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

My View

The P-Day squad...

Grand Rapids Address

My address is 

2516 Normandy Dr. SE 

Grand Rapids MI 49506

Good Lookin' Missionaries 05/12/14

So we were walking through downtown Grand Rapids going to an appointment. As we were walking into the building, this young black woman shouts out, "DANG! Yall some good looking missionaries! What church you go to?? Im going to have to start going there!!" We started talking to her for awhile, but things kind of got strange when she started asking us about our chastity. We just gave her a card and took off. The weirder part is something like that happened a couple of times this week... I guess that's what happens when you serve with Elder Bell and Elder Kofoed.

The week took some adjusting, being in a new area and all. It felt like my first week all over again. The area is much different. The city is HUGE and a lot of the houses are mansions from the 1870s. It is pretty sweet. We did a lot more tracting this week, but I had a great time. My companions are awesome! Elder Bell plays football for Utah, is from Huntington Beach, and is super funny. Out personalities are identical, so we get along super well. Unfortunately, he goes home in 3 weeks and he is just a little trunky. Elder Koefed is a awesome guy. He is mildly autistic, and I love him! He is really a funny guy, except when he is shooting me with nerf guns... 

The week was a little slower as far as the work goes, but there was one experience I wanted to share. We knocked on this mans door, and he came around from the back. The introduced ourselves and asked him if he had a faith in Christ. He said "sometimes. It is up and down." We talked for a while and he invited us to sit down on the steps with him. We talked about his shaking faith, and read Alma 32 with him and testified how faith in Christ is the anchor when the waves of life roll through. He began telling about his alcoholism, and how miserable he was. We read some scriptures on the atonement, and testified of the Savior's love for him. He started crying and said, "I could have blown you guys off, but something told me I shouldn't." He was mentioned he was thinking about religion quite a bit that day when we came knocking. Coincidence? I think not. 

Talking on the phone with my family this week was awesome, but I realized I am not very good at adequately describing the experiences I am having. Missionary experiences are something that cannot be adequately shared, only experienced. There are no words to describe witnessing conversion. The emotion, love, and changes that the person and the missionary undergo in the process of conversion are indescribable. I wish I could convey the feelings of being on a mission, but they are often to sacred to express. They are just something you have to experience, and I thank the Lord everyday that I get to. I am so thankful to be a missionary. There are no words for the experiences and changes I have witnessed and undergone. All I know is the Gospel is true. Jesus Christ is its Author. He is our Savior and Redeemer. The bread of life and the Prince of Peace. But the truthfulness of this gospel cannot be explained, only experienced, and I invite the whole world experience it for themselves.

Elder Wheat

Bye Bye Battle Creek 05/05/14

We got a call from President Hess Friday morning, and he says, we don't normally do this, but the Senior companion is staying and the junior is leaving. I felt like I got punched in the gut! I have been assigned to labor in Grand Rapids, and will be serving with Elder Bell and Elder Koefed. It is still a little unreal to think I am leaving and it is super bittersweet, but I am super excited!

It has been a really good final week. We had 2 lessons with Noah, and he is so excited and prepared to be baptized. He is so sincere and sweet. He honestly feels like a little Brother. He asked me to baptize him, and it was really hard to tell him that I wouldn't get to be there. I am super bummed out about it :( But he is progressing, and he wants to serve a mission! He is the man.

Carenda is so solid. She is another reason I am so sad about leaving. We had an awesome lesson with her on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is now through Mosiah. She knows it is true, and the only thing keeping her from being baptized is her trust issues for the one baptizing her, but she knows that as she keeps reading the Book of Mormon, that concern will be solved.

Simone and Gwen are still some of my favorite people on earth, but sadly they are still not reading the Book of Mormon. They know that they need to, they just aren't. Agency is wonderful, but it is very frustrating. Every time I go there though, they just make me laugh so much! It is wonderful! They are great people! They just need to read the Book of Mormon!

Terry also came to church again, and stayed for two hours this time! He has strengthened my testimony how love and not words change hearts. I swear he doesn't hear a word we say, but the love we have shown him has begun to change him. Love truly is the only thing that can mend the broken heart. We have loved him back to church, and I could not be more excited about it! I am going to miss him!

We did happen to have a miracle this week as well! We got a media referral for man named Martin Smith, who we later found out was a returned missionary. He hadn't been to church in years. He referred himself on mormon.org because he wanted a Book of Mormon so he could find out if there is really a Jesus Christ. We gave him one and came back later in the week. We planned on getting to know him better and follow the spirit from there. He was baptized at 22 and went on a mission at 24. He served for 13 months, and received a medical release for a couple of severe knee injuries. He became bitter towards God, because he had been doing everything he asked, and he still was sent home. He fell off the deep end from there. He had major issues with the commandments and covenants he had made. After awhile he felt so awful, that he went to the church and tried to get excommunicated. He didn't, but he couldn't bear the thought of coming back. We watched a mormon message on how the Savior wants to forgive. I bore my testimony of my experience with the atonement. I testified with all my heart that I know what its like to be weighed down and trapped with mistakes, and feeling like you will never get out, but I bore my witness that it can and will happen. The savior wants to forgive. I was prompted to say, "I know he is there. I know he is real, and I know that you know it too." He started to cry. In the closing prayer, he thanked our father in heaven for a Savior and his atonement. It was one of the most powerful moments on my mission. I am so thankful for my testimony of the atonement. I am grateful to have been through what I have been through and I am grateful that our Redeemer saved even me. I love him with all my heart. He came to church on Sunday for the first time in years and the ward was so excited to see him again. I love that man. I wish I could stay just so I could keep teaching him. 

