21 March 2011

Aloha Everyone

Another week in the books to look back on with a smile. This week was exciting in being able to take part in something most people can't. On Wed our zone went to Pear Harbor to do some service and clean the U.S.S Missouri. Afterwards we were given a special tour down in the ship where we got to see the engine, and boiler rooms. I give those men who had to work in there a lot of credit! In the boiler room it was usually around 125 degrees. Then It amazes me to see how intricate everything is put together. There were over 18 tons of blue prints to put the battle ship together. truly mind blowing to see such a creation even before the computers were prominent. So that was an exciting part this week to get a tour of the U.S.S Missouri where most can't go.

It's always an adventure to go teaching, as it's never the same. Like this week when we went over to teach an investigator. After teaching about the restoration she shared a little experience with me. She shared with us about her past when she felt like she was in tune with the spirit and God. She stated over and over that she never shares this cause everyone says she's crazy, but she felt like she needed to share it with us. One time she was praying specifically about an answer she needed to make a major decision on what to do in the military. And as she asked about each specific route she was thinking to take she would listen to how she felt looking for an answer from God. All of the solutions she asked God about she felt nothing except one as she shared that she felt such an indescribable feeling. Like as if she was burning with in and she took it as an answer from God.

You can just imagine our faces along with the member we brought along. We hadn't once talked about how we can receive answers from our prayers. We had only just began the lesson and she shared this with us. She then went on saying about how she hates sharing that because everyone laughs at her and make a mockery out of her. But we on the other had were astonished with the biggest grin on our faces estactic to share with her that we too have had the same experience and to go on in further detail of where those feeling come from and what they mean. You can only imagine how strong the spirit was the entire lesson. What an exciting experience to help others to come to a greater understanding of God and to feel his presence.

Thanks for all that you do for me. Have a great week!

Love Elder Gardner.

14 March 2011

Aloha Everyone,

It just doesn't get old, again we have had another fantastic week. This week we also had zone conference where we receive new trainings to be able to reach our highest potential. There was one specific part that really stuck out to me. So as missionaries we want to find the golden investigator who wants to learn and will keep there commitments to allow themselves to have their one true lasting conversion. Along with many other attributes that we as missionaries like to see in investigators we find. Same applies with us, and this is what made me think a little harder about how I personally study. Because we are God's investigators when we sit down to study the gospel. It made me think and compare myself if I'm the same investigator to God as I describe below. Am I a Golden Investigator for God? Do I take my own advice that I give to my investigators? A lot of pondering went into how I can improve my personal study to have my own spiritual lasting conversion.

Sometime during this week we got hit hard when we were on our bikes while riding to find a members home. In seconds I became washed clean from head to toe so we darted back to another members home that was close by to wait out the down poor. But we were still soaked by the time we got there with mud on our shirts from the bike tire flipping the the mud up. ha ha. And of course as soon as we had reached the home the rain stopped. But just next door we found this guy by himself unloading a whole truck full of cabinets that had just been made and he was putting them into his garage. So we made our way over and ended up helping him lift them off the truck and into the garage. It made me smile as he repeatedly stated that he couldn't believe that we would just show up and help him randomly. That, that's unheard off, then he got thinking that his friends would never believe him so he wanted some proof. As a result he had us stand next to all the cabinets and he wanted to take a few pictures to have evidence to show his friends. Its great to see how just a small and simple act can make such a great impact. (Alma 37:6).

I may of stated earlier about an experience of how we found an investigator. But I thought I would share it again with added information. When after tracking a street we headed back to our bikes. But of course we had a flat tire, so I called a close by member to see if he could pick us up and take us back to our pad to get it fixed and get back to work. Therefore as we were waiting a Yukon came racing around a corner and she slammed on her brakes as she rolled down her window to signal us to come talk to her. Then finding that we were the Mormon missionaries she pulled into her driveway the house next door and we began talking. The excitement could of been seen for miles as she explained that the last few months she had been talking to a member in the military. The member gave her videos to watch and a Book of Mormon. But as time went on he couldn't answer all her questions and told her that he would refer her to the missionaries in her area. That exact same day just after he told her she came home to grab something she had forgot. When doing so she ran into us and thought for sure this was a sign from God that she needs to be taught. It was a neat experience to see that God does prepare his children and sends his prepared children to his prepared servants. How sad that would be though if he were to send his prepared children and we weren't prepared to share the gospel.

Then after she left, we were still waiting for the member, so we saw a man working on his truck and decided to walk over and ended up he too wanted to learn from us as we taught him as well this week. When teaching him he said that the only reason he accepted our invitation to be taught was because he felt that it was from our heart. That's all we have to do is speak with charity as we bear testimony to allow the spirit to touch their hearts for them to accept it or not. That's all we are asked to do.

