Dear family and everyone else,
Yesterday was truly a spiritual sacrament meeting. I've never felt the spirit so strong like this one. It was quiet and peaceful. Usually, kids are crying, screaming, or something, but all was still in the Lord's house. I was the 2nd or 3rd one to get up to bear my testimony. It was another good one. Throughout the morning, I prepared to learn by reading in the child's Book of Mormon we got a couple weeks ago and read about the Savior ministering to the Nephites and blessing the children. When I walked into the stake building, I noticed a picture of Christ, being comforted by the angel with wings in the Garden for some flyer for a concert on Temple Hill. I couldn't help but ponder what the Savior went through in atoning for our sins, including mine, and also all of our pains and sicknesses. To top it off, the hymns that were chosen for the meeting were so carefully chosen for that day. I simply could not contain myself and cried with joy, and sadness for what was done to Jesus Christ at those times. The phrase came to my mind when Jesus asked his father in Heaven: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me. But not my will...but thine be done." Nothing that I have done this week would deserve such feelings such as I have felt during Sunday. Overall, it was all pure joy in our Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Now that I have kept you waiting long enough, I am pleased to announce my next calling in the California Modesto Mission. I will be serving in the Manteca stake under the Northland Ward with: ELDER SHEPHERD! You read it, I'm going to be companions with my first friend that I made on the mission. We will be called the White-Shepherd's. Follow us, and we will lead you to pureness and back to Heavenly Father is what I would say. I prayed hard for this thing to be. I also asked President if this could be possible during interviews. I feel yet again that the Lord hears my prayers, and that he knows me personally-- what is going on in my life. Now, I will be ready to go by tomorrow. I just need to pack my bags yet again by tonight, although I felt concerned about some of our investigator's such as Charles. He seemed really cool and just like me--scared to try new things, like's to be a respectable person (Mexican), and very introverted. If we met in high school, I almost want to say we would have been friends. Same age too. Elder Wardle told me last night some words of council and upliftment, which I really appreciated. "The teaching pool that we have been building up, has been prepared by us for the next set of Elders to baptize. I know they will baptize the heck out of them. I'm also sure that Elder Pelsue and his new missionary will suite well for our investigators." This has settled my worries for them, so overall, I'm excited to go down to Manteca. I also felt that burning feeling like 3 weeks ago, that Manteca was the next place I was going to serve. My revelation has come true.
So, an update on the area. On Thursday, we had our final Zone meeting here in Lodi before I leave. After that, we went to return a mission car we borrowed back to Modesto. Then we rode back up with Brother Lewis. (Not you brother Lewis in my home ward. Totally not related either. Sorry. I guess mustaches run in the name.) The next day, we rode down with Elder Laubman and Simms to the mission office again for Elder Wardle's, and Laubman's farewell interviews. They didn't complete their "My Plans" in time, so they were shorter; however, the ride back up was awful. Traffic all around the edge of Modesto onto the freeway, and northbound 99 was slow too. What should have taken only one hour turned to 3 hours trying to get back home.
We taught Cody and Geraldine for the last time too. In total, we talked about the plan of salvation, Moroni 8, and the word of wisdom. As soon as we said coffee and tea, she questioned it, and we asked her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about that first. She still wasn't budging and she said she wasn't interested anymore because she can't give up her coffee, so we gave a friendly good bye and talked about each of our futures in life, took pictures, and left. They did say they were going to look at a friend's church that's small, and starting new. They also said that if it doesn't appeal to them, they will come to our ward and try it out. They were really friendly throughout all this, and they said they might investigate again one day, so it wasn't completely a door slamming shut, but an opportunity for a later date when the spirit works on them more. They also wanted to add me and Elder Wardle on Facebook, and I helped them find me. When I get home, I will add them as facebook friends, and continue to be in friendly contact with them. We also read another chapter in the Book of Mormon with Felix and mentioned about half of the 10 commandments and he started remembering them all. So overall, not a whole lot of teaching. Just talking to people and saying bye while trying to share the gospel. This is my week.
Elder White
P.S. Sam Kelly finally got his mission call after waiting for 2 1/2 weeks after being assigned. He is going to the Argentina mission. We had some good splits with him and Christian Sawyer. Also look for the new video: Hallelujah whenever it starts launching. Previewing it, it's amazing. It involves a hint of Family History with the Savior's atonement for Easter. Have a great week everyone.
