Week #65 - Milagro en Cypress

Hello!!! Boy oh boy am I happy and so blessed. I love being a missionary so so much. I can say there is no other joy out there that is like the one that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Miracles are happening all because of the Savior of us all. My cup runneth over. 

On Tuesday, Elder Lindsay and I had like 15 minutes to go finding before we had to travel to our next appointment. We didn't know what would be best to do so we said and prayer and then decided to go knocking. We were four doors in when we met a young couple and after talking for a little bit they invited us in! They were full of questions and it was such a good conversation. They invited us back the next day and then came to church Sunday!! We are so excited and happy for the guidance we've been giving. Heavenly Father really does magnify us as we do his work. I feel so blessed. Heavenly Father will sustain us as we "go and do." 

I read a poem this week that really stood out to me. It's about the Savior and what He really does for us each day. 

"One night I had a dream…

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and

Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life

This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it.

“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

You would walk with me all the way;

But I have noticed that during the

most troublesome times in my life,

There is only one set of footprints.

I don’t understand why in times when I

needed you the most, you should leave me.

The Lord replied, “My precious, precious

child. I love you, and I would never,

never leave you during your times of

trial and suffering.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

We have really been focusing on trying to always be about the Father's work. I'm so grateful for the spirit and its guidance that comes along. I love being a missionary and serving my Savior. The Lord is there and He really loves each one of us. I'm thankful for all that I have. Love yall and God bless!!! 

(here are pictures because that's probably the only thing y'all look at 😂)

Elder Jarrett Pinster 

TURTLES!

. . . LONG DAYS . . .

SUNBURNS

OUR NEW BEST FRIENDS

Week #64 - ANOTHER IDAHOIAN COMP!

This week was such a blessing. Wow, I love being a missionary so so much! I feel so overwhelmingly blessed to be doing the Lord's work. 

I got a new companion! His name is Elder Lindsay and he is from Shelley, Idaho. He has been out for about 17 months and is a straight beast. We have been having so much fun this past week. We worked hard and saw so many miracles. I just feel His grace and love. 

Here are some way cool miracles from this week: 

So we felt prompted to go stop by a potential family but when we got there they weren't interested. Then we decided to stop by a park on the way back to our next appointment. A completely inactive guy saw us riding to the potentials' house and then was able to see us again in the park 30 minutes later. He told us he has a daughter and nephew living with him that he said need to get baptized and invited us over next week. We are sooo excited!!! 

On Thursday night, we were riding our bikes home and it was pouring. When we got back to the apartment I looked down and my tag was gone. I felt super sad because it was the name tag I wore for my entire mission. The problem was that we had no idea where I had lost it. The next day we were walking between our appointments and I felt a prompting to "look left." I did and there was my tag. Heavenly Father cares about the little things. 

Saturday was the longest but most fulfilling day of my mission. We biked probably over 15 miles total while doing stop bys and tracting. From 10-9 we just worked. We got yelled at (I'll save the comments made) multiple times by people driving by, had some nice hand gestures made at us on multiple occasions, I crashed my bike and flew over the handle bars, and no one accepted our message. It was exhausting but we felt the Savior with us. It was seriously an amazing day. By the time we got home we just felt fulfilled. We were walking side by side with our Savior. 

Then on Sunday the miracles happened. Our wards warmed up to us so much! We got invited to Ward councils for the first time, asked to help with youth activities, a member brought a friend to church who wants to learn more, dinner calandars were filled and all our friends we are teaching came to church. Blessings were given because of the work we did!!! I love being a missionary. 

The mission is so fulfilling. I'm so happy with life and the blessings I receive from a loving Heavenly Father. He really is a merciful and happy God. I'm so grateful for all I have. God is good and the Gospel is true. I love y'all and God bless!! 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

NEW COMPANIONS

PINSTER AND DENNIS ON SPLITS

Dr. Sam knows my sister (when she served in the Waller Ward)

Week #63 - OH LORD MY GOD

My oh my. My heart is full and the Savior's grace is real. I cannot even comprehend and explain how I have felt and grown this week. I have learned more and come to feel my Savior more than ever in my mission. I feel so blessed. 

