Prayer... One Step at a Time

Prayer is a very real thing.  It can help people is so many ways.  Something I don't think most people realize is that you don't have a maximum amount of prayers you can say in a day.  Sometimes you need to be on your knees constantly offering up your heart to the Lord.  I know he answers those prayers.  

We were out earlier this week and we had a time where we could choose whether we wanted to go to the church and do some online work or we could go talk to some people and then maybe do some online stuff.  We didn't know what to do but time was slipping by.  I had the thought that we need to pray.  At first I thought, "but I'm in the middle of a busy part of town and I don't want to fold my arms and pray."  Then I remembered the words of Thomas S. Monson, "dare to be a Mormon, dare to stand alone, dare to have a purpose firm, dare to make it known."  I realized that we just needed to buck up and say a prayer for guidance.  So I told my companion and he was hesitant at first as well for the same reasons.  I told him that I would offer the prayer and so I prayed for guidance as to where the Lord wanted us at this time and then I had the thought, "Jaxon, you're a missionary and missionaries talk to people."  So I told Elder Allen that we needed to go talk to the people.  

Flat Libby in my worn-out shoes

Now to put the rest of this story in perspective, it is very windy outside, it's raining and it is not warm rain either.  So we walk away from the busy area of town and start heading to the less active members house and we are passing house after house and no one is outside and school is in session so that makes this place look like a ghost town.  Well we walk past a house and at the same moment we walk past a lady walks out of her house to smoke a cigarette.  We took this opportunity because we are missionaries and we do that to talk to her about the gospel.  As the conversation continued we found out that she herself didn't even know why she came outside because she never does.  But we asked to share a quick message with her and so she invited us in.  It was so cool because she was so receptive to the Book of Mormon and she needed guidance in her life because her husband just passed away not even a year ago.  It was so cool because we would read things out of the Book of Mormon and she would relate them to the Bible.  It was awesome!  So we left her with a Book of Mormon and then went on our way.

The Lord answers prayers.  He may not answer them how we want or what we expect but he answers them.  Nephi has such an experience in 1 Nephi 7 when his brothers tie him up.  He writes this in verse 17, "But it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound."  In Nephi’s prayer to the Lord he asks Him to give him strength that he may burst these bands.  Because I mean how cool would that be. His brothers tie him up, he says a prayer and then BAM!!!  He breaks the bands like they were nothing.  But the Lord doesn't do that.  It says in the next verse (18), "And it came to pass that when I had said these words, behold, the bands were loosed from off my hands and feet, and I stood before my brethren, and I spake unto them again."  Instead of giving Nephi the strength he needs to break the bands which held him the Lord loosens the bands.  I don't think Nephi was planning on this, but this is a perfect example as to how the Lord works.  It may not be grand and awesome in how the Lord answers our prayers and it may not be what we want or expect; but the Lord will answer them how He sees fit.  

 I love the power that prayer has in everyday life and it changes things entirely. We have a way where we can literally talk to God.  How cool is that!!  We have a way of talking to the most Supreme Being in the entire universe and people sometimes squander that opportunity.  They pray when they need it or when something goes wrong.  We need to pray daily and create a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.  I love you all!!  I'll catch ya next week!!

Elder Zeller

Ammon ... My Hero!

Hey guys!  This week started off pretty good then slowed right down.  

On Tuesday we had two awesome lessons with the “H”s (edited for privacy) and the “M”s. With the “H”s we were able to get another family to come with us and help teach and they were awesome!!  The spirit was strong and it just felt so right!!  Then at the end we were talking to “T” (family member) as we were leaving and he said that baptism is definitely something he wants to do!  So next time we teach him we are hopefully going to be able to set up a date with him that we can work towards.  Then we went over to the “M”s with the ward mission leader and we taught the plan ofsalvation.  It was so awesome because it was exactly what they needed at this time in their lives.  It was just so great.
Then on Wednesday we had our last district meeting before transfers happened so we had a quick little testimony meeting that turned into a three hour testimony meeting and so that was really awesome.  I also heard the transfer news and I'm staying in cut bank with Elder Allen so we are set! 

Then nothing really happened.  We went and tried talking to a lot of less actives and people who we have had contact with before but no one was really interested.  Oh well, things will happen all in due time!!

