a good perspective in life is something I need. </div>
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Anyway, I love you so much, <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>. And I'm extremely proud of you. I'm fully supportive of your choice to seek out an extension. Be accepting of whatever your mission president says. You're always in our prayers.</div>
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Love you forever,</div>
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Mom</div>
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<b><u>From Josh - "Don't rush into things...":</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week I seem to keep learning not to rush into things, I have seen what happens when we rush into teaching when we rush to an appointment, when we rush district meeting, it all seems to go to one place, confusion, and misunderstanding. </span><br />
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So the Mission is really caught up on what is called "Mission Math" it is a statistical report from Salt Lake telling us what happens in our mission on the numbers side, so when I first got into the mission we were getting 32 new investigators for every person baptized, and now we are getting 17 new investigators for every 1 baptism we have in the mission, the problem and the difference is people were so concerned about the numbers back then that they didn't care about who they taught as long as they could get a prayer, some doctrine, and a return appointment then they could "technically" be counted as a new investigator, so what missionaries changed is that they are really focusing on teaching people and not lessons. </div>
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The other day, we taught this one girl the restoration and we said a prayer and everything, and set an appointment for the next day, as we walked away my companion and I did the high five for a new investigator but I was without hope, for while she was paying attention I knew that she wasn't into it, and would probably ditch on the next appointment not to mention we hadn't met her family, and so the next day we went by and met her mother and her mom told us that she wasn't interested and did not want to meet anymore, and I walked away not surprised because even thought we may have been able to count her as a new investigator it was meaningless and superficial. We have been called to find those who will receive us, if they aren't going to continue meeting with us after the first lesson then they didn't really want to receive us in the first place. </div>
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We seemed to have been passively bashed all week this week, maybe it didn't help that we knocked a lot near a church known for anti mormon sermons, there was this guy who tried to convince us that the bible is all based off of evidence there is no such thing as faith, another told us that only Christ teachings were correct and all the prophets and apostles were just men, many people just spouted out the same lines I have heard throughout my mission, and I realized that a lot of these people are spoon fed these lines and a lot of the problem today is that people are just too comfortable to change, and what happens to people who are spiritually lazy, they will often spend more time trying to justify why they are comfortable and not willing to progress then the original work it would take to step out of their comfort zones. </div>
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There will be times in your life that will extremely test your faith, and everything will seem bleak, but don't let your doubts overcome your faith, because in the end your life will be blessed by your decision to stay, </div>
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when I lost my testimony in the beginning of my mission it is because of things I didn't know, and I let those things get blown out of proportion, and even now I don't know about some of those things that I struggled with, but recently something that I really stuggled with has recently been brought to an understanding, been brought to light, and I was blown away that it was so simple, and I am ever grateful that I chose to have faith rather then to give up. So don't give up if something you hear or something happens tries to knock you off your course, because somewhere down the road things will be revealed and if you are faithful you will be blown away by the great glory of God, if you are not then you will regret the lost time. </div>
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I love you all, things are good, I ran out of most of my food this week, luckily I still have plenty of money to last through the month, I have been really trying to be more thrifty with my money, and it takes a lot of self control, (which I don't have much of) i have been learning to develop a little more of it little by little. </div>
