Weaknesses into Strengths

 here is the old district...love these guys

P day was changed to today because of a MLC training that happened yesterday!

Well, it's really freaking weird being a trainer now. Basically all the responsibility is on you, and that is a feeling I haven't really had much here until now. I mean I definitely took the lead on certain days while I was being trained, but nothing like this. 

Elder Lusko is gone, which kinda stinks because he was so much fun!!! But, I can already tell that he is doing fantastic!!

I got my new comp last Wednesday, his name is Elder Braun! He is from a small town in Arizona.  It was so awesome going to Transfers because I saw a bunch of people that I knew. 2 of which I knew from back home!! It was also weird to say goodbye to good ol Elder Bay!! He is a great guy and he will definitely be missed. 

Friday was a really awesome day!!! In the morning we went over to the Burkes house to help with their Christmas decor!! That was the day of snow-ticost!!! Afterwards they gave us some hot chocolate and pumpkin cake!! I think the best thing about Friday was the fact that since nobody in Georgia knows how to drive in the snow, all of them were home so we could tract for hours. We actually got like 5 investigators out of it too!! One of which is super solid. Her name is Hilaria, and for the first time in my mission she invited us into her home to share our message. We talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon and why there was a Restoration. She really hooked onto everything that we said so we gave her a Book of Mormon. She said she was very interested in reading it said that she wanted us back soon!! Wow, miracles really do happen!!

Saturday in the evening time was really really special!! We were out biking/tracting it ice chilling, skin tearing weather. When we were knocking doors, we knocked on a particular door and when I began to explain the Book of Mormon and the Restoration I could feel tears coming from my eyes. That was one of those moments when I felt God again bear witness to me that what I was sharing was true. I feel kinda teary just saying that!! I truly have a testimony that as we bear our testimonies about this restored Gospel, they will grow and grow. I am so grateful for this Gospel that I get to share 24/7!!! It really is a blessing!! I love it more than anything.....in fact I'm not even sad that I am missing the next 3 Star Wars Movies!!! HAHA! 

Georgians celebrating the upcoming star wars!! OHHH ya!

Scripture for this week comes from Helaman 10....

Nephi is a true example of Discipleship!!

5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God. Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people...

I want to be like Nephi, only asking God for the things that are in line with His will. I want to be able to declare His Word mightily according to my Faith and my works, because I know that this is the only way miracles will happen!!! 

Love yall

Elder Northrup

Me and my makeshift Bow & Arrow!! Works really really well!!!

Prayer Powers

This week has been full of crazy awesome and hard experiences!! So lets get started...

Last P day we got a call late at night from the Twin Oaks Bishop telling us that we couldn't teach Taosai and Elijah anymore. We tried to tell him that they wanted to come to our ward because they it was a family ward but he wouldn't have it. So that it is pretty sad...I just hope that after they are baptized they stay active with the fellowshippers over there.

Tuesday was a fun and interesting day! In the afternoon to evening time we were out following up with referrals and potentials when we got to a guy named Jacks house. When we were walking up the driveway we got to the front of the garage and a giant pure bred German Shepherd came running out and started to growl and bark at us. My first instinct action was to run, and then I remembered that these dogs were trained to take down prisoners that would run, so we just stayed put. Soon the owner Jack came out and brought the beauty back inside. We had a nice conversation with the guy until his dad pulled up. His dad was super polite when we talked to him, but we soon found out that Jack and his dad were pretty.......not chill with eachother. Immediatly they got into a 40 min debate about religion. His dad is a catholic and he is a nothing...pretty rare in Georgia. It was actually funny because all of the questions that Jack had to stump his dad were all questions we could instantly answer with our Restored gospel. One of his questions was why did God call prophets all through out the Old testament and New testament Era's but we don't have one today....? HAHa he also had a ton of questions about the Plan of Salvation. We are trying to find a time to go over and meet with him. 

