I
had a wonderful Spiritual week in the mission field Sharing our
Heavenly Father's Gospel. It was a busy week but with lots of fun and
many great experiences. The weather is still really nice here in
Arizona in the 80's during the day and the nights are not too cold yet.
To start off my awesome week on Tuesday, we had our zone interviews
with some great teaching on adjusting to missionary life booklet, being
focused on our purpose, cleanest car awards which Elder Bartleson and
Elder Knobbe - Assistant to President Won, teaching by Elder Rodgers on
reporting accident's online, and teaching members about online
proselyting and how we can help them do their missionary work online. I
had a very brief interview with President Taylor on keeping strong
through the rest of my mission and told me that he will let me know when
my exiting interview will be later when I go back to the mission home
next Monday. On Wednesday, I was on exchanges with Elder Searl in my
area. We had a great day teaching investigators, contacting people, and
setting up lessons with members. We had a great lesson with Joseph on
the Word of Wisdom. He had questions about tea and coffee and we told
him that it is a commandment from God and how we show God through Faith
that we will be blessed by keeping the Word of Wisdom. He committed to
come to church but when we knocked on his door on Sunday, he was not
there. We also had a wonderful lesson with Julie on the Plan of
Salvation and how we continue to progress in this life to learn the
things that will help us return to live with God. It was so good as we
ended with the Atonement and how Jesus Christ died for all of us because
of his Love for all us. We also had a lesson with a new investigator
Dominic on the Book of Mormon. It was a bit frustrating because he had
questions about the Trinity and we would answer his questions through
the Book of Mormon and he would always refer to the Bible for the answer
when we would ask him what he thought. Then on Thursday, I was on
exchanges with Elder Wardle in my area so for 2 days I was not with
Elder Cook. I had a great exchange with him mostly visiting members and
investigators and street contacting people. A great experience after
visiting a member and setting up an appointment with them we saw a
neighbor next door that was moving out so we offered to help. The
husband accepted us to help and when we went into the house we saw the
wife that looked stress and she said you guys are God sent to help us.
We helped them move some of the big furnitures onto the trailer and they
appreciated our help. We got their number and will stop by again
before they move by the end of the month. On Friday, we had our
Trainer/Trainee Followup Meeting which was great to discuss how we can
help other companionships with their struggle in the 12 week training
program. Then in the afternoon, I had my last District Meeting teaching
my district about how we can help our investigators come to church and
partake of the Sacrament. It was perfect because our district has been
struggling getting investigators to come to church, so we discussed some
great ideas that will help. Then in the evening, we had a lesson with
Lea on the Restoration watching the video with her. On Saturday, we
woke up early to go to the Mesa Temple to do a 6:30 am Endownment
Session which was spiritually wonderful to feel the spirit and
remembering the covenants that I have made because that last time I did a
session was in December of last year at our Christmas Conference. The
new temple video was amazing with the new scenery and acting. A great
young family - The Warrens took us and they are planning to move in
November which we were sad to hear because they were one of our favorite
families to visit especially after 8 pm - which is tough to see people
because many people are getting ready for bed especially families with
kids. Then for lunch Elder Bartleson was on exchanges with Elder
Hernandez and picked us up and we went to "L and L" to
get a plate lunch which me and Elder Bartleson went to with the Goodwin
Family over a year ago when we were companions. It was a great time to
talk about our mission and all the great experiences we had. The food
was very ONO, I got the Lau Lau and Kalua Pork plate. Sunday was a
great Sabbath Day with some great speakers on Faith and Enduring to the
End. I also went to our Monthly Stake Coordination Meeting with the
Stake Presidency discussing the missionary work in the Deer Valley Stake
and how we can help the members and investigators that we are helping
to come closer to Christ. That was my wonderful week here in the
mission field. I cannot believe in a week I will be done with my
mission and heading home from "THE BEST TWO YEARS OF MY LIFE".
I am so grateful for this time that I have to Serve the Lord and
helping others feel the Happiness and Joy that the Restored Gospel can
bring to their lives. I have learned and grown so much from losing
myself in the work and doing all that I can to help others feel our
Heavenly Father's love for them. This has been the greatest work and
calling to be a Representative of Jesus Christ and be an instrument to
do his Marvelous Work. My mission has truly been the Foundation for the
rest of my life. I am so grateful for the experiences that I have had
to help others feel the Spirit and help strengthen their Faith in
Christ. I have seen so many Miracles in my life and in others as I
trust in God and Keep his Commandments. I am so grateful for the
Blessing that I had to see many of the people I had to help them come
unto Christ through Baptism and Receiving the Holy Ghost to help them in
their lives. I got a Facebook message from Destiny and Jason Davis in
Buckeye on Thursday and they told me that in September they spoke in
Sacrament, they got a calling to teach the 8 & 9 year old, and are
preparing to go to the Temple next March to be sealed in the Temple.
That brought me great joy to hear that they are active and preparing to
make additional covenants in the Temples. That is what this Gospel is
all about Sealing Families for time and all Eternity in God's Kingdom. I
testify that through our Heavenly Father's Plan we can have Eternal Joy
in Eternal Life with him and our Families Forever. I know that our
Heavenly Father lives and loves us all. Jesus Christ is our brother
that fulfilled the Atonement to pay for our sins so we can be worthy for
Exaltation as we live his Gospel. I know that the Gospel has been
restored through Joseph Smith and we continue to have the Priesthood
Key's through our prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I am so honored to have
the Priesthood to perform Ordinances for others that brings them closer
to God. Going on my mission is the best decision in my life because I
have learned so much about the Gospel and it has strengthen my Testimony
in our Savior. I will truly miss being a full-time missionary but hope
to take all that I have learned and continue to Share this Gospel as a
member missionary. I loved feeling the Spirit so abundantly in my life
to guide me in blessing the lives of our Heavenly Father's children. I
love you all and thank you very much for all your support of
encouragement on my mission. I have felt your prayers and loved the
letters and emails that kept me strong in doing the Lord's work. Take
care and hope to see many of you next week. Thank you for reading my
journey of my mission in the ARIZONA PHOENIX MISSION (APM) the #1 Mission in the World.
I am so grateful for President Taylor and Sister Taylor for all they
did for me. Grateful for ALL my Companions that has helped me grow and
strengthen me through the hardships. Thankful for the assignments I had
to be a Senior Companion, Trainer 3 times, and District Leader that
have helped me bless the lives of other Missionaries. I am so grateful
for all the Areas and Members that I had to get to know and Love through
out my mission. I am very grateful for my Family and Friends that
helped me as I was serving my mission. I am very grateful to my
Heavenly Father who loves me and blessed me throughout my mission and
Jesus Christ for atoning Sacrifice so we can have immortality and
eternal life in God's Kingdom to have the Fullness of the Gospel. See
you all soon. I testify this Gospel is True and this is the True Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!
Love Always,
Elder Lance Kuhi Cabral