any email is good enough for me! i enjoy really long ones and from everyone.. also let becca know i really appreciate her letters and packages! it makes me happy when I get to hear from her!)
>
> Hey! I hope everyone is doing well! I miss ya of course. So we have transfers this Wednesday and apparently I'm leaving.. Way weird.. Of course it would happen right as I am enjoying it and finding good people to teach and getting used to biking (which is really not a big issue to me at all anymore.. bummer). The work is kinda sorta picking up here.. Ervin is struggling a lot, he just does not keep the word of wisdom.. He will read from the Book of Mormon and come to church, but just wont keep the word of wisdom. It's sad, but I guess addictions are like that (2 Nephi 28:21) Their lives are "cheated away", because they suppose it is not possible for them to overcome their addictions. And then they just choose to get comfortable in them. It's sad. So These transfers are different than normal, cause this time we don't know where we are going or who we are serving with. So that's kinda odd. But anyway as far as the work goes right now, its slow here, but progressing a little bit.
>
> We had an amazing "surprise" Zone Conference on Friday.. It was so amazing. A week in advanced we were told to fast on Thursday night as if we were going to the Temple. So as the week went on and them came to Zone Conference, we were wondering what on earth would be happening. Then on Thursday night after we had started our fasts, our Zone Leaders called and said that we would need to be at the Church building at 5:45am! We were way confused! So we did, We got up at like 4:30am and got ready. This meeting was inspired and really amazing. President McConkie talked to us for a little while and then drove us out to a wooded park. It was still early in the morning and the sun was still rising. When we got there we went on a little 5-10 minute walk into the woods and then stopped in a little opening. This is 2 Zones of missionaries by the way so there was probably about 35-45 missionaries here. When we stopped President started talking and we read Joseph Smith History leading up to the first vision. It was cool, but President McConkie talks SO quietly, it was tough for me to hear, but I was following along in the Scriptures. Then at that point he told us to go out into the woods in our companionships, however far we wanted and to begin to pray; to take 10-15 minutes and just pray in a spot of our choice in the woods. It was a way cool experience. The surroundings were very much like the sacred grove, with tall pine trees everywhere and the sun still rising. It was an awesome spiritual event. Afterwards we walked back to the cars and took zone pictures. Then we headed back to the church and President, and the assistance, taught us a new way that we would be teaching the restoration (first lesson). It is pretty cool. Elder McRae and I have been using this new way now (of course) and it has been really awesome! The spirit is totally felt strongly each time we use this new method. What is so different now is that after we share the first vision with the investigators we explain in effect after asking them how they felt when they heard it: "We know that what you felt was the Holy Ghost, but you cannot take our word for it, or trust us. So at this time will you kneel down and pray with us, and will you pray and ask specifically if Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, if Christ's one true church is on the Earth again today?" At that point they kneel down and offer the prayer.. and man the spirit is so strong.. If they choose not to pray, we ask if we can. I did this the first time we taught this way and even when I asked the spirit came strongly; we were even outside and yet the traffic in the background seemed to suddenly stop and be silent. It was awesome! I really love this new way of teaching because it helps us keep solid investigators who really do want to find out for themselves if our message could possibly be true!.. So that was an amazing morning and day, and 12 hour meeting, heh.. we had a testimony meeting and pretty much all but 4-6 missionaries bore their testimonies, it was an amazing experience, I felt the spirit very powerfully there, like I never had before! Yeah, I love the Gospel!
>
> So! I am thinking I am going to the office. Ugh! I thought a lot about what Bec told me about Tylers mission and man, I am grateful we don't walk! Elder McRae broke his bike so we had to do alot of walking for a day or so, and man.. that made me realize that I prefer biking. Maybe just because more work gets done, and walking just kinda hurts when you are going up and down hills.. so thanks Bec! Well I cant think of much more to say.. But I have some time so I'll probably be at the computer for another 15 minutes. Write me if you want!
>
> I love and miss you all! And frankly.. my mission is going by way too fast! I would trade these 8 months or whatever for another 2 years, I really would no problem!
>
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Monday, April 27, 2009
AHOY!
Hey! I hope everyone is doing well! I miss ya of course. So we have transfers this Wednesday and apparently I'm leaving.. Way weird.. Of course it would happen right as I am enjoying it and finding good people to teach and getting used to biking (which is really not a big issue to me at all anymore.. bummer). The work is kinda sorta picking up here.. Ervin is struggling a lot, he just does not keep the word of wisdom.. He will read from the Book of Mormon and come to church, but just wont keep the word of wisdom. It's sad, but I guess addictions are like that (2 Nephi 28:21) Their lives are "cheated away", because they suppose it is not possible for them to overcome their addictions. And then they just choose to get comfortable in them. It's sad. So These transfers are different than normal, cause this time we don't know where we are going or who we are serving with. So that's kinda odd. But anyway as far as the work goes right now, its slow here, but progressing a little bit.
We had an amazing "surprise" Zone Conference on Friday.. It was so amazing. A week in advanced we were told to fast on Thursday night as if we were going to the Temple. So as the week went on and them came to Zone Conference, we were wondering what on earth would be happening. Then on Thursday night after we had started our fasts, our Zone Leaders called and said that we would need to be at the Church building at 5:45am! We were way confused! So we did, We got up at like 4:30am and got ready. This meeting was inspired and really amazing. President McConkie talked to us for a little while and then drove us out to a wooded park. It was still early in the morning and the sun was still rising. When we got there we went on a little 5-10 minute walk into the woods and then stopped in a little opening. This is 2 Zones of missionaries by the way so there was probably about 35-45 missionaries here. When we stopped President started talking and we read Joseph Smith History leading up to the first vision. It was cool, but President McConkie talks SO quietly, it was tough for me to hear, but I was following along in the Scriptures. Then at that point he told us to go out into the woods in our companionships, however far we wanted and to begin to pray; to take 10-15 minutes and just pray in a spot of our choice in the woods. It was a way cool experience. The surroundings were very much like the sacred grove, with tall pine trees everywhere and the sun still rising. It was an awesome spiritual event. Afterwards we walked back to the cars and took zone pictures. Then we headed back to the church and President, and the assistance, taught us a new way that we would be teaching the restoration (first lesson). It is pretty cool. Elder McRae and I have been using this new way now (of course) and it has been really awesome! The spirit is totally felt strongly each time we use this new method. What is so different now is that after we share the first vision with the investigators we explain in effect after asking them how they felt when they heard it: "We know that what you felt was the Holy Ghost, but you cannot take our word for it, or trust us. So at this time will you kneel down and pray with us, and will you pray and ask specifically if Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, if Christ's one true church is on the Earth again today?" At that point they kneel down and offer the prayer.. and man the spirit is so strong.. If they choose not to pray, we ask if we can. I did this the first time we taught this way and even when I asked the spirit came strongly; we were even outside and yet the traffic in the background seemed to suddenly stop and be silent. It was awesome! I really love this new way of teaching because it helps us keep solid investigators who really do want to find out for themselves if our message could possibly be true!.. So that was an amazing morning and day, and 12 hour meeting, heh.. we had a testimony meeting and pretty much all but 4-6 missionaries bore their testimonies, it was an amazing experience, I felt the spirit very powerfully there, like I never had before! Yeah, I love the Gospel!
So! I am thinking I am going to the office. Ugh! I thought a lot about what Bec told me about Tyler's mission and man, I am grateful we don't walk! Elder McRae broke his bike so we had to do a lot of walking for a day or so, and man.. that made me realize that I prefer biking. Maybe just because more work gets done, and walking just kinda hurts when you are going up and down hills.. so thanks Bec! Well I cant think of much more to say.. But I have some time so I'll probably be at the computer for another 15 minutes. Write me if you want!
I love and miss you all! And frankly.. my mission is going by way too fast! I would trade these 8 months or whatever for another 2 years, I really would no problem!
We had an amazing "surprise" Zone Conference on Friday.. It was so amazing. A week in advanced we were told to fast on Thursday night as if we were going to the Temple. So as the week went on and them came to Zone Conference, we were wondering what on earth would be happening. Then on Thursday night after we had started our fasts, our Zone Leaders called and said that we would need to be at the Church building at 5:45am! We were way confused! So we did, We got up at like 4:30am and got ready. This meeting was inspired and really amazing. President McConkie talked to us for a little while and then drove us out to a wooded park. It was still early in the morning and the sun was still rising. When we got there we went on a little 5-10 minute walk into the woods and then stopped in a little opening. This is 2 Zones of missionaries by the way so there was probably about 35-45 missionaries here. When we stopped President started talking and we read Joseph Smith History leading up to the first vision. It was cool, but President McConkie talks SO quietly, it was tough for me to hear, but I was following along in the Scriptures. Then at that point he told us to go out into the woods in our companionships, however far we wanted and to begin to pray; to take 10-15 minutes and just pray in a spot of our choice in the woods. It was a way cool experience. The surroundings were very much like the sacred grove, with tall pine trees everywhere and the sun still rising. It was an awesome spiritual event. Afterwards we walked back to the cars and took zone pictures. Then we headed back to the church and President, and the assistance, taught us a new way that we would be teaching the restoration (first lesson). It is pretty cool. Elder McRae and I have been using this new way now (of course) and it has been really awesome! The spirit is totally felt strongly each time we use this new method. What is so different now is that after we share the first vision with the investigators we explain in effect after asking them how they felt when they heard it: "We know that what you felt was the Holy Ghost, but you cannot take our word for it, or trust us. So at this time will you kneel down and pray with us, and will you pray and ask specifically if Joseph Smith was a true Prophet, if Christ's one true church is on the Earth again today?" At that point they kneel down and offer the prayer.. and man the spirit is so strong.. If they choose not to pray, we ask if we can. I did this the first time we taught this way and even when I asked the spirit came strongly; we were even outside and yet the traffic in the background seemed to suddenly stop and be silent. It was awesome! I really love this new way of teaching because it helps us keep solid investigators who really do want to find out for themselves if our message could possibly be true!.. So that was an amazing morning and day, and 12 hour meeting, heh.. we had a testimony meeting and pretty much all but 4-6 missionaries bore their testimonies, it was an amazing experience, I felt the spirit very powerfully there, like I never had before! Yeah, I love the Gospel!
So! I am thinking I am going to the office. Ugh! I thought a lot about what Bec told me about Tyler's mission and man, I am grateful we don't walk! Elder McRae broke his bike so we had to do a lot of walking for a day or so, and man.. that made me realize that I prefer biking. Maybe just because more work gets done, and walking just kinda hurts when you are going up and down hills.. so thanks Bec! Well I cant think of much more to say.. But I have some time so I'll probably be at the computer for another 15 minutes. Write me if you want!
I love and miss you all! And frankly.. my mission is going by way too fast! I would trade these 8 months or whatever for another 2 years, I really would no problem!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Mom and Dad!
Hey guys this one is just for you! I want you guys to know how much I love and miss you! I have been thinking about you guys so much! I found out something way cool about our family! Mom and Dad in the Gospel of Jesus Christ you both have one of the best success stories in the World.. One that our Heavenly Father is 100% aware of! Open Principles of the Gospel(gospel principles?.. the orange book in investigator classes) and read page 233 and the part at the very bottom by Spencer W. Kimble.. You guys will feel and recognize how blessed you truly are and will be! Your mansions will be huge! I love you guys so much I am so grateful for the man that you have both taught me to be! I only hope to make your prouder... If I had time i would write it out more but I wanted to thank dad for the impact he had on me.. particularly when a belt broke in the Geo and he had to come pick me up and tow me home.. I was scared and totally uncomfortable being pulled by another car and dad.. I thought he might be upset with me.. but when we got home.. he smiled and told me I did good.. That meant more than anything to me.. I feel like crying.. Not only that but dad NEVER complained all the items i locked the keys in the car and he had to help me out.. ack! have to go! love you! you are the best parents in the world! and will be even greater ones when you receive your Eternal Glory together..!
-Your way awesome son!
-Your way awesome son!
Tactical Espionage Action!
HEY! Man I've been so excited to write you all! So last week.. pfft Easter weekend went on longer I guess so the libraries were closed to our disappointment, but it provided more time to write some much needed letters! I am loving my mission and that is such an awesome feeling! I really love it! Today I decided to get permission from the Assistants, to call up Elder Burrows since this is his last week on the mission.. I can't think about that guy without totally missing him. So that was way cool, I got to talk with him and see how people were doing in Sumter! I love Elder Burrows.. I wouldn't be surprised if he was my favorite companion on the mission altogether.. but hey.. I'm only on number 3. Elder McRae and I are having a good time serving together, hes a goofy good guy and great missionary. We caught some toads last night before going in and that was cool. It is important to have fun on a mission instead of just being a complete robot, and you can have fun without being disobedient.. Elder Burrows taught me how to have a lot of fun. Hmm.. This area is tough! We work hard but I will always tell ya there is ALWAYS room for improvement.. I'm just saying we're not perfect, and I hope I never see a day where I just say.. "We worked hard enough.." I would tell you where if I could remember but in the Book of Mormon it says "[we can do all this and do all that.. and yet, we would still be unprofitable servants]" That's what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so amazing! So perfect! The last few days I think the veil has been a little thin and I have seen and understood interesting things I never did before.. This morning I read about miracles and faith in the Bible Dictionary.. It was enlightening. "Enlightening" is something amazing as it pertains to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. It is so cool to see so many things that one would really never even consider would be apart of the Gospel.. It comes back to Alma 32.. 4 Distinct elements or products of faith (Did you guys know faith is an ACTUAL power that we are capable of holding.. a REAL, yet invisible human ability given to us.. however.. the Devil does everything in his power to drain that power.. to truly water it down till its hardly effective.) S.e.e.d. I learned that from Brother Brown and think about it probably every week.. Swell, Enlarge, Enlighten, Delicious. I think of the Sociality of life and how fun it is to know and to love people and to just want to share it with everyone! And I am reminded of the scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants, when the Lord tells us that this sociality will still exist in the life to come but it would be coupled with Eternal Glory. That is the "Sociality" of Eternal Life I cannot wait for! ... Well anyway some cool thoughts... First of all a question.. Did Tylers dad come up with the "17 points of the true church"? I hear about this great cd some missionaries have or had, about someone who wanted to find the true church and found the 17 points Christs true church would have to have, and I thought I heard a similar story about Skip? And mom a special request if at all possible.. Cds with talks by George D. Durant.. also a cd called "The Book of Mormon on trail" (way cool!) Get these and listen to them for your self first and then I would totally love to have them!
Dang time is running low! I really wanted to thank you mom for your package and becca too! I've eaten like all the candy.. seriously I'm getting fat!! Anyway! I love you all so very much! Oh and I'm bummed out for Jon, but he actually has a way cool opportunity.. I decided If I ever had to go home for health reasons or whatever.. that I would just read all of preach my gospel like crazy! and the bible and book of Mormon and just get tons of knowledge so that when i would come back to the mission i would be one of the best missionaries! So its kinda a cool opportunity!!
LOVE YOU ALL!!
Dang time is running low! I really wanted to thank you mom for your package and becca too! I've eaten like all the candy.. seriously I'm getting fat!! Anyway! I love you all so very much! Oh and I'm bummed out for Jon, but he actually has a way cool opportunity.. I decided If I ever had to go home for health reasons or whatever.. that I would just read all of preach my gospel like crazy! and the bible and book of Mormon and just get tons of knowledge so that when i would come back to the mission i would be one of the best missionaries! So its kinda a cool opportunity!!
LOVE YOU ALL!!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Dr. Octopus
HEEY! I'm way excited to write this week, just cause its cool to do that now and then.. Man life on the mission goes by so way fast! I've been thinking about that now and then and have decided that I am going to be quite depressed when all this ends.. Really its like a "preview" of our time on earth before we die and return to our Father in Heaven.. As a missionary you must make sure you use your time wisely and work hard so you can go home happy without any regrets at the end of the two years that we are so fortunate to serve! But man its not a very exciting thought, that one day I will not have the same authority to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as He taught it himself. To go from home to home and person to person.. A prophet in this dispensation has said. "No one else can do this work." But don't worry I'm not like counting my time, in fact if it was an option I would ask president for an additional two years to serve, I think that would be the most exciting thing ever. To take all the knowledge and learning that I have gained so far and to use it as best I can for another two years, But this time I have left is what the Lord has given me, so I must make it count! And this is why it is totally a "preview" of our time here on Earth, we must make it count because before we know it, we will be returning home to that Great God who gave us breath. Likewise, before I know it, I'll be on a stinking plane home. It is a weird feeling I get sometimes when I realize I have almost been out a year (for you guys it probably seems longer? But for me.. man.. a month is like two weeks.)
