Week 2

Hey Everybody!!!! So this week has seriously flown by!!!! I finally figured out how to upload photos so I added some. I have a ton more but here are just a few to tide you over until later! It’s beautiful up here right now! The cold spell finally broke and the snow has melted enough that you can actually see grass again!!!!! It’s a wonderous sight to behold!!! The learning and teaching continues to increase in depth and longevity but it is so worth it!!! What was great was that I got to meet Elder Anderson at the drop off!!!! Seeing a face from back home made my day!!!! I haven't seen much of him afterwards but I have seen him occasionally and have been sure to check up on him when I do. I saw Sean Pritchett!!! He's actually in my building which is nice to have a familiar face so close.  

Wednesday, was probably the worst day for me emotionally. I was just not feeling the spirit when we taught and our investigators weren't feeling it either. I felt like a failure and that if I couldn't teach paid actors how could I teach real people? I was sinking into the gulf of misery, the whole district was. Everyone had a bad day and our teacher saw this. We had a devotional and our teacher put it in perspective for us. He said "YOU HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE A WEEK", it takes time to learn all of this, which really didn't help but at least he tried. So I went to bed feeling like crud. When I woke up I started to pray and to sincerely ask Heavenly Father to help me that I could be a tool in his hands and I began to study. I read Alma 26:27. It made me feel alot better!!! For the first time I felt inspired in what I studied and how I would teach. Our first investigator came by and we began with a prayer (which we hadn't been doing) and instantly the spirit was there and the lesson was by far the best one we have had!!!! It was so spiritual and we felt inspired to invite him to be baptized. He agreed! We set a date and he said he'd prepare!!! It was so awesome!!! 

On another note my district of Pocatelloens has met another district going there too!!!! We have 20!!! elders and sisters going to Pocatello!!!!! The stomach flu bug that was going around began to die down so they allowed us to shake hands again. A day later 30 elders were sick again. So they banned it again. One of our sisters in our district got really sick. She asked for a blessing. I was prepared with the vial of oil on my keychain!!!! Elder Gulisane annointed and I was able to give the blessing. I have never felt the Holy Ghost as strong. It fell upon us like a heavy blanket! She cried, I cried, and it was the coolest experience ever!!!! The next day she felt better.  

Through the course of our lessons we have learned the importance of teaching PEOPLE not LESSONS. This means that we prepare like usual but we actually TALK and LISTEN to the investigator and his needs and wants and we use the doctrine in the lesson to meet those needs. This way the lesson can be tailored to fit his needs. It is tons more effective than just teaching AT him.  

Also we've had the opportunity to play the investigator for other elders and sisters. This is such a neat experience because as we become the investigator we become converted again and again and it just strengthens my own testimony as I can feel the conversion of the investigator I play. Also when we pray as the investigator it is the most sincere and honest prayers I've ever given. It becomes just you and your Heavenly Father, which is what it should be!  

Also we talked about revelation. It is a word that we don't really use much when talking about ourselves but revelation is so important to conversion. When we receive revelation we feel the spirit and can become more converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We watched a video by Elder Bednar that talks about how true conversion is turning outward when others would turn inward and be selfish. It is about acting on our religion, not just believing it! As for people who have written me, not many. Mostly family, Ryland has sent alot and I love him for that! I'll be writing him soon! I got a letter from Taylor Teeples and that was awesome! :) but yeah not many others... so I'm not really feeling the love from my friends... maybe mail is just slow... But its ok. I'm here on the Lords time not my friends time. :) My faith and testimony grow every day and it is so amazing being here!!!! I love my Companion and my district so much! I sent a picture of my companion and Elder Gulisane (for all the ladies, he's the hot one that looks like superman) ;) Well I have to go but I just want to let you all know that I love all of you so much and think of you often. I KNOW that this is where I am meant to be and I hope to be able to bless the lives of others by sharing the gospel which has blessed my life. I love you all and can't wait to get more letters. 

Elder Rash

 

 

 

Elder Rash with his companion, Elder Churinan

 

 

 

Elder Rash

 

Elder Rash at Provo Temple

 

Elder Rash's District

 

 

Elder Gulisane

 

 

Elder Rash's MTC room - Amazing he can keep his room clean