tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68997396142934394052024-02-19T08:19:11.573-08:00Elder Joseph SzendreI'm a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in Boise ID. My parents are going to update this blog periodically with my emails to them. Feel free to write me at Joseph.szendre@myldsmail.net.JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-26100469161272291252015-07-10T18:19:00.001-07:002015-07-10T18:19:47.147-07:00Goodbye Idaho!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Dear family,</div>
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Sorry that this didn't come on Monday. I wanted to leave a brief summary of my mission and I wasn't happy with it and we ran out of time so I used our dinner hour/<a href="http://mormon.org/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">mormon.org</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>time to send this.</div>
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I'm so grateful for these last last two years here in Boise. I've changed so much from my service here and will never be the same. I'm glad I was called here, it's really a blessing to go somewhere you didn't at first want to go.</div>
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Last week went well, we saw Rob and Gina and had a really good lesson with them. It's incredible to me how incredibly strong they are in their faith in God and in the Catholic Church. They follow the teachings of the Church exactly and teach their children to do the same. In a lot of ways they see themselves how we see ourselves, the only Church that has the Priesthood authority and a Fulness of the Gospel.</div>
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We started the lesson with Proverbs 3:5, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart ; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths". We addressed one of their concerns about the Eucharist, their version of the Sacrament. It's similar in many of the effects it has on us, including receiving the Spirit and being cleansed from sin. To them it literally and physically becomes the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, while we see it as the essential ordinance whereby we renew our baptismal covenants and receive His promises of salvation every Sabbath.</div>
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We taught the doctrine behind the Sacrament and how it's the most sacred ordinance in the gospel because it's the one most closely associated with the Atonement. As we partake of the bread and drink the ward, we remember His body being bruised and torn for us. We see him sweating great drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane as he endured the incomprehensibly excruciating pains.</div>
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We see ourselves as completely dependent on his grace and forgiveness, and our hearts swell with gratitude for His Atonement and the resultant glorious resurrection. We see partaking of the bread and the water as directly receiving the Atonement and it's marvelous blessings if we're worthy. From John 6 (KJV)</div>
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54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.</div>
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57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. </div>
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58 [Pointing to himself] This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.</div>
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I'm going to miss meeting with them, they're really a dictionary for catholic tradition, I should've got a picture with them.</div>
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We saw Tammy and Austin last night, and they really like us and want us back. Austin is twelve and is the only one at home right now and she wants him to go to Church and get involved in Church activities. She's receptive to what we teach, but doesn't want to go to Church yet. I really hope we Austin will want to be integrated into the ward, his Mom would follow if she sees the influence it would have on him. </div>
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Ja sam mogao učiti jednog Bosanskog čovjeka o obnovljenom Evanđelju! Riding down the street we saw someone in their yard, so we pulled over and introduced ourselves. We started to talking to him and was really friendly. He said his name was Sefko and I asked him where his name came from. He replied that he was from Bosnia and we started talking in Bosnian. He came to America in 1990 and converted to Christianity. I showed him the Restoration pamphlet in Croatian and explained the message to him and he was really receptive. We're going to go back and hopefully they'll be interested in meeting with us. Hopefully we could teach them in English or bring a translator.</div>
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It was good to finally use my Bosnian to teach someone about the Restoration, almost all of them I've met have been Muslim and not interested. It was so much fun getting to know him.</div>
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We got to see Karrie from the Boise Stake, please pray for her that she will be able to quit smoking. She's so strong spiritually but is really really struggling with that addiction. She has so many difficulties right now but is pushing through them. I'm sure she'll be baptized soon.</div>
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We also did lunch with Crystal and saw Brandi Anderton and her family. It was good to see them one more time.</div>
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I'm satisfied with my mission. I know I found, taught, baptized and reactivated every one that the Lord saw fit to give me. It's been filled with trials of every kind, but I'm so incredibly thankful for them and how I've grown from this experience.</div>
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I served first in the Mitchell and Kingswood Wards in the Boise North Stake (4.5 months) there we started teaching Michael, Tyler and Anna (Anna was baptized a year after I left.) three unbaptized children in a divorced part member family. We taught them the lessons and Michael and Tyler were baptized. My first transfer with Elder Dearborn we started contacting part member families and we knocked on Brandi Anderton's door. It was a very difficult time for them (he had been unemployed for some time) and they started taking the lessons. Five months later she baptized. She had a very good time</div>
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Then I went to Eagle in the Eagle 4th Ward (6 months) there I trained Elder Nelson for 3 transfers. My time there was incredible, the people there were pretty wealthy and with the help of the members and particularly the youth we found 16 investigators in 6 months. Only 4 of those were found through our own efforts (tracting and street contacting). We had Crystal Poland's name come up on our phone as a referral. She had had a very difficult life with absolutely no family support and a 2-year old child. She had been homeless and was subrenting from someone in Eagle.</div>
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With the help of some visiting teachers in Kuna, and an LDS friend she had found faith in God and after she came here she wanted to take the lessons. She kept almost every commitment we extended to her. After four weeks she was baptized.</div>
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Then I went to the Meridian Amity Stake in the Riva Ridge and Desert Wards (3 months). Then I went to the Meridian West Stake in the Havencove Ward (4.5 months). Kelly Bowen was baptized after about a year of investigating the Church. She has a member husband Seth who came back to Church and baptized her. She had an incredible gospel knowledge and understanding and is really solid.</div>
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With Elder Palencia and Bowler we saw a woman cleaning out her trash container, we pulled over and started talking with her. After about a half hour we scheduled a time to come back and share more of what we believed and 3 months later she was baptized. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of her right now, I need to email Elder Palencia and get it.</div>
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Then in the Boise Stake I served in the Collister Ward for 6 months. We found 13 investigators while there, most significantly Karrie who pulled over on the side of the road and scheduled an appointment with her. She's had one of the most difficult lives I could imagine and has a thyroid disease from all of the stress she has gone through. She's felt a lot of guilt from her mistakes but after keeping the invitations to read the Book of Mormon and to pray she felt all of that guilt lifted from her. She's really been struggling the last 3 months with trying to quit smoking. Please pray for her, she's very close to being baptized. I got to see her a couple times this transfer. </div>
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After four transfers President sent me to the Meridian East Stake for my final 6 weeks. Elder Edralin lost a ward and we didn't have any investigators in the Ginger Creek Ward so we started tracting and talking with members to get referrals. We found two families to teach (one should begin taking the lessons shortly) Rob and Gena the Catholic family and then Tammy and Austin both I mentioned previously.</div>
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I can't possibly recount all of the investigators, members and less-active members that have inspired me and have helped me to grow in the gospel as we've met with them and worked with them. I've (mostly) only included the names of those that were baptized, to show that even in Idaho there are specific people that you are meant to find and teach. It's incredible to see the miracles that come into their lives as they start to come to Church and further live the Gospel. </div>
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I'm grateful beyond measure for my call to serve here in the Idaho Boise Mission. I've had the most incredible time here and can't wait for my next mission call. </div>
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I'm thankful for my testimony of the Restored Gospel. It's the most precious possession I have. With it comes that calm assurance that God lives, Jesus is the Christ, this life is part of a divinely-appointed plan, and that His Church has been Restored (brought back) to the Earth.</div>
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I know that this is the Savior's Church. It has all of the doctrines, principles and ordinances of the Gospel that we need to have happiness in this life and Eternal Life in the world to come.</div>
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May I end this with the final invitation of the Book of Mormon in Moroni 10, "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."</div>
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May we choose to trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and strive more faithfully to follow them is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</div>
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Pic: The mission conference we had with Elder Nelson.</div>
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-40766937460610342172015-06-25T13:37:00.003-07:002015-06-25T13:37:42.932-07:0019 more days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hope you guys have been doing well.</div>
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We had another lesson with Rob and Gena and we were able to answer their concerns. He had read 3 Nephi 11 as we had invited him to and he asked about that.</div>
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We mostly talked about the Great Apostasy. They believe that it was the bishops that carried on the Apostolic ministry, who ordained more bishops who ordained others etc... Both they and the Greek Orthodox Church and it's derivatives have that claim. Which is impressive really.</div>
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The way we explained it was that because of the apostasy of members of the Church and Roman persecution the Lord removed His Apostles and Priesthood authority (2 Thess 2:3). They had continued to ordain other Apostles after the death of Judas and others but eventually all had been martyred or died of natural causes. The Apostle John was the last one and banished to the Island of Patmos where he wrote the famous apocalyptic book of Revelation.</div>
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From that time on the Church was governed by Bishops who did not hold the office of Apostles.</div>
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I had an experience with a modern apostle last Sunday. We got out of the PEC meeting and Elder Oaks passed us in the hallway. He was trying to go to Priesthood, Relief Society and Young Women's so he didn't have time to stop and talk but he did wave. The Spirit came upon us so strongly that I knew he has that same Apostolic authority that the original 12 had.</div>
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Thank you so much for everything, I love you, missionary work and the Savior that leads this Church. I'm going to miss my mission greatly.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
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Pics</div>
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1. Me and "Vedralin" He's a vegetarian ehh we have so many vegetarian dinners</div>
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2. Our new mission vehicle haha<br />
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-2460632662288713662015-06-01T13:57:00.000-07:002015-06-01T13:57:04.292-07:00Meridian East!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hey fam, I got transferred over to McMillan and Shamrock, which is really close to my first area, in fact almost bordering it. I'm excited to be here, Elder Edralin is a really obedient and diligent missionary and we're going to get so much done here.</span><br />
