After the Rain, Comes the Rainbow!

Man that title is cheezey but it fit perfectly so I had to use it...

This is vid is mostly for my bro Reggie but some of y'all will understand the Pirates of the Caribbean reference.

Tuesday we had Zone Conference and it was all about how to better use our members and the Book of Mormon in our everyday Missionary Work. It was my favorite Zone Conference so far. The first counselor to Pres. Foote (can't remember his name) spoke about how to work well with members. The beginning of his training He went off topic because he was prompted by the spirit to tell his conversion story. I am not going to explain his experience but I will say that he helped the Spirit flood the room. He was also talking about an experience he had with a Zone Conference he had as a missionary held in the exact building (because he served in the same mission) we were in. He talked about how the speaker for his conference also helped bring the spirit and how it made him cry uncontrollably. Him telling that story made the floodgates poor out my eyes as well. He is an incredible man!!

Our Four Man

Left to Right: Elder Hadfield, Elder Boyer, Me and Elder Lusko

I think more than anything this week, I am just really tired. I know I worked and prayed harder this week than any other week in the mission. Everyday coming home at night, I was absolutely exhausted, but also completely the spirit completely invigorated me. I think another name I could give for the spirit would be reliever. 

Most of this week has been filled with Prayerfully finding. We spent a lot of time tracting and contacting and it has paid out in the end. On Saturday as we were knocking doors we came to a guy named Jeremy Patrick. We ended up having a Restoration lesson on the doorstep...again. It seems like this happens a lot, not complaining or anything. By the end of the lesson we gave him a Book of Mormon and he was so happy. He said he had been wanting to buy one and investigate the LDS faith for a really long time but didn't know how to get a hold of one. What a miracle that was. Please pray for him, he needs it. 

I know with a surety that happiness comes after the trials. Hence the title of the letter this week.

And now this brings us into the spiritual thought for the week...

Ether 12

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

The last few weeks have definitely been 'trials of faith'; from a bunch of progressing investigators dropping us to the feeling of being a worthless missionary. But I know that because of faith, optimism, and "an eye single to the glory of God" we were able to get through the dark tunnel and into the light.  Love yall!!

Elder Northrup

Distric Pic before Sister Williams left

Left to Right - Elder Beard, Elder Cranney, Elder Tuttle, Elder Lusko and Me #myelderbois

Trial By Fire!

Honestly, this week has been a really rough and tough week to deal with. In the end I know it has helped me grow, and I know the Lord's hand was always there even if I couldn't see Him. 

Last PDay we went down to Conyers again to say goodbye to all of the people getting transferred. That was kinda lame, some of my favorite people were leaving. Our ZL was being transferred as well, and he was so cool. He actually reminded me of a friend back home, and if he is reading this, he knows his name is "the one the only Nolan Welch." The ZL that was leaving is Elder Reading and I was luckily able to get a pic with him before so that was Gucci! 

Me and Elder Reading  (aka Nolan Welch)

We were able to watch the Awesome broadcast with President Nelson, President Oaks, and President Eyering. It was such a cool experience to have a new First Presidency and to see how organized the Church is even in times like these. I guess when the Lord leads and guides the Church directly, there is no room for any mess ups unless it be the fault of Man. 

Wednesday snowed and it was bad enough that Pres. Foote told all of us to stay inside. So that stunk!! We mostly just studied and read while we were there. I don't really know why we aren't allowed to go out, even if we were just on foot. They said we couldn't drive because nobody here knows how to drive in snow, so that makes sense. But why can't we go knock doors or something. IDK oh well

Friday was a day of service for sure. We went to the Horse Ranch to split some wood. We've actually been splitting wood a ton this week! We even split some wood this morning before we came to email. Anyway, then we went to Doyle Hartman's house to help take Christmas stuff down. 

A guy in the ward got his mission call to Denver Colorado. He is such a cool guy and I am so excited for him! He'll do great!

Now I guess to get to the title. To make it short and to the point, all of our progressing investigators dropped us and we are without a teaching pool. One investigator that we were teaching yesterday was literally about to have a Baptismal Date (we were talking about a time for baptism) and then his mom told him we couldn't come over anymore. This has happened many times this week, and I know the Adversary has been tempting me to just call it quits but I'm not gonna give up. I am doing my best to keep the hope that there is still someone here that needs to here the Gospel message. That has really helped me keep an optimistic perspective, along with seeing this for what it is....a growing/humbling experience. Somewhere along the road I will be able to look back at this moment and know it was for the better. Just need to see that for what its worth right now. 