After that whole thing went down, we got to shoot Jack's pellet air guns....they technically aren't firearms so it was all good. He had a practice range in his backyard so we just shot a couple times and left. It was pretty sweet, I actually got a couple pics! HAHA

Wednesday was pretty wack. At night we went out to go biking again and there was a huge thick smog covering the entire city. We put as many lights on as we could and then headed out. It was terrible smelling, and I was afraid we would get hit...these drivers out here are already terrible in the daylight. 

On Friday we were biking and we met another 7th day Adventist. They are a pretty nice bunch of people but It is easy to see that they like to argue. We actually found out that they preach arguing statements in their churches so that they can attack other people. They always have the same lines when they try to bash us...but because they have the same lines it is easy to know exactly what they are going to say so we can just hit em right back...not good though...

Saturday was pretty good. The best part of the day was when we went and did service for a guy who has been investigating for over a year. That was pretty awesome to help him. I really hope we can help him progress some more...

Okay, now we are going to get into the meat of the email...

For about a week the ZL's and the other Elders have been telling me that I would be training this upcoming transfer. I always thought that they were just kidding around, I thought everyone in the zone was just in on the joke because everyone was telling me that.

But this morning, I got a call from Pres. telling me that I would be training in the Centerville area this coming transfer. This blew my mind to pieces. I couldn't even respond to him when he said that....I mean I literally just got done being trained, actually technically I am not done being trained, still got a few more days. I am actually shaking right now, I am so freaked out, but at the same time I am really really excited. Oh by golly this is gonna be crazy!!! I know I will be relying on prayer 24/7 now...not saying that I wasn't relying on Christ before but y'all know what I mean...

Elder Lusko will actually be training as well, but he is going into a Whitewashed area. That will be pretty hard but I know he will do well!!

The scripture for this week is...

Alma 56: 47-48

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

Because the Stripling Warriors had a love for their fathers and their mothers, they were able to accomplish the impossible. They were taught in the ways of Liberty from their fathers, and the way of the Gospel from their mothers. I am so grateful for my parents, I wouldn't be who I am today without them...

love y'all!! Have a grand Holiday!!!

Elder Northrup

Preparing Hearts and Minds

Haircut III

It's been a good week!!

Last 'P' day we hiked Stone Mountain (Hill) and brought along an investigator that the sister missionaries have been teaching for a while. He had a great time and will actually (hopefully) be baptized this Saturday. 

Wednesday was pretty awesome!! We found 3 more investigators, one of which we had an awesome restoration lesson with on Saturday. His name is Andre and he was actually prepared to see us. We showed up at 11 and it felt like he was waiting at the door. When we walked into his living room he had the Restoration pamphlet sitting on the (couch for your feet thing...I forgot what it was called) and he had questions for us already. I think he is the most prepared investigator we have ever had. 

Later that night we had dinner with the Baumgarts. It was great, especially when Brother Baumgart broke out his antique German officers book that he got on his mission. It is from 1930's and it talks all about Hitler, his campaign and his soldiers. All of them were supposed to be destroyed with Hitler, but Bro. Baumgart got ahold of one. Inside has 3D glasses so it feels like you are actually right there standing in front of Hitler, tanks, guns, etc. It is the coolest thing ever!!

For Thanksgiving we went to one of the craziest families in the ward's house. They are very fun and I love their guts, but sometimes I just don't know what to do in certain situations. When we were leaving they gave us a butt load of food!! Two big trays of just desserts, and another tray of reg. Thanksgiving food. They made so much dessert. I think Sister Darrington made like 150 cookies, 20 somethin pies, cake and a bunch of other stuff. It was crazy!!

After Thanksgiving we went down to Conyers so that we could have our exchange for Friday. It was really really great!! I went with ZL Elder Reading, he is one of the coolest guys ever!! We had a lot of success that night with tracting and lessons. Funny thing, he is actually going to be studying History (like me) at Utah State when he gets home so that he can be a teacher!! YESS! I finally met someone doing the same thing!!

