Week #86 - ALL THE WAY UP!

Howdy y'all. 

Yet again it was a blessed week in Texas and God is still always good to me!! I love being here and the spirit I feel as I do His work. A mission has really helped me see that you become what you act on. It's been an awesome week seeing how Christ is in every aspect of life and is willing to help with all parts. God is good and Christ is love. 

Big miracle this week was that we had the opportunity to go with Westin to the temple for his first time. He did baptisms and he loved it. He was able to be baptized for his grandfather who he was pretty close with growing up. He looked so calm and peacefully there. It's truly the Lord's house. He even showed up an hour early and stayed an hour late because he just didn't want to leave the temple. It's been a blessing to see how the temple can be an anchor to our testimonies as we participate and go inside. It's a special place and a place of power. Thankful for the Lord's house. 

We also had a crazy funny miracle this week. We were out tracting one evening and then finished the street we were on so we headed back to our car. After the last house we decided to head to our next street so we got in our car and drove away. Little did we know a guy was in his garage at the last house so after we left he saw us, got in his car, and chased us down lol. He pulled up at a stop sign close by so Elder Airth rolled down the window to give him a card but he said to come back and teach him right then. So we drove back to the house and had a lesson. Our boy Ja'Kobe is a baller to say the least. We were pumped. 

I got to also go to back to Huntsville and College Station on exchanges. We were able to see some old friends and work on A&M and Sam Houston State. I love college campus' so much. Young people are definitely my nitch on the mission. It was good to see old friends and Converts and to hear they are still thriving. We even found some new people to teach for the elders there so it was a good time. 

I saw a picture this week. It was a drawing of a little stick figure and then kinda standing above the figure in the air was the Savior. The person was holding their hand out with a little heart drawing in their hand. The quote of the picture said, "All I have to give is my heart" and in return the Savior said, "That is all I ask for." I feel that. All we can do is give Him our heart. He will take our hearts and make us into something we never knew possible. He is the master healer. He is the molder of characters. He is our Savior and redeemer. I'm so thankful for Him and His willingness to put up with my lack of perfection. Consecration is the goal and His grace is the way. Thankful for my Savior. 

As usual, life was pretty grand this week. We don't have any bad days here because we are doing His work. Grateful for the opportunity to serve Him and to be His representative. Every good thing I have in my life is because of Him. Thankful for all I have. 

Love y'all and God bless. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster 

Week #85 - STORMZ

Howdy y'all!!! 

It was such a blessed life. I'm so happy with life and with the redeeming power of my Savior. He Lives and I know that He does. Texas is the best place to be a missionary. 

This week we had some sweet miracles. We met Debby while doing some Monday night knocking. She was so sweet and opened right up to us. We knew she was elect when she pushed her door back behind the door and stepped out to talk to us lol. Anyways, she just needs the gospel in her life and loves the light of it. We saw her again on Friday and she said she was feeling so much better because of the light of the gospel. It's so true that the gospel heals us from the wounds we have. Grateful for His help and love in the work. 

I also got to experience a tropical storm this past week. It just rained and rained and rained. We had no flooding up here so counting our blessings. Zone conferences were also this week so that was fun to see all the mission friends too. I'm super grateful for the missionaries in this mission and the light they always bring. 

On Friday we went on exchanges. I got to go back to Cypress with Elder Lindsay!!!! I love that guy. Our one transfer in Cypress will always be remembered. Anyways, we went back to Cypress and were able to set three dates with a family we were teaching when we were together!!! I love the Ahedo fam and am so excited for them to make this next step. I also got to see my guy Elder Karren so that's always a win too. Love that guy. 

ELDER LINDSAY, ELDER PINSTER, ELDER AIRTH, AND PRES. PETERSON

It was a great week. I love being a missionary and I'm grateful for my Savior. He Lives and I know that. He guides and I feel that. I'm so thankful for every opportunity I have to serve Him. Thankful for the healing power of Jesus Christ. I love my Savior and His gospel. 

Love y'all and God bless!!! 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #84 - GOT ME

This week was another great one in Texas. Somehow every week builds my faith and belief in our Savior Jesus Christ. I love the blessings of the gospel and all the joy it brings. Thankful for my Savior and thankful for the people of Texas. This state is really a special place. 

