Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Good afternoon everyone! I cant believe that it's again time for weekly updates! This has been a really awesome week!!
So on the exciting side of news....TRANSFERS!!!!! Wow....that also came super fast!
BUT, back to transfers. There was another big thing that I had to guess, One of the APs is heading home today, so they had to fill the gap, and my guess was my trainer, Elder Abbott.
The moment that we got our calls, I heard, "This is Elder Hornburger, Elder Barham, and ELDER ABBOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOOOOO CALLED IT! I just about died! I am so happy for him! He will be super cool! SO CALLED IT!!
So I'm really excited for the upcoming transfer, there are a lot of things that I am and will be very excited for! So I'll have to keep all of you updated on all the fun things! But I'm pretty happy to be with the new Elder. One thing that I'll try to do is get my soccer skills and knowledge better!
I was really surprised for how much service that we were able to do this week. And yet, we had a large number of really good lessons! One of my favorite things has been the ability that we got to paint one of the members houses. It was a blast!!! And I have to say that house is the best looking house in all of Mattawa...although that's not too hard...XD No, but it looks really really good. Stands out...in a good way. But we spent the morning to the afternoon painting the whole thing, then enjoying a really fun lunch with some of the members...photo included later. Super fun!
We got to go to the food bank again, after I got a much needed haircut! Good thing too, that happened to be one of the hotter days of the season so far. We actually had one woman go into heat stroke...not really fun to get involved with, but everything turned out alright.
All the people that we talked to and discussed the Gospel with were really amazing. We got to talk to many of the friends we talk to each week, and we also were able to meet many more! There are so many people that are being prepared! Each day is such a blessing to be able to meet and share this sacred message with everyone we come in contact with.
But everything is going really well. I'm just super happy and super excited for everything! It's really weird to think that I can be this happy every day in being able to search, learn, apply, and share everything that this Gospel has to give. It truly is an amazing blessing that I dont think I can ever take for granted.
Thank you all for the support that I feel each day here in the WKM. It's just amazing...hard to explain! Haha, but I hope that all of you can have just as equal as amazing weeks!
Love you all, pray for you all, will see you all later!
The Vineyard Worker,
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Elder Glen Wright Washing Kennewick Mission
May 26th
Buenas Dias todos mis amigos!!!
Holy Cow! This week has just flown, and it had to be packed with some really amazing things!
One of the really amazing things in the week has been the miracles of success that we have seen each day. We are in the middle of a very busy time in the season, and yet, we have had more lessons each day than many weeks combined!!!!!!!!!!! (a little less, but still super close!!).
I was especially happy to the events of Monday. I thought that it would be much slower, especially with the Dairy Tour in there (which was fantastic!!), but we actually got in contact with Leonel, who we havent been able to see this while transfer (about a 6 week period...super long for missionary work). He's doing really well, and still reading in the Book of Mormon! Which is really hard with his work schedule, but it's amazing to see the miracles through that!
Might as well go through the week then. Well, the Dairy tour was a blast! President Alread has an amazing set up at his dairy! We walked around and saw lots of things, as well as went in and milked a few. It's kind of funny how happy they are to be there and be milked and everything. They are milked two times each day, with an average of 17 gallons per day per cow! CRAZY!! But there's your fun fact of dairys for the week!
More within the week, we have had some amazing lessons, one of which is one of the most exciting...and happened to be the day that I was on exchanges.
Isidro is the husband of an amazing part-member family that has gone through many hard things. The wife and daughter are recent converts, and love everything about the Gospel. Isidro and the son have been very good at avoiding it. But as the time had drawn further, things have fallen into place. They went from living in their car, to having a very nice house. And that is just one of the small things that has happened to really help them out. But Isidro was still very good about keeping away...until this last Tuesday. We went with the Bishop, someone that has really been an amazing help for Isidro. And everything just flipped. The Spirit had just been gnawing at him with very specific promptings, of which were the exact commitments that the Bishop invited him to do. From that discussion, we will be going back and teaching all the discussions and helping him for a date for baptism. It is such an amazing thing to see how this is not our work at all. The Lord had been preparing him for this, and it's an amazing time for the change in the life of this family. I see so much in the whole family!! They truly can be together forever in joy, even with those who passed on as well! I'm just so excited for him!!!