Then on Saturday we had a really cool experience with the primary where we were able to go and dress up as our favorite Book of Mormon hero and talk about why he's our favorite as a reward for them because they all brought their scriptures to church for a long time.  I can't remember how long but it was a long time.  I got to dress up as Ammon and it was honestly sooooo fun!!  Ammon is my favorite because he is a prime example of the repentance process.  It's really inspiring to me to know that even the baddest of the bad could change and become an amazing missionary.  It was seriously a lot of fun.

Then on Sunday we had branch conference and we were stressing out because we were trying to find a ride for the “H”s all day on Saturday and finally found them one so we got them to Cut Bank!  We also got someone who doesn’t come to church often who is awesome to come as well!!  So I was super happy for that!!  Miracles happen everywhere!!

I love this gospel and all the miracles that the Lord places in our lives. I can see some miracles first hand and others I can't or I have to try really hard to see.  But the Lord is always there, trying to help us in our lives and it is so amazing to see.  I love you all!! 

Elder Zeller

P.S. It's getting cold here.  My milk froze!!!

Dog Bred to Kill Bears and the Holy Ghost... what an awesome week:)

Hey everyone!  This week has been super awesome!!  Like the whole week had something cool or interesting that happened!!  I'll just go through every day and tell what happened on that day…

So on Monday after we got done with p-day and emails and what not, we had a member lesson where we taught the family for family home evening.  We talked about showing love to your family and others and we showed the video of the boys who leave a silver dollar in the poor farmers shoes

(https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2009-01-01-gordon-hinckley-lessons-i-learned-as-a-boy?lang=eng) and waited and watched.  Well the father of the family started crying.  And you know, before my mission if that would have happened I would have thought that it was super weird, but out here it was so awesome because we talked about the video afterward and it just totally set the stage for the spirit to teach this family.  It was so awesome. 

Then later on that day we went and contacted a media referral that we got and it said that they wanted a Book of Mormon.  So we sought out this family and my companion was a little worried because normally media referrals don't go to well and they normally aren't receptive and they only want the book (which is okay but we really wanted to teach).  Well we went up and the first thing we see is this place is outlined with a wood fence about 10 feet high. We walk up to the fence and this husky starts going crazy at us. And being out here you start to be a little cautious of dogs.  Anyway we were by the fence and we didn't know what to do because we didn't want to go into this enclosed area with a dog that looked like it might kill us.  But I looked up and saw the lady who lived there and so I waved to her and said "hello!" Pretty loud so she could hear.  So she walked up to the fence and let us in and told us that the dog wouldn't bite us.  We were still a little cautious.  Anyway we went in and talked to this younger family for a good while and we just got to know them and they didn't kick us out.  She talked about how she had lost a few friends recently to suicide and other means and how it was really weighing on her.  But we talked to her for a bit and we shared a scripture and set up a return appointment for Wednesday and then gave them the Book of Mormon!  It was way awesome!  

Then on Tuesday we went to browning and we met up with another referral we got from some former senior missionaries.  So we went and visited one of the members and found out that the missionaries hadn't visited him yet and that his father had just recently passed away.  But he didn't exist in our area book (which was super weird).  Anyway we went and visited him and I'm pretty sure that he was drunk when we met him but we talked and got to know him and we found out that he is an army vet and that he misses his dad a lot.  He started talking about his army years and he really liked talking about them so we just listened.  It was super cool!  We started asking him questions about it and he started talking about how he knew 4 different dialects of Arabic.  And so he told us that when you spoke Arabic you have to sort of sing it when you speak it, so he asked us if we wanted to hear some.  Of course we said yes I mean it would be dumb to say no.  From his description I was expecting a kinda melodious kind of Arabic and I was expecting something soothing.  So I let my guard way, way WAY down... Bad idea.  He starts yelling in Arabic and I literally jumped out of my seat!  It scared me so bad!  And apparently it scared elder Allen as well.  It was a pretty funny experience but man was I scared.

