Hallelujah

On Monday, December 19, 2016 2:44 PM, Dustin Thelander <dustin.thelander@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Allright, so this week got off to a great start after I picked up Elder Ludwig from Rancho. Later in the day, we ate dinner with the Moran family, and they are super awesome. Brother Moran was in the last mission presidency. Their daughter got home just a week ago from her mission in South America. She went out on her mission just about the same time I did :) Then later in the night, with the members of the YSA ward, we went caroling around a neighborhood. It was great fun, and we spread the light of Christ with others. People really love when you sing to them!

On Tuesday, we had our weekly meetings, and they went great. I was at one led by an Elder Craig, who has only been on his mission for 5 months or so. He did a great job leading his district, and after we had a really good talk on what can be improved upon and what went well. Then we headed over to the library to confirm all the numbers put into the system as well as fill out a survey. The big wigs from Salt Lake City church headquarters are coming to our mission to visit in January. They do this with all new mission presidents in their first year out. So they want to get a feel for where each mission is at before they come. After that we tried to visit a lot of people with little success.

Wednesday, Elder Ludwig and I sat down for a while and got to know the area and did some logistical stuff. That was really nice to do- it set us up to have a better second half of the week and the rest of this transfer. In the afternoon, we tried to see some people that the bishop of our congregation gave to us to visit. While doing so we ran into the most curious of men. He didn't identify himself with a name, he just talked to us. He was not the man we were looking for, but we carried on the conversation. We asked about his religious side, and he said he needs some Jesus in his life because he sold his soul to the devil a couple weeks ago. So he wanted a little bit of help from us, then he proceeded to tell us he is trying to "float". In his hand was a good sized marijuana cigarette. So this man had a lot of conflicting things going on in his head. After that visit we saw sweet old Sister Bean, a far cry from our weird friend from the previous visit.

Thursday was our huge meeting in Rancho Cucamonga. The mission leaders get together to get training and council together. This meeting was similar to the last as we discussed mission culture and our training plan for 2017. We concluded that what a mission needs, or what anyone needs to change a culture or personality, is to come closer to the Savior. It makes so much sense. If we really know Jesus Christ, and if we really love Him, then we will want to be like him. I don't think if we really know him disobedience will be a problem, or laziness, or lack of charity. If we really know Christ those things will come naturally. So, how do we do this? That is easier said than done. But, I can testify that we can hear the voice of the Lord in the Scriptures, and his voice rings most true to me in the Book of Mormon. The intro to the book puts it best, we invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, and ponder in their hearts the message it contains. If you read, ponder, and pray you will get to know if the book is true by the power of God. So, read it, all of you. member of our church or not. I promise it will bring you closer to Jesus Christ, and in turn put you on the path back toward Him.

Friday we had the long awaited Boat Parade. Basically this is the chance for everyone in Chino Hills to showcase their money in the form of a parade. We as missionaries set up a table and handed out free Hot Cocoa for the people passing by. Our church building is located right at the beginning of the parade, a perfect location. We made a lot of people's night, and hopefully made a positive impact as we got to share the card "Light the World". Mormon.org, visit it!!!! Saturday we saw our investigators Kimberly and Jose. Both are doing well and are coming along. The lesson with Kimberly was great as we found a couple of her concerns that have been holding her back for a while. That is helpful so now we can pray about and teach to her needs.

Sunday was great. Paul came to church!!! He loved it as well. The talks were perfect, and I feel they really touched him. Paula would have come, but Holly, their daughter, was up all night with the flu. Then in the evening Elder Kleinman and I got to sing with a choir at the Catholic Church in Diamond Bar. It was an amazing evening and the music was fantastic. Today we are set to have a great P-day.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a fantastic day and please always remember why we celebrate this holiday. One of the three most significant events in history is being celebrated, the birth of Jesus Christ. The other two most important events in history are the Atonement of Christ, and His Resurrection. I love you all so much.

Scripture of the week is from Helaman, Chapter 14, verses 12-13, "And also that ye might know of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and that ye might know of the signs of his coming, to the intent that ye might believe on his name. And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits."

Merry Christmas,

Elder Thelander