Vicente Lopes has really gone through many changes that are really starting to bless his life. We came back within the week and followed up on a number of commitments that we gave him, one of the largest ones has been Word of Wisdom and drinking. That problem alone caused so many other things to come up. He drank every minute of the day, he was fired from every job for it, he spent all his money, he was going to get kicked out onto the streets, etc...just nothing good. But over 18 days ago, we really talked about what he could do if he gave it all up. We cane back, and he had not touched a drink for that time, just bone dry and cold turkey! He found a better apartment, he has a great job, he has money to spare (at which he got his first cell phone!!), it's just amazing!!! He comes every week to church and loves it! Such a pure and strong desire to learn and strive to better himself! I am overjoyed each time to talk to him! Everything about him is just amazing! MAN I LOVE MY MISSION!!!!
One of the last ones I want to share with you (so many more though). Gabriel has been an investigator for a very very long time. This has been due to the fact of his dad drawing a wall over the subject of Baptism and membership in the church for his son. He wont even mention or talk on anything related to it. But Gabriel said the opening prayer and it really hit us on his desire to be able to talk to his dad. So we really go talking about it. From there, we took a minute and thought of all the lessons that we have had with him. Most, if not all have been things that our Father in Heaven promises us blessing if we faithfully follow it's precepts. The Gospel has so much power to bless and guide, and all the pieces has been laid out and ready to be used. And not only that, but his first missionary (who has been home for a while) got in contact with him, becoming a strong influence and blessing, knowing that he was still in the minds and prayers of all his missionaries. Our commitment for him was to put it all into action, and put forward the faith to accomplish something almost impossible.
The week was just packed full of lessons like this! It was really amazing at how amazing the joy that I have felt being able to be a part of a miracle. IT's a very special feeling, and it's something that we all need to strive and pray to do. To be instruments in the hands of the Lord, I can promise that there is really nothing much greater than that!
The later part of the week, we were able to help out our Ward Mission Leader with some vines that started attacking the garden during their mission to New Zealand. Boy that was some hard work! But I feel really good about how hard I worked!! I'm not going to brag, but I ripped one of them right from the base...and they were pretty big! But with that came the realization that using my super strength took a lot of energy with it for the last few days of the week! PAIN, pain is weakness leaving the body!! WHOOO!!!!!! haha....
Ya, this week has been great! It's really hard to think that Transfer Calls come out this Saturday. My False Prophecies: ....hmmmmm..... My first guess is that we both are doubling out. My second guess is that Elder Trotter will stay, and I will be leaving...maybe to train. If not this transfer, probably next...they are receiving about 20 or so new Spanish speaking missionaries not this, but next transfer.
But this evening, I will be setting up and doing a Noche De Hogar (Family Home Evening) with the Branch. A movie night, watching, "The Prophet of the Restoration." Really good, and "must see" for my list!!
I love you all and wish the best for you! Shout-out to my family and friends...which is all of you!!! Chao!
May 2014
Good morning everyone!! It's time for another update on your favorite missionary!!!!! ....he's not here yet, so I guess I'll just go ahead and write mine as well.
But this week has been a really fun and rather crazy one...and most of the things that happened, happened yesterday...talk about a miracle!! And I'll get back to that day in a second!
The week started out really good! We had the opportunity to go to Pasco and take part in our Zone Conference, which happens every other transfer (then the opposite is interviews and the Temple P-Day). This was just an amazing experience and the Spirit was found in abundance. I was fully edified as many of my questions, doubts, and concerns were addressed directly through every possible way! It was a really amazing experience.
The focus in each part of the conference varied a little, but a lot of it was on my training that I gave for the Zone Meeting. A lot of further light came through many of the training of the AP's and President Ware. But I was thinking through the whole thing "Let me make you all that you can be." That quotation is just something that really hit me hard when I found and thought about it.
We also did some real plays of the subject of inspired questions to further help our Brothers and Sisters help understand, what we call the 4 Principles: Jesus Christ is our Savior, The 1 Vision was true, The Priesthood was Restored, and that the Book of Mormon is a true witness of our Lord and Savior.
