Outward Privileges

Haha so, I think it was last week that I was wrapping up my email, and the seconds were counting down to zero, and I meant to say "Love, Lonas"... but instead it came out "Love, Linas" and I didn't have time to fix it.

Get it?  It's funny, because Linas is the man to whom Catholics retrace their authority.  Funny typo..haha :) 

Emailing a little later today- We had a fireside practice out in Tacoma.  I'm in a group doing "Jesus, Savior Pilot Me.  It's a great arrangement I'm very excited to sing it this weekend.  Downside is that they are doing this fireside this weekend, and then no more until January...........

Church this past week was good.  I was thinking again during the Sacrament (turns out its a great time to think, who'd have thought?)  And I was thinking about how much I love and need the sacrament as a missionary.  The importance of developing a spiritual reliance on your mission is absolutely essential, I believe.  We have been counseled repeatedly in the scripture to trust in the Lord (Prov 3) to lean not unto our own understanding (Isa 55) and to receive our knowledge and instruction from the Lord instead of man.(Matt 16:17, 2 Ne 17:15) 

And yet when we perceive other options besides the arm of the Lord, we find it so difficult to really trust Him.  We feel we can find truth and peace in many places, and church is just one of our many options and priorities.  From a worldly point of view we often mistake temporal avenues as the superior choice- and to be limited to spiritual sources of strength would be weakening.  That's definitely what they thought in 3 Nephi 4:16-18.  

But it's really when they/we are deprived of  "outward privileges" that we build a reliance and relationship with the Lord.   It's when we choose to give up "outward privileges" willingly that we develop self-mastery, and put off the natural man (Msh 3:19)

 

In other news, I cut Elder G's hair!  It looks pretty good, for real.  I took pictures :)  And Elder C cut my hair, it looks pretty good too.

Ok. I'm done now I think...

Yeah. 

Ok, Love,

Lonas!

Praycation

Dear everything!

 

It's been a good week! we're starting week 4 of this transfer which is absolutely insane.

We had the ward Halloween party this past week.  Was it a success?  It all depends on your point of view.  On one hand, we had a couple of part member families and investigators show up who really enjoyed themselves. On the other hand, we didn't win the chili cook off, nor did I win the dance contest. 

 

All disappointments aside, it was a good night. 

 

Guess what?  Another round of Firesides are starting up!  They will probably be pretty different than our last ones, but any musical fireside sounds like fun to me.  We're having a practice this coming Friday (And I'll be able to see Elder Bowen!)  and then our first fireside is in *drumroll* Olympia!  First weekend in November, I believe! 

 

So I'm stoked :)

 

I've been learning a lot this past week in my studies, so that's been fun.  I've made scripture flashcards, and have been able to remember them remarkably fast.  If I could have remembered things this well in high school and college I would have aced every test, haha.  Hopefully it sticks with me in college too, but I'm not banking on it, I'm pretty happy just to have this ability for now :) 

 

By the way, I don't know if I mentioned this, but my companion Elder G is one of the funniest people in the whole world.  I would tell you his jokes, but I feel that they are all jokes you need to be there for haha.

 

So I was reading in Ether chapter 2, and in verse 13-14, Mahonri takes a little Praycation (hahahahahah get it?) for 4 years, and then gets chastised.  In the past I've looked at these verses and figured "whoah, I guess even the best of us forget to pray sometimes".

Maybe that's true. 

But really, Moriancumer was a Prophet, and a spiritual boss.  Did he really "forget" to pray? Maybe, but I feel that one of the main reasons why people who have been/currently are living the gospel don't pray, is because they already know what they're supposed to do, or they just don't want to act on an answer they might receive.  I bet Mahonri was pretty happy living on the seashore. 

Sometimes we shy away from opportunities to grow, because we don't want to increase our accountability, or basically just leave our comfort zone. 

But if we trust in the Lord's  a) ability and  b) integrity to fulfill his promises, that should never be an issue.  10 seconds left, so I gotta go!

 

Love

Lonas

Literally

There is not enough time in the day- let alone in an hour session of emailing. 

 

It's been a great week, I can't believe we're starting week 3! My mind is literally blown. 

