Showing posts with label Elder McGavin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elder McGavin. Show all posts
Friday, November 4, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Vanem McGavin meets the President of Estonia
My Encounter With The President of Estonia
I was approaching the end of my mission when I was invited to have dinner at a recent convert's house. She was baptized earlier on in my mission, while I was serving in the southern Estonian city of Tartu. At dinner she asked me how I have enjoyed my time here in Estonia. I told her that I have really come to love this country. I've made some great friendships here and I have great memories from my time spent here. I mentioned that there was one thing that I would like to do before I go home. I looked at her, hoping she wouldn't laugh, and said, „I would like to meet the President of Estonia. I have felt a need to meet him since I got to Estonia. I respect him and you never know what doors this would open for us as missionaries.“ She quickly responded, „If that is what you want, then go home and write the president. Ask him if you could meet him, it's always worth a try!“ Throughout the next couple days, I thought about her advice. I felt prompted to do what she suggested, and write the President of Estonia.
As Christ taught, „Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.“ I went ahead and wrote him a short letter, with a picture included. In my letter, I told him about myself and my family. I mentioned some of the things I have learned from living in Estonia for nearly two years, and I stressed how much I have come to love the Estonian people. I asked him for five minutes of his time, so that I could shake his hand and thank him for his service. I mailed the letter and said a prayer asking God that if it is his will, he will prepare the President and his heart will be touched by my letter.
About a month went by with no response from the President. I didn't lose hope that we could still meet with him. As time passed, the Estonian Independence day was drawing near. As in most countries, independence day is a special day. In Estonia, it is an extra special day, considering that most of the current citizens remember a time when there was no independence. Estonia has been an Independent country now for twenty years. Nearly all of the independence activists, and citizens who personally fought for independence are still alive today. There is a magic feeling in the air as Estonians unite each year to rekindle their memories from August 20, 1991. Thanks to many of these people, Estonia was the first former member of the Soviet Union to welcome the restored gospel and bless the lives of the saints in this corner of Eastern Europe.
A few days before Independence day, we checked the mail and there was a letter addressed to me from the Office of the President of Estonia. I opened it up right away and read the letter. I was told that the President has a busy schedule and we wouldn't be able to have a personal meeting with him. To my surprise, the next line stated in eloquent Estonian, „However, the head of the country would like to invite you to a special reception in the Presidential Castle Rose Garden to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Estonian Independence.“ I was in shock! I didn't know what to think. I turned to my companion and said, „We are meeting the President...at his house!“ I asked and received, I knocked and now the door was open, a much larger door than I had expected.
The day for the reception came and we went to the presidential grounds. I had only wanted to meet the President but now we were going to be able to meet everyone who had a role in Estonia gaining independence. All of the noted activists, former politicians, current politicians, and other influential Estonians were invited to this reception, along with two Mormon missionaries. We knew that we wouldn't be able to do normal missionary work there, but we prayed that our presence at this prestigious event would open up future opportunities for the church. We weren't to wear our name badges so we knew we would just have to work a little bit harder to find ways to talk to people about the gospel. We showed up on time and as people were coming in, we strived to talk to as many people as possible. We were able to personally thank those who made a difference twenty years ago. Although they aren't members of the church, they had a large part in church history for Eastern Europe. This was an extra special opportunity for us to thank them. Without these people, the gospel wouldn't be in Estonia, and we would have never been called to serve in this beautiful land.
As we were mingling with the people coming through the large gate, a man was staring at us. Finally he came over to us and said he works for the president. He said he recognized me as the one who sent the letter. I asked him if the President was actually able to read my letter. He said, „Of course, it was addressed to him! The President opened it himself and was touched by how compassionate you were in your letter and surprised at your courage to write him. He personally wanted to invite you to the reception.“ He told us to stick around and that he would be back soon. A few minutes later he approached us and said, „The President is awaiting you.“ The president had stepped aside to meet us. He had his personal photographer ready to get a picture with us as well. The President was a very polite and friendly man. He asked us where we are from and we told him Utah and Iowa. We were confident that he knew at that moment that we are missionaries. We had a short chat with him before he went on his way to greet the rest of his guests. After meeting him, we continued to talk to as many people as we could. Overall the evening was wonderful. We had met the president and many other familiar faces. I was truly humbled and thankful to God that he had given us this opportunity.
