Elder EJones: I Love to See the Templo

We had cambios this week and I'm here again in Santa Cruz, in the center of the city, an area called Pirai. I'm excited to be here, it's good to be back in Santa Cruz. I am with Elder Canseco, he is from California. I said bye to my comp Elder Tebbs, and Elder Thurt who I trained this week...it's been so fun to be with them. And also Elder Dawson left last week to go home because he is still sick.

This week we talked to a guy who is the husband of an investigator that we have. She really wants to learn more, but he . . . not so much. He asked how is it that Jesus was a prophet, and I shared with Him this scripture that I read last week...

Matthew 21:10-11
And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

It made me think as I read it to him. Jesus was and is a prophet. He is THE prophet. Imagine living in His time and teaching and testifying of the Living Prophet, the Son of God. And in the same sense we have the opportunity to testify of a living prophet who testifies of Christ. I am so grateful that I was born in a time when the world wasn't in apostasy, when we have the direction of living prophets and apostles.

Well the title of my email today is I love to see the temple. That's because we flew today to Cochabamba and then to Santa Cruz, and the whole time we were looking for the temple...and we found it. The first time I've seen a temple in the last year and a half, it was the best!!!

Elder EJones: Learning Through Parables

We have cambios next week. I kinda already know mine. Not so sure about everything, but President Stanford already told me. We had a zone conference this last week and he was talking to me during the break and told me I would be going back to Santa Cruz, but I'm not sure where or with who. So I'll know for sure next week.

Well, this week has been crazy. First my companion got salmonella and was in bed sick for a few days. We were able to leave on Monday, then the next few days he was throwing up, and letting all lose. So we weren't able to leave a lot. So...I have been able to study lots in the New Testament and about Jesus Christ. I think it is cool - say coincidence - but I'd say something the Lord wanted me to learn this week.

First off in my personal study, I learned about the parable of the sower. He has 4 sets of seeds that all fall in different ways. Some are able to grow, and others not. I thought about the meaning of each one and how we can see it now in our day. We had interviews with President Stanford this week and we talked about that same parabola. We talked about how we baptized people here in our mission, but the retention of members is something that is kinda hard. He said that though people may be baptized, they also may fall away, and sadly it happens a whole lot. We have to decide which of those 4 types of seeds we are...and work to become better. And then yesterday we were in Sunday School and we talked about the vision of the tree of life. We talked specifically of the 4 types of people who he sees either partaking or not in the fruit. And it made me think of the parabola again, and I made this connection...

1. The seeds that fell by the wayside and devoured up by the birds are like the multitudes of people who made their way directly to the great and spacious building. Not giving their roots time to grow, or time to grab onto the iron rod.

2. The seeds that fell into stony places were scorched and with no root died. Like the multitudes of people who commenced holding to the iron rod but after the mists of darkness came, were lost.

3. The seeds that fell among thorns were choked up after growing, and eventually died. The multitudes of people who made it all the way to the tree of life holding fast to the iron rod, but became ashamed of what they did, and fell away, and were lost.

4. The seeds that fell into good ground, were able to grow and brought forth fruit. Those who held fast to the iron rod and partook of the fruit without being ashamed of what they did. Despite the mist of darkness and scorning they stayed to the "Love of God"

Well that is my insight for this week. I hope that this week is a good one, I know it will be. I know that the gospel is true. It is our job to be like those good seeds who bear fruit, and like those who held firmly to the iron rod!!

Elder EJones: A Slow Week

Not a ton has happened this week. It has been hard because lots of our investigators have started to work and do other things, and so they are not in their houses all the time. But we are continuing to look for more people to teach. We have a new goal in the mission, and that is to talk to 20 new people each day. Some days it is really easy, but other days not as much when we have lots of appointments. But it has helped us a lot in our area.

I read a little this week in Jesus the Christ, and one thing stood out to me a lot. It talked about the Father our Heavenly Father, and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. The few times that we hear the vice of our Heavenly Father, in reality the only times in recorded scripture is to present His Son, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

3 Nephi 11:7
Behold my Beloved Son, bin whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.

JSH 1.17
One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

WOW!! I thought I really am waiting for the second coming. For our Heavenly Father to present His Beloved Son to us again. His commandment to us is to listen to His Son and hearken to his counsels. I know that as we follow Christ we will be blessed. And the way to follow Christ is well, through small and simple ways. To take time to study the scriptures daily. To take time to meditate and speak with our Heavenly Father through prayer. And to listen to Christ's mouthpiece, Russell M. Nelson.

I know this gospel is true. I love it!!

Elder EJones: This week I was sick

Well, this week I was sick. I got sick in the stomach. I don't know what it was, but it started on Monday, wasn't that bad until Wednesday and Thursday and it stuck with me. I called the Doc and he sent me some meds and by Sunday I was good again. It has been a rough week. I was sick and we didn't have much success in finding new people or getting people to church. But hey, that's okay, this week will be better. I don't let bad weeks get to me like other missionaries do. I am happy and healthy.

I was contemplating this week when I wasn't feeling good of how grateful I am for Heavenly Father. If you can believe it, this has only been the SECOND time on my mission that I have been sick. The first time was during my first week. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with health. I have nothing to complain about, only to thank Him for loving me and caring for me.

I cant believe that it is already 2020. It is celebrated here eating pork and watching fireworks, nothing too big. It feels kinda like the 4th of July in the United States.

My companion, Elder Tebbs and I have been listening to talks all the time now. That is one of my new year's resolutions, to listen to a talk everyday this year. I either do it when I'm showering in the morning, or getting ready for bed at night. I'm excited to listen to at least 365 this year.

I was actually talking to my companion the other day of what President Nelson said, his question, "How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?" It's quite the question and made me think. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. For the opportunity I have to read it daily and ponder how it helps me come unto Christ. This week I was able to read in 1 Nephi about the vision he was carried up in. I marveled at all the things that Nephi saw...the birth and ministry of the Savior, His Crucifixion and resurrection. He saw the colonization of the Americas. The coming of the Bible to this continent. The significance of the vision of the tree of life, the coming of Christ to the Americas, and as he says many more things that he couldn't write. I know that as we come to know the Book of Mormon it will really teach us about Christ. It is the base of our testimony needed to survive spiritually in the last days. I know that we too can receive that revelation that we need to be able to know the Lord's will for us.

Well it's been quite the week, this next one will be a good one too!!