Disco Training

This week has been good.  William and Linda are going to get baptized on October 11. We met with them a few times this last week to prepare them for the covenants they will make. I am super excited.

 Also I have been called to be a trainer. So tomorrow I am going to get a brand new missionary. It is kind of scary but I am ready for it. I will be training him in the Discovery Hills ward. So I will basically be training him how to Disco. If only I knew how. The new missionary will have quite the start. He will have 2 baptisms in his first week. I hope it doesn't go to his head. I guess it is kind of like me repaying the favor for my trainer did for me. By setting us up to set 2 new baptismal dates the first night in the mission field. It was incredible! I hope I can just work hard, but also show him you can have fun while serving the Lord. Because if you are not enjoying yourself you are wasting your time. It is called the best two years for a reason. Right? So wish me luck. I will need it.

Conference was amazing! I really enjoyed President Uchtdorf talk he gave in Priesthood session. He is one of my favorites to listen to.

Everyone else that we are working with is making slow progress. We are hoping that we will have some more baptisms lined up soon.

Elder Paget

Sept. 29, 2014 The Three Discos

Things are crazy busy right now. I don't know where to begin. It has had its ups and downs.

 We will start with the bad news we had to drop three investigators. It is always tough to do. By far the hardest thing you have to do on the mission. Because they are not the ones telling us to not come over anymore. It is us telling them we can't come over any more, because they are not keeping their commitments to read, pray, go to church, or be baptized. It is hard.

The Good news is that we picked up three new investigators. We started to teach a part member family that recently moved into the ward. We had original though we were going to pick up one new investigator but ended up being two. Then we the other investigator that we picked up invited us over to his house for dinner Wednesday night. We got a text out of the blue from some of his member friends and told us he wanted us to come and start teaching him over dinner. :)

Things are rolling right now. We are having a hard time trying to schedule all the lessons we are teaching. It is an awesome problem to have. 

William and Linda are still on track for their baptism on Oct 11. They have shown that they are really committed. This last week end they were going to see some family in Orange county. But decided not to because they went they would not have enough gas to make it to church the next day. They are awesome!

Sorry it is short. 

Love Elder Paget

Sept. 22, 2014 Counsel With the Lord

So things are going great now. We finally had William and Linda come to church and they are still on date for their baptism on October 11. We are super excited about it. When I first got here things were completely dead but now things have turned around. I don't really know what to say this week.

We have been working with a few other people. Sita has been slowly progressing. She has been looking at a lot of anti Mormon stuff and we have been helping her through it. It is definitely a work in progress. Luckily we have a lot of great members here to help us out.

Things have really started to turn around after we started to have the members pray for our investigators by name. Prayer is one of the most important things we do everyday. Prayer is not for us to ask for a million dollars and a mansion in the woods. It is for us to align our will with Gods. To come to the realization that God know what is best. We can ask him through strength to help us get through our trials. But we can't ask them to take them away from us. If he did there would be no point to this life. There would be no test.  

As Spencer W. Kimball said, "If all the sick for whom we pray were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. No man would have to live by faith. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil all would do good but not because of the rightness of doing good. There would be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency, only satanic controls. Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death, and if these were not, there would also be no joy, success, resurrection, nor eternal life and godhood."

We must have an Eternal perspective and know our trials are for our benefit. Knowing that God can't take our trials away from us, but can help us through them, we learn how we should pray. To align our will with God's. Come what many and love it. We need to make the most of our experiences that we have. There is a reason why we have to go through what we do. There is some lesson we need to learn. Some lessons unfortunately take longer than others. But ultimately they are to bring us closer to God and get us on the path to return to him. When life is to hard to stand, kneel.

Over the last few weeks I have found the best advice that anyone can give. It is found in Alma 37:37. This is where Alma is getting to the end of his days and is bearing his last and final testimony to his son Helaman. He says.

 37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

This is the point of prayer. To counsel with the Lord. I think this is the best advice anyone can give, because how can you go wrong if you counsel with the Lord about all the decisions you make? You can't. Through this counseling we receive the strength we need to help us through our trials and help us to know what our Heavenly Father would have us do. This Church is True! I love being a missionary! Nothing could be better!

