Counting my Blessings

Truthfully, there's not too much to report this week. Everything is going pretty well, but we're pretty much in the same boat--trying to find investigators (mostly by knocking doors), and teaching as much as we can. In the beginning of the week our car was getting repaired and we left our apartment on foot for two days, which was a fun experience. I've had the blessing of being in a car my entire mission, so it made me "count my blessings". And at least a few good things happened as a result--for example, we got flagged down by a former investigator at a main intersection, so we jumped into his car and he took us to lunch, and then we set up an appointment to teach him!
If you could keep someone we're teaching in your prayers--her name is Josefina. She was baptized the Saturday before I arrived (two weeks ago), and for health/family reasons hasn't made it to church since, and therefore hasn't been confirmed. We're hoping she doesn't wait too long and have to get baptized again, because she's afraid of water!

Love,

Elder Gaughan 

Loving Longview

It's been an interesting week. As usual, coming to a new area has included a lot of changes--adjusting to a new companion, figuring out how to navigate a new city, meeting new members, missionaries, and investigators, etc. It's been pretty good though. 

   I really like Longview, but the hispanic community is pretty small. and because of that we cover a huuuge area. We're in a car, and apparently have the most monthly miles allotted to us out of the entire mission. Elder Vasquez has been here for 6 months, and directly knows or knows the friends or family of 5 to 10 of the people we contact every day. I really like our branch. We meet in part of a rented-out office building, and there are about 60 active members. haha as usual I got a weird look when I told them my last name "Gaughan" and had to repeat it 2-3 times with everyone I met.

    We ate dinner with a member family from el Salvador yesterday, and they told me when we sat down to eat that it would probably be the only time I would have that meal in my life. Now I knew it was fish, but it wasn't until we were finishing up that I realized it was a fish HEAD. It wasn't bad, but I think life will go on if I never see it again. I guess they cut it down the middle and prepare it in some special way, and only serve it during Holy Week (the week before Easter).  

    Not much more to say than that. I hope you're all doing good and praying for opportunities to share the gospel! 

Love,

Elder Gaughan

Out in the Country

Dear Family,

I got transferred! After 6 months in Seagoville, I'm now in east Texas, which is about 3 and a half hours outside of downtown Dallas. I'm back to working only Spanish, and for the first time I have a legit hispanic companion! His name is Elder Vasquez, and he's from el Salvador. We cover 7-8 cities, which to me was mind-blowing. It's absolutely gorgeous here. it's very similar to Virginia, actually--lots of greenery and trees, and most things are quiet and slower-paced. I'll try to send some pictures from last transfer & with Elder Vasquez next week. 

    Last week we saw miracles in our area. One of the greatest ones happened when i was on exchanges and Elder Nebeker (my last companion) was in our area with another missionary. They were in a neighborhood knocking doors, and started talking to a man about to enter his house. He told them he had been at work, and for some reason he had the strong feeling he needed to go home. He got there and waited in the car for awhile, wondering what he was supposed to do. Apparently he felt something when he saw the missionaries though, because as he got to the front door he delayed going inside hoping they would talk to him. They gave him a Book of Mormon and basically had a lesson on his porch, and had a great experience. I don't know what's going to happen to him, but it was testimony to me that, as Preach My Gospel says, "the Lord is preparing people to receive you [the missionaries] and the restored gospel. He will lead you to them or He will lead them to you" (p. 155). 

     Jesus Christ is our Savior, and he will heal, guide, and help us through all of our trials. I've seen people change through their obedience, faith, repentance, and His grace. I love the opportunity to celebrate His Atonement and resurrection and this time of year. 

     By the way, the church has just come out with a new video called "Because of Him". If you haven't seen it, check it out (http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694)  and share it. This is a great opportunity to share our testimonies of Jesus Christ with our friends and family. 

Love,

Elder Gaughan

Another great week

This week I'll start with a cool connection that popped up this weekend during General Conference, my mission president, Devin Durrant, is the new 2nd Councilor in the Sunday School General Presidency! Once he's done here this July he goes back to Utah to start his new calling.

One of the last talks in the Sunday evening session was about laying up our "Treasures in Heaven". Something I get to see a lot as a missionary is where people put their treasures. A large number of people that listen to our message believe it is true, however only small percentage of that group do everything they need to do to make it to baptism, confirmation, and full activity in the church. Some of that has to do with how well we, the missionaries, as well as the members, help these people in that difficult transition. However, the fundamental decision comes down to the person we're teaching; and sadly, many times people decide that the opinions of their family, their traditions, their pride, or their habits are more important than the commandments of God. These people show pretty clearly through actions just how important the Gospel is to them--those who read, pray, attend church, and strive to make changes care, and the other people don't (or at least not enough to change). For example, we're teaching a woman that is on the verge of baptism--she complies with almost every requirement, believes Joseph Smith is a prophet and the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, and has seen her heart and very character change as she has embraced the message of the restored gospel. However, she's having trouble letting go of the religion she grew up in, and it's impeding her progression.

   One thing I plan to do this week is take a look at how I spend my time, energy, and thoughts, and figure out exactly where my "treasure" is, and what I can do better to "store up my treasures in heaven."

     Not much to report on this week though! Conference was wonderful, and we were able to go to the temple this week which is always a great experience. I invite y'all to check out Elder Ballard's talk from Sunday (I'll let you guess what the theme is). I testify that the Spirit is real, as are the promised blessings of following the Savior. We have the responsibility and opportunity to share that with others. I love you!

   

Elder Gaughan

Bit by a bird!

