:) Happy Pioneer Day

Elder Howell, Elder Wall, and Elder Loveless

Well this last week has been really good. We received our new companion Elder Howell! His is from Arizona and has been out for 14 months. He came out with Elder Buck. But anyways, this last week we have been working really hard at finding new people, and with splitting the area with the new elders, we have had to find more potentials and people to teach. Which means if we don’t have referrals we have no lessons....TRACTING and PERSONAL CONTACTING :) :) It is really exhausting but oh so worth it. I love it. I feel as the sons of Mosiah felt to declare salvation unto every creature, so that not one soul would perish. I feel that desire, and it breaks my heart when people turn down the message. The only thing that has kept me from getting discouraged is to know that they aren’t turning me down, but the savior, and that is where the most sorrow comes. I love reading Alma’s account of what the atonement was like for him, I love in Alma 36: 21 "yea, I say unto you my son that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea and again I say unto you my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy" I find it very interesting that in Portuguese Alma means soul. And soul is our spirit and our bodies. It is such an amazing scripture that I can relate to. I love how we may have pains, we may get discouraged when others won’t listen, but our joy can far out way our sorrows!  We can receive joy in the fruits of our labors. I have learned a lot from the scriptures and studying them in Portuguese puts a whole new meaning on it. :)

Elder Loveless and Elder Eller

But we had cool study earlier this week for district meeting on faith. I came across a sentence in preach my gospel stating, "faith leads to actions" it made me think of the saying our thoughts lead to our actions. And this is very true with faith. When we strive to have faith in the savior and think as he would think and do as he would do, we become like him. Our thoughts and our actions will become more like the savior. It is so fun to study the New Testament along with the Book of Mormon to see the greatest teacher our savior Jesus Christ. Studying from both of those books each day has taught me how to be a missionary, and how to become more like him. I love being a missionary and being able to work my heart out each day, and come in sore as all get out, and knowing that he was there beside me. What a wonderful gospel we have and are a part of. We are blessed beyond measure!

Elder Sperry (Elder Loveless' cousin's son) and Elder Loveless

I love you all so very much! I can’t thank you enough for your prayers in my behalf and for all missionaries! Love you all!

Elder Loveless