Guess What!! It has been 3 months to the day since I reported to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT! Can't believe how fast the time flies! Lots of time left obviously, but it's sure going fast out here!
First, one of the guys who went to Davis as a freshman is in a video on the homepage of lds.org right now about hastening of the work in Asia! Elder Vikram Ravi is shown for 1-2 seconds at about 2:22 into the video. When I checked it was the big one on the left hand side with Jeffrey R Holland describing the work going forth there. I'm super excited! I just had a chance to reach out to him a few weeks ago and he is doing awesome in the Bangalore, India Mission. He was super excited to hear from me too since he left on his mission nearly 2 years ago now just a little after I joined the church. But ya, that was very exciting to see him in that video.
First, one of the guys who went to Davis as a freshman is in a video on the homepage of lds.org right now about hastening of the work in Asia! Elder Vikram Ravi is shown for 1-2 seconds at about 2:22 into the video. When I checked it was the big one on the left hand side with Jeffrey R Holland describing the work going forth there. I'm super excited! I just had a chance to reach out to him a few weeks ago and he is doing awesome in the Bangalore, India Mission. He was super excited to hear from me too since he left on his mission nearly 2 years ago now just a little after I joined the church. But ya, that was very exciting to see him in that video.
I finished that devotional an hour or so ago today. I feel like it was pretty good. It was about "trusting in God." I thought it was quite funny that this was the first scripture reference: John 14:26-27: "26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." I talked about how today before the devotional started, I was pretty nervous and afraid when I was supposed to be talking about not being that! It is so funny when I am scared that I am not totally ready or something because it literally says that the Spirit will bring all things to my remembrance, meaning I will remember what to say!
I shared stories from my own life where God has strengthened and helped me when I trusted in him - in joining the church, in school, and in going on a mission. I also shared some scriptures that I love a ton: From the Book of Mormon, Alma 36:3 "I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." From the Doctrines and Covenants, D&C 121:7-8, "7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." D&C 122:7-9. "...and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? 9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." And from the Old Testament, Deuteronomy31:6: "6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." and Isaiah 41:10: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
All of the scriptures say essentially the same thing: God knows you, loves you, and is there for you always - especially in your trials. I love all of them because it really inspires confidence in me to trust in the Lord and have confidence that everything will work out - even when the current situation is suggesting otherwise. Just keep the faith in Christ and you will make it out and it will be worth it. I believe that for sure. I haven't experienced anything close to the trials that so many others have, but there have been some trials in my life and I know that by trusting in the Lord I have been able to overcome them. A number of people told me after they liked it. I think it was timely as the Institute Director here said since so many people are going through the ringer of tests and projects and papers right now since this is the last full week of school before dead week and finals week. Hopefully I inspired confidence and trust in the Lord!
Speaking of trials, my main man Chris who was baptized just over a week ago now has them! He has them in full force. His mom passed away about 5 days ago. Though they weren't that close, it must have hurt a lot. I can't imagine that in my life! So my companion and I had a chance to give him a blessing of comfort and strength.
All of the scriptures say essentially the same thing: God knows you, loves you, and is there for you always - especially in your trials. I love all of them because it really inspires confidence in me to trust in the Lord and have confidence that everything will work out - even when the current situation is suggesting otherwise. Just keep the faith in Christ and you will make it out and it will be worth it. I believe that for sure. I haven't experienced anything close to the trials that so many others have, but there have been some trials in my life and I know that by trusting in the Lord I have been able to overcome them. A number of people told me after they liked it. I think it was timely as the Institute Director here said since so many people are going through the ringer of tests and projects and papers right now since this is the last full week of school before dead week and finals week. Hopefully I inspired confidence and trust in the Lord!
Speaking of trials, my main man Chris who was baptized just over a week ago now has them! He has them in full force. His mom passed away about 5 days ago. Though they weren't that close, it must have hurt a lot. I can't imagine that in my life! So my companion and I had a chance to give him a blessing of comfort and strength.
Some other fun things. I have had a chance to play kickball 2x for FHE. The ward I'm serving in won both games against the other 2 YSA wards. I got a legit pair of breast cancer awareness pink basketball shoes (only $20 at Goodwill!) that I played in. And we played some basketball after at the Stake Center against other guys in the ward. It was great. AND yesterday I got to run some on the track at UW! It was the first time I have really done a warm-up. One of the other guys, Elder Jones, wanted to race me because he is really competitive and thinks he can win at every sport. So I had a chance to show him what's up. :) We raced 55yds and 30yrds. It felt really good to run that fast because it is hard to get yourself going running fast by yourself!
Also in the last 2 days us 4 missionaries that live together (me, Elder Nash, Elder Jones, and Elder Jensen) had an idea to get a Go-Pro video camera and film our lives. It would be hilarious. You can't make these stories up out here! I'll give a few examples. On Friday night after dinner we dropped by a non-member's house. I preached repentance to him! I told him and a friend of his about the Word of Wisdom (not drinking alcohol specifically) and a little about the church as they were setting up to have a rave-like party at their house. He doesn't really have lights in his house - only black lights. And they have a bar with lots of hard liquor bottles refilled with water and highlighter to glow in the dark. And lots of other things that do not invite the Spirit into his home. Immediately after that, we drove over to a member's house who has been struggling with his alcoholism. Since he locked us out the day before, we invited ourselves in and he ended up talking to us. The Spirit was so strong as we worked with him. Elder Nash felt like NOW he knows why he came out to this mission because of his addiction with video games, he can relate to and strengthen this member. It was amazing. Immediately after that, we get back to our place and the zone leaders are freaking out that all 4 of us were at that party house before because somehow we ended up getting pics taken of us there and it looks like we were out drinking and partying on the Friday night. Lots of other hilarious things happen at our house as we talk through experiences from the day and more. Lastly, the next day the Zone Leaders got a call from our mission president - somehow it got to our mission president in about 18 hours and he was freaking out since it looks like we are at a black light party with lots of hard liquor. I think everything is fine now. But that was definitely some crazy events.
Moral of the story. There are lots of highs, lows, and hilarious moments out here on the mission. I'm so glad I get to live with the other 3 missionaries. I have learned a ton from them and from this area of Laramie. Elder Nash and I heard that 2 sets of missionaries (of the 7) in Laramie are being removed this transfer. We are 99% sure that includes us since the school year is ending. So we expect this will be our last full week in Laramie. So we are going to get pictures and visit all the people we can this week. This is going to be a great week! I hope you all have great weeks too!
Sincerely,
Elder Jeff Campbell
No comments:
Post a Comment