#53 - The gospel is about Becoming

Happy Birthday to my dad! You are a wonderful leader and teacher to m​e. This week we went to the temple! It was a great experience. We drove down with Brother Timm and Brother Cruz. Cruz is from Mexico, and it was his first time in the Indianapolis temple! We enjoyed every second!

We had dinner with an investigator named Mark on Thursday. He is loving every minute of learning. He goes online to lds.org and mormon.org and soaks everything up like a sponge.

Charlene is still coming to church and going strong! We had a dinner last night with her and Sister Canterro. Since we couldn't go in their home we had it on their porch! It was so fun haha. Dinner was goulash and meatloaf, a hoosier specialty they said! They are right :)

We are having a zone conference tomorrow. There are some big changes! We aren't counting first contacts or member lessons anymore. We are focusing more on planned (and member presents), new gators, and less actives. I think this is a great change! We also have transfers in a week, not sure if I will be transferred or stay another 6 weeks. I guess we will find out!

The longer I have been out the more I realize how I cannot do this work by myself. When I begin to feel inadequate and alone, I become overwhelmed. As I pray for strength and the Lords grace, I can feel him lift my burdens and give me the strength to keep going. The healing and strengthening power of Jesus Christ is for all of us who will ask.The Savior has said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28.) He is our Advocate, Mediator, and Judge. His gospel is the perfect answer to all human problems and social struggles. But His gospel is only effective as it is applied in our lives. We must “feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” (2 Ne. 32:3.) 

I testify that this is the Church of the resurrected Jesus Christ. He is risen. He paid the price for all of our sins. Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. I witness that we grow closer to the Savior as we serve others for Him. 

Dad to James: 

Hey we just walked into the gym and some guy said you guys got to be from Indiana! We didn't even realize we are both wearing Indiana T-shirts. Haha.

James to Dad: 

haha a true hoosier is a smoker! they just sit on their hoosier porch and smoke all day long. they will talk to you all day about anything ha. and most the time they are fat, unless they smoke so much they dont eat, then they are skinny.oh and they dont like to wear shirts, usually they will wear pants. It depends, most the time they will be inside. I guess that depends where the tv is haha. and they have many many animals .

 Ron says to send us a picture of a true Hoosier. Probably eating ribs and corn the cob