Things are going quite well here in Seagoville. We keep finding less-active/part-member families that aren't on the ward list, which, for a missionary, is like finding a $100 bill. Last week we found Alma, who got baptized 4-5 years ago with her daughter, moved here, and stopped coming. With that family it's nothing short of a miracle that we now have the opportunity to help them come back. We talked to them for about 2 minutes almost 4 months ago as they were getting in their car, but didn't think too much of it when the phone number they gave us didn't work. But we decided to stop by this last week, happened to catch her at home, and learned her story. 

    So, about the bird. We visited an investigator this week that has a thing for exotic birds, and has three at her house. We normally meet with her outside right next to the cages, and this particular occasion she left us to get something on the side of the house. I got a little bored as we waited, so I went over to the birds and tried to pet one of them. I stuck my finger into the cage and started caressing his head, and then the bird started nibbling on my finger. my next thought was, "aw, that's cute... wow, he's actually got pretty firm grip. I hope he doesn't bi- GAHH!!" Needless to say I learned my lesson. 

    Things are good though, and Elder Nebeker and I are getting along great. Something I've been thinking about recently are thoughts--where we are mentally on a moment to moment basis. As a missionary that's a large part of what makes the difference between being fully consecrated to the Lord and simply going through the motions. Always remembering Christ is, after all, a part of our baptismal covenant, so it deserves a little consideration. A scripture that I love about this is Mosiah 5:12-13:

I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name [of Christ] written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.
    For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?

How often do we reflect upon the Savior throughout the week? How much time do we spend thinking about others needs as opposed to our own? Are we constantly looking for opportunities to bless, lift, and do good? 

   This is the work of Jesus Christ. Anyone who has doubts about that can read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true, and by the power of the Holy Ghost they will know the truth.

Love,

Elder Gaughan

Recognizing the Spirit

This week, my thoughts have turned a lot to recognizing the Spirit and His way it can change us. We have an investigator that is preparing for baptism on April 12, named Socorro. She was decidedly against setting baptismal date until January, when one day in church she had this feeling come over her that she should be baptized. We set a date for February 22, but from lack of consistent visits with her and other obstacles, she could not get baptized on that date. Her biggest obstacle now is the doubt of whether this really the true church. The funny thing is, when we ask her if she believes the Book of Mormon is true, she says yes. On top of that, she has told us that her character has changed since we started meeting with her--she's more social, empathetic, patient, and charitable. She's been brought to tears during church and lessons more than once from the spirit she's felt. For whatever reason though, she still has trouble fully committing. 

     A stake president once told us that one of the defining characteristics of an the apostles and prophets is their sensitivity and obedience to spiritual promptings. From my experience that is one of the absolutely essential attributes in order to be a powerful servant in the hands of the Lord.

Love,

Elder Gaughan

Sharing the apartment and working by the Spirit

It's been kind of a crazy week. We found out last Saturday night that Elder Nebeker and I would be staying to together, but we would have another companionship move in with us and work in our area. I had to give my private bathroom and shower (our apartment is 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom), but it was worth it--it's been a lot of fun and we're getting a lot done in the area. 

    I just realized--I never sent you a picture with Elder Nebeker. Almost on a daily basis people ask us if we're brothers.

    Had two great experiences with the Spirit this week. The other night around 8:00 pm we had visited all our appointments and had planned to knock doors in a certain neighborhood we had been working for the last hour. En route, it hit me that we needed to knock in a different area nearby, so we turned in the opposite direction and went to the street that had come to mind. Amazingly, at the very first house we knocked a young hispanic guy opened the door and let us in. The lesson wasn't anything special, but we set a return appointment and taught him how to pray. More than anything it strengthened my testimony of the importance of following the Spirit the moment an impression comes. 

    The other experience was more like the Hand of God than really following the Spirit, but it was still pretty amazing. Several months ago Elder Trujillo and I visited a less-active/part member family and never went back. For some reason I got it stuck in my mind that this was the Camacho family, and for months in coordination meetings, whenever they mentioned the Camacho family that's who I thought about and commented on. last week Elder Nebeker and I decided we wanted to go back and visit them again, so we set up an appointment with the real Sister Camacho for 8 o'clock Sunday night. When we got to the "Camacho's" house they let us right in. Not until I was saying the opening prayer did I realize we were in the wrong house: "and please bless the Camacho family" "--Hernandez" "...um...Hernandez family that might feel the Spirit tonight." 

   It turned out that's exactly where we needed be though. We visited with Sister Camacho and her son and they were both very open. The sister told us that Brandon needed a blessing, which we gladly gave at the end. Both she and Brandon enthusiastically received our message about the importance of studying the scriptures and committed to start reading the Book of Mormon every day for the first time in years. She also referred us to talk to her next door neighbor, gave us a list of 6 or 7 friends from work to contact, and said she would think about her friends and have more referrals when we came back. 

     Things are going well and I'm learning every day. More than anything I'm trying to learn how to care about and for each person the way Jesus Christ would. Almost every person we visit with has suffered in significant ways or is dealing with something very difficult, whether it be financial, emotional, spiritual, physical, etc. The truth is, it can be incredibly hard to give your might, mind, heart, and strength to helping each of these people, with distinct and serious needs, to come unto Christ. I've learned to appreciate better the patience and truly limitless love and care that Christ and our Heavenly Father have for everyone of us, and it motivates me to give more as I try to minister to these people and help them receive the Restored Gospel.

Please pray for opportunities to share the gospel! I love you!

Elder Gaughan