 

(Side note:  You know how everyone misuses the word "literally" when they really mean metaphorically?  Try working the word "literally" into as many sentences as possible, and see if anyone calls you out.  It's best when it's phrases that people really do say on a regular basis)

 

We've had a little success in terms of finding people, but we had some miracles show up at church!  I'm all about vicarious blessings.  Jacob 5:61 is one of President's favorite verses- and with good reason.

 

So I was thinking about it, and my scriptural fluency literally isn't as sharp as it was when I left Bremerton, I've been pretty complacent.  But I've repented this week, and have literally been pushing myself to learn scriptures again, and remember what I've forgotten.  I've made a bunch of flashcards in the past couple days, and have literally been gaining territory. 

 

Ooh, I got sick this past week, I literally almost died.  I had a pretty rough day, but also recovered miraculously fast.  Now I'm only slightly congested!  Hooray for progress! 

 

Haha so awhile ago we had dinner with this family, and on the way walking up to their house, my companion and I discussed how people never believe us, but really what we want to eat the most is pizza or hamburgers.  We had a great meal with them, and then afterwards, they asked us what's our favorite thing to eat.  We told them we're happy with anything! and they said no really, what do you like! and we said anything! and they said come on now, be honest! so I said, do you really want to know? and she said YES! and I said pizza.

 

So that's what they're getting us for dinner tonight. I'm so excited :)

 

I read Mormon chapter 8 this morning....

Moroni is NOT happy with us.  I invite everyone to read the chapter this week, and think of one way we can improve, so Moroni's fury may be calmed.

 

By the way, My companion Elder G is one of the funniest guys I've ever met.  He's great.  We have different styles of missionary work, but that's probably good because we can learn from each other :) 

 

Hope y'all (get it? I'm not actually from Texas) have a great week, and you each have a handful of those moments which literally take your breath away.  (haha, get it?)

 

Love,

Elder Lonas

approximately 10:29:30:27

Dear World,

 

Writing from the State capitol, Olympia!  When you are here, it is a little bit hard to believe that this is the capitol.  Tacoma, or Seattle would seem very logical, this seems very random.  But it's all good :)  

 

You ask, "what's it like having a Pizza Hut at the end of the block?  :)"....  Does the phrase "eternal temptation" mean anything to you?  Haha,  just kidding, I'm stoked about it.  I'm just nervous about making my missionary funds last the whole month.  I'm usually pretty darn responsible, but pizza is my biggest "want" expense.  And Pizza Hut is twice as expensive as Little Caesars.  Early Thanksgiving gift card present? ;)  Haha, just kidding, but also not really.

 

OK, let's make a deal real fast.  I'll do my best to answer "going home" questions, to the best of my physical, mental, and emotional ability -  but no more telling me how many days til I'm home.  I almost had a heart attack.

 

Update on Zhang (Chinese Chase) he has returned to China.  On Sunday he was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  On Monday he received the Priesthood.  On Tuesday he received his Patriarchal Blessing.  On Wednesday he flew back.  Keep this wonderful, valiant young man in your prayers :)

 

I'm serving with Elder G, who is a great guy.  Good heart, and a real desire to help people.  He plays basketball, likes Marvel, and worked in a pizza shop once.  What's not to love there? 

 

So, in a foursome, planning takes about 2.5 times as long, and then with the remaining time in the night, everyone is rushed to make a quick dinner, use the bathroom and get ready for bed, and almost every night in Lakewood I'd hit my bed at approximately 10:29:30:27 or something along those lines, give or take a millisecond. 

 

In this companionship, our planning rarely takes us the full half hour, and never exceeds it.  I have an hour or more every night I have absolutely no idea what to do.  The first night was absolutely terrible.  I finished, and just paced around the apartment for an hour.  I wanted to knock doors, but successfully talked myself out of it.  I have gotten in the habit of working out again at night, and stretching, while watching "Finding Faith in Christ" or "The Testaments".  I almost have them memorized. 

 

By the way that reminds me, my usage of the word "like" has cut down significantly.  Updates on my game:

 

5 pushups for saying the word "like" period.  In any context.  Let's be honest, it's a pretty weak word, and never conveys much.  Always a better word choice somewhere.

 

5 pushups for every "ummm"

 

3 pull ups for every "Ya know?"

 

5 pushups for every "I mean,"

 

It's good stuff.

 

Well, my time is about out, and my poor companion has been done for about a half hour.