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It's been a trying time for Karrie these last few weeks. Her son has continued to struggle and she's had every reason to give up and stop trying. But she's continued to rely on the scriptures and prayer, she's been coming to Church very consistently and has kept her desire to be baptized as strong as ever.</div>
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We set goals with her and made plans at our last lesson. Her goals were to be baptized and to quit smoking - 6 cigarettes per day for 1 week. We made a list of reasons why she wants to quit smoking and had her put it on the fridge. Yesterday she had had only 3 cigarettes by 5 pm which was a success for her. We've really been praying that she'll be able to do it.</div>
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We had a lesson with Brother Gonzales there and we felt strongly that we needed to read from D&C 1 with her, and invite her to read through it. The Spirit was so strong as we prepared for that lesson. I know God will comfort her and help her overcome her addiction.</div>
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She's been reading through the Doctrine and Covenants now, and absolutely loves it. She says it sounds more like the Old Testament and we explained that it's because they are literally the words of Jesus Christ and that throughout the Bible the Prophets declared the Lord's voice to the people.</div>
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Goals and plans are so important for us to realize our full potential wherever we are in our lives. At different parts of my mission I've emphasized different things, depending on areas of needed improvement and promptings of the Spirit.</div>
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It really helps to share your goals with others and review them frequently. I'm going to make transfer goals tonight and tomorrow with Elder Edralin. We've got to make the most of it.</div>
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The Spirit has been pouring out so strongly on me as I've entered into this transfer. We're going to baptize. I know that and am anxious to get out there and find those people that the Lord has for us to teach. We currently only have one investigator, Jessica who's grandparents are strongly encouraging her to wait to be baptized. She firmly believes it's true and has a boyfriend that soon will leave on a mission.</div>
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One of the great messages of the Book of Mormon, secondary to it's unshakable witness of the divinity of the Savior of the World is of the Gathering of Israel. In fact Moroni 8:15 gives one definition of God's glory and one of purposes of the Book of Mormon, for "the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord." God has not forgotten His people.</div>
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As Sister Wendy Nelson taught powerfully in Mission Conference, we made sacred covenants even before we came to this earth. One of them was to gather Israel and to build up the Church and Kingdom of God in latter-days (Isaiah 11:10-12).</div>
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One of the sternest rebukes in the scriptures is to the modern-day Gentiles that deny any scripture but the Bible but have not sought to recover the Jews who wrote it. Or in other words to gather them, spiritually as well as physically (2 Nephi 29:3-7).</div>
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I know that this Church is true, that the Lord Jesus Christ lives and that He guides His Church today. I love you all and am so excited to see you all again.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
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Pics.</div>
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Elder Edralin and I</div>
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The Halls, Karrie and the Youngbloods yesterday. I took off my jacket and forgot to put on my tag ehh...</div>
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-65406368856619400022015-05-25T12:08:00.000-07:002015-05-25T12:08:00.969-07:007 weeks...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey fam, it's been an eventful week. Lots of good things have been happening.<br />
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May I remind you that my <b>first guess </b>was Albaquerque NM for Jake's mission call? Yeah buddy. I didn't even know there was a Farmington mission. We were talking about it with some people that live 5 hours south of there last night. It's the most densely LDS populated city in the state, with lots of reservations as you know. It's got some pretty nice suburbs evidently.<br />
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Karrie is doing well, she continues to strive to quit smoking and she feels awful when she does and feels spiritually far from God right now. Please pray for her. She had a period for about 2 weeks when she felt all her guilt and temptations go away, but all of the old temptations have come back. She's determined to quit and we're going to try to help her reduce the number of cigarettes more gradually.<br />
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We also helped clean up the apartment next to Karrie that had recently been evicted. I felt really bad for her and her ex-husband, she was so physically and verbally abused by him she tried to commit suicide and he left some time ago but even when they were together the place was atrocious. I didn't even bother to take pictures. We mopped up the walls and Elder Thompson the second day made the kitchen floor spotless. It was just unbelieveable the way they lived. It's looking (and smelling) a lot better. We were able to get to know Frank the landlord pretty well. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he'd look at it.<br />
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Thank you for all of your support on my mission, it's unreal only having seven weeks left. I hope that I stay here for my last transfer, we have too much going on for me to leave. But I felt that way in my last area and the missionaries there have done a tremendous job reactivating, teaching and soon baptizing.<br />
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My deepest love,<br />
Elder Szendre<br />
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p.s. This is Tiffany Scudder, who I helped teach at the Book of Mormon class every Thursday.<br />
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Then the Book of Mormon class missionaries-last transfer.</div>
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-19961615695616403982015-05-18T11:46:00.000-07:002015-05-18T11:46:38.657-07:008 weeks left!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey fam, we're doing really well right now.<br />
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Jake you're a stud! I totally guessed New Mexico haha. It will be such a fun, exciting and challenging mission for you. I'm excited for you, to use the Book of Mormon for whom the writers primarily intended it for.<br />
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Karrie has really struggled this week with quitting smoking. She tried starting Wednesday night and suffered through so much on Thursday it was unreal. Her personality was different when we were with her. We weren't able to see her for two days after that with zone conference the next day. She had caved and felt pretty shaken from the experience. The nicotine has such a hold over her body it's just unreal.<br />
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She's trying to quit again so please pray for her. We have the grapefruit and it's juice and cinnamon gum to help.<br />
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We had a pretty incredible miracle this week. We met the Skaggs a young family that hasn't been attending Church for what I can gather over a year. Their four year old Marshall was crying with the Mom and we were in an apartment complex and Elder Thompson started talking to her. Normally when kids are crying I'd just walk by. He gave the kid his drumsticks and said we could come by later and pick them up.<br />
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She gave us their apartment number and we went and visited with Tiffany Makee again, a good visit in itself. Then we went back and saw them and they invited us in. They recognized it as a miracle that we had run into them at exactly the right time. They still believe in God and the Church, they've just been struggling with some of the weaknesses of members in a previous ward and the difficulty of allotting the time to go to Church in a busy life.<br />
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We have an appointment with them on Tuesday. He said their goal is to be sealed as a family. That was incredible to hear that. They're not far from coming back.<br />
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My last zone conference came and went last Thursday. I don't want to leave this mission just yet. I want to come home but I don't want to leave. It's a really weird feeling.<br />
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Elder Alder of the Seventy (the area authority for much of Idaho) came to zone conference and presented the training that he received from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. For two days before each conference all of the Seventies, around 350 come to Salt Lake to receive training from the Apostles as how the Lord would have them build up His Church.<br />
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He said that normally they have 5-7 priorities to emphasize to the Stake Presidents and members and missionaries, but that this time for two days the training focused on how to enhance the spirit and power of the Sabbath Day.<br />
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He described how for the last 6 weeks he has taken the training to heart and has woken up a half hour earlier and read from the scriptures about the Savior and that has made gospel study a priority. He said that instituting that has made the Sabbath day a much more sacred day.<br />
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Our attitude and behavior towards the Sabbath day indicate a sign between us and God. The Lord has called himself the Lord of the Sabbath, and it is uniquely His day.<br />
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Thanks for all of the support, I love you all and will see you soon.<br />
<br />
Elder Szendre<br />
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Zone Meeting, note Conference<br />
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-37319175966167707512015-05-11T11:15:00.002-07:002015-05-11T11:15:41.750-07:002 month mark<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mission call in hand! Yeah buddy you'll work miracles wherever you serve. My three guesses Albaquerque, NM; Boise, ID; Moscow, Russia;</div>
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We had a really good week. Karrie is getting closer to quitting smoking, she's able to go almost a day now. She's had a really difficult life turning to smoking and alcohol and other drugs at an early age for reprieve from how she was feeling up until literally this last year.</div>
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Her son was imprisoned for a crime that was set up in a sting operation and had a very publicized trial and all of her friends and family stopped communicating with her. Her husband left her, she lost her house and all of her belongings were stolen. Homelessness ensued and she suffered beyond imagination for years. She now babysits for her daughter that has a higher paying job and lives in a modest duplex.</div>
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This whole time she's felt like she was being led somewhere, out of her lifestyle, and that she needed to do something before she died. She went to calvary chapel and other churches but when she brought up that she had certain things revealed to her by the Spirit they would explain it away as mental illness or imagination. Belief in modern revelation is often a distinguisher among our Church, that cite the Bible as the She felt like she couldn't turn to any of those churches and felt really alone.</div>
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She had a lot of powerful experiences with Chruch members. She witnessed a blessing of a disabled woman from her father and she felt God in the room. Then she talked with our bishop once and felt like she had spoken with God. We explained to her that that was the priesthood power that was Restored through this Chruch, and that she had talked to one of His representatives. Her son was visited countless times in prison by Church members and they had come to her several times. He read the Bible and Book of Mormon 10 times in prison along with a lot of other literature and gained a testimony of the Gospel. He was able to help her understand our doctrine when he got out on Paroll and which helped her ease her concerns.</div>
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Please pray for her son. He and his wife have been working through a lot of marital and other stressors right now and he might go back to prison today. The warrant hasn't been issued yet, which is a good sign. If the Paroll Officer sees enough commitment to get back on track he might work with him. </div>
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It's been such an incredible experience working with Karrie. We're going to have a barbeque/smore "fireside" at the Church tonight.</div>
