ERR! There's always so many things bouncing wildly in my head I can never get them all out! Ok here goes:
I love you guys.
We're getting our own PO box but using the sisters for now:
1360 Indian Rails # 14
Steamboat Springs, Co 80487
Hunting is amazing huh? Promise to keep going with us? I need to go hunting with my momma.
To answer your questions in that letter. Members have fed us every night, I eat food everyday on my own except when I fast. There.
I'm so happy to hear people are enjoying my letters! A mission is amazing. I'm glad I can share my mission and help people feel of what it's like as much as I can. Our ward is so strong, it inspires me. I want to make every ward I walk into a little bit more like my homeward.
I'm doing great, Mommy. So you keep doing great too okay? I love that your progressing so much. The best antidote for sadness is service! Or however it goes. I'm glad you feel the Creator of everything having your back.
Transfers has been bomb. Heart breaking a little, but all in all, very good. So many people in Rangely are ready for either baptism or reactivation. It was crazy. So that was hard to leave. But I like doing hard things so this is good. At transfers some people said my companion was pretty good, one sister got all hush hush and was like, "I heard him curse one time though". On the drive we had such an amazing discussion. He has such a deep knowledge from only being a convert of 2 years. He's also from Vegas which is cool. We both know what the other is actually talking about. He's super serviceable. He's a great example of service and politeness. he just jumps to work at member's house for dinner. He talked about how at each area we're there for a reason and we have to find out. And shared what he felt he was there for in his last area. I felt the Spirit so strong that it was God's will that I leave Rangely. It's very cool that you did too, Momma.
I feel such an urgency for Steamboat Springs. Steamboat is BEAUTIFUL!!! You will be so jealous when I can actually upload pictures. It's fall and the leaves are changing and it's amazing. Breath taking. Tyler will be so jealous he might come to Steamboat after I leave. But it's ski resort kind of town. It's definitely made of money. That part I'm not too fond of. The creators of South Park have a summer home up here! We're going to baptize them and be the cause of South Park being cancelled of made clean.
We have our work cut out for us. But we have won the hearts of these our brethren and sisters! We sat down with the sisters when we split the area and told them we weren't trying to compete, we were extremely thankful for their example and help and would try to live up to the sisters before(who really did kick awesome butt). That sister's heart has been softened to us. The other sister that was transferred in with us is a huge bundle of love and joy. She's so excited about the Gospel haha. Such an example. I came out with her in the MTC and was always afraid of her haha. But now she trusts us so it's really good. And our leader Fred! We made dessert when we ate with them and made cobbler. He's loving us now. Long story short, we're gaining everyone's trust through SERVICE! I couldn't have done it without my companion. He's awesome.
Church was a little intimidating. We were over making sure a DVD worked for a presentation we're giving about Justserve.org (check it out, get a head start) which is experimental here in Colorado, California and Texas. Well the DVD was corrupted so it wouldn't work, it was a little scary but I'm learning to become a man by being confident and facing my fears of people.
The work is about to explode and my computer is going to shut down.
Church is true, book is blue, I love you
Elder Edgel
Monday, September 30, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
The Creator of everything has our back.
WOO HOO!!!! Momma's goin' huntin!!! Make sure you eat your fill of liver, talk like a hick, and don't shower. I'm so happy for Pops. Everyone's going hunting with him! I'm sure this has been his dream for so long. I am so incredibly happy to hear that. That sounds so fun. I can't wait to do that with the fam. But it might not be happening when I get home haha. We'll hope. Dad, I laughed at your comment about how you wish there was just a little bit more room haha. So true of human nature.
I'm really glad you're able to get a lot done and be productive. To be honest... I miss Mexico sometimes more than home hahaha. I'll have dreams of Mexico and being with the Velazquez's again. But no I'm healthy and fine.
I'm getting transferred out of Rangely. I'm really disheartened about that. I built this area up from the dust when all we were given was 4 hangout spots. I made so many friends. I want to be here and see their progression. But I know I'll feel the same wherever I go.
There was one 20 year old girl who has been really out of the church but has an amazing testimony and really opened up to us. She's really progressed in amazing ways. She's thinking about serving a mission. There's the eternigator, Brother. We don't feel the Spirit with us when we teach them so we've felt impressed to stop teaching them. But they wanted us to come by so we did. He really opened up to us. He focuses too much and being able to do miracles and thinks that's the sign of having God in your life. But we talked about how when he was able to do neat things he didn't feel the Spirit or comfort in doing it. And how it's so much more important to focus yourself to God's will. He was touched. I want to see he and his wife's progression. A 16 year old that was forced catholic and turned to God and started seeing more LDS things in his life so decided to meet with us. Such a neat honest seeker. This kids gets it. I want to see his baptism. So many people that I've loved. One guy we have to teach from scratch. It feels like teaching a lamanite that doesn't even know what God is. He's a true honest seeker. Believes we all make up God. We explained premortal. He truly understands how we shouldn't know everything because it would be too easy. It's really cool.
Because I'm leaving I bore my testimony to a few people about the urgency of the Gospel. Then I realized, why don't I always do this? It only helps people. I'm learning a lot about wholly relying on God. Another powerful thing for me, is I'm having a lot of aha moments of realizing that THIS Gospel is IT. THIS is why we're here on earth. Sin is SOOOOOOOO stupid!!!! This isn't just a thing that's kinda cool and will help you and does good stuff for people. But it's truly IT! GOD is the one and only. We exist because we lived with God and He loves us and wants us to return. He gave us the Gospel to do that. This is what everyone is looking for. No matter how content they may seem in their beliefs. It's truly amazing.
The Gospel is literally God sticking His Hand out to us to ensure our getting back. If you're looking for peace, confirmation that you're doing it right, and satisfaction out of life, AND want to have eternal happiness, become dedicated to the Gospel. Take up a new determination to follow even more. It won't be easy, but it will definitely be infinitely better when the
Creator of everything has our back.