Zone conferences started this week so it's been a busy one. It's always a blessing to get to see all the missionaries in the mission. I feel so blessed to get to work with such awesome people all the time. 

This week I was reading in Moroni 7 and it says, "And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise."  

I've really come to realize on my mission that hope comes from faith in Jesus Christ. If we come to know Him we will have faith to continue on. He heals, guides, comforts, and loves us to make us better. If we need hope, He can give it to us. To ask for help from the Savior is hope. The Savior died and lived for us. We can use His sacrifice to become something great.

Time is moving fast and I thank my Savior for everything I have. No matter how stressed or busy I get, He is always there to lead the way when I ask. I'm thankful for this gospel and for the opportunity I have to share it with those around me. It's a healing truth in this world. I love my Savior and I know He loves us. Grateful for every second I have here in Texas. 

Love y'all and God bless. 

Week #83 - UP THERE

Howdy y'all! 

Life in Texas is such a blessing and the gospel is always so good. I'm thankful for my Savior and for the grace He offers to all those who reach out to Him. This week was full of miracles and hope. Thankful for everything I have in my life right now. God is so good. 

On Saturday Westin was baptized!! So Westin is such an amazing guy. He had gone through so many trials and hard things throughout his life that had really made his life turn upside down. All things in his life fell apart but he remembered that he was given a Book of Mormon years earlier. In his darkest time he decided to open it up and read. His life changed. He read and recovered for the time needed and when he was ready we got a call saying he was ready to be taught. It was a miracle to Elder Airth and I as we were working for a month straight just trying to get things going when he came into our lives. We met with him and he was just ready for the gospel. We set a date with him early and he never faultered. Over the last month he grew and changed. It was a blessing to see his change and the light of the gospel come into his life. He is one of the most elect people I have ever met before. God just prepared him. It was a miracle. I'm so thankful for Heavenly Father for leading us to him and in return giving us a new friend. God is good. 

Another awesome miracle was on Saturday night we were out knocking on doors when we met a lady named Sandy. She opened the door and said, "How did you know I was here? I was just about to call you." Apparently she had met with missionaries before and missed meeting with them so she was going to reach out to us but we showed up first!! Gotta love the spirit. Anyways, we invited her to church the next day AND SHE CAME. She was all dressed and ready at 8 when the member came to pick her up. It was a miracle of all miracles. She is such a sweet lady and we can't wait to teach her again today. 

We also had a guy come to the YSA yesterday who had been taught a year ago but kinda fell away. We introduced ourselves to him and he said that his life wasn't in a good spot but now he was ready to get back. He even brought up baptism on his own. DJ is the man. 

Life is going well down in Texas. The Lord always provides a way and truly does lead and guide. I feel over blessed by the miracles He allows me to see. I know He is there and I know He cares. I love Him and His gospel. I'm thankful for everything I have. Jesus is the Christ. 

Love y'all and God bless. 

Elder Pinster

Improving BBQ'n skills - Mission Office Parking Lot with Pres. Petersen

ELDER AIRTH & ELDER PINSTER

Week #82 - TEXAS FOREVER

Howdy y'all!!! 

It was another blessed week in Texas. Life is always moving and I love it. This gospel is true and such a blessing to my life. Grateful for my Savior and His grace. He is so merciful and loving. It's a blessed life. 

This week our friend Westin got all set up and good for his baptism this weekend. He told us that he just feels redeemed and connected to his Father in Heaven. The best part of a mission is being able to see the change and healing power in their lives. He is so excited and we can't wait for this weekend!! 

We met some awesome people during the week. This week was just jammed packed with transfers and administration lol. I'm happy with it though. My appreciation for the work has grown more and more. 

Life is great and I've never been happier. Thankful for my Savior and thankful for Texas. I love being here and having the opportunity to labor in His vineyard. Jesus is the Christ and God is our Loving Heavenly Father. 

Sorry this was short but time moves fast and I love y'all!! 

