The Work Rolls On 07/01/14

Oh man! How do I even begin to write about this week! It has been miraculous. Let me just write about Tuesday. Lets begin with a little back story. This last week, we set special goals for new investigators, and I wanted to really focus on inviting people to be baptized. 

So anyways, Tuesday. 

Remember Yasmine from last week? We went back to see her. I thought for sure that we were going to get stood up, but she was on the porch waiting for us. We started teaching the Restoration and it was going very well. Elder Erekson is a very simple teacher which was wonderful in this lesson. At the end, we were testifying to her that if she were to read and pray about this, she would know that it is true. She says, "I feel like I already do. I have this tingly feeling I can't really describe. Its like that feeling when you pray." I was screaming inside. Just saying. 

Next we door knocked into this 20 year old kid who was helping a friend move. He invited us in to talk for a few minutes. From the moment we sat down, he started firing off questions. We had a really good talk, and it concluded by him saying, "I have been studying the New Testament, and I just feel like the church had so much fire then, so much stuff happened. I wonder why it's not like that anymore." I was like Dude, you have no idea. Unfortunately, he doesn't live in our area, so we had to refer him to the Elders in the next ward.

Later that evening, we were trying to find a place to go, and the name of a potential investigator, named Patricia popped into my head. We stopped in, and she invited us right in. She is from Mexico, and she invited her 13 year old granddaughter Anna to come sit in. We taught them the Restoration, and I will never their faces. They were nearly in tears. Anna jumped at the idea of reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church. They immediately accepted the invitation to be baptized. They came to church on Sunday, and it was the most stressful 3 hours of my life! I am just holding out faith that the Lord will continue to work on them as we do. 

Upon leaving their house, we talked to an awesome lady waiting for the bus, and picked her up as an investigator later in the week. 

In total, we found 5 new investigators, and put 3 on date to be baptized. We are seeing absolute miracles!!!!! 

Just an update on the area. It is getting really hot and humid. It is GREAT!! Being a trainer is tough though. I am learning as a go, and I pray that Elder Erekson will too!! The Lord is so good to us! I know that he lives, and this is his church! Hurrah for Israel!!!

Elder Wheat

I'm a dad!! 06/23/14

Elder Juston Erekson! My first born son in the mission!! He definitely takes after his dad! He is a former football player from Grand Junction, Colorado! He is so enthusiastic and positive. Every 5 seconds he is cracking some sort of joke! He is so ready to be here and he is loving his mission already! He is a great cook which is wonderful because I am a great eater! We have been seeing miracles together already!! I am definitely going to be learning more from him than he is from me.

The lesson I have learned this week is that the spirit will always guide you where you need to be. On Wednesday, (Elder Erekson's first day) we had an appointment fall through. We were guided to go visit a new investigator we hadn't seen in 2 weeks. We stopped in and talked to her for awhile about the love of God. She expressed her guilt for failing to live up to her promises she made to God, and that she felt hopeless. We taught Deja about how the atonement makes up for it, and promised her that what we share will bring her lasting happiness. It was powerful. We went back on Saturday, and taught her and her cousin the Restoration. There was a different light in Deja, and she was so excited about what we are sharing. She definitely has a lot of fire!!!

The experience we had that night however was probably one of the most powerful on my mission. We planned to meet with the Mobely's, but when we went by, they had family that just arrived from Oklahoma that they hadn't seen in years, so we decided to reschedule. As I reached down to grab the GPS, my finger accidentally hit a random street a few blocks away. I didn't think much of it, and I tried figuring out who we could see on a Saturday night at 8:00. I looked at the screen again, and I had a strong impression that said, "go there." We said why not and started knocking upon arrival. About three houses in, we met a husband and wife who were shouting the most horrible things at one another. The wife came out to us, still shouting at him, out of spite for him. It was a rather awkward situation. I thought about handing her a card and walking away, but the spirit restrained me. She said with tears, "you guys came at the wrong time." I thought about what she said for a second and I said, "I couldn't think of a better time." We asked, who are you. She looked at us and said, "Me? I am nobody," and ran away bursting in tears and we followed. She told us she needed to walk anywhere else, and so we walked with her. We testified to her who she really was. A daughter of God with divine nature. She asked, "where did you come from?" I was about to say California when the words, "From God," left my lips. She smiled and said, "I knew you would come. My friends said I was crazy, but I knew he would send you today. I have been praying all day. I have been expecting you." When we walked back, she was smiling and thanking God for sending us the whole way home.