I love you all so much. I'm so glad to hear of your happiness. Thank you for all your prayers. I hope you're all doing well. I'm learning a lot. I'm being humbled but I'm learning a lot haha.
Much love,
Elder Edgel
I'm really glad you're able to get a lot done and be productive. To be honest... I miss Mexico sometimes more than home hahaha. I'll have dreams of Mexico and being with the Velazquez's again. But no I'm healthy and fine.
I'm getting transferred out of Rangely. I'm really disheartened about that. I built this area up from the dust when all we were given was 4 hangout spots. I made so many friends. I want to be here and see their progression. But I know I'll feel the same wherever I go.
There was one 20 year old girl who has been really out of the church but has an amazing testimony and really opened up to us. She's really progressed in amazing ways. She's thinking about serving a mission. There's the eternigator, Brother. We don't feel the Spirit with us when we teach them so we've felt impressed to stop teaching them. But they wanted us to come by so we did. He really opened up to us. He focuses too much and being able to do miracles and thinks that's the sign of having God in your life. But we talked about how when he was able to do neat things he didn't feel the Spirit or comfort in doing it. And how it's so much more important to focus yourself to God's will. He was touched. I want to see he and his wife's progression. A 16 year old that was forced catholic and turned to God and started seeing more LDS things in his life so decided to meet with us. Such a neat honest seeker. This kids gets it. I want to see his baptism. So many people that I've loved. One guy we have to teach from scratch. It feels like teaching a lamanite that doesn't even know what God is. He's a true honest seeker. Believes we all make up God. We explained premortal. He truly understands how we shouldn't know everything because it would be too easy. It's really cool.
Because I'm leaving I bore my testimony to a few people about the urgency of the Gospel. Then I realized, why don't I always do this? It only helps people. I'm learning a lot about wholly relying on God. Another powerful thing for me, is I'm having a lot of aha moments of realizing that THIS Gospel is IT. THIS is why we're here on earth. Sin is SOOOOOOOO stupid!!!! This isn't just a thing that's kinda cool and will help you and does good stuff for people. But it's truly IT! GOD is the one and only. We exist because we lived with God and He loves us and wants us to return. He gave us the Gospel to do that. This is what everyone is looking for. No matter how content they may seem in their beliefs. It's truly amazing.
The Gospel is literally God sticking His Hand out to us to ensure our getting back. If you're looking for peace, confirmation that you're doing it right, and satisfaction out of life, AND want to have eternal happiness, become dedicated to the Gospel. Take up a new determination to follow even more. It won't be easy, but it will definitely be infinitely better when the
Creator of everything has our back.
I love you all so much. I'm so glad to hear of your happiness. Thank you for all your prayers. I hope you're all doing well. I'm learning a lot. I'm being humbled but I'm learning a lot haha.
Much love,
Elder Edgel
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
This Gospel gives us full access to the atonement.
I'm learning power in admiring other people's spiritual gifts. I want to be able to discern them and point them out to others so they can feel their worth. That's something I learned is powerful in the MTC. Our teacher had us go walk around and walk up to someone and admire their spiritual gifts. There were some pretty powerful experiences. One elder just had the feeling to say one had the gift of scriptorian knowledge and it made the persons day and everyone around was like dude he's the greatest scripture master ever! I had seen a physical handicapped person earlier in the week and saw his pure love for everyone around him and how he was just so happy and loving to someone he had only met once before. I was able to admire him for it and made me feel really good.
There's this really awesome really inactive member out in Dinosaur that played the guitar for us the other day. He was in a band and still plays constantly today. It was so awesome to hear live guitar again.
There's a pigeon that sits in Elder Jordan's window every night. We named it taco and try to feed it but he flies away. Random thing of the day.
There's this sweet old 90 year old lady that we visit every now and then. Deaf as a... deaf thing. Every time without fail when we walk in she says, "sit down" in her old lady voice. That's one of our quotes. Well one day when we walked in she talked about the weather and it being warm. (before her hearing aid so she couldn't here a thing, which she still can't even with it) so I said "Can you dig it!?!?" and lost it in laughing. But she's deaf so it just seemed like I was smiling hahaha. The baptismal invite is "will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone holding the proper authority of God? We will be holding a baptisimal service on blank, will you prepare to be baptized by that day? Well she hasn't been to church in like 40 years so I said, "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by coming to church? WIll you prepare to come to church on September 15th? And then busted up again hahaha. She didn't come but she will some day!
Quotes: "Well then go poop!!!". In a lesson one day we hear in the background. "Grandpa, I need to poop." "Well then go poop!!!" This guy has the thickest beard. When he talks it looks like a bush moving so that made it 10 X's better to imagine him saying. "I was just Talkin' boutchu guys! Get in here, get in here!" (kinda high pitched, black accent) That happened to another Elder with some black guy they were teaching.
Tyler, we eat a ton of peaches. The town over sells them practically like home grown. Best peaches ever. So guess what I sing all the time? Well I'm in the country and I'm eating peaches so I'll let you guess that one.
We've started teaching a 16 year old. One of the kids that has his mission call brought two friends. One has been catholic his whole life and wants to explore other religions and feels good about ours. A lot of stuff has happened in his life where he's prayed for help and he met the kid that invited him to church and things are getting better. So he's taking that as a sign. It's amazing to see him so ready and prepared and thirsting after knowledge.
We talked with this very inactive woman who was baptized at 12 but then stopped caring and doesn't even remember it exactly. We talked about each of our spiritual experiences that showed us that God loves us. Her 15 year old nephew that left the room when we came in eventually came in and sat with us and listened. The Spirit was so strong. He's also very inactive and his dad died when he was 5 who was this amazing man that everyone loved and it didn't make sense that he died. so he went inactive. We bore testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon and gave them each a copy. They were both extremely grateful for us coming by.
