I Found It 3/2/15

This will probably be a short email, but I wanted to write about an experience we had with Aubrieana this week.

Receiving the Holy Ghost has literally lit up her countance... It is amazing to see the light and excitement that is in her eyes. In our first lesson with her after her baptism, she expounded her last personal study to us for 45 minutes. It was awesome.... Anyways, next to Jacob 4:6 she wrote "I found it" in the margin. I asked her what she found and she said "Well you have to read it!!!" I began to read: 

"Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea."

She had found it. She had found for perhaps the first time in her life, Hope. I had a very special moment there. How often I take that hope for granted, while there are those that search and search and search for answers and for hope to no avail, and I have had the key to happiness since I was a little kid. That is what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us. 

 I have learned a lot of lessons this week that have been very sacred to me. I never really understood what that word meant before I came on a mission, but now I do. There are so many things that cannot be taught but can be learned. So many things that cannot be told, but can be experienced. So many things that don't have descriptive words, but can be understood. I know that God lives. He is real. I know that Jesus Christ is he son and my Savior. No one else has given me so much. I am thankful for all that I have experienced, both the pain associated with knowing sin, and the joy associated with his amazing grace. All things have worked together for my good, and it will be the same for all of us, because of our Hope which is in Christ. No matter what we go through, we can choose to rejoice, because we have this hope.

I found it. Halelujah!

Elder Wheat

The Cowart family!!! :)

Donnas Baptism in Houghton Lake!

10 Reasons Why I Love My Mission 2/23/15

Without what happened this weekend, my mission still has been the greatest and most transformational experience of my life, but after this weekend, I want to share 10 reasons from this weekend alone that have made me love my mission even more!

1,2,3,4: Amber, Oriana, Destinee, and Hope Cowart: This family lives in Houghton Lake, and just might be one of my favorite families (yes I know I say that about every family, but its true). When Elder Johnson and I knocked on their door, Amber felt prompted to let us in. Over the next few months, it was remarkable to watch Amber change. How she would describe the Holy Ghost as she read, prayed, and attended church was nothing short of sacred to me. We had some of the most powerful lessons with her, however she could not get baptized yet because she smoked and had a live in boy friend. She dropped cigarettes as soon as she was taught the word of wisdom, and as she was praying to know what to do to help her boyfriend, they ended up splitting up. She said it wasn't the answer she wanted, but that it works for her. She has undergone incredible changes leading up to this moment. She has turned away from her horrible past and has chosen to turn to Christ. I wish I could have been there for their baptism, but I can't wait to hear from Elder Johnson how it went. They are family to me. 

5. Donna Bryant: Donna was a name we had in our area book in Houghton Lake, a former refferal from Mormon.org that Elder Campbell and I felt prompted to check on when I got to the area. We were unable to contact her, but a few months later refferal secratary at the mission office asked us to go check on her again, and we finally contacted her at Taco Bell of all places. She was a golden investigator if I have ever seen one. She investigated the church in Utah, and when she moved here she felt like something was missing. She very quickly got along with everyone in the branch and will play a BIG role in its future. She is one of the most elect I have every taught. There was a special connection with her. There was a special spirit in her home and her and her husband looked familiar as if I knew them before I came to earth. It sounds weird but its true. She was baptized on Saturday :)

6. Jenica Taylor: Jenica and her new husband Darrell were just married on Saturday before her baptism. She is the sweetest girl ever! I still don't know her very well and she had a much stronger connection with the missionary before me, but seeing the smile on her face after her baptism, it is hard not to love her. 

7, 8 and 9: The Esquivels. I have written quite a bit about them in past emails, but man do I love this family. Isaac (12) and Evan (9) are the sharpest kids I have ever met and are like my little brothers. I had a really cool moment this week with them. We were waiting for their baptism interview, I got to play a little basketball with them (they are really good by the way). As we played, I had a very special experience where I realized a crazy thing: I am their missionary. They just might remember playing basketball with Elder Wheat their whole lives, and if they don't, I know I will. A feeling of pure love filled my heart and I couldn't help but smile. I got to confirm both of them and Ixchel (the mom) asked me to baptize her. Raising her up out of the water and seeing the pure joy and gratitude in her eyes as she said "Thank you" was a moment I wont ever forget. 