At first glance, one might consider to be "one of the least of these our bretheren." She lived in the ghetto and was skin and bones. Her hair was a mess and her teeth and toenails were unkempt. She spoke with poor grammar and obviously had little education, but Heavenly Father loved her, and I do too. I have been studying a lot lately trying to figure out who God really is. I want to know his nature for myself. That night, I got my answer. In a miraculous way, we were led to a place that we had no intention of being to visit her. God knew her and her situation. He was mindful of her. He sent us far out of our own way so that we could console this woman.I recently found a verse that describes how I feel: "Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever." (Alma 26:37).

His eye is on the sparrow. His eye was on Yasmine. And his eye is on each of us. He loves us and watches over us. He knows us and what we are going through, know matter what our situation. He knows our names, and what we are feeling. How glorious and wonderful is our Father. It is humbling to be his servant and his instrument is lifting the hands that hang down in sorrow. There is no greater joy on this earth!! God lives. God is our Father. God is Love.

Elder Wheat

We Have Been Robbed 06/16/14

We got robbed. Yes, we were robbed haha

Our first mistake was going to a place called Ace of Fades to get a hair cut with the other Elders downtown. We were waiting for about 45 min, so I went out to the car to get my note pad so I could write a letter. After the haircut, we were driving away, and I noticed that my bag, which contained my scriptures, study journal, and camera, was missing, as well as Elder Kofoed's camera and Elder Adams' GPS. We stopped, and went back, but found nothing. Elder Kofoed suggested we call the police, and the rest of us thought it would be pointless. We were idiots. We went to the church, half smiling to lighten the mood, but half mourning inside. As I was writing my email last week, it hit me all of a sudden what happened. What this guy took was much more valuable than just a couple of cameras and some scriptures. These were tokens of life changing memories that we would never get back. I knelt down and offered up a prayer. In essence I said, "Heavenly Father, I don't know how this is going to work, but I know that you can make it happen. If it is thy will, find a way that our things will be returned." I didn't know this at the time, but each of the missionaries in our district, and even some friends and family at home offered similar prayers. The following day, we get a call from the mission office, which said, "Are you ready for some good news? They found your cameras!" I was freaking out. They told us to call a Detective Walker at Grand Rapids PD, and so we did. They said they had all of our cameras, a GPS, and a bag. They didn't know if it was my bag, but there was hope.

We went to the police station, and he told us what happened. Apparently, some officers stopped this guy on the street. I am not sure why they did, but they did. They found some items on him that they thought were stolen. He admitted to stealing them from a white car (our white car). They weren't sure who the stuff belonged to, so they started going through the stuff. After a couple hours, detective Walker was going through Elder Kofoed's camera, and zoomed in on his name tag. They looked up Kofoeds, and they found his sister in Utah, who led him to the mission office, which led them back to us. 

We went to check on the bag, and it turned out to not be mine. That really got to me. I was really heartbroken about it. There were a lot of sacred things in that bag. But eventually I began to realize the miracle that had just taken place. There was know plausible way that we would get our things back, except for divine intervention. I am still shaking my head over this. The Lord is so good. I know with all my heart, that those who ask the Father in faith for that which is right will receive. I have come to terms with the loss of my bag, but I am honestly extremely excited for a chance to begin again with a new set of scriptures. All of the written revelation that I lost will be returned by the power of the Holy Ghost. I am just so thankful the Lord is aware of us. 

