Makes Me Want to be a Mormon 5/11/15

I love my family. Getting to see them yesterday was one of the highlights of my mission, even if it was over a computer. Its amazing how so much has changed, yet nothing has changed. Mom is still as excited and happy as ever, Dad is still cracking jokes and saying "Now that was funny" at the end, Heidi and Kevin were making weird faces at me, and Stevo is still I far better man than I am. We talk and laugh as if I never left. I love my family so much :)

Watching the Lord work in the lives of my investigators is an amazing thing, and it never gets old. To see them change, and to watch their countenance light up with the Holy Ghost over the course of a few short weeks or months is special. I want to quickly update you on the progress of some of our investigators.

Dominick continues to come and love church. He is a 6'2 black guy with the build of an offensive lineman, with the SWEETEST afro you have ever seen. He committed to be baptized our of "curiosity," but hoping to deepen his commitment, we taught on the covenant of baptism and gave ourselves to a lot of prayer. The way he now understands the covenant is really cool. He finds the promises we make to God to actually be the blessings God gives to us. He said, "You mean if I do the little things like read and pray and come to church, I get to have eternal life, comfort those who stand in need of comfort (His personal favorite) and be a witness for God?!" Such a cool lesson haha Love that guy. We had a ward party and watched "Meet the Mormons," and afterwards we asked him how he liked it. He said, "It was.... Interesting." "What do you mean by interesting" we asked. He replied, "It makes me want to be a Mormon." Elder Alley looked at each other like, "AHHHHHHHHHH" haha. What a guy. Love him to death.

Michael also is doing soooo well. We finished his lessons this week and said, "You know Michael, you could get baptized next week if you want to." He was way excited about that and we moved his date to Saturday. So happy for him. We went over the interview questions and he passed with flying colors. He is so much happier now when we first met. Elder Alley and I have sweet handshakes with him now, so now we are on that level of progression. 

Lastly, Breana and Jerry. We sadly had to hand them off to the neighboring area, but they are so excited for this weekends baptism. There may be some complications, but the Lord will smooth them out. We had one final lesson with them, and the sweetest spirit was there. Since taking the lessons, they have not only grown closer to God, but closer to each other. I wish you all could have heard, seen, and felt their testimonies at the close of that meeting. It will be an experience I won't forget. 

During the opening prayer in that lesson, I had a cool moment. I opened my eyes, and looked at my name tag, and began to flash back to all the times I had gone out with the missionaries before my mission, and how I longed to be one of them. I then had a small realization. I am one of them. This is my mission. These are my investigators. I am what I have dreamed of being since I was 8 years old walking around with my "Future Missionary" name badge. How can I not be happy? Sometimes, we get so caught up with the pain and the stress of life that we get tunnel vision. We focus on the narrow perspective we have without opening our eyes to see where we are. The Lord will take care of those who serve him. There is no reason to be a micromanager in the work of the Lord, for no matter how much we do, it wouldn't be enough... without a Savior. His grace and atonement transcend not only our sins, but our everyday burdens. I see it everyday in my work. The load of being a zone leader for 36 missionaries, carrying a full proselyting load in a large city, and the personal problems and weakness we have, have been overwhelming at times, but somehow it all works. The zone is successful, the work moves forward, and I have energy sufficient for the day by some miracle far outside my own capacity. When you do your best, the Lord makes everything work, if not immediately, then over the time. May we all then broaden our vision, and we will see not only how far we have come, but the Lord's hand in our getting there. 

Elder Wheat

5/4/15

I don't think I have ever been this tired in my entire life. I remember before my mission, I used to think how wonderfully relaxing my mission was going to be, because I wouldn't have to worry about papers, or work, or relationships, just the Lord and his work. Well I was totally wrong. This has been the most mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausting experience of my life, and it seemed to all come to a head this week. I wake up feeling like I got hit by a truck, study, then go to work. I sit down for a second, then go to the Lord for strength, only to fall asleep on my knees. But I have to say that I have felt the enabling power of the atonement of Christ lift me to a higher state. He strengthens me until the task is complete, then allows me to sleep on and take my rest. Blessed be the name of the Lord. 