10. Aubriena Richardson: This girl has made the greatest change of anyone I have ever seen in such a short time. She is a miracle in and of herself. I wish you could all just see the smile on her face all week. I got to baptize her too, and man was that cool. There is something about raising your right arm to the square and saying "Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ." Side note. Anyways, yesterday at church, I overheard her and her fellow-shipper talking about serving a mission!! She also wants to go to BYU now haha Rise and Shout! Aubrieana is a special one to Elder Jeppson and I. She just means the world to us and it has been a privilege to see her change. 

That baptismal service in Lansing was incredible. Elder Jeppson and I were talking about it afterwards, and I was so sad, because I will never be able to talk about it with anyone and have them fully understand what was felt. The out pouring of the Holy Ghost on that night can only be understood by those that were there. There was a tangible love that emanated from that room. To watch one after the other step into the waters of baptism to make a covenant with their Father... my heart burns just thinking about it. It must be how it felt to stand at the waters of Mormon as witness the scene that happened there. So special. So sacred. That is all I can say. My goodness. I was in heaven in deed.

Elder Jeppson and I were talking about this on Saturday. The crazy thing about all this is how happy the missionary is in this process. Seeing this people in there conversion process has filled me with a joy that is unmistakable. I felt more joy on Saturday night than I felt when I have received forgiveness for my own sins. But why? The decision these people made does not benefit us in any worldly way. We get no money or glory. We receive nothing but joy for our labors, but that is enough for me. Oh how great is the joy of them that spend their days crying repentance, and oh how great is the joy of them that are fortunate enough to see there labor harvested. My joy is full. Such a rant as this must include my acknowledging that none of this happened because of me. Any missionary could have come and baptized these people, but I am forever grateful that God saw fit to let me witness and feel what I have. I apologize if what I have said has come off as boastful. Sometimes I get too excited, but is the only way I can express what I feel. If you want to understand, Preach the Gospel.

Elder Joe Wheat

Aubrieanna

Jenica

Isaac, Evin, and Ixchel Esquivel

The most beautiful picture i have ever seen

One on one with a special witness 2/16/15

This week Elder Marcus B Nash of the Quorom of the 70 came to our mission, and man oh man was it a special experience. I was trained personally for 3 days by a special witness of Jesus Christ. So many of my prayers were answered in such a short space of time, it felt like my mind would unravel. My heart has been filled with joy as I have been in his company. One of the coolest moments of my life was when I was asked to be interviewed by him. Sitting one on one with a general authority. I don't know that I have ever had an experience like it. I cannot write specifics of what he taught or shared, for they are very special to me, but I thank God that He is mindful of Elder Joe Wheat. 

It has been a life changing weekend as you can imagine. I feel like I have been drinking out of a fire hose, but the fire in my heart won't be put out. Hallelujah...

Well the work continues to roll forward as we approach the Pentecost of February 21. I am so excited!

Aubrieanna is one of my favorite people in the world. She just gets it. She has been going through a lot lately and asked if we would give her a blessing. She gave the closing prayer at the end of the lesson and said, "Thank you for this opportunity to be with the missionaries again and for this study. I am thankful that they have the authority to do this." She is geared up and ready for baptism!

The Esquivels are my family in this ward. They have a very special place in my heart! The mom just quit smoking and is so excited. Elder Nash came to our ward this week and Ixschel (The mom) asked "Who is that" I explained who he was, and she said, "I knew he was important when he walked in. He just has this aura around him." I got to introduce them to him, and listening to him bear is testimony to them personally was such a special moment for even me. I can only imagine what it was like for them. I looked over at Elder Jeppson and said, "THIS IS SO COOL!!" haha A general authority personally bore his testimony to our investigator family. You just can't beat that. Hearing this family pray is incredible. If you ever want to feel the spirit, listen to an investigator pray. The sincerity and the love they have is unreal. Even little 9 year old Evan prays, and tells Heavenly Father how excited he is to be baptized... I wish that you could hear it.

If this email seems a bit off, its because I can't find the words to express my feelings this week. It is difficult to cram a whole weekends worth of incredible experiences into one email. All I can say is Glory to God. It is the only phrase that makes sense to me right now.

Love you all!

