week 34

It got pretty cold this week. It was 11 degrees this morning when we walked out the door. Luckily, when we bundle up in all of our gear, it really isn't that bad at all.

So we really looking forward to seeing Steve baptized this weekend, but it was postponed due to the weather. We will just have to wait until this next Saturday before we get to see him make that wonderful step towards Christ.

Yesterday our ward mission leader gave us some really important advice that I found very helpful in helping me become better at helping others come to Christ. He started by sharing Alma 4:19

"And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them."

Our ward mission leader made sure we understood that the only way that someone will be given an actual opportunity to choose to follow Christ is by feeling the Spirit. The only way that others can feel the spirit is by bearing "pure testimony" like Alma says. The Holy Ghost testifies of truth, and so if we testify that something is true, then the Spirit WILL be there. Then it truly is up to that person to either accept and act upon what they feel or deny and reject what they now know to be true. 

Another thing that was pointed out was the fact that the Spirit rings strongest when someone testifies of Christ. He is the center of everything that is taught in this gospel, and He is the way that we return to live with our Father in Heaven. He lives, and He loves us.

I love all of you, and I love this work!

The Church is True!

Love,

Elder Fullmer

week 33

Yesterday was Presidents' Day (I think), so we didn't get to email until this morning. Sorry it's a day late, but better late than never!

This past week has been full of making adjustments as I've been getting used to the new area. The ward here is wonderful, with lots of members who are extremely willing to help us in teaching appointments. There are actually 3 sets of missionaries in this ward! (one of the companionships is Spanish-speaking, though) This area is a walk/bus/bike area, which is probably the biggest adjustment. I've enjoyed it a lot more than I've thought I would, though. There are so many more opportunities to stop and talk to people as you are traveling, which is great. There are also a lot more people who are willing and interested in talking to us. 

Another highlight from this past week was reuniting with the Robinson family. He is not a member (quite yet), and we were working with them in my last area until they moved here. It was great seeing the expressions on their faces when they recognized who I was. He is planning on being baptized this upcoming Saturday, and he asked that I baptize him. I was humbled by his request. It seems that I'm in this area for very specific people, and I believe he is one of them.

A theme that I've noticed throughout my studies recently is how God really views us. A great example of this is in Alma 26, when Ammon is rejoicing in the success that he and his brethren have been blessed with. In verses 17-20, Ammon says "Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state. Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church.Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction,yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair. Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold,he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery,even to the salvation of our souls."

Ammon asks in that passage "Why didn't God immediately condemn us for our sins?" I thought about this and came to the conclusion that God does not look for our immediate perfection, but rather our eternal potential. God could see what good Ammon and his brethren could do, and so he gave them the opportunity to change and do better. What an amazing blessing it is to know that God is doing everything He possibly can to help us become all that we can be. He loves us, and He knows what is best for us.

I love this work, and I love all of you!

The Church is True!

Love,

Elder Fullmer

week 32

Well it's been another great week here in the Weldon Spring area. 

We had transfer calls this past Saturday, and I will be heading to the Maryland Heights ward, which is in the St. Louis Stake. I will definitely miss this area. There are so many amazing people here that I have had the opportunity to serve with. I really feel like I was meant to come to this area to learn specific things. But, I am excited to turn the page to the next chapter of my mission. One thing that I'm really excited about is the fact that the Robinsons, a part member family we had been working with before Christmas, moved away. It turns out that they actually moved into the Maryland Heights ward, so I will be excited to see them again!

Considering it's Valentines Day this Saturday, I thought I would the chance to let all of you know how much a love and appreciate everything that you do. So many people have had such an impact on my life, and I thank each and every one of you for making me the person I am today.

Along with that, something that has been on my mind lately has been the topic of charity. In the scriptures, it often points out that without charity, we truly are nothing. It is essential for each of us to learn the attribute of charity in order to learn to become like our savior, Jesus Christ, for it truly is the "pure love of Christ." I would encourage everyone, including myself, to take the counsel given to us by the prophet Mormon: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." (Moroni 7:48)

If we truly desire to become like Chirst, we need to understand and experience the love that He has for each person that has ever walked this Earth. We experience that love as we sincerely seek it through prayer. 

I love this work, and I love all of you so much!

The Church is True!

Love,

Elder Fullmer