"The Savior won 'our souls with love.' Jesus Christ is our Master. His work is our work. It is a saving work."  --Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

ELDER AIRTH AND ELDER PINSTeR
George Bush Int'l Airport in Houston, Texas

ELDER PINSTER, ELDER SMEDLEY, ELDER __, ELDER AIRTH

Week #81 - FINAL FOUR (TRANSFERS)

Well, another transfer has come and gone. This last one was such a blessing in my life. I feel like I've been able to grow every day in so many ways. I know I still have a long long ways to go but I'm feeling more and more consecrated. Serving the Lord is such a blessing and honor. His work is a joyful one.

Some cool miracles this week:

I had the opportunity to go on an exchange with Elder Pineda. He's a zone leader in the Spanish program here. He's the man. We had plenty of time to go knocking so we hit the pavement. We knocked for about an hour without even one real answer. Then on one of the last doors of the street we met the family God was moving us towards. We knocked and asked if we could share a quick message with them. They let us right in. The coolest part was that half the family could only speak Spanish. So the one time there'd be a Spanish speaking missionary with me was when we met them. We taught them about the Restoration and it was really cool because we did it half in English and half in Spanish. We had 6 people sitting down and talking with us. It was a super awesome miracle. 

On Friday, we headed to an appointment but unfortunately it fell through. On our way to the door we saw a man named Fred. He was sitting out on his lawn. I told him, "If these guys don't answer we're having a lesson with you" as we walked over to the other house. The people didn't answer so back to Fred we went. We had a super good lesson with him and were able to give him a Book of Mormon. We love Fred.

Another really cool thing was that Elder Airth met a woman a year ago tracting then left his area. She had prayed earlier that day for guidance when he and his companion showed up. Fast forward to a year later after lots of lesson and trials; she was baptized. We got to go to the ceremony and it was so special. The elect are out there.

Our guy Westin is doing so good. We love him and he's ready to be baptized in two weeks. The Lord is always providing. I got the opportunity to go on one last exchange with my guy Elder Doelling. We have basically served around each other for the past 15 months. We've grown to be best friends and he's truly a disciple of Jesus Christ. He goes home Wednesday so we made the most of our one last exchange. It was a blast and I sure love that guy. 

I also got to head back to Cypress Sunday night for a devotional where recent converts spoke. It was powerful especially considering I was able to see and help 2 of the 3 people who spoke. The gospel changes lives and heals broken hearts. I'm so thankful for it.

With the start of this transfer I'm officially at four left. I'm so thankful for the light and energy that I feel because of this gospel. I want to give my creator all I have. I have been given so much. There is no better cause. I'm grateful for all I have. The work never stops. 

Love y'all so much and God bless. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #80 - GRACE

Happy August 19th y'all!! Yet again it was a blessed week in Texas. Life is good and God is even better. I'm thankful for my Savior and for the grace He offers me every single day. Jesus is the Savior and God is our loving Heavenly Father.

On Saturday, Beau and Mia were baptized!! They are the sweetest kids ever too. Their family recently moved into our ward and started coming back to church. We love them so much, they are just an awesome family. The baptism went great, lots of members came and even most of the extended family came. Baptisms are such a sacred experience that it makes all you do as a missionary worth it. After being around them and seeing the impact they have they've truly become my favorite part of a mission. The power of the promises we make and the cleansing that comes is unreal. God is true and his authority is evident. Grateful for the knowledge I have of his atoning power.

We also had a cool experience last night. We had dinner with an awesome family in our ward and at the end we had them pick to streets to go knocking on. We prayed and they picked the streets. We even took their 17 year old son with us. It was a blast and we even were able to teach some of the people we knocked into. The coolest part was that the son loved it. We even tracted into someone he knew from his high school. God is a God of miracles. 

I read a quote this week from Dallin H Oaks that says "The healing and strengthening power of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is for all of us who will ask". I know this is true. I know Jesus Christ will heal all of us if we ask. I have seen Him heal broken hearts, souls, and lives. He truly is the greatest of all. Our Lord, Our God. 

I'm thankful for the opportunity I have to learn and become like Him. All that I am is because of all He has given me. This gospel is true and this work is His. We are all in the hands of the greatest potter alive, let him mold us to what we can become. Thankful and grateful. 

Love y'all and God Bless. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #79 - FOURTH QUARTER

Howdy y'all!!!! 

This week I hit my 18 month mark and time is flying by. Mission life is just normal life and I absolutely love it. I want it to slow down so that I can fully enjoy it. It's definitely the sunset time of my mission. I love being a servant for my Savior.

