I'm Back!

Well hello everyone sorry I didn't write a email last week. But the last 2 weeks have been great. So many amazing opportunities to share the gospel. One thing I've tried to do on my mission is learn something from everyone I talk to. If it's something I want to apply into my life or if something I know is not a godly attribute that I want to avoid. 

 

Some things that have happened. We got a brand new car. It only had like 26 miles on it I am not sure why they give missionaries such nice cars but I'll take the 2023 rav4 they are very nice. 

 

Went on exchanges this week with some elders in my district. They are on a bike and oh boy let me tell ya. 18 months of sitting in a car is not good for your physical condition. My legs were hurting so bad. Their area is literally called Murray HILL, the whole thing is just hills and those are not fun to peddle up haha but it was a good time. Only had to fix one tire that day. 

 

We had a really good week with our friend Anny! She is someone we have been teaching for about the last couple transfers and last week she had to go to a funeral in Georgia. Well she told us this week when she was flying there she was reading the Book of Mormon on the plane and she said the Spirit told her that she needed to be baptized on May 20th! It was so amazing to see how excited she is for it. Her husband is already a member but he is just barely coming back as well. So he is working with the bishop to get worthy before the 20th. Please pray that they will both be able to make the baptismal date! 

 

I made some hamburgers this week and I thought I would go all fancy and try toasting the buns but I left them in there way too long, it was like eating wood chips with a burger in the middle. 

 

I would like to share with you all why I have been called to the Portland Oregon mission. In my setting apart blessing I was told I would learn at some point why I was called to where I was called. It has taken me a while to accept the fact this is where the Lord wanted me but over the last year and half I have learned something, I have found someone! In Matthew 10:39 it says.  "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it". I have found who the Lord wants me to be by losing myself in the service of others. I have learned that the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformational. That with His help I can do all things. I have been so blessed to be able to serve under such great leaders. President and Sister Haymond are so amazing. They love the Lord and have taught us to love Him as well. My mission hasn't been easy but has been the greatest experience of my life. I know that there is a way back to our Heavenly Father's kingdom, I know he has provided a Savior for us. Jesus Christ! He is the way the truth and the life, he has brought a light to my life that I can never forget. I know that Brother Joseph Smith is a Prophet called from God! He really did see God the Father and Jesus Christ! And I also know that he TRANSLATED The Book of Mormon-Another Testament of Jesus! I know that by study, prayer, and through the Holy Ghost. I know it by taking it to the test. Brother Joseph said that Book will bring someone closer to God than any other book and I can Testify that it has brought me to Him. With those 4 key principles my testimony will stand forever and no one can take that away from me. 

 

Love 

- Elder Esplin