This week was not what we expected.

2/24/2014

This week was crazy, but in a different way. 

I love Elder Downey, my new companion. He is extremely spiritual and very obedient. He is a great example to me. But this week was not what we expected.

Elder Downey has been battling migraines since November and this week it hit him hard. He was in bed for 4 days, rarely getting up. He was able to go and do some stuff in the evenings but only for a few hours. I felt so bad for him. He was walking around our already dark apartment with sunglasses on!  So we were not able to do nearly as much as we hoped. But he is up and moving now and we were able to go to a doctor this morning that really helped him out. 

In the middle of all of this madness we were able to go and teach Mia. Mia is a 9 year old girl who was introduced to the gospel through one of her friends. That friend has since moved but we are still teaching her. She loves primary, the class at our church for little ones, and she loves learning about the gospel. Elder Downey went to college and studied music education for children. So, he is amazing with little kids. We were talking about prophets and he wanted to sing "follow the Prophet." Since Elder Downey is a convert of about 2 years he didn't know the song so I got to sing it and teach it to Mia and him!! haha. It was a lot of fun! It’s amazing what spirit you can feel when you talk about truth. 

Keep the faith, never give up. I miss you Madeline Rose. 

Your missionary,   

Elder Eldredge

Inputting the full text (except words like it, the, and and) of the recent General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints into Wordle created the word cloud shown above. 

Frequency of use determines word size.  This is what we believe.

Transfer, Elder Bednar, and Family!

 Elder Cavalcante and me on a tandem bike out doing the work.

2/17/2014

These past 2 weeks have been crazy!!!

First off I was transferred. I went back to my old stake!!! the Taylor Mountain Stake!!! Crazy!!! I’ve run into a few people I knew before already!!! I love this area! There is so much work and so much to do. I was also called to be a zone leader. I’m super excited to serve these missionaries!

Matthew 20:26 But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.

My new companion’s name is Elder Downey. He and I were in the M.T.C. (Mission Training Center) together. He is an amazing missionary and I am learning so much from him!!! P.S. We have a car!!! A Jeep Compass 2013 :D My goal: DONT GET FAT!!!

Second, Elder Bednar of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles came and we had a 3 hour question and answer session. IT WAS AMAZING!!!! One thing he asked us was to not take notes. He asked us to only write down spiritual impressions that we receive and not every word that was said. He called it "one of our foolish traditions." I learned so much from him and I’m so grateful to have learned so much from the Spirit. Elder Downey and I were asked to be the mic boys. We were the ones giving the microphones to those who ether asked Elder Bednar a question or answered one of his. I was also asked to lead the opening hymn, High on a Mountain Top. It was so cool leading an entire mission in a missionary song!!! It was SO COOL!!!! Before the question and answer part of the meeting I got to sit on the stand right next to Elder Bednar and his wife. When his wife was speaking she told of a story of how Elder Bednar hoped that His son would go to a hard mission so he could learn lots. When, on the other hand, Sister Bednar hoped he would go somewhere safe and easy. He laughed and looked at me and we laughed together....... ya i might sound like a little girl at a One Direction concert but hay...... this is an Apostle of the Lord we are talking about!!!! It was a huge honor and privilege.

One thing I learned was about the principle of Faith. We must show the Lord that we are willing to work. We must show that we are serious about what we want. Faith is not just a feeling, it’s an action. The people of Israel had to get their feet wet before the waters would part. We must first put forth action then the Lord will help us.  

We have 2 baptismal dates as of now. Rob Johnson (March 22nd) and Andrew Meickle (March 8th) (sounds like pickle but with an M). Please pray for them!!! 

I love and miss you all!!!!

Your Missionary, Elder Eldredge

This is Elder Downey, my new companion, and me at the library writing our letters to y'all!

What a surprise!  I got transferred into my cousin's ward, and had five family members there at church Sunday!

100%

2/3/2014

This week has gone by so fast.....

I'm the district leader and one of my responsibilities is to go on exchanges with all the Elders. Its tons of fun getting to know them a little better. The other Elders in my District are Spanish elders. So it’s very different for me when I go into their area. They have to do everything by themselves! But we get to talk about their goals and how they can improve and what they want to do in life. Its way fun! 