Just to update you all, transfers are in! Elder Kofoed is being transferred out :( It was a very different experience for me, I really enjoyed serving with him. He is a wonderful man!

President Hess assigned me to be a district leader, and I will also be training a new missionary. I am terrified, but I am so excited!!!!! This is going to be a wonderful growing experience. I have no idea how to be a trainer or a district leader, but I know the Lord will show me how!

I love you all!! 

Elder Wheat

The District and ZLs

Michigan Rain

I love the trees!

The Evidence

The Master Physician 06/09/14

Hello Everyone!!!

It has been a wonderful week in Grand Rapids and we are seeing miracles in finding. In the last week, we found about 30 people that said they would be interested in hearing more. The lord has been working so many miracles for us. 

I only have one story to tell this week about a less active named Vivily Bailey. She has been going through a lot lately, including the murder of her nephew just this last week. We taught her the plan of salvation, but something felt very off. Their was no flow, and the spirit was not there. Sister Bailey just looked lost the whole time. I can't tell you how many prayers I said that lesson that the spirit would return. She said, "I just don't want to go to church when I am hurting." We instantly knew what to say. I said, "Do you know why they call them wards? A ward is a branch of a hospital or a doctors office. What better place to go when you are hurting than to the hospital?" She got this goofy smile on her face and said, "I have never thought of it that way." This next part is really cheesy but I like it. We said, "You have an appointment with the Master Physician on Sunday at 11:30. Will you come and be healed?" The spirit was very powerful when we left. Something had touched her, and for the first time in forever, she felt hope for healing that only the gospel can provide. I am so thankful to get to see the spirit work while I am here.

Another fun story. Remember that story about the family who was on the side of the house partying? Well that night, we met this little 8 year old black kid who was following us telling us who was home and who wasn't. We went back to finish the street another night, and that same kid was there playing basketball in the street. He saw us pull up and went, "Yes!!!!!!!! It's you guys again! We walked down to the end of the street and he comes riding up on his bike guiding us on where to go. Eventually, his friend comes up and starts following us, then his sister, then his brother, etc. At one point I think we must have had about 6 kids following us from door to door. It was so hilarious! I loved it so much haha

We have been so blessed hear. Things are really looking up for us in Grand Rapids. We have been trying to exercise a lot more faith, and it has been paying off. The Lord is so good!

Love, Elder Wheat 

Lead Thou Me On 6/2/14

What a miraculous week it has been. We have been very blessed in Grand Rapids. I am very grateful to the Lord has been doing for me.

First things first, Elder Bell went home. I am really going to miss him. He was a wonderful missionary. May he rest in peace... Elder Kofoed and I are doing well! We had a major comp inventory and talked through all of our differences. Things have gone very smoothly since. He has taught me a lot.

I have a lot of stories this week so here I go!!

Saturday was a crazy day!! In the morning, we planned to visit a less active, but that fell through, so we prayed and asked, "where do you want us to go?" We started checking up on former and potential investigators, and after about 4 stops, we met an awesome guy named Tony, the roommate of one of our formers. He was super interested and excited to meet with us!

Later that day we visited with Sister Braylock, a recent convert. In comp study, we were making plans, but nothing felt right, so we got on our knees and asked what to do. We felt very strongly that we should read the Book of Mormon, and that Alma 7 was the way to go. About halfway through the chapter, we stopped to talk about it, and she was so excited. The previous night, she was reading in 1 John, and it went along perfectly what we were reading. She asked, "how did you know?'" It was so cool. That woman is amazing. She has everything in the world against her. She has major health problems, but she never misses a day of study. She aches to read the scriptures, and she is always filled with gratitude to God. I have never seen such great faith, no not among any member of the church. 

In a couple hours, we picked a street knock on, but that turned out to not be a street, so we picked a new one, and we missed the turn. We were driving down an adjacent street and drove past the house of a media referral named Anas, a Muslim college student from Saudi Arabia. We stopped and he invited us right in. We taught him the Restoration, and it went very well. To hear him pray in Arabic was something to hear. It was beautiful. He prayed to know the truth, and before we left, he said, "I was just about to go work out, but something held me back." Yea, the Spirit led us to that one. 