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The greatest advice I could ever give a missionary or anyone that wants to give service in this Church is to get the Spirit. It will lead you to know what to do and what to say. Added to our own careful study and diligent preparation and planning it will be the determining factor in our success as full-time and member missionaries. "If ye have not the Spirit ye shall not teach" (D&C 42)</div>
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From D&C 11,</div>
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12 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. </div>
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13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; </div>
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14 And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.</div>
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May we all do the Lord's will and qualify ourselves for the sublime blessing of the Spirit. I can't wait to see you all again.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-66146239178019927432015-05-04T11:46:00.002-07:002015-05-04T11:46:47.426-07:00May 4 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey fam!<br />
<br />
I'm so excited for Jake's mission call. He's going to be an incredible missionary. There's nothing like holding that letter from 47 East South Temple Street from the First Presidency holding the next two years of your life.<br />
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We also had a miracle with a woman named Valory. We knew from her neighbor that he had recently given her a Book of Mormon and that she had no interest in organized religion. We met her when she was doing some yard work two weeks and didn't bring up the Church. We saw her again on Saturday night and she asked us what our mission was about. We taught her part of the Restoration, comparing it to her own beliefs about the corruption of organized religion. She's willing to learn more just doesn't have a lot of time at all.<br />
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We've had a really good week. Karrie continues to grow in her testimony of the Gospel every day. Her family continues to be more and more receptive to her. They're happy that she's happy. She feels like she can point her children to the right place now, whereas she had no ability to before.<br />
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She really desires to be baptized, she really feels the Spirit at Church and has come 4 weeks in a row now. She had a very powerful spiritual experience after we went through the baptismal interview questions and decided to join the Church. She has suffered so much from her family and friends afterward, but she's found a place where she can be with people that are also striving to follow Jesus Christ's example.<br />
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We invite others to join the Church so that they can make and keep sacred covenants with their Heavenly Father. In the Church we have the covenant of Baptism, the Covenant of the Priesthood that comes with ordination to the Priesthood, and the covenants made in the Endowment and Sealing ordinance.<br />
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Each of these helps us to found ourselves upon Jesus Christ. Through baptism we covenant with God that we will serve Him and keep His commandments, stand as a witness of Him and bear each other's burdens. In return for our willingness to obey and serve Him, He promises that we will be redeemed from our sins, rise in the first resurrection with the righteous, and have eternal life in His presence (Mosiah 18:5-12).<br />
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That is the great test of this life, is whether or not we will come to consistently obey God and follow Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21, Abraham 3:23-25).<br />
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Thank you for everything. I love this great work, there is no work of greater importance than helping those around us to feel God's love and desire to follow Him.<br />
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With all my love,<br />
Elder Szendre</div>
JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-36412208333213563262015-04-28T17:25:00.002-07:002015-05-04T11:45:06.198-07:00T-2.5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hey fam!</span><br />
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I'm glad Adam had the best birthday ever. I still don't know if Jake tasted the toothpaste in the mint oreo cookie. </div>
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I'm stoked for Victoria's wedding, Stephen Moses is a boss. Evidently Carson Evans is engaged as well now. I met his fiance when he was visiting his Mom in the ward here. They're going to do well.</div>
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Karrie is doing much much better now. She was just kind of at a tipping point last Sunday with all the stress from her family's rejection of her decision to join the Church, her friends turning on her for it, and the neighbor abusing his ex-wife next door and everyone telling her not to care about it.</div>
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We really wanted her to meet more sisters from the ward so we invited her to a Relief Society Activity on Tuesday we showed up after it ended and she talked with those women until past 9. She really enjoyed it and felt like someone in this world cared about what was going on.</div>
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Her family is starting to be more receptive to it now. Her parents are happy that she feels free from all of the guilt and that she's happy now, and her relationships with her children are improving.</div>
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She had a very good experience on Sunday again, met with the bishop and enjoyed Sunday School and Relief Society.</div>
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I'm getting about 8 hours of sleep a night now, which is a miracle. It's just been since last transfer since that started happening. Just in time for getting home haha. </div>
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We were tracting on Saturday, and found a young couple, Byron and Elizabeth with a one month old baby. Elizabeth has had LDS friends go on missions and Byron has gone to Christian churches before but doesn't currently attend or prefer any one denomination. She asked us what we believe and we taught them part of the Restoration and set a return appointment on Saturday.</div>
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We got to go to the temple today, the feeling you get after you finish a session is just incredible. There's something very special about the temple that leaves with you. When the Savior washed the disciples feet and pronounced them clean from the blood of that generation, he promised them that even though they had to leave His physical presence he would send His Spirit, even the Comforter to be with them and to teach them and bring to their remembrance all things (John 14:25-26).</div>
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I was praying at one part of the endowment, expressing my sadness to leave and my desires and willingness to be as effective as possible these last three months in bringing souls to Christ, I felt deeply impressed that I had completed my mission and it was time to come home. I felt so much sorrow to leave this great work, to literally be a messenger of God and an instrument in his hands to bring about much good in the lives of His children.</div>
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That might sound presumptuous to some for us to claim that God would use 18-24 year old missionaries to be His emissaries to call the world to repentance and faith. But God prefers to bring to pass great miracles by small means. When mighty manifestations are required to produce belief true and lasting conversion to the Lord is not possible.</div>
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Thank you for everything, I have seen spiritually how the Lord will use my mission to bless the lives of His children and I am extremely grateful. I am reminded of Ammon's expression of the nothingness of his own strength and wisdom, but eternal gratitude to the Lord for using him however unworthy to bring to pass that great work. I know that similar blessings await those who humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in the mission field, help friends and family receive the fulness of the Gospel and who help prepare youth for full-time missionary service.</div>
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My fullest love and devotion, your son and brother,</div>
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Elder Joseph Szendre</div>
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Pic: temple trip. The Spanish Elders ditched us before we could ask for a ride. Jk they had something with the Cassia Spanish Branch and had to go. I've been in Sister Tauiliili's district 7 out of her 12.5 transfers and in her zone for one more. She keeps following me.</div>
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From left: Sister Bawden, Elder Thompson, Sister Tauiliili.</div>
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-82345489560320950492015-04-20T11:32:00.002-07:002015-04-20T11:32:31.598-07:00Empathy and the Atonement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hey fam, I can't believe it's so close to seeing you again. Mother's day and then July 11th flying home.</span><br />
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Me and Elder Thompson performed Savior, Redeemer of My Soul and we did it perfectly. It was such a fun piece.</div>
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Karrie by far is our most important investigator she's made so much progress but she had a really trying experience at Church yesterday. She felt like the Sunday School lesson excluded her when they were teaching of the blessings of Church membership and that the Melchizedek Priesthood is God's only medium of how we can heal someone else. And then in Relief Society she didn't feel like she fit in.</div>
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Almost everyone in her family has been very antagonistic about her decision to join the Church and her friends have been angry with her for it too. And then to have no social support when she reached out for it at Church was super discouraging. She is going through more than I can fathom right now.</div>
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I feel so much pain for her right now, you would not believe. Not that I've experienced what she's going through but because I've had my own darkest hours. Let me relate what I've learned about the Savior from this. </div>
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The Savior had to have been the greatest empathizer even before he entered the garden of gethsemane. He had himself undergone the most exquisite pain that anyone would ever go through before the Atonement, fasting for 40 days, being completely rejected by His beloved nation of Judah, judged by them that sat on Aaron's seat guilty of blasphemy when they themselves were breaking that law worthy of capital punishment in the greatest degree (Lev 26).</div>
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I give it as my opinion that he suffered the physical and emotional torment because the whole sum of human experience was revealed to him in the garden and on the cross. Surely the spiritual punishment and separation were inflicted from the Father, but the the emotional and physical pain must have at least in part come from beholding perfectly what we would suffer and then his perfect love and empathy would have caused Himself to feel it too. He was never burned at the stake like Abinadi and others, never would have cancer, but those things must have been revealed to him and just beholding our suffering must have caused Him to feel it too. </div>
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The degree to which I love Karrie and understand what she is suffering I feel it too. From personal experience I know to some degree what she must be feeling. And how equisitely I feel a part of her pain. To say that we it's not necessary to feel pain when another is suffering is to ignore and turn away from what they are experiencing.</div>
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The Savior felt greater torment and pain emotionally and physically that were possible to men, for even before the Atonement he would suffer "more than man can suffer even unto death." That was even before the Garden of Gethsemane. Then when he beheld through revelation the human experience he would perfectly understand and feel it with us. Surely His empathy and perfect commiseration with us is one of the great mysteries of who He is, for He certainly weeps with us and relives His own sufferings as we watches and is with us through our own darkest hours.</div>
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For the first time in a long time I am alright. I have undergone so much these last 12 months. A poor decision to change a medication for depression led to the greatest migraines and depression, and with the faith and prayers of family I recovered enough to stay on a mission. But I was burned out beyond all measure and insomnia and three difficult companions in a row for different reasons followed. It was a long road of recovery. But oh how much greater is the suffering when you see and understand another as they go through their own darkest hour.</div>
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I am so thankful that our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ don't turn away from us in our trials. It would be so easy to look away from it, but they choose to not only understand but to be with us in our trials. They don't choose to ignore or turn away from our sufferings, but their understanding causes them to feel it too, and how it must torment them. The fact that the Savior had suffered an infinitely greater burden does not diminish their own suffering when they see their children's pain.</div>