I was in a group with AP Eldre Bahram. And I took the role as the missionary, and the Elder who took the role of the investigator was trying to throw many things and doubts at us. I was surprised how the lesson turned out, as we allowed the Spirit to help us know the right question to allow Him to teach the investigator. It was the second lesson after we committed him to read out of the Restoration Booklet, and by the end, we invited him to be baptized.
The biggest thing that really stood out is why would we not let a member of the Godhead teach? It just blows my mind as I think about that....why wouldn't we want Him to help us?!
That brings me to want to talk about Yesterday (Sunday). That was by far one of the coolest days that I've been here in Mattawa! We doubled and tripled many of our numbers and meetings with people in that small amount of time after church, than in the whole week!
But one lesson really stuck out to me.
We had this potential (one who said that we could come back) that wasnt in our views, that solid. But we knocked on the door, and they let us in as they said if we came back Sunday. I have to say that we were a little rusty from the very beginning. I dont think that we were really expecting to get in, or that we really havent taught in that fast of a way in a while. But as we started talking with them and sharing things in the message of the Restoration, I said a little prayer in my head, something like, "Father, I am so sorry that we aren't doing our best right now. But if you could help us and really bring the Holy Spirit to help us out...that would be great."
We go through to the end of the history of Joseph Smith and his experience. And we asked them what they thought of it. The mother thought that it was very beautiful and somthing that she would want to know if it was true. When we asked the daughter, she clearly said nothing more than, "It's true."
The Spirit just hit both of us. It was really amazing to see what the Spirit is able to when we show that we need Him.
This is not my/our work. I know that with every ounce of my Soul. If God wanted this done, He could easily do it Himself. But Hi knows that as we act in faith as instruments in His hands, our faith will grow, and our desires will change. "Increase our vision, change our attitude, act in faith."
I am grateful for the blessing that I has been each day to be here. I can never...and will never stop saying that! Missions are the best, and it has truly made me who I really want to be for the rest of my life!
I love you all and hope for the best!
-The vineyard Laborer
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Elder Glen Wright Washing Kennewick Mission
Post mothers day 2014
Good afternoon everyone!! It's a beautiful day to be a WKM Missionary!! Any specifics on the reason are to arrive promptly, it's just amazing to be here!! It's always hard to exactly describe how grateful I am to be here...so I figured if I said it in my Emails every week...someone might get a picture of it!
The week has been a good one to say the least! The work is an amazing thing to take part in each day. No matter with the hastening of the work around here for most of the inhabitants of Mattawa, there are many miracles and many people to talk to and share a message.
Let yourself get lost in the work, it is the greatest thing, it is where Real Life is. And dont come back the same, that is exactly opposite of your purpose as a missionary.
"You are guaranteed at least one convert, and it better be you!!" -Elder Holland--
May 5th
Hello everyone! It happens to be another weekly update from the WKM!! Holy cow! This week has just flown by. To think that this is the second week into the transfers! That and Mothers' Day is coming up this week! WHOO!!!!
This week has really just been moving forward. I know that I day this every message, but I am just so excited each day to get out and start!! The work is just an amazing thing to be a part of.
With the growing season of planting, pruning, and picking, the work is supposed to really slow down, but it hasent, and we are constantly busy seeing many people. It's just super exciting!! LOVE IT!
But the lesson went really well. (Read it in Numbers 22-30 {or so}) It's a great example of bring our will closer to that of the Lord's. And it's pretty fun, you cant go wrong with talking donkeys!
When I first read it I was thinking that it was going to say something like: "And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam FREAKED OUT."But no, he replies back rather naturally. Anyway, it's a really good section of scripture. It teaches a good lesson!
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April 28th first week of new transfer
I keep on saying this, but this week has just FLOWN by. It's just all mushed together and thrown about. Cant remember what happened on the fly....thank goodness for my daily journal!!!
This week has been really amazing! Things just never cease to be amazing!
Weather wise, it's a little weird. Larger rain storms come and go in between constant wind. But the sun is really an inviting sight to see!! Everything is really starting to grow and green. Most of the trees are now done blossoming, but the grape vines are just starting to leaf! It's really smelling good, and I'm told that it gets better when the grapes start growing.