To be completely honest, we didn't have much of an opportunity to talk about our unique message to the president or the other guests. I know one thing though, many people at that party knew we were the LDS missionaries. They knew who we were and were left to wonder why we had been invited there. I had a feeling of comfort knowing that our presence had left an impact. We may never find out what came from us meeting the President of Estonia, but we know that it was God's will that this miracle happened. We were able to see other miracles from being at the reception. We had a great conversation with one young man who recognized us as the missionaries and knew a lot about the church. A few days later we ran into him again on the street. About a week later we spoke with a more prominent guest whom we had met at the party. We are confident that many other missionary opportunities will arise from having met so many influential Estonians.
Sometimes we don't know how the spirit will guide us to do certain things. More often, we aren't able to see a direct outcome. Occasionally, far fetched ideas such as wanting to meet the President of a country turn into reality. For whatever reason, I felt a need to meet the President of Estonia from the beginning of my mission and now it had happened. I am especially grateful to the recent convert who acted as a tool in God's hands to encourage me to write him and simply ask. Less than a year ago, I was teaching her the doctrine of Christ and helping her come closer to baptism, and now she was the one teaching me a lesson on faith. As it states in 1 Nephi 7:12 „the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him.“ I support this with my personal experience. I know that with faith, and a righteous desire, we can accomplish anything. I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Lance Scott McGavin
Elder Mark William Nielson (my companion)
I was approaching the end of my mission when I was invited to have dinner at a recent convert's house. She was baptized earlier on in my mission, while I was serving in the southern Estonian city of Tartu. At dinner she asked me how I have enjoyed my time here in Estonia. I told her that I have really come to love this country. I've made some great friendships here and I have great memories from my time spent here. I mentioned that there was one thing that I would like to do before I go home. I looked at her, hoping she wouldn't laugh, and said, „I would like to meet the President of Estonia. I have felt a need to meet him since I got to Estonia. I respect him and you never know what doors this would open for us as missionaries.“ She quickly responded, „If that is what you want, then go home and write the president. Ask him if you could meet him, it's always worth a try!“ Throughout the next couple days, I thought about her advice. I felt prompted to do what she suggested, and write the President of Estonia.
As Christ taught, „Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you.“ I went ahead and wrote him a short letter, with a picture included. In my letter, I told him about myself and my family. I mentioned some of the things I have learned from living in Estonia for nearly two years, and I stressed how much I have come to love the Estonian people. I asked him for five minutes of his time, so that I could shake his hand and thank him for his service. I mailed the letter and said a prayer asking God that if it is his will, he will prepare the President and his heart will be touched by my letter.
About a month went by with no response from the President. I didn't lose hope that we could still meet with him. As time passed, the Estonian Independence day was drawing near. As in most countries, independence day is a special day. In Estonia, it is an extra special day, considering that most of the current citizens remember a time when there was no independence. Estonia has been an Independent country now for twenty years. Nearly all of the independence activists, and citizens who personally fought for independence are still alive today. There is a magic feeling in the air as Estonians unite each year to rekindle their memories from August 20, 1991. Thanks to many of these people, Estonia was the first former member of the Soviet Union to welcome the restored gospel and bless the lives of the saints in this corner of Eastern Europe.
A few days before Independence day, we checked the mail and there was a letter addressed to me from the Office of the President of Estonia. I opened it up right away and read the letter. I was told that the President has a busy schedule and we wouldn't be able to have a personal meeting with him. To my surprise, the next line stated in eloquent Estonian, „However, the head of the country would like to invite you to a special reception in the Presidential Castle Rose Garden to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Estonian Independence.“ I was in shock! I didn't know what to think. I turned to my companion and said, „We are meeting the President...at his house!“ I asked and received, I knocked and now the door was open, a much larger door than I had expected.