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I love you all so much and can't wait to see you again,</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
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P.s. I'll atttach some pictures.</div>
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1. Our "functional companionship" haha</div>
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2. Second tour of the capital. The House of Representatives.<br />
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3. Aww yeah fisher of men<br />
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4. Huckleberry Ice cream at the Garners! Have to huckleberry picking sometime soon.<br />
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-55015409429763279182015-04-13T11:08:00.001-07:002015-04-13T11:08:14.645-07:00T-3 months!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We had a really good week. We didn't have very long to email so it won't be terribly long.</div>
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I'm sorry to hear Grandma Mimi died, that's bad news but I know she really suffered with dementia and it was her time to go. I have fond memories of her.</div>
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Karrie Adams is doing really well. She came to Church and absolutely loved it. She's surrounded by friends and most of her family members that are antagonistic towards her decision to join the Church. The most amazing thing is that while she's been going through the repentance process and making restitution as best she can to everyone she's hurt, she's had all of the guilt lifted from her.</div>
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We have several people that are struggling with addiction right now. An active member told us that although someone may stop there addiction, recovery is lifelong for many people.</div>
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This is the last week of the transfer and I'm probably going to go, since I only have two transfers left. I really hope I can make thebest of my last week.</div>
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Take care, I love you all so much,</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
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P.s. I'll write more next week.</div>
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-15378829557796602372015-04-06T12:30:00.001-07:002015-04-06T12:30:19.641-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hey fam!</div>
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This last week has gone really well, we had a lot of opportunities to teach and meet new people. We saw a lot of part member families. And most significantly Karrie has decided to be baptized and has told her family that she has decided to join the Church.</div>
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I'm so excited for Torie. Stephen Moses is a stud muffin!! They're going to be a boss couple.</div>
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Last week we went to the army navy store and Sister Fish met us there. She told us she'd get us whatever we wanted and I got this sick aviator's jacket. It was super nice of her. They also had so much soviet retro gear. I need to get a picture with a gas mask on.</div>
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On tuesday Karrie sent us a 7 page text about how she had a very powerful spiritual experience and has decided to join the Church. She attended the 12 step group to quit smoking and has been consistent in studying the gospel and prayer. She wasn't able to watch conference with us but we're confident she'll be able to overcome the many obstacles that stand between her and baptism.</div>
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She told her whole family that she has decided to join the Church, which was a complete shock to them. She's been an alchoholic since she was 16 and that's what her family remembers her as. She's doing her best to do restitution to those she has negatively impacted from her addiction. So far her family is pretty open minded, but we'll see what happens moving forward.</div>
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We had a miracle in that we showed up at her house right as she was feeling super depressed and guilty about her past and she super needed us at that moment. The guilt from sins that we feel can truly be excruciating.</div>
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Conference was incredible. I learned so much. Elder Christofferson and Holland's were probably my favorites. President Utchdorf and Eyering were a close second. That's super exciting there's going to be a temple in Bangkok, I know some members that served a humanitarian mission there and the Church is really sparce in that city.</div>
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I'm thankful for the Atonement, and for the role that our Heavenly Father and Savior play in our lives every day. There's no way I could have made it this far in my mission if it wasn't for them. Like President Utchdorf said, the blessings of living the Gospel are not limited only to restoring us to where we were before we entered into this life or sinned, but rather he wants us with His grace to become even as He is. </div>
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I'm thankful for the Church and for the modern and ancient revelation. I can't wait to see you all on Mother's Day. I pray for you often.</div>
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Love,</div>
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Elder Szendre<br />
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P.s. here's some pics, I'll send more next week.<br />
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Elder Bowler and Palencia at BSU.<br />
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Mission Conference with Elder Nelson!!</div>
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JSzendrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08612115011976283369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-45240706165088241342014-06-17T16:42:00.001-07:002014-06-17T16:42:16.271-07:00From June 16, 2014: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives"<br />
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Sydney and Ashley's family had been coming to Church for about a month before I got to the area, then every Sunday they've had family stuff going on since. We keep meeting with them on Thursday nights, and their friend Dakota has been coming to the lessons. Bro Barber invited them to his house this thursday for a lesson and so we're hoping that his two young girls will be able to help Sydney and Ashley.</div>
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Dakota has gained a lot of interest in the Church since her father came back from prison. He grew up LDS but fell away when he went into the armed forces. We met him and his parents who had been raising Dakota in his absence. They're a super cool family and we're hoping to introduce the bishop to him, he said that he would come to Church if he didn't like the one his parents go to.</div>
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Sharon has been on a lot of pain pills lately with her back. She's hoping to get a shot directly in her spine to get a more long term solution that won't impact her sleep so much. She's been going through a lot. Sister K. is going to invite her over to her home. </div>
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We contacted those Eastern European referrals from the Schulteiss family, it turned out to be a Hungarian family and a Ukrainian family.</div>
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The Ukrainian family was outside and the Grandfather started talking with us in Russian (he was visiting for the week). He was starkly not interested and slightly antagonistic about the Church, but started discussing the Church and it's missionary program. He's read the Book of Mormon but didn't take up the challenge to pray to know of it's truth. That's such a huge problem, where people will read the Book of Mormon because it's an interesting read, or to be able to argue with LDS people. There's no way God would give them an answer when they would just turn around and not follow it. As he carried on the conversation we promised him that if he would pray about it he would receive an answer. We went our way on a good note and his daughter said we could come back. </div>
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It was kind of cool to see two native Hungarians for the first time. Grandpa Szendre certainly has some in him!! When we contacted him (we heard he was Romanian) he asked us why we were there, and we explained that we had a message for him and his family. He said he had no interest in religion and that he used to believe in the Bible. He explained to us his beliefs and began to be pretty antagonistic with the Church. I tried to find a subject he would be more interested in talking about, and so we talked about Russian, Russia, Budapest, Hungarian, the origins of it (people aren't really sure), and then about how he thought the universe was created. He said he had an experience where God showed him how the universe was created (it was very interesting), we ran with it and said that it was revelation and that's why we were here, so we invited him to take a pamphlet and he said, "I'm interested in learning everything." It's incredible to see how the Spirit works with people, when they start talking about their thoughts and opinions they see how they could do what we invite them to do and then they accept the invitation. We'll follow up with him on Wednesday.</div>
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I'm so thankful for the gospel, and for the chance I have to serve a mission. There is so many good things happening here in this area. I could never have imagined the opportunity to have such great effects on the people here. In my last area Kevin talked on Mother's Day and bore powerful testimony of the restored gospel, which was stunning to everyone there. What an impact it must have had on the youth.</div>
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My relationship with the Savior has grown so much. He is my absolute hero, the "messenger of Salvation."</div>
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8 Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation</div>
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9 The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men. </div>
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10 The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him. (D&C 93:8-10)</div>
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I know the Gospel has been restored. I'm so incredibly thankful for the opportunities I've been given, faithful service in the Lord's Kingdom truly brings great blessings.</div>
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"Yes, men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life." (President Ezra Taft Benson, <a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/1988/12/jesus-christ-gifts-and-expectations?lang=eng" rel="nofollow" style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/ensign/1988/12/jesus-christ-gifts-and-expectations?lang=eng</a>)</div>
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The Church has a marvelous future in store, I pray we'll follow carefully Jesus Christ and keep our lives clean and pure. He lives!</div>
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Much love!</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-88298266876350742282014-06-17T16:38:00.002-07:002014-06-17T16:38:30.721-07:00From June 9, 2014 "An Awesome Week"<br />
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So this last week we had many opportunities to find less actives, and people to teach of American and Eastern European descent.</div>
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Dakota is learning about the Restored Gospel with Ashley and Sydney, two children that we're teaching. We asked her in the lesson if she would support Ashley throughout this process of learning the Gospel (she had just went through it when she moved in with her grandparents who took her to Church). She said she'd be there with Ashely through this whole process. When Dakota at the end prayed we asked her to ask God if the Book of Mormon was true and both her and Ashley said that they felt it was true. Sydney has ADHD bad and was watching the Second Hobbit. A family that has two children near their ages (Sydney 12 and Ashley and Dakota 8) said they would invite them to their home. Hopefully Sydney and everyone there will feel more support and friendship from the ward, because they haven't been coming out to Church.</div>
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We continue to see Sharon, an older woman who is investigating the Church.</div>
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Unfortunately Dante was kicked out of the Dutton's home and is moving out of state. </div>
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So we had to eat some hard counsel from President. He doesn't want us teaching people that don't speak English anymore, unless they are progressing and even then we need a translator there. I guess Elder M. was starting to feel boxed in or whatever, since many of our opportunities have been from Russian/Bosnian families and individuals that don't speak very good English.</div>
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We had some Bosnian referrals in another ward that we contacted. We asked if we could share a message and she said we could come back the next day at around 6, they were preparing dinner and we heard. We won't pursue it further or the other Bosnian referral (they almost certainly don't speak English). I can teach the Restoration in Serbo-Croatian, and learning it more and more every day. We just have to teach them in English. </div>
