PS (First Week)

Oh ya! I forgot to mention that I saw some old friends! Elder Beutler, Elder Tucker, and Elder Thayne! It took flippin forever to find Elder Thayne tho! I had to hunt him down on his floor the 4th day!  

Anyhoo

Elder Northrup

Me (going to Georgia Atlanta) and Elder Beutler going to Germany!

Elder Tucker and Me

And... my cuz, Elder Thayne and me!

First Week at the MTC :D

Well, this week has been an amazing one! 

This is mostly just going to be days flip flopped everywhere cuz I can't quite remember everything that happened in this week; little bit of a blur. 

On Wednesday we were all kinda thrown right into the mix of everything! I initially thought we would have time to put our clothes away and meet our companions but instead I was just taken right to my district. Everyone is super chill especially my companion. His name is Elder Storey and he reminds me of one of my childhood friends. We have a good time together! 

Elder Boyer, Elder Gunnell, Elder Storey, Elder Hunter, Elder Wilkinson, Elder Porter, Elder Dunn,
Elder Kipping, Sister Scott, Sister EbMeyer, Sister Field, Sister Alston, Sister Matthews, Sister Ogden
(I don't think he gave these to me in order... so don't freak out!)

I woke up Thursday morning overwhelmingly sad. But I noticed that as I got ready for the day and put my name tag I started getting excited again. This pretty much happens every day. I do know that whenever I am 'anxiously engaged' in the work, I am at peace with myself and I don't really miss family/friends. But whenever I have some free time I start to think of the good times. But that has been going away lately. I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE!!! It was actually way cool. So one of the times that I had free time I started to think about home again. So, I began to pray for strength. When I ended my prayer I knocked my Book of Mormon open on the table and it turned to Alma 13. The first verse I saw was v. 6 and it said, "And thus being called by this holy calling, and ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest-" So this had never happened to me before so I kinda sorta flipped out! I always heard stories about this kinda thing but I never actually thought it could happen to me. That was one of my coolest things to ever happen to me. It truly gave me comfort, it almost felt like a jump start. 

The MTC time is really weird After the second day I felt like I had been here for a month. The day itself seems to go by so fast, but then the weeks kinda drag on. I've heard it goes by faster after your first Sunday though. It feels like we role play and teach every second of every day. It is great practice but a part of me just wants to study the scriptures more often. Our whole schedule is planned out by the second so sometimes it feels like we have barely any study time. The other Elders in my district agree... 

Our first three days were filled with mandatory meetings. One of the lessons was on the dress code and it seems like the MTC's favorite thing to teach. We have heard the same lesson about 3 times now but by different people. 

It’s awesome to see how much I have grown just by preaching this gospel to role play peep's. I've gained a better understanding about how to converse with future investigators and how to teach certain lessons. We had a meeting with a TRC (which basically means they are an investigator) named Jose De-Leon yesterday and it went super well. We went in wanting to get to know him then slide right into our lesson about the Plan of Salvation & Christ's Earthly Ministry. But about 1/4 of the way into the lesson I just felt like we should spend the rest of the time getting to know him and becoming his friend....so we will just teach him next time instead. 

Sunday's are the long days. There is no free time, and we just are class hopping the entire day. It's really tiring but the end of the day made everything so worth it. We watched a film on Elder David A. Bednar (my favorite apostle) that the MTC made when he came for a devotional a couple years ago. It is definitely my favorite talk EVER! Unfortunately, you can only see it while you are in the MTC. It was titled 'the Character of Christ.' Wow, just Wow! There was so much information in the one video I wish I could go back and watch it a few more times to hear what I missed. Ahhhh, Elder Bednar! What a guy! Hopefully the MTC releases it to the church so that we can all watch it! It is literally like riding an emotional roller-coaster; he will be super funny in some parts then in other parts he'll be extra spiritual, then in others he'll be what I like to call Elder Holland serious. Saying it was amazing is absolutely an understatement. 

Anyway, I am enjoying the MTC. I'm not getting too fat, and I love this Gospel.

And just like that.... he is gone!

It seems like this day came FAST, but SLOW... today is one of those days it feels like it got here way too fast.

Karter had forgotten to get his temple bag out of the red car before Reggie went to work, so we booked it up there to get it so he could pack it safely away.  He didn't need to be at the MTC until 1:30, so he decided his last meal with us would be at the Brick Oven in Provo.  He wasn't very hungry... just wanted to GET GOING.  It was new missionary day at the Brick Oven as it seemed every other table had an elder sitting at it.  Pretty exciting if you ask me.

   

           

After lunch, we just had a short time to hang out at the Provo Temple before it was time to say goodbye.  Mitchell came to take some pictures and video for us.  Reggie zipped up from work to have a quick lunch and say See Ya to his brother.