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I am down to 3 more pares of pants that don't have any holes in them the rest are trash, that included the 4 pairs that i bought 6 months ago now. they are gone, the ones I have left are my suit pants, my gray pants I brought out with me and one pair I bought for my other suit, my shirt are in great condition though the collars are started to ware, my shoes look like they have definitely been worn for two years. I have been listening to all the horror stories of returning home and I am a little anxious, I checked with my mission president and I can extend for three weeks, but that would mean a trio and president would rather not, so I will be coming home on time, I am kind of glad, after really considering it, I kind of felt selfish and wanted to be home for Christmas.</div>
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I recently got a super bad sore throat and couldn't yawn without feeling excruciating pain, and it hurt to eat solid food, I have been taking a lot of vitamin C and have taken Bucklies twice, didn't help too much but felt good once I got over the flavor. Any suggestions?</div>
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I love you so all so much, I don't know where I would be without my family and my friends, my leaders and most importantly the gospel. </div>
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Stay safe. </div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2nMlKQ4iCxMNiNijp3jB0GciOBwqx3K5KLCeOXfyPO3t6myQVh7oqyHci3WGdXMVvvygG8oYG302aD2LcXSelqKkwhyshWYg-t__nNfm9jNxRgfJkbsqI26hqiFjD0e3ZI4EVa_qHto/s1600/comp3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2nMlKQ4iCxMNiNijp3jB0GciOBwqx3K5KLCeOXfyPO3t6myQVh7oqyHci3WGdXMVvvygG8oYG302aD2LcXSelqKkwhyshWYg-t__nNfm9jNxRgfJkbsqI26hqiFjD0e3ZI4EVa_qHto/s320/comp3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-YY1iKI7vifgfbFdM_9JoV31A1YgUPNjBdXYaXKnfKDrUq00eGJl24OaWAAsldscVBdN30zcc0NN60TG7CkaRu1tuQANIDcIz2iXHaQqcm9WSf5mc6c0S3vNDeLaZlI1BoBL5JCnwQQ/s1600/comp2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-YY1iKI7vifgfbFdM_9JoV31A1YgUPNjBdXYaXKnfKDrUq00eGJl24OaWAAsldscVBdN30zcc0NN60TG7CkaRu1tuQANIDcIz2iXHaQqcm9WSf5mc6c0S3vNDeLaZlI1BoBL5JCnwQQ/s320/comp2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-81921846915571220602017-07-31T18:43:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:04:04.029-07:00July 31, 2017<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><u>From Dad:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hi </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">,</span><br />
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It's been a great week here in Smithville. </div>
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Biggest of all for me was finishing the roof off! It was a big project and full of new experiences and challenges. I've really enjoyed working with Ben especially as he's been the one available. Something about working together that brings you closer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9difbWIgH05l0kF8IlZe47ICy7-4A1e00p2Oa1sANv9-mTply4pITU-Hnh7zDw6WCMh0zPYZoyAivuGXarMrgc0DlK9RHYIbcT5DM5gL6xxEbbbrRFV0OvnWbGdm67MoawtaLKffH2Pw/s1600/BenKarlosRoof.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9difbWIgH05l0kF8IlZe47ICy7-4A1e00p2Oa1sANv9-mTply4pITU-Hnh7zDw6WCMh0zPYZoyAivuGXarMrgc0DlK9RHYIbcT5DM5gL6xxEbbbrRFV0OvnWbGdm67MoawtaLKffH2Pw/s320/BenKarlosRoof.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been thinking a lot lately about the purpose of life. I've been using the "5 Why's" method which essentially teaches that when you want to understand a problem or a concept at a root cause level, you continually ask successive "Why" questions until you get to the most root cause level of understanding. So for example:</div>
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Q: What is my purpose on earth? Why am I here?</div>
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A: To learn and grow</div>
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Q: Why do I want or need to learn and grow?</div>
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A: So I can progress and become more like my Heavenly Father</div>
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Q: Why is it important to progress and become like my Heavenly Father?</div>
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A: So I can live with him again and have what he has?</div>
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Q: What is the purpose of living with him again and being like him?</div>
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A: To be fulfilled and happy - Men are that they might have joy!</div>
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Etc.</div>
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Then having dug down into a problem/idea/concept, you can identify meaningful actions to address the root cause of something vs. just the outer leaves or symptoms of a problem. We can do the same thing with all aspects of our testimony! Why do I believe Joseph was a prophet? Why is the atonement important? Why do I need to get married? etc. etc.</div>
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We had a good YM discussion on this on Sunday as I taught all 3 quorums. It was kind of fun as one of the YM (Sam Bates) went on Mormon.org and started chatting with a representative and asked her what the Purpose of Life is. </div>
