Another crazy week.

6/23/2014

"Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from Heaven above with wisdom, power, and Love our God is an awesome God!!!"

We have been so blessed. The past month has been a hard one. Our investigators didn't seem to want to meet with us and we were constantly knocking on empty doors. My knuckles are busted!!!! But that's my job. That's my call. I love it. 

My Heavenly Father has blessed us for our hard work and dedication. We are helping 4 people work towards a baptism. Micheal, Trevor, Auriea (girlfriend of Trevor), and Calleen. Please pray for them!!!

One of these people, Michea, was given to us just out of the blue!!! We received a text from the IF North Zone Leaders asking if 13th street was in our area. And it was!! The Elders had already given him a goal to work towards! Now we have the opportunity to help him come closer to Christ!!! I thank my God for his infinite love.

 I've never looked at people like this. People will drive by and I will desire for their happiness. I pray that they are happy and that if they don't have the gospel in their life that they will soon have it as it is the only way we can be happy for eternity. This change has taken a long time and I am still working on it. But to see others as brothers and sisters, family, looking for the great gift I have. How much more do we need to open our mouths! To let all know how much their Heavenly Father loves them and wants for their happiness and success! "Men are that they might have joy!" 

I know this is God’s work. It’s hard. But the most rewarding thing you could do. So do it!!!

Yellowstone Followed Us Home!

6/16/2014

Weekly Update.

The work is picking up!!!!! 

The last few weeks Elder Olson and I have been struggling with our investigators. They all seem to not want to meet with us and the number of lessons we have been able to teach. It’s been hard, to say the least. But this week we set a date for a baptism!

His name is Trevor. He is 22 and lives in some apartments on the far side of our area. He moved here from Pennsylvania to get away from the drug life. His mom lives in Idaho Falls so that’s what brought him here. We found him trying to contact a different person; a referral we got. They didn’t answer their door so we knocked around and found Trevor. He read the introduction to the Book of Mormon and the pamphlet that talks about the Restoration of Christ’s gospel. He really wants to change his life and find a meaning to him being here. I am so excited to teach him the Plan of Salvation. It answers some huge questions, like: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going after this life? This knowledge is priceless!!! Please pray for him.

We saw a moose!!! There was a moose that was in the field right next to the stake center! Later that night we saw him walking/running around our neighborhood with a cop car following him!!! haha crazy! We were just in Yellowstone the day before and Yellowstone followed us home!!! Gota Love Idaho!

Love,

Elder Eldredge

Yellowstone

June 10, 2014

These weeks are going by so fast! I can’t believe how fast they are going! I’m working hard but I’m not sure what to share with y’all!

On Monday the 2nd we went to a cave south of Firth. It’s called 40 horse cave. We had a sweet hike and got to hang out in the cave. I brought my ukulele and played a little with another Elder who knows how to play. There were two sisters from the islands and they started dancing. Then some Elders asked if they would teach them and by the end we had a Hawaiian dance performance!!!! It was so fun being a part of the fun. 

On Thursday we went to the Temple with a recent convert named Makala Spring. Elder Downey and his companion helped her be baptized and we were able to invite Elder Downey to come with us to do baptism for the dead. It was so great seeing this young woman participate in a sacred ordnance for the loved ones of the family that helped her come to Christ. It was a very sweet and spiritual day.

Friday we had MLC. (Mission Leadership Counsel) The big thing we did there was recreate the Standard of Excellence!!! Our new goal is "Every companionship baptizes 2 people every month!" That is double what we have been doing! It’s incredible what the Lord can do as he works threw his messengers and inspires the hearts and minds of his people. We also have a new recitation. Its D&C 64:33-34. It’s an awesome missionary scripture and is one that can apply to everybody in so many ways!!! 

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.  Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.”

This last Sunday, the 8th, was Elder Olson’s birthday and we had a blast. The family we had dinner with, the Mcques, had a big fancy dinner and carrot cake! They have 3 kids, 13, 10 and 8. They were a hoot! So fun! Then Monday we went to Yellowstone and had so much fun!!! We saw Elk, Buffalo, and a Bear!!!!  I got within 50 feet of the bear. Not because I walked towards it, but because he ran my way! It was crazy!!! So cool!!! haha Our Heavenly Father has given us an incredible place to live. I am so grateful for all my Heavenly Father has given me. 

Elder Eldredge

We need His Grace

June 2, 2014

This week Elder Olson and I when on a ton of exchanges! I worked with the other Elders in the Taylor Mountain Stake, The Elders in the Shelley South Stake, and Elder Thompson in the Firth Stake. All great Elders. The missionaries in this zone are amazing. All of them. I am so blessed. 

I’ve started reading the Book of Mormon again. I read in 2nd Nephi chapter 4 and related with Nephi. This is after his father dies and his brothers are conspiring against him. He is going through some hard stuff.

16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

 20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

 21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

 23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

 24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high;

 26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am angry because of mine enemy?

 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

 29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

 30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

 31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

This is my prayer. That I might continually sing praises to the Most High and shake at the appearance of sin. It’s so important that we turn to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. We must always be turned towards him. In good times and bad. In thanksgiving and pleading. We need his grace and help. 

Today I am stressed, but ready for the day. We are going on another hike today. Yes mom I made sure there was plenty of time to email you :). We are going to 40 horse cave with another zone. The Lincoln zone. My old zone. Elder Downey is one of the zone leaders so I’m excited to meet up with him. There is going to be a ton of missionaries and a ton of fun!

Elder Eldredge