Cool experience that happened with the exchange. At about 9 we went to Kroger to get something to eat and I saw a little old lady putting groceries in her car. 99.999999% of the time that we ask to help people out they just shoo us off. So there was a little bit of me that said don't go over to her (but that was obviously lucy telling me that) so we went over anyway. It turns out she was in a lot of pain and had a hole in her throat from smoking. When we got done helping her she gave me a big squeeze and told me how grateful she was. I am so grateful for the promptings of the spirit to lead us and guide us!! I hope to see that Lady again sometime. I know she will accept the gospel soon!

Sunday was a great day again...except for one thing that made both me and Elder Lusko pretty sad. So the kids that we have been teaching, Taosai and Elijah, were referred from our Bishop to the Twin Oaks Bishop. That was pretty confusing considering our Bishop already said it was okay to have them be in our Ward because they are just on the boundaries. Anyway, we got a call from the Twin oaks ZL's saying that they will probably be sending some Elders over to teach Taosai and Elijah from now on. And that they are going to be baptized in the Twin Oaks ward. Now, there is a couple things wrong with this. The Lopez family already went to the Twin Oaks ward but they didn't want to go there because it was just full of College students and Elderly. So they have been coming to our Ward (Family Ward) for 13 weeks now and they love it. So making them switch to that ward will make them lose all their fellow-shippers that they have had. And along with that, Ron already is pretty against the Church, so if there is a big mess and confusion, Ron will probably be even more against the Church. I know the ordinance is the most important part, but we also want to keep these kids active in the Gospel, and I know they won't be if they start out in a place where nobody is welcoming. Elder Lusko told me all about that ward so that's kinda where I am getting this information. I guess we will see what happens. Please pray for the Lopez family.

The scripture for this week actually comes from Elder Holland. 

"In any case, I am grateful to know that in spite of my imperfections, at least God is perfect--that at least He is, for example, able to love His enemies, because too often, due to the "natural man and woman" in us, you and I are sometimes that enemy....I am grateful that God is merciful and a peacemaker because I need mercy and the world needs peace."-Be Ye Therefore Perfect- Eventually

I this world of confusion and hatred, let us look towards Heaven for our peace. Love y'all!!

Elder Northrup

Grateful

Before I get into the week, I just want to say how grateful I am for my family and friends. I have thought a lot about yall the past week!! Getting into the holiday season brings back memories of Thanksgiving with the Fam and relatives. Chillin out with friends on the weekends. And most importantly watching Star Wars Rogue One last year. HAHA! I am grateful for all yall, but I am most grateful to be a missionary our Master Jesus Christ. This last week I have thought a lot about being a missionary, and how this is the only time that I get to be a 'all in' missionary. I get to spend the next 2 years only thinking about others, something that I will never get to experience again. I also have the next 2 years to be working the hardest ever. And I am grateful for that!!

Usually I bring my journal to the library every week because there is no way I can possibly remember everything that has happened with my memory...but I forgot it. So I guess we will see how this goes!

On Tuesday (I think) we decided to go around raking peoples yard instead of trying to just preach to them. So we got rakes and went right to work. Unfortunately the neighborhood that we chose wasn't the best one for this type of service. Everyone paid somebody to do their lawn care so they just kinda brushed us off. 

It was funny. We knocked on this one door and a man answered. Elder Lusko asked him how he was doing and he said, "I was doing good until I saw you guys." At first we thought he was joking until we saw that his face didn't move. So I kinda just said "well we would love to fix that for you by raking up your leaves." He just smiled and said he had someone that would do it for him. It is so funny with people sometimes, you never can tell what type of reaction you'll get knocking on a door. After walking away I was just laughing but when I looked at Elder Lusko he was just stunned. HAHA he can take things pretty personally some times!!! HAHA

On Thursday we had interviews with Pres. again, which was super weird. It has already been another transfer. Time just doesn't make sense....