Elder Paget

Sept. 15, 2014 Throwing Down the Hammer

Things are going much better. I was a little frustrated last week. Everything was slowly picking up. So what did we decide to do? We decided we needed to throw the hammer down and be more bold that what we have been.  One of the reasons I can be bold with people is that I have developed a love for everyone I come in contact with. I can see them all dressed in white. I can see them all getting baptized, going to the temple, or becoming active in the church once again. I think this is why it is hard for me do see people reject the Gospel. Not because they are rejecting me, because I honestly don't care what people think about me anymore, but it is because by rejecting us, they are rejecting Jesus Christ. This is what causes me to be sad.

 

I can relate with Nephi as he bears his last testimony in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 33. He shares what causes him grief and what he is willing to do about it because of the love he has for his people. 

 

1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
2 But behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.
4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal.
5 And it speaketh harshly against sin, according to the plainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.
6 I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.
7 I have charity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.

Becasue of the Love I have for the people here in San Marcos, I am willing to be bold to persuad them to believe. To help them realize the great goodness and mercy that our Heavenly Father has shown us.
We have seen lots of miracles as a result. This last week we picked up a new investigator, set 3 new baptismal dates, and help resolve a lot of concerns that have been holding our investigators back. William and Linda will be getting baptized on October 11, and our new investigator named Shelton will be baptized on October 18. However Shelton will be handed of to the YSA Elders. Sita decided that she would finally come to church.
Coolest thing that happened this week: When we stopped by a less active, part member family. We just stopped by to introduce ourselves and see if there was another time we could stop by to get to know them better. They said that they were fine. That they were taking a break from church and that they didn't want us to come over. I asked them why they decided to take a break and found out that they don't really believe in organized religion. So what did we do? Threw the Hammer down! I told them that, that was stupid. To make a long story short fter explaining to them about how Christ organized his church, the plan of salvation, and resolving their concerns about being affended. We set up a return appointment and are going to be teaching them on a regular basis! It was awesome to see such a quick turn around.
Elder Paget

By the way, another cool thing we did this last week is that we went Ice Skating as a zone. It was fun. Only in California could you go ice skating in Hawaiian Shirts. This is me with Elder Williams in the other Hawaiin shirt, and Elder Bunker our district leader. He is my Farmington Brother even though he went to Davis.

Sept. 8, 2014 Sunny San Marcos

Things are starting to pick up for us. One of the problems we have been having is that we have had a lot of flaky investigators. They set up an appointment then, the day of or a few hours, before our lesson they cancel or are simply not home. It has been a little frustrating. Do they not know we are trying to save their souls? Do they not know that the gospel of Jesus Christ will bring them true happines? Do they not know that Elder Tyger and I are the only ones in the area to get them there? If only everyone understood how great of a blessing the Gospel is. Then I am sure they would be doing everything in their power to meet with us. They are held back from the truth simply because they don't know where to find it. I am glad to be out there sharing it. The Church is True. Jesus Christ Lives.

 

ELder Paget

Sept. 2, 2014B-day

Once upon the last week, in a land far away. Full of fruits, nuts, Democrats and all manner of Cali fornication. Where the sun never ceases to shine. There were two missionaries, with one goal in mind. To FIND, TEACH, and BAPTIZE. Scouring the landscape painted with a blazing orange sun set, speckled in palm trees. Spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. This epic, action packed, real life, experience is happening in an area near you.

 

Alright So this week was good. Sorry there was no email last week. I ran out of time. This week was a lot better then the last. After spending most of last week at the Er and doctors appointments. I thought I had appendicitis. Luckily I didn't. SO it could only go up right? Thankfully it did.

 

This last week we were able talk to Sita and start teaching her again. She knows the Book of Mormon is True, but doesn't think Joseph Smith was a prophet. We are helping her through that. The good news is that she said that she would be willing to do anything that was required to join Christ's Church. It is only a matter of time before she enters the waters of baptism.

 

We started teaching a couple last week named William and Linda. Their Friends introduced them to the gospel and they came and found us. A few weeks ago Elder Tyger and his previous companion were walking up the long drive way to our apartment. William and Linda pulled up and asked them to come by and teach them. Of course this never happens, so their first reaction was that they just wanted to bash with us. So they didn't stop by. Then I got transferred here and decided that we should stop by any way. Who knows, I thought, they could be golden investigators. So we have been stopping by over the last few weeks and no one was home. Then we finally met them, and they have no intentions of arguing about our beliefs. We have taught them the plan of salvation, and have been trying to set up another appointment. However they are not getting along and don't want us to come over when they are arguing.

 

Other than that.... I had a fun Birthday yesterday. Thanks for everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. It was great. We had a cool miracle yesterday. We split the ward with Sister Missionaries and they have almost all of the active members on their side. So we don't really get to know any of them. Yesterday we had a awesome family move into our side. They are recent converts and absolutely love missionaries.

 

Elder Paget

Aug. 18, 2014 Eye of the Tyger

This week we have seen the ups and the downs. We have have been making lots of progress, but are not able to keep anything going for to long. If only there was consistency in missionary work.

 

Last week we picked up three new investigators. However Sita and Craig decided to drop us and we are going to hand of Dominique to the YSA sisters. Sita and Craig sent us a tezt that said that they didn't think that in our last lesson with President Kendrick that we answered their questions. What more could you want then to have our Mission President come to  answer your questions. There were a few questions about the Plan of Salvation that we told them we would answer in the next lesson. I guess they simply could not wait and need all the info in one sitting. They were also scared that we invited them to be baptized and said they had no intentions of joining our church.

 

SO we are back at square one.

 

We are Rising up, back on the street. We're doing our time, taking chances. Went the distance now we're back on our feet. Just two men and their will to survive. So many times it happens too fast. We trade our passion for glory. Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past. We must fight just to keep them alive. It's the eye of the TYGER, it's the thrill of the fight. Risin' up to the challenge of our rivals. And as the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night. And we are watchin' them, all with the eye of the TYGER. 

 

We are doing our best and have a few appointments set up with potentials this next week. So we should have some new investigators to tell you about next week.

 

By the way, I realized after 5 weeks of being companions with Elder Tyger that he looks and acts like Elder Calhoun off the Best Two Years. It is funny how similar they are. So if you want to get a glimpse of what is like to be companions with Elder Tyger watch the movie. Let me know what you think.

 

Elder Paget

August 4, 2014 Stuck in First Gear

Everthing is going well here in San Marcos. Just another week of Finding. We have been finding a lot of people who have showed interest and have even set a few return appointments. However they are either busy or just want to bash.

 

We had an awesome contact on Tuesday night. We didn't really know where to go or what to do. Then Elder Tyger was prompted to stop by a former investigator in a trailer park. When we got there, their next door neighbor was out side taking out her trash cans. We asked her if she needed any help. She said no the walked away. Then while we were locking up our bikes she came back and said that she did need help pulling weeds. We got talking and taught her the entire restoration, gave her a Book of Mormon, and set up a return appointment to teach her more and pull weeds. We went back on Saturday. When we arrived she said that she did a lot of research about the mormon church. She decided to google it, and ask her pastor about it. To make a long story short. She said that she only believed in the one true and thought that we worshipped Joseph Smith. I was pretty frustrated at this point. I was hoping and praying that we would be able to pick up a new investigator and set a baptismal date. Insteade we were bashing with a lady who had now idea what she was talking about. We gave her a long talk about getting information from the first sources. I was so made I even told her that her pastor was only in it for the buisness. Probably not the best thing to say.

 

Elder Paget

July 28, 2014 Second Week in San Marcos

Well things are getting better now that I am getting a little more accustomed to my new area. We are finally getting more potential investigators and hope to start teaching them soon. It is a Beast of a challenge to get things going again in this area, but I am ready and willing to get it back on track. Sorry these computers here really don't like me and are constantly trying to kick me off. Sorry it is short I will let you know of the details next week!

 

Elder Paget

July 21, 2014 Discovering the Hills

This last week has been a little challenging. It is always rough beening transfered. Saying goodbye and meeting new people are definately not my strengths. I now have been transfered to the City of San Marcos, and am serving in the Discovery Hills ward. My new companions name is Elder T. He is from Hyrum, Utah. We spilt a ward with a pair of Sister missionaries. Our side of the ward is challenging. We have a  very large hispanic population. Which makes things hard. We have been discovering the hills to just try to find people who speak english. It is going to be a challenge over the next little while, but I am ready to FIND, TEACH, and BAPTISE!

 

Elder Paget