On one of the exchanges I was with Elder Law. Elder Law is an amazing Elder from Gilbert, Arizona. He has been out for about 4 months and has determination unlike any other! He is so loving and one of the most Christ like Elders I know! He is so pure and always sticks to his standers. Anyways, we went to one of his investigator’s home and talked with a kid named Emanuel. He is 12 and was really interested in the Book of Mormon. I got to talk with him, because he speaks both Spanish and English, and we taught him what the Book of Mormon was all about. Then his Father walked in and Elder Law taught him in Spanish. I had no idea what he was saying, but the spirit was super strong! They knelt down and offered a prayer. The father, Mario, said it. When we walked out of their home Elder Law told me what happened. He set baptismal dates with both the Father and the Son! I’m so proud of him and I’m so grateful I got to be a part of it!!! After we talked about what happened, Elder Law wanted to kneel down and offer a prayer of thanksgiving. It was so cool, kneeling on the cold ground giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for leading us to those who are ready.      

Its so amazing being a part of the Lord’s work. It’s such a blessing to be a tool in His hands. 

This is true.

All of it.

100% of it.

Elder Eldredge

He Works Through Us

1/27/2014

This week was crazy!!!

For P-day I took my district to do Laser Tag at a little arcade place. It was tons of fun! I love my District!

But then the rest of this week I've felt like we have been running around with our heads chopped off!

We set up 3 appointments with our investigator Dalton and all 3 times something came up to not let it happen. The last time Becky, Dalton’s girlfriend, was driving from Rexburg back to Idaho Falls so we could meet up for the lesson, her engine caught on fire!!! Its crazy how much Satan does NOT want them to progress in the gospel. I love them both so much! I want them so badly to come back to Christ!!!

Then we were trying to have another lesson with Nea, the 13 year old girl whose mother died about 8 months ago. But she had finals in school this week and then spent the weekend with her aunt. She is so ready we just need to meet with her!!!

Then there was Courtney. We had a lesson planned for Tuesday. This was going to be the final lesson before her baptism but she had to move it to Friday! The day before the baptism! So we had a lesson then she was interviewed for baptism. But that day, Friday, we found out that Joe, her husband, hadn't received the priesthood yet! So we called up his bishop and arranged for him to come and assist in giving him the priesthood! It was crazy!!!! But by Sunday all was well!!! Courtney was given the Gift of the Holy Ghost and they were both beaming :). I LOVE seeing the light of Christ enter someone’s life!!!!

This week I learned more about Christ’s roll in the Old Testament. Christ is the God of the Old Testament. He is the one who made the covenant with Abraham and Isaac. He is the one Moses spoke to and received revelation from. I always had a hard time with this because, well, why couldn't God himself do it? Let me ask you this question. If a man were to do something great and amazing, he would definitely get the credit/glory of this task. But if the man teaches his son to do something great is spreads to both him and his son. God loves us all so much and wishes for us all to taste of His glory. So He works threw all of us!  Just some of the thoughts of Elder Eldredge this week :)

Love, 

Elder Eldredge

I love my district!!!

Why Does God Let People Die Young?

1/20/2014

This week was good. We are getting ready for Courtney’s baptism this weekend. I’m so excited to meet with her and get her all prepped and ready for her big day!!!! 

Today is January 20th. 14 months since Madeline Rose's passing. I miss her so much. I’m excited to be doing the same work that she is doing. The plan of salvation is real!

This past week I had the opportunity to use Madie’s story to grow closer with an investigator. Her name is Nia. She is 13. She lost her mother about 8 months ago. She has had little to no religious background, so there were heavy questions weighing on her."Why is God leading people in different directions?"  "Why would a God who you say loves all of us let my mother die?" 

The Spirit was strong. We taught about Joseph Smith and how he wondered where he needed to go and who he could join with to find the truth, much like how Nia wondered; there were so many people going in different directions. We told her the story of the fist vision and how Joseph Smith received his answer. 

Click Here For 2 Minute Video On Joseph Smith's Story

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-02-04-the-message-of-the-restoration?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2009&&lang=eng

We testified of the truthfulness of this story and how it can and has changed us. We then started talking about her second question.  This was a hard one for me to answer. I know our Heavenly Father loves us. I know he gives us trials to give us strength. But why would he do this to her? This is the hardest part. We do not understand all of Gods ways. 