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So there you have it, we're using the members to invite friends and neighbors, half of whom are coming from Eastern Europeans, because it's a lot easier when you have a missionary that speaks their language, because then if they don't have a relationship with that friend or neighbor where they'd feel comfortable to invite them to meet with us, they can rather talk about me in conversation and then invite them to dinner to meet and talk with me in their language, but the teaching would be done in English. So far not much has panned out in terms of people that we can teach, but we're finding many members that know these people.</div>
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We continue to teach Ludmila, who we're so confident has been prepared. She had a headache and didn't want to talk with us on Saturday (we brought a translator that lives in an adjacent ward), but he has some neighbors that are Russian Orthodox and are very open to discussing religion, and he said he'd invite them to meet me in their home. (They speak English).</div>
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We're hoping to teach Zayna sometime, who's been coming to Church despite the language barrier. A friend of his will invite him to come to his home to meet me and to talk about the Gospel. We will need to find a translator.</div>
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Those are our only two people we're trying to teach right now that don't speak English.</div>
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I've lost count, I try to keep them written down, of all the different opportunities to share the gospel through members with Russians, Ukrainians and Bosnians. As we go about the work here in these two wards, among investigators, less actives and active members these opportunities just open up. People have been prepared. For instance a young man has a friend named Vitaly who's Ukrainian and speaks English. He's said he would invite him to meet with us. His sister has an American friend she said she will invite.</div>
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There's a woman in Meridian South Stake, who wants to hear the gospel in Russian. I wish I could teach her, but I'll send the necessary supplies and a list of translators that will help those missionaries over there teach her.</div>
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We have a neighborhood in our area that has several families of Eastern European descent. We're going to go tract it tonight and hopefully we'll find some people we can teach in English. Although I would still share a pamphlet and possibly a Book of Mormon with those that don't speak English.</div>
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I know the Lord is hastening His work here in Boise. When the Spirit of God rests upon you you know it doesn't matter what you suffer or what you sacrifice, that the Lord is deeply grateful for your service. The difficulties of this life are an essential part of God's plan for our eternal progression and will purify us if we rely on the Lord to overcome them. I know the Savior lives, I love Him with all of my heart and testify that He will help you in your deepest sorrows and pains. I pray the Lord's blessings upon you.</div>
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Much Love!!</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-21414667059811862802014-06-17T16:32:00.006-07:002014-06-17T16:32:57.658-07:00From May 26, 2014: "Russkis!"<br />
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We've been blessed with 3 investigators and 2 new ones in the last week.</div>
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It would have been 3 new ones, except that a woman that we taught a first lesson to actually doesn't live in our area.</div>
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I don't have much time, but let me just say that this area has a fair amount of Russians. The first night I got into Boise, we went over to Brother Ludlow the Elders Quorum President, and he told us of a Russian family that had met with the missionaries before, but couldn't understand them. The Spirit overwhelmed me with joy, and I knew they had been prepared for the restored gospel.</div>
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The next night we went over to Ludmila's and she let us in, we had a short converstation about the Gospel and we had to go since she was short on time. We hope to back in soon.</div>
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3 sets of missionaries in our zone have Russians they're working with right now. We hope to go over with them soon.</div>
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We served a man last Saturday that works for Andy Propst, who was one of the missionaries in The Seratov Approach. Not only does this man know a bunch of Russian tile setters, but he talked with Andy and he said that he has some Russians that he thinks could be taught the discussions in Russian.</div>
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We just received some referrals to visit some other Russians and some Bosnian people, we hope that goes well.</div>
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There's so much work besides Russians in these wards, we met with Sister Smith and it was incredible how many families need some support right now. We're working through those. It's kind of disappointing because most of those Russians live out of our area, and we're working through one to two middle men to set up appointments with them. One of them lives in the Boise Central Stake, which is by the Temple, probably 10 miles away.</div>
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Hopefully we'll be able to get in with Ludmila soon and teach her family, as well as the many other opportunities to teach.</div>
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I love you all!</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-87872050624660686682014-05-23T16:09:00.002-07:002014-05-23T16:09:47.060-07:00From May 19, 2014: "Amity"<br />
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I'm now serving in the Meridian South Amity Stake. It's quite a difference from Eagle, at least what I've seen of it so far. It will certainly differ economically and socially. I hear Elder Blackburn has some Russians for me, and this is where Galyena and Yuri live, so hopefully there will be higher densities of Slavic and other nationalities. I'm still confused as to why the Russian Bear survived for so long in Eagle, where there were no Russians nearby.</div>
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I'm covering two wards now, and we have 4 investigators: Dante, 2 unbaptized children (cut me some slack I just got here) and I think Sherrie.</div>
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Leaving Eagle was one of the emotionally hardest things I've done. I absolutely came to love the people there, and they loved me so much. We spent the last Sunday in Sunday School and Priesthood with the youth and it was so good to have had an influence on them for good. Elder Hunt my MTC companion is moving in and I'm sure he'll work hard and realize a lot of success that I laid the foundations for.</div>
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I got to say goodbye to Kevin at Church. He participated in Come Unto Christ, which the youth sang in sacrament. I'll email him when he goes off to USU to see how things are going. He'll be attending the Young Single Adult ward in Eagle for the summer. I don't know why his parents are so unsupportive, they didn't attend his talk last week, which is unfortunate. We know he has a really strong testimony, just walking by Mutual when they were singing High On a Mountain Top which he was attending the Spirit was so strong and we felt so much joy. He described it in his talk like the big hole that he felt like wasn't being filled with any of the religions he was studying was filled.</div>
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Crystal is in Kuna right now. Despite the bishop's and Brother Nielsen's efforts she didn't get a ride to Church her first week there 3 weeks ago. So she went to the same congregation that helped her learn about Jesus Christ. It's kind of scary since she's living with the mother of the woman that was instrumental in helping her convert to Christianity. However she started meeting with the bishop and got rides and has been keeping her baptismal covenants faithfully. Hopefully she can find some source of income whether it's babysitting or online. Getting a job will be hard at the moment with her daughter. Tithing was the most difficult part, since the money she was getting from disability only barely covered rent and diapers and one other expense, leaving her $40 to her name every month. We're hoping that the ward members wrap their arms around her and she improves her circumstances.</div>
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Anna S. who lives in the Kingswood ward is getting baptized on the 31st! Her brothers were baptized, but her father had enough influence over her to lose interest while we were teaching her. I'm not sure what changed, that family has come a long way in the last 10 months.</div>
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I called Vladimir and he said to call me back this Sunday. Hopefully he'll stay interested and read the Book of Mormon, since if he got a testimony of it he would readily accept it. He was a minister in Ukraine spreading evangelical Christianity under the Soviet Union. He's a work-a-holic and a family man, so the mere fact that he continues to be interested is incredible. He's seen nothing but good examples in his employer and fellow employees about the Church. He describes them as people that know God, because of their good lives. It's almost like Moroni, </div>
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3 Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven. </div>
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4 And now my brethren, I judge these things of you <i style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">because </i>of your peaceable walk with the children of men. (Moroni 7:3-4, italics added)</div>
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Never discount the power of example. Truth and time are on our side.</div>
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I'm so thankful for this opportunity to prepare the way for the Meridian Temple, it's a truly unique place to serve, not so dense and impersonal as Utah, but still with several members living on almost every street. Our last investigator that we found in Eagle had two faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nearby and one couple will come with Elder Swann and Hunt to teach her on Saturday.</div>
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I love being a missionary so much. It's honestly the most difficult thing I've ever done, but my trust and faith in the Lord has grown exponentially. Truly, enduring our deepest trials can become catalysts to us receiving the deepest spiritual blessings. It will be 10 times harder to lose the privilege to represent the Lord to these people, it's truly a different experience being a missionary, being yoked with the Lord to bring to pass His purposes.</div>
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The Everlasting Gospel has been restored through a modern prophet, and it's ancient fullness has brightly illuminated our lives, no matter where we are on our path of discipleship. The clarion call has come to each of us to live true to it, and participate in the small ways we can to help those friends and associates around us to learn about it. I love the Lord, He truly has incredible purposes for the Idaho Boise Mission and for the world collectively.</div>
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7 ¶How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! </div>
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8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. </div>
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9 ¶Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. </div>
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10 The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. (Isaiah 52:7-10)</div>
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Much love!!</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
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Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-19337662692396819152014-05-23T16:06:00.002-07:002014-05-23T16:06:15.017-07:00From May 12, 2014: "<span style="background-color: whitesmoke; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Чудова зустріча"</span><br />
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Thank you so much for the prayers. I was truly healed to a great degree that morning thanks to your prayers. I was literally planning on sleeping that P-day if things didn't begin to look better. I'm finally back to 100% capacity now in every aspect. It's truly a miracle. My testimony has been strengthened so much this week. This is really His work.</div>
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"Sooner or later, I believe that all of us experience times when the very fabric of our world tears at the seams, leaving us feeling alone, frustrated, and adrift." (Grateful in Any Circumstances, President Utchdorf, GC April 2014)</div>
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This was one of the greatest trials of my faith. About half the time at least early in the week two weeks ago I wanted to go home. I struggled between my desires to serve God and the impending likelihood of going home honorably for some period of time. That may seem strange due to the great desires I've had for years and throughout my mission, but it happened.</div>