Yesterday a returned missionary shared a great experience that he had on his mission. His name being Sho Flynn, and he served in Riverside California. 2 weeks out on his mission in his greeny area he quickly found that while on there bikes several people would throw grapefruit that grew on the trees at them and even at times some glass bottles.

But after two weeks being out on the mission he got used to the throwing objects. Yet this one day when riding his bike with his companion a truck came passing by while honking which would usually end up in the person flipping them off or something to that nature. So when he received that honk he thought nothing off it until it made a U turn and came right behind his bikes even to the point that the truck was on the sidewalk. Sho Flynn had many thoughts running through his head and thought for sure that a fight was going to break loose at any moment.

The man in the truck jumped down being very large in structure with a beard unlike it's kind. "Hello! I'm the ward Mission Leader!" the man stated, "Welcome to the ward. You must be the new missionary in the area!" Sho Flynn was a bit surprised having a totally different outcome then expected.

The man then gave him a small rock and asked" What's this?" "Uh...a pebble?" "Nope...What is it?" "hmmm... A shiny pebble?" " Nope! it's a small boulder" the man explained. Whenever you feel your not capable to do what is asked, if your scared and feel weak. Think of being a "Little Bolder."

Ever sense then when Sho Flynn would feel inadequate, nervous, or scared he would rub the little boulder in his pocket to remind him to be a "Little Bolder" What a great analogy on how we can step out of our comfort zone and be a little bolder in sharing the gospel! :)

Well I learned a lot this week as I do every week and I thought you would enjoy the things that I learned and that they may help you to want to share the gospel to our brothers and sisters. The people wanting the gospel are prepared and out there and want to find happiness. We have what they want, they just don't know that until we give them the invitations to do so. I love you all thanks for the support and love. And so you know I"m fine from the Tsunami. Hawaii got hit but not that bad. The big island got the worst and Oahu just had some damage to it's docks but only minor. What a sad experience for Japan. But what comfort I have with the testimony I have of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

Love,

Elder Gardner

7 March 2011

Brothers and Sisters, ALOHA!

What an exciting new week as every week brings. I'm now getting in adjustment to the complete opposite area type. About every 10 people I talk to here in Mililani, I would have normally talked to 1 person in Ka'u ha. I'm also starting to get back into the pace of Oahu which is a lot like the mainland, rather then the laid back go as I feel like and enjoy life in the country. But I love it.

I actually enjoy riding the bikes now that I my seat isn't causing uncomfort. Plus all the weight I've gained the last 6 months is slowly disappearing! Then again I haven't shown up to so many door steps with waterfalls falling down my cheeks for all the sweat. I'm pretty sure I can qualify at the bike shop by our pad due to 6 flats the last 2 weeks ha. Elder Mecham and I got really acquainted with each staff member as they laughed every time we came in to get a new inter tube. Finally we found the problem and got it fixed so we're riding with style now with our beautiful helmets. Just like when I was a kid riding around the block, yet I wouldn't wear the helmet like I do now ha.

We had some good moments as we were teaching a family and had dinner before them. After talking some story for a good while, the mother asked us what was the worst foods we have eaten. So I named a few like, blood meat, pig's feet, etc... Then my companion gets all passionate about how he had the worst experience when a member took them out to eat at a vegan restaurant in Mikiki. I guess I should of for warned my companion that they were vegetarians before we went over. I lost it, I couldn't help but to allow my face to turn bright red and laughed inside my sleeve. The whole family had big grins as we all looked at each other, knowing that my companion had no idea what was going on. Soon after the mother adds,"well, I don't use meat when I cook..." He felt so embarrassed and for the next 10 mins he triesto get out of the hole he dug by saying that it wasn't the food just the cooks were really bad that day. Oh Elder what shall we do. What a great journal write that I thought to share with you.

This week really focused on teaching all the members so we could get to know them better. But we also focused as all we always do to find new sons and daughters of God, our brother's and sisters to teach them about our unique message. So after a good hour or more of talking to everyone we saw and knocking on some beautiful doors we headed back to our bikes to our next appointment. Lo and behold my bike was out of commission ( this was before we found the problem). We pulled it off the the side so we could call a member to give us a lift back to our pad. Just then after calling a Yukon comes around the corner and slams on the brakes. Then from the middle of the road she starts to call us over and we began talking. Come to find out she's been talking to member in the military (everyone in Mililani is in the military) and has become very interested. She couldn't of asked better sincere questions that we have answers to at the tips of our finger. What an answer to our prayers. What if I hadn't had a flat tire? Maybe I would of missed her?