The work is powerful. The affects are so visible. I'm truly understanding that this is GOD's church. Not just another church that's pretty good, but literally the church that people have been searching for for centuries and millenias! This is how people come closer to God than by anything else! This is what clears up all of the confusion in the world! This is what gives people hope in this dark world. This is what gives life! This gives us full access to the atonement and gives us peace of mind! It gives direction by the prophet of God we have today! I'm trying to give of myself everyday, every second. I'm trying to keep my mind focused completely and give everything I have. I'm over coming my fears to order for people to feel this joy.
I love you guys so much. I think about you all. I couldn't be happier to serve God. I know that I am literally a representative of Jesus Christ. Keep on truckin' out there!
-Elder Edgel
There's this really awesome really inactive member out in Dinosaur that played the guitar for us the other day. He was in a band and still plays constantly today. It was so awesome to hear live guitar again.
There's a pigeon that sits in Elder Jordan's window every night. We named it taco and try to feed it but he flies away. Random thing of the day.
There's this sweet old 90 year old lady that we visit every now and then. Deaf as a... deaf thing. Every time without fail when we walk in she says, "sit down" in her old lady voice. That's one of our quotes. Well one day when we walked in she talked about the weather and it being warm. (before her hearing aid so she couldn't here a thing, which she still can't even with it) so I said "Can you dig it!?!?" and lost it in laughing. But she's deaf so it just seemed like I was smiling hahaha. The baptismal invite is "will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized by someone holding the proper authority of God? We will be holding a baptisimal service on blank, will you prepare to be baptized by that day? Well she hasn't been to church in like 40 years so I said, "Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ by coming to church? WIll you prepare to come to church on September 15th? And then busted up again hahaha. She didn't come but she will some day!
Quotes: "Well then go poop!!!". In a lesson one day we hear in the background. "Grandpa, I need to poop." "Well then go poop!!!" This guy has the thickest beard. When he talks it looks like a bush moving so that made it 10 X's better to imagine him saying. "I was just Talkin' boutchu guys! Get in here, get in here!" (kinda high pitched, black accent) That happened to another Elder with some black guy they were teaching.
Tyler, we eat a ton of peaches. The town over sells them practically like home grown. Best peaches ever. So guess what I sing all the time? Well I'm in the country and I'm eating peaches so I'll let you guess that one.
We've started teaching a 16 year old. One of the kids that has his mission call brought two friends. One has been catholic his whole life and wants to explore other religions and feels good about ours. A lot of stuff has happened in his life where he's prayed for help and he met the kid that invited him to church and things are getting better. So he's taking that as a sign. It's amazing to see him so ready and prepared and thirsting after knowledge.
We talked with this very inactive woman who was baptized at 12 but then stopped caring and doesn't even remember it exactly. We talked about each of our spiritual experiences that showed us that God loves us. Her 15 year old nephew that left the room when we came in eventually came in and sat with us and listened. The Spirit was so strong. He's also very inactive and his dad died when he was 5 who was this amazing man that everyone loved and it didn't make sense that he died. so he went inactive. We bore testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon and gave them each a copy. They were both extremely grateful for us coming by.
The work is powerful. The affects are so visible. I'm truly understanding that this is GOD's church. Not just another church that's pretty good, but literally the church that people have been searching for for centuries and millenias! This is how people come closer to God than by anything else! This is what clears up all of the confusion in the world! This is what gives people hope in this dark world. This is what gives life! This gives us full access to the atonement and gives us peace of mind! It gives direction by the prophet of God we have today! I'm trying to give of myself everyday, every second. I'm trying to keep my mind focused completely and give everything I have. I'm over coming my fears to order for people to feel this joy.
I love you guys so much. I think about you all. I couldn't be happier to serve God. I know that I am literally a representative of Jesus Christ. Keep on truckin' out there!
-Elder Edgel
Monday, September 9, 2013
"One of the healthiest things I've ever done is loving others more than myself."
I love my mommmma!
I have to be quick so I'm sorry. My comp will kill me if I don't hurry up today haha. I always take so long.
Well I've been humbled this week and it's been awesome. I think too often I get too excited about learning and growing that it's necessary that I get slowed down a bit so I don't hurt myself haha.
We visited two very precious souls in the hospital this week. Both were in their 90s. One refuses to read or leave the hospital and has never been to the temple. What do you do in a situation like that? "I know you can't move grandma but we gotta get your old wrinkly butt to the temple!" It confused me. Then we met another very very precious lady. We walk into this ladies room that has her Book of Mormon that has had to be tapped because it has been used so much and the recent Ensign on her lap! My soul just leaped for joy! The most sincere lady I've ever met. She just talked about how grateful she was for her good health compared to others. Well she has cancer and parkinsons and is constantly in pain. She ALWAYS wears her garments even though it's a huge inconvenience. And yet she says she still worries about if she was valiant enough. I know Heavenly Father loves us all, but He has a very special place for her with Him in his most glories kingdom with a very special hug for her.
I'm learning to be so very humble. Too much I thought, man I just wanna get out there so I can just baptize so many people into the Gospel so I can be really cool. I'm learning that that doesn't matter. As long as I just give of myself wholly and truly desire people's happiness. I went to temple prep since our LAs and and investigator was there. It made me realize that we are to help people get to the celestial kingdom. It gave me urgency and helped me see the importance of our work.
Giving blessings is so amazing. I always worry if I'm going to say the right thing but my mind is always filled with such peace. It's so awesome to get done and hear them say, "that's just what I needed to hear". The priesthood is so amazing.
Too often I judge others for not being as servicable as they could.
But I found this out: deeper realization of my own mistakes
stronger desire to help all in anyway
greater joy and appreciation for people's current righteousness.
Good stuff. Good to hear from everyone. I don't even have time to get to dad's and other people's emails. I'm really sorry. So much more I want to tell you. Love you.
Experience I shared with Elder Herdt I wanted you to know: In my blessing when getting set apart, the Stake President said I would learn to love others more than myself. I've been thinking a lot about that. About how true that is in missionary work and how the Savior loved us far more than himself and how he suffered an eternity of pain for us. It's amazing.
