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 

Week #98 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

This week was crazy.  We had Christmas Mission Conference and spent all week trying to get everything good and ready for that. We saw some sweet miracles throughout the week and just another reminder that the Savior lives. The girl we are teaching named Kayla got us ties for Christmas and even signed them. 

I'm super grateful for the opportunity to serve and to be able to do His work. Jesus is the Christ and I know He lives. I love being a missionary and spreading His gospel. Sorry this is super short but today is crazy busy!! Love y'all!!!

Here's some pictures to make up for a short weekly

- We played the Houston South Mission President and his two assistants in 3 on 3 games. We won needless to say! lol. 

SAW AHEDO FAM

We played the Houston South Mission President and his two assistants
in 3 on 3 games. We won needless to say! lol.

HOUSTON VS. HOUSON SOUTH

CELEBRATED SISTER PACE BEING 22!

YUMMY OREGON PEARS!

CHRISTMAS MISSION CONFERENCE

ASSISTANTS

Week #97 - ANGELS

This past week has been one of the best and most spiritual weeks of my mission. It's also been a down right roller coaster of a week. I am grateful for everything that Heavenly Father has given me and know that He is with me every step of the way. I'm truly grateful for a loving Father in Heaven.

To start things off let's talk about our home girl Kayla. Kayla might be at the top of the list for sweetest and prepared person to ever live this earth. No joke. Her life has been such a struggle since deciding to get baptized. Her family is a wreck because of her decision and it's been tearing her apart. This week her family had her sit down and read almost 300 pages of Anti documents to which she said, "It only helped me see how true this all is." After lots of arguments and frustration she decided to wait on her baptism to help ease the family burden. Her heart is literally broken but she keeps the faith. I've never seen someone give up so much to live the gospel. She's a miracle and a Saint for all she does. Any prayers for her will still be greatly appreciated.

Next wild step of the week was that we met with our other friend Jon and he told us he wanted to move his date up!!! Out of no where he committed himself to next weekend. When we talked about the commandments and about life after baptism he opened and explained what he'd be willing to give up to make a covenant with God. It was such a miracle to see how God has prepared him and helped him take this next step. Christmas miracle!

God really does know what He's doing out here. Let me tell you the story of this week. There's a man in our ward who had fallen away from the church. He was pretty old and had a rough go physically. We've tried to meet him and see him multiple times but no luck. On Saturday while planning in the morning I felt a prompting to text his son and see if we could come by. He texted back right away and said, "My dad had a stroke last night and is in the ICU. I was just about to reach out and see if you could give him a blessing." Holy smokes. We were guided to be there right then and there. We raced up to the hospital and were able to see him but he was sedated and completely out of it. It wasn't looking so good. We talked with his nonmember son and offered some help for sometime but before we could give him a blessing they rushed him into an MRI. On Sunday we decided to go back and give him a blessing. When we walked into the room he had a light about him. Even though he had a stroke 48 hours previously he looked right at us and said, "Elders I'm coming back." The spirit was so strong as we gave him a blessing. He was a happy old man that wants to get on the right path. It was a special experience that I will never forget. 

We met this guy named Albert tracting this week and my man's let us in right away. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and how it blesses our lives. He soaked everything up and loved it. Fast forward to a little bit later and we are sitting in Albert's house again but this time our guy made us some of the best ribs I've ever had. He loves having us over and is a true friend for grilling us some meat. We are planning another BBQ with him this week. We are pretty excited to say the least. 

I also got to go on exchanges down to Sealy, Texas which is kinda on the outer part of the mission. We spent the whole night in some small country town called Eagle Lake that has about 100 trailers, one stop light, a Buccee's gas station, and some elect people. We knocked about three houses, got fed dinner twice, taught three lessons, found 2 new people to teach, and almost set a baptismal date with a guy who used to get taught by the missionaries. Eagle Lake is an elect place to be. I love small town country Texas.

Other than that, this week was full of grinding and working. The mission will cause some heart breaks sometimes but at the end of the day God is always good. He always will provide if we will just rely. Thankful for every opportunity to serve in Texas and for my Lord and Savior. This is His work and this is His glory. I know He lives. I know He is the Christ. Love y'all and God bless.

