Bitter Sweet!

Elder Loveless and his District

Elder Loveless and the Sisters from his District

Man this is so hard. I never though it would be this hard to leave. I honestly have felt really sad and depressed about leaving, but I also feel so much love and comfort in going. It is a huge limbo. I will never be able to say and put into feelings how grateful I am to have been able, and privileged to serve my Father and my Savior here in Indiana. I feel a great deal of trust from my Father and Savior that they are allowing me to serve in two different areas. I am so grateful for all the wonderful people, friends, and brothers and sisters I have met here in Indiana. I will always have part of my heart here.

Christmas Eve with the Roger's

Christmas was great! It was so amazing to hear from my family, and to talk with them! Truly was the highlight of my Christmas to be able to read letters from those I love most, and to be able to reflect on what the Savior has done for me!

Elder Loveless with the Wades

Elder Loveless with the Crockers

Elder Loveless with Sister Miter

Well, I'm ready for the 80+ degree weather...yup I'm ready!

Love you all,

Elder Loveless

Elder Loveless with Heather Wall and Eric Gallagher

Elder Loveless with Zachary Barber 

Elder Loveless and some of the District

Christmas Mice

FELIZ NATAL!!!!!

Pictures from the Mission Christmas Party

Can I just say how crazy this week is going to be and how crazy this last week was...

well before we went to church we had breakfast and opened the drawers with nothing in them...we come home 3 hours later to find mice droppings filled in all the drawers and in our suit cases...with 3 hours later of smelling like Clorox and moving to the other elders apartment I still smell like Clorox! haha all good though!

Christmas presents from the mice ...

This last week was really great! We had such a good week of sharing Christmas message! I have loved being able to see the people here more of how the savior would see people! I love reading the account of Simeon, "30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation," as I was reading that and sharing it with people, I've never felt so much peace this time of year! I can literally feel the salvation of the father, through His sons atonement! This is one of the best Christmases, it has helped me see and feel of the best Christmas I have ever had, and that was when my dad was out of work. So many people brought peace and love to our family for all they did to us, and I will forever be tahnkful to everyone that showed us love! I know that each member of my family felt of the saviors love, peace and of his atonement that Christmas, and being out here has helped me even more!

It is crazy to think I will be in Brazil next week! I've waited for so long to go, and now my heart is being torn in two! I've found who the lord wants me to be here in Indiana, and I've found my eternal friends! I want to go and I don't! I don't like the feeling, but I feel privileged to serve two missions for my father and my Savior!

I love you all and wish you all a happy and Merry Christmas!

With Love,

Elder Loveless

Elder Loveless and Elder Litster

Elder Hallstrom and Elder Loveless

Josh and Elder Loveless

Jessica and Elder Loveless

The Perkins and Elder Loveless

It's Cold!

Wow...This last week was so good!

So elder Clifton and I knew that contacting was hard this time of year, so we were praying and felt inspired to invite others to listen to a Christmas message. We have been using the one about the ball that you had sent mom. It has been great and so effective, we have seen many fruits come from it! I love this time of year.

I feel so privileged to be able to testify of my Savior and my Father this season! Some don't listen, but they have their own choice! It is so hard watching and being able to discern people willingly deny the spirit. It is heart wrenching, but I found comfort in this scripture, 3 Nephi 27: 14-15.

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—

15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

I know that he was sent by our loving Father, the greatest gift of all, and quite frankly the hardest gift to give. I can’t imagine what it would be like to give my son as a sacrifice, so that others can have the ultimate gift of love! I thank my father for that very special gift! I love my savior!

Cool experience, I had Elder Greenberg in my district come work with me in my area for exchanges. We went up to this house to drop off cookies and a Christmas story for our investigators. They never answered so we decided to leave. I felt the spirit whisper to me to go back. Without hesitation we went back and knocked on the door...no one came. So we were walking back to the car and I thought I heard a voice out back, as we walked around the corner no one came or was there...it was weird. I thought it was just me, until I felt so strongly to knock on the door again...They came to the door! It was such a blessing and it opened my eyes of how much the Father is in HIS work, I am grateful we followed the spirit! I love you all so very much,

Love,

Elder Loveless

Last time with the Bishop and his family

Cool Tracks

SNOW!

Dec 9, 12

Sooo it is cold here...haha but I’m fine mom :) thinking that I will be in humidity in 3 weeks comforts me...sorta :) haha

Well it snowed a lot here...and some Hoosiers can’t drive in the snow...haha. They cancelled school with 4 inches...c'mon it took 3 feet for us to have one snowday! haha I miss snowboarding so much! But we spent the 2 days when it snowed to go out and shovel people in the ward...well I didn't have boots so I put on two layers of socks, put Kroger grocery sacks around my feet and put on my running shoes! I was toasty warm and dry! Promise mom I won’t lie to you! ;)

Well anyway we had a pretty hard time with teaching people! Bloomington is starting to die down with the semester ending and everyone travels, but we are making the best of it and striving to find new techniques to find. I love being able to try new ways of missionary work! It is so fun and new! This work is so amazing! I know it is His work! My testimony grew because of a certain paragraph I read in Joseph Smiths testimony,

“I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them. For no sooner was it known that I had them, than the most strenuous exertions were used to get them from me. Every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were on the alert continually to get them from me if possible. But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in his charge until this day, being the second day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.”