Last night I was looking at a map of our mission. I noticed in our area that there were THREE towns on the map that none of us ever noticed, not even my trainer who has been here before. Already we cover two wards in a town that is just bursting with readiness for the Gospel. Already we're really busy. AND we cover another small town of 300 that doesn't even show up on the map, PLUS a ton of little clusters of homes that are isolated. Then we come to find out that there are THREE that just come up on the MAP. If the small town doesn't show. How many other towns are there that aren't on the map? How many more tiny clusters of homes? It opened my eyes on the urgency of preaching the Gospel. The intimate personal relationship Heavenly Father has for each of those individuals.
While writing in my journal and praying last night I closed with this thought. "One of the healthiest things I've ever done is loving others more than myself."
I love guys all so much so personally. I pray for you and your success. Dad, wanna print and send me what you wrote? Sorry for not writting you this week haha. The only time I have is lunch, breakfast, night and my companions like playing risk and I have to roll the dang dice to defend myself... Love you guys so much.
Keep the fire going!
Elder Edgel
I have to be quick so I'm sorry. My comp will kill me if I don't hurry up today haha. I always take so long.
Well I've been humbled this week and it's been awesome. I think too often I get too excited about learning and growing that it's necessary that I get slowed down a bit so I don't hurt myself haha.
We visited two very precious souls in the hospital this week. Both were in their 90s. One refuses to read or leave the hospital and has never been to the temple. What do you do in a situation like that? "I know you can't move grandma but we gotta get your old wrinkly butt to the temple!" It confused me. Then we met another very very precious lady. We walk into this ladies room that has her Book of Mormon that has had to be tapped because it has been used so much and the recent Ensign on her lap! My soul just leaped for joy! The most sincere lady I've ever met. She just talked about how grateful she was for her good health compared to others. Well she has cancer and parkinsons and is constantly in pain. She ALWAYS wears her garments even though it's a huge inconvenience. And yet she says she still worries about if she was valiant enough. I know Heavenly Father loves us all, but He has a very special place for her with Him in his most glories kingdom with a very special hug for her.
I'm learning to be so very humble. Too much I thought, man I just wanna get out there so I can just baptize so many people into the Gospel so I can be really cool. I'm learning that that doesn't matter. As long as I just give of myself wholly and truly desire people's happiness. I went to temple prep since our LAs and and investigator was there. It made me realize that we are to help people get to the celestial kingdom. It gave me urgency and helped me see the importance of our work.
Giving blessings is so amazing. I always worry if I'm going to say the right thing but my mind is always filled with such peace. It's so awesome to get done and hear them say, "that's just what I needed to hear". The priesthood is so amazing.
Too often I judge others for not being as servicable as they could.
But I found this out: deeper realization of my own mistakes
stronger desire to help all in anyway
greater joy and appreciation for people's current righteousness.
Good stuff. Good to hear from everyone. I don't even have time to get to dad's and other people's emails. I'm really sorry. So much more I want to tell you. Love you.
Experience I shared with Elder Herdt I wanted you to know: In my blessing when getting set apart, the Stake President said I would learn to love others more than myself. I've been thinking a lot about that. About how true that is in missionary work and how the Savior loved us far more than himself and how he suffered an eternity of pain for us. It's amazing.
Last night I was looking at a map of our mission. I noticed in our area that there were THREE towns on the map that none of us ever noticed, not even my trainer who has been here before. Already we cover two wards in a town that is just bursting with readiness for the Gospel. Already we're really busy. AND we cover another small town of 300 that doesn't even show up on the map, PLUS a ton of little clusters of homes that are isolated. Then we come to find out that there are THREE that just come up on the MAP. If the small town doesn't show. How many other towns are there that aren't on the map? How many more tiny clusters of homes? It opened my eyes on the urgency of preaching the Gospel. The intimate personal relationship Heavenly Father has for each of those individuals.
While writing in my journal and praying last night I closed with this thought. "One of the healthiest things I've ever done is loving others more than myself."
I love guys all so much so personally. I pray for you and your success. Dad, wanna print and send me what you wrote? Sorry for not writting you this week haha. The only time I have is lunch, breakfast, night and my companions like playing risk and I have to roll the dang dice to defend myself... Love you guys so much.
Keep the fire going!
Elder Edgel
Friday, September 6, 2013
We can have a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father through the Gospel.
Love that momma lovin'. My mommy is so good to me and so motivated. I love it!
Thank you so much for the Gavin letter! That makes me so happy. I love my nephews. I think of them all the time when I see kids. Elder Jordan's sex blessing is spreading like wild fire. Everyone in Elders quorum wants a blessing. All the missionaries know. It's gunna be an infamous one.
Stanley is good. We're learning how to help him. He talks forever and last night we didn't even get a lesson. He kept telling captivating stories. He's got some stories. His infamous mud buggy and how him and his buddies would run from the cops across farm fields, up streems, drive over trees, hid in farmer's barns, go out to their bar that would over sell to minors. Funny funny stories.
Quotes: "have you ever had feelings for a sister missionary?" "Ew! No whey!" (Nacho libre but missionary lingo" "We're dead!" With a southern accent "Getcho self a good pinch!" southern accent. Everyone here says Sundee. Instead of Sunday.
We had a neat experience where we went to a part members house in Dinosaur. She's very strong but her husband is jealous of church and make her choose between him and it. She's very distraught. I felt impressed to ask if she wanted a blessing. Oh and a priest going on his mission got to be a part too. I told her that Heavenly Father was glad of her choice of marriage. A steep claim but I felt impressed. She was balling. She was so happy to have the priesthood in her life. It was amazing.