So as far as miracles this week, here is a few.

Like I said before, we don't use our cars on Saturdays, which is a good opportunity for us to walk around and talk to everyone we see. This last Saturday, we walked by a man working in the yard, and I called out to him, without a response so we continued walking. After a few steps, Elder Alley stopped and said, "We need to go back." We did and asked him "If you could ask God one question, what would it be?" He replied "How can I be a better follower of Christ?" What ensued was a two hour conversation about the restoration, and while he still wasn't fully on board, I know the Lord sent us back to him. We will see where it goes.

Breana and Jerry are progressing SO WELL!! We unfortunately have to hand them off to the Neighboring area, but to see the light that has come into their eyes and the healing that has occurred in both of their lives has been a special thing. Breana got up to bear her testimony yesterday and said, "We have been putting this off for a long time, but it's time to get this taken care of. We are so excited to be getting baptized." Oh man :) So cool. I cannot wait for their baptism in 2 weeks. 

On Sunday, we were sitting in church when Sister Reed walked over and brought a family to sit next to us. The mom has come before, but this time she brought her sons. Her 22 year old son Logan (Who has the sickest dread locks ever) stayed with us for the day, and really liked Church. We are hoping to start teaching him pretty soon, but pray for this family. I can see them in white already. Sister Reed reminds me a lot of my mom and dad. Always about sharing the gospel, and always bringing people to church. I love having someone just like my mom in the ward. :) 

You know, I feel like my whole mission has been a steady stream of undeserved and unearned blessings. The stories I tell in my emails may not seem like all that much, but that is because words don't fully describe the experience and feelings you have as a missionary. I am sad to say that I feel I am taking these blessings for granted. They have come so freely and so often, that I sometimes see them as common place, while missionaries pray for even one experience like the one's I have had or one investigator like the ones I have taught. I am thankful for what the Lord has allotted me. I am thankful for my mission. 

Today in my studies, I came across a story in Helaman 7 where a missionary named Nephi cries out in discouragement, "Oh, that I could have had my days in the days when my father Nephi first came out of the land of Jerusalem, that I could have joyed with him in the promised land; then were his people easy to be entreated, firm to keep the commandments of God, and slow to be led to do iniquity; and they were quick to hearken unto the words of the Lord— Yea, if my days could have been in those days, then would my soul have had joy in the righteousness of my brethren." His frustration because of his lack of success lead him to say, "I wish I had his mission, because he had it easy. I wish I could go back to that time in my life when things were good. Then I could be happy." For a time he had forgotten the real purpose of his work. Plus, the Nephi he is referring to didn't have it easy either (2 Nephi 4:17, 1 Nephi 17:19, 2 Nephi 33:3). There is no such thing as an easy mission. The purpose of his ministry came to realized when the Lord told him only 3 chapters later, "And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will." The blessings of a successful missionary are never baptisms. He doesn't hand them out as a prize for obedience or diligence. The blessing of a successful mission is conversion. To have your heart and will come in perfect harmony with our Father. I am the only convert I can promise on my mission, and I pray that I am delivering that which I can give. In such a course, we should not be surprised when we find the road is long and hard, but with all of you I pray, "Chasten my soul, till I shall be, In perfect harmony with thee.