Elder Wheat

Elder Nash, President Jacobsen, and The Companionship

2/9/15

Let me tell you a story about a young man named Ethan Valentine. He is 18 years old from Ohio, but moved to Grand Rapids in September to attend school at Calvin College. He had been datubg a Mormon, and was taking the discussions pretty intensely, though his parents didn't approve. He had been challenged to be baptized, but was unsure of what to do. He had been seeking inspiration from the Lord, when on one sleepless night, he felt an overwhelming impression to go downstairs to read his Book of Mormon. He opened it to a random page in 3 Nephi, and as he read the Savior instruct the people of Nephi to be baptized, he realized what he needed to do. Soon after, he moved to Grand Rapids, where I got to teach him twice before I was transferred. He set a baptismal date a few weeks later, but missed it, because his parents were threatening to cut him off. He continued attending and just 2 weeks ago I got a call that he was being baptized in February 7 and he invited me to come. His parents were going to stop paying for school, his dad was writing him out of the will, and basically disowned him, but in his own words "I finally have a foundation that is built on God and I will not be shaken." 

If heaven is anything like how I felt at that baptism, it will be a good place. Getting to see so many members and missionaries I had previously served with and especially seeing him make that covenant was such a special experience! I also learned that Fred was back on for baptism on... (guess when) the 21st. The same day that all our investigators here and 5 of my investigators in Houghton Lake are getting baptized. I am really sad I wont be able to see all of them, but of all the problems to have, I actually like this one. It is so incredible to me what is happening!

I have been thinking a lot lately about Jesus Christ and what makes him so special, when the other day in studies, I feel like I got a glimpse into the Pre Mortal Life. Before we came to this earth we lived with God as spirits in one big family unit. Together we lived, learned, and progress like a child in there parents house. But here came a time that we had progressed as far as we could in his presence, so our Father told us about a wonderful plan in which we could become and receive all that he has. This plan included coming to Earth, receiving a body, and learning how to use it. It would be a time for us to lean his attributes and prepare ourselves so we could be prepared to receive all that he had in store for us. However as a part of our progression, that we would experience hardship and trials, and that all of us would fall short of his glory. His plan required a Savior would redeem this family from there falls. Perhaps he described what this savior would have to go through. He would have to be "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3)" He would suffer "pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind Alma 7:11)" and would suffer "even more than man could suffer except it be unto death (Mosiah 3:7)" in order to ransom us from sin and death so that we could all be together forever. After describing all of this he asked, "Whom shall I send? (Abraham 3:27)" 

I can imagine us nervously looking at each other in disbelief saying "Who on earth would want to go through something like that? Especially for those who would "esteem him to be a thing of naught (1 Nephi 19:9" and would scourge, smite and spit upon him?" But there was one who as our eldest brother, who loved us perfectly, and could not bear the thought of this family being separated who spoke up saying, "Father send me, and the glory be thine (Moses 4:2)" Jesus, our perfect example had volunteered to take upon him MY burdens, and the punishment for MY sins, so that I did not have to if I followed this plan. 

I cannot imagine what I must have felt in that moment for one I knew as my big brother. What awe must have filled my heart. How I must have wanted to be just like him, and what joy I must have felt knowing that because of what he had volunteered to do for me, I could be. I testify that THIS is the love that Jesus offers us. He offers us new beginnings and clean slates. He promises us joy that is eternal, and that never runs out. He "has called after you and is still calling after you" to come unto him and be changed. He did it because he knows you and loves you as family, and wants more than anything to be with you forever, coupled with eternal glory that we cannot comprehend. It is my prayer that we all heed his call, so that we might all experience that joyous reunion together, and drink of that love which is endless.

With Love and Joy

Elder Wheat

All the missionaries that came to support!!

Ethan and his member family

2/2/15

Well... Lifes good. What else is new haha

We had a sweet week but this email is going to be more of a personal testimony. We had 3 companion exchanges this week, so I was only with Elder Jeppson for 2 full days this week, but it was an awesome experience. Our investigators our still great and on track to be baptized and I will be dancing like theres no tomorrow come February 21st!!

Aubrieanna was super open and receptive to the word of wisdom. She was describing her decision to be baptized to one of the APs and said, "I had some problems with authority, but I heard a little voice say, 'stop being so stubborn and do it!' so I am" Pretty sweet haha The Esquivels and Jenica are still on track and are excited as it gets!! 