Well...that's some of the highlights of my exciting week. Hope you enjoy. Thanks for all the support and prayers

Love you all

Elder Gardner

28 February 2011

As soon as I felt like I got a hold of everything, and knew what I was doing, I get transferred. But I'm so excited to be able to fulfill what he has asked me to do, cause now through experience I know that he always provides a way to accomplish what he commands as long as I stay obedient and commit myself to him.

So Monday night I got a call from our Mission President, calling in behalf of Christ to call me to be the District Leader in Mililani, On Oahu Yet he then added that I too will be White washing the area...ha ha wasn't expecting that but I'm excited to see what growth I'll gain in this next transfer.

Again it was a difficult task to take on to say goodbye to my new family in Ka'u! But then the hardest part was to say goodbye to a family that we have been teaching and preparing for baptism in the next week. It's a indescribable feeling to know that you were in the hands of God to take part in changing a family who finds so much joy in the gospel now. That one day you can see them again as families together forever in the Celestial Kingdom of God. Driving back to Hilo to the Airport was the longest drive since I've been there the last 6 months. Though I found out Monday night that my MTC companion was going in Ka'u to take me place.

Finally I got a chance to go to transfer meeting on Oahu at the Tabernacle where all the missionaries come together and are assigned to their new area's and new companions. It was fantastic to see all the missionaries that I came out with and actually meet a few new ones. No one knows who I am because I've been isolated the last 6 months haha.

My new companion is Elder Mecham who has now been out for 3 months now. He's a fantastic Elder I couldn't be more excited to be his companion as he has a major work ethic and motivation to do anything that is needed. So I have no complaints and look forward to what we can accomplish together.

So now that I'm on Oahu in Mililani I can tell that Ka'u is the complete opposite! I didn't know there was such a thing as more then a 1 story building and so many cars with an ambulance blaring there siren's every hour of the day. Welcome to the other type of Hawaii ha. It's been quite the change but it's been great. Mililani is a fantastic place to live as it's all residential houses that's actually well kept.

Being white washed though has been quite the experience. We know completely nothing about the area or anyone who lives it. But now that a half a week as gone by I can get around pretty well now......"on a bike" ....ha ha Never thought i was going to be on a bike because there's only just a very select few areas that have bikes now. Yet on the bright side I've already lost most of the weight I've gained.

I couldn't be more excited to work with the ward we have. I've never seen such a unified ward who are all on the same page. The bishop is so missionary mined being 28 year old. The ward respects him so much and the whole ward is willing to do anything for us missionaries. The potential in this area is unmeasurable and can't wait to get the ball rolling as we visit all the members and strengthen there faith, as we gain there trust.

I just couldn't be more grateful to have had two fantastic area's to serve with two amazing bishops.

I'm just continually learning everyday especially now that I get the opportunities to present trainings for my district every week to help them become the best tool in God's hand. I calculated all my missionaries in my district and how long they have been out and it ad's up to only 23 1/2 months! I'm the oldest in my district, it's hard to believe that I've already been out for 6 months but I try not to think about it.

I truly couldn't be a happier man or should I say Elder at this point in my life, true happiness comes from the success of others. My whole life has completely changed and my outlook on life will never been the same.

I love my life and I'm grateful for all the trials that the lord has given me to allow myself to develop Christlike attributes and to progress and learn.

May the Lord be with you, I love you all, thanks for all the support, love and prayers.

Love,

Elder Gardner

{the family Flint taught who will be baptized March 12}

21 February 2011

Aloha Everyone,
It never seemed that this day would come. But transfers are here and the calls have been made. I never would of thought that it would be so hard to leave an area, but when they become more then your family a few tears are bound to be shed as you say goodbye to your brothers and sisters. No words can describe the love that has been generated from serving these wonderful people who live in Ka'u. I've never been around such faithful members who have overcome such insurmountable obstacles. There will always be a place in my heart for these loving people.
But on the good note we ended the transfer with a bang as we surpassed our goals and the area is on fire. Amazing what the Lord can do with just a couple 19 year old boys who want to work hard and have some fun! Though being short on time I only have one story to share
Last week I gave an investigator a Book of Mormon that my sister Coral had written her testimony in. I shared how much it meant to me to give this to her and to really find out for herself. The spirit was so strong that I thought a fire would just bursted out of the oven and engulfed us all.
Then on our return appointment this coming week she said some touching words. After bearing her testimony of her coming to know that the church was true, she then stated that, I hope in the future that I too can give you a Book of Mormon with my testimony, that way you can give it to someone like me.'' Wow... Music in a missionary's ear, I was with out speech! If only all young men would strive to go on a mission and experience the magnitude of the spirit and the miracles that follow and lives are changed forever! She as well as her auntie Candice who we are teaching will now be making there first steps into baptism on March 12. What a glorious day that will be as angels rejoice.
I love you all and wish I could share more in detail, but what joy and love that comes from being a Representative of Christ!