This week had so many blessings. To start off, about 7 months ago while I was serving in Huntsville I met a girl named Jaa'lah. We contacted her at Sam Houston State. We were able to teach her and even set a baptismal date with her but unfortunately she moved to College Station so we handed her off to the missionaries there. Unfortunately, they didn't do super good with her and she kinda disappeared. BUT a week ago I got a text from the elders there and they told me she recontacted them and was getting baptized this past weekend! I was able to pull off an exchange up to College Station this past weekend to be at her baptism. She bore a strong testimony and wow was my heart filled. Missionary work just fills us. The gospel just fills. I'm so thankful for my Savior.

Also, my boy Jeston got his mission call and leaves this Wednesday so we got to see him and say goodbye. He is such a stud and I'm so proud of him. It's been really awesome to see his progress and now he will go and influence so many others. What a blessing. We also had zone conference this past week and I loved seeing all the friends in the mission again. 

We also set a date with Westin this past week!!!!!! He is so prepared. He told us that he already knows the Book of Mormon and church is true. He is solid beyond all means. He even drove an hour to go to a YSA conference this past weekend. It's amazing because Heavenly Father put him in our hands after so much prayer and fasting to find the elect. God is good. He always provides. 

I love my Savior so much. I'm so thankful for Him and all He does. The mission is by far the best place. The gospel is just one of love and joy. I have a full cup and it runneth over. I'm so grateful. He leads and guides. I know this gospel is true and that Jesus is the Christ. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #78 - TRUST THE PROCESS

Howdy y'all!! 

This week was such a blessed week to say the least. I'm so thankful for my Savior and all that He does for me. Life is good for sure and Texas continues to bless. I'm so grateful for this life I have and the grace I feel. 

This week we met a guy named Weston. He grew up around members and loves the church so much. He referred himself to us and he is such a solid guy. He told us he already knows everything is true and considers himself already a member. God always supplies and provides. Weston is such a blessing and a humble guy. We are so excited for his progression. 

Our friend Carlos is also doing super well. We met with him three times this week and he's progressing so fast. He is reading the Book of Mormon and loves the spirit he is feeling. We were able to teach him the Restoration and see the light that comes from the gospel come into his life. He just wants to be better and become the best man he can be. The gospel will mold us if we let it. God is the master potter and will make us who we need to become. 

Also our boy Enike got baptized so we were pretty pumped about that. He's such an awesome guy. He's got such a bright future too. 

We also had MLC, 8 Week, and a zone conference this week so life was crazy to say the least. It's such a blessing to get see all the missionaries. I love the missionaries here and the light they have. Thankful.

Anyways, Texas never fails. My cup always runneth over. The spirit leads and guides. I'm so thankful for my Savior and for His infinite sacrifice. Grateful to know that this gospel is true and that I can become better everyday. This life is a blessing. 

Love y'all and God bless.

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #77 - PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

The Lord is involved in every detail of our lives and loves us. I absolutely love Texas. The mission is such a blessing. This past week seriously was probably one of the best weeks of my mission. I felt like I learned so much from Heavenly Father this past week. I started writing down every night how I saw the Lord's hand in my life and it's changed my entire perspective.

In Sunday school we talked about "the pursuit of happiness." The teacher illustrated that happiness is actually found in the pursuit. We find happiness as we pursue it. The journey of finding happiness will create it and it all revolves around God. Then the Lord will work miracles along the way. We are all pursuing happiness but how often do we find it? Happiness is found in the pursuit. 

On Tuesday I went back to Huntsville. I absolutely love that place--most fun 6 months in my mission. I got to go back on exchanges with one of the Zone Leaders and it was such a blessing. Huntsville is my favorite Texas town. So many elect people in that town. We were trying to decide somewhere to go tracting and I had a specific street that I had knocked last like December. Anyways, we drove to the street and started knocking. We were able to meet a guy I tried to teach last year. His name was Dallas. He even still had the Book of Mormon we gave him. When we knocked, he went inside and grabbed it and then came back out. We talked about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. Yesterday the elders texted me and told me that he even came to church with his family. It was just a blessing to see the miracles at work. 