Its like this..
SERVING A MISSION:
1. Preparing for a Mission and accepting the Call
2. Working hard to overcome the world and focus on the work at hand (Becoming the best missionary possible unfortunately does not happen right away)
3. Becoming a great mission leader and servant, and Senior Companion if/when the call may come
4. Returning Home.
OUR LIFE ON EARTH:
1. Preparing to come to the Earth and accepting our duty in the Pre-Existence
2. Working hard to overcome the world and focus on the work at hand (Striving to become the best servant of the Lord we can starts with family.. also not right away; to show the Lord our love for him, we must first serve His Children)
3. Becoming a leader of a great family; Being a worth Priesthood Leader, and accepting all calls from the Lord with a happy heart
4. Returning Home to give an accounting to the Lord of the labors we have preformed. (To show whether we have overcome, or not Rev 3:21)
Anyway I thought that was cool, perhaps its really only something you can see while serving a mission.. Its basically a "miniature mortal probation"
Now! Some other way cool things. Matt and Jamie! I'm way excited for you guys! Also guess what?.. Did you guess.. if you did you're way wrong. President Kennith Brailsford (the last mission president here in South Carolina who doesn't know who I am unfortunately) is a sealer at the Draper Temple!! You have to tell him I am serving in Columbia, SC if you get a chance too.. This man is an amazing man.. I have heard that he has had his "calling and election made sure" This man to my knowledge is a witness of Christ! He knows some of the deepest of doctrine, Missionaries here speak extremely highly of this man, no missionary who has served under him here, would doubt that this man could be an Apostle one day... Anyway thought I would share that with you, If you really wanted to tell him, you can let him know my "grandpa" was Elder Crawl, one of his assistants!
Trying to think of more cool stuff.. oh! I have a good story again finally! Elder McRae and I were teaching this man and lady.. the restoration and after I shared the first vision, and asked this lady how she felt, she actually said "i really liked that, I want to have that tattooed".. hah it was really weird and a confusing moment, we kinda just nodded our heads and moved on and asked the man how he felt.. but yeah.. that's the best one I have for now.. Also just like in Sumter this place doesn't seem to expect people to take their own stuff to the dump.. everyone piles up garbage right outside their home including branches and grass.. leaves all that stuff anything that we would normally take to the dump, everyone leaves it outside and periodically the city comes and picks it all up for the people.. its cool to see these big crane machines and other stuff pick it up. I'm going to try and start taking more pictures soon.. I miss Elder Burrows.. that guy was so funny, but Elder McRae and I probably work more effectively... we're not laughing 24/7 but still have fun.. cause in missionary work.. just like in life.. you have to have fun.. cant be a strict crazy robot about everything.. So man I am so thankful for such great companions so far.. that has been one of my greatest blessings! This zone is much different than my last zone.. to say the least I enjoyed the last zone more.. but oh well! I still serve with some of the greatest missionaries.. Elder Cooney (my last zone leader) serves in this zone now.. I love that guy.. If I could come home and be even half the missionary he is.. I would be happy. Elder Cooney is so far the greatest missionary I know. Hmm... What else.. If anyone had a birthday on April 2nd.. I would say happy birthday to them! Oh and yes, General Conference was amazing.. Never in my life than on my mission have I loved General Conference so much! It is such an awesome tender mercy to bare testimony each and everyday that God has called a Prophet again and Twelve Apostles again to the earth and then to have the opportunity to see my testimony in person! To see the living prophet and apostles, men who I have testified live and speak the words of Christ! How cool! And I don't think I will ever understand how anyone could "let" general conference be a "church holiday".. why would you ever want to skip out on the opportunity to see and hear the words of God. I look back to a day that Taylor and I wanted to go out and "play" on Saturday instead of watch conference.. If only i understood then the great reality of Christ's Gospel.. I wouldn't have been that way.. BUT we were kids and stuff happens.. I just wont do it again!
