September 16, 2013

Howdy,

This week has been one of the better weeks for me and was so awesome!

I had my first exchange today which for those of you who don't know what this is.  Its when to companionship switch companions for a day.

 I went with Elder Clark who has been out for almost three months.

His companion is our District Leader Elder Smith.  I was in Maidenhead staying at their flatt for the night.  Exchanges are basically the best since its like a sleep over.  Its hard to believe Elder Clark is still considered a greenie when he acts like he has been out for over a year.  He has so much joy for the work and sharing the message.  He can make someone on the street who he has never met feel like the only person that matters in the world at that moment.  I learned so much from our exchange and have already started applying it to my companionship.

Last Wednesday the Young Men inivted the missionaries to come to mutual and share some games from america and basically get to know the missionaries in the ward better.  England basically has all he sports America does so there wasn't really new.  We played some wall ball and spoons along with a little baseball.  The kids went up against me and told me to throw my hardest why they used a cricket bat to try and hit me.  After the first pitch they told me to slow it down haha:)  Then the kids threw to me and tried to strike me out, but they couldn't:) This week we are meeting with them again and are going to tell them how to prepare for a mission and I cannot wait for that.  Have loads of good ideas.

As far as investigators go we didn't have a whole lot of success and the work has been very slow.  Everybody that is a great potential keeps dropping us at the last second or not showing up for appointments.  We got hold of our golden guy and schedule him for this last weekend, but things came up again and he had to miss it.  Satan is making it very hard for us, but I know through prayer and faith that we will be able to touch the hearts of those we teach.  A funny fact all of our investigators are from Ghana.  Looks like I got my wish of serving in Africa:)

Spiritual thought of the day is going to be from President David O.

Mckay.  "Every member... a missionary!"  When I was home I never really thought members were suppose to be that involved in missionary work besides feeding them.  Boy was I wrong!  If every member acted as a missionary the work would be progressing so much further.  I know that we can't be full time missionaries for our whole lives since we do have things to do such as work, raise kids, and take care of ourselves.  But we do have duty to serve those around us and share the gospel whenever an we can.  " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." ( 3 Nephi 13:33)  In other words if you choose to align your will with Gods will and further his work then all the extra stuff need for us to live he will provide.  In today's world everything is fast pace and nonstop with things being thrown at you to try and make you fall down or distract you.  Take the time to stop and think about why we are really here and what we should be the most important to us.  If every member of the church shared the gospel with one person a day that would be over 14 million people who would hear something about the gospel a day.  Now not every one will get baptized cause you shared, but the seed would be planted and some future missionaries or other friends could be the ones to cause it to grow because you decided to share your testimony.  On the other hand though out of 14 million people someone is bound to want to know more and eventually be baptized.  I know with out a doubt that without members missionary work would not progress like it is.  I challenge all of you who read this to take time to share a message about the gospel with someone who may need uplifting or feel the love of our Heavenly Father.  You don't need to share a 45 minutes lesson, but to take 5 minutes out of your day to let someone know that God loves them and wants to hear from them can be just as powerful if not more effective.  To end I will share what the Savior said.  "Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world.  Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up."  I know this to be true and I hope we can all become better missionaries through our Savior and Redeemer.  I love you all and look forward to sharing something new next week!

Love,

Elder Wilson