I can really only try to explain my week in a story that I heard this past week. It goes: 

A man passed away, was resurrected, and was waiting in a room to be interviewed. Another man was ahead of him. The door opened, the first man entered, and the door closed. The man on the outside could hear the conversation on the other side of the door. The interviewer began: "I would like you to tell me what you think about Jesus Christ." 

"Well, he was born of a virgin in Bethlehem. He lived 33 years or so, spending the last three in His ministry organizing His church, choosing His apostles to direct it, giving the Gospel to direct our lives."

The interviewer stopped him and said, "Yes, that is all true, but I want you to tell me what you think of Christ." 

"Well, He was tortured and crucified that we might have eternal life. Three days later He was resurrected that we might return to our Heavenly Father." 

"Yes, that us true, but tell me what you think of Jesus Christ." 

The man paused, a little perplexed now, and then continued: "Well, He restored the gospel in its fullness to the earth through Joseph Smith. He reorganized His church, gave us temples wherein we might do work to redeem our dead. He gave us family prayer and family home evening where we might unite with our families. He gave us the priesthood to heal the sick and personal ordinances for our salvation and exaltation." 

The interviewer again stopped him and said, "Thank you. All of what you said to me is true." 

The man was then invited to leave the room. After he left, the door opened and the second man entered. As he approached the interviewer, his eyes opened wide. He fell upon his knees and cried, "My Lord, My God." 

I saw and felt my Savior more than I ever have this past week. I can feel Him helping and walking with me daily. I'm am so grateful for this past Easter season and the feelings of gratitude, love, and compassion that I have experienced. God is too good. 

We had the opportunity to go to the temple this past week. It really is the house of the Lord. The power and spirit I felt while inside was overwhelming. It was truly amazing to be in the Lord's house and feel His presence. 

There were miracles flowing all week. From finding a new family of 5 from Iran that wants to learn more this week to having sincere prayers that have changed my life; this week was a blessing. I am eternally grateful for this divine opportunity I have to serve. It truly has blessed me in ways I didn't know were possible. God is at the helm and is blessing me continually. 

Jesus is the Christ. His gospel inspires and uplifts. We just have to keep trying and let Him take the lead. I'm overwhelmed with His grace. I know He lives. I know He can heal. I love Him because He loves me. I worship Him because I want to be like Him. I love this work. 

I love you all and am praying for your success. God bless and make this week a great one!!

Elder Jarrett Pinster 

PINSTER & SMEDLEY

CLARK & PINSTER

Week #62 - UP UP AND AWAY

HOWDY!!! Jesus really is the Christ. He really does live and strengthen each and every single one of us. His love is there for all of us and His healing power can save anyone that calls to Him. I'm so extremely grateful for the Savior and what He did/does for me. 

This week had yet even more miracles. The thing I love about a mission is that you can really find out that God cares and loves each and every single one of us. He cares about us and our well being. Here are some cool miracles from this past week: 

One night Elder Clark and I were out finding. We had prayed about where to be exactly and just felt like the street we were at wasn't right. We prayed again and both had a prompting to go to the exact same place. When we both decided that it was the right decision, we hopped on our bikes and got to the place. When we got there we were able to connect with a member that was struggling super hard. We talked with him and then asked if we could give him a blessing. We did and the spirit was so strong during it. We had no idea why we needed to be somewhere different but we followed the spirit and were able to minister to someone who needed it. The spirit really does guide this work. 

Another cool miracle was when we decide on where to go finding, we pray constantly. When we showed up to the street we had picked out, we really only had time to do the left or the right side. We said a prayer, looked at each other, and both decided at the same time to try the left side. 7 doors in, we were able to meet a family and they invited us in. It was a miracle. We shared the Book of Mormon with them and cannot wait to follow up with them! 

I feel so happy. It is amazing to feel the love of a Heavenly Father when we are doing what He asks us to do. Happiness really does come from and is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

There are countless miracles happening all around us and it proves that God is in the work. I feel so incredibly blessed to be doing the work that I am doing for my Lord. As Easter is approaching, I have been studying more and more of Christ's final events. My appreciation and love for what He did is growing evermore. I am forever grateful for the sacrifice He made for us to be cleansed, redeemed, and forgiven. He is the Savior and He is my best friend. 