The day for the reception came and we went to the presidential grounds. I had only wanted to meet the President but now we were going to be able to meet everyone who had a role in Estonia gaining independence. All of the noted activists, former politicians, current politicians, and other influential Estonians were invited to this reception, along with two Mormon missionaries. We knew that we wouldn't be able to do normal missionary work there, but we prayed that our presence at this prestigious event would open up future opportunities for the church. We weren't to wear our name badges so we knew we would just have to work a little bit harder to find ways to talk to people about the gospel. We showed up on time and as people were coming in, we strived to talk to as many people as possible. We were able to personally thank those who made a difference twenty years ago. Although they aren't members of the church, they had a large part in church history for Eastern Europe. This was an extra special opportunity for us to thank them. Without these people, the gospel wouldn't be in Estonia, and we would have never been called to serve in this beautiful land.
As we were mingling with the people coming through the large gate, a man was staring at us. Finally he came over to us and said he works for the president. He said he recognized me as the one who sent the letter. I asked him if the President was actually able to read my letter. He said, „Of course, it was addressed to him! The President opened it himself and was touched by how compassionate you were in your letter and surprised at your courage to write him. He personally wanted to invite you to the reception.“ He told us to stick around and that he would be back soon. A few minutes later he approached us and said, „The President is awaiting you.“ The president had stepped aside to meet us. He had his personal photographer ready to get a picture with us as well. The President was a very polite and friendly man. He asked us where we are from and we told him Utah and Iowa. We were confident that he knew at that moment that we are missionaries. We had a short chat with him before he went on his way to greet the rest of his guests. After meeting him, we continued to talk to as many people as we could. Overall the evening was wonderful. We had met the president and many other familiar faces. I was truly humbled and thankful to God that he had given us this opportunity.
To be completely honest, we didn't have much of an opportunity to talk about our unique message to the president or the other guests. I know one thing though, many people at that party knew we were the LDS missionaries. They knew who we were and were left to wonder why we had been invited there. I had a feeling of comfort knowing that our presence had left an impact. We may never find out what came from us meeting the President of Estonia, but we know that it was God's will that this miracle happened. We were able to see other miracles from being at the reception. We had a great conversation with one young man who recognized us as the missionaries and knew a lot about the church. A few days later we ran into him again on the street. About a week later we spoke with a more prominent guest whom we had met at the party. We are confident that many other missionary opportunities will arise from having met so many influential Estonians.
Sometimes we don't know how the spirit will guide us to do certain things. More often, we aren't able to see a direct outcome. Occasionally, far fetched ideas such as wanting to meet the President of a country turn into reality. For whatever reason, I felt a need to meet the President of Estonia from the beginning of my mission and now it had happened. I am especially grateful to the recent convert who acted as a tool in God's hands to encourage me to write him and simply ask. Less than a year ago, I was teaching her the doctrine of Christ and helping her come closer to baptism, and now she was the one teaching me a lesson on faith. As it states in 1 Nephi 7:12 „the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him.“ I support this with my personal experience. I know that with faith, and a righteous desire, we can accomplish anything. I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Elder Lance Scott McGavin
Elder Mark William Nielson (my companion)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Vanem McGavin quick update.
We taught a bunch of new lessons this week and got 4 new investigators so we are excited to see if any of them really start to progress. They were all actually very normal, good people and good potentials to be strong members some day. On Saturday we taught a lady that has been to church a couple times. She seems to really enjoy it. We taught her with a member. We had to call through like 10 members to find someone finally that was able to teach with us. We asked her to be baptized but she didnt quite understand why she needs to be baptized again. She is willing to meet again and talk some more. We see her as a high, or somewhat high prospect for baptism. Overall the week here was good. We met a lot of our goals, but unfortuanately didnt have any one at church, which in my mind is the most important thing of all.