Manteca
Yesterday was truly a spiritual sacrament meeting. I've never felt the spirit so strong like this one. It was quiet and peaceful. Usually, kids are crying, screaming, or something, but all was still in the Lord's house. I was the 2nd or 3rd one to get up to bear my testimony. It was another good one. Throughout the morning, I prepared to learn by reading in the child's Book of Mormon we got a couple weeks ago and read about the Savior ministering to the Nephites and blessing the children. When I walked into the stake building, I noticed a picture of Christ, being comforted by the angel with wings in the Garden for some flyer for a concert on Temple Hill. I couldn't help but ponder what the Savior went through in atoning for our sins, including mine, and also all of our pains and sicknesses. To top it off, the hymns that were chosen for the meeting were so carefully chosen for that day. I simply could not contain myself and cried with joy, and sadness for what was done to Jesus Christ at those times. The phrase came to my mind when Jesus asked his father in Heaven: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me. But not my will...but thine be done." Nothing that I have done this week would deserve such feelings such as I have felt during Sunday. Overall, it was all pure joy in our Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Now that I have kept you waiting long enough, I am pleased to announce my next calling in the California Modesto Mission. I will be serving in the Manteca stake under the Northland Ward with: ELDER SHEPHERD! You read it, I'm going to be companions with my first friend that I made on the mission. We will be called the White-Shepherd's. Follow us, and we will lead you to pureness and back to Heavenly Father is what I would say. I prayed hard for this thing to be. I also asked President if this could be possible during interviews. I feel yet again that the Lord hears my prayers, and that he knows me personally-- what is going on in my life. Now, I will be ready to go by tomorrow. I just need to pack my bags yet again by tonight, although I felt concerned about some of our investigator's such as Charles. He seemed really cool and just like me--scared to try new things, like's to be a respectable person (Mexican), and very introverted. If we met in high school, I almost want to say we would have been friends. Same age too. Elder Wardle told me last night some words of council and upliftment, which I really appreciated. "The teaching pool that we have been building up, has been prepared by us for the next set of Elders to baptize. I know they will baptize the heck out of them. I'm also sure that Elder Pelsue and his new missionary will suite well for our investigators." This has settled my worries for them, so overall, I'm excited to go down to Manteca. I also felt that burning feeling like 3 weeks ago, that Manteca was the next place I was going to serve. My revelation has come true.
So, an update on the area. On Thursday, we had our final Zone meeting here in Lodi before I leave. After that, we went to return a mission car we borrowed back to Modesto. Then we rode back up with Brother Lewis. (Not you brother Lewis in my home ward. Totally not related either. Sorry. I guess mustaches run in the name.) The next day, we rode down with Elder Laubman and Simms to the mission office again for Elder Wardle's, and Laubman's farewell interviews. They didn't complete their "My Plans" in time, so they were shorter; however, the ride back up was awful. Traffic all around the edge of Modesto onto the freeway, and northbound 99 was slow too. What should have taken only one hour turned to 3 hours trying to get back home.
We taught Cody and Geraldine for the last time too. In total, we talked about the plan of salvation, Moroni 8, and the word of wisdom. As soon as we said coffee and tea, she questioned it, and we asked her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about that first. She still wasn't budging and she said she wasn't interested anymore because she can't give up her coffee, so we gave a friendly good bye and talked about each of our futures in life, took pictures, and left. They did say they were going to look at a friend's church that's small, and starting new. They also said that if it doesn't appeal to them, they will come to our ward and try it out. They were really friendly throughout all this, and they said they might investigate again one day, so it wasn't completely a door slamming shut, but an opportunity for a later date when the spirit works on them more. They also wanted to add me and Elder Wardle on Facebook, and I helped them find me. When I get home, I will add them as facebook friends, and continue to be in friendly contact with them. We also read another chapter in the Book of Mormon with Felix and mentioned about half of the 10 commandments and he started remembering them all. So overall, not a whole lot of teaching. Just talking to people and saying bye while trying to share the gospel. This is my week.
Elder White
P.S. Sam Kelly finally got his mission call after waiting for 2 1/2 weeks after being assigned. He is going to the Argentina mission. We had some good splits with him and Christian Sawyer. Also look for the new video: Hallelujah whenever it starts launching. Previewing it, it's amazing. It involves a hint of Family History with the Savior's atonement for Easter. Have a great week everyone.
Manteca