Female appreciation:
Females are an amazing species I'm finding. All the elders like to bag on sisters and their inability. It's really sad. We elders have such a hard time being obedient, spiritual, sensitive, considerate, loving, smelling good and not talking about poops and farts. We all have our weaknesses. But sisters are such an example of selflessness and love. They're so genuine and trusting in their Heavenly Father to make the difference. The sisters in our district wipe a 90 year olds butt twice a day! Talk about true love! (very true story)
So many women out here are married to men that don't want to be active, don't want to try the church, and don't want to let their wives show their devotion to God by participating. It's so sad. So many women trail blazers. They're so awesome. We're going to make their husbands ball like babies and become spiritually sensitive.
They're black people here at the community college!!!!!!!! IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO SEE ALL 5 OF THEM!!!
We're having a lot of blessings. I decided to bare my testimony at every fast and testimony meeting to help motivate the members. They're telling us they liked our testimonies. I have so much greenie fire. I jump up as soon as I can to bare my testimony like a primary kid and just give a short testimony about how I love the work and sit down and my companions stroll up casually a little after and give very wise, comfortable and inspired testimonies. Love those guys. We've had 4 new investigators and 23 lessons. Which is awesome for being white washed. Our productivity gets better and better every week.
I've been praying to have my testimony strengthened. It was shaken good a few times before my mission and so I feel a lot more confident with the things I've learned from them. But Satan is tricky and makes me forget the amazing spiritual experiences I've had. He makes me think they were made up and not by the Spirit. By that I mean he gets Baptists to talk to me. (teehee ok that was mean) But really, talking to Baptists, they're all VERY factual. That's everything they rely on is what they can see. And they can see the Bible and are comfortable with it. So when we bear testimony about how if they try and give a sincere heart the Spirit will work inside them and let them know, they tell us, well you can fool yourself into anything. Emotions are complicated and you can misunderstand them all the time. Tricksy Baptists. But by the Spirit we can know ALL things. Even your Bible says so! HAHA! So I've been praying a lot for confirmation on my testimony. I got a little jealous of my companions but Heavenly Father was patient with me and gave me what I needed. I was praying to remember my spiritual experiences, and remember what I've learned and know as well as further confirmation. And everyday I still do pray for this. We all could.
That night I wrote in my journal all the experiences I've had that have helped me to KNOW. and I keep praying to remember more and receive further confirmation.
I know this church is true. Every young man everywhere should prepare to serve a mission. It will bless their lives more than they can imagine. I've been out for only a month and I'm changing into a whole new better person. Give of yourself wholly! EVEN THE SISTERS GO ON MISSIONS!!! And they don't even have to! As Kenine Singleton said in his testimony after a bunch of women shared theirs, "we need to pick it up guys."
The Gospel blesses us and our familes. We can have a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father through the Gospel. That's the biggest thing I know. I've had a place to escape to my whole life whenever I felt depressed and like giving up. But because of the Gospel, I knew God was a Heavenly Father who loved me beyond anything I could ever imagine and was going to do His best to help me along. I KNOW that because of the Gospel.
A missionaries dying wish: do your home teaching, plan your lessons for church and anything else with love and thought, help others sincerely and know you're where you need to be.
I love you guys.
The church is true and the book is blue.
Elder Edgel
Thank you so much for the Gavin letter! That makes me so happy. I love my nephews. I think of them all the time when I see kids. Elder Jordan's sex blessing is spreading like wild fire. Everyone in Elders quorum wants a blessing. All the missionaries know. It's gunna be an infamous one.
Stanley is good. We're learning how to help him. He talks forever and last night we didn't even get a lesson. He kept telling captivating stories. He's got some stories. His infamous mud buggy and how him and his buddies would run from the cops across farm fields, up streems, drive over trees, hid in farmer's barns, go out to their bar that would over sell to minors. Funny funny stories.
Quotes: "have you ever had feelings for a sister missionary?" "Ew! No whey!" (Nacho libre but missionary lingo" "We're dead!" With a southern accent "Getcho self a good pinch!" southern accent. Everyone here says Sundee. Instead of Sunday.
We had a neat experience where we went to a part members house in Dinosaur. She's very strong but her husband is jealous of church and make her choose between him and it. She's very distraught. I felt impressed to ask if she wanted a blessing. Oh and a priest going on his mission got to be a part too. I told her that Heavenly Father was glad of her choice of marriage. A steep claim but I felt impressed. She was balling. She was so happy to have the priesthood in her life. It was amazing.
Female appreciation:
Females are an amazing species I'm finding. All the elders like to bag on sisters and their inability. It's really sad. We elders have such a hard time being obedient, spiritual, sensitive, considerate, loving, smelling good and not talking about poops and farts. We all have our weaknesses. But sisters are such an example of selflessness and love. They're so genuine and trusting in their Heavenly Father to make the difference. The sisters in our district wipe a 90 year olds butt twice a day! Talk about true love! (very true story)
So many women out here are married to men that don't want to be active, don't want to try the church, and don't want to let their wives show their devotion to God by participating. It's so sad. So many women trail blazers. They're so awesome. We're going to make their husbands ball like babies and become spiritually sensitive.
They're black people here at the community college!!!!!!!! IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO SEE ALL 5 OF THEM!!!
We're having a lot of blessings. I decided to bare my testimony at every fast and testimony meeting to help motivate the members. They're telling us they liked our testimonies. I have so much greenie fire. I jump up as soon as I can to bare my testimony like a primary kid and just give a short testimony about how I love the work and sit down and my companions stroll up casually a little after and give very wise, comfortable and inspired testimonies. Love those guys. We've had 4 new investigators and 23 lessons. Which is awesome for being white washed. Our productivity gets better and better every week.
I've been praying to have my testimony strengthened. It was shaken good a few times before my mission and so I feel a lot more confident with the things I've learned from them. But Satan is tricky and makes me forget the amazing spiritual experiences I've had. He makes me think they were made up and not by the Spirit. By that I mean he gets Baptists to talk to me. (teehee ok that was mean) But really, talking to Baptists, they're all VERY factual. That's everything they rely on is what they can see. And they can see the Bible and are comfortable with it. So when we bear testimony about how if they try and give a sincere heart the Spirit will work inside them and let them know, they tell us, well you can fool yourself into anything. Emotions are complicated and you can misunderstand them all the time. Tricksy Baptists. But by the Spirit we can know ALL things. Even your Bible says so! HAHA! So I've been praying a lot for confirmation on my testimony. I got a little jealous of my companions but Heavenly Father was patient with me and gave me what I needed. I was praying to remember my spiritual experiences, and remember what I've learned and know as well as further confirmation. And everyday I still do pray for this. We all could.