Love,
Vanem McGavin
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas Season in Estonia from Elder McGavin!
"I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
Monday, December 20, 2010
Update from Elder McGavin!
Hey Everyone!
Wow just another week down. Time just keeps going its way weird the warp you are in on your mission. I was in Riga for 2 days this week on an exchange with the Assistant to the President. His name is Elder Nielson and he graduated a year ahead of me in high school at Olympus. He is a great guy. He told me quite a bit about how transfers work and how missionaries are chosen to train. Next week we have our Christmas zone conference. I will have to do a lot of teaching as the zone leader next week at zone conference, lets just say 6 hours worth over a 2 day period. Preparation Day will be on Wednesday next week, just to let you know.
Wow just another week down. Time just keeps going its way weird the warp you are in on your mission. I was in Riga for 2 days this week on an exchange with the Assistant to the President. His name is Elder Nielson and he graduated a year ahead of me in high school at Olympus. He is a great guy. He told me quite a bit about how transfers work and how missionaries are chosen to train. Next week we have our Christmas zone conference. I will have to do a lot of teaching as the zone leader next week at zone conference, lets just say 6 hours worth over a 2 day period. Preparation Day will be on Wednesday next week, just to let you know.
I have a good story to share with you. This week we have spent a lot of time working with active members. We have actually had really good success receiving referrals from them. One of the members gave us a referral of her son in law who works as a shoe smith and locksmith at one of the local stores. She said to go there and try talking to him but to not mention her name. We went the next day and scouted out the situation. She had explained how he looks and when we walked in the grocery store and saw his little shop off to the side, we knew it was him. We approached him and asked him if it would be more worth it to buy new shoes or repair the hole that is on Elder Barney's heel. We got talking to him and he told us all of the pros and cons. We told
him it is hard to find shoes that will last for 2 years, the 2 years that we are here as missionaries. We were slowly easing the conversation in that direction. In the meantime we asked him if the grocery store would have a certain light bulb that we needed. He asked where we are from and we talked a little about that, and we told
him that we are here to talk to people about God. We asked him if he believes in God or not. He said he does but he has never felt a large need to learn any more than he already knows. He said, "But my mother in law
goes to sunday school somewhere here in Pärnu." "Oh really," I replied, "What's her name?" He said, "Zoja..." Then we asked "Zoja Idvani?" ..."Yeah thats her!" We told him how awesome she is and how good she is at coordinating game night. We mentioned that she always brings her grandkids along. He said that those are his kids. We told him that the Book of Mormon is the difference with this church and that it proves the Jesus Christ's true church was restored. We talked a little longer, and he said that he would be interested in talking another time. There was a nice little Euro change wallet he was selling that Elder Barney was interested in that will give us a good excuse to go back. We walked away after meeting Mario and just thought to ourselves, that couldnt have gone better! We meet with member, member gives us referral, we contact referral by happen chance, and now referral wants to meet. Elder Barney and I are going to talk about that for years to come and still be amazed at how well that somehow turned out. We have some other really promising referrals that we are excited about from some of the other members. We kind of realized that if President Hinckley said missionary work is through the members, we need to give it an extra hard push and see what comes from it. Our zone is doing well with many baptismal dates going around right now.
