Week #106 - TEXAS FOREVER!

Howdy y'all. It's hard to believe that this is my last email as a missionary. This past week has been a blessing and it's been a sweet ending. My mission has been the biggest blessing in my life.

On Saturday Rudy Martinez was endowed!!! He was someone I taught in my very first couple weeks of my mission with Elder Troy. He is a walking miracle for sure. When we were first teaching him almost two years ago, after he had starting reading the Book of Mormon we asked him how he felt and he said, "Enlightened." Saturday, we were able to talk a little bit after the session and I asked how he felt. He said he felt "Enlightened." It was a full circle experience for sure.  The gospel really does enlighten our lives and how we feel. It was such a rewarding experience to be with someone who's life has changed.  So grateful. 

The rest of the week was exchanges and working. We started teaching another family that we were trying to get in with which I'm pumped for them. It is just a great feeling to finish at the best I've ever been as a missionary. 

These past two years have been such an amazing experience. I feel overwhelmed with his love and grace in all that I've been able to experience. There's almost too much feelings to explain how grateful I am for my mission. I have felt a change of nature and heart while trying my best to help others learn more about Christ. He really is the master. 

I wanted to end with my greatest knowledge that I've received on my mission which is that Jesus is The Christ. He is the healer. He allows us to be forgiven, cleansed, and made whole again. He is my best friend and I know He lives. I know God is there in every step and that He is our loving Heavenly Father. God is good. I know that this gospel is the true gospel and that we have the ability to know truth for ourselves. I love my Savior and I love his gospel. 

I feel grateful to have something that hurts so bad to say goodbye too. I loved my mission. Grateful for y'all and am thankful for the support I've felt over the past two years. Excited for this next chapter!! 

Love y'all and God Bless!!! 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

THE LAST SUPPER

Week #105 - ONLY ONE

Man O Man what a week it was. I'm thankful for all that I have and for a loving Heavenly Father in my life. He always leads, guides, and comforts. Thankful for Him and for His loving hand in my life.

Something super cool this week was that someone Elder Potter and I taught back in Huntsville named Rebekah was able to go to the temple and receive her endowment! It was a powerful and spiritual experience. Being in the temple with people you helped get on the path is by far one of the most rewarding things about a mission. Rebekah seemed so happy and full of joy. She is a special person and God has guided her through it all. Grateful for the ability to have met and helped her along her path. God is good. 

This week was fun, got to go on some exchanges with Zone Leaders down in the city part of town. It's crazy how many people there are in Houston. After "jumping" a fence to get into a complex, which ripped my sweater, we spent the night finding and teaching. People are so humble down there and willing to listen. I've really come to just love people and all that they add to my life. All the hours of finding/talking always allows me to understand how much God loves all of us. He's a part of all our lives. 

We played the Houston South Mission President and his Assistants this morning in basketball and don't worry, Elder Tebbs and I held it down. It was a blast! The long ball still can hit which I'm always grateful for. 

I'm grateful for all that I have in my life. I'm thankful for a God who knows me and who allows me to struggle. God knows us and knows what we need in our lives. I'm thankful for my Savior and His willingness to forgive. All I have is because of Him. 

Love y'all and God Bless. 

1 More Week!!!!

HOUSTON vs HOUSTON SOUTH - PRESIDENTS & ASSISTANTS

Week #103 - WAY UP AND FEELING BLESSED

Howdy y'all. 

This mission just keeps on going and keeps on giving. I feel so blessed to be here still and love Texas. I've really been thinking a lot about how grateful and blessed I am to be able to be in the situation I'm in. I love being here and serving His children. Sometimes I wish time would just slow down and I could soak up more of it, but it always seems to keep on moving. 

JON GOT BAPTIZED!!! It was such a sweet experience. When we met Jon, he didn't even believe in God or really anything. Over the past couple weeks it's been amazing to see his growth and knowledge change. I think it's best shown by his smile. At first, he never smiled and now he smiles all the time. That's what the gospel will do for ya. After his baptism and confirmation, it was really bittersweet to see him just smiling. He told us he could just feel the weight lifted and the spirit with him. Jesus Christ made that happen. He's the lifter of us all. 

We also found a family this week!!! We prayed and picked out a street to go finding on but the one I felt strongly about we had already knocked a few months earlier. The spirit said to go anyways so we did. We ended up finding a family who had been taught before and even had a baptismal date. We were able to see them three times this week and they even came to a special devotional last night at the church!! It was definitely a testimony to me about how much God is aware and will reward when we do His will. Grateful for Him and His guidance. 

Anyways this week was an amazing one. It was zone conference week so lots of meetings and trainings. Elder Tebbs and I trained on how to become more like the Savior. It was a spiritual experience to learn that we must include Christ in everything we do. He is the center of it all and if He is not a part of it, what's the point? Christ can and does relate to everything. I'm grateful for Him. 