 Isaiah 55: 8-9:

8:For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9:For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Its hard to accept what we do not understand. But the Spirit testified to me that this is true. Yes I did lose Madie. Yes I will miss her for the rest of my life. But I must, we all must, accept our Fathers will and continue in Faith.

Your Missionary,  Elder Eldredge

What Goes Up Must Come Down

1/13/2014

What goes up must come down.

This week has been hard. It’s been tuff going from an amazing week with great investigators to having to let one go. 

Danielle, the girl we invited over text and then had an amazing lesson with at the Idaho Falls Temple Visitor Center, decided that life and work is more important than hearing what we have to say. It makes me so sad to see someone so promising turn and walk away. That has been weighing heavily on me. 

Courtney, (she is being baptized on the 25^th) is doing amazingly!!! She is reading and is very excited for her baptism!!! I’m so excited for her!!!! Her husband, Joe, was sustained in sacrament meeting and received the priesthood!!! He will be the one to baptize her!!!! I’M SO EXCITED!!!! 

Then there is Dalton. He is an amazing guy!!! He plays the guitar like a champ and sings like a country star!!! We had a lesson on the plan of salvation. He had lots of great questions and we really felt the spirit as we answered his questions. I’m super excited to continue to help him progress in the gospel!!! 

Please keep them in your prayers!!!

Can I just say I love Elder Cavalcante, my new companion. He is the coolest guy and a stud!!! He has gone through so much and still came on a mission. He has a firm testimony and is a great friend.

Well I love you all and hope you have a great week!  

Elder Eldredge

over text?!!!

Someone's having a bad hair day!

My New Companion

1/6/2014

These past 2 weeks have been crazy!!!

First let’s go back to Saturday the 28th. Elder Sabat left and I was with my zone leaders for 4 days. I learned so much and grew really close to them. We set a baptismal date with Dalton for the 15th of February. It was so cool!! I got so see how they work and what it’s like to be a zone leader and all their responsibility. 

Then on Wednesday I got my new companion, Elder Cavalcante. He was born in Brazil, moved to Utah when he was 9 and was called to do Spanish work here in Idaho. He is now doing English work with me. He is a way cool kid!!! He is 20 years old and love music. He wants to be a front man for a band and make it big. He plays guitar and sings. He is always upbeat and loves the work. I’m so excited to work with him. We hit it off way good right at the start!!! 

We have been ripping up this area ever since. We now have 3 baptismal dates. The first one is Courtney. She is going to be baptized on January 25th. Her husband, Joe is preparing to receive the priesthood so he can baptize her!!! I’m so excited for them!!! 

The next one is a new one! Danielle. She has been avoiding us for a long time but she, over text, asked if we would come over and begin teaching her. We stopped by and invited her to church and set up an appointment. Then later that night she asked us a question over text and we answered and the conversation led to us inviting her to be baptized. OVER TEXT!!! and she accepted!!! She will be baptized on the 31st of this month!!! I’m way excited for her!!! She was really nervous at first, but we told her that as we continue to talk with her and as she continues to pray and read and go to church she will feel of her Heavenly Father’s love and she will know that this is a righteous decision! 

Then we have Dalton. He will be baptized on the 15th of February. We had another lesson with him, Elder Cavalcante and me, and talked about the Plan of Salvation and how this shows how much our Heavenly Father loves us!!! It was great! He had some awesome questions and we had a member there who helped a lot!!! 

This past Sunday was awesome as well. We cover 4 wards and we have to privilege of going to 3 sacrament meetings every Sunday!!! Since this past weekend was Fast and Testimony week (That is when members of the church go without food for 24 hours and give the money that would have fed them to the church to help in feeding others in the community and around the world. We also are given time during our service to come up and share what you know to be true with the congregation.) Elder Cavalcante and I ended up sharing our testimonies in every sacrament meeting!!! It was great!!! I was really nervous, but I got to testify of the divinity of Christ and how grateful I am for the Atonement. How grateful I am for Joseph Smith and all he did to bring about this great work!!! I got to tell the people who I have been serving with for about 4 months now how much I love them and how grateful I am to serve them. I also challenged them all to look for more missionary opportunities and to hasten the work within themselves. It was a very spirit-filled Sunday. I am so grateful I got to fast for my investigators, for my district, and for my family and friends.   

I love you all and i miss you tuns!!!

Your Brother In The Work   

Me and My Old Companion Elder Sabat