Then Wednesday we were in Great Falls for almost the whole day because we had district meeting there and then we had a special zone meeting where this guy talked about the signs of the second coming.  It was soooo cool because this guy totally knew what he was talking about.  It was so awesome.  But then after we were stuck in Great Falls because the elders we got a ride with needed to get an oil change badly so they went in and the only time was at four.  So we just chilled in Great Falls for a while waiting for this oil change.  We finally were able to get back and we hurried over to the “M’s” (edited for privacy) and got there right on time. The M’s were the media referral from Monday that we set up a return appointment.  We went in and talked to them for a while and started teaching the restoration (which is the first lesson you share with people and the rule is that you always ask them to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized).  And me being the new guy I had to do it.  So the whole time I was kinda stressing out and we were sharing the lesson the best we could but I was super stressed about that.  And she kept saying that she wants her kids to be baptized but she never said anything about herself.  Anyway it was getting closer to the moment of truth and this is my first time ever asking.  So I said a little prayer and I was like "please give me peace long enough to invite them to be baptized" because I could feel myself talking myself out of doing it and telling myself that she was going to say no.  But I knew that I needed to ask.  Anyway after I finished praying I felt super calm and got the confirmation that now was the time.  So I just went for it and I testified about the Holy Ghost and asked her and she said yes!  So we set up the date of October 29th which happened to be her birthday!  So she's working toward that date and her husband agreed to be baptized but he was a bit more hesitant so we set up for the week after and he said that he would try.  I honestly did not see this coming!  I thought that I was going to ask them and they were going to totally say no and give a reason why not and then they would just be set back but this family was prepared and I'm so excited for them!  Now the only trick is keeping them on date;)

Then the next day we had a bit of a service project for a member. She asked us to brush her dog.

Now to put this in perspective this dog is bred in Russia, it is also bred to kill bears.  It was the coolest dog ever!  But she was so big!  Her teeth were literally the size of a fork prong.  It was way cool!  And she started loving us a ton!  But man did she have a ton of hair!  I'm pretty sure I could have made a coat out of it (No joke). But hey it was so worth it!!

Then on Friday not much happened.  A lot of people fell through but we were able to play bingo at the nursing home (which is always a blast)! I love going there and helping out!  All the people there are so awesome!  

Then on Saturday we went to Browning and had dinner with a member whose living up here to see how the teaching is and he might move up his family.  But he's a way cool guy and man can he cook a steak!  But he talked to us about how if someone wants to date his daughter they have to sword fight him.  Like I'm not even kidding!  They have to suit up in armor and sword fight!  How cool is that!  He's pretty into that whole reenacting kind of thing so it was pretty cool.  But then we went and talked to a less active lady and set up an appointment to meet up with her and teach a lesson so as we are leaving and about to get into our car when this guy who is her neighbor waves us over.  And us being missionaries, we totally went over.  Anyway he told us that he needed money to go and get his family food because they were starving and so he said that if we could spare few dollars it would be appreciated.  Anyway us being missionaries can't do that because it's against the rules.  And we explained that to him, we then told him that there is going to be a potluck over at the church the next day and he's more than welcome to get some food.  He kind of backed off from this idea and then his buddy next door come outside and he called him over and started talking to him and his buddy asked what he was doing and he said that he was just out hustling.  At first I thought he was joking because he said this right in front of us.  So then as he leaves he says to his friend, "hey man lets go grab a beer or something."  He totally DID wanted to hustle us!  I mean, I would think that if he has money for alcohol he should have money to get food for his kids.   So I think he realized he wasn't going to get anything out of us so he just stopped the act.  It was so crazy! 

Then the next day was Sunday and we walk into church and there is at least double the amount of people there.  Elder Allen and I ask each other "are we in the right building?"  We then came to find out that all the Aaronic Priesthood holders from Fairfield came to our meetings and so did the Stake President which was super cool!  Especially over in Browning where we only have like 8 or 9 people come each week.  But this week we had to get out an extra two rows of chairs!  

Then after sacrament meeting we had gospel principles and the teachers name is Brother M (edited for privacy)and he is such a cool guy! He knows that the gospel is true and he loves it with all his heart and so he brings the spirit to the lesson so well!  It's really amazing I'm not going to lie.  Then afterward it was time for the potluck!  Literally it's one of the best parts about serving in a branch (that and the members of course).  All the members just give the food to the elders and we got so much food!  Like I honestly don't think we'll need to go shopping for food this week because we've got it all!

Anyway this week has been such a testimony builder!  Especially in the fact that the Holy Ghost will give you what you need to say and what you need to feel in the moment you need it.  It is so amazing to know that he'll always be there when we need it.  I have loved seeing people's hearts open up to the gospel because us as missionaries give the gospel to people, but the gospel isn't a forceful thing.  It talks about giving the spirit UNTO people in the scriptures and that word unto is so important because it basically just means that we are presenting the gospel to someone but they need to open themselves and especially their hearts to the gospel or else it doesn't work.  This gives me such happiness when I see people open themselves to the gospel.  I love the gospel so much and I know that it brings happiness to people's lives.  I love you all!

Elder Zeller

Fasting… I must obey

Enjoying a foot massage:)

This past week has been kind of a crazy one.  So we were at the end of the month and we get a certain amount of miles for the month.  Anyway we were running short... Real short!!  And they kept on adding trips we had to go on!!  So in the end we ended up having to cut out a trip to browning which sucked.  I always like going there.  Anyway on the last day of the month I was on exchanges (where I switch companions for 24 hours) and I was in Conrad.  And we were doing our thing but the problem was that I missed being in Cut Bank!!  I mean I love it here!!  Plus like everyone "wasn't home" so we walked around for a few hours knocking on people's doors and I don't think one person opened their door... Lame... Oh well though!!  It's all good!!

Then throughout this week it's gone from being unbearably hot to the point where I was sweating through my clothes to the point of frigid cold.  And out here there isn't a mountain range to break the wind.  So that wind comes ripping through here plus its dang cold now...  Haha this is going to be a fun winter!! :D

Yesterday was fast Sunday and being a missionary on fast Sunday is so different then before I came out.  Before I came out I was just looking at it as thought was going two meals without food.  Like I was pretty convinced that the church had gotten the word "fasting" wrong and they were supposed to add an "e" to make it "feasting" that would be great J but as a missionary it's so different.  I have purpose to fast; purpose that I didn't even realize at the time.  It was a lot easier to fast.  I mean back home, I would go to church and fast and I would maybe make it till three.  But out here I woke up earlier then I would back home and I made it to 6:30 at night no sweat.  It's amazing what the missionary mindset will do.  But this was my first fast and testimony meeting in a branch.  It's so different then a ward’s fast and testimony meeting!!  Like honestly for some reason I was just so impacted and whatnot (much more than I have been at home). I'm pretty sure my companion thought I was just a big baby but I don't care :) Everyone who goes to a branch wants to be there and that's something different then the wards back home because there's the social aspect of church in wards that doesn't necessarily exist in a branch.  It's interesting and you can't really know what I mean unless you attend one.  All the members out here are so great and I honestly love it so much.

This was the most vibrant rainbow I've ever seen!!
(The picture doesn't do it justice)

Now for my little spiritual thought… so I was reading the Book of Mormon, and I was finishing up 2nd Nephi and I knew that Nephi wasn't going to live forever, so I was paying extra close attention (he ends up dying in the first chapter of Jacob); anyway, I wanted to know what the last thing that this great prophet wrote.  Most people might be aware of Nephi’s most famous scripture in first Nephi 3:7 – “I will go and do...” - that's how he basically starts his writings and it's also how he ends them. The last phrase that Nephi will ever write is, "the Lord commanded me, and I must obey. Amen."  These are the last words of the prophet Nephi.  How awesome is his mentality about the lord and what he expects of us?!? Like he said that the lord commanded him so he MUST do it. There wasn't any doubt in his mind about doing what the lord commands. Now how did I learn something from this??? Well I enjoy seeing things that have been repeated in the Book of Mormon.  It just tells me that the Lord knows that we need to hear or read a second time so that we can come to a better knowledge and understanding of a certain principle. I started reflecting on different times in my life where the Lord had given me a prompting or something to that nature and I hadn't obeyed.  So this scripture hit me and made me realize that everything the Lord commands MUST be obeyed. This could also be applied to the commandments. The Lord commanded these things so we MUST obey.  Not "oh I'll do that later" or "when I feel like it"; what the Lord commands MUST be obeyed.

I love this gospel and the many principles that can be found in the Book of Mormon.  I love what it teaches.  I love the redemptive powers of the atonement, and that we all have the opportunity to live it.  I love the prophet Joseph smith and that he was able to translate the book with the power of God. I love using the priesthood to help people.

I love you guys!!

-Elder Zeller