I think the most important thing that happened this week was the test of faith that was given to us from our Father in Heaven. So usually it's pretty dangerous to be knocking on doors late at night anyway (sorry mom) but now that it is getting darker earlier, it makes it much much worse. 

So on Thursday we went tracting down a kinda crumby neighborhood at about 7, except it is pitch black outside. And within 30 minutes we found 4 new potential investigators. This was one of the most incredible things that had ever happened. Then the next day we did the same thing and we found 4 more within about an hour. Now to whoever doesn't think that is impressive, let me tell you that the Lord literally provided that for us. I have absolutely no doubt about that! 

Probably the funniest thing that happens when you knock doors at night is when the person opens the door and is relieved because they thought it was some creeper dude. Then you can always hear them put down whatever firearm they had in their hands on the nearest table. HAHA! I always think that is so funny!! 

We got a text from Steven Pollock last week which was great. He kinda went off the grid for almost two week so we didn't know what happened to him. It turns out that he had to go to the Hospital. If all yall could pray for him that would be splendid. 

We are still teaching Taosai and Elijah. They are progressing a ton, and I am so excited for them. So yesterday, Ron their dad, came to church. He is actually against the church and considers himself a non-member but he was there. One of our fellow-shippers was talking to him, and he told us that it seems like Ron wants to come back to church but feels like he would be judged if he actually did so. Please pray for him! 

 

So earlier this week we had heard the there was a Buddhist/Hindu temple super close to our apartment. We obviously had no idea because the tree's here block everything. So on Saturday we had a bunch of appointments fall through, but there wasn't enough time to do anything else (besides tracting which we did for a few hours) so we just took a little trip down to the Buddhist Temple thingy. When we found it we got out of the car and stood in front of it taking pictures. In the visitors building a little tiny asian man came out and started to stare for a full ten seconds. Sooo, we stared back. He then went inside, we heard him mutter some chinese, then we were surrounded by a bunch of asians. I guess they got excited to see two white boy Mormon missionaries standing in front of their temple. Maybe they felt it was their duty to convert us. One of the monks was just standing on the deck smirking at us. He must've though, "HAHA I got em'." LOL try again sometime!!! 

 We were actually able to go inside without paying an offering to the Buddha, which was nice. There was a lot of stuff in the one room so I asked the asian man what it all meant, but he couldn't really explain it. He said, "It's just really confusing, I can't explain it. You know what you need to do is look up a youtube video about it because it is too confusing for me to explain." HAHA! Talk about a blind faith/culture. When I asked him about these mini flag pole things he said that they were for the prayers to Budha. He said, "since you two didn't pay and offering to the Buddha, you can pray to him and that will be your offering." Ya, we got out of there as quickly as we could. I wasn't about to worship an idol. 

There is also a 7 headed dragon out in front of the Temple and when I asked about it he said that it protects the monk. And if any of you are familiar with Revelations, you know that the 7 headed dragon is Satan. So I guess good ol' lucy is in control of that place. AH well, I respect the culture and it was interesting, even though there was a bit of a weird feeling within. 

Another great thing that happened was we went to the Shaffers for dinner again...the master chef. He made us 30 somethin' dollar steaks and it was the most beautiful thing my mortal eyes have ever behold. I actually took a picture of it before my mouth began the massacre of a lifetime. 

 Anyway, that was my week. 

Scripture:

Alma 48:

17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

Let us be like unto Moroni. He is the man!! Amen!

Love yall!! Have a great Thanksgiving!! 

Elder Northrup

The Holy Spirit Guides

 repping Lone Peak Ultimate

Well, I am basically better now. Just have a minor cough that is getting better. 