That evening, we were door knocking in the ghetto, and we called out to a group of about 8 people sitting on the side of their house having a little BBQ, and that we were sharing a message about Jesus Christ. They said, "come on over! If you don't mind the smoke and beer!" We talked with them for about 20 minutes, and they were very excited about what we had to say. One asked, "How much are you selling the book for?" and we said, "Do you want it?" Of the guys named TJ, (OH MAN HE WAS AWESOME) was telling us how Christ helped him get out of drugs, and how he saved his life. He was really excited about the Book of Mormon, and said, "Trust me, I will read it." They were all so prepared! It was one of those, "you have to be there," experiences to understand how wonderful these guys were. I have met very few people that were more humble and sincere. I really hope we get to see them again.

Sunday's experience was definitely the most powerful. We had planned to teach the Mobley family about the Word of Wisdom, because they are struggling with it. Upon arrival, Sister Mobley told us through her tears that she just had to kick out her son, who was making very poor choices. I felt very strongly that they did not need to hear about the Word of Wisdom. We changed up our plan, and began to talk about the Savior. We talked about his enabling atonement, and how it could help them. It was one of the most powerful experiences on my mission. The Holy Ghost gave us exactly what to say and what scriptures to read. By the end, their sorrows were turned to smiles, and their pain was turned to peace. Sister Mobley commented, "we need to read the scriptures more." Her daughter, who in the prior lesson expressed her doubts of God's existence," asked suggested they read them over skype everynight, and asked how to highlight the scriptures on her phone. It was crazy to see how the spirit of the room changed and the faces of that family literally lit up during the course of that lesson. A passing thought I had was that it is very hard to feel sorry about your situation, when you realize what the Savior went through for YOU! That lesson made that very apparent. 

The Holy Ghost is so real. It led us to people to meet and guided us to what we needed to say. It is truly with us in this week. This week began miserably, but turned into one of the happiest times on my mission. I feel that that is what happens when you choose to rely on the Lord. I am so grateful to him. I know that he lives.

I wish everyone of you could be there as these experiences happen. It is impossible to fully express what actually happens and what was actually felt. I feel like Ammon when he said "Behold, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." There is nothing like being a missionary. I am so happy and thankful that I am here!

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!!

Elder Wheat

The district!

The Comps

05/26/14

Elder Jeffrey R Holland is an apostle of Jesus Christ. 

I have never been more sure of anything in my life. He just doesn't look like a normal person. Shaking his hand will be an experience I will never forget. Elder Hallstrom gave a wonderful talk on change. He has become my favorite 70. Elder Holland spoke for about an hour on taking your mission home, our purpose, and why missionary work is so hard. I wanted to share a couple quotes that really hit me"

"You cannot go back to who you were before your mission, because that person was not good enough."

"The road to eternal life is hard, because it always goes through the Garden of Gethsemane."

I have never been more sure that the church is true in my life. As I sat there after the meeting was over, my heart felt like it was on fire. I thought of how horrible it is that some people will never get to feel what I felt in that moment, but I guess that is why I am here. It was indescribable and very sacred. All I can say is, this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. True joy is only found here. It is only found as we come unto Christ, and invite people to come along with us. 

We had no car this week, so we took the bus quite a bit. That was interesting to say the least haha Walking has forced me to start talking to people on the street which I am really thankful for. I really needed the practice and I am really enjoying it. 

Unfortunately I don't have any stories this week. Maybe I do. I don't know. I am just exhausted haha I really need to just go work. Elder Bell goes home this week which is sad, but I am anxious for the change. Our companionship is doing very well! It has been 80 degrees and sunny which is wonderful! We have gotten to walk downtown quite a bit this week and it is awesome!!! It is so beautiful here!! My time is short, but if I didn't email back this week, I will next week! I love you all!

