October 13, 2009--the trials begin

Sorry i didn't write too much last week. I have been so busy here. The work is non-stop and I barely have time to even write in my journal.


Things have been great here in Tulsa. If I hadn't mentioned before, my first area that I have been assigned to is the Tulsa, East area. It is the smallest area in the Oklahoma, Tulsa Mission...but it has the most people. I think it has over 100,000 people in this little area. We speak to many MANY people every day...but we are in the Bible Belt...and everyone says Tulsa Oklahoma is the "buckle" of the Bible Belt. it's extremely tough to speak to people about the Restored Gospel because EVERYONE has a church they attend, and a lot of them "frown" upon missionaries. The other day my companion and I had rocks thrown at us and I was shot by a paintball gun. It was exciting :) first thing that popped into my mind was "They ruined my tie!" HAHA. As we biked back to the apartment, I remembered two scriptures: the first was 2 Nephi 31:20. The second was Matthew 10:22. I'll let everyone read those two scriptures for yourselves. It'll be your little homework assignment. I'll give a hint: they speak on endurance. I love those words, and the more I thought about them, the more I came to love all the people around me, and it gave me the strength to keep spreading the Gospel to all. This is the greatest thing on earth, and everyone needs it. It doesn't matter if they are an atheist or a member of the First Presidency. Everyone needs the Gospel, and everyone needs the Atonement.

I'm so excited to hear from everyone to see how their days are. It is so refreshing to hear what you do in your daily lives, and it is so wonderful to read about how the Gospel blesses all of you. Sometimes, we take things for granted. I know I have taken many things for granted. EVERYTHING I have is gift from our Heavenly Father. My family is a gift, my knowldege is a gift, my calling is a gift, and the Atonement is a gift. These are the things that I cherish above all others. Nothing compares! I love all of you so much. I am honored to be apart my temporal family here on earth, and I am honored to be apart of the spiritual family I have throughout the world.

I hope everyone read and studied a talk from Conference ;) haha. I've got a little quiz for everyone:
1. Who was it that spoke on the "-ity" virtues?
2. What apostle spoke on "being more diligent and concerned at home"?
3. Who boldly testified of The Book of Mormon(hint: Sunday Afternoon)?
4. How many temples are in operation?
5. What is Pres. Monson's favorite hymn?
6. (In your opinion) What was the theme of General Conference?
7. What apostle used the analogy of "the grape and the jalapeno"?
8. Who spoke on "using the equipment we have"?
9. In the Priesthood Session, who spoke on Working and Learing here on earth?
10. What apostle stated that members should do more missionary work?
Just some questions...

But anyways, I hope that everything is going well for all of you. The Christlike attribute that I'm working on this transfer is humility. I was hoping that everyone could work on that attribute with me. It's been tough, but I know all things are possible through faith and work (I also need some support) HAHA.

I love all of you, and I'm always praying for you.

Elder Fellows