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The central question was do I trust God that he is in full control of this situation? I knew he had total and complete power to deliver me from the impending situation if I did all I could and turn it over to him. At the same time I had to learn trust Him enough that if it was His will that I went back to BYU. I had felt promptings that whatever happened would be His will.</div>
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I had been feeling that way for two days when I wrote two weeks ago, missionaries do need our prayers in times of distress or apparent success. I cannot begin to describe how much I was supported last week.</div>
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The promise in D&C 84:88 is true, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." You can count on tremendous help when serving or preparing for a mission.</div>
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The principle question now is whether or not I will learn what I needed to learn. The principle of deliverance is crucial in our lives.</div>
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"But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (1 Nephi 1:20)</div>
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According to the repentance of the Nephites, they were delivered from very very desperate circumstances. When surrounded by their enemies, "And it came to pass that they did repent, and inasmuch as they did repent they did begin to prosper." (Helaman 4:15) See also the battle of the Nephites with the Gadianton Robbers that infested the land, 3 Nephi 4.</div>
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The danger now is whether I will keep in remembrance the tremendous goodness of God in delivering me from that awful state of suffering and great uncertainty to the tremendous return to previous levels of well being if not greater.</div>
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"Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity." (Helaman 12:2)</div>
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It is my testimony that the Savior lives and perfectly knows how to conduct us through this veil of sorrow and tears and every suffering imaginable.</div>
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"And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led." (1 Nephi 17:13, see also Joshua 1:5)</div>
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May we all consider the direction in our lives, and heed the voice of the Good Shephard, he is not far from any one of us.</div>
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"The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.<div style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none; padding: 0px;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="32" rel="nofollow" style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;"></a><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">"</span>He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding." (Proverbs 15:31-32)</div>
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Let us remember Him always, giving Him thanks in all things (see Alma 37:37). I know that the Everlasting Gospel has been restored to the Earth in the same manner that it has been every time God has called a prophet. God's plan for us and our lives is perfect, and a full and certain faith may be placed in it, our Heavenly Father who created it and the Savior that fulfilled it. I love you all and pray for you daily.\</div>
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Much love!!</div>
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Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-72376729427715567202014-05-23T16:03:00.000-07:002014-05-23T16:03:22.832-07:00From May 5, 2014: "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee"<br />
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This has probably been one of the toughest 2 weeks of my life. I'm trying my best to push through it all without letting discouragement or self-pity abide. I'm aware of those dangers. Please pray for me at this time though. For much of my mission I've been able to wake up at 6:30, work out, shower, eat breakfast while studying, hit studies hard, go to work, end lunch early to do more work, and work hard until 9, plan for 30-40 minutes, and then go to bed and do it over again. I took no thought for myself. I've learned in the last 3 months that you just can't do that, you'll get burned out.</div>
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About three months ago I'd do that and about every three weeks, I'd turn into a sack of potatoes and just nap for about three hours in the middle of the day. It became more frequent, and I'm just feeling pretty burned out right now. This week will hopefully be better than last. We had a miracle in that Elder Swann sprained his ankle and stayed in all week long except for splits. Splits and Church went very well though despite the struggles I've been having. It doesn't help to just push through them, they only get worse. So hopefully I'm able to proselyte this week, and build myself back up to full productivity.</div>
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I remember Aunt Jan telling me to take care of myself, if only I had done that more haha. I can almost perfectly see now why I wasn't sent to Russia. The last 10 missionaries that had gotten their minors in Russian before they left had been sent out there. I was just completely go go go and oh how I would have worked to establish the Church out there. To no end I would have sacrificed for them and the work. Not only that, but it's harder when a Russian isn't interested or when a Russian investigator won't keep commitments than for Americans. I would have burned out, only with much greater consequences, due to the different culture and lack of ways to cope and resources to help.</div>
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I've learned that some trials aren't meant to be overcome, at least in the way that I'd prefer, teaching 20 lessons a week. I need to keep my physical well being, faith and commitment to serve God alive and well, not preach the gospel for 10 hours a day at this time. My mission leaders think we're slacking, and visited us last night to help set our sights higher. Time and time again I've seen the need for understanding when it comes to others' actions, that we don't know the contents of their heart or the reasons or why they're doing what they do.</div>
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The Prophet Joseph was always trying to teach his people that he was not perfect, but he was still called of God to be a Prophet. "You don’t know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it: I shall never undertake it. I don’t blame any one for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not have believed it myself."</div>
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The Prophet was burned out at one point and wanted to die, to pass the reins of the Savior's Restored Church to the Apostles. But by the end of his life, he expressed the desires of his heart were to remain and to spend the rest of his life continuing to build up the Kingdom of God. What a glorious concept, that after 14 years of experiencing earth and hell's combined influences, he would desire to finish what he started. I have struggled greatly this last week in wanting to continue to serve a mission, and it's only been through the Atonement that I've put off that part of me that just wants to give up, complain to President and LDS Family Services and go home honorably. I don't want to serve in this condition, but I do want to serve.</div>
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From General Conference, "Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges." (President Utchdorf, April 2014)</div>
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I hate to think this way, but it has been a very good 10 months on my mission. 5 people have been solidly converted to the Restored Gospel. Many many people have been taught the Restored Gospel and invited to live according to it. Less actives have returned to Church with their families. The other night as I reflected on why 6 months in Eagle, I felt such incredible gratitude that I'd been able to help 2 people come to Christ, and felt the reality of this scripture,</div>
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And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! </div>
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And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (D&C 18:15-16)</div>
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Much more than that actually, I felt the Spirit so strongly that much more good would come out of my mission than just that. President Monson in a new mission president seminar said,</div>
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"President Monson told the mission leaders, “You may sometimes be tempted to say, ‘Will my influence make any difference? I am just one. Will my service affect the work that dramatically?’ I testify to you that it will. You will never be able to measure your influence for good." (<a href="https://www.lds.org/church/news/prophet-apostles-speak-at-mtc-mission-presidents-seminar?lang=eng" rel="nofollow" style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/church/news/prophet-apostles-speak-at-mtc-mission-presidents-seminar?lang=eng</a>)</div>
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Please know however, that no matter how deep the trials have been lately, I've had some of the greatest joys I've yet had on my mission through the Spirit. I have learned how to be happy amid all of these things, "Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;" (Alma 36:25) The talk on gratitude was truly a life changing talk, "Why does God command us to be grateful? All of His commandments are given to make blessings available to us. Commandments are opportunities to exercise our agency and to receive blessings. Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness." (<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances" rel="nofollow" style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances</a>)</div>
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Please pray that I'll bounce back this week and get some really good advice as to how I can get out of this hole I've dug myself into from the Psychologist</div>
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Much much love,</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-89450145121313378892014-05-03T07:51:00.004-07:002014-05-03T07:51:50.627-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Elder Szendre and Elder Swann</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-63345903611530000502014-05-03T07:48:00.003-07:002014-05-03T07:49:55.690-07:00<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; zoom: 1;">
<span style="line-height: 1.2em;">From April 28, 2014: "Almost To the Peak"</span></div>
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I begin my letter that way because of the journey that it takes to realize the promised blessings. I think of climbing Mount Everest, and the days/month it takes to reach that height. The days/months of putting in faithful/diligent service amidst opposition.</div>
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I have a word to say about opposition. He has overcome it all. There is no pain, no sorrow, no sickness that the Savior did not go through first (Alma 7:11-12, 2 Nephi 9:21-22, Isaiah 54). <span style="line-height: 1.2em;">"</span><i style="line-height: 1.2em;">His kingdom cannot fail; <span style="line-height: 1.2em;">He rules o'er earth and heav'n. </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em;">The keys of death</span><span style="line-height: 1.2em;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">and </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em;">hell </span></i><span style="line-height: 1.2em;"><i>To Christ the Lord are giv'n.</i>" (from the hymn "Rejoice The Lord is King".)</span></div>
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Not only did Christ suffer the punishment which is affixed for breaking God's commandments (Alma 42:14-16), but the guilt, shame, emptiness and pain that comes from disobeying God's commandments. Only He can reach us in the various conditions we mortals are subject to: sin, temptation, mortality.</div>
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From General Conference, "In a moment of weakness we may cry out, “No one knows what it is like. No one understands.” But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice (see Alma 34:14), He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power. Indeed, His yoke is easy and His burden is light." (Elder David A. Bednar, April 2014, "Bear up their burdens with ease.")</div>
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This is the understanding the Savior has over life and death, which he gained as he, "partook and finished [his] preparations unto the children of men." (D&C 19:19), fulfilling His purpose, "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) - He sits, "<span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">enthroned, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">with </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">glory</span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">honor, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">power, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">majesty, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">might, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">dominion, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">truth, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">justice, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">judgment, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">mercy, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">and </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">an </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">infinity </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">of </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">fulness, </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">from </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">everlasting </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">to </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">everlasting." (D&C 109:77)</span></div>