I am better now. This week was another stuggle, but I am better. I now have the assurance that everything I have been through mentally and spiritually has worked together for my good. I have received a personal testimony of what it means to "Learn obedience by the things that we suffer." and how the enabling grace of Jesus Christ actually works more like the spotter on a bench press than a force who takes away our affliction. I have learned that feeling forsaken does not necessarily mean that God is far from you. I felt for a time that I was moving backwards, but now I realize that what I was moving closer to God than I ever have been. I realize now how much has changed, and how my desires have been transformed. I am grateful that I don't know everything, but that I know enough. I know that God lives and I know that he loves us. I know that we have a Savior whose grace is sufficient to transform us and lift us. If we ever feel that we have been forsaken or left all alone. If we feel at times like we are praying to our bed spread, we are not the only one. Some one a lot better than we all at times asked where his Father was. But it was because of that experience that Christ became more of who he was destined to be. We go through these things at times, but we have need of patience, and after we have done the will of God, we will receive the promise. I testify that those promises ALWAYS come. Oh how wonderful that is to me. 

Elder Wheat

This ones for you dad

I have the best companion!

The things I wake up to in Michigan. There was no snow on Saturday!!!!

Sickest Snuggie Ever

1/26/15

I cannot believe how fast this week has flown. Holy cow! So much has happened! Let me get right into it.

So the Church Missionary Department (the Bosses in Salt Lake) came to our mission this week, and wanted to go out teaching with the nearest zone leaders. Thats us. Brother Radford (Head of IT at the MTC) was there to evaluate how we do, and would then present a training to the whole mission... My GOODNESS was I nervous. My confidence was still a little shaky, but thankfully the Lord was with us! We had some incredible lessons and a great night. Afterwards, he said, "You guys are excellent missionaries, you seriously did not give me much to work with for my training." It felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders. He had a lot of very kind things to say about us which I needed to hear.

I want to just tell you about some of our awesome investigators. Ixchel (36), Evan (9) and Isaac (12) are a part member family who they just started teaching before I got here. Man are they solid. All of them, even Evan read like its no body's business and are sharp as ever. They love the church and the ward and are ready for baptism on February 21st!

Next is Jenica Sanchez (18) who is the biggest sweetheart. She has been investigating for a long time, but needs to get married to her member boyfriend before she can be baptized. She has a goal to read the book of mormon and has finished 1 Nephi in just over a week!! She is so excited to be married and baptized on the 21st as well. You can't help but love them!

Finally, we have Aubrieanna Richardson (17). Her mom was baptized about a month ago, and we invited her to take the lessons too. She was very hesitant, but her progress is incredible. We met with her 4 times this week, and this is how its gone.

Sunday: They met with her once before, and committed her to read Alma 32. Not only does she read, she highlights... We taught her the restoration, and invited her to be baptized, and she said no because she already was in a pentacostal church, but when we invited her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon to find out if its true, she felt a voice tell her "of course its true!"

Tuesday: We went over with Brother Radford, and had a crazy distracted lesson on the Plan of Salvation, but her little brother was going crazy the whole time. He settled down, and we began to talk about speaking in tongues, and the Holy Ghost. She had some major concerns about authority, because she believes her baptism was by that authority. She read all of 3 Nephi in two days and loved it. We invited her to pray to know if this was the right church.

Friday: She had a dream that she was supposed to go to our church, and feels that this is right but was still uncertain about authority. We invited her to read and pray about the Restoration pamphlet.
 

Saturday: She recieved a testimony of restored priesthood authority while reading. She said, "Ive made my decision, but I am just not sure when." We jumped for joy and committed her to baptism on February 21st.

As if that isn't enough, I get a call yesterday that one of my investigators, Ethan Valentine, who I taught once in Grand Rapids is getting baptized on February 7, and he wants me to go!! I was so suprised and honestly very flattered, but this has been such a miracle.

I suppose that the scripture Ether 12:6 is true. Miracles happen after a trial of faith. The Lord has blessed this area so abundantly and I am praying with all my heart that they make it to their baptisms and beyond!! The Lord has been so good to us and has heard my prayers. This week was still a struggle at times, but it will continue to get better. Dad always taught me that a mission is a marathon and not a sprint, and I think the Lord is teaching me to pace myself. I have seen enough to know that the Lord is in the trials in our lives and that it always gets better if we continue to push forward. I have experienced enough to know that he is there and that he loves us, even in times of doubt. I am not perfect, but I am trying, and I am thankful that, because of the atonement, that is enough.