That night I wrote in my journal all the experiences I've had that have helped me to KNOW. and I keep praying to remember more and receive further confirmation.
I know this church is true. Every young man everywhere should prepare to serve a mission. It will bless their lives more than they can imagine. I've been out for only a month and I'm changing into a whole new better person. Give of yourself wholly! EVEN THE SISTERS GO ON MISSIONS!!! And they don't even have to! As Kenine Singleton said in his testimony after a bunch of women shared theirs, "we need to pick it up guys."
The Gospel blesses us and our familes. We can have a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father through the Gospel. That's the biggest thing I know. I've had a place to escape to my whole life whenever I felt depressed and like giving up. But because of the Gospel, I knew God was a Heavenly Father who loved me beyond anything I could ever imagine and was going to do His best to help me along. I KNOW that because of the Gospel.
A missionaries dying wish: do your home teaching, plan your lessons for church and anything else with love and thought, help others sincerely and know you're where you need to be.
I love you guys.
The church is true and the book is blue.
Elder Edgel
Monday, August 26, 2013
Heavenly Father is just so loving.
In response to you:
Rangely is not very LDS. 2000 population. About 300 in each ward. A ton of less actives. We've been teaching a lot of less actives. I love them so much but it'd be nice being able to get to people who don't even know yet. Dad, thanks for being such an example in your home teaching. I learning how important it is. That goes to Tyler, too. I kept bugging him about member missionary work when I lost sight of the importance of home teaching.
We got a care package of things from Salt Lake. Everything we need to be able to live. They even gave us $5 each to Subway for surviving. I had to use my companions huge unnecessary knife for making sandwiches. There's a pic.
No idea what poisoned me. I was fine after the one day though. Good thing it was P day so I could nap a lot of it off. We have a PO box. And I don't know it. Mail it the mission address and they'll forward it to me. It's a day longer but you don't have to keep getting updated on my address. I'll mail you a letter this week of things I keep forgetting to tell or ask you and it'll have all that junk.
Well Dad, I haven't heard any airplane jokes. I was actually the one that made it to my companion... And then I apologized for such a joke. I don't know if I told you but my companion was in this area in the start of his mission (I'm the first greenie since him and he's training me, and I'm the first 18 year old in Rangely) so people ask him to pray more than I. But in our first dinner the very first day I did get asked to pray since I was so new. I thought that was funny haha.
We do a different approach with people than just asking them if they want to hear our message. We ask if we could leave a prayer and blessing upon their house. It's powerful. We call down the powers of the priesthood and the blessings they ask for happen. It brings in the Spirit. So that's been softening hearts and increasing people's willingness. It's awesome.
On Thursday we had zone conference and had to wake up at 4:30 to start the day so we were pretty tired by the end of the day. It was 8:30. We had just tried a former but they weren't home. Their neighbors were outside. So we OYM'd (open your mouth) and asked if we could leave a blessing and they said ya. In the blessing Elder Jordan names every member of the family and meant to say "bless them to continue to have good success". Too bad he said sex instead of success. After the prayer we laughed it off though.
You'll see in the pictures that his place is beautiful. Mostly everyone here though was either brought here for, or currently drill oil or work in the coal mine. So There's a ton of trailer and RV parks. Where we live is apparently the "ghetto" of Rangely. It's almost like Vegas haha.
.JPG)
This week flew by! We've met with awesome people that just need a push and a good spiritual confirmation. We're meeting with an excon who served a mission and has been in a nut house. So it's interesting. He has a huge mastiff dog that's really old. Cool stuff. The people here are just so typical western hick, it's hilarious. I feel like I'm Gentle Man Broncos. There's even a LA (less active) that looks IDENTICAL to the guy with the snake it's ridic! Just an older version. It's so funny out here. The quirky people just tickle my peach. Like the Gentleman Bronco guy, the first I met him he had a trucker hat that said "America's #1 drinking team!" and it just made me laugh so hard on the inside. Janea and Tyler would bust up laughing at some of the things here. It's just so perfect.
MORE FUN WITH THE STEAMER
We're meeting with an eternagator. An eternal investigator. Wife was baptized, he comes to church but doesn't believe. He has an interesting story. Really smart guy. Used to be a preacher. Loves his Vodka. There was a time in his life that he said he's been close with God and felt his promptings continually in his life on exactly the things he should be doing. (for 40 years he's been drinking everyday so he's had this while drinking). He doesn't get drunk. He has some different views. He believes Joseph Smith was a prophet, the BoM was inspired. He believes some facts aren't right in it. He doesn't believe Brigham Young was a prophet. He doesn't believe Thomas S Monson is either. He doesn't think Prophets should have body guards. He thinks everyone is going to Heaven again. So agrees closely a lot but some of it is pretty quirky. Like how Jesus bent the matrix and we can too. Which is true in a sense through faith but he goes a bit too far. We dedicated his home Friday and felt impressed to cast out all evil spirits... Apparently he turned his back on God a while ago and the last three years he hasn't had that closeness with Him and it's been a struggle on his faith. We're going to help him through the atonement. He's a tricky guy.
I LEFT MY DORK DOT ON DURING MY ENTIRE STAY AT THE MTC, haha.