Love you all

Elder Wheat

4/27/15

Guess who got to go on a blitz with his second mission son???? THIS ELDER!!!!! It was so cool to get to spend the day with Elder Johnson to see how much he has grown these last few months since I left Houghton Lake. The man is on fire and his desires have changed dramatically. He is a totally different man than he was, and thats not to say he was bad before... because he was awesome. He's just changed... Oh man. So cool to see. Its the closest thing I've gotten to feeling Fatherly pride in this life. Looking forward to feeling it for real :)

I just wanted to share a quick experience this week that impacted me. Breana and Jerry are progressing really well. We had a super intense, but powerful lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Breana has been dealing with so very heavy guilt, and it all came out in that lesson. She spent the whole hour in tears, but we were able to comfort her and help her feel better. She volunteered to say it, and said, "Father, I want to be like you. And I know what I did wasn't like you. Please help me to be better." It was one of the most Childlike prayers I have ever heard and still makes me want to cry. In the words of the Savior, "Except ye become converted, and be as little Children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." I strive for that kind of devotion and love. 

Recently the quorom of the 12 petitioned the Lord for what they needed to share with the world as they went abroad to preach, and the answer was to exhort the saints to deepen personal conversion. Conversion has been a theme of my mission for many personal reasons, and I have learned some of things about what conversion means. To be converted means to be as a child (Matt 18:3) or in other words submissive to our Father (Mosiah 3:19). The Natural man looks inward and only seeks instant self gratification (wanting what we want NOW), while the Saviors first impression is to look outward and serve others. Likewise, "those who are filled with the love of God are not content with blessing their own family alone, but will be anxious to bless the whole human race." It is not enough for us to say we are converted to Jesus Christ, and make our top priority self agrandisement. The first impulse of the converted and the changed is to share what has brought them so much joy (1 Nephi 8:12, Alma 36:24, Mosiah 28:3). Therefore, we can measure our personal conversion by our individual desire to share the gospel. When we seek to elevate others, the work itself tends to elevate us. Let us seek to lift those hands that hang down, and save the souls drowning in a world of sin. The only happy life is a life devoted to seeking the glory of god, or in other words seeking the immortality and eternal life of each other. 

I wish I could say I was perfect at this, but I am always reminded that it is a process. Only the Savior can transform us, but he can only change a heart that is given to him. My prayer is that I can truly give all my heart and soul to the one who has made me all that I am.

Love you all 

Elder Wheat

Love my boy!!! Eating our traditional companionship totinos pizza

4/20/15

So, have you ever had a member go off in a lesson about the knee high water baptism of Constantine's armies and the fall of Lucifer and war in heaven in a restoration? I now have haha We have to greatest member missionary family on planet earth named the Reeds, who gave us 3 of the coolest referrals on earth. Unfortunately, the previously mentioned lesson was with Brittnee, the super solid girl from last week. It was a super rough lesson, but thank goodness for the power of the Holy Ghost which over comes those weaknesses in teaching. The coolest part of that lesson though, had to be Aubrieanna bearing her testimony about the truthfulness of the gospel. It is such a special thing to listen to one of your converts bear testimony, and definitely a confirmation to my own testimony. 

SO!!! Who wants to hear about some super crazy miracles?????

We have been teaching a young man with Asperger's syndrome who's mom just joined the church, though he wanted nothing to do with us. He finally started sitting in on the lessons midway through last transfer. We ended up switching our focus to him, and when we shared the first vision, he said he felt a chill run through him. When we invited him to be baptized, however, he said no, so we invited him to think and pray about it. The next lesson we followed up with his desire, and he said he wants to be baptized.... in 3 years when he moves out and gets a girl friend. The next lesson he said, "I want to be baptized sooner, I am just not sure when." This last lesson, he decided he wanted to be baptized on June 6. What the heck???? I know that the Lord is the only one that can change hearts, because we did absolutely nothing to make this happen. To be honest, I didn't think he was ready for the gospel at first, but the Lord changed all that real quick. Such an awesome young man! I love him to death!!!

Second miracle is a young woman named Kate. I believe I've written about her before in past emails, but I wanted to update you all on her progression. She was another one who I was wondering was going to pan out, but she has taken huge steps forward. Last week we put her on a baptismal date, and we were a little nervous about teaching the Word of Wisdom because she didn't have a testimony of Joseph Smith. We followed up with that testimony, and she said she believed he was a "good man." She had some concerns that were resolved in that lesson, and by the end, she believed that he was a prophet and committed to live the word of wisdom. Again... What the heck???? Nothing we said or done could have made this work. 