In a snap, it was time to drive across the street to the MTC and drop this feller off.  Karter was pretty stoic until he hugged his dad, who started to cry... then he lost it.  Then most of us lost it.  

How can something so amazing be so incredibly hard?  After hugs all around, he turned to grab his suit case and he was off without another backward glance.  

When we got home, I was physically and emotionally spent.  I changed into some comfy clothes and collapsed on my bed.  

Later that evening, I had to go buy school supplies for the littles... I called Rod to see how he was doing and he said, "My heart is just heavy.  I am so sad!  I feel like I lost my buddy!"

He is off!

Karter... or should I say "Elder Northrup"

Karter (or should I say) Elder Northrup, was set apart by President Tyler Sheffield on August 22, 2017 as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Bishop Daines was here, as well as Grandpa and Grandma Northrup and Talmage Thayne.  We were able to take turns and share our thoughts with Karter before he was set apart.  It was an emotional and special time.  After he received his blessing, a couple people who love him came to say Goodbye... The Whitings and Bro. Smith.  He is blessed to have so many people who love him.

Elder Northrup's Farewell Talk

Good Morning brothers and sisters:

I have been called to labor in the Georgia Atlanta Mission and I will be reporting to the MTC this Wednesday, August 23rd. I have never been to Georgia myself, not even in the airport, but what I've heard about it makes me even more excited to go. It is HOT and HUMID, really green, and I've been told that I will meet some of the nicest most genuine people while I am there.

It is in the Bible Belt which scares me a bit, but at the same time I am excited to hear from those people about who Jesus Christ is to them, because they do know Him and Love Him. They love and study the Bible and I respect them so much for that. I love the Bible and I believe that it is true. I cannot wait to share the further light that the Book of Mormon has to offer.

Two years ago, just right before my brother was leaving on his mission, my dad kept on teasing me that when I got my call that it would be somewhere in the Bible Belt. I laugh now because he told me at the time that I needed to study the Bible more often. Back then a mission was so "FAR" away that I didn't feel like I needed to worry about it. So a little word of wisdom to all the 16-year-olds present... please just listen to your parents. I have learned so much in the past 6 months that I wish I would have known years ago.

Now to get into my talk... I'd like to quote Lord of the Rings, which I am sure Bishop Daines is very proud about. Just a little background to those that don't know, me and Bishop Daines have an ongoing debate about Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, and which movies are better. This has actually been going on  since we moved into this ward. Don't worry Bishop, I have a Star Wars quote towards the end... Gotta save the best for last, right???

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." Bilbo

As I look back when I was just baptized I had a vision of who I wanted to be and what I wanted to become. As years went by that vision slowly started to fade away to the point where I was questioning everything I used to believe. This didn't happen all at once. It progressively lead me down a deep and dark pah until I started to doubt everything. I didn't know if Joseph Smith was a prophet. I didn't know if the Book of Mormon was true. I didn't even know if there was a God. I became certain that if there was one, he didn't love his children. In other words, "I wasn't keeping my feet."

This went on from months to years. Then one night I began to imagine what my future would look like treading down this path. For the first  time ever I saw who I was becoming and it was scary.

I decided to kneel down and pray for strength from Heavenly Father. As I did so, I felt the burden lift from my shoulders until I was at complete peace with myself. I knew at this point that there was a God and that He loved us so much that he sent his only Son to be a sacrifice to abolish sin with repentance. I knew it and I could not deny it.

So a couple weeks followed and I read the Book of Mormon to know if it was true. Sure enough I got the answer I was seeking. Knowing this made me realize that in the year 1820 God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, really did appear to a young farm boy within a grove of trees in Western New York. I started to finally plant "my feet" back into the gospel.

All the while, that vision of who I wanted to become from when I was 8 began to return to my memory. Ever since that point, I've been so stoked (which means excited) to serve a mission.  I cannot wait to talk about Jesus Christ with these people that may not be of our faith, but are in many ways of the same purpose. To spread the Love that Jesus Christ has to All. I have faith that the Lord will put those people who are ready to hear this wonderful message in my path. I know I am going to be learning a ton over the next two years, but not just from God and the mission, but from the people in Georgia. They have such an inspirational love for the Bible and for Jesus Christ. 

I cannot wait to show them this other testament of Jesus Christ. To share with them the truth of the Book of Mormon. I know that going to the Bible Belt will be extremely hard to get people to hear this message but I know the Lord will give me strength to overcome any obstacle as long as I commit to always remember Him.

Now to merge on into the scriptures... the Scripture appreciation part of my talk...