Elder Wheat

The District at memorial day picnic!!

Elder Adams and Elder Bell. Man they are awesome haha

Just thought I would throw this in because why not.

ELDER STATEN!!!!! What a guy :) He serves in Detroit and was in my seminary class

Trust the Midas Touch 5/19/14

So we went to get an oil change at Midas. After 2 hours of waiting, and no one to contact outside, the car was finally done and we went up to pay. The head mechanic at the desk began asking us questions. He began by saying, " I have a lot of questions," and I said, "Good, because we have a lot of answers," and we went forward. After awhile, he said, "I have a lot of unanswerable questions too," and we said, "try us." I have never met a more sincere and curious man. He had been questioning his beliefs for a long time, and here we came walking in the door. He had been wondering about these things forever and no one could answer them. We had an answer for every question he had. We taught him the restoration, and he said, "where can I get a Book of Mormon?" We gave him one, and he was so excited to read it. He expressed that it was the first hope he had had in a long time for his wavering faith. I swear that the gospel became truer the longer we talked. We stayed well after closing. It was one of the most powerful lessons on my mission and it was taught over the front desk at Midas.

Earlier that day we visited a super awesome less active black lady named Beth Heard. We read the Tree of Life with her, and explained and applied it to her verse by verse. We applied the partaking of the fruit to her baptism, and I testified to her that the only way we can remember what the fruit tastes like is to keep taking it through study, prayer, and the sacrament. She looked at me funny and said, "what is your name?" I told her. She said, "Elder Wheat, you were right on time." She started to tear up as she told us she could hear Jesus speaking through us. It was a very cool experience. I am not sure what was said or what she heard that she needed, but all I know is, it was "right on time." I will always remember that. "Lord, you are always right on time."

The last story was a media referral we got on Thursday. Her name is Sydney McVoy. She is 80 years old, but has the energy of a 25 year old, and the sense of humor of a 17 year old. MAN she is awesome. Her son is a member in Arizona who just so happened to be married to Walt Disney's granddaughter, also a member. She had gone through 5 sets of missionaries, but hasn't met with them in 17 years. She is a "heavy smoker and drinker" and she kind of sounds like one of those heavy smoker woman from Brooklyn. We met with her twice this week and she is awesome. She is a "devout Catholic" who ADORES the church. She went on and on about how much she loves Captain Moroni and how she has read every Mormon book ever haha. She loves Joseph Smith as well. I asked her if she believes the church is true, and she basically said, "Well duh." She said she almost got baptized 5 years ago, but backed out because she believes in one baptism, which she had in the Catholic church. She expressed she is very happy in her faith and that she would be a challenge. 

As we walked out the door, she said, "Aren't you going to bless me?" We were a little dumbfounded and said, "If you want!" She said "How else am I going to have my heart opened to the Book of Mormon and to quit smoking." We were like "Who is this lady?" She came to church and had an awesome experience. Turns out, she skipped mass to come... We had a very powerful lesson on Sunday on authority. She is so close it is not even funny. We had a major breakthrough in which her concern she had for 10 years is finally being resolved. I told her the plastic pearls story, and promised her that the Lord has a brand new string of new pearls waiting for her on her baptism day. She started crying, and she said, "I can tell you have those. I can see it in your eyes." She expressed that she wanted those as well. She has been searching for a long time, and I think she it is finally coming to an end. It will take some time for her to study things out, but she will get there :)

We have taught lessons this week on the front steps, over a front desk, and in GNC. It has been a very different week, but it has been awesome. 

Elder Bell and I are getting along wonderfully. We became instant best friends within a few days. Elder Koefed is doing great, and is definitely teaching me patience. Our district leader, Elder Adams, is such a great guy and he, Elder Bell, and I are like the 3 amigos. I am so sad they are both going home. I am learning so much here in Grand Rapids, especially about what kind of missionary I want to be. I have really come to appreciate the gospel, and what it means to be obedient.

Thank you for all the love and prayers! I love you all!

Elder Wheat

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