him it is hard to find shoes that will last for 2 years, the 2 years that we are here as missionaries. We were slowly easing the conversation in that direction. In the meantime we asked him if the grocery store would have a certain light bulb that we needed. He asked where we are from and we talked a little about that, and we told
him that we are here to talk to people about God. We asked him if he believes in God or not. He said he does but he has never felt a large need to learn any more than he already knows. He said, "But my mother in law
goes to sunday school somewhere here in Pärnu." "Oh really," I replied, "What's her name?" He said, "Zoja..." Then we asked "Zoja Idvani?" ..."Yeah thats her!" We told him how awesome she is and how good she is at coordinating game night. We mentioned that she always brings her grandkids along. He said that those are his kids. We told him that the Book of Mormon is the difference with this church and that it proves the Jesus Christ's true church was restored. We talked a little longer, and he said that he would be interested in talking another time. There was a nice little Euro change wallet he was selling that Elder Barney was interested in that will give us a good excuse to go back. We walked away after meeting Mario and just thought to ourselves, that couldnt have gone better! We meet with member, member gives us referral, we contact referral by happen chance, and now referral wants to meet. Elder Barney and I are going to talk about that for years to come and still be amazed at how well that somehow turned out. We have some other really promising referrals that we are excited about from some of the other members. We kind of realized that if President Hinckley said missionary work is through the members, we need to give it an extra hard push and see what comes from it. Our zone is doing well with many baptismal dates going around right now.
The Christmas spirit is in the air. As the song goes, "I'M DREAMING OF A (person dressed in) WHITE (on) CHRISTMAS" Everyone is hoping for a baptism on christmas cause that would just be awesome.
I love you all.
Vanem McGavin
I love you all.
Vanem McGavin
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Elder McGavin's first fight!
After coming back from service at Vend Petrov's on Wednesday, we caught the number 5 bus. Elder Broby and I were in our regular clothes cause we had been chopping wood. Elder Lane and Elmer actually helped as well but they were in the proselyting clothes. They had a lesson directly after. We all got on the number 5 bus. We pulled up to the next stop and four kids got on the bus and made their way to the back, where we were sitting. They all looked like they were about 20 years old. They started speaking to us in Russian and then when we told them we speak Estonian they started speaking in Estonian to us. They were clearly Russians though. The one kid who I am going to call Jerry for the purposes of the story, was talking to Elder Elmer, and saying a few things in broken English. He was pretty short, had short brown hair and had a Brazilian soccer jersey on. The other kid or Rasmos for story purposes, was about 6 feet tall, blonde hair, and he was smoking on the bus. Believe it or not, that is even banned in Estonia. He was a little bit tipsy and when we turned the corner he fell back against the door, and the door luckily didnt open, it just kind of opened out a little bit but springed back in. The other 2 kids were just kind of over by themselves. It was obvious they were all somewhat intoxicated with either alcohol or drugs or something. The two kids off by themselves, or the followers of the crowd, may not have been as intoxicated. Rasmos and Jerry were talking to us.
They knew we were Americans and that we were missionaries. Even though we were dressed normally they knew we were with the other Elders. The other Elders got off at the next stop to go to their lesson and we stayed on the bus. Rasmos looked at my watch and said, "Oooh, look how blue your watch is! Where did you get such a blue watch?" I am pretty sure the face of my watch was tripping him out with whatever chemicals he was on. He looked at my watch and said, "Let me try it on..." I told him no, that he cant try it on, he can only look. He insisted again that I let him try it on. I told him no. He demanded and I refused. He started to grab at it and try and pull it off as he was saying, "Come on just let me try it on!" He was getting extremely forceful and demanding and wasnt taking no for an answer. His attitude was changing a little bit, and I didnt want there to be a problem so I finally told myself he could just try it on, and I hoped that this would avoid any problems. He took it off my wrist and put it on his. It didnt even fit him, and it barely snapped shut. We started to get closer to center, where we needed to get off and I told him, "Okay give me my watch back now." He rolled down his sleeve and said, "What watch?" I thought to myself, "He wouldnt dare, he doesnt realize who he is messing with." It was immediately clear to me what was going on. I told him to just give me the watch back and there wont be a problem. He told me no again. I told him I would call the cops if he doesnt give me the watch. I also told him I wasnt going to leave without my watch.