The Last miracle I will write about is the craziest of all. We don't drive our cars on Saturday, but we were called to do some unexpected service for a member. They came and picked us up, but on the drive back, we get a called from Brother Reed which basically went like this: "Elders, this is Gary Reed." "Hey Brother Reed, Hows it going?" "I have 2 investigators sitting on my porch that would like to meet some missionaries. Do you know where I can find some missionaries?" "Certainly! We will be there in 4 minutes!" Just the fact we were already in car with a way to get to there was a miracle in and of itself, but when we arrived, we were introduced to a wonderful couple with, "Elders, this is Brianna, she is ready to be baptized." "Oh... awesome! We can definitely take care of that for ya!" They have investigated for a loooong time already in another ward, but Brianna is now ready to go. She already reads the book of mormon daily and is a regular attender at church. We taught them 2 days in a row, and they are the greatest people ever!! They have the most child-like faith, and their love for the Gospel is contagious. She has had a crazy history. She was adopted out of communist Romania when she was 3 and has been through a ton, and was in tears when we told her about the meaning of baptism. She has tons of awesome questions and when we taught about the Celestial Kingdom, she said, "I want to go there so bad!" Her husband Jerry is a little more reserved, but its been cool to see him open up over the course of the lessons we have had. Again I say, WHAT THE HECK??? 

The Lord is pouring out his spirit upon this area, and I am so thankful to be caught in the current. This is the Lords work. He is making things happen that I have absolutely no control. I know that the gospel is true, because it works. Not only in my life, but in the lives of everyone that I have seen try. Its fruits are not always seen immediately, but the slow process of spiritual growth allows the roots to grow deeper, and the stronger the root, the sweeter the fruit. I know that this is true! I love you all!

Elder Wheat 

4/13/15

A few weeks ago, I received a blessing, and in that blessing, it was said that a great work was about to happen in the Lansing area that the adversary wanted to stop. That work is beginning.

This week was very hectic but very fun. Until Thursday we had 6 elders in the appartment. We pretty much had no room to sleep, but it was a ton of fun. The miracles began however on Friday. At the end of our weekly planning session, we received to referrals that we set up appointments for that day. Before that however, we had an appointment with a potential who had stood us up twice now. This time, as we approached the house, there was an asbestos inspector on the neighboring house. I was debating whether we should talk to him, when he called out to us saying, "What church are you from?" We answered, and talked for a second, when the passing cars became to loud. He shouted, "Hold on! I'll be right down." He came down and told us about how he had been reading and loving the Book of Mormon. We taught him a 5 minute Restoration lesson pretty much, and bore our testimony that if the Book of Mormon is true, that the Church of Jesus Christ had been restored and he needed to be baptized. He said, "of course the Book of Mormon is true! Everyone knows that! How could it not be! So many churches veer off on their own thing, but the Book of Mormon stays on the right path. So sweet haha He sadly lives in the Detroit Mission boundaries, but that guy is elect.

Following that experience we went to see one of the referrals we received named Dominick. He is a super sweet guy with very little religious back ground but is super solid. We taught him the restoration and at the end he said, "Something is telling me God wants me to look into this. I feel like I am going to learn something from it." He came to church on Sunday and really liked it! Afterwards, he said, "I think I am going to come back next week. What am I talking about, I am coming back next week." Super awesome tender mercy. As we walked out of that appointment, we stopped a guy on his bike who had met with missionaries before and is super excited for us to come back. At this point, we were thinking, "Why is everyone we are talking to super elect?" haha The Lord is good.

