We are ALL Enlisted

I know I said it was good I didn't have to start with 'Elder Lusko is still sick' anymore, but now it has switched to me!! It's official, I am sick! This email probably won't be too long considering almost everyday this week was filled with hacking and the plague! 

This is random but one of the weirdest things is that we are a facebook/smartphone mission now! This is gonna be really weird!!

Last week's P day was a fun time. We went down to the Zone leaders area in Conyers to play chair soccer!! Now, hopefully I can explain this well enough for everyone to understand. 

Everyone playing has a chair that they must protect from getting hit by the soccer ball. If yours gets hit you sit down on the chair. While on the chair if you are able to pick up the ball you can throw it at another persons chair (who is standing) to stand back up. Also, while in the chair you can shoot the ball into the basketball hoop to make everyone stand up. Last one standing wins. It is actually such a fun game, especially with a bunch of loony missionaries. When we had team chair soccer (2 chairs) me and Elder Lusko won!! Boyah!! Greenie Powa!!

After P day we went back and contacted all of our referrals, potentials and investigators to set up appointments (not knowing that in a day I would get sick as well). The days afterwards were filled with lots of hacking, weezing and gagging! This is probably the worst I have ever gotten sick!! 

But there was still a lot of good that came from it! I already said this to a friend, but Lucifer is a very real enemy in this battle for salvation. I mean, right before Elder Lusko got sick we found 10+ solid investigators (not including referrals), and then when he got better and we tried to teach some more I got sick! It is sad and pitiful how hard Lucifer tries when in the end he is in the very place that he started. And he will never progress! It is a testimony to me that "We are ALL Enlisted 'til the conflict is over. Happy are WE, Happy are WE!" Nobody that joins the church can back down now, we must ALL press forward with a steadfastness in CHRIST having a perfect brightness of HOPE. It's like what 'The Fellowship of the Unashamed' poem says....

"The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of JESUS CHRIST. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

 I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.  I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few,

my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

 

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

 

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear."

 

“I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Romans 1:16

by Dr. Bob Moorehead

(This will be my scripture for the week)

This is the time when we must work our hardest, everyone, to save as many souls as we can! For the Love of God, and all men! 

Love yall, have a great Halloween!!!

Elder Northrup

 

Elder Lusko through my eyes 

The Hand of the Lord

Washing off my bread (got Honey all over it!)

This week was a very good one, mostly because I won't have to start out with my companion is still sick!! We finally got out!!! Woohoo!!

On Tuesday we had another lesson with Taosai and Elijah to hopefully get them to a date for baptism. We started out talking about faith and how it is 'likened to a seed' in Alma, but then Taosai brought up his concern about the curse of Cain. We had to be very gentle with the whole situation because their dad was sitting in the background listening to everything, and that was the concern that made him leave the church. There was a time when he walked in and started off about his concerns with the curse and that made it really awkward for a few moments but we were able to somehow wrap that back up into the lesson. It is really rough when a father is sharing his own concerns with his kids like that, especially when it is a delicate topic [that needs to be talked about] but not quite in the way that he did it...if that makes sense. Afterwards we had dinner with them. The tension shrunk significantly and I was able to talk Star Wars with the kids and the dad. 

Their dad is a really great man though. I don't want to put up a false perception about him because he is a great father and husband to his family. While at dinner we were talking about actors, Will Smith, and the movies that he has played in. We got to the point where we were both nerding out about 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-air' which is one of the greatest shows ever. He was so surprised that I had seen that show. I love the guy so much, he's great!

On Thursday we were able to get out of the apartment to go tracting. Again, I have never been so happy to get doors slammed in my face!! HAHA! We actually had some really great success though, found 3 potential investigators in about an hour. And all of them are legit, not like that "Oh ya, I will be here at about 4:15 tomorrow so come then" kinda thing. The three potentials names are Sandra, Rag, and Suba (the last 2 are Nepali). 

We set up an appointment to come back for Sandra the next day to teach the Restoration and maybe get to know her a little bit. She is so cool! She was a farm-girl from a Mediterranean island called Dominaco _______? I can't remember the last part! She believes in Jesus Christ being her Savior and she actually studies out of the King James version of the Bible which is a miracle. We were so happy about that! We talked about the Book of Mormon being another record of Jesus Christ and she was very interested in that. We talked about when Christ said "Other Sheep I have not of this fold" in John 10:16 and told her that Jesus Christ was talking about these people in the Ancient America's. She was very interested in that, so we gave her a Book of Mormon and a Restoration pamphlet to read and pray over. We will be going back tomorrow!! Exciting! One of the greatest things she said was "We need to be in the World but not of the World." What the actual poop!! That's pretty much the church motto right there!! She said that she invited Jehovah's Witnesses over one time and they just Bible bashed hard. We talked about how most of them don't really like us either. She was real happy about that! HA!