Again, looking back on my personal study, I am filled with regret. Before I had this love for the scriptures, I honestly thought that they were pretty boring and it was almost a chore to read them. Now that I am older and more mature... I hope... I realize how important the scriptures truly are. I realize now how many people died to bring us/me these words. People gave up their lives to bring me the words of the Almighty and unfortunately at that time, i didn't care. I just let these sacred texts gather dust as I was off being a hooligan. Although I do regret not having studied my scriptures before, I am so very grateful for them now. I believe that sometimes it takes some people longer than others to see the blessings that are in their lives. As for me, this took all the way up until just a few months ago.

A part of the topic that I received to give this talk on was "My Purpose as a Missionary".

In the very font of 'Preach My Gospel' it actually states what the purpose of a missionary is. 'My' purpose is to "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End."

I know that going on this mission is not about how many baptisms I get, but my purpose is instead to show how much God Loves them.  To love them as God would love them. To serve them as He would. But if that also means that at the same time some people receive this restored gospel and enter into the waters of Baptism, then even better. 

I know that my focus will be key while in the mission. "Your focus determines your reality" Qui Gon Jinn. So I know that if I focus my efforts on serving the Lord and his children, I will be successful.

"JUST CLIMB UP YOUR LADDER, I'LL THROW DOWN MY ROPE"

HOLES

I had been in that hole for a very long time
In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime.
The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear
But there's no way I ever could reach it from here.
Nor could I remember the world way up there
So I lost all my hope and gave in to despair.
I knew nothing but darkness, the floor, and the walls
Then off in the distance I heard someone call:
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.
Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

This had never occurred to me-- had not crossed my mind.
But I started to stack all the stones I could find.
When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal,
For one way or another I'd get out of that hole.
So I soon had a ladder that was sturdy and tall
And I thought, "I'll soon leave this place once and for all."
I climbed up my ladder. It was no easy chore,
For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore.
I climbed on up the ladder, but soon had to stop
For my ladder stopped short-- some ten feet from the top.

I climbed back down my ladder and started to cry
I'd done all I could do. I gave my best try.
And in spite of my work, in this hole I must die.
And all I could do was to sit and think, "Why?"
Was my ladder too short? Or my hole much too deep
Then from way upon high came a voice, "Do not weep."
And then faith, hope, and love entered into my chest
As the voice said to me that I'd done my best.

He said, "You've worked very hard, and your labor's been rough,
But the ladder you've built is at last tall enough.
Do not despair. You have reason to hope.
Just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope."
I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord.
When I got to the top, there stood the Lord.
I couldn't be happier; my struggle was done.
I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son.

I fell to the ground, His feet did I kiss
I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?"
Then He looked all about Him. There were holes in the ground
They had people inside, and were seen all around
There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark, and deep
The the Lord turned to me and He said, "Feed my sheep."

Then He went on His way to help other lost souls,
And I got right to work, calling down to the holes:
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter.
Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."

It now was my turn to spread the good word.
The most glorious message that man ever heard.
That there's one who is willing to save one and all
And we've got to be ready when He gives the call.
He'll pull us all out of the hole that we're in
And save all our souls from death and from sin.
So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope
Just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope.

~Scott Lewis and elders from his mission

I heard this poem a few years ago, but while I was preparing this talk it somehow came back to me. I think that it was for a reason. It really hits home to me now. The Lord really did save me from the chasm of sin, and for that I owe my life to Him. 

My favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon goes along these lines also....

It is Alma 26:12 (I am going to change it a bit, but it reads...)

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of (my) God, for in His strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles (has He wrought in me), for which (I) will praise his name forever." 

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of President Hinckley... so in closing, I would like to share part of the most powerful talk ever given in conference from his April 2000 talk titled My Testimony

"Jesus is my friend. Non other has given me so much. 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'

"He is my exemplar. His way of life, His absolutely selfless conduct, His outreach to those in need, His final sacrifice all stand as an example to me. I cannot measure up entirely, but I can try...

"He is my Healer. I stand in awe at His wondrous miracles. And yet I know that they happened. I accept the truth of these things because I know that He is the Master of life and death. The miracles of His ministry bespeak compassion, love, and a sense of humanity wonderful to behold.

"He is my Savior and my Redeemer. Through giving His life in pain and unspeakable suffering. he has reached down to lift me and each of us and all the sons and daughters of God from the abyss of eternal darkness following death. he has provided something better- as sphere of light and understanding, growth and beauty where we may go forward on the road that leads to eternal life. My gratitude knows no bounds. My thanks to the Lord has no conclusion.

"He is my God and my King. From everlasting to everlasting, He will reign as King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. To His dominion there will be no end. to His glory there will be no night.

TESTIMONY

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen