Week #39 - Fill Up My Cup

Oh man.  This past week was one that filled my cup over. I absolutely love being a missionary and seeing the progression of those around me and myself. I am so extremely happy to have the opportunity to serve the great people here in Texas. 

I'll start with the part that was not so fun. I got the flu and it was badddd. From Tuesday to Friday I felt like I was gonna die. By Friday, I was ready to get out and work again so we did! The funny thing was that pretty much everyone in the district except my companion got sick and he is for sure not shy in telling me that. 

NOW ON TO THE GREAT NEWS!!! This weekend was full of baptisms and I feel so happy. First off, Adrian from College Station was baptized and man was my heart made full. I had been working with him pretty much my whole mission and he is now baptized!! He said something at the end of his service that made being a missionary so worth it. He said "never give up on an investigator because God never gave up on me." I love that guy so much and am so proud of him. 

We also had four baptisms in Huntsville this weekend!!! The first two are named Khory and Katana. They are the cutest little siblings. We had been contacted by their dad that he wanted his kids in a church so after going and teaching them they were baptized! They are the cutest little things. Children really are special. Teaching them and hearing the gospel from them really made me appreciate the truthfulness of the gospel. 

Lastly, Dylan and Fernando were baptized also!!! They are studs. I met Dylan my first day in Huntsville and he's just the man. He has grown so much from the first time we met him and it was so cool to see him take off. We always used the Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water to Jesus with Dylan to help teach him. Yesterday after the baptism he said "look at me I'm outta the boat and His hand is in front of me." Heart is full. Seeing Fernando get baptized was so cool as he's been meeting with missionaries for 3 months. I absolutely love baptisms. The feeling of joy is almost overwhelming. My cup is so full. 

Elder Morgan is being transferred tomorrow so I will be getting a new companion! I'm sad to see him leave so soon. I've really come to love him and he's a great missionary. I will miss working with him. 

We also got to go to the temple this past week. Man, I love that place so much. So much peace and happiness comes from there. 

I love being a missionary so much. Texas is turning into home. Always remember to read and pray daily. Strength can come from coming closer to Jesus Christ. I know that as we come closer to him, He will come closer to us. Love y'all and God Bless!! 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #38 - No, I'm not lucky, I'm blessed.

HELLO ALL!!! 

This week was so amazing!!! Another blessed week to be part of the Lord's work in Texas!!!

Here are some cool miracle stories from this week:

On campus we hand out dum dum suckers to students as they walk by. Every day there is always one girl that will get the dum dum but will always somehow manage to never stop and talk to us. Well, on Tuesday Elder Morgan and I were feeling sick, but we powered through and went up on campus to find people! We set a goal of three people to find that day and as soon as we sat down, sucker girl came over with two friends. We finally got to talk to her and her friends!! One of her friends is even from Portland and is playing soccer at Sam so we bonded over trees and clean water. The Lord blessed us and we are super excited to see where they head!

Another cool miracle story was yesterday we had 6 people come to church and three of them were able to be interviewed for baptism next week!  I felt so much relief as they all are now ready to take that next step! I also got to talk in church yesterday about the Book of Mormon and what it has done for me. As I talked, I just felt this overwhelming feeling of joy that comes from that great book. 

Lastly, a cool miracle we had was last night. We had a member refer his niece that goes to Sam to us to start teaching. She had been kind of stand-offish the first two lessons, but said she was feeling something different. Yesterday we had dinner with her and her family that is in the ward. It was so cool to see her family teach her gospel truths she had never heard and she even admitted to feeling the spirit. It's a blessed work out here y'all that is made for families. Also after teaching the plan of Salvation it really made me think about how much the plan is all about love. We come to earth to Find Joy and to Learn. Heavenly father has given us a plan to do so. 

One quote I heard this week that stood out to me is to "Be mindful even if your mind is full."  I love it. For me it really teaches what it means to be Christlike. To always be mindful of those around you and serve them. I love it. 