We went from there to see a woman named Danielle, who is a less active member who was referred to us by her family in Washington. She is the Prodigal Daughter who had hit rock bottom and finally was ready to come home. She is 30 years old, and is a single mother of 5 children under the age of 10. They were absolutely destitute. They had no furniture or anything for that matter in the house. It would be a tragic thing if her kids were not the most adorable and happy things on planet earth. It was such a special thing to just be with her family. The way they treated there mother, and how she looked at those kids was something beautiful. She told us of how she needed to get God back in her life and that she was ready to change. The kids were SO excited to get to go to church. Her son Julian said, "You mean we have to wait 2 whole days?! I am going to tell God to skip a day." One of the most special moments of my mission to feel that spirit of love in that home. They had absolutely nothing except their love, and that was enough to make those children happy. It was a powerful lesson. 

Church was awesome as well. About a month ago, I met a MSU student named Brittnee while we are getting our oil changed and had an awesome talk with her. A few days later her car breaks down, and a member in the ward picked her up. The member felt impressed to talk about church with her, and Brittnee said, "I just met a couple of missionaries a few days ago!! I think one of them was from California," and Sister Reed says, "Thats Elder Wheat!... Brittnee it is no coincidence you keep running into people like us. God needs you to look into this," and she said "absolutely." Sunday, as I am standing at the pulpit to give my talk, who do I see in the congregation? Brittnee. I just about swallowed my tie haha She absolutely loved church and is ready to be taught. So awesome.

When I was preparing for my talk, my prayer was that I would be able to touch at least one person in the congregation. I felt the spirit very powerfully in that talk and I learned a lot, but I noticed a woman in the back left corner next to the sister missionaries was weeping, and she continued to do it through the musical number and Elder Alley's talk. The sisters told us that everything that we said was exactly what their investigator needed to hear, and she couldn't help but cry. It was a special experience for me to know that the Lord spoke through me to touch the one.

It was a fantastic week and it is going to be a great transfer. Elder Alley pushes me to be better and is everything I ever prayed for in a companion. Let the Good times roll.

Elder Wheat

Got so see both my sons and my favorite district at Transfers!!

Transfer Time! 4/6/15

Transfer Calls. I am getting.... Elder Alley!!! I am so crazy excited. He is from Centerville, UT, went to Viewmont High School, and is a major music guy. I was his district leader for a transfer when I was in Houghton Lake. He is also one of my best friends, and a man I admire and respect than perhaps anyone in this mission. Miracles are about to happen in Lansing. I know it. 

This week was a very crazy and exhausting, but all weeks are good weeks when you are a missionary :) Some miracles happened in the work that I wanted to tell you all about! We have an investigator named Katie who is very devout in her Christian faith, but when we asked her where she goes to church, she said a non denominational church... "for now." She has given her life to God, and is eager to find truth. However, something has been holding her back. She reads, she prays, but something has been keeping her from coming to church and giving her whole heart to this search. At first, she said it was because she is comfortable where she is, and is afraid to step out in faith, but something else still seemed to bother her. We have been praying that what ever it is would be made known, or resolved, but we have been making very slow progression with her. We taught her about a modern day prophet this week, and were able to resolve that concern, but there was still something more. That night we received a text from her, which said, "I have been praying a lot about this, and the reason I am not giving my whole heart is..." and she told us what has been holding her back. It was such a joyous experience to finally know how we can help her. It is interesting to see how the spirit softens hearts. Her never comes in with a sledge hammer, but gradually chips away at the stony mass, until a beautiful work of art is made. He is very careful and very good at what he does. He really is a master artist. I am thankful he hasn't given up on me. 

