The INFINITE POWER of the SPIRIT

Miracles in the Making this week!!

But we'll start with the sort of boring stuff first...

On Tuesday we were supposed to have an exchange with District Leader Lopez but we basically waited to trade in our old van for the new van all day. It was pretty bad!!

On Wednesday we continued the exchange and went to the Food Bank to help pack boxes in trucks. It was a good time. The rest of the day we spent handing out Easter Miracle Celebration cards to everyone we saw. 

Thursday we spent most of the day trying to find new investigators and giving out Easter Miracle Celebration cards. We talked to so many people and it was awesome because people weren't as scared of us as they usually are. Whenever we try to talk to someone we would only get in a few words before they would 'run away.' But while we were passing these cards out people were way more reseptive to what we had to say. I know that was the power of the spirit working through us as well!!

Friday we had a really cool miracle happen!! We were trying to decide where to go for some lunch so we went to taco bell. Right when we walked in one of the employees approached us and just started talking to us. We got into a huge conversation with him about the gospel and it turns out that he has had lessons before and now he wants to jump back into it. Please pray for him, his name is Gavyn. 

That night was the first public night of the Easter Celebration. There weren't a whole lot of investigators but all in all it was a good time. In the Atonement room we watch a video where a little girl sings "Gethsemane" and the spirit hit me so strong every single time. It also made me think of my little sis Gretchen. 

Saturday was just awesome!! We had part 2 of the Easter Celebration and one of the lady's that me and Elder Frandsen personally invited in Walmart actually came. It was so cool to see her. She started to talk about how much she felt the spirit there and how she also was looking for a church to go to. So we got her info and now we will be having a lesson here this week!! Another miracle in the making!! Please pray for her, her name is Erin!

Later that day I was also looking in my old notes and stuff and I came across my setting apart stuff. I remember reading that way back in the MTC but I basically forgot it all. That letter got me so pumped up!! I also found a quote from Winston Churchill in there that my cousin Tal quoted when I was about to leave. It says...

"To every man there comes a time when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered to do something that is special to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy it would be if this moment found him unprepared or unqualified for that which would be his finest hour. Let us therefore bind ourselves to our duty so that for a thousand years, men will say, this was their FINEST HOUR." 

What a blessing it was to read those words again. When I first read them in the MTC I thought it was pretty inspirational but I didn't really think anything of it. But now that I have been a missionary for a bit I appreciate those words so much!! I am so grateful that I as well as the other 65,000 missionaries around the world were prepared for this last reaping in the field, for it is white and ready to harvest. I know that I am one of the last called in this dispensation to labour in the vineyard with my might. How great a responsibility that is, but how wonderful it duty it is as well!!

Love yall!! Have a great General Conference and Easter!!

Elder Northrup

FAITH TESTED

a kid named Mathew Wilson that everyone in the ward says is the 'little me."

It's been a mighty fine week, but I don't think I am going to say much because it is raining outside, and I don't feel like it....

I think the most interesting and impactful thing that happen this week was at a 'lesson' with a previous slightly progressing investigator named Steve. My comp really really likes Steve because he is a really chill guy and he works for the Fire Dept. In Lessons previous he would ask questions about the Book of Mormon and we would answer them. But this time all he had questions about was anti instead. That was not fun at all! He just kept on bringing up anti back to back and we didn't have any answers. Walking out of his house that day I just felt a dark feeling in me. A feeling of fear and doubt. When we got back to the apt we talked about it with the AP's. That didn't really help at all. I went to bed that night just wondering what my purpose was here, I started to doubt everything I believed in. When I kneeled down to pray that night I pleaded with God to increase my faith, to give me an answer to why that had happened. Then as I sat pondering the situation I remembered words coming to my head. They said, you asked for your faith to be tested. I remembered that for a week or so I had asked in my prayers for miracles to happen according to my faith. But the night before we had the anti experience I changed it up and asked God to "Test my Faith." Well, He definitely answered and fast too!! After those words came to my head the spirit also bore witness to me of the reality of the one thing that is important to remember from the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the testimony that I have of the Book of Mormon. Because I know that the Book of Mormon is true, I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet called by God. I know that the Church was Restored. I know that Families can be together forever. And most importantly, I know that Jesus Christ suffered and died for me. How incredible this Easter season is to worship God and His beloved Son Jesus Christ!! How grateful I am for this knowledge!!

Thursday we had interviews with President and Sister Foote!! I really enjoyed this one more than any other. I know how inspired both of them are, I love and appreciate the work that each of them do for us!!

Sunday we had an awesome Easter Miracle Celebration!! Basically the church building is decorated to depict the Life of Jesus Christ starting at His Birth and ended at His Resurrection. It is a really great event, and we are having open tours to the public this upcoming Friday and Saturday so we will see how that goes. Us Missionaries are the tour guides so it is also a great finding opportunity. 

I love yall!! Keep being member missionaries!! That is the only way anything ever gets done in missionary work!!

Elder Northrup

All us Homies

After eating at the Lester family (received this via text from Sister Lester... THANK YOU!)

OBEDIENCE

Well, lets get to the meat shall we...

Last PDay we went with the other Elders to the Peachtree city church building to play sports and stuff but while we were playing scatterball Elder Elsholz (AP) destroyed his ankle so we rushed to the urgent care. The rest of the pday was spent playing munchkin so I can't complain. 