Transfers are coming on Wednesday and Elder Ross will be leaving! I'm really sad about that, he's a funny guy! But he's needed elsewhere so its all good! 

So my first day in the mission field we tried to go visit this potential named Albany. And this whole time (the last month+) we haven't been in contact with her because she was never home. But we finally caught her later at night, and she said that she wanted to be taught a while ago, but she was so busy. We came back the next day (Sunday morning) to teach her the restoration and it went great!! She understood everything so well and she has a great testimony of Christ! It seems like everything is working out now that we have gotten out of the apartment. As a mission we have a goal to teach 10 lessons a week, whether that is investigator lessons or member lessons. Me and Elder Lusko's goal instead is to have 10 investigator lessons/week. I think this will get us back on track. We already had 5 this week, and we were only able to get out for a few days. Woohooo!

Oh ya I totally forgot!! Yesterday, Steven Pollock came to Church!! We asked last lesson if he would come to sacrament meeting for starters but he came for the whole block. And HE ENJOYED IT!! WHAT??? I told him I will be speaking next week so he should come then too!! Wow, that was so cool!!! 

My scripture for the week is in the early chapters of Alma. This is where Alma is preaching to the people of Ammonihah that they must repent or surely be destroyed. The people obviously cast him out and as he was leaving an Angel appeared to him. The same one that cause him to repent in the beginning when he was being a hooligan. He was commanded by the Angel to return to the city and preach again. It is remarkable that in the scriptures it says, "he returned speedily." Right after these people were abusing him, threatening to kill him, and actually trying to kill him, he doesn't even think twice about the decision and returns speedily. That is just a testimony to me that I need to return speedily to the work every morning, even if the previous day I had a really rough time. 

I think I am going to do something soon (probably over Christmas) called the Purification Challenge. What you do is you write up a list of things that you want to do (spiritually), characteristics (Christlike) that you want to gain, etc. and you fast on the list everyday for 40 days!!! It's flippin crazy but I have heard some missionaries say it changed their whole mission when they did it. So I will probably do it when I will be eating extra amounts of food and riding my bike a whole lot less (winter). If any of yall want to do it with me that would be cool beans!!

I love yall and remember to look for the Hand of the Lord in everything you do! He is ALWAYS there!! Have a great Halloween!! 

Elder Northrup

Funny scriptures about cereal

An Honor and a Privilege

Not a whole lot has happened this week (Elder Lusko still being sick), besides some really spiritual experiences! 

On Wednesday, me and Elder Ross helped an elderly man in the ward move. It was SOOO HOT! I somehow still loved it though! Afterwards, me and Elder Ross ended up teaching Steven Pollock that night! Man, that guy was definitely prepared by the Lord! We taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ and really emphasized why we keep the Sabbath day holy! He's been wanting to come to church for many weeks now, but he hasn't quite found the desire to get up and go! I think that could be our faults! Obviously he doesn't truly know the importance behind it or else he would be here every week! That's our bad! It seems like every time we meet with him, he totally drops a bombshell of spiritual upon us! This last time we were teaching him, he straight up said, "I just want to change...become a MAN of GOD. Like you guys!!" What the actual poop!!! He blows our minds constantly!! What a guy!!

This isn't very important, its more of a side note! At home my dad would always play Enya and frankly I kinda hated it!! HAHA! But now that it is approved for missionaries to listen to, It is the best thing ever!! Love ya dad!! HAHA!

We had stake conference this week and Pres. & Sister Foote spoke! I swear, every time they say anything I immediately have to write it down! I feel like Elder Calhoun from 'The Best Two Years.' I wouldn't be surprised if Pres. Foote became a General Authority! This time he said, "If we live the Gospel. If we love the Gospel. We WILL share the Gospel." That was so simple but so profound at the same time!! They are so great!!!

I want to share a new scripture that I find in my studies every week! So this weeks scripture is in Enos 1! I loved Enos before I came out on the mish, but now that I am a missionary scriptures just mean so much more! It's amazing! Within the chapter, it says that '...Enos wrestled before God..." 

before he could get a remission of his sins! What a guy! He earnestly prayed to God, wrestling with his own soul, for an entire day before He felt God say that he received forgiveness. Immediately after this he says, "How is it done?" as if he wasn't expecting to be forgiven! I love the scriptures!! So many pearls within the Book of Mormon especially!!

One of my favorite quotes from Pres. Ezra Taft Benson is "We are commanded by God to take His gospel to all the world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family." And how true that is! I have felt my joy increase more and more each day that I get up, look in the mirror and say "Its and honor and a privilege to be a missionary, a disciple, and a representative of my Savior Jesus Christ. I fear no man!!!!"

I love this Gospel. I love the Lord. I love being a missionary. 

Just like Jacob of old...

