Week 18; Transfer Week

Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QuW5JQQJL6emqhb68 We found this awesome guy named Sean this week. He had submitted a request to meet with us and I called him and he is struggling with a lot, he has no hope for himself and doesn't feel like there's a reason to live anymore. He put his wife or girlfriend in prison due to really bad stuff that she was into and her family has always hated him and he feels like everyone's out to get him but not in a narcissistic way. I really focused on the atonement in the healing that can come from it in the hope that can come from it. He really feels like there is no joy or comfort in his life right now. I really testified hard about Christ and the light that can come from him. I also talked about the Book of Mormon and the joy that can bring us just learning God's word and coming to church. I told him that me and my whole district would pray for him to recieve that comfort and guidance he needs right now. We called him two days later and he told me that the next day his wife called him and completely forgave him and understands why he did it and how it was an act of love. He told us his life is turning around and he thanked us, he then invited us to dinner. The power of prayer is real. Our new friend Darren is probably the coolest guy I've talked to on my mission so far. We found him from a member who referred us to him. He's read the entire Book of Mormon before and is very interested in our church. He's a truck driver and so he's been all over the country and what really peaked his interest is the temples, specifically the Palmyra New York Temple. Near the end of our nightly calls into our dinner hour I called this guy for over an hour on the phone, so crazy. We talked a lot about the word of wisdom and tithing and how important that is and how the blessings will receive from it are so great. We chatted about a lot of other stuff that I don't remember but we said that we would send them the link to the church service and a few scriptures I talked about and he has bronchitis right now and so he's kind of cooked but we told him we'd give him a call on Tuesday night to talk more over the phone. He is so elect. God is Good. We talked with another guy named John who was found a long time ago from a sticky note that was put on his car with our number on it. We called him randomly and he is a cool, funny guy. He thought I was a telemarketer at first and tried to make some jokes to get me to hang up, but he found out I was a missionary and he loves to talk what's to talk about Jesus and God whole bunch of other things. Talk to him about faith, mentioned we help people get baptized, he said he would be interested in coming to church on Sunday and he pulled up yesterday. He loved the service. Ever since we directed our focus elsewhere from some of our friends that werent progressing, we instantly starting finding these awesome people and we are seeing so many miracles. On friday we were up in Altoona again to be in their area for the day. I was with Elder Eldredge (My glorious district leader) and we had a weird day. We had a lesson with one of the Altoona sisters progressing friends Savion and her friend Tigheena. We stayed there for so long and just chatted and got to know her quite a bit. She wasn't that comfortable meeting with the elders and so we just chatted and bonded with her and talked a lot about baptism on what's holding them back with tithing and chasity. We then did quite a bit of finding and handed out a lot of pamphlets and Book of Mormons. We had a member meal with the Bacons, that's actually their last name. For all the missionaries that visit over two times they make 3D printed temples of whatever Temple they choose and so I got the Oquirrh Mountain Temple made for me. Their friend Savion works at an ice cream shop and at the end of the day we went there and got free ice cream and chatted to her for a little bit. I always love having exchanges with Elder Eldredge because we are such great friends. It was a pretty slow day and not that much happened but it was pretty cool. Altoona is blessed. Prophets have foreseen our day, when there would be wars and rumors of wars and when the whole earth would be in commotion. As followers of Jesus Christ, we plead with leaders of nations to find peaceful resolutions to their differences. We call upon people everywhere to pray for those in need, to do what they can to help the distressed, and to seek the Lord’s help in ending any major conflicts. The gospel of Jesus Christ has never been needed more than it is today. Contention violates everything the Savior stood for and taught. I love the Lord Jesus Christ and testify that His gospel is the only enduring solution for peace. His gospel is a gospel of peace. His gospel is the only answer when many in the world are stunned with fear. This underscores the urgent need for us to follow the Lord’s instruction to His disciples to “go … into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We have the sacred responsibility to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ with all who will listen and who will let God prevail in their lives. In the meridian of time, many expected Christ to take a political stand against Roman rule and offer peace to the oppressed people. Christ did indeed offer peace, but it was not external or political; rather, the peace Christ taught was internal and personal. President Lee, with great inspiration and wisdom, answered as would a man who knows the Savior: “We, together with the whole Christian world, abhor war. But the Savior said, ‘In me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation’ (John 16:33).” And then the prophet quoted that other comforting scripture from John: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you” (John 14:27). President Lee then explained: The Savior was not talking about the peace that can be achieved between nations, by military force, or by negotiation in the halls of parliaments. Rather, he was speaking of the peace we can each have in our own lives when we live the commandments and come unto Christ with broken hearts and contrite spirits. In spite of all the problems in the world today, peace can come to the hearts of each of us as we follow the Savior. Christ is the way to peace, the truth of peace, the life of peace, the source of peace. Look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, live as Christ would have us live, and worship him and our Heavenly Father with all your heart, might, mind, and strength. Transfer Week!!! This week we have transfers and I will most likely be transferred out of Johnstown finally. It's so surreal to being an area of my whole mission so far and to finally leave, unless God needs me in Johnstown still. The Johnstown ward has blessed me in so many ways and I have grown so much from those inside of it. I am indebted to them and so grateful for the members and the people of this area. There was a big stereotype on Johnstown, but I have so much charity and love for the people of this area. With Love, Elder Batman