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #96 - MIRACLE SZN

Howdy y'all!!!! 

I hope that everyone is having a great Christmas season and enjoying the extra focus on Christ. I know that I definitely am loving the Christmas spirit and everything that comes with it. Texas was eventful as always this week which is great because I've come to expect nothing less. Time just keeps on going and I love every second of it.

SO to start off with some miracles and updates ... Our friend Kayla really needs some prayers right now. She wants to be baptized so bad but is having some outrageous family opposition. She has a strong testimony but may lose her entire family if she joins so prayers would be great appreciated for her. Our other friend Jon is doing great. He came to church all on his own and told us that it's just normal for him now. He is reading the Book of Mormon every day and can't wait for his baptism at the end of the month. God is for sure loving and taking care of these people. I'm grateful for His helping hand. 

Funny story for y'all: on Saturday night Elder Tebbs and I were out tracting when we met this super nice lady that was cooking in her garage. We walked up to say hi and saw that she had an entire fish, scales and all, just frying in a pan. She was cooking so she had no where to go but to listen to us! We shared the Christ Child video and at the end looked at us and asked, "How can I find peace in my life?" It was powerful and we were able to teach her about the Book of Mormon and how God has a plan for her. The highlight of it all was definitely the 5 pound fish frying though!

We also met a super nice lady who opened the door and said, "Nope, I'm Baptist" to which Elder Tebbs responded, "So?" Usually that doesn't work the absolute best, but with her it did! She then poured her soul out to us about the trouble she was having with her son and kept asking us how we were so strong but so young. We shared with her that the gospel blesses us to do the right things and teaches us principles to live by. She told us she was moving in a week so we told her we would be back to help and she broke down crying. She then explained how the past two weeks God has put all things together for her and her last step was to find someone to help her move but she couldn't afford it. It was a straight up miracle!

Other than that this week was pretty full of meetings and headaches. We got two special Christmas surprises from our mission president this week which were super fun. We had the opportunity to go and have a private tour of Minute Maid Park with a guy who runs the Astros that President knows. We saw the locker room, the boxes, and even got to go down on the field. It was an absolute blast! Then I was able to go back to Huntsville for an event called "Journey through Bethlehem" which is like a live Nativity. It was so fun to see former people I knew and I even ran into a family I helped baptize that told me they are getting sealed in June!!!! I love Huntsville.

Jesus is the Christ. His grace is overwhelming. No matter what happens or what struggles we face, He will guide us through it. As a nice southern Baptist lady once told my companion and I, "He led me to it, He'll lead me through it." Grateful for the opportunity to serve here in Texas. I love my Savior and the work He has given to me. 

Love y'all and God Bless.

Week #95 - THANKFUL . . .DREAM'N OF A "WHITE" CHRISTMAS

Happy December!!!!! It's crazy how fast time is flying by. I feel like I just got to Texas sometimes and now I'm already at my second Christmas season. Sometimes I wish it would just slow down, but I'm doing my best to soak everything up. I love being a missionary so much. These past months have been some of my happiest times in life and I'm grateful for all the opportunities that I have. God is good. 

I'm doing pretty good down here in Texas. Our friends Kayla and Jon are doing great. Jon accepted a baptismal date this week and said it just makes sense to him. He's pretty golden. We are definitely going to need some Christmas miracles to make all this happen but I know that God's got our backs. Plus, everyone loves a white Christmas ;)

A super cool miracle we saw this week was when we were out finding one night. Elder Tebbs and I have really been trying to focus on finding a family in our family ward that we can teach and bring into baptism. One night we were out knocking and talking to people when it felt like nothing was going to happen. We knocked two entire streets with hardly anyone even relatively interested then we met our friend Areclia. She's is a super sweet mom who was in her garage cleaning up. We stopped by, introduced ourselves, and were able to share a message with her right then. She was super excited we stopped by and her eyes lit up when she saw the Book of Mormon. There's power in that book. Anyways, we are pumped about her family and should be meeting her husband this week so prayers for that. 