We are working with some absolutely stellar people. I love being a missionary in Huntsville. On Saturday we had the ward trunk or treat and I love the people here so much. I feel so blessed to be a missionary here. 

I read in Mosiah 4:20 which talks about the spirit bringing joy to our hearts and if that is ever so true. When we put ourselves in the places to feel the spirit, we can feel overwhelming joy.  I feel so much joy. Praying for y'all daily and love you all so much! God bless!!! 

Happy Halloween Week!

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Week #37 - God Don't Make No Junk

Howdy!!!!! This past week was a blessed week in Huntsville Texas. I love being a missionary. Sam Houston is such a fun place to serve. 

On Tuesday we had a lesson with a person who is progressing and loves the lessons, but we ran into a problem with his eligibility for baptism.  We addressed it a little but we didn't feel like it sat well with him. So, on Thursday had another lesson with him and the focus was overcoming these issues he has. 

At the beginning of the lesson, he was not very interested and it seemed like he was losing hope. We said so many silent prayers! But half way through the lesson, we talked about his vision and what his goal is. His eyes became brighter and he told us why he was still taking the lessons and why he wants to be baptized and about his vision in life! We talked about ways we have overcome hard things in our life and the conversation ended up being about prayer and fasting. 

We testified of prayer and fasting and explained to him how to fast, and we left the lesson feeling really good! Later on Sunday he told us that he wants to change and that he is ready to let go of these issues he has. On Sunday he came up to us and told us he was fasting for the first time to help him be ready for baptism!!!! It was such a tender mercy. 

We were knocking an apartment complex close to our curfew on Saturday and we talked to so many amazing people. On the way back to our bikes, we felt like we needed to keep going so we did.  As we were walking to another building, a guy yelled at us from the second floor. He was like “Hey! You Jesus people?”  We went up and talked to him and he told us to come into his apartment. We looked at each other and nodded as we walked in. His name is Oso! He is a super hilarious barber, he looked at us and was like “Yeah I cut you for $15”... You could say we have a hook up in the hood now.  God blesses up. 

Sunday night I had the opportunity to go out to a small town called Madisonville in order to help interview someone for baptism! We loaded in the truck and took out on our safari. After starting on a freeway, we headed to a two-lane country road, then to a gravel road, which was followed by a dirt path, and finally we ended up driving through a grass field. After the fun driving adventure, we met up with the women and the interview went great. All of God's children need the gospel, no matter if they live on the edge of the world. 

God is so good. He blesses me daily and helps comfort me and make me better. I'm so blessed for all that Heavenly Father gives me. 

Love y'all and God bless. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster 

Week #36 - Wayyyyyyy Up, I feel Blessed!

Man ... THIS WEEK WAS FLAT OUT AWESOME. We saw so many miracles and I can't even explain the joy that I feel as a missionary.  When I think about a mission all I can think about is love.  Love the people and love the Lord.  Being a missionary in Texas is my favorite thing. 

So to start off this week we had a Tri-Mission Conference with all the Houston missions! There were over 300 missionaries in one stake center! OH AND TO TOP IT OFF ELDER HOLLAND WAS THE GUEST SPEAKER! 

As many of you know, Elder Holland is quite possibly my favorite individual in the world. We got to greet him personally and wow was it an experience. As I shook his hand he smiled at me and said that he was proud of me. Words cannot describe how I felt at that moment. It felt so personal and yet he knew nothing about me really. He then made a comment on my sunburnt cheeks and told me to keep working in the sun everyday. It was something I will never forget. After greeting he then counseled the missionaries on how to be more converted because that will lead to the miracles ahead. The power that he has is immeasurable. Friday was a day I will never forget to say the least. 