I'm so grateful to be out here. I learn something everyday and feel like I still have so much to give. I just feel joy. I know that Christ lives and loves. All I have is because of what He did and continues to do for me. 

God bless and love yall!!! 

2 weeks.....

- Jon's Baptism 

- Our homie Sister Larsen who works with us in the office 

- My "mission lineage" with E Potter & Jeppson

- Zone Conference 

ELDER PINSTER AND ELDER POTTER

ZONE CONFERENCE

Week #102 - CANDY PAINT

Another week has flown by down here in Texas. Crazy to think that we are halfway through my last transfer here. It feels like it is going soooo fast but soooooo slow at the same time, in a good way. I love it and the work here. I'm the happiest and best I've ever been. I feel like I'm peaking as a missionary and it feels so good. 

Our boy Jon is set for his baptism this weekend!! Any prayers for him would be fantastic! He is ready for it but we will need some faith to help him get that extra step. Excited to see how the change will impact him and his life. I've really come to see how much of an impact making covenants with Heavenly Father changes us. In reality that's all the gospel is, causing us to change and become better. All this happens because of our Savior. What a miraculous plan. 

On Wednesday Elder Tebbs and I stopped by someone we used to teach named Debbie. She told us her life was falling apart. We set up a time to come back with and she let us right in. We read from the Book of Mormon and spoke about why God causes trials for us. It's amazing how life's questions are answered in the scriptures. The light of the Gospel hit her and she could feel it. We were able to give her a blessing at the end to help with her health and upcoming medical procedures and when we finished she looked at us all teary eyed and said that she felt peace. It was an answer to prayers for all that were there!! 

Most of our week was filled with conferences and this week is the same. On the bright side I love conferences because I love seeing all the missionaries in the mission. They always bring the spirit to everything. I'm just grateful for all I have. 

I've really been reflecting on the blessings I have in my life. I feel overwhelmingly blessed to be able to know who God and my Savior is. I feel blessed to be a part of His true gospel. I'm grateful for the miracles I've been able to see and will continue to see. God has been good to me and I feel his power everyday. I'm grateful for all I have. Love yall and God bless!! 3 more!!!!

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #101 - JUMPMAN #23

Howdy y'all. This week was definitely a tender mercy of my mission and probably one of the best weeks I have ever had. I just feel my Saviors love and the truthfulness of His gospel. He really is leading and guiding in all that He does. I'm so thankful for Him. 

To start off the week Elder Tebbs and I wanted to just work so Monday night as soon as Pday ended we hit the pavement. We knocked away but what was amazing was that the whole day I had an apartment complex with a specific building in my head. We headed over and we found some new friends that were some of the funniest people I've ever met. A retired cowboy let us in and showed us all his prized possessions lol. We were able to teach him and he loved the Book of Mormon and at the end goes, "You know I could be a Mormon cowboy. It sounds pretty good." We loved it. Then we were able to find another family who let us in and are looking for a church too. God is so good. Smother all doubts in obedience. 

From Tuesday to Wednesday we have MLC and then mission temple days which we love. We had the Zone Leaders from College Station come stay with us overnight so they wouldn't have to drive twice. Tuesday night was full of work, a trip to Chili's, and a great lesson with our man Westin. There was five of us all together and I don't think I've ever had so much fun on my mission. One of the best parts of the mission is working with some of my best friends and leading others closer to the Savior. I love it. The temple on Wednesday was so good and is always a safe place to feel that sweet spirit. 

Saturday night we had just a few minutes so we pulled up to a complex to stop by some people we were teaching. As we pulled up we saw a family that was just moving in. We asked if we could help them unload things and they were so happy. After everything was up to the 3rd story apartment they asked why we did what we did. We were able to teach them right then and the light of the Gospel came to them. You could just see the spirit touch their hearts. It's crazy what God can do with little time and a willingness to serve other. We can't wait to see our new little family. 

BIGGEST NEWS THOUGH, we set a date with our friend Jon!!!! Jon is probably one of the coolest people I've ever met and taught. Jon didn't even know if God existed when we started teaching him and has been going through a Rollercoaster of learning since. Saturday night we met with him (after he read 20 chapters just this week) and he looked at us and goes, "Guys I'm just reading to get baptized". Our mouths dropped and we were pretty excited to say the least. We set the date and he is super excited for it. The gospel has just blessed him so much. He wasn't a huge smile guy but now when we see him he is always smiling. The gospel just makes us happy. 

Also got to go on an exchange with an ASL missionary this weekend. That stuff is so fun and the people are amazing. I contributed probably nothing but man is the spirit strong in those lessons lol. 

I feel like this week was a week where God used a fire hose to give out his blessings. I feel so lucky to be able to do his work. It hit my 23rd month mark this week and it makes me want to give him even more. As Elder Tebbs says, "All gas, No brakes". I love being a missionary. 