ANYWAY!! LOVE YOU ALL SORRY FOR THE LONG LETTER? AND WAY ANNOYING CAPSLOCK! WOOOO...
Elder McMurry..
Its like this..
SERVING A MISSION:
1. Preparing for a Mission and accepting the Call
2. Working hard to overcome the world and focus on the work at hand (Becoming the best missionary possible unfortunately does not happen right away)
3. Becoming a great mission leader and servant, and Senior Companion if/when the call may come
4. Returning Home.
OUR LIFE ON EARTH:
1. Preparing to come to the Earth and accepting our duty in the Pre-Existence
2. Working hard to overcome the world and focus on the work at hand (Striving to become the best servant of the Lord we can starts with family.. also not right away; to show the Lord our love for him, we must first serve His Children)
3. Becoming a leader of a great family; Being a worth Priesthood Leader, and accepting all calls from the Lord with a happy heart
4. Returning Home to give an accounting to the Lord of the labors we have preformed. (To show whether we have overcome, or not Rev 3:21)
Anyway I thought that was cool, perhaps its really only something you can see while serving a mission.. Its basically a "miniature mortal probation"
Now! Some other way cool things. Matt and Jamie! I'm way excited for you guys! Also guess what?.. Did you guess.. if you did you're way wrong. President Kennith Brailsford (the last mission president here in South Carolina who doesn't know who I am unfortunately) is a sealer at the Draper Temple!! You have to tell him I am serving in Columbia, SC if you get a chance too.. This man is an amazing man.. I have heard that he has had his "calling and election made sure" This man to my knowledge is a witness of Christ! He knows some of the deepest of doctrine, Missionaries here speak extremely highly of this man, no missionary who has served under him here, would doubt that this man could be an Apostle one day... Anyway thought I would share that with you, If you really wanted to tell him, you can let him know my "grandpa" was Elder Crawl, one of his assistants!
Trying to think of more cool stuff.. oh! I have a good story again finally! Elder McRae and I were teaching this man and lady.. the restoration and after I shared the first vision, and asked this lady how she felt, she actually said "i really liked that, I want to have that tattooed".. hah it was really weird and a confusing moment, we kinda just nodded our heads and moved on and asked the man how he felt.. but yeah.. that's the best one I have for now.. Also just like in Sumter this place doesn't seem to expect people to take their own stuff to the dump.. everyone piles up garbage right outside their home including branches and grass.. leaves all that stuff anything that we would normally take to the dump, everyone leaves it outside and periodically the city comes and picks it all up for the people.. its cool to see these big crane machines and other stuff pick it up. I'm going to try and start taking more pictures soon.. I miss Elder Burrows.. that guy was so funny, but Elder McRae and I probably work more effectively... we're not laughing 24/7 but still have fun.. cause in missionary work.. just like in life.. you have to have fun.. cant be a strict crazy robot about everything.. So man I am so thankful for such great companions so far.. that has been one of my greatest blessings! This zone is much different than my last zone.. to say the least I enjoyed the last zone more.. but oh well! I still serve with some of the greatest missionaries.. Elder Cooney (my last zone leader) serves in this zone now.. I love that guy.. If I could come home and be even half the missionary he is.. I would be happy. Elder Cooney is so far the greatest missionary I know. Hmm... What else.. If anyone had a birthday on April 2nd.. I would say happy birthday to them! Oh and yes, General Conference was amazing.. Never in my life than on my mission have I loved General Conference so much! It is such an awesome tender mercy to bare testimony each and everyday that God has called a Prophet again and Twelve Apostles again to the earth and then to have the opportunity to see my testimony in person! To see the living prophet and apostles, men who I have testified live and speak the words of Christ! How cool! And I don't think I will ever understand how anyone could "let" general conference be a "church holiday".. why would you ever want to skip out on the opportunity to see and hear the words of God. I look back to a day that Taylor and I wanted to go out and "play" on Saturday instead of watch conference.. If only i understood then the great reality of Christ's Gospel.. I wouldn't have been that way.. BUT we were kids and stuff happens.. I just wont do it again!
ANYWAY!! LOVE YOU ALL SORRY FOR THE LONG LETTER? AND WAY ANNOYING CAPSLOCK! WOOOO...
Elder McMurry..
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