It is so bittersweet to think I will be leaving. We have door knocked in some of the prettiest places I have ever been. I have met the most amazing people, and the ward is wonderful. Elder Yates said that if it is hard to leave an area, you did it right. I must have done wonderful then, because it is super hard to leave, but I am so excited to go to Grand Rapids. I am really going to miss Elder Yates. He is a wonderful missionary, companion, trainer, and friend. I am really going to miss quoting Spongebob with him haha He is a great man! 

Life is good! The Savior lives!

Elder Wheat

Martin Smith! What a man!

Grant and Gloria!

The Dream Team

Sister Singh

GRANNY!! The one dog I like here!

This is Terry Deters!

The Carriers! Noah is the one on the left! They have become another family!

Tyler is the man! He just blessed the sacrament for the first time! That is the best to see as a missionary!

Yvonne Jones. Nuff said

Jake Mcnese is like our third companion and served with Jake Tui in Salt Lake! He is one of my mentors!

The Freeloves, one of my favorite families. Johnny, the young man in the black Jacket is the one drives us everywhere. I love that kid! He is a great missionary. Sister Freelove is the missionary mom. She is so great :) I love this family!

Considered The Lillies... Again 04/28/14

IT HAPPENED AGAIN!!!!

This last Friday, we had another super crazy day, and got called over to Kalamazoo for Elder Yates to perform a baptism interview and we didn't have time to eat. We had an appointment with a super awesome couple named Ken and Courtney at 5, and we walked in and sat down on their couch. They told us to come into the kitchen, where we found the table was set for us to eat with them. She had worked all day to make us Pot Roast and potatoes, and it tasted so good! Just like mom used to make! They are the coolest people in the world!!! We taught them about Prayer and the nature of God, because she has absolutely 0 Christian background. She is super fun to teach though! They are progressing slowly but surely!

On Monday, Elder Yates came up with the brilliant idea to shop at 6:30 in the morning so we can work out in the afternoon for longer. It was great! We also got to finally play ball again, and I didn't sprain an ankle or tear an ACL so that's a good sign. 

I came to the conclusion that Noah is just not supposed to get baptized yet. We hit another road block when his grandma called and said that her and his parents didn't want him to get baptized because of his temper, which isn't totally his fault because he is bi-polar. We had a super powerful lesson that night on the atonement, and made a list of things to do, such as family prayer, study, and saying "I love you", that there family HAD to do before they could go to bed. It has been going very well, and there hearts were softened. His parents are very bitter against the church, and they too are praying with Noah! He has been doing so good! We were good to go for baptism, and then bishop said no because he feels that Noah isn't ready. That was a very humbling experience for me. At first I was angry at him, and then I was mad at Elder Yates because he wound up taking Bishop's side without even talking to me about it. But then I realized how many road blocks we have hit with this, and I realized that they were right. Noah will get baptized, it just may be longer than he or I want. I love that kid though. He really is so sincere.

Carenda continues to be solid. She is moving forward, and at Church, she came up to us and said, "I hope you are ready for lots of questions." and we said of course! She also told us that she was reading in Jacob and said she is really starting to believe all this! She is so awesome! The Book of Mormon Rocks! Church is true.

Simone is still awesome as always. She still hasn't read, but she is always like, "I know I need to do it! I know that I need to put God first!" In her prayer she said, "I know that I need to put you first in my life, and it took these two to come to my door to help me realize it, and I thank you for them." That really hit me, and also helped me to realize I am actually helping people. I am so thankful for the converting power of the Gospel. She is so gold!

Meeting with Terry has made me very thankful for the atonement in my life. He is so bitter and closed off, that I don't think he hears a word we say. When people are blind with anger, they begin to go deaf as well, but they sure are able to speak. I don't think I have met anyone who can talk for 45 minutes without a breath until I came to Michigan. It is a talent. We managed to move a baby step forward, and he says it is a miracle that he is even let us come over and that he came to church. I love that man to death, and it kills me to see him so hopeless, but I know that he is never to far gone for the savior.

We didn't have to many interesting door knocking stories except for this one guy who said that he hoped we find the truth one day because "Mormons don't believe Jesus is the Son of God." Really. I have been a member my whole life, and I had no idea! I wish that he would have been open enough for me to bear my testimony to him, For I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

I am nervous about transfers this week, and I am going to be really bummed out if I lose Elder Yates. He is a great missionary and a great man! I couldn't have asked for a better trainer! 

It is crazy to know how good the Lord has been to me when I feel like I don't deserve it. He really does love all of his children. No one is too far gone to feel his love.

Elder Wheat

The Growth spurt of Elder Yates. Pay no attention to the fact that Brother Wilson (The ward mission leader) and I are matching.