We also tracted into an inactive part-member family on Tuesday. They were super nice and invited us back for dinner on Saturday. When we went back on Saturday we were able to make two new best friends. It was seriously so fun and at the end the woman said she could feel the love we had for them. Nothing crazy happened but I could just feel the love our Heavenly Father had for them both. 

We also knocked into a new friend named Carlos who is searching for a way to get closer to God. He is a beast and works harder than anyone I've ever met. He's 22 and already has two successful jobs and lives in a gated community. This guy has it going. We even had a lesson at 7am Friday morning to fit around his work schedule. Guy is a straight beast. Life is good. 

The Lord will reward us when we work hard. The fruit of our labors will show eventually. We just have to trust in Him. 

I feel like I've been able to really see the Lord in every detail of my life. We are all looking for happiness and the Lord is the best place to find it. The pursuit will lead us to the Savior. I'm thankful for this gospel and for this mission. His grace is filling and His spirit is healing. 

Love y'all and God Bless. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster 

ELDER AIRTH AND ELDER PINSTER

Week #76 - SAVIOR, PILOT ME

Howdy y'all! 

I'm thankful for my Savior and His gospel even more than ever this week. It was a good transfer week and all went smooth. One of the best parts about being where I am now is having the opportunity to spend time with the departing missionaries on their last couple days. I was pretty sad to see some of my best friends from the mission head home. It really made me reflect on how special of an experience a mission really is. Over the past 18 months I've learned so many lessons but I think the most important lesson I've learned so far is about the Savior. The knowledge I've gained about who He is, the character He has, how He helps, and His healing influence has grown and changed me. I'm so thankful for Him. I've been really thinking about the change that comes because of Him throughout this week. Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the world. He is the reason we can become who we want to become. 

Over the past week I've had a quote from CS Lewis in my head. The quote is: 

"Christ has an infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does not have to deal with us in the mass. You are as much alone with Him as if you were the only being He had ever created. When Christ died, He died for you individually just as much as if you had been the only man [or woman] in the world."

Gratitude is all I feel for my Savior. His grace truly does save us all. He loves each and every single one of us individually and fully. I'm overwhelmed when I think of the redemptive power that He offers each and every single one of us. God is good and Jesus is the Christ. 

Love y'all and God bless. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #75 - FAR ALONE

Howdy yall!!! Transfer week is this week and boy am I excited. Life is going to be crazy but that's what it is all about. I'm feeling extremely blessed to be serving for my Savior and doing His work. His hand is always outstretched.

Probably the best part of my week was on Saturday. A lady named Heather and her daughter Sinatra were baptized! I knew them and worked with them back when I was in Cypress. Heather called me a few weeks ago and asked if I could come back and do the baptizing for them. It was such a sweet experience. Heather had always kinda known about the church but was a strong Atheiest. She lost her husband a year or so ago and was just struggling really hard. She decided to look for a church that would help her. She asked for missionaries to come over. Over time she learned that she was a child of God and gained a relationship with the Savior. Her whole life changed. I think what made the baptism so powerful was that so much was being left behind in the water and the path in front was so bright. My testimony of the Atonement and of Priesthood power is solidified now. Words cannot even explain. Jesus Christ is real and what He did was real. His ability to heal us is evident. He can and will save and heal. His gospel will change us and mold us to who we need/want to be. I'm so incredibly thankful for the sacred experiences I've had on my mission.

We also were able to meet with a family that lives in the Spring Ward that we cover. They are wanting to reactive and have two unbaptized children! We went over and taught the family and the kids want to get baptized so we set two dates with them! August is going to for sure be a good month!!

This week we also got to go to the temple as a mission! No words really need to be said except it is the house of the Lord. The spirit is so calm and peaceful. The feeling of love that comes from worthiness and humility in the temple is overwhelming. It really is such a light in the world. Thankful for the blessings of the temple.

We also went to Top Golf with President Peterson and some other buds. Shout-out to Elder Hill for making it happen :)

Anyways, I'm so thankful for the Savior. Serving in Texas is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me. I'm thankful for the Priesthood, the Atonement of Jesus Christ and this restored gospel. The gospel blesses lives. 

Love y'all and God bless!!

Elder Jarrett Pinster