This gospel is true. Jesus is the living Christ. His word will bring us comfort and guidance in all that we do. Sometime I feel like my heart is going to explode because I feel so much joy. I'm grateful for all that I have. Love yall and God bless. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #100 - FOREVER

Howdy y'all!! This week was definitely one for the books. Transfers were crazy but super fun as always. I love seeing the new missionaries come in and how excited they are for their mission. Life is good down here in Texas and The Lord is still guiding us in everything. Grateful for Him. 

Our first adventure of the week started on Monday night. A missionary was flying home so we took him to the airport for his flight that was scheduled for 4:30 pm. We drop him off and then headed back to the office to finish all the transfer prep. At 9 pm we get a call from our President saying that his flight had been canceled and his new flight left without him so he was stranded at the airport. We rushed to pick him up only to find out that we would be tossed to and fro to every terminal to find his bags which apparently were already in Salt Lake somehow. When we got back home it was midnight and his new flight left at 5:30 am the next day. We tried to sleep as much as we could and then headed back to the airport in the morning. I don't think I've ever felt as exhausted in my life. After we dropped him off in the morning we had to start transfers and didn't really sleep until Thursday so this week was one of tiredness to say the least. 

We were able to get back in with a guy that I had previously taught a few months ago. He told us he had gotten married and started a new job since we saw him last which was awesome because those were his two biggest hold ups when we were teaching him. It was cool to see how a prompting to go stop by and see how he was doing lead to some miracles. God is good.

Kayla bore her testimony yesterday in Sacrament Meeting. She started it with, "Hi, I'm kayla and not a member but that'll change." She's so elect it's crazy. She gave a really good testimony on the Book of Mormon and how it has helped her gain a relationship with God. We were all so proud of her and the spirit was so strong.

I was reading in 3 Nephi 11:15 this week which says:

"And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he... "

Jesus Christ had everyone come to Him one by one to understand of His divinity. He ministers and loves the same way. It is personal. His ministering is specific for each and every single one of us. He really is the ultimate healer. I'm thankful that He knows how to help me and how to be there for me. Jesus is the Christ and He is the Savior of all of us. I love Him so much.

This week was another week but I feel blessed to be serving. I'm grateful for all the opportunities I have and for every second I have out here. Time keeps on ticking but I know that He is with me every step of the way. Love y'all so much and God bless.

Elder Pinster

ASSISTANTS AND NEW MISSIONARIES AT HOUSTON TEMPLE
. . . BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND . . .

HERMANA PEACOCK IS FROM ELDER PINSTER'S HOME WARD IN OREGON!

ELDER DENNIS AND ELDER PINSTER

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AIRPORT FUN

Week #99 - JUKE JAM

Happy New Year!!!! This past week was such a blessed week to be a missionary. Christmas on the mission is always so fun. Everyone is a little bit more open about Christ and that's what we love to see. I'm grateful for my Savior and for His help in everything I do. I wouldn't be anything without Him. He makes it all possible. 

Some miracles we saw this week were with some people we were able to find and start teaching!! On Christmas Eve, we were out knocking on some doors and met a sweet guy named Leroy. We actually prayed about a street to go and then when we got there we realized a street that we thought was 20 houses or so was 4 due to a park that doesn't show on our map. So a little sad but excited we kept on knocked and believe it or not on the 4th door we found Leroy. It was really special to see Heavenly Father lead us to him. Then later in the week we were out finding again and knocked for a few hours and didn't talk to a single person under the age of 60. Old Texas people are super nice but super stuck in their own beliefs BUT after we finished our street we head back to the car. A man and his wife pulled up and talked to us. Turns out they wanted to know more and invited us over. The Lord does always provide when we keep doing His work.

Our friends we are teaching are doing good. Satan keeps on swinging at them but they are sticking the course. It makes me proud to see them keep striving to follow the Savior no matter what comes their way. 

I've been thinking a lot this week while studying and really learned that when we look unto the Savior we can be healed. He really does and can save us. I had someone ask me what good the gospel has given me in my life and my first thought was that it's given me everything. It's given me the heart to love, the hope to continue, the family to rely on, and the spirit to trust in. The gospel really is everything we have. What a blessing that Jesus Christ gave us in order to be saved and healed. The Savior and the Healer. I love Him. The gospel really is the best thing we can have.

This week is transfers so I'm excited to see all the new missionaries and help them start the mission. I'm staying in Spring and the office for the last transfer of my mission which I'm pretty excited about. 9 months here and still love every second of it. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve and to learn more of my Savior. His love is pure. I love this work. 

Hope y'all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Love y'all!!!

- We got James Harden and Russell Westbrook jerseys...(still a Blazers fan though) 

- Exchanges with Elder Lindsay down to the city 

- Christmas with the Petersons