The AP's had zone conference 3 days this week so we were loaded with the car miles. Thank goodness for that...

Wednesday we had a great dinner with the Brown's and their non-member friends. They were pretty open to gospel conversation so it was a great learning experience on both sides. 

Thursday we had the best Zone Conference ever!! Most of the conference was about having Faith to find and also being exactly obedient. While I was on exchanges with Elder Elsholz he shared with me a quote from Pres. Eyring. I probs already shared this last week but since I can't remember we'll do it again...

"We must do everything in our power to qualify for the spirit of the Lord..." 

it went on to say more about missionary work but just this one little line changed my whole perspective about the spirit. I don't think I knew I was doing this before but I realized I needed to change my perspective. It was almost, "I will do the bare minimum to have the spirit with me." As I have been out on my mission I know how important it is to have the spirit with you at all times and in all places, what a wonderful thing missions are. 

Stake Conference was Saturday and Sunday, it was so awesome!! A member of the seventy named Elder Baheshty (that is definitely spelled wrong) came and gave wonderful talks. The Saturday night one was interesting and frankly sneaky...I'll explain. He got up to speak and his first motive was first to depress us by showing everyone what was happening during the apostasy, then before he built everyone up by presenting the Restoration, he first chastised to show how important Temples are and missionary work. It was incredible!! HAHA

Also, random sidenote but David Archaleta (spelled wrong again) came to the Sunday session. It was super funny because all us missionary got up after the prayer and Elder Elsholz just said, "hey look its David A." We all thought he was joking, he was even joking but it turned out to be him. He is super short, like 5'2" maybe. Elder Ashcraft asked him for a pic twice and he was turned down both times, he was pretty depressed about that. HAHa, I know I don't have a pic or vid but y'all will just have to take my word for it on this one. LOL

Sunday afternoonish to eveningish we were biking in the town square and while we were waiting at the intersection a guy from the corner pub bar opened the door and yelled at us to come inside. He wanted us to listen to him do open mic so (and since it was raining and we were just going to do tracting) we agreed and it was actually a great finding opportunity. I know we are supposed to avoid the very appearance of evil but when we told peep's that we didn't drink coffee or beer it sparked up a lot of interest. It was so funny!! I will never forget that experience!!

Two kinda spiritual thoughts before I end this email...first one is a quote from Elder Holland. 

"An obedient missionary (member, disciple,etc.) by definition has the spirit of the Lord with Him ALWAYS."  That is so crucially important to understand!! I will just leave it at that. 

While we were with the Browns for dinner, Brother Brown shared a really cool thought that I expanded on a little bit. He was talking about while we are grasping onto the iron rod, we sometimes see people wandering in the darkness. They are too far away from us to grab them and pull them to the rod so instead as members (and missionaries) we link arms to bring them back to the light. That can be applied to missionary work so well! As a missionary and his companion are walking down the strait and narrow path holding to the rod, we may be able to get someone prepared for the Gospel message every once in while (at least in the Georgia Atlanta Mission). But when members are involved, and we can all link arms, that chain becomes longer and longer and we are able to bring a lot more people into the Church! That was kinda cool thought!! 

Love y'alllllll!

Elder Northrup

FAYETTEVILLE

Well, I am now in Fayetteville living with the AP's!!! WHOOT WHOOT!! It is actually such a good time!!

BUT, lets start from the beginning shall we....

Tuesday we had dinner with Kevin Anthony and it was such a good time!! I love that family and I am going to miss them a ton!! After dinner we launched fireworks in my departing of Centerville!! It was definitely a spiritual time!!

Wednesday we had transfer meeting!! I love being at transfers, it is such a fun time to see all your missionary friends!! That night we had a friend burrito thing with mushrooms and a bunch of other stuff in it, it was heaven. Also, I almost dropped to the ground when I saw the apt that we are staying in. It is seriously a PALACE!! HAHA, we live in luxury!!

Thursday was super rainy and we forgot our raincoats/umbrellas so we got soaked. But it was super funny, while we were walking on the side of the street, a thought came to me that someone would help us out somehow and Elder Frandsen thought I was kidding. We were standing at the stoplight waiting to go when an older lady leaned out of her car and gave us an umbrella!! I love the South!!

Friday we got the car (we are a fully bike/walking companionship) because the AP's had to go to MLC. That was super nice since our area is almost as big as the Atlanta area. We visited a lot of people that day, it was NICE!!

Saturday we went on Exchanges with the AP's and I went with Elder Elscholz!! While we were having comp study he told me the reason why he and Elder Ashcraft had requested me to come down to Fayetteville to work with Elder Frandsen was because he was struggling. Elder Frandsen and his last comp who was also his trainer didn't get along very well. So I am kinda like the cleanup duty here...pretty much!! But it is all good cuz me and Elder Frandsen get along very well!!

Sunday was an awesome time!! Our ward is the most missionary focused ward of any ward in the mission....at least thats what I have heard. We have multiple events every week just for investigators and the members fellowship so well! We had an investigator come to church that we didn't even invite and the Ward just homed in on her!! It was great!!

Anyway, that was my week!!! I love it here!! I love being a missionary!! Amen, Hallelujah!!!!!!

GOD SPEED

ELDER NORTHRUP

p.s. just a little sidenote!! I am actually so happy that we are biking full-time because the land here is actually flat!! Centerville/Snellville was the hilliest place ever and this is amazing!!

The Tanner West of Georgia