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We'll be exposed to increasing degrees of opposition as we progress in our journey to the Salvation of our souls and the souls of family members, friends and those within our stewardships and responsibilities. But all the while we have the priceless and essential influence of the Holy Ghost, which can make the journey even during the hardest times a blessing. So while we may not have the power to change the various circumstances we find ourselves in, at least will find joy in the journey. I will not endeavor to expound that process, but I know that General Conference holds many of the keys to obtaining joy amidst its necessary opposite.</div>
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This area is really trying us, we've found fewer people to teach than what I've seen in Eagle (12 investigators in the first 12 weeks), but we've been happy with the success we've had. A Catholic woman this week accepted Elder Swann's invitation to read the Book of Mormon after he bore powerful testimony of the Atonement from Alma 7:11-12. We've been serving her for a while, and actually in the pioneer days her great grandmother was in a family that had some devastating illness which caused their home to be quarantined - - only the Mormon Pioneers would deliver food to the house, which was miles out of peoples' way. All of her relatives have been telling her to "let the Mormons in." hahaha</div>
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I wish I knew more stories of my ancestors enduring unfathomable trials. There was actually a study that compared the relationship between (I think it was) youth's ability to endure the problems of life with the treatment of learning about similar instances in family history, a good breakfast, and family time. The overwhelming conclusion was that they were bolstered, upheld, and supported much more through knowing about ancestors who went before. (Sorry, I really really wish I had the reference to that, look in NY).</div>
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Thanks for the packages! They've really helped us get through the stuff we've waded through recently, Elder Swann's still adjusting to Eagle, where instead of investigators it seems we mostly have service opportunities now. Maybe it's because everyone's spending time camping/cleaning and working during the weekends now that it's spring and not bumming their days inside.</div>
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Crystal, our miracle investigator, has had to move now to Kuna. It's unfortunate, because her landlord (or the person who's renting the house to rent to other people) told her she had to get out by Friday. It was a pretty difficult situation, and we hope her future arrangements will better fit the needs of her and her 2 year old daughter. We know she's ready for whatever's coming, she's earnestly converted to the Lord and His Restored and Everlasting Gospel. I had an incredible spiritual experience where I felt that she would be able to endure to the end. </div>
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This life is worth it, the Savior has promised that He would be with us throughout this mortal experience, whether or not we can discern His sustaining influence, and that promise will always remain. I am so thankful for all of the prayers and for your support. Take care!</div>
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Much much love!</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
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Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-57462715457284850242014-04-21T12:42:00.001-07:002014-04-21T12:42:38.256-07:00<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; zoom: 1;">
Hola mi familia! This last week has been a very good week, pretty slow, but we're continuing to work effectively, give service and talk with people whenever possible.</div>
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It's almost like football, where it lasts for 3 hours with only 11 minutes of execution time. That's Church and teaching appointments which is around the same ratio. We've got time for preparation, study and planning and all that for those times when you're face to face with an investigator and you<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none; white-space: nowrap;">'ve got to teach with power and authority by the Spirit and invite them to live the gospel.</span></span></div>
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We had a very good Easter. There was an Easter concert on Saturday that was very well put on and thought out, the Spirit was so strong there. Sunday services were incredible, there was so much there. We spent the day riding around trying to talk with referrals and people on the street, with little success. Ultimately we were able to talk with a part member family, share messages with members and cheer up an older single man that doesn't have a whole lot going for him in his life right now.</div>
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It was incredible to me to ponder the Atonement at this time, because I've realized how much it's blessed my life. I'm only the person I am today because of it, it would not be possible for me to repent and make the decisions I've made without it (Alma 34:9). My doc tried increasing some medications again (only half as much as before) when I was pretty much ok to begin with and had terrible trials for about a week. (There's been research that has supported that dosage) 0I felt like a "broken vessel" (see Elder Holland, General Conference October 2013) But now I've experienced the "renewing of [my body]" that has been promised, as a shadow of the Resurrection. Not only that but to see the growth that came from that painful experience spiritually, physically and mentally. Through His grace I've been able to put off the natural man that much more and receive tremendous blessings because of it (D&C 130:20-21). There's no way I could qualify for those blessings without His grace, no matter how hard I try, "for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23, particularly Bible Dictionary, grace).</div>
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We had an incredible leadership training about goals from President Winder. It was great because that was one of the questions that I had going into conference, was how to better set goals and accomplish them. I had all of my questions answered by conference. Evidently only around 3% of the population sets goals, which is really a shame because a study at BYU (I wish I had the source) cited that people write down goals they make more money and are happier.</div>
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"I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don't set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life.</div>
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I added two goals recently</div>
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1. To be a good steward over the gifts I've been given.</div>
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-Over my agency</div>
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-Over my area</div>
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-Over my relationship with God</div>
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-Over my family relationships that I have</div>
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-Over the testimony I've been given (Alma 32:41)</div>
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-Over friendships</div>
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-Over the physical possessions I have to enable me to complete my mission. </div>
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2. To magnify my talents</div>
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-Skill as a missionary</div>
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-My familiarity with the scriptures</div>
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-Language as my Mission President allows</div>
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-Music</div>
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I made some progress on the organ in college, learning to play hymns and bach preludes. I didn't make as much progress as I would have liked, but I still volunteered to play Christ Lag in Todesbanden ("In death's grasp the Savior Lay", BWV 629?) and practiced on P-day. It went super well! And not only that, but I felt like I could sing out super well for all the songs that the congregation participated in. It was night and day with my normal singing voice. Because I had magnified and not hid my talent, I received more. (Matthew 25:14-30) It's like Solomon, if we ask for the right gift we get the rest. (1 Kings 6 I think)</div>
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Also the other day I thought about how many times we're commanded to ask for the blessings that we stand in need of, I set a goal one day to apply my heart to understanding, "Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise" (Mosiah 12:27) I felt God's love and compassion for others almost the whole day, and received other blessings that weren't even essential to my progression.</div>
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Thanks for all your support, living the Gospel is worth it even while in this life. May we all rely on the Savior to get us through these last days and to become the Sons and Daughters of God that we were and will yet be through our "faith and repentance" (Alma 13:10, describing those who receive the blessings of the Priesthood). The Gospel's been restored! I'll see many of you this Mother's day!</div>
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Much love!</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-44047588312637983592014-04-17T11:16:00.002-07:002014-04-17T11:16:41.781-07:00From April 14, 2014: "Week 39"<br />
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Shalom! I think that's hello or goodbye in Jewish, maybe not.. Our first week in Eagle has gone very well, we've met most of the members and have been doing a lot of service.</div>
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Dang, there has been some serious trials this last week. I spent 2 days in the wringer for some reason, the cumulative effects of stress just snuck up on me and after District Meeting I conked out on the couch in the Stake Center. Luckily our zone leaders were still in the building and I got one of the most beautiful blessings I've ever received in my life. Through faith I received the strength to move on. </div>
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It's incredible to see the growth and clarity that has come into my life since that experience when it seemed like life was coming apart at the seams. It was pretty bad for about 2 days. The principle of deliverance is incredible (1 Nephi 1:20)</div>
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And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day. (Alma 38:5)</div>
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The Lord reaches out in love to our busy lives with complex problems by giving us trials, callings, weaknesses (Ether 12:27) or whatever else. The trials I experienced can be likened to the load of Elder Bednar's recent talk that will allow me to gain the traction to continue on my journey. (<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/bear-up-their-burdens-with-ease?lang=eng" rel="nofollow" style="color: black; line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/bear-up-their-burdens-with-ease?lang=eng</a>)</div>
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We got to finally go to Rendezvous, a Russian restaurant here in Eagle (who would have thought). Some members wanted to feed us but had to cancel and so we asked them if they could pay for us to go there. I got some $16 of pelmeni's (ridiculous isn't it?), dumplings with decent sized chunks of beef in them served in soup and dipped in sour cream (or perhaps some other kind of sauce). We had a very interesting conversation with a man that unfortunately was slightly drunk, he came up to us and asked how I knew Russian, and that moved on to a conversation about Ukraine and Russia. He evidently spent a few months in Ukraine about a year ago, and was robbed on his third day there. He's supporting so many people there, since the corruption is so bad and it can be impossible. </div>
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They're evacuating Donetsk right now, there happens to be 40000 Russian troops on the eastern border, and I heard from a missionary in Dnepropretrovsk that that mission will soon be evacuated as well. It looks like war, but I cannot. I was so confused when I was called to Boise, since I had had several times when the Spirit was poured out when I thought of the Kiev temple and of the work of Salvation in that land. They're still baptizing though, and they'll hate to be evacuated.</div>
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We have someone working with Vladimir, he'll give him a pamphlet of the Joseph Smith account in Russian and will stay close on him. He's still super interested but super super busy. We have several other Russians that we know of in Eagle that we'll be contacting here shortly.</div>
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The work is going well here in the 4th ward, it truly is hastening, through service and the youth. We're going to start playing basketball on Tuesday's and Thursday's, and will invite active Priests to come. They're down with inviting their friends, so we'll see how that goes.</div>