I love being a missionary and sharing His light. Heavenly Father is so gracious and His love is always there. I'm thankful for this opportunity I have. The Lord is in the work and His grace can reach us all. 

I love y'all and God bless!!!

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #61 - LORD KNOWS

Happy April!!! God is the single greatest thing in my life. I am so absolutely blessed to have Him here leading and guiding me closer to my best self. It was a great week full of growth, miracles, and learning. I'm so grateful to be able to share His gospel and represent Him everyday. 

This week we had a crazy awesome miracle. I was with Elder Hitchcock on an exchange. We were going to go with the Assistants later that evening for another exchange. While waiting for them to come, we decided to go knock an apartment complex. We were able to meet and get in with a family of three! Shortly after, the assistants were waiting in their car and a kid came up to them and asked if they could teach their family. The kid just knew they were missionaries and knew his family needed them. The Assistants went and were able to have a lesson with a family who has been dealing with so many obstacles. Both of the families that were found and taught in that complex happened at the same exact time. God's timing is perfect. He is in the details. Within 5 minutes of each other we were able to find 2 families which consisted of 8 people. The Lord guides the work. He knows the people that need His gospel. 

This week we also had the opportunity to have Zone Conference which is always good. I always feel so motivated and full of love after Zone Conference. We talked a lot about receiving personal revelation and how we can truly receive knowledge for ourselves from Heavenly Father. 

General Conference was the past two days and I feel very edified. The spirit was strong and the words were inspirational. We watched it with our friend Eduardo and he loved it. He told us that he felt like some of the talks were directly for him. He just felt like God was speaking to him. It's crazy how personal and individual Heavenly Father is. He is in the details and He cares about all the little things in our lives. 

Everyday I've been trying to improve. The Lord definitely shows myself where I can improve and how I can be better; What a blessing it is. My mission is changing the nature of who I am. I love this work and feel so incredibly blessed to be a part of it. We have a loving God who wants the best for you. Trust in Him and He will guide you through. I love y'all and am praying for you. God bless. 

"Be still, and know that I am God..." 

Psalms 46:10

Elder Jarrett Pinster

PINSTER & SMEDLEY

COOPER, HITCHCOCK, OWENS, PINSTER, PACHECO, CLARK

Week #60 - MARCH GLADNESS

Howdy friends!!!! Yet again it was such a blessed week to be serving my Savior in the great state of Texas. This week included a ton of learning, growth, patience and leaning on my Savior. The mission is going so well and I love being able to serve here. 

Last week we found a high school kid who was out shooting hoops in his driveway. We went over and I played him in horse. We ended with a spiritual thought and he told us he felt something different aka the spirit. We asked if we could come back and he said for sure. Fast forward to this week and we saw him three times and he is doing so good. We gave him a Book of Mormon which he is reading through so fast. He just loves the feelings of the spirit that he is having. It's a miracle. Heavenly Father was able to guide us to Eduardo and now we get to help him find God. God is good. 

The family we are teaching is doing great. The 14 year old went to youth conference this past week and even bore his testimony. They keep coming to church and have read more than we thought they had. We are so thankful for them and any prayers going their way would be much appreciated!! 

We also went out tracting this past week and met a guy who had just moved here from New York. He said that he had been thinking about finding out more in Christianity and then we showed up. God guides my friends. We had a great talk with him and he invited us back. I feel so blessed to have Heavenly Father looking out for me and guiding me daily. 

We also had the opportunity to go do serve for the Houston Health Clinic this past week. It was so much fun. We basically helped teach kids to brush and floss their teeth. I loved it lol. I even got to see the Houston skyline for the first time in my mission. It's such a pretty city and made me miss Portland a little bit. Suburb life is a pretty plain life to say the least lol. 

I also got to go back on campus this week on an exchange!! I went to Prairie View A&M which is such an awesome school. It was really fun talking to college kids again and kinds bittersweet because my sister served in that area when she was in Texas for her mission. I guess Texas is part of our heritage now :) 

Anyways Texas is a good place to be. The gospel still continues to heal and Jesus is always the Christ. Life is moving fast and I'm so thankful for everything my Savior has done for me. I feel a magnitude of love from Him daily. The spirit guides and fills. I love you all and am so thankful for everything a loving Heavenly Father has given me. Prayers from Texas and God bless. 