At this point Jerry got up and came over and grabbed me by the collar. He looked me in the eyes and said "It WAS your watch, and you arent calling anyone!" I somewhat chuckled inside that this little Jerry thought he could intimidate me. They were just a bunch of punks. Finally I went over to Rasmos, and grabbed him by the wrist. I started to try and shimmy my watch off of his wrist. He raised his fist and told me to get off of him. He started backing away as I still had his wrist. He kicked me in the middle of the bus and was getting frustrated that I wasnt going to just let him get off scotch free with my watch. The interesting thing about the whole thing was that all this was happening and all of the many people on the bus were just watching. Finally after I just kept telling Rasmos to give me the watch or I will call the cops, A lady said, "I will call the cops dont worry about it!" When Rasmos saw that she was calling I think he got scared and it was right as we were pulling into center. He backed off the bus, when the doors opened, and I still had his wrist. We were on the ground now, and before I knew it Rasmos clocked me on the side of the head with his fist. I kind of ducked to avoid another punch and he came from underneath and blasted me in the forehead/top of my head, with his elbow/forearm.
I couldnt believe it. The reality set in. I was at the main bus station in Tartu, Estonia, in a fight. I looked over out of the corner of my eye, and saw Jerry and Elder Broby in a fighting position. Broby had his fists up by his face and Jerry was trying to swing at him. We were in a brawl in the middle of Estonia with some Russians, over MY watch. My first fight in my life, when I was a missionary. My adrenaline got pumping but there wasnt much I could do. Rasmos was just trying to run away and all I could do was hold on tight to his wrist and slowly wiggle my watch off. In the mean time he clocked me a few more times to the head. Somehow he distanced himself from me and kicked me on the side of the head as well. At one point I saw Jerry coming after me for the double team and luckily Elder Broby shed him off, and took care of him the whole time. Elder Broby was about twice his size. Finally I bear hugged Rasmos from behind, held him tight and wiggled my watch off. Once I got the watch, They all ran off, knowing the police would soon arrive. I couldnt believe that Elder Broby and I were in a brawl in Estonia. It was literally a brawl at the bus station with plenty of people watching.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Elder McGavin Update with a few old pics!...
Kallid Sõbrad,
A mission is a wonderful thing. It is a new adventure, a new language, a new culture, a new life... The list goes on and on. The word wonderful or "suurepärane" as it is said in Estonia is a good way to sum up a mission. I have only been a missionary for about a year now, so I have only seen the first half of the blessings that come from doing the Lord's work. I have learned some valuable lessons, that I otherwise wouldnt have learned with out becoming a missionary and coming to Estonia. I have learned that God knows us all personally. He knows each of our needs, and exactly what ways we need to grow. He gives us certain experiences that prepare us to be better people. He gives us tasks that he knows if we complete, we will untap some more of our full potential. Life isnt easy and missionary life is definitely not the easiest part of a lifetime, but I have come to realize that this is truly where I belong, and where all young men this age belong.
Estonia is a beautiful country, with a beautiful culture, and wonderful people. The history here goes back centuries and centuries through years of occupation by other countries. The general feel about religion is for the most part on the skeptical side. It is hard for people to identify any good that religion has done for them here. The longer I am here the more I can see from their viewpoint and feel for them as we try and address there concerns. Missionary work here is difficult. We are still able to see success though. We are still able to see God's hand in our every day work as people are prepared to hear this gospel message.
I had a recent confirmation that the Lord really is preparing people for us to teach. We have been teaching a man and his living companion for a while now. They have a little boy as well. I contacted him on May 28th, 2010 so it was quite a while ago. We taught them twice at the first and then they went on vacation for a while and couldnt meet. It just seemed that they werent extremely interested but every time we called them they said we could meet and that they wanted to meet. Just recently we started teaching them again. Last week as we were at their housing talking to them, his companion started talking about things that are unexplainable. She said that a few months ago he woke up one morning and told her the dream he had had the night before. He saw a guy, whom he thought was God. That was the first impression he had that he saw God in his dream. The guy didnt speak to him, but when he woke up, he felt like God was trying to speak to him, trying to send him a message. They discussed the dream and decided that it was something special, but didnt know what to think about it. That was the morning of May 28th. That day he took his son into the city and that is when I approached him and asked him if we could share a wonderful message from God about his restored church. He willingly accepted and everything is history from there. They are really taking this whole thing seriously by investigating the church. They realize that this dream he had wasnt a coincidence. They are wonderful and are coming along. It made me realize though, that it wasnt a coincidence that I was right there, placed in his path. It is a testimony that we always need to be working hard as missionaries, doing our best to always be talking to people. We will never know who has been and who hasnt been prepared and therefore we need to talk to everyone and eliminate any chance.
