Hello Friends and Family,
This week has been great. We have seen the Lord completely change the
work in the Centurion area since we chose to rely on Him and not on
ourselves.
The past 2 weeks we have been
teaching a man named Chris. We found
Chris one night at about 10:45 pm, while we were sleeping... No but seriously. While we were sleeping our phone starting
buzzing. I rolled out of bed to check what it was and it turned out to be a
media referral! A member of the church, from Utah, met Chris while in Spain. They talked a bit and he agreed to have her
send his number to us. In her message to
us she mentioned how he is a bit hesitant to have us visit him but that he said
he would attend church that week. We
sent Chris a message informing him about ourselves and church. He quickly and
eagerly responded informing us that he would be at church. I am happy to report,
he came to church 2 weeks ago as well as yesterday and we met with him twice
this past week. When we met him the first time, his exact words were "I
want to learn about these things for myself, not believe what is on the
internet." The lessons we've had with him have been awesome and evidence
of his desire to learn and find the truth. He expressed to us that he has been searching
for something that is missing for a while now. We love Chris!
On Tuesday we had an exchange
with the Zone Leaders. I had the
opportunity to go with Elder Papenfuss (Salt Lake City, Utah) to his area. We had a blast together. We are suppose to be going home together but
due to his school starting early he'll be leaving 3 weeks before me. He is a great example to me. We had a pretty funny experience together. The area we were in is a township. We began tracting because our appointment fell
through. We knocked on one door and an
old Gogo (grandma) came to the door. I
kindly greeted her in her native language, usually that puts a big smile on
their face. Not this time, a big scowl
remained on her face. After saying a few more things to her in her native
tongue she abruptly slammed the door on our faces!! Elder Papenfuss and I died laughing! We couldn't believe what had just happened.
That never happens in township. It was a
great day and exchange.
We had interviews with
President Leavitt on Wednesday. Those
are always amazing and motivating. He
and I had the opportunity to study together about the enabling power of Jesus
Christ and His atonement.
On Saturday we had an
exchange with our District Leader. I had
the privilege of being with Elder Mendes (Brazil) in my area. Elder Mendes is hilarious! We had a great time together, it was mostly
filled with laughs.
At church on Sunday there was
something that stood out to me from one of the talks given. He quoted Alma
7:10-13. I have read these versus many times but this time around I learned
something I hadn't before.
10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem
which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen
vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost,
and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of
every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take
upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which
bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels
may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according
to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth
according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people,
that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his
deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
We learn and know that the
Spirit knows all things. Jesus Christ
knows every pain, sorrow, affliction, sickness, temptation, and sin that we
have ever felt or experienced. He could
have received this knowledge from the Spirit but due to His love for us and
desire to be able to succor us to the best of His ability, He suffered according to the
flesh to receive that knowledge through personal experience.
Love, Elder Rash
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| Exchanges with Elder Mendes from Brazil |
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| Elder Mendes, Devon's District Leader |
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| Elder Gabriel with a less-active and Elder Rash |
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Steering wheel on the wrong side...sure hope he gets used to
driving on the RIGHT side when he gets home |