1 and 2. From the MTC to our year mark! It is crazy how fast its gone.

The Lord Wins Again 1/20/15

I'll be honest... This was probably one of the toughest weeks of my mission. I realize that most of my emails sound so upbeat and positive, and honestly this one will too because missionary work is that awesome, but this work really is hard. I was called to be a Zone Leader, which means I am in charge of leading, training, and inspiring 40 missionaries to be the best they can be. I remember as a young missionaries, I looked up to the Zone Leaders as the standard of what a missionary should be, and now I am one. I'll be honest, I was horrified... The sense of inadequacy was overwhelming at times. I had never felt this way before, and I wasn't quite sure what to do. I felt completely alone. Honestly, looking back on it, every aspect of the work was going great, except for how I felt.

Questions and doubts have been filling my mind for the last 3 or 4 weeks and it was extremely hard to deal with. My mind reflected again and again about how my dad taught me that God is looking for those that will work when they don't want to, and that's what we did. What I couldn't understand was why I couldn't feel the spirit, especially when this was the hardest I have worked, and the most obedient I have been my whole mission. How could Satan have so much power over me that he could fill my head with these feelings of doubt, guilt and inadequacy when I am doing my best to follow God. While I fully recognize how foolish this experience is, I feel like the lesson applies to everyone. I had a talk one night with Elder Jeppson, who went through a very similar thing at one point in his mission.  At one point of deep discouragement, he went to where he could be alone, knelt down, and cried out, "God where are you?" He said it was the first time he had ever actually heard the spirit speak. Into his mind came the thought, "Elder Jeppson, this is your time to shine." When I heard this story, immediately the story of Job came into my mind. Why did Satan have so much power over him when he was doing everything right? Because Job needed to learn something about Job. It was his time to shine and his time to grow. The Lord wants to see what we will do when we feel like he isn't there, and if we hold out faithful, we will recieve the blessing. 

Will Robinsons baptism was scheduled for this week. He was interviewed and ready to go, but I get a call from Houghton Lake the morning of the baptism to tell me that it wasn't going to happen. That was pretty much the last straw for me. "Are you kidding me???" I thought. This was the 3rd time on my mission that an investigator was within days of baptism, and it cancelled at the last moment. I was seriously about to snap. Apparently, his parents got into a HUGE fight over Will being baptized and ended splitting up. I can only imagine how Elder Johnson must have felt to be 18 years old and be called to solve this kind of major family dilemma. I was very frustrated and angry, and I went into my room and prayed. All I could ask was why. Why is this happening again. Why am I feeling this way. Why does it feel like I am talking to my bed spread. I just remember, (unfortunately) saying, "Father, if you are there, please help this baptism come through. Will needs this in his life. Please don't let this happen again." I calmed down after a little bit, but for the next two hours I was on edge waiting for updates from Elder Johnson, who handled it all like a champ. He called me about 15 minutes before I was supposed to leave that the baptism was still on. Oh what joy and marvelous light did I behold. 

Elder Johnson was able to reconcile the family and save the baptism. What a stud. We arrive right when it starts, only to find out that the font wasn't filling. There was a leak in it or something. To quote Elder Johnson, "Satan is going hard on this one!" We managed to fix it with some wax paper and everything worked out. The service was wonderful and it was so incredible to see Will and is family (members and nonmembers) there to see him make that covenant. It was an incredible experience. I love that young man! He really is a little brother to me! 

The feelings of inadequacy and guilt didn't go away all at once, but on Sunday in sacrament meeting, I felt impressed to go through the week and list out every blessing I had recieved that week. As I did so, I recieved a testimony of the lyrics of a him. "Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. The Lord truly was with me all week, though I didn't see it at first. Life is good :) Things aren't perfect still, but honestly, life never has been haha At least now I have the assurance that things will get better if I keep doing what I am doing :) I am thankful the Lord gave me Elder Jeppson. We could not be more different, but all we do is laugh and work. I love the ward, and I love my zone. I love everything about the work, especially because it's hard. It messes with your emotions, but man is it worth it because it always ends in joy!

God bless you all!

Elder Wheat

Wills baptism :)

Elder Jeppson