Miracles are evident in every day missionary work. Week to week we can notice the Lord's hand in the work. For example, this last week was a wonderful week here in Tartu South. We came off a good week the week before thinking it couldnt get much better. We worked hard though, and the hard work paid off. We were able to find a lot of new people who are interested in hearing about the gospel. On Saturday we met with a young man. I was going through my old planners calling people that had been contacted a couple months ago and I came across him. We set up a lesson and met with him on Saturday. He is a younger guy about 23 years old. He is shy and held back but very humble. As we started to talk with him he mentioned that he had been thinking about baptism lately. We taught him about the restoration, and towards the end he said that he feels like everything is correct that we talked about. He had a good feeling about it. Luckily we had a member with us and he was able to explain to him that that was the Holy Ghost testifying to him about the truth of this message. We asked the investigator at the end of the lesson if he would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the proper authority from God. He said he will. We set a date for October 2nd. On Sunday we had 23 lessons at 7 pm at night. The exact same number from the week before. My companion and I were very pleased with this, but we looked at each other and said, "We have to get one more. There has got to be someone out there that wants to be taught and hear about the gospel, someone that can be brought closer to Christ." We were determined to get one more. We said a prayer before we walked out the door and we asked that we could find someone to teach. I dont know about my companion, but I had the idea that I wasnt going to come back in until we had found that person. I am pretty sure my companion had the same thought. So we went out and starting heading towards the teaching center. We started to make our guesses on how tall the man was going to be that we teach. What color of hair he is going to have. How old he will be. We were ready as can be to find someone who was ready to find us. We got into center and starting talking to some people. After about 5 minutes a man walked up who had been an investigator referral a while ago. We never had the chance to talk to him. He looked a lot different than our guesses had been but I knew he was the one we needed to teach. He was willing to talk and we ended up having a wonderful lesson. He must have thanked us numerous times for our willingness to talk to him. He said he gets really bored here without his family. He really enjoys talking to people and he is thankful that we are his friends.
It was a great lesson for me to see the hand God has in everything. We were able to pray in faith that we could find just one more person to teach before the end of the week and our prayer was immediately answered. We were able to end the week with a slam dunk, being on a spiritual high, knowing we did our part this week to find those prepared for the gospel. I know that this is the true church. I think maybe that is the largest lesson I have learned in my first year as a missionary. I know when I talk to people about this gospel, that it is the truth, the truth restored the Joseph Smith. I would advise anyone considering going on a mission to not consider it but to just do it. Work hard, and get about a year into the field and you will know why you did it. It is sometimes hard to imagine the future, especially a future as a missionary, but it is even harder once you are a missionary to imagine the past without your past as a missionary. Ma tean et see kirik on õige. Mina olen tänulik oma tunnistuse eest, oma perekonna eest ja oma koguduse eest. Ma tean et kui meie usaldame Jumalat, me suudame teha kõiki asju. (I know that this church is true. I am thankful from my own testimony, family and ward. I know that when we trust God, we are able to do all things.) Always do what would please God and you will find that this is most pleasing unto you as well. I am not a Lord of the Rings fan, but this is a good quote that can be compared to Joshua 1.
"I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down, but it is not this day. This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"
We must never give up in a time of adversary. We must always fight, fight for what is right. Fight for the true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today. Always stay strong and never, ever give up.
Armastusega,
Vanem McGavin
With Love,
Elder McGavin
с любовью,
старейшниа мкгэвин
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)