Huntsville is turning into funville as a missionary. Elder Morgan and I set three baptismal dates this past week and have some amazing people we are teaching. It's amazing to see the Lord guiding us to where we should go to find people and what to teach them. We pray for miracles daily and everyday it seems that he gives us one. The ward and YSA branch have some of the sweetest people ever.  After being in just a YSA for 6 months, I absolutely love being taken care of by all the sweet old ladies in Huntsville. They love missionaries and make some dang good dinners let me tell you.  I feel so blessed. 

This past week I have been thinking more and more about how to "become." I think that when we choose who we want to become and set a goal to react it, that is when we grow the most. A thought that was given yesterday in Sacrament Meeting was about how we can become.  It was something along the lines of "until you master the fundamentals how can you expect to master the game?" It really made me think about what we can do to master the fundamentals of the gospel, primarily reading, praying, and attending church. If we want to be successful, we have to master the fundamentals!!!

I feel so overwhelmingly blessed to be in Texas at this time. God is so so good. His gospel is so pure and full of love. Everyone needs peace in their lives and the gospel can bring it as we live the principles. 

I love y'all so much and know Heavenly Father loves you even more. God bless!!! 

Elder Jarrett Pinster 

 

Got to see my first MTC comp Elder Haugen again -- Love that guy!

Rain Day with Elder Morgan

Chef Pinster

TEXAS THUNDERSTORM

Week #35 - BELIEVE, LOVE, DO

Hello!!!! This past week was an awesome week for sure. Huntsville is slowly starting to feel more and more like home. The Texas heat is slowly starting to leave, and boy am I excited for some cool weather once again!  I am so blessed to be spreading the word of God to the people here. 

This week we set three baptismal dates with some awesome people. Two of them are siblings named Cory and Katana. They are just the cutest little 9 and 10 year olds ever. They love to hear about Jesus and tell us all the bible stories they know. 

The other baptismal date was with a guy named Dylan that we found on Sam Houston's campus.  He has a friend on a mission and his friend always said he should meet with missionaries and finally he ran into us on campus and we set up a time to meet!  He is super chill and just a great guy.  We are super excited for him to progress more and more in the gospel. 

General Conference was the past two days and man do I feel edified. I loved the counsel that was given. Throughout all the meetings, I just felt hope and love. I absolutely love how inspiring conference is and motivates us to just become better.  I am so thankful for a prophet and apostles that truly bring us closer to Christ. 

This week I learned a valuable lesson to lean on the Savior in all that you do. Sometimes you may feel lost and alone but keep on.  Life is so hard sometimes but with faith and looking to the future you can see little daily miracles.  Always keep trying to become your best self and in the words of President Eyring "Try, try, try." 

I love y'all so much and am praying for you. God bless. 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

Buc-ees run on our way home in Madisonville

Studies with Elder Morgan

Campus life (future album cover) 

My Fav District 

Twin Day with Elder Pacheco

Week #34 - WELCOME TO PRISONVILLE

HOWDY y'all!!!! 

This week has been crazy.  I got transferred to Huntsville, Texas. This place is straight up wild. I love it so far. Here are some fun facts about Huntsville: 

There are 30,000 people

5 prisons WITH one state penitentiary (in the middle of town I might add)

It's home to Sam Houston State, which consists of over 20 Faith organizations, and one HUGE antiMormon group who loves to bash us. 

They have hills that are huge like legit big especially when I'm on my bike. (Yes this means probably another 6 months without a car) 

There is one family ward and a YSA (that consists of 14 people) 

It is nicknamed as "Africa" in the mission because of the lush vegetation and wild species of people.  Trust me, I've knocked into some characters. 

I love being in Huntsville.  My new companion is named Elder Morgan and he is from Salt lake city.  He is a huge loveable goof.  I love him already.  He for sure helps keep me not too serious.  The area right now has a really small teaching pool, but we are working hard to change that. 

This week I have really studied more about Jesus Christ and His life.  I was reading in Matthew 14 which talks about the Savior walking on water and Peter also doing so.  When Peter's faith started to faulter he began to sink.  I love verse 31 which starts with "Jesus immediately reached out ..." 