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Thanks for all the support and prayers, I've felt such an incredible help to get through difficult times because of them. Take care, I'll see you shortly via skype!</div>
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Much love,</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-72943403275584453842014-04-10T01:40:00.004-07:002014-04-10T01:41:48.485-07:00From April 7, 2014: "Another Six Weeks!"<br />
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So we got transfer calls between Conferences on Saturday, and I'm staying in Eagle while Elder Nelson's shipping off for Boise Central, which is right by the temple. Elder Swann's now here and I'm really really excited for these next 6 weeks, it presents such an incredible opportunity. It took about 4.5 months to hasten the work in a previous area, the results of our finding efforts often take so long to achieve, for instance much of our baptizing success in March (45) came from our efforts in December, when we had a massive push to find 500 investigators, we tripled the averages for finding and are striving to keep it up there. We're at about double that as a mission right now.<br />
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It is so exhilarating to see Crystal and Kevin doing so well. Granted, each has their own "whirlwinds" as Elder Anderson would put it: Amira, Crystal's two year old, just went in for surgery today and was just released, there were complications but ultimately she's stable now.<br />
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Kevin watched every single session of General Conference last weekend, we haven't been able to meet with him for a while, but he's converted and is showing it. It's going to be a hard road to get his family's blessings for his baptism. He remarked that he almost wish he could go back to the way things were, life's so much more difficult now that he's found the Church.<br />
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We're hoping to get another appointment with Vladimir at the Cowley's home. It's incredible to speak with Ukrainians, they have the most incredible history with the Soviet Union. He was an evangelical minister during the era of the Soviet Union and had to preach under secrecy for fear of the communist regime. Sound familiar? (Mosiah 18)<br />
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I'm so excited for these next 6 weeks, the work is really taking off, and we're going to be challenging members to set a date when we will come back.<br />
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Conference was amazing, there were so many incredible talks. May we read and ponder, and set goals to make real change in our lives. The only protection we have as members of the Church is to follow the counsel of the Prophet and the Apostles. (Howard W. Hunter, "Unity") May we strive to strengthen our testimony and conversion, and repent of our sins. Jesus Christ lives, I know it and pray that we'll be sustained through whatever comes.<br />
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Much love!</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-29022630091327989822014-04-10T01:38:00.000-07:002014-04-10T01:38:04.337-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Crystal's Baptism Day!Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-82472152370583086592014-04-10T01:35:00.002-07:002014-04-10T01:35:50.156-07:00From March 31, 2014: "I Will Not Fail Thee Nor Forsake Thee"<br />
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Dorogaya Semya!</div>
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As a mission we had 45 baptisms this month! We're finding more and more investigators every week as well. Crystal is going through quite a bit. </div>
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We're doing well together as a tri-panionship. We're saddened to see Elder Ballard go home because of depression issues, but we're moving forward in our sweet 2014 Chevy Cruze.</div>
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Crystal had a miracle, her landlord is now going to let her stay despite her conversion to the Church, which really was miraculous, since she kicked her own sister out because of the same decision. I've attached a photo from Crystal's baptism, her friend came with her.</div>
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Kevin is experiencing a lot of opposition from his family right now, which is disappointing, but we will have a dinner this Sunday with his family and the Fry's and Steele's.</div>
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Vladimir is still super interested in the Church and should have time to meet this week with us and his general contractor Bro Givens.</div>
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<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;" />Aaron M. is a protestant minister in the 5th ward that dropped us yesterday, but I wrote him a letter that will exhort him to simply pray about it (Proverbs 3:5). </div>
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I consider myself one of the luckiest men to be serving here in the Idaho Boise Mission, we truly have an incredible Mission President and mission leaders. Please pray for Crystal and Kevin, I have such a strong testimony of prayer. Thank you for all your prayers in my behalf, I've felt buoyed through the stormy trials that have come and gone. The Gospel has been restored! We know much more about the God's Plan of Salvation because of the Restoration and our brothers and sisters need to know these truths. I'm so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ, that He took upon not only our sins, transgressions and their awful consequences, but also our pains and our trials. He has done so much for us, and we truly owe him all of our thanks and devotion,</div>
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I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another— 21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.</div>
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From President Monson's last conference talk, "Only the Master knows the depths of our trials, our pain, and our suffering. He alone offers us eternal peace in times of adversity. He alone touches our tortured souls with His comforting words: <span style="line-height: 1.2em;">Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. </span><span style="line-height: 1.2em;">Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.</span><span style="line-height: 1.2em;">For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) </span>Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us. He has promised that this will never change." </div>
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It is my testimony that all of our burdens will work out for our good, from the pioneers, it is a privilege to pay the price to come to know God. He will not forsake us! He knows the end from the beginning and designs to grant us His richest blessings in His own time and way, leading to a fullness of joy in this life, and immortality and eternal life in His Eternal Presence with our families.</div>
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"May we ever strive to be close to our Heavenly Father. To do so, we must pray to Him and listen to Him every day. We truly need Him every hour, whether they be hours of sunshine or of rain. May His promise ever be our watchword: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (President Thomas S. Monson, "I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee", GC October 2013)</div>
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Much much love!</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899739614293439405.post-42115458611495168002014-04-10T01:31:00.003-07:002014-04-10T01:31:55.845-07:00From March 24, 2014: "Let Us All Press On"<br />
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What a weekend, we had the baptism of Crystal, to which many members and Kevin K. (our other progressing investigator) came. It was quite the experience as she fought to get into the waters, be baptized and climb back up to the stairs with the help of Bro. Jamison - - she has a broken foot. The service went well and many members came. I was able to perform the confirmation on Sunday and we'll see her again tonight.</div>
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We have a very small district, just 3 companionships, 2 sets of Elders and one of Sisters. An Elder and one Sister went home this week due to emotional/mental/medical problems. The stresses of a mission was just too much for them. I remember Uncle Scott's counsel about handling a mission, that if you could handle it you could overcome anything.</div>
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Missions are hard, I have had times when I struggled greatly due to a number of factors. I've learned to memorize hymns and scriptures to help me through the tough times of the day. You just can't cope with the stress the ways you did before. You're continually out of your comfort zone, moving sometimes often, you are with a companion you most likely annoys you to some degree, and you really learn to love the people you work with, and desire their happiness. The three most stressful things in life are according to some study -- I wish I had the source -- was marriage, children and moving.</div>
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We may not even like each other, depending on the companion, and unlike most marriages we're arranged without any choice on our part. We still have to work together effectively, make compromises and really listen to each other's concerns and opinions to stay unified in this endeavor. 24/7</div>
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We pray for these people constantly, we teach, listen and help them find their way in this very very difficult world. We serve them, and sacrifice time and energy</div>
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When we're transferred we completely change every person in our daily lives and our living quarters.</div>
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Why do we do this? When else can we dedicate all of our time, talents and interests to assist God in his "work and [his] glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)</div>
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He promised His ancient apostles the Comforter, which would teach them all things (John 14:26) and bless us with comfort in our deepest trials. In a moment this last week when I was suffering almost beyond what I could bear the symptom of stress went away as I felt the voice of the Holy Ghost whisper to me, "Peace, be still." As I've wisely striven to feed His sheep (see John 21:15-18), amidst my own difficulties I've ultimately had my own needs met, through the Holy Ghost or others, and the joy of selfless service truly is great.</div>
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The joy of the work greatly greatly compensates the pain and sorrows. At Crystal's baptism, the Spirit was poured out so strongly, and the joy of bringing just one soul unto Christ was overwhelming. (Jacob 5:71, D&C 18:15)</div>
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The joy of temple worship has been one of the greatest privileges of my mission. Go to the temple, strive to keep those covenants and enjoy the blessings of them. They truly are incredible. We can only go every three months, and I can't wait to go in 3-5 weeks.</div>
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God promises us so many spiritual blessings, which can only be realized on the principle of obedience to the Gospel. A mission can provide the rich soil to plant the seeds of sacrifice and effort in the Lord's vineyard which will reap incredible happiness. Ammon's joy was full when he met Alma after a successfully completed mission</div>
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17 Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth. 18 Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness. (Alma 26:17-18)</div>
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We have to strive to stay on the path of obedient and diligent service, repenting when we fall short in obedience or diligence, and increase in devoted discipleship. If we aren't actively improving through repentance and obedience chances are we're distancing ourselves from God, since humbling oneself before God must continue throughout one's life.</div>
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I can't imagine more happiness, more joy than laboring in the Lord's Vineyard to bring souls to him. I really love my mission, I will have a very hard time taking it off. Even so, I know that the blessings of the Gospel will continue and that I will have joy in my family.</div>
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9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house. 10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the <span style="line-height: 1.2em; outline: none;">beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people.</span> Even so. Amen. (D&C 110:9-10)</div>
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It's my testimony that the Gospel has been restored, and that the Priesthood functions on the earth has been sent to bless every one of Heavenly Father's children here on the earth. I bear testimony that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom on the earth and that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's Prophet directing and gathering God's covenant children in the last days. Let us all press on!</div>
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Much much love,</div>
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Elder Szendre</div>
Book Lady Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07376014525747137480noreply@blogger.com0