Elder Jarrett W. Pinster : Week #7

This week has been probably one of the best and happiest weeks of my entire life. I have never felt so full and happy. I cannot describe how much joy I have felt this week.

This week started out with my best P-day yet. I got to go bass fishing in a pond that some members in one of our wards own. We caught 4 bass in about 2 hours of fishing and the owner made fun of us because two Northwesters caught more fish than the southerners he's had out there caught. It was a great day and I even got some sun since its 85 here everyday. Fishing was the perfect way to relax and start my week. I also fish and say y'all now so I guess I'm getting pretty southern. My old Kentucky accent is beginning to reflurish as well which is fun for me.

I am finally getting the hang of tracting. In Preach my Gospel there are 13 questions of the soul to ask people with references in the Book of Mormon. The questions are like "where did we come from" and "where can I find peace." I decided to memorize those questions and have began to start asking them on doorsteps. Now I don't worry about what I am going to say and am able to share my testimony of the Book Of Mormon with everyone I meet. My first day trying that technique allowed for almost 5 new investigators in 8 doors that we knocked on. That is crazy considering we usually get 1 with every 30. I now love tracting because we get to meet so many people and share truth with them and I also found the more I smile the nicer they are to me.

The Book of Mormon is true. There is power that comes along with the Book. I have began to fall in love with it. I read every day and the more I try to pull from it the more power and love I feel. I challenge everyone here to read it more and study it daily and blessings will come in your life.

I also learned the best thing you can be to someone is an example. I desperately wish I could go back to high school and be a better missionary to those around me. My biggest regret is not looking for people to help share Christ with. As missionaries, we love to hear people on doorsteps tell us about great Mormons they know. Faithful members are one of our strongest tools we have as missionaries just because of their example. I thank anyone who leaves a positive example with others about the church.

The Nana family we are teaching is becoming more and more like Christ daily. This week we got to set a temple date for them to do baptisms once they are baptised (April 14) and also a temple date for their family to be sealed. I cannot explain how strong the spirit was there when we were able to tell Morgan that she could be sealed to her 4 children and husband forever. We all were overcome with happiness. She immediately invited us to the sealing and my heart was made full. So on April 20, 2019 a family will be sealed forever. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it and knowing that I was able to have a part in that.

This week was also Zone Conference which was super fun. We received our smartphones.... even though the one I brought which I was told to bring won't work for 6 months (but that's a different story)....

The conference was great. We focused on how to keep our converts and take them to the temple and how the Book of Mormon will help us do so. It was so uplifting to be around so many other missionaries and to feel the spirit. I was asked by president to share my favorite scripture (2 Nephi 22:2) with everyone. I loved it. It is my absolutely favorite scripture ever and speaks to my soul. It was a great day to be a missionary.

On Friday I got the opportunity to go on exchanges with Elder Hill. He graduated the same year as me and has been out about 7 months. He has friends that I knew at BYUI so it was super fun to connect that way. He is really funny and a great missionary. We spent the whole night laughing and knocking doors. That was the night we found 5 new investigators. It was a blast getting to switch things up and go to work.

I got the opportunity to speak in church on Sunday. I shared Nephi 7:4-5 which tells of the 4 steps to missionary work. (Gain Favor, Speak, Let the Lord soften hearts, and Invite.) I invite all of y'all to read it and think of ways to use the four steps in your life.

This week brought so much joy into my life. I love being a missionary. My heart is continually full and every day I feel my Savior' s love for me. I'm so thankful to get to serve Him. I know He will bless us in all we do if we love Him first.

Love y'all and God bless.

Elder Jarrett Pinster