"Brethren,(and Sisteren) adieu." (Jacob 7:27)

Love yall

Elder Northrup

haircut #2 of 24

if you zoom in on my hand, it looks like this guy is an action figure in my hand! HA its great!

The Savior

Well, Elder Lusko was still sick this entire week so not a lot of Missionary work was accomplished! But some things that did happen this week were straight miracles and nothing less!

I did a lot of exchanges this week! It kinda felt weird to take over our area knowing that I was still a greeny, but it was a fun and good experience nonetheless! Our first pit stop was an older Jamaican Lady named Genaveve! She is so sweet and she is also really open to religion. She is very knowledgeable in the Bible, but when we explained the Book of Mormon to her, she said it just made sense. We ended up giving her one and set an appointment for the week after (thinking Elder Lusko would be well by then). The appointment is tomorrow and Elder Lusko is still in bad shape. Please pray for him to get better. 

A lot of this week has been me digging into deep doctrine, preparing for lessons, and watching the approved missionary movies. In one of the movies there was a quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell that said, "Consecration is the only surrender which is also a victory." This quote really deepened my understanding of what I need to do to be a 'Consecrated Missionary.' This has been my Mission President's theme for the last couple years, and I finally understand why now! 

During one such exchange last week we were in Snellville knocking doors when we found a Catholic Lady's house! When she opened the door she immediately started to bear her testimony of Christ! That was pretty surprising! When she got done she looked at us and said, "What time do you guys wake up to pray to Jesus." Without even being able to finish our answer she blurted out, "I wake up at 2AM every morning to pray to Jesus, because He is my everything." I really respect her for that even though it was pretty prideful. Good thing she was looking at Elder Skinner because I was about to burst out laughing. The whole confrontation was so spontaneous and unexpected that I couldn't help it! She was pretty much challenging us on how much we love Jesus Christ! HAHA It was great!

I have found that every missionary has their own way of starting a conversation with people, and I have found that my own thing is asking people to share their testimonies of Christ/of their faith. Not only because it pat's their ego, but because it builds off common ground. Most times whenever I ask someone to share their own testimony, I can find something within that I can relate with. I have also found that most Jehovah Witness' aren't able to bear testimony of their faith. And a lot of times that is because they grew up in the J-dubz (J.W.) faith so it is more of tradition to stay than actual belief. That's just how it is in Georgia at least! 

Actually, funny story about J-dubz! As a missionary in Georgia, it is almost like receiving a trophy if you are able to get a Jehovah Witness: New World Translation Bible. Everybody wants one, although I'm not exactly sure why! Me and Elder Ross were tracting a higher class neighborhood when we reached a J-dubz home! A man answered the door so we explained that we were missionaries and representatives for Jesus Christ, then we began to explain the Book of Mormon and it's importance. When we got done, we offered him one but he declined. He proceeded to tell us that he was apart of the Jehovah Witness church and that he couldn't receive such material (or they would be excommunicated). I then asked him if he would share his beliefs with us, but instead he just explained how he grew up in the faith and didn't actually know a ton about the religion. Right before we were going to part ways, I remembered that I wanted one of their Bibles, so I asked him for one. He then invited us into his home, and while we sat at his front door he went upstairs to scavenge one. The whole time we were at the front door, Elder Ross was just laughing and face-palming. He couldn't believe that I actually did that! But it worked!!! I got one!! And it is super weird too!! My own little nick knack that I get to bring home!!

 

 

We taught Tausai and Elijah again this week! It was a really good lesson! And It was the first lesson that I had to lead since Elder Lusko was still sick! The spirit was so strong! Nearing the end of the lesson we asked them if they would be baptized. Tausai said he needed to think about it, and Elijah said he was all in! I think Tausai's dad is influencing his decision to think about it rather than him feeling like he needs to. But we will see what happens!  The funniest thing that happened that day was Elijah's prayer in the lesson. As he was praying he said, "I'm glad the missionaries didn't teach us a lesson of you"..........*long pause for effect*........."with broken arms and legs!!" HAHA that was great! Basically Georgia drivers are the worst, super scary! And that's why he said that!

Now for the meaning behind the title of this letter. Like I said previously, this week has been a lot of personal study, and soul searching for that matter! This whole week I have felt a strong spirit as I have been studying His word but yesterday was definitely the strongest! I was listening to the conversion story of Bill Carpenter....again! As I listened to his final remarks he said "one thing we all need to know is that our decision to serve or not to serve affects the salvation of other people. That when the Lord chooses a missionary he just doesn't say 'well the North Carolina Mission' needs missionaries, or the 'Utah Salt lake City South Mission' needs missionaries or the 'Iowa des moine' mission needs missionaries. He matches your personality, your talents, your gifts with certain people that preside in that mission so that their lives can be touched....It's not happenstance, it's inspiration. The greatest opportunity we have, I believe in this life, is to share the message of the Gospel." That statement struck me to the point that I was on the verge of tears! I am so very grateful for my Savior, and for the opportunity to have been able to grow up in the Gospel. And also to go out and share this beautiful message with His children. It is such a blessing and a privilege. I know that our decision to serve will affect generations, and the same can be applied if we don't serve. 

