May 26, 2014

Dear family,

It's been another great week!  The first exciting news is that we got a new ward mission leader in the Emerald Bay ward.  His name is Bro. Snuka.  He use to be a pro wrestler.  He is a really cool guy.  We'll miss working with Bro Nicoll, but we're excited to work with Bro. Snuka.  He loves missionary work and wants to get the ward excited and have fun doing missionary work. 

We taught R again this week!  He is doing great and it's only two more weeks until his baptism.  We got a new investigator this week.  We taught him this week and have another appointment this week.  We talked to him on the street a couple weeks ago and we haven't been able to contact him until this week.  We found out he had a crazy work schedule so we were stopping by when he was sleeping or at work.  He is a really great guy and really humble and wants more peace in his life.  We're excited to teach him again this week!  We were able work with a couple less active members this week also. 

This week we were invited to help teach relief society.  Their lesson was on Elder Ballard's talk this last general conference about follow up.  I've never been in relief society before but it's much more lively than priesthood.  The talk is really great and shows the importance of follow up.  Inviting is really important, but following up is just as important.  In Preach My Gospel it says,“extending an invitation without following up is like beginning a journey without finishing it or buying a ticket to a concert without going into the theater. Without the completed action, the commitment is hollow."  Elder Ballard said in his talk, "If we follow up, the Lord will not let us down. I have seen the unspeakable joy that accompanies testimony-driven inviting and faithful follow-up among members of the Church the world over."  We taught them about the willing and brief invitation that I believe I have mentioned before.  We're hoping they use this invitation as they follow up with their friends that went to the open house.

I love being a missionary!  I learn so much everyday.  Thanks for all your prayers.  I love you all so much!

Love,

Elder Joshua Gandy

May 19, 2014

Dear family,

It has been another great week here in Arizona!  The weather is now in the triple digits and will probably stay that way.  It is still going to get hotter, but it's not too bad.  I'm definitely getting use to the hotter weather!  This week we had stake conference and it was great!  Pres. Nattress spoke and a counselor in the temple presidency.  This is a great stake to serve in!  There are so many great leaders and so many great examples to look up to.  One great thing about serving in Gilbert is because of all the members that we get to work with. 

We taught R. again this week and he is definitely ready to be baptized.  They have picked a time and everything for June 7th!  We've had several great lessons this week!  One person we taught is going through a lot of challenges right now, but we were able to teach them about Heavenly Father and how he loves us and that we can pray to him.  It was amazing to see them exercise their faith and to see the peace and comfort that came.  

I was reading this morning in Alma 29:10 "And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."  As we see others come unto Christ, it reminds us what Christ has done for us.  I'm so grateful every time we teach an investigator that has such a great desire to change and come unto Christ, because it reminds me how grateful I am for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's amazing all the things that we learn as we read the scriptures!

Thank you for everything!  You are all great examples to me.  I love you all!  Hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Joshua Gandy

May 5, 2014

Dear family,

 

It has been a great week!  It seems like the work here in our area has started to pick up.  We were able to pick up four new investigators this week!  We started teaching the part member family that I mentioned came to church in my letter last week.  When we went back over this week they bought new sunday clothes for their kids and agreed to take the lessons.  The first lesson went really well and the mother had a lot of questions.  We are excited to start teaching them!  Everytime we schedule an appointment one of the kids always asks us if we can come back the next day.  

We also taught another of our investigators again this week.  He is doing awesome!  We don't know exactly when he will be baptized because of his work schedule, but we will find out this week!  We have some great investigators right now and some potentials that we hope to start teaching this week!  

 

This week we had transfer meeting.  Since our mission is so small the whole mission gets together and our mission president trains us.  Pres. Nattress is so awesome!  We have zone conference this week and we get to be taught by him again and I'm so excited! 

 

Things are going well and being a missionary is amazing!  Thanks for all your prayers!  I love you all so much!

 

Love,

 

Elder Joshua Gandy