Now that I'm on the topic of really good smelling things...we got to help out at the Food Bank, something that we have been trying to do for ever now.
This was a really cool experience. It was a funny coincidence that they were severely under-staffed that day, so we were a sight for sore eyes.
For the first hour of the 4 hours we were there, we helped out everyone who couldnt carry out the boxes to their cars...which was everyone. This things were big and heavy!! I guess that it makes up for the lack of working out the past day...just kidding there, of coarse I work out every day!!! So I just rocked at the heavy lifting!!
But the production line was really slowing down, so they asked me to work on filling the bottom of the boxes with onions. And to make it really fun...they werent just fresh...they were all molded and rotten. WHOO!! So that really cleaned out and killed any smelling senses that I have! But I really enjoyed being able to help out!! We were able to meet a lot of people that aren't of our faith, but have so many desires to serve and to build their Christ-like attributes. We talked the whole time to an older man who as been doing the bank since it started up in Mattawa...only about 3 years ago, but it's still really cool and awesome!!
They will defiantly see us in two weeks the next time it comes around!!
The language is going really well. I have spent a lot of time reading in El Libro De Mormon, and it really has been helping me understand, read, and speak better. I'm really happy to see that I'm able to read loudmouth in Spanish, and it's actually fast. I really never like the thought of sounding like a complete gringo...so one step at a time I'm trying to get better!! I just love the language a lot!!! It's really amazing to see the Hand of the Lord in the process of doing so. I would be nowhere without that Heavenly help!! I am very excited though for one of the new people that we were able to meet, Guadalupe Garcia. We were riding around and thought that we needed to go down this street, we did and found him. He was very nice, but found no interest in too much. The only reason he let us into his house was to show us his virgin Mary.
We got talking, about the Bible and his conversion story. Then we got onto the topic of the Bible and the Book of Mormon, one in purpose and truth. And how we are blessed to have the fullness of the Gospel revealed through using both the Bible and the Book of Mormon hand in hand.
Guadalupe has a lot of time read...due to his left arm broken just above the wrist. (He happened to be (is) a second string soccer player for the Chivas, so he has all sorts of bumps and bruises). CHIVAS!! That's super cool though!!
But he has been able to read out of the Book of Mormon, and I feel just an amazing feeling as he talks about it. I'm really excited to meet with him again! We left him a commitment to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.
This week has been really amazing to continue my studies in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Jesus the Christ. I just really feel the Spirit strong, something that helps me each moment through the day. I just love being able to learn more of the role that the Savior has in my personal life, It's just amazing.
One of the biggest things that has hit me is through the Atonement and our personal need to forgive. Christ's Atonement is unparalleled to anything in the history of the universe. Through Him, we are able to be cleansed from our sins, and be comforted through our afflictions, feelings, and problems. We are able to be completely forgiven. But what I have really seen in a new view is the role of Him to others. When we offend, He can forgive us, when we go to others to fix what we have done, they need to forgive us as well. But what if we were offended?
Through the Atonement, they are forgiven of the offense to us. He takes upon Himself that sin, and turns to us, asking for our forgiveness. He completely steps in the middle of the offense, and asks that of us.
This is something that has really been going though my head as I have further studied the amazing life of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. It's really something isn't it?
This week has really been amazing, I love the blessing i have been given to be a part of this amazing work that is spreading to all nations. The greatest of this blessing the the knowledge that it isn't limited to the missions and missionaries, "All Members missionarys."
Keep moving forward! I love you all and pray for your safety and joy! Dios le quida mucho!!
your fellow vineyard laborer,
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Elder Glen Wright Washing Kennewick Mission
April 14th 2014
Buenas Dias todos! Estoy muy agradacido para tener esta oportunidad para escribir una correo a ustedes!! It's really hard to believe that it has been a full week since the last time that I was sitting here for Preparation Day! ...I keep sayiing that I know...but things have just been moving really quickly. There is so much to do, and the time to do it all just slips out from under you!
On that note.......transfer calls come out this weekend...WHAT!?!?! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM!!!!!??????? ...ok, now that's over with....
This week has been really good! The work is still moving forward at amazing speeds!
But I'm learning a lot more that I thought I would with farming and such. I might even get to learn how to tend grapes, prune, and graft...need to ask around!
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