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We had the missionaries over the other day for dinner and they shared with us some training on doing missionary work with Facebook! That was a novel concept! Have they talked about doing anything like that in your mission? Edmonton seems to be a progressive mission as they have iPads and are talking about having smart phones as well and using social media in their finding and in training members.</div>
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While they were here, we prayed, looked through their facebook friends list and right then and there encouraged us to send someone a message related to the gospel and start a conversation with a Facebook friend. So I did! I texted a friend/old co-worker who was an intern with us. He just got a job at NVDIA in California so I told him to keep an eye out for you :)</div>
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Steph flew in yesterday after being delayed overnight in Vancouver. She's cut her hair for the canoe trip and she actually looks alot like you boys with your haircuts! Really enjoyed catching up with her again.</div>
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Last night Mom went down to Waterton with Carly Bateman to go on her annual hike with her tribe (Sioban Westeropp, Jamelyn Stephan etc). It's a good therapy session to get together and sweat with good friends!</div>
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We are heading out to Ontario on Wednesday. Should be a good time and looking forward to doing a canoe trip with your Mom. </div>
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Have a great week. "Sprint with the Spirit" to the end! </div>
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Love Dad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDeFtAZTwToywYUeH_-1nGm-5GK0-GW9JO6Yg78s5tUc9QgWwsnEp4-Zf5Z9xH-1JFzsG5FYbl2O5voEWAfAq-eXal02Oj4q2IBGXZ57t0JruB-KcJ_JEtoBjaqniPR0ACwqvNS-097Y/s1600/StephShortHair.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDeFtAZTwToywYUeH_-1nGm-5GK0-GW9JO6Yg78s5tUc9QgWwsnEp4-Zf5Z9xH-1JFzsG5FYbl2O5voEWAfAq-eXal02Oj4q2IBGXZ57t0JruB-KcJ_JEtoBjaqniPR0ACwqvNS-097Y/s320/StephShortHair.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<b><u>From Josh:</u></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week has flown by with so many things happening, yesterday we were able to have three of our investigators come to church, and in the third hour we have joint meeting and discussed why we all came to church, it is always a little nerve racking because a lot of the comments made by people were very candid, like, "Honestly its a struggle to come to church" or "I don't often stay for the three hours", but luckily everyone talked about how much of a blessing it was. </span><br />
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Last week I don't know if I added this but we boldly invited Brad Giles, (one of the less actives we were working with) to come to church, and after struggling he said he would come and he came, he hasn't been to church in 12 years and when he came he was super nervous, and it was a real struggle even when he sat down we was really struggling to feel good, but then the first hymn came on and he settled right in.</div>
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Yesterday he came for the second time and he has really been welcomed back into the ward with open arms and loves everything about it, he couldn't stop thanking us for inviting him, it really put in my mind the importance of not being afraid and not hesitating in following the spirit because we didn't do anything of ourselves, it was all the Lord, I read something the other day about submitting our will to God, and I have been really wondering how I can do that, to truly become instruments in the hands of God, it is so difficult I struggle pushing my thoughts and feelings to the side and letting the spirit lead, there are times when I catch brief glimpses of what it is like to let the spirit guide completely, I am way more confident when I am letting myself be led, I know what to say all the time and nothing seems daunting, I can talk to anyone, angry or nice and always say something that they need to hear, and at the end of the day I am overwhelmed by how much that I can't do, without the spirit I would be lost and nothing would get done, I get discouraged easily and overwhelmed, I struggle to speak to everybody and often let people pass me by. I am nothing without the Lord. </div>
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I love being a missionary so much, I have been having so many great experiences and love the people here, the good and the mean. I love being around so many great missionaries and members and my time here is going way too fast, I almost never want it to end. I have thought about extending my mission but would also really love coming home before Christmas, It has been a subject of prayer and honest seeking, what would you think about me extending my mission? </div>
