THE ANGOLA LUANDA MISSION JULY 1, 2013
back l-r Hobbs, Merkley, Marequell, Tingey, Fontaine, Garn, Chatwin, Wilhelm, Wilson, Stewart, Montgomery, Clifford, McCune.
middle l-r McAllister, Kearny, Dunkley, Yeanoplos, Hannay, Hansen, Cafferty, Brown, Banta, Hyde,
President and Sister Merrill, Elder and Sister Abdo
front l-r Chandler, Castleton, Pimental, Tilley, Ferguson, Whitaker, Money, Dredge.
Brothers Clifford, Hyde, and Montgomery
ola
minha familia!!! July
8, 2013
FIRST OFF, CHELSEA!!!!!!!!! HAPPY
BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!! I SEN TOYU YOUR OWN EMAIL:)
So this week was yet another one that
seemed to pass like a whirlwind!! So the first part, or all of the week it
really felt, was mission conference with President Merrill and all the other
missionaries. We had elders from Lubango staying with us, (Kearney and Hansen)
so that was fun! The fourth of July we had a mission conference all day with trainings
from President and Sister Merrill and a get to know you session with them too. That
was super cool. I LOVE PRESIDENT AND SISTER MERRILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and they are
totally from Arizona haha loved it.
President Merrill has basically the
mindset that as we are obedient and do everything we can to follow and seek the
lord’s counsel, it will be given to us and we will receive blessings. He talked
about rules and that common sense was the biggest rule. If we think we shouldn’t
do something or we don’t know if it’s ok or not, then don’t do it! haha I loved
that.
It was also really good to see all the
other missionaries. Sorry I didn’t get pictures with President and Sister
individually, but I did get one with Elder Clifford and Elder Hyde they are
literally my brothers!
President
Merrill and the assistant still haven’t had like new goals and stuff like that,
but I’m sure within the next few weeks they will do those so we can see them. His
philosophy is basically that we are going to grow this mission the right way
and the lords way, even if its slow- ya we could go out and baptize a thousand people
a month, but then the church would collapse form not enough support form older
members and stuff like that, so he said were gonna follow the lords counsel and
grow the church how the lord wants, which right now is real growth. Baptisms
and retention, not just a ton of baptisms. I don’t know if that all makes sense
or not. but ya.
BUT something really cool was then Friday
we had mission testimony meeting. all the missionaries and president and sister
bore their testimonies. it was really cool. i loved hearing all the other missionaries
bear their testimonies, something we don’t get all to often. but then after the
testimony meeting,
President Merrill gave our mission a
blessing. He stood at the pulpit and basically said as the mission resident he
had the power to invoke heavens blessing upon us as missionaries and upon our
work. HOLY COW. Spiritual overload. so so cool. He gave us collectively as a
mission a priesthood blessing and blessed us to have the spirit as we
obeyed and to have health and strength and to have the ability to follow the
spirit and bless the lives of others and a million other things, and then as he
closed the blessing he sealed it upon the mission just as your open with the
authority in a normal blessing. The spirit filled the room and I was so grateful
to receive that blessing. Even though it was to everyone I felt like it was to
me individually. really cool. I didn’t know he could do that but he holds the
keys over our mission, just like p
Pres
Monson over he church, to invoke the powers of heaven and give us blessings
according to our obedience and worthiness. SUPER cool. President Merrill is a
spiritual giant. I love him!
I got to have an interview with President
on Saturday, and I won’t give details but all the counsel he gave came from
Heavenly Father, it was amazing. I know it was exactly what I needed to hear! I
was very humbled and felt so loved amazing experience for sure.
I have definitely been humbled for a
few personal reasons this week! The lord is throwing tests my way and giving me
the strength I need to overcome them, but it’s not easy! BUT during mission conference
we watched a video Elder Holland giving a talk to mission presidents, basically
to the effect that missionaries will at times say why why why why why President
is this or that not easy, work, investigators, companions all that, and Elder Holland THROWS DOWN about the Atonement.
"The reason missionary work isn’t easy is because its not supposed to be
easy! It was never easy, it’s not ever going to be easy, because it was NEVER
EASY for the Savior in the garden, on the cross. everything. " that’s not
a direct quote but you get the picture. wow. very humbling. I will work a
little harder and complain a little less this week.
So I’m so jealous about PC! you all
look like you’re having a blast. I hope I get to join in the festivities
someday! ahaha make sure mom and dad you guys get together with the Hyde’s too!.
random stuff:
Anyways, I can’t think of anything else
to write, but I love you all! I hope this week is fun, and you all keep
enjoying PC without me. have fun! I’m very jealous. just take lots of pictures!.
oh ya, I heard about the fires too.
wow. so so sad. I’m grateful for those who have given their lives in the fire
service, and more grateful that you dad, were always protected and watched
over. If you know any of the families give them my love.
Love you all! Have good weeks, Chels
have a sick bday today, and everyone give the kiddos my love! Graham love you!
Claire love you! Beau love you!!!
ate proximo semana! loves.
com amor,
Elder Montgomery
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