The scripture for this week is in Moroni 1. At this point the Lamanites are hunting down everyone that believes in Christ, and obviously Moroni has to hit the dirt running. This is my favorite scripture from that book.

2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.

3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.

Moroni must've been extremely lonely, but through all of the trials and tribulations he persevered and pushed through his challenges. I know that is true. 

Love yall

Elder Northrup

Me and Elder Bell

Weed just lying on the ground

REJOICE

This week has been a pretty full one so I will try to cut to the chase...

We had exchanges again this week with the ZL's!! We already had them once this transfer, but they wanted to come and work with us again since Elder Reading was obviously going to be transferred out of Conyers. It's too bad, all of the people that make chair soccer really fun are leaving this wednesday, so I will try to film some of the game so yall know what I'm talking about!!

We had our very first lesson with Doc Peterson (the horse ranch lady that we have been doing service for) so that was awesome!! She calls herself a 'reformed catholic' because she hates Catholicisms. Everything we taught her she understood very clearly and the spirit was very strong!! It was a really great lesson!!

That same day I got the feeling that I should give Steven Pollock, one of our investigators that we have been teaching for a while a call. He told us that his mom and his moms friend (who lets them stay in the apartment) said that he couldn't talk to us anymore and that he needed to throw away this mormon thing. That was really sucky! For the rest of the day I was just angry at myself. I kept thinking that maybe there could've been something more that I should've done. It wasn't until the next day that I felt deep within me, a peace. That there wasn't anything that I could've done. That was a tender mercy. 

We were able to tune in to Pres. Thomas S. Monson's funeral so that was great!! The spirit was strong as the speakers talked of our dearly beloved Prophet. He will be missed dearly. 

We went tracting right after and found a few people. We also saw a group of kids playing some tag outside, so being the child hearted person I am asked if we could join. We played that ninja slap hand game with them and they really liked it. Afterwards I asked who would like a Jesus card, and all of them screamed "I DO!!" HAHA I love the South!! 

Funny thing. Yesterday after our regional broadcast for stake conference, a member showed me a video of us tracting down that same street (camera on a doorbell). It recorded us coming up to the door, knocking and walking away. The thing that was stupid was the person that owns that camera that posted the video of us (on a neighborhood blog) said that we were trying to steal peoples mail. She also said that when I got to the door and saw that their was no mail on the porch, told my comp "ready to go." LAME!! Sometimes people can be the worst. The good part of it was that all the people that we talked to backed us up on the comments section saying "I know those guys. I know that they weren't trying to steal anything." Thank goodness for those people!!!

Yesterday we had our first lesson with Ezekiel. We taught the Restoration and it was Incredible!!! We will be going back next week!! 

The scripture and thought for this week comes from Joseph Smith. While I was reading the Book of Mormon, in the Book of Mormon (LOL) I came across a quote from Joseph Smith and Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley in the B.O.M. Student Manual. It said...

"The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught, “The word Mormon, means literally, more good” (History of the Church, 5:400).

"In an overview of Mormon’s life, President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) referred to the meaning associated with Mormon’s name, a name that has become a reference to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

“May I remind you for a moment of the greatness and of the goodness of this man Mormon. He lived on this American continent in the fourth century after Christ. When Mormon was a boy of ten, the historian of the people, whose name was Ammaron, described him as ‘a sober child, and … quick to observe’ (Mormon 1:2). Ammaron gave him a charge that when he reached the age of twenty-four, he was to take custody of the records of the generations who had preceded him."

I thought that was the coolest thing!! The Book of Mormon truly means the Book of 'More Good.' It also shows the effort that Mormon put into living up to his name. He was an upright man before the Lord and he always walked with Him. I have a testimony that this Book is the word of God and I love having the duty to declare the Word!!

Love yall

Elder Northrup

 

I finally got a Noble Qur'an!!!! I guess that's cool!

That's for you, Dad!

Brother Gomez standing next to his pro baseball Louis Gomez pic... hopefully y'all know who that is.

 

Jack Frost is a Silly Billy

Well, from what I hear basically nobody has heard from me in a couple weeks. So I guess I'll just give a quick little update about what happened other than this previous week. 

