WEEK 63: Follow God's Plan

This week we were able to watch our friend named Angle be baptized.  She is someone that the Sister missionaries in our ward worked with.  She is super nice and sincere and her daughter is so funny. She is from Sierra Lione and was very excited to be baptized. She is a friend of Cintia and it was really cool to see them together.

We finally got a football match moving forward. We had some people from our ward and some people that meet with us all come. We ended up with probably 16 people even if some were a bit younger. It was really fun and I hope we can do it with more success. We will do it this week and more people should be coming!

This is already pretty long, so I will finish with this: Elder Buckhoff shared with me some advice about getting answers from God. He talked about how he would pray and seek an answer and sometimes the thoughts he would have did not seem to fit with his plans or seem to be easy at all. As he had the courage to change what he thought and follow the ideas that God gave him as he read scriptures or prayed or served others he was able to see how it worked out. The plans helped people to give up the bad habits they had struggled with because he would visit them right as they needed support. It helped me to see that the Lord will not leave us alone, but it will take faith to follow. We have to trust that He knows what He is asking us to do and follow through on our end. We can follow that pattern in anything. Pray, act on any thought that comes, ask for more guidance.

Love you all,
Elder Pace

Ps Elder Campbell (my mission son) is training so now I'm a grandpa! I'm so excited to meet the lad!

WEEK 62: God Reaches out to the One

This week really helped me to feel the difference the Savior makes in our individual lives. Everything He did was for us. And more than that, He would take the time to reach out to a single individual.  Maybe they wouldn't stand out as someone worthy of the Savior's precious time as He only spent three years in His Earthly ministry, but He was always willing to stop and touch the one. 

Countless times here on my mission the same has been true for me. God knows us each.  He knows what we are scared for and what we need to help us make it through the day. He wants to carry us through and He will do individually. My mission has helped me see how much God reaches out to us through other people. It has helped me see how He tries to guide me when I have questions. And it has helped me see that no matter what, he will give me another chance.

This week was a good one. It was also sad as most of the people we had found that were interested, changed their minds and asked us not to come. It was good because we saw many miracles and little things to boost our spirits. Randomly we would feel like we should knock a door on our way somewhere and they would be interested. The little things let you know God still cares. As well, we have begun working with a young lad named Iain. He is from Singapore and is very excited to find a relationship with God. He is so eager and excited because he has never experienced anything like it before. I can't wait to see where it leads.

Love you all,
Elder Pace

WEEK 61: No Time

Thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday! It made the day really special. We had a blast. It was a great week! By the way, we are On Facebook now so that is weird

Love you all,
Elder Pace

WEEK 60: Facebook

We had zone conference this week. It was spectacular. I felt so spiritually supercharged. I got to help set up the night before with Elder Peck and it was great to see him and spend some time with him.  We talked a ton about being led by the Spirit of God. It has really helped me know that we can get answers. He other big announcement was Facebook is going to be a thing we try. So I may have to make a Facebook

We met a lady named Trisha this week and she is someone we hope will try out the message of Christ's restored gospel. Being out on a mission has really allowed me to see the true difference that the gospel makes when we are sincere in trying. It is the truth. It is enlightening. It has helped me to throw closer to Jesus Christ as my
Savior. I know the path outlined by revelation through prophets both ancient and modern is the best way to Happiness and the only way to lasting, true joy.

We helped at an art gallery and got to do some service ironing for a lady at a laundromat. Several of the pictures (at the art gallery) are done by a member of our ward.

WEEK 59: Driving Again

I passed my test. That was a stressful day. But I'm so happy that it's done now. I also gave a talk in sacrament meeting this week. I have
now spoken twice in about as many weeks. I think they are getting desperate.

We said goodbye to so many friends this week as grey all finished their missions. I'm so glad to have known them and to have learned from them.

This week, I learned a lot from our new Zone Leader Elder Ford. He is a solid guy. I'm excited to serve around him. He really helped me to pray with more sincerity. It means so much more when it is sincere. We recognize the Lord's help much easier when we put our energy and our heart into praying.

Hope you all have a wonderful week,
Elder Pace

Speaking of Hogwarts....

President Turvey posted this picture of Sister Turvey (jeans and dark hair) on Facebook today.  I sent it to Tyson and he said he so wishes that was him!

One of the first thing we noticed after Tyson received his call was that the Harry Potter castle etc was in his mission boundaries (although I believe it's at the very northernmost border).  Tyson is a big Harry Potter fan!  If he doesn't get this chance while he's there I know it will be on the list when we go back to visit!

Week 58: Miracles

This week as we tried our best to be obedient and to pray for help to meet people who will be ready, we had two miracles that I want to talk about. 

The first one is when we met Saimanta (pronounced Samantha).  She is from Lithuania. We met her on a bus a solid month ago. She told us that she was interested and she wanted to learn, but she had no time. She said she would text us when she got time and could meet. I don't think you all understand how many times we hear that. No one has ever called us back. Saimanta texted us this week and said she had time! It was so cool. We managed to set up a time to meet at the Chapel and show her around because she had met other missionaries the day before, but they did nothing to answer her questions. We met with her and as we showed her the baptismal font, she told us she felt this super strong good feeling, like this was all true and she couldn't explain it. She came to church and we explained to her how God can answer our questions as we sincerely pray during the sacrament (when they pass around he bread and water to remember Christ). As the trays were being passed, she simply bowed her head and asked God her questions. She told us afterwards, that all throughout the meeting she was filled with this electric like energy helping her feel it was right. And she had an image come to her mind of being baptized and feeling all the bad wash away. She knows that this is the path for
her. She is so excited to keep progressing and to be baptized on the 9th of September. Saimanta is 20 and is a university student. She is
super cool and Elder Leavitt and I both felt like this is someone we would be friends with for the rest of our lives. She loves to mountain bike and is generally super nice. The one problem we have, is she lives in a different ward. So we have to explain to her that some other missionaries will come to visit her and help her along. It made us super sad, but we are still excited for her to get the blessings God has in store for her.

The second is a lady named Paula. We met her while knocking. She told us that she lost her faith when her mother died. We shared with her how the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon had comforted us in times that we felt alone. She read a bit with us and wouldn't let us take a turn to read. She was so excited that she just kept on reading.  She read the chapter and then told us hat it helped her feel better already and she would like to read it all. It was such a strange experience for knocking on doors, since that usually is very intrusive and people don't like it.

I know the Lord helps us as we seek His help in prayer. He loves us so much and wants our happiness.

Other things this week, I passed the first part of my driving test in Scarborough. It is one of he most picturesque places I have been. I
will attach the photos I grabbed. We even saw a train that looks like the Hogwarts Express. Even though transfers happened this week, nothing changed for me. However, we have two new Sisters in our district.

Love you all,
Elder Pace