Last 'P' day we went down to Conyers again to play chair soccer with them and the Zone leaders. I love chair soccer so much!! It's actually quite dangerous at times, a lot of people have been injured badly. One guy actually tore his ACL ( I think) and he had to go home for a while. I don't know why it isn't banned....well I do actually. It's because its pretty much the funnest game ever. It was so funny, my comp actually kicked his old comp in the head last time we were playing. It gets pretty rough with all of us missionaries. Also, basically every 'P' day we go to Chick Fil-A!! Whenever we do we get the same waitress every time. She is the cooliest lady. Her name is Lisa and she is one of the kindest ladies I have ever met. We gave her a large tip for her services and also got a picture with her!! 

Lisa from Chick-Fil-A

On Wednesday the traveling trainers came up to Snellville and it was a party. They did exchanges with the Snellville Elders and by the end of the day they had a lot of success. As a going away present Elder Bay we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. It is so good to have juicy steak again!! AHHH I love it!!

Thursday was our bike day!! After being sick, I have never been so excited for pain ever before. One unfortunate thing about Georgia is that it is very hilly. Very hilly! So after about 1 1/2 hours of riding you are just completely wore out. But for some reason I had some extra stamina left over. Most of the day we just visited older potentials and some members. 

Friday was a day of service. We usually have a service project that we work on every week with the other Elders, but Friday was a full day thing!! It was so great!! We started off at the horse ranch, rebuilding their fence posts and wiring for the goats pen. Afterwards we went to an older Lady's house to help with remodeling. There were a lot of non-members there, so it was a great experience introducing who we were as representatives of Jesus Christ and his church. After that, we went to a member named Doyle's house to help him put up his Christmas decorations. Now if there are 2 things that Doyle is extremely passionate about, it is Christmas and Star Wars!! When we got done helping with the decor, he showed us his Star Wars room!! Holy Freaking Cow!! That man puts me to shame!! HAHA! I'll try to upload some pictures that I took of it!! He also let me sign his storm-trooper helmet that he had all the other missionaries sign. What an honor that was!!

 

 

STAR WARS room (I had that ship)  Helmet that I got to sign for Doyle.

On Saturday we met with Pres. Austin again!! He is such a good guy, I always learn so much from him. The meeting that we go to at his house is pretty much a mish-titute class. Its purpose it to make better missionaries out of ourselves. I have felt myself improve a ton just from him. When that got done we went to the Shaffers house for breakfast institute. We had biscuits and gravy, and I am pretty sure I put on 5 lbs then and there. Whoo!!! 

We also helped a lady set up her yard sale. She is moving to Argentina to live with her daughter very soon. She is a sweet lady. She just lost her son that was living with her not too long ago, we were grateful to be able to lighten her load as much as we could.

Taosai and Elijah are on date to be baptized on December 2nd. They went to the temple on Saturday and their non-member dad went with them too. I get the feeling that Ron (their dad) wants to come back to church, but he probably feels like people will judge him if he does. We'll we hopefully be able to figure that out!!

 

 Taosai and Elijah at the temple

 

And now for the title! We had the cool experience to meet with Daina again yesterday evening. I think I mentioned him from last email. If you would like the full story check the post that I made most recently on Facebook! 

Basically we talked for 1 1/2 hours and it was incredible. He has such a special spirit about him and I am so glad we were able to meet him. We know that he felt the spirit very strong last night so now all we are doing is waiting. We will definitely go back to see him soon, but both me and Elder Lusko felt if we wait he will want that same spirit back into his life. The spirit was so strong I began to cry. I can't tell y'all the love that can be felt for complete strangers. If you see them as God see's them, you begin to love them and want the best for them. I know how much the Gospel can bless Daina's life and I hope that he will accept the call according to God's will. 

Scripture for the week!! 

Alma 42:

22 But there is a law given, a punishment affixed, a repentance granted;

I'm not quite sure why I picked this scripture, but as I have been studying the Atonement this scripture keeps coming to mind. This scripture shows a simple truth of the Gospel. That repentance will ALWAYS be granted. 

Love y'all!!

Elder Northrup

 

  Guy on a marriage card in a member's home that looks like me from the side! HAHA