We had a lot of appointments show us up this week, but that's the nature of the work sometimes. We just keep trying, and keep improving, and God makes things happen. It amazes me that all of this works. Just think of that for a second... Jeffery R. Holland said in a conference to us, "What other church, what other business, what other institution, would turn its future over to 19 year olds?! It sounds insane! I don't think anyone would do it... except the Lord." He is so right. Whenever a question of whether or not this is real comes to my mind, I read in my journal of all the miracles that have been performed in my life and in the lives of those I've known, and I am reminded that there is no way a punk 19 kid from California could do this on his own. There has to be a greater force and being driving and moving this work forward. One of my favorite lines in conference was from Elder Anderson as he relayed a candid quote from President Monson. He said, "In the first presidency, we do everything we can to move this work forward, but this is the Lords work, he directs it, he is at the helm... We marvel as we watch him open doors we cannot open, and perform miracles we can scarcely imagine" This is how missionary work is. I am in awe at all the Lord has done, is doing, and is continuing to do through my mission. I do not intend to put myself down by saying this, but I am in deep gratitude and amazement that the Lord is willing to work with such an unprofitable servant as I. I don't fully know how, or even why, he does it, but I rejoice that he does, because I am forever changed because of it. 

Halelujah. I am filled with love for you all, and above all for my Savior. I can even begin to understand the magnitude of what he has done, the spirit makes me in awe who he is, and that he lives.

Elder Wheat

I love this guy! He has helped me grow and progress in remarkable ways! I will be forever thankful to his love and companionship these last three months

"I'm knoooocking in the rain, just knocking in the rain! What a glooooorius feeling I'm happy again!"

3/30/15

Before I report on my week, I feel impressed to share something I learned early in the week. As most of you reading these emails know, I had been going through some personal trials, that even though I was working hard and being obedient, I felt I was going back wards. I felt like I was losing everything I had worked so hard to gain. I was always praying to get back to where I was, when I realized something. Elder Jeppson often says that "You are exactly who God planned for you to be right now," and I thought, "Could this really be where God wants me to be?" So I asked him and the craziest thing happened. I received a strong assurance that even though I had felt like I was falling back, I was progressing exactly the way God wanted me to be. In our current state, we don't see the whole picture of what our Father wants us to become, but he does. Life isn't a matter of "Where do I want to be" but "Where does God need me to be." If we measure our success by where we want to be, we will always be found wanting, but if we counsel with the Lord on where he needs us to be, we can be confident and happy with who we are, no matter where we are in our progression. 

This week was very similar to last week in that Elder Jeppson and I were NEVER together haha I forgot he was my companion at one point haha Always on trade offs and always on blitzes but it has been a wonderful experience for me to see all the different types of missionary work. I will say though that I am wayyyy excited to get to focus on my own area for a week. It has been a miracle that we have been seeing as much success  as we have been. The Lord is good!

I was in Jonesville MI with one of our finest missionaries, Elder Haddock, and we saw tons of miracles for that area. We were able to track down quite a few of there investigators that have been missing for awhile, and put a few of them on date for baptism. One experience was a woman named Danielle (Who reminds me so much of Amber from Houghton Lake). When we got there, we hadn't hade an opportunity to plan what we were going to teach, so when we were invited to sit down, Elder Haddock looked at me and asked what we should teach. He told me we wanted to commit her to church and to meet with us more consistently, and I received a prompting to just listen to her and try to discern a need. When she sat down, it became very obvious very quickly what she needed: Rest. She told us of her struggles of being a young mom trying to raise a big family and that she was overwhelmed. The spirit took over both of us from there. We had such a powerful lesson with her on how Church Prayer and Reading (CPR) will help her find the rest she seeks, while enhancing her abilities as a mom. The coolest thing about teaching is being able to help someone realize that they are feeling the Holy Ghost. When we left, the spirit was there, and she wasn't tired anymore. She was ready to take on the world. I testify that if we seek the spirit, we will have enough energy to do everything and anything God asks us to do. 

Life has been great, and we are ready to see miracles happen here in Lansing. I love the work and I rejoice in all God is doing for me. He really does answer prayers. I am gaining appreciation for the little things, like crying with a recent convert because of the joy you both feel to have the gospel. When we only seek after the monumental experiences and miracles, we miss the workings of the Lord, for by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity," so this week, I challenge each of you to look for what Elder Jeppson calls "infinite moments." I love you all!! God bless you!

Elder Wheat

The Jonesville District!