I also got to go on an exchange with a zone leader in the Tomball Zone named Elder Johnson. He's been out almost a year now and it was fun because I was his first zone leader all the way back in my Conroe days. It was fun to see how much he has grown and become more like the Savior. That's truly one of the best parts about a mission. Anyways, we were just knocking away that night when we met a super nice guy named John. He offered us sandwiches after he opened the door so we accepted and then he brought the stuff out. I've never had a white bread, cheese, and tomato sandwich before and I probably won't ever again but our boy John is elect. He told us he just wants his family to be stronger. We read out of the Proclamation for the Family and then talked about the temple. His eyes were lit up because of the spirit he felt. It was a powerful lesson and I'm thankful Heavenly Father lead us to him. 

Thanksgiving was good. Stopped by tons of people, taught some lessons, ate way too much (since everyone we stopped by insisted they needed to make us a plate) and felt the love of our Savior while doing His work. AND I got to talk with my whole family so all in all it was a pretty great Thanksgiving. I love holidays as a missionary. 

I absolutely love being a missionary down in Texas. I just feel so much joy. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and redeemer. I know He knows each and every single one of us personally. I'm thankful for His grace and mercy. Texas is a holy place and a special land. This is His work and His glory. Grateful for every opportunity He's so freely given me. All of this work is true. Love y'all and God bless!!! 

PS: Elder Tebbs and I are sending out Christmas cards so if you want one email me an address :)))) 

THANKSGIVING WITH OUR MAIN GUY PRESIDENT PETERSON

Someone brought a HUGE cake to the office, and we caved!

OFFICE BUDDIES

We definitely bought matching sunglasses ...

Late night protein!

Week #94 - HAPPY!

Life is good down here in Texas. I'm happy down here and the work is going well. Happy to be serving Him. 

The area is going well. We have some awesome YSAs we are teaching that are doing super good. We are pumped for them and it's fun teaching the young ones. They are definitely the elect. We also have some people in our family ward that we are hoping will catch fire this next couple weeks but we'll see. On Sunday, a girl named Kayla that we are teaching was fasting about getting baptized and the Stake President spoke in sacrament meeting. He spoke exactly what she needed to hear and after we talked about taking a faithful leap in her life. Miracles are everywhere. 

I read a quote from Bruce R McConkie this week that said, "I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way." 

Think about it though. He testifies of the Savior so intently and strongly. The last part is what's amazing. When he says that, he shall not know any better then that I know now, even when he'd be face to face with the Savior his knowledge would be the same. How on earth can we get to that point??? I have been thinking about that and realized that it comes from living the gospel and relying on His grace. When we give Him our heart, and almost just as important, our mind, He will work wonders with us. I hope to someday have the same testimony that He has of the Savior. It's comes from giving and growing.

I'm so greateful for all I have. Jesus Christ is the Savior of us all. God is so great and His gospel is the light of the world. I love this gospel.

Love y'all and God bless.

Elder Pinster

Elder Tebbs, President Peterson and Elder Pinster

Taking Elder Hitchcock to the airport on his way home to OREGON!

Week #93 - TEXAS TOWED

Happy Mid November!! This week was full of so many miracles and blessings. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve and do His work. It's transfer week so it's gametime, but I love it. Crazy to think I only have two more transfers left. I love my mission so much and am thankful for everything He gives me. 

On Monday we got a referral from a member living close to us about a guy he works with named Jon. Jon is pretty elect to say the least. We met with him and he told us that he is looking for structure and for a relationship with God. He even committed himself to find out what is true and what will help him the most. It's crazy how Heavenly Father will always provide. Sunday he came to church and loved it too. 

Our friend Kayla is also doing great and is fasting for help with her baptism. We are praying so hard for her. It's alright though because this is a work of miracles and He will always give them. We even had a new friend named Justin come to church yesterday so we are feeling pretty blessed with everything right now. 

I also got to go up to Huntsville this week and even got my car towed! It was an eventful week to say the least. I love that country town so much. Also got to go on two airport trips so that was pretty fun. 

Other than that life is good and God is great. I love the ability to serve Him and for His grace. I've definitely felt Christ's ability to help us move on and do the things He wants us to do. His grace gives the ability to continue on everyday. I love the gospel and the people of Texas.

Love y'all and God bless.

Elder Pinster