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible." 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

THE CITY OF HOUSTON SKYLINE

Elder Pinster and Elder Karren

Week #59 - LOVE YOURZ

Howdy to my dearest friends and family!

This week was a great week to say the least. We knocked many doors, biked too many miles, and served our Savior. I love being a missionary and sharing the good news that is the gospel. I'm slowly starting to feel more at home in Cypress and I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for the constant guidance He gives me. 

Here are some cool miracles for y'all this week:

On Thursday night we were out finding. We pulled up to an apartment complex and I felt like we needed to go to building 1. As we got out to that building, we saw the apartment management so we quickly hurried to the side of the building because they'd kick us out if they saw us. BUT as we came to the side, we saw a woman walking so we went and said hi. She told us that she was going to buy a lottery ticket. I asked what her lucky number was and she said "1." We talked with her and shared some scriptures. At the end we said a prayer and she invited us back the next day. God guides us all. It only takes "1."

Another cool miracle we had was we were able to get in with a family we've been trying to work with. We were able to go over and share a message about Jesus Christ and the Atonement. The parents both had tears in their eyes after we had finished because the spirit was just so strong. I love feeling the spirit as a missionary in lessons. It just makes life better. 

Lastly, I played a kid in horse this week while we were out tracting. When we finished the game, we asked if we could share a video with him. He watched it and afterwards said he felt something that was just different. It was the fist time he'd ever felt the spirit. We could see that he was feeling it. It was amazing as I had felt prompted to just go shoot with him and it turned into a gospel experience. I'm so grateful for the opportunities Heavenly Father gives us and for the fact that I haven't completely lost my jump shot :) 

On Sunday night, we also got to go to a "WHY I BELIEVE" fireside and I was able to see my Huntsville people again. It made my heart full to see all my friends. Chukwudi (who Elder Potter and I found) even came up to me to invite me to his baptism next week. My heart was made full beyond all fullness. I feel so loved. 

I feel happy. The gospel is true and the Savior loves us all. He lives and is here for us whenever we need him. The healing and cleansing power of our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ is real. He leads and guides us daily. I feel overwhelmed with His grace. 

I love y'all and God bless!! 

Elder Jarrett Pinster 

Food Bank Fail

. . . We still knocked!

On exchanges with Elder Owens

President and Sister Peterson came to say hi on Friday at district council 

Week #58 - GROWTH SZN

Howdy y'all  This past week has been awesome. I got transferred to Cypress Texas! It's a huge suburb of Houston and I cover two family wards here. The bike life has continued unfortunately, but all is well still. 

My new companion is named Elder Clark! He is from Arizona and has been out almost 17 months. I knew him when I served up in College Station, so it has been fun getting back around him. Also Elder Hitchcock from Forest Grove back home is my new Zone Leader companion. I'm way excited about this transfer! 

Let's just say Cypress is a completely different ball game than anywhere else I've served lol. They have these huge gated communities here and the houses are huge. The people are very nice and the members are amazing. I've never really served in an area like this so it will be an adventure for sure! 

We are teaching a family here! They are super amazing and I already love them. They recently moved into the area and were looking for a church. We were able to stop by and get to know them this past week and I'm so excited about them. They even came to church yesterday and loved it. 

This week I have been really working on connecting and relying more and more on the Savior. I have needed him by my side constantly. I loved reading in Mark 4 this past week about Jesus calming the storm. We all have storms going in our lives but Jesus can and will calm them for us. He can tell them to be at peace and help us through it. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He won't take them away completely, but He will ease the burden we are carrying. I'm so thankful for my Savior and the healing power He possesses. 

It's growth season down here in Texas. I love my Savior and I love the power He gives to me. I know that He is mindful of all of us and loves us each individually. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve and to become better. This gospel is so great and really can calm the troubled soul. 

I love y'all and God Bless! 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Goodbye Sam Houston

Goodbye Elder Potter

A Texas earthworm???

Goodbye Rebekah!