It's frightens me that I won't know what exactly to say to these people. I get a little depressed and scared and frustrated. I'm casting away all doubt and trying to be selfless and trusting in the Spirit. I know we're going to help these people to baptism. The work hasn't been done in Rangely in a long long time. Our Ward Mission Leader thanked us for working and said more work has been done in the last two weeks in a long long time. That's sad but I'm glad I get to work and help this town. I love it so much. I'm praying to have a confirmation that this is true and that the Spirit can work through me. I've always grown up knowing little by little but I feel it important to do as I'm asking people to do. I know I'll receive an answer. Heavenly Father is just so loving.
I love this work! It's awesome having the Spirit work through me and prompt me on what to say and do.
Elder Edgel's wisdom: DON'T IGNORE THE SPIRIT. You loose so many opportunities to help people that need it so bad! Love, love, love! Who cares about what people think of you! You're not that great anyway.
You guys are sounding like you're doing so awesome. This work is amazing. Life is good when you're not thinking about how good you can make life for yourself. I couldn't be happier.
-Elder Edgel
Rangely is not very LDS. 2000 population. About 300 in each ward. A ton of less actives. We've been teaching a lot of less actives. I love them so much but it'd be nice being able to get to people who don't even know yet. Dad, thanks for being such an example in your home teaching. I learning how important it is. That goes to Tyler, too. I kept bugging him about member missionary work when I lost sight of the importance of home teaching.
No idea what poisoned me. I was fine after the one day though. Good thing it was P day so I could nap a lot of it off. We have a PO box. And I don't know it. Mail it the mission address and they'll forward it to me. It's a day longer but you don't have to keep getting updated on my address. I'll mail you a letter this week of things I keep forgetting to tell or ask you and it'll have all that junk.
.JPG)
We're meeting with an eternagator. An eternal investigator. Wife was baptized, he comes to church but doesn't believe. He has an interesting story. Really smart guy. Used to be a preacher. Loves his Vodka. There was a time in his life that he said he's been close with God and felt his promptings continually in his life on exactly the things he should be doing. (for 40 years he's been drinking everyday so he's had this while drinking). He doesn't get drunk. He has some different views. He believes Joseph Smith was a prophet, the BoM was inspired. He believes some facts aren't right in it. He doesn't believe Brigham Young was a prophet. He doesn't believe Thomas S Monson is either. He doesn't think Prophets should have body guards. He thinks everyone is going to Heaven again. So agrees closely a lot but some of it is pretty quirky. Like how Jesus bent the matrix and we can too. Which is true in a sense through faith but he goes a bit too far. We dedicated his home Friday and felt impressed to cast out all evil spirits... Apparently he turned his back on God a while ago and the last three years he hasn't had that closeness with Him and it's been a struggle on his faith. We're going to help him through the atonement. He's a tricky guy.
It's frightens me that I won't know what exactly to say to these people. I get a little depressed and scared and frustrated. I'm casting away all doubt and trying to be selfless and trusting in the Spirit. I know we're going to help these people to baptism. The work hasn't been done in Rangely in a long long time. Our Ward Mission Leader thanked us for working and said more work has been done in the last two weeks in a long long time. That's sad but I'm glad I get to work and help this town. I love it so much. I'm praying to have a confirmation that this is true and that the Spirit can work through me. I've always grown up knowing little by little but I feel it important to do as I'm asking people to do. I know I'll receive an answer. Heavenly Father is just so loving.
I love this work! It's awesome having the Spirit work through me and prompt me on what to say and do.
Elder Edgel's wisdom: DON'T IGNORE THE SPIRIT. You loose so many opportunities to help people that need it so bad! Love, love, love! Who cares about what people think of you! You're not that great anyway.
You guys are sounding like you're doing so awesome. This work is amazing. Life is good when you're not thinking about how good you can make life for yourself. I couldn't be happier.
-Elder Edgel
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
My sister & I share a unique trait...
Sorry I didn't get to email last week. They didn't give a P day for those who were transferring in. 36 new missionaries are in Colorado! Next transfer 32 come in. The Lord is hastening His work truly. You can just send it to 999 E Tufts Ave Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113-5907 and they'll forward it to me. I don't know our apartment quite yet. We just moved out of a member's home.
Here we go. I'm going to go fast so try and keep up. We listened to another Bednar talk in the MTC on listening to the Spirit. He said to just keep being a good boy or girl, keep your covenants and it'll fall into place. We don't need to know right then that it's the Spirit whispering to us. Just do good and the rest falls into place. Bednar is awesome.
The airport was the first time being in the real world. It was funny because people looked nervous around us and almost tried to avoid us hahaha. When we landed the Mission President, his wife and his AP's were there to greet us. He was casually shaking everyone's hand and then lit up when he saw me and said, "Elder Edgel! You're going to love your area!" I was taken back a bit but it's so cool to see that he's received inspiration for me on where is best for me. In our interview he asked me what I KNOW. So I said that I know the love that Heavenly Father has for me and that He only wants best for me and that I can trust Him. On the car ride to the mission office I rode with the AP's and they asked why we came out and what we want to learn. I said I came out because I want to learn how to give back and that a mission is a good place to start. My MTC companion said, "because I want to turn branches into wards." What a faithful guy. I said I wanted to learn how to be an effective member missionary that I can continue to give back. The AP's told us how the land of desolation in the BoM is north and we should be grateful to be in the Denver, SOUTH in the land bountiful. Nerdy missionary jokes. I'm in a trio. My trainer is awesome and a good leader. The other guy is from Alabama and also has an accent. I think I'm coming home with a southern accent. They think I'm pretty funny so thanks for praying that my companions won't be so annoyed with me. ;)
Shopping was terrifying. I have $4 for everyday. I had no idea what I was doing. All this time I've also been afraid that I wouldn't eat good if taking care of myself. Come to find out, I eat WAY BETTER when I shop for the foods I want and cook the way I want. I don't starve myself waiting for my mother to slave for me.
Welcome to (range lee) Rangley, Colorado! The most wonderful place I've ever lived. Population: 2000. Exactly what I've dreamed of! Mission President was right. It's kind of dessert but snows. I'll have to take a picture at the top of the city. You can overlook and see all the green trees in the city and the dessert surrounding it with the most wonderful plateaus. We also cover Dinosaur. Population: 300. We only visit once a week. We cover two wards and Dinosaur. We're going to make Dinosaur it's own branch. About 30 members, 3 active though.