Sorry it is so long, but it is so amazing how true this work is. Even if Satan uses every stratagem to stop this work from progressing, IT WON’T. We may get discouraged, we may suffer, we may get offended, but we choose for ourselves if we will allow the atonement to take place in our lives. He Lives for us, and we should live for Him, suffer for Him, and do all we can for Him because He did all for us!

I love you all so much,

  

Elder Loveless

Miracles!

This last week was awesome! Except for the 3 day flu...man I really do hate sitting around all day not being able to be out in the cold...it was awful!

But on with the miracles! So I was on an exchange with an elder in the district and when we were going to an area we had planned it didn't feel right. So we decided to go explore an area we have never been to, we got to a hiking train and as a joke at first I told him, "let’s go hiking." He said "ok!" when he said ok, it felt right like we were supposed to. As we were hiking for about a half mile we talked with a couple people on the trail. And we were striving to look for what the Lord had us there to do. He asked me, "Do you think we wasted our time?" I told him absolutely not that the lord had someone for us to see in the next hour. If we hadn't gone hiking to talk to a few people this next miracle wouldn't have happened. We were walking back and felt prompted to knock a street. Well anyways we were knocking this guy’s door and he pulled up as we were knocking. (Most people think that is awkward, I love those moments they can’t get out of talking to us! ha-ha) We started talking to him and he relayed to us how he was agnostic and we bore such simple and powerful testimonies and he began to start to believe again!

I love those moments when we don't understand why we were on that path, but we look back and realize what the lord was preparing us for! I don't know where I would be if I hadn't been reassigned to Indiana! People tell me sorry all the time for not being in Brazil, I tell them I am grateful! I am leaving my new found family here!

I read a cool scripture today, Zach. 9:12 "turn you to the strong hold." Along with Romans 8: 31-32 and 37-39! It is so amazing that nothing can keep us from God’s love! Nothing! His love is simply always there we just have to be willing to feel it and see it! His love is made manifest through his son and his gospel! His gospel is His love to all of us and I get to share it with all of my family and friends!

Love you all,

Gary

Visa Has Arrived!

So crazy! My visa is finally here! It is a very bitter sweet moment! I want to go so bad! But I will miss the spirit and relationships I have made while serving the Lord here! I will cherish my last few weeks here in Indiana!

We had a great week last week! Bloomington has a million trees so we have spent a lot of time helping members and nonmembers with their leaves! It has been great! We are excited for football this Thursday and for the food! We get to go to the Miters, and Brother Miter is Brazilian, and one of his friends from Brazil will most likely be coming and he asked me to teach him the first lesson in Portuguese! I am so excited and kind of nervous to see where my language has gone! Haha but I am excited :)

As a district we went over learning the language of the spirit! It was a really good district meeting. We all learned so much on how we need to all create a spiritual language study plan and continue to edify and make that relationship with our Father grow and as we do that in return our relationship with the Savior and the holy spirit will as well! I love the spirit in my life! Without it I wouldn't be able to feel love! Feeling my Father’s love and knowing that he approves of what I am doing means the world to me!

While reading the Book of Mormon this week, I had a special experience. I prayed beforehand how I could recognize His love for me in the reading! As I began to read, I don't remember at all what I read, but I remember what I felt, and I knew that because I could feel His presence with me that it is true without a doubt! I have loved being able to pray to continually to know it is true every day! This gospel is so amazing and I am thankful for its presence and the fruit of it in my life!

Love you all,

Elder Loveless

Oi!

So this last week was great! A lot happened...

First off, we got transfer calls last night, and president said, " Elder Loveless I would like you to be a district leader in the university area until your visa comes. When it comes you will go, but you will serve as district leader." I was kinda shocked! Haha but I feel an immense amount of trust and peace from my Father and my Savior to serve other missionaries! I look forward to be able to learn from them of how I can become a better missionary!

Other crazy thing, we had tornado warnings yesterday, we spent part of the day in a members basement with crackers and juice! It was cool! I got some cool pictures I will send. The steeple on our church got bent at a 45 degree angle! Haha way cool!

A scripture I love is in D&C 68:6 " wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and I will stand by you; and ye shall bare record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was that I am, and that I am to come." this scripture brought me so much comfort this last week. We got anti-ed really hard core the other day, it was Elder Clifton’s first experience. I don't enjoy those moments, but I do enjoy being able to testify of my Savior, His love and know that this work is true!  Love how in Mormon he testifies and prophesies of those that will bring down the church, but I felt so much peace, and I felt calm when he was calling us, "two young false prophets." The spirit was so strong and telling me that I was loved of my Father. His love is sufficient for all of us, and I will always be in debt to my Father.