Love Elder Gardner

14 February 2011

Aloha Everyone,

Another incredible spiritual week has gone by like as if it was an hour ago. I just wish I could describe in detail the experiences received by going on a mission, especially the spiritual ones. Though I'll try, and share some stories of how i'm doing out in the mission field of Ka'u Hawaii.

But first I want to share a wonderful poem a missionary shared with me on exchanges.

Missionary ----

Don't get sore if they call you green,

Just stop and think what they really mean.

Your young, your growing and full of life.

Ready to battle all trouble and strife.

Just come right back and say, you bet,

Hope I'm green a while yet.

For this should never be forgotten,

That after "Ripe come Rotten!"

WHat a meaning ful poem that can apply to everything not just missionary work. Whether it be in a job, or cleaning the house, we can all green a while more. For truely rotton comes after ripe. Though unless your dry them before they go rotten. say's Sister Antolin our Relief Society President. Ha ha.

It's always a pleasant feeling when you know you were used in God's hand to accomplish his work or to answer a prayer. Later this week we ended up calling a family and stopping by when we were in the area. Soon after we found out that she just got off the phone with her husband exclaiming she was in need of a blessing. Shortly after she hung up we called and was able to offer her a blessing. I really see how important it is to always remain worthy of the priesthood we bear. The authority to act in God's name, isn't a light task to be thought of as I came to my deep understanding. But it was great to be a tool in God's hand for a simple act of random kindness (ARK).

Also this week we had just finished up tracking a street, got in our car and headed back to our pad to fill our ever so empty stomachs. Yet on the drive there I passed a very familiar car who I recognized after a few seconds had passed. So ever small and quiet I really felt to turn around and follow her to her house. It almost felt like I acted on reaction and next thing I knew I was pulling a U turn in the middle of the road catching up. After following her just a few seconds i noticed she passed her house and kept driving and was making a loop around the subdivision. First I felt dumb thinking that she probably thought i was some werid man following her and she was trying to dodge me. So I gave her a call, and she didn't even know I was behind her, she just forgot to pick up her daughter from school and was turning around. But the great climax of the story is that we were able to set up a time to visit her. I didn't think much about it until now as I look back at the result. As of now we have taught her almost everyday as well as her extended family who all now have a Baptismal date for March 12. Her life in just this short time has completely turned around as we see the joy she has now in her heart knowing the truth of the Book of Mormon, and living the commitments we have left. This are the times I will never forget for the rest of my life. That I'm able to be that tool in God's hand to completey change there life where they come closer to God and our savior then they ever have before. "Shall we not go on is so great a cause?" (Joseph Smith Jr.) Pretty soon that family will be taking the steps to baptism as one of our soon to be members will be baptized tonight. What joy it brings to my heart.

HAPPY VALENTINES!!

Love, Elder Gardner

7 February 2011

Last week was the best week in personal progression, but now this week was the best week I've ever seen toward success in the area. All our diligence, and and great help from our Heavenly Father has really paid off. It's been a really satisfying, and full filling week as we taught more then double the amount then previous weeks. Some times I feel like my spirit is just going to burst out of me I get to excited! If only all young men would choose to go on a mission. In all though I can't wait to see what this week has to bring and hope to keep up the steady progress. I thought time was flying before but now I seem to forget that I even feel asleep and a new day has arrived.

I really liked what missionary shared with me. He explained that missionaries that compliment there companion's differences and work with there similarities find the most success in companion unity. What great advice that can be implemented in all aspects of life where in be with friends or our spouse. Hopefully I can practice now so it won't be so hard when I'm married.

I don't know if it's my long strides or the habit my dad taught me but I haven't had a companion yet to keep up with my pace of walking. In time...

I recommend not playing basketball with just your bare feet. Last P-day the zone got together to go bowling yet they were closed to wax the floors. And everyone was in the whites and didn't bring casual attire. Well that doesn't stop some missionaries to get a work out. So instead we played some basketball in our whites. We didn't' want to ruin our shoes so we all wore socks or bare feet. Lesson learned, unless you have calaced feet which being a missionary I have none. The next 3 day's was walking on quarter sized blisters. ha.

Thanks for all the letters and support! I love you all

Love, Elder Gardner