25 April 2011

Aloha everyone,

 Well Happy Easter that has already passed. But the meaning never will as this passed month the mission has been studying heavily on the atonement. My appreciation and understanding has greatly expanded and I'm so grateful for what Christ himself has done for each and everyone of us. No words can ultimately describe such an act of love.

  I'd like to share at least one story that happened recently. The first week when I entered my new area in mililani we had a Member in Virgina call to ask us missionaries to do all that we can to get her brother a blessing and to encourage him to come back to church and straighten out his life. Well in short all of that happened, Her brother completely changed his life around thought true lasting repentance. It was a remarkable experience to be the tool to help him overcome his major stumbling blocks with the help of the bishop. Sadly right after he made the change he got deployed to the mainland never to hear from him again until Saturday when getting a call from him about his continuation in following Christ. He's now the 1st counselor in the Young men's and the assistant to the scout master. He also mentioned that he goes out with the missionaries each week and is going to hold a meeting for all the military to teach them about what we believe. How cool is that?  But the best part is that his past girlfriend in Hawaii saw his remarkable change and wants to do it her self. her, the mom and the daughter all came to Easter Sunday leaving the chapel with tears of joy. She said that the past week she kept coming up with the number 3:16 in everything she was doing. And in Sunday school we watch Finding Faith In Christ, where at the end it shares the scripture John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, That whosoever beliveth on him shall not perish but have everlasting life." It was an answer to her prays and I can't wait to continue to teach her. All because of the example of someone changing there life. It was and is quite remarkable.

   Thanks for all your support, I know I say that all the time but I"m really grateful for it. Remember how important our example is for others in helping them stay or enter the straight and narrow path

Love Elder Gardner

18 April 2011

Aloha Everyone!

    Not much to write about, Just a few inside thoughts for this week. But The past month we recieved a packet about the atonement with all kinds of talks given by General Authorities as well as all the chapters we must read in the Boom of Mormon that pertain to the atonment. It's so simple yet so deep. The more I keep learning about the atonement my understanding continues to expand and my desire to press forward in bring God's children, our brothers and sisters, unto eternal life. The understanding of the scriptures has magnified 10 fold and I just can't get enough. Everytime I hit the pillow I can't wait to wake up for another round of Personal Study. It's my motivation to wake up.

   Then this week as well everyday it's been poring. I'm now just used to being soaked. You may be wondering why not use an umbrella. Well we do, but it's hard on a bike plus even when walking it only covers from chest up. But at least it's Super Warm! No need to complain when everyday is Gorgous.

   I'm just so greatful to be on a mission. We had several lessons this week but 1 of them was inspiring. Nothing can or will compare the rest of my life then the moments I have now being set apart from the world and bearing an honest sincere, God Loving testimony to a child of God who so desperatly wants to come closer to our heavenly father. The room was so filled with the spirit and of eternal love for each other, that we all could sense the being filled with angels above. Truly this is the greatest and the hardest work I'm endured in my life. Just like all say but until you face it, then you can relate. Oh how much I've learned this week, especially when things just seem to be so overbearing, but to just do your uttermost best and then remember, "Don't Worry." As my mission pres said to me. I've really been exercising his advise and it has made all the difference. Just do you best and be honest in doing your best and there is no need to be worried. Life is so much easier when living 100% obedient that way you have no need to worry about being on the edge.

   Thanks for all the wonderful letters I got this week. I really enjoyed them

Love,

   Elder Gardner

11 April 2011

Aloha Everyone,

    So here is the update to Elder Gardner's Fascinating life here in Mililani on the island of Oahu. This week after several weeks of preparation, we had a movie night similar to the one in my last area. Yet this time it was planned in better detail and we had a great turn out! We were able to really open the views of those who came to really understand what Joseph Smith really went through in his life to restore the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Even all the members including myself were so moved by the spirit to realize and confirm what I know to be true.

    Also this week we got to more Elders in our pad to make it a 4 man pad now. I didn't know what to expect, but now that it's been a week sense they have come I have really come to enjoy the extra company. Then to be able to exchange our stories at the end of each day. We always have something to give us a good laugh or to hear a spiritual experience.

    This passed Sunday was a great opportunity for Elder Mecham and I. The YM's president asked us to come to the priests in the ward and to bear our testimony on going on a mission. I think I got more out of what I said then those that were listening. But it was so great to share with them how a mission has truly changed my life and my perspective on life; and the expansion of my understanding of the gospel as my testimony has greatly enlarged. I have such a sweet spot in my heart on encouraging others to go on a mission and to be able to experience what it's like to be a tool in god's hand. Nothing can match the priceless lasting spiritual experiences that move you in such a way that your life seems to be a new beginning. I can't express how i desire all to go on a mission as the prophet has directed, being the mouth he is for God.

    Latter this week Oahu and all the islands got Slammed by a huge rainstorm. And of course we were on our bikes trucking along when it just suddenly dumped buckets on us. Ha it was quite the experience to see rain fall so hard in that amount. Good thing our umbrella's were left back at the pad 30 mins away haha.

    Again thank you for all your support and those who have been writing me. It's like a Christmas gift each and every time. There's no doubt in my mind that this is the true church that contains the fullness of the gospel. There is so much to be grateful for, even the many trials I have faced as it's a stepping stone that climbs line upon line precept upon precept as we get closer in developing Christlike attributes. Have a great week and thanks for everything.

    Love Elder Gardner

4 April 2011

Aloha Everyone,

 

    Can words even describe how amazing this week was. The first part of the week was fantastic as we found 3 new investigators. One we found from passed records who was interested but decided to stop a while back. So we decided to go check him out and see if he'd like to be taught some more. But we soon realized that he didn't live there anymore, so we asked the the guy who answered the door if he'd like to be taught. Then next thing we know he has a baptismal date for the beginning of May! That was an exciting moment.

   On Wednesday we were able to go to the temple! I've now been able to go to both temples in Hawaii already and how beautiful that was! I'll have to send some pictures next week. But how enlightening that was as I've come to an even greater understanding of the doctrine where now everything comes together in greater detail. The spirit was so incredibly strong but i soon realized that it was just a building block to prepare for the phenomenal general conference that took place the last couple days!

  I don't know if it's just cause I'm on a mission, though I know that makes a major difference, or that general conference this time was just immaculate. This is how i felt and thought after conference. Oh how i have bather in the fountain of knowledge and spiritual conviction of what i know to be true. For my joy reaches to heaven like the sound of a trump. I see what the prophets in the Scriptures use such adjectives to try there best and describe there utter most deep feelings. Cause that is how i truly felt listening to general conference. My understanding has been stretched beyond my mortal imagination like a sponge that can't retain the excess water from heaven above.

   The conference seem to be just a small moment in time. I'd look at the time and wonder where it all went wishing there would be more. I can't wait to continue to look over my notes but to get the Ensign this next month to ponder each message. I'm so grateful for personal revelation.

   But besides that I would have to say this has been another best week in my records that I won't forget! I Love you all and thanks for your prayers and support.

   Love, Elder Gardne

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