20 June 2011

Aloha Everyone,
   Sorry about the last week of having no email. My companion and I
had a meeting in Oahu that lasted all day. But I'll recap on what's
happened the last 2 weeks in Maui for us. Last week we had our zone
conference which I like to look forward to cause afterwards I always
have this extra boost to work that much harder or to work on something
I can improve on. But this time it was a little different as now
instead of me recieving the training I was giving the training to 25
other missionaries. It's crazy to think how fast time has flown by as
I feel like it was only yesterday when I remember my very first zone
conference and to compare how I used to think to now. But I do look
forward to the opportunity to help others, as I have found the
greatest happiness comes from the success of others. Its so cool to
see a missionary step out of old habbits or take a step out of the
comfort level there used to and watch them grow and flourish into a
confident missionary with a purpose. Nothing can beat that.
   Then this passed week we had an incredible baptism in the singles
ward who has been taught for quite a while now but couldn't ever
commit to a date. She's been the hardest person I've ever had to
teach, but those make the best baptisms cause of all the sweat, tears
and prayers that go into it. Hopefully the picture I sent will be
posted to see.
   Also this passed week we had a lesson with our investigator who
was the one who beared his testimony in fast and testimony meeting and
then later told us he wanted to be baptized as soon as possible. Well
he cancelled a few lessons and we started to doubt his sincerity. Then
he kept pushing the date back until all his family could be there
which would of been at least a month if not longer. My companion and I
were pretty nervous cause this is what he did last time and by the
time the date came he dropped last min. We didn't want him to loose
the feelings he had shared with us and his softened heart.
   Yet he called us up on wed and wanted to meet as soon as he got
off work. So we did so and he bought us some lunch and we just talk
story to gain a mutal relationship and then began the lesson on the
Plan of Salvation as he had some questions referring to it. As it
comes down to it. He really grasped the concept and lightbulbs were
flashing left and right. By the end of the lesson he was so determined
to get baptized as soon as possible before the advesary could take his
turn and make an effect. So with out hessitation he scheduled this
coming friday to get baptized with or with out his family. He just
wants to do it.
  Well to make this long story longer and get to the point. We got a
call yesterday being sunday and it was him stating how he is now on
the Big Island where his wife was working for the week and went to
church there. He then asked for the approval if he could just get
baptized over there sense his family was mostly with him; and the rest
is history. He ended up flying over there last min and then getting
baptized. For us and the history with him it was a miracle before our
face and exciting moment for my companion and I. As now latter today
we'll be meeting with him again to have him share his experience of
being baptized. So that's the major updates for this week.  Thanks for
all you do.
 Love Elder Gardner

6 June 2011

Aloha Everyone!

     

     Every week just seems to have it's unique flavor. Especially this week sense a lot happened in the space of 7 days. I'll see if I have time to write all that I want.

     On Wed. Elder Davies and I went to Molokai. We ended up Leaving at 5:45a.m. for the day to spend with the missionaries there. It was quite the experience, more toward the boat ride. We heard a lot about how horrible it can be with the huge swells but luckily we went in the morning before the wind had a chance to pick up. Still though it was an exciting ride, especially for a "missionary" who can't even touch the sand nor ocean. 

    So we sat on top of the boat where their is a good view and open air to the endless ocean, and  being surrounded by 3 different Islands. At first everyone went on top, where it was full of people. But that all changed when we hit the channel that goes between the islands and it gets really rough. 

   Rough enough to the point where  when the boat hit the swells waves would come hurling over and on top of the boat. Just after that first wave the entire top cleared in a hurry down below were it's enclosed. Elder Davies and I along with only 2-3 people stayed on top. We couldn't help but laugh between each other as we took every wave as an opportunity to touch the ocean! Not to many missionaries get to take a boat over the Ocean, so we took all we could get. This is the highlight of missionary work ha. We didn't get to wet but after we dried we had salt all over us. Once again a day I won't forget.

   I was really grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with the young missionaries to be that inspiration they need as they are continuing to grow. That's what made the difference for me in my mission as I got to see a whole new level & experience through the example of other missionaries! namely Elder Killian, Bigg's and now to add to the list Elder Davies.

   The picture I sent is the bed I got to sleep on when on the exchange as I just put together a makeshift bed out of chairs. It didn't work out so well as every time I shifted around the chairs squeaked across the hard wood floor plus we had to wake up at 4:00 the next morning to catch the early boat ride home.