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I love you all so much and I know that this all is true. Put your trust in the Lord and focus on your efforts to strengthen your testimony.</div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>. </div>
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-exchange pick with Elder Aguilar in my district</div>
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-Coupons! missionary money.</div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-38909364538575097772017-07-24T18:37:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:03:52.123-07:00July 24, 2017 - Working for Charity<b><u>From Joshua:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">What a week it has been, some of the most memorable days was on Tuesday, we felt pretty good about the day and went out super excited to get to work, we had finished weekly planning and the first house we stopped by we noticed a man taking in his trash, we went up and greeted him and started a pleasant conversation which descended slowly until he was basically telling us we were dead wrong and us telling him that he was as well. So basically a bash, he told us that he had prayed about it and he knew that we were dead wrong. Which worried me a little until I asked if he had read anything in the Book of Mormon he told us he hadn't because he knew it was wrong. After going back and forth about the importance of reading he told us that it was only on faith that we were saved and that the Book of Mormon did not have any evidences to support it, his basic concept is that faith is only faith if there is known evidence to back it up, so unless you have a knowledge of physical things then its not faith... I got pretty fired up about it I have to admit, and straight up told him that he believed then that it is only by evidence that we were saved then (according to his view) it was all just going in circles with me getting more and more angry, until I just told him to read and we left with him laughing at us as we left. That put me in a bad mood, for most of the time till we started knocking on doors, after having little success we finally struck up a conversation about chickens with this lady, because she had a little coop in her front yard, and Elder Bergeron had a good knowledge about chickens. We eventually got to relate it to the gospel and it turns out that her daughter had died a year ago and her she had just barely left her super abusive husband and was wondering about why we faced all the challenges of life and where we went after we died, we were able to share a little bit of the plan of salvation and left her will a pamphlet because she didn't feel up to listening at that moment, we continued on and met a less active member who was super nice and gave us water and told us he thought we were awesome, which was great, the day was looking up and we had regained some of the enthusiasm that we had earlier in the day. We went and knocked on the less active members neighbor and he opened up and he seemed pretty nice, asked a lot of questions, and it ended up once again turning into a bash, he was trying to twist our words and catch us in a trap with all his question and eventually Elder Bergeron laughed a little in frustration and he took offense and promptly said goodbye and slammed the door, once again we were struggling to maintain a happy attitude, it was interesting to note that I remembered that guy from a year before when we accidentally knocked into Seco Canyon from Saugus and he hadn't changed at all, but I was a completely different person from before, because I had gotten out of my comfort zone and struggled a lot, but he was afraid to try something new, he had made the decision that the bible was enough and we would never need to stretch or grow, he was comfortable and wasn't about to let anyone change him. anyway we went away super frustrated and went to Shannon's house, we knocked and she came out, and we were able to share the first part of the plan of salvation when she prayed she said a super simple prayer, all she said was "Heavenly Father, I am trying..." and that really struck me as so relevant to us all, we are all trying. When she said those words the spirit came in and after when I asked what she felt she said the felt warm and comfortable.</span><br />
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We booked it from the appointment because we were late for our next appointment we were in such a hurry that we almost missed someone we had met earlier in the week walking on by, we had gotten her number down wrong and she really wanted to go to church, so we stopped and got the number down said hi to her little daughter and left for the next appointment, really stressing the importance of not rushing while there are those on the wayside perishing in unbelief. </div>
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Sorry that was long an drawn out. </div>