I love you all so very much,

Elder Loveless~

Hello Everyone

This last week was great! We had interviews, specialized training and other meetings, it was really busy, but we found 2 new investigators! It was so amazing! The lord really does provide for us if we are willing to work for it. I love how in Jacob 5 the Lord states, ' for this last time have WE nourished my vineyard...I have done it according to MY will...blessed art thou for because ye have been diligent in laboring WITH ME in MY vineyard." How amazing is that. We are laboring with HIM not by ourselves. The Lord is about this work, He is with us and we will do it his way. I love the knowledge that my Savior is always there with me. I love the atonement with all my heart! I wish I could comprehend its power just a little bit, but how blessed are we that we can feel its power. He latter states, "ye shall have joy with ME because of the fruit of my vineyard." How great is my joy to be a servant of my Savior. That is the only way I know how to repay what he has done for me!

We have such an amazing ward. We had a dinner last night with the bishop and their neighbors from India, and we talked all about what we do and what we believe. President Cleveland said something very profound but simple, “the success is in the invite. Why would you not invite." I love President Cleveland for his "coaching" style of missionary work. He is the most amazing man!

Well I love you all so very much, I am praying for each of you! I love you,

Elder Gare Bear!

Gary with Jessica, she painted the Winnie the Pooh card for him

Wonderful Week!

Where to start...so many things have happened this last week, I’m sorry if this email is too long, but here goes.

First off we were meeting with our new investigators, and with helping Elder Clifton to be ready at the end of the 3 months I have been letting him lead out in all we do, well we got asked a very fun question from our new investigators..." so you are saying that if I am not baptized into the Mormon church, then I can’t have celestial life?" When we were asked that I felt the spirit whisper to me do as the savior would do. And that is to testify of truth with love. The spirit overcame me, and I don't know what I would do without my most trustworthy companion, as I said, “You are correct. It is only through the saviors restored gospel that you can receive the blessings of eternal life. That is why we are here. That is why the savior has again appeared unto his children is for them to receive this blessing of eternal life. All will have this opportunity to accept his gospel." The spirit was so strong and so amazing the room was full. We both then testified of the atonement and the restored gospel. They committed to pray about what we taught! I know that as we are bold as the savior is, but bold with love and the spirit, we will never have to fear. 2 Timothy 1: 7-8.

Elder Loveless with Jalen

Another blessing this last week was the opportunity I had to baptize Jalen. Jalen is a part of the YSA branch and was being taught by the sisters. We became very close when we would go to church and at the institute. I was given the honor to baptize him. I will forever be grateful for the sacred trust my father has in me as his imperfect servant to be trusted with His priesthood. The blessing of walking into the waters of eternal life and salvation with one of our Father’s children and being able to say "having been commissioned of Jesus Christ." has changed me. I love my Father, I love my Savior. I have been able to come to know my father and savior more and more being on a mission. I have also come to know more of who I was before this life, who I am in my Father and saviors eyes, and who they want me to become. I have been able to find myself, but more importantly I find my savior day by day! I will forever be grateful for this reassignment to Indiana, I have met eternal friends, and I have come to love my savior more and more. How blessed are we!

Jalen with the Missionaries

"To comprehend the works of Christ, one must know Him as the Son of God: to the man who has not yet learned to know, to the honest soul who would inquire after the lord, the invitation is ready; let him "come and see.'" James E. Talmage

Well we had a fun Halloween, I was able to play dress up with my ward mission leader’s kids! I will send some pictures!

The missionaries with the Crockers on Halloween

I love you all so very much! I hope and pray that all is well with everyone! Thank you for your prayers and love you have mine as well!

Elder Loveless

The countryside in Bloomington

Elder Sperry's Birthday Cake

A meal made by Elder Loveless

Happy Halloween!

Elder Loveless and Elder Clifton

This last week was really good!

 

I started out by doing the attribute activity in preach my gospel, and I knew I needed to study charity. As I came across the scripture of Moroni 7: 48... Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart that ye may be filled with this love... I have prayed for charity before and I was contemplating on what to pray for charity this time. I decided to pray for charity for my Heavenly Father and my Savior. It has changed me. I have come to know his love more and more and to see his hand in every aspect of missionary work, and life. One of which was this:

 

Elder Loveless' Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

We went to a mans house we had planned for. As we got there, I had the worst feeling that we had to leave the area. As we did, we felt prompted to go to two former investigators. We went over to their house and we shared the plan of salvation with them! They decided to investigate again. It was so amazing to see how I have seen the promise that our Father has given to each of us through His son knowing that his hand is constantly stretched over us.

 

We are having a lot of fun here especially with it being fall time! I have loved my stay while here in Indiana, and I know I will continue to stay here as long as my father in heaven would have me stay. I truly am blessed to have the most amazing family and friends in my life.

 

I was also reading in Alma 5 and decided to write down ever question he asked... It is the ultimate interview chapter! I love it! try it out!!! Its fun :) 

Love you all,

 

Elder Loveless