   




Next we find out unexpectedly that there was a need for a baptismal interview on the island of Hawaii. At first Pres Dalton was going to fly over this passed Friday but that all changed as we cheerfully suggested on how we can do it for him by taking the ferry over to Lanai, so he wouldn't have to take the time out of his busy day. Well it worked he gave us the permission and this passed Friday as well we got to go to Lanai. The last Elders that have touched that Island has been around 5 years. Right now there is a Senior couple who go over ever other week. So that was a once in a life opportunity as a ward missionary gave us a tour around the whole island after the baptism in the ocean. The Tour only took less then a half a day because of how small the island is. 

    Then to seal the deal on this passed Sunday as it was fast and testimony meeting at the very end of the meeting a gentleman walked up to bear his testimony. Elder Davies and I immidelty turned to one another as we both felt that he was a Non member bearing his testimony. He then goes on the share how God has really soften his heart and his desire to be more apart of the church has strengthen. 

   After the meeting ended to make a long story short we leave to go to the singles ward and we get a call from the 1st counselor in the bishopric on how this gentleman who bore his testimony wants to be baptized as soon as possible before the advisory takes over. So we rushed back, interview him, he had already been taught everything a year ago so he passed with flying colors and he wants to be baptized this coming Saturday. So this week was packed with experiences that will never be erased. I don't know if I can keep up these incredible weeks one right after another. I've never been so busy in my life and can't believe it's Monday again to write my weekly email. But I love it and I feel satisfied, what else can I ask for.

  I love you all thanks for your wonderful Letters and support.

   Love Elder Gardner

30 May 2011

Aloha Everyone!

 

      OK so I know I keep saying different weeks surpass others, But this week was the all mighty! Tuesday we had our mission tour where All the missionaries in Maui flew to the Big Island to receive one of the greatest trainings I'll ever hear in my life. Elder Davies and I though flew earlier in the morning around 5:00 A.M. to have a separate meeting of all the Zone Leaders with Elder Pearson who's one out of the 6 General Authorities over the missionary work. It was absolutely mind blowing. In all we were trained 9:00 A.M. Till 4:30 P.M.  with an hour break for lunch. I've never had such a clarity in my mind and understanding of the gospel. He trained us in so many aspects that It would take hours to type all that I learned. All I know is that my testimony has been edified by the spirit to greater degree that i had ever anticipated in my life. He shared things that will ever change my life in how I carry myself and how to be successful in the big picture. I just wish I could somehow share it will all. And then he shared that He'll be giving a 1 min prayer in the next general conference as well. 

     Then to add upon that incredible day is that as a mission we reached our Vision 100. The last time we hit that goal was last year  in May. It was so incredibly close that we thought for sure we would hit 99. Yet we had some incredible miracles placed in our hands were we finished now in May at 101 Baptisms. People who have entered the covenant and received one of God's greatest gifts. That being the "Holy Ghost." What a remarkable experience. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be on a mission serving the Lord and witness for myself His marvelous work and glory. 

      I love you all and thanks for all the wonderful letters and support you share with me. 

  Love, Elder Gardner

23 May 2011

Aloha Everyone

 What an incredible insane busy life I have now haha.   So Maui is quite the place, I've already seen most of the island because of being a ZL and doing a lot of work and little misc assignments. My companion is Elder Davies from Salt Lake Utah. He's the bomb and we have had an awesome week so far. We have a complete blast while working hard. He's a great missionary who can really teach and connect with those he comes in contact. He's been out now for 21 months. I really feel blessed to have another incredible companion who wants to finish his mission really strong. He's been ZL for  a year now, so he knows what he's doing and I can tell i'm going to learn a ton. He's super bold in a good way and we'll see what's going to happen now in the future. But I know it's going to be grand. 

    We live in a pad with 2 other elders as well and that's been fun. Everything has its pro's and con's whether it be a 2 man pad or a 4 man pad. I'm used to either one. 

    The zone I'm in covers the Island of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. It's the biggest Zone in the mission, so that will be interesting. Next week We'll be taking the farry to Molokai to train the missionaries over there and then  we go to the Big Island for training this week. Then Oahu to get trained by Pres Dalton. So the next few weeks I'll be all over Hawaii. 

Elder Gardner

16 May 2011

Aloha Everyone!

     I just have to say the mission is the best. It's so much fun if you make it that way even when times are toughest. But I have another food for all of you who are daring to eat whatever comes your way. In our district meeting one of the Filipino Elders brought Balut for anyone who wants to try it. It's a delicacy in the Philippines but to us its an Egg that is 18 days developed cracking the shell, slurping the juice around the shell then going away at it. The smell...not so good, but the taste? Well that's another story, it actually tastes like chicken broth but not at the same time ha. Either way I tried and I can now say I've eaten Balut.