*update*

Christmas happened. I talked to the Fam. New Years Happened. Amen.

This week has literally flown by. I couldn't even believe that it was P day today. Last P day we got a text from the High Council saying that a Lady that used to be investigating wanted her house to be dedicated/blessed. So we were able to go over there and do that for her. Hopefully we can start teaching her soon. 

On Tuesday a Pastor named PASTOR PETER of the African Baptist Church requested a Bible from us on mormon.org so that was cool. We had him read from it, and we committed to make a return appointment so we will see how that goes.

Thursday was a day of cold and biking. The other Elders had the car and were in Conyers doing an exchange with the ZL's. That day we had received a Bible referral from a guy at the top of our Area. So we biked all the way to his house just to find he wasn't there yet. So we tracted the entire neighborhood, found a couple people and decided to go back to the apt because it was getting late. When we were about 1/10th of the way into the ride, both me and Elder Braun had to stop because our hands were dying. So we warmed them up a bit and said a prayer that we would be able to get home safely (it being late with incredibly bad drivers and no bike lane). When we were just across the street from the apt there was a super warm feeling coming over my body. I didn't realize until after that this was a sign of hypothermia...? I guess that would make sense being in that amount of cold for 7+ hours.  But in the end, it was kinda fun. I just kinda have the perception that eventually when I am older and I look back on these experiences I'll just laugh. 

Saturday was pretty goochy. Elder Braun had his first experience with Bible Bashing!!! WHOOHOO!!! 

We were tracting in the boonies of our area where all the houses are super spread out, until we got to this house with a big cross in the yard. When we knocked on the door a man came to the window and said "meet me at the garage" because all of his dogs were making a ruckus. Something within already told me that this guy wanted to bash. I could see it coming from a mile away. We ended up spending about an hour and a half talking to this guy. It was terrible. On the bright side, I was able to get the last word in without him interrupting. I asked him a few questions that every baptist can't answer or their answer will be completely bazaar. It was Awesome!! 

I mean, no don't bash. It's really really really bad! You shouldn't do it. It's definitely not a good thing to do. But for this specific bashing sesh, I just had to.  HAHA whatev's its over and done now. 

Well, since it seems like nobody got the letter from last week I'll just use the same spiritual thought from the other email...

Yesterday in Gospel Principles we were talking about the great day of Judgement. One of the members asked everyone what they might feel when they enter Gods presence(rhetorical question). Right when he asked me that, the scripture Alma 36 came into my mind. This is when Alma is talking to Helaman about his rebellious years.

14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

The Miracle of the Atonement is that we don't have to wait for a New Year to change, to break bad habits, or conquer addictions. We can change from week to week, day to day, and hour to hour. How sweet the Joy from repenting, changing, making that necessary U turn!! 

Have a great week!!! Love yall!!

Elder Northrup

Inexpressible Joy

Well, even though its been two weeks since I've sent anything, not a whole lot has happened so looks like this email will be fairly short...

Christmas was a fun time!!! Got to skype home, that was a blast! Other than that, that was Christmas!

We went on Exchanges with the ZL's and the Traveling Trainers this week!!! It was a great time with all those guys!! I went with Elder Karren on Wednesday and we found 4 people. On Thursday I went with the Legendary Elder Allred and we found another 4 people. So that was a pretty successful time!!!!

I got to say, it has gotten very very very cold here!! Colder than anything I have ever felt before. It's about 20 degree's right now but the humidity just makes your skin hurt. That's a very weird feeling!!

Well, I don't really know what else to say so I guess we will just jump right into the scripture for the Week!!!

Yesterday in Gospel Principles we were talking about the great day of Judgement. One of the members asked everyone what they might feel when they enter Gods presence(rhetorical question). Right when he asked me that, the scripture Alma 36 came into my mind. This is when Alma is talking to Helaman about his rebellious years.

14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

The Miracle of the Atonement is that we don't have to wait for a New Year to change, to break bad habits, or conquer addictions. We can change from week to week, day to day, and hour to hour. How sweet the Joy from repenting, changing, making that necessary U turn!! 

Have a great week!!! Love yall!!

Elder Northrup

 

This guy stole a bunch of road signs and hung them in his backyard!!! Genius *clapping hands*

This is why I can't find anything in Georgia!! Tree's are cool though...

 

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