No matter what we do, Jesus is waiting to reach out and grab us.  He will also do so and can do it. 

I love being in Texas and serving my Lord and Savior.  The gospel is so true. God bless and love you all. 

Also here is my new address! 

Elder Jarrett Pinster

1235 Josey St. Apt 265

Huntsville, TX  77340

Week #33 - BYE TAMU ...

This week has some sad but exciting news!!!! I am leaving my area of serving on the Texas A&M campus. It has been an amazing 7 1/2 months in College Station. I am being transferred and will now be a district leader in my new area!!  I am way excited and nervous, but Heavenly Father will take care of me!!

Yesterday we had a devotional where recent converts have the opportunity to share their stories in front of people from about half the mission. Out of the three speakers, two of them were people I worked with and helped baptized (Alyssah and Jeston).  They both shared the stories of their conversion and WOW did I feel blessed and uplifted! The spirit spoke to me and almost reassured that I had done what I was supposed to do in College Station. Heavenly Father is so good y'all.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth. 

I have two gospel thoughts for y'all this week:

1) I had a thought that made me think about who I really am and what I need to do better.  The quote was "Bear testimony always and sometimes use words."  Are we living in a way that shows that Christ is the center of our mind?  Do our actions show we put Him above all?  It made me really reflect on my life now and what I need to do to always bear testimony. 

2) The next gospel thought is from the Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 9:39

"... Remember to be carnally minded is death, and to be spiritully minded is life eternal."  Wow.  Makes me think even more.

Elder Jarrett Pinster 

Reunited with Rudy and Elder Troy

Fav ladies from the Baptist food bank

Elder Airth and I

BLUEBELL ICE CREAM!!!

READY FOR SOME TEXAS RAIN ... IN COLUMBIA STYLE!

Week #32 - JOY ... AND SOME MORE JOY!

Wow I love being a missionary. If you want to know what joy is, become a missionary. I love being in College Station and serving the people at Texas A&M.

This week Alyssah was baptized!!!! Story time!!!! So, we found Alyssah around a month ago. Her sister went to A&M like 5 years ago, ran into missionaries, and six months later was baptized. Alyssah saw her sister's life change and thought it was interesting to say the least. We ran into Alyssah and her friend on campus and her friend said she wanted to meet, but Alyssah had zero interest. Two weeks later we ran into them again and Alyssah said she'd meet just so she could understand what her sister believes. 

Our first lesson was pretty intense. She asked some really tough questions and wouldn't let us use anything to answer them except with the Bible. We answered all of them. After the lesson we asked her to read the Book of Mormon and she said no but that she would meet with us again. After another lesson and an understanding discussion on the Book of Mormon, she agreed to read it. A month later that Book has changed her life. 

We continued to meet with Alyssah and saw her heart soften and her light have life. We saw miracle after miracle in her life.  She had opposition from family and friends but stayed the course. After meeting with us for three weeks, SHE ASKED US when she could be baptized. We never even had to ask. She told us that the night before she knelt and prayed about the truth of everything and Heavenly Father answered ... and she never looked back. She bore her testimony during the service Saturday and stated the four things that she knew were true: 1) God has a plan for everyone; 2) The Book of Mormon is true; 3) This is Christ's true church; and 4) Jesus is the Savior.  Boy was it powerful.  I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for letting me play a part in her life changing. 

We are still finding like crazy on campus. We have some solid people that are progressing and growing in the Gospel. I just feel joy. Constantly. This gospel blesses lives and gives me purpose. 

I am so thankful for being in Texas.  I love this gospel and know that Jesus is the Christ.  He heals and He loves. 

I love y'all and God bless! 

Alyssah's Baptism Day

Alyssah bought us matching A&M socks for our second lesson,
so we broke them out for the baptism!

Mid-Lesson selfie with Elder Smedley