    Our zone was able to work on the U.S.S Missouri again this week as we swept the entire deck. Then afterwards got to get a personal tour of the unbelievable ship. They have around 500-1000 miles of wire in the ship and the blue prints for the ship weigh 17 TONS! Now that INSANE!

    Well the call came in last week as it does every 6 weeks. This time it was quite sad. This ward in Mililani has become once again another aspect of my family who will never be forgotten. I got my call last night to inform me that I'll be transferring this wed morning to the Island Maui. Though I'm more then anxious to see another Island and for some more incredible experiences I'll definitely miss such a wonderful ward and those whom I've been teaching the last 3 months.

    So that's the catch up for this week on the Weekly news of Elder Gardner. Thanks for Tuning in, have a great week Planet Earth. Aloha!

Elder Gardner

9 May 2011

Aloha Everyone!

     I'm sure to your surprise that this week didn't top last week. Something incomprehensible would be the only thing that can beat last week, so I'll get praying on that. I just have a thought to share this week.

      when in sacrament meeting, contemplating and reflecting about how the atonement has given me an added measure of strength to accomplish Heavenly Fathers will. But also comparing to other time when on my mission when I was still being just as diligent in my obedience. Yet I would feel there incredible lows that wanted to bring me down to exhaustion, or whatever it was that I can't explain.

       In my reflection during sacrament meeting these thoughts came to my mind. That sometimes throughout or life we must experience these difficult lows even in the mists of our highest dedication to the gospel.  That there are greater reasons that I don't fully comprehend but I feel that these lows are for us to come closer to Christ sacrifice and Atonement.

       Jesus Christ Suffered to Understand us individually. But we too must suffer to understand more fully our savior and redeemer. Therefore as a result we come to a greater and deeper appreciation to the vast meaning of the atonement.

        So I've learned to take these moments in my life as like breaking down a great stumbling block in our life in order for us to progress and grow. Just something that I wanted to share that meant a lot to me.

     Well I guess this week actually was fantastic cause I got to call my family! Sadly my voice hasn't gotten any lower as they say so they were able to recognize my 808 area code call. Thanks so much for everything. I wish the best to all of you.

Elder Gardner

2 May 2011

Aloha Everyone!

 

    I sure hope I have enough time to write all that I want. I didn't think it was possible but once again I have topped my best week. I just had the best week in my life and on the mission. Something I'll never forget and I'll try to put into words to allow you to understand.

    On Easter Sunday all the missionaries in the entire mission had a fast for Miracle May in accomplishing our goal of Vision 100. Along with other ideas to have missionaries step up there game even farther. One being a quote from Elder Nelson from the quorum of twelve apostles stating, "Obedience brings blessing, but Exact Obedience brings Miracles." That statement couldn't of been from correct for us this week. 

   A week from today an investigator of the church, Candra (She was the one we found 2 months ago after I had a flat tire if you remember) called us out of the blue. It had been 4-5 days sense we had last heard from her after we had an incredible spiritual lesson. The only problem she had was that she is and has now deployed today being May 1st. She had to move, still work and all these other military terms she used that sounded like a ton of work we before she got deployed to Arizona. She said that the avg hours of sleep she's had the last week has been 2-3 hours. So I'm sure she was super busy. But in the mist of all this she called to tell us that the last few days the spirit has been so strong that she can't deny it any longer. She straight up said, "I want to be baptized before I leave, what do I have to do?" The rest of the night we were on the phone doing all that we could in all the next day at 2:30 we taught her everything she needed to know before the interview. Then she was interview by our mission president the next day after that and was baptized on Saturday April 30th at 6:00. Though there are several details in the making of this unforgettable experience, it truly was a miracle that i have witnessed before my eyes. Everything seriously fell into place between her schedule and the support of the ward and our leaders. No words can express the intensity of the spirit as she came out of the water of baptism and received one of God's most precious gifts, the Holy Ghost. What a remarkable week it has been, and how grateful I am to have chosen to go on the mission. For those whom I have recently heard that have chosen to go on a mission. I say HOORRAAAHH for you! You will never regret all the hard work it takes and the lasting ever so expanding knowledge and inspiration gained on a mission!

    I shared last week about the man who completely changed his life and set that example for another person. Well that other person who became interested in the gospel by that man's example felt the spirit so deeply in our lesson that she wants to be baptized May 28 if not sooner. The spirit works in wonders, but it all started by an example. 

   Thanks for all the great letters, I love you all. Never forget our purpose on this life that inspires us to overcome mountains.

Love Elder Gardner