I love y'all! Have a fun week!

Elder Northrup

p.s.

I can play the Ukulele!! (Kinda)

 

 

 

 

'A Personal Search for the Meaning of the ATONEMENT!'

Trees trees Everywhere!

It's been a good and hot time here in Georgia....weeks keep on gett'in faster. It feels like we were just in the library emailing home!!

Last 'P' day we went and hiked a boulder called 'Stone Mountain.' When we were driving up to the parking lot the youth member in the car said "There it is" but I couldn't see a mountain anywhere. I said, "all I see is that rock hill." I raged a bit at that! But it's true. That thing isn't even close to a mountain. If you saw it from an aerial view it would look like a random potato in a broccoli patch. 

A lot of this week we spent finding. Doing anything we could to find more investigators. We ended up finding 4 more in an apartment complex. All of them seem very interested so we will see how it goes down this week. But oh my golly!! It has been soooo hot and humid here!! The noon to afternoon temperature just drains you for the rest of the day!! I'm sure Elder Grayson Thayne is feeling the same way in Taiwan!! When we would get to a certain neighborhood on our bikes for tracting, we would be sopping wet even before knocking doors. It's crazy how sweaty you get down here!! Sorry if that's gross but its true. Also, I love it here! I'm still not used to see so many tree's, and so few mountains (no mountains) but it is so great to be here!!

On Friday we had a 'New Missionary Training' with the AP's and the Mission Presidency. They pretty much just checked up on us and on our missionary work. I'll just say this now, I think I got the best Mission President out of every mission ever. Pres. Foote has such a solid testimony of Christ's Atonement, and he is soooo caring about everybody! His wife equally extraordinary. I truly lucked out!!!

On that same Friday Elder Lusko came down with the Fever or the flu. We don't really know what it is. The nurse just told him to get plenty of rest which meant I had plenty of time to study. I ended up listening to a devotional called 'A Personal Search for the Meaning of the Atonement' by a man named Cleon Skousan. It pretty much explains how Christ's Atonement can be paralleled with Science while including the scriptures. It answered so many questions I had for so many years. For example....everyone says that the Atonement is necessary but I never knew why. If God is all powerful why couldn't He just save us without having to let His own Son suffer and die? It answers all of these questions. Please please please please please please listen to this! It blew my mind!

General Conference was soooo special!! I loved every second of it! Some of my favorite talks were...

-Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Light   (This was probably my dad's favorite talk)

"Darkness reduces our ability to see clearly. When we are in darkness we will probably make wrong choices because we can't see the consequences. When we are in the Light, we have a perfect brightness of Hope."

"He who humbly follows Jesus Christ will share in his LIGHT."

"The Light of Christ fills the Universe. It fills the Earth. And it CAN (or cannot) fill our hearts."

"This is the Ultimate remedy in spiritual sickness."

****Elder David A. Bednar: (my favorite)

"God promises his children that if they follow the precepts of His plan, and keep His commandments, they shall attain Eternal Life."

"The Sabbath day and the Temple are two examples of Divine help from God."

"The Sabbath is God's time. A time to remember HIS SACRED PROMISES." 

(He said a lot more but I couldn't write it down fast enough being mesmerized by his Speech)

-Pres. Russell M. 'Russ Bucket' Nelson: The Book of Mormon

"The Book of Mormon provides the fullest...understanding of the Atonement."

"The Book of Mormon tells us to ponder about Eternal Life."

"As you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY, you will make better decisions EVERYDAY."

"The Book of Mormon provides daily immunizations for the evils, plagues, and addictions of the World." 

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"The Lord would not give a commandment He knew we couldn't keep."

"We are SPIRITUAL SONS and DAUGHTERS of our Father in Heaven."

"We live in a fallen World, we are therefore a fallen people. We live in a Telestial World not Celestial....Perfection is Pending."

"How grateful I am for a God that loves His enemies, because WE can sometimes be that enemy."

"The Gospel is for the Perfecting of the Saints until we stand in the Presence of a Perfect Being."

"Our only hope in true perfection is receiving it as a gift, because we didn't deserve it."

Anyway, there's a little spiel on General Conference. Stephen Pollock (one of our investigators) actually came with us to a members house to watch the Sunday morning session. He said he received answers to many of his questions....so that's pretty dang exciting!

Also Tausai & Elijah are on date to be baptized this week!! Please pray for them and Stephen Pollock!

Love y'all

Elder Northrup

I got me a missionary apron from Sister Foote!!

My bamboo tree part that we cut down during service last week. I'm making it look all Aztecy!