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It is interesting I have been here for nearly 3 months and we are still finding new things in the apartment, I found an April 2011 sunday afternoon session of general conference DVD in the book shelf and for fun watched it, each talk was super good and I would encourage all to go back and look at past conferences, one thing that stuck out to me the concept that was stated in the talk "what manner of men and woman aught ye to be" the speaker compared doing and being, and the concept of how everyone seems to have a 'to do' list but nobody seems to have a 'to be' list, why? To do's are events that take place, checklists that you can check off when done, but to be's are constant never ending, we can do good things but we should never stop being a good person. we can do fun things with each other, but we should never stop being loving parent's or siblings. An invitation to myself when I heard that talk was to make a to be list, of the man I wanted to become and to live up to my true potential. What is on your to be list? </div>
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I love you all so much, I have a good supply of hand me down socks from my previous companion that are still in excellent shape, the freezer is packed with hot pockets and quick make meals, my companion only gets on my nerves some of the time, mostly because he is strong willed and can often push me out of decision making, so I am learning to respond appropriately, the ward members are all super nice, the people here only bash half the time... the closer we get to the grace baptist church the more it seems to happen. We have only run into Jehovah's Witness missionaries (aka Pioneers, their missionary work is called pioneering, so next time you see them be polite and ask them how their pioneering is going) just once or twice. I have only lost my temper twice... both were described previously. We have a few solid investigators who have their struggles but we are moving past them. I am struggling to keep my desk clean so I have to step up my game on that. I found a missionary advice book that has some really cool suggestions which i have been taking in. I have only gotten lost twice as the driver and I have only gotten one aggressive driving on the tiwi machine in the car... and that is because I was distracted and nearly ran a red light... I will be more attentive in the future. I have nearly broke my phone. almost fainted through lack of water and too much heat yesterday. </div>
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I never want to stop being a missionary. I grow more and more in denial the closer I get to coming home, I am sure I will finally accept it when I am on the plane. </div>
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Stay safe, and keep pressing forward, Its all true, the gospel is the way of happiness, and it is so important to maintain an eternal perspective, we met someone who had lost his faith in God because his sister died, he used to be a member but got disenchanted because of those bad things that happened. He didn't have an eternal perspective and he has lost it all, he is in open rebellion against God, he loves us but will not discuss religion at all. He doesn't believe in God and is not interested in learning if he is there. Maintain an eternal perspective, this life is only a blip in the eternities, remember that no matter how hard it gets that it won't last. </div>
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Love</div>
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<span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span></div>
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<b><u>From Dad:</u></b></div>
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Hi <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>,<br />
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It's been a good week here on the acreage. We had lots of company and help this week. Grandma and Grandpa <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span> came up Friday night and Auntie Wendy's son Greg came up with his friend Eric.</div>
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Ben and I were just finishing sheeting the garage roof on Friday when G&G pulled up and helped finish it. Saturday was beautiful and Grandpa and I worked on the roof all day with help from Auntie Wendy and her son Greg and his friend Eric later in the day to finish one side of the garage roof. It is a huge relief to get the roof done. </div>
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Sam and Ben left early for Red deer to run in a Spartan race. Sam originally signed up with promises from friends to do it with him, but everyone cancelled. So Ben volunteered to do it with him. It was a bonding day for them doing something hard and fun. They even helped on the garage after though Sam was almost falling off the ladder with exhaustion. </div>
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Ben and I have been doing P90x and it's amazing how having someone work together with you on a goal is so much more motivating. I've been pleasantly surprised at how much more energy I have when I exercise. </div>
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Today we went and got a kitten. We are becoming a true acreage family. I'm trying to be very stern about it being an outside cat. We shall see. </div>
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Mom and I are so pleased with each of our precious children. I think you all came to us with amazing potential and talents from the pre-existence. </div>
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Have a great week. I'm afraid I may be too late!</div>
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Dad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBR-l5M3BEB-mkG9Ukd_igdVFFmzz-LQ1vMwIBmJLst1lWsFp3PtdeG1LPiC3TFrumlXAGxOu3bBekRL_uZ25y7hwgiLer0HpELS1C4HKW7muNxx_EzrRT0rl8mH8jk-2KSVxvZ6DFYE/s1600/Peters.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBR-l5M3BEB-mkG9Ukd_igdVFFmzz-LQ1vMwIBmJLst1lWsFp3PtdeG1LPiC3TFrumlXAGxOu3bBekRL_uZ25y7hwgiLer0HpELS1C4HKW7muNxx_EzrRT0rl8mH8jk-2KSVxvZ6DFYE/s320/Peters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3512606220491057836.post-48154501217744519622017-07-17T20:03:00.000-07:002018-07-21T10:03:42.853-07:00July 17, 2017 - OYM<b><u>From Grandpa:</u></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Elder </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Joshua</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> - we just heard that some dear friends have been called to the San Fernando mission - Elder Parley and Sister Bonnie </span><span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251 , 246 , 167 , 0.5); color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Smith</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> - he was the Stake Clerk when I had the blessing of serving - hopefully you will get to meet them - if you do please express our joy in their call to serve. </span><br />
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<b><u>From Dad:</u></b><br />
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Hi <span class="lG" style="background-color: rgba(251, 246, 167, 0.5); outline: transparent dashed 1px;">Josh</span>,<u></u><u></u></div>
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It's been a good week for me this week. Mostly I'm pleased with the progress we've been able to make on the garage. Sam ended up getting his wisdom teeth out this last week and hasn’t been feeling well besides (Good news is that Sam is now submitting his papers!). So without Sam to help me, I’ve had to call on Ben to step up and do some construction with me. I’ve been very pleased with him and he has stepped up and worked hard and well. Some of my greatest joy comes from seeing my family progress.<u></u><u></u></div>
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Since I last wrote, we went on YM camp. Ben went to the <span class="m_8622302218247606290m_2795148324731731311SpellE">Millwoods</span> Stake camp with the teachers, and the priests held a camp at the Day’s and did horseback riding, Archery, Canoeing/Kayaking and tubing on the river, along with a BBQ in Drayton valley with the Laurel. Overall a successful camp week. Ben really enjoyed his camp too, especially the testimony meeting. We had a long talk about testimonies when we got home.Looking back over the years, I think I have been to YM camp almost every year for the last 20 years, with only a couple of breaks in between. I’m excited for Mom to start getting youth callings with the YW!</div>
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I've been listening to an interesting audio book lately that Tyler recommended to me called "The 4 hour work week". It has caused me to think outside the box a little with regards to how I spend my time. One of the things he talks about that is also something Ben recently learned about in "Principle Centered Leadership" by Stephen Covey. It states that there is a difference between "Effectiveness" and "Efficiency". One can be very efficient but not very effective. E.g. I can be a very efficient email manager by always keeping up to my email and organizing it into folders etc., but I may not be very effective because I spend all my time doing that instead of more important things. I might be more effective by batching up email management to once a day and doing other more important things when I would normally be constantly checking emails. It's caused me to consider how I can be more effective in my professional as well as personal life. I think that is what is talked about in the missionary guides when it talks about ways of finding and teaching. You might be a very efficient at tracting, but it is not necessarily the most effective way to find or teach people the gospel. Are there ways you can think out side the box in missionary work? Can you batch up your efforts by doing presentations to community groups or bigger groups of people? Can you visit less actives and ask for referrels? There are lots of ways to be creative in whatever we do I think.</div>
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AJ Ripley gave an interesting talk on Sunday reminding us of the circumstances surrounding the revelation on the Word of Wisdom. Much of his source came from this article on <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lds.org&source=gmail&ust=1500950420182000&usg=AFQjCNGCj1tV0t3USzIspT62wz6FY7cgzQ" href="http://lds.org/" style="color: #7e57c2; position: relative; z-index: 0;" target="_blank">lds.org</a>(<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://history.lds.org/article/doctrine-and-covenants-word-of-wisdom?lang%3Deng%26_r%3D1&source=gmail&ust=1500950420182000&usg=AFQjCNEMG-06f46lYMpjLSILU0LZ54alQQ" href="https://history.lds.org/article/doctrine-and-covenants-word-of-wisdom?lang=eng&_r=1" style="color: #7e57c2; position: relative; z-index: 0;" target="_blank">https://history.lds.org/<wbr></wbr>article/doctrine-and-<wbr></wbr>covenants-word-of-wisdom?lang=<wbr></wbr>eng&_r=1</a>) It caused me to think about the importance of our environment and our ability to receive revelation. Mom and I were talking about this. Mom made an interesting statement about how she feels very fulfilled in her role as mother and with our family, but individually, especially thinking about her Patriarchal blessing, she feels quite unfulfilled. Always be grateful for the sacrifice your Mom made so she could be home with you. You have a faithful mother who listens to a prophet's voice. She also indicated that moving to the acreage has made a big difference in helping her start on a path of individual fulfillment primarily due to loving the environment and the opportunities it provides. Look for ways to create an environment of the spirit for your companionship and for your investigators.</div>
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Keep strong and steady and sprint to the end! Best months of your mission are in front of you!</div>
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Let us know of your investigators we can pray for.</div>
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Dad</div>
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<b><u>From Josh:</u></b></div>
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OYM means Open Your Mouth, it is key to finding people who are prepared to learn the Gospel and it is something I have struggled with my whole mission until now. </div>
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I set a goal to boldly walk up to people to shake their hand, and to share the gospel and I set another goal to not hesitate, and I have been really pushing myself because the last thing I feel is to walk up to a stranger especially when they don't look interested or if they notice me 50 feet away and the most awkward thing to do is greet them from that far away and then to walk up to them and shake their hand, at least I felt it was awkward before, the more I have been doing it the less I feel like its weird and the more it feels normal, I will often catch myself though making excuses for why I shouldn't talk to a person, but as part of my goal to not hesitate is to just jump right in so when those excuses come to my mind I know that that is the sign that I need to do it right now.</div>
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We had a cool miracle on Saturday, we had just started knocking doors and we knocked into this one lady who just waved us off and so we took that as a "go away" kind of signal so we left and went to knock the next door but then the lady came around the bushes and we went to talk to her, she simply said "are you christian?" and we responded that we were, "come with me" was her only reply so we followed, we could tell this woman was hispanic and so we didn't know what to expect, she went inside and told us to wait for a few moments and after a couple minutes a younger lady came out and said that her mom said we were there to see her. we started asking about her religious beliefs and she told us she was agnostic, that she believed more in the science aspect of things, I pulled a quote out from one of Bruce R McConkies talks (the 7 deadly heresies) "True science and true religion agree with each other" and she accepted it and we continued to teach her the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we kept it simple and tried to answer the many questions she asked, and she accepted it all, she prayed right after for the first time in her entire life, and she said when was finished that she felt weird, and after further inquiry she said it was a good feeling kind of like she was light headed and peaceful, we read the fruits of the spirit from the pamphlet and we told her that what she felt was the spirit, we finished and invited her to church, and she came! after she told us that she thought it was pretty interesting, and that she had started reading the Book of Mormon to her mother and translated it into Spanish, but then looked up online the Book of mormon in that language so that she could read it properly. Her name is Shannon. we have been finding so many people who are so prepared for the Gospel.</div>
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This week there was a really cool video that President Henrie shared with us about a Book of Mormon social experiment, they took every page from The Book of Mormon and gave one page out to random people and told them to highlight everywhere that it referenced God and Jesus Christ and people from all walks of life tried it and each gained a testimony about that specific page, you should all try it! its a cool experiment, then share it with your friends. </div>
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In Elders Quorum on sunday the teacher talked about time, and budgeting our time, he drew an equation on the chalk board. </div>
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24x7=168 </div>
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what does that represent, he said that that is how much time we have in the week. And I thought that was cool and it has really helped me to prioritize a little bit better, figuring out how much time I spend on everything, and i found out that with the missionary schedule, we have only about 51 hours a week that isn't planned for. That is nearly a third of the time that is originally set. And each one of those 51 hours is spent finding and teaching people. Its a good life. </div>
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I know that this church is true, I love it because it helps us to live up to our divine potential, I can tell how much my testimony has grown because I am facing a lot of the same bashing techniques I have faced in the beginning of my mission and it doesn't faze me anymore, because I am built upon the rock of my redeemer... and not trying to bash on any other religion but each and every one I have seen or at least the people I talk to are limited, there is a stop, a "Comfort" where they all feel comfortable where they are at and reject the thought of further growth. they leave the greater light and knowledge that God would have them know and go back to that place that supplies them with the most comfort. We have been teaching the plan of salvation a ton this week and what gets me every time is that the Celestial Kingdom is the only one that offers further advancement. It is the place where we get to continue forging out of our comfort zones and learning more and more, in each one of the other kingdoms its a stop, where every one can be comfortable where they are at, and don't have to learn more. They will be stuck for eternity and they will be happy with that. </div>
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That is not for us, we are part of a church that believes in ALL truth no matter if it comes from an atheist or a baptist, if it is true, then it is something we can accept. We are all to continually grow and progress no matter what, if we are not striving for a celestial life now then we will not be comfortable in a celestial glory. If you look at the quorum of the 12 and the prophet and his counselors nearly each one of them has a masters degree if not a doctorate in something or another. So continue to embrace the awkward, stride out of your comfort zone and it will grow to encompass you, then you need to continue to stride out of it until your are comfortable with everything, at least with continued learning. God wants us to grow. </div>
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I love this church, I know the Book of Mormon is true, we have a prophet on the earth today and God is working among His children actively to bring them to His presence, and we are his instruments as members of this Church.</div>
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Love</div>
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Josh. </div>
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P.S. We have family in this ward, Brother John Fairbanks is my second cousin twice removed and has a book in his home with this page in it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRp4CZ8Qa9NaQTQh_Ba1DNKtu2cwPUT6UqIN_hHAQDRG-phAQK9iLmkSFwgVK2iF_mK3P-pNCkQg11-T4V5RdFTLWua0yrmEWCKWwrCrC6LXl1-MLOFAKKEHX58T1nXSzAjnGLfMaaCA/s1600/Geneology.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRp4CZ8Qa9NaQTQh_Ba1DNKtu2cwPUT6UqIN_hHAQDRG-phAQK9iLmkSFwgVK2iF_mK3P-pNCkQg11-T4V5RdFTLWua0yrmEWCKWwrCrC6LXl1-MLOFAKKEHX58T1nXSzAjnGLfMaaCA/s320/Geneology.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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it is pretty cool to see Dad and grandma and grandpa's names in a book so far away from home. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmQPJQDYjA-SRiY4ulOciJiOuYqI6OGkWLnSmSZdivd9hK8VNiCZxyyTUBzLI6BrY7H0jIRka1XPgCp9MIndrBSWPAZ40JySCsH_liNE4KbXHKXGZZHrzr9KrdI99OxqoISPoSO8hjDM/s1600/Desktop.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmQPJQDYjA-SRiY4ulOciJiOuYqI6OGkWLnSmSZdivd9hK8VNiCZxyyTUBzLI6BrY7H0jIRka1XPgCp9MIndrBSWPAZ40JySCsH_liNE4KbXHKXGZZHrzr9KrdI99OxqoISPoSO8hjDM/s320/Desktop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNH8eLeCTYpHh1F4AZAmnUH9_nkL8CwPDNDp5aUKmG7xCJy45cOeRxsDRA6cMIbyeR7elF3QdlswxmZoIGVD4wgs9GCf1ilAftyE6pbbrWyHB0NVXeMTSj_nB6lMYk9UqCI8Zsk95jbU/s1600/Zone.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNH8eLeCTYpHh1F4AZAmnUH9_nkL8CwPDNDp5aUKmG7xCJy45cOeRxsDRA6cMIbyeR7elF3QdlswxmZoIGVD4wgs9GCf1ilAftyE6pbbrWyHB0NVXeMTSj_nB6lMYk9UqCI8Zsk95jbU/s320/Zone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Chadderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03009751738510312972noreply@blogger.com0