I've learned how I can show my love more fully. I'm not the best in conversation, I don't really easily laugh, but my sister and I share a unique trait; we smile big and bright. President said that's how he recognized me. I smile so much naturally out here that I have to keep drinking water so I don't get cotton mouth from having my lips open.
Missionary lingo: "oh man my fart didn't even stink! Call President!" People say "good night" a lot too out here. "I'd add that sister to my team." (marriage team). OYM, SC, HBT, southern comp says "it was baaad" a lot. Oh and "how do you mean?" Example: Elder Jordan: Let's go see blah blah blah Elder Tillman; How do you mean? Elder Jordan: You know how I mean! Elder Tillman: How do you figur? Elder Jordan: How do I figur? Where do you get off! Elder Tillman: How do you reckon? Elder Jordan: Are you high? (I can't put a number on how many times I've heard this exact conversation) I need to learn to write shorter...
Our new apartment has nothing. No beds, no pots, no cooking spary, no blankets, no pillows, no SHOWER CURTAIN, no utensils, no bowls or plates, our pets heads are falling off! It's awesome though. We get everything today. I've been using clothes as a pillow and my sheets, towel and lava lava as a blanket.
Dad, people do ask me to pray all the time. No one's done the plane joke though. It's so good to hear Jeremy is doing better, I'm praying for him. I'm so glad I got to ride the loop with him even though we didn't stick together. It was still lots of fun with him. I got food poisoning last night. Woo hoo! First of the mission! I'm doing good though.
Janea, I gave some missionaries the info at the parade. If they haven't contacted them I'm not sure where the info is. It should be in my memory box that isn't duck tapped over. If they're both duck tapped, it's the one with less stuff. Feel free to dig for it.
It's awesome to see the impact as missionaries. How people will listen to us so easily. Everyday I get to have an amazing spiritual experience with someone. I'm seeing my blessing of loving people more than myself come to pass already. I love the people here. First Sunday we gave a talk on missionary work. I spoke on the need for understanding and not being pushy. (Sorry Tyler, I'm learning to motivate people rather than push them.) I love you guys so much. Thanks for your prayers and love. I can definitely feel it. Take care everyone.
Here we go. I'm going to go fast so try and keep up. We listened to another Bednar talk in the MTC on listening to the Spirit. He said to just keep being a good boy or girl, keep your covenants and it'll fall into place. We don't need to know right then that it's the Spirit whispering to us. Just do good and the rest falls into place. Bednar is awesome.
The airport was the first time being in the real world. It was funny because people looked nervous around us and almost tried to avoid us hahaha. When we landed the Mission President, his wife and his AP's were there to greet us. He was casually shaking everyone's hand and then lit up when he saw me and said, "Elder Edgel! You're going to love your area!" I was taken back a bit but it's so cool to see that he's received inspiration for me on where is best for me. In our interview he asked me what I KNOW. So I said that I know the love that Heavenly Father has for me and that He only wants best for me and that I can trust Him. On the car ride to the mission office I rode with the AP's and they asked why we came out and what we want to learn. I said I came out because I want to learn how to give back and that a mission is a good place to start. My MTC companion said, "because I want to turn branches into wards." What a faithful guy. I said I wanted to learn how to be an effective member missionary that I can continue to give back. The AP's told us how the land of desolation in the BoM is north and we should be grateful to be in the Denver, SOUTH in the land bountiful. Nerdy missionary jokes. I'm in a trio. My trainer is awesome and a good leader. The other guy is from Alabama and also has an accent. I think I'm coming home with a southern accent. They think I'm pretty funny so thanks for praying that my companions won't be so annoyed with me. ;)
Shopping was terrifying. I have $4 for everyday. I had no idea what I was doing. All this time I've also been afraid that I wouldn't eat good if taking care of myself. Come to find out, I eat WAY BETTER when I shop for the foods I want and cook the way I want. I don't starve myself waiting for my mother to slave for me.
Welcome to (range lee) Rangley, Colorado! The most wonderful place I've ever lived. Population: 2000. Exactly what I've dreamed of! Mission President was right. It's kind of dessert but snows. I'll have to take a picture at the top of the city. You can overlook and see all the green trees in the city and the dessert surrounding it with the most wonderful plateaus. We also cover Dinosaur. Population: 300. We only visit once a week. We cover two wards and Dinosaur. We're going to make Dinosaur it's own branch. About 30 members, 3 active though.
I've learned how I can show my love more fully. I'm not the best in conversation, I don't really easily laugh, but my sister and I share a unique trait; we smile big and bright. President said that's how he recognized me. I smile so much naturally out here that I have to keep drinking water so I don't get cotton mouth from having my lips open.
Missionary lingo: "oh man my fart didn't even stink! Call President!" People say "good night" a lot too out here. "I'd add that sister to my team." (marriage team). OYM, SC, HBT, southern comp says "it was baaad" a lot. Oh and "how do you mean?" Example: Elder Jordan: Let's go see blah blah blah Elder Tillman; How do you mean? Elder Jordan: You know how I mean! Elder Tillman: How do you figur? Elder Jordan: How do I figur? Where do you get off! Elder Tillman: How do you reckon? Elder Jordan: Are you high? (I can't put a number on how many times I've heard this exact conversation) I need to learn to write shorter...
Our new apartment has nothing. No beds, no pots, no cooking spary, no blankets, no pillows, no SHOWER CURTAIN, no utensils, no bowls or plates, our pets heads are falling off! It's awesome though. We get everything today. I've been using clothes as a pillow and my sheets, towel and lava lava as a blanket.
Dad, people do ask me to pray all the time. No one's done the plane joke though. It's so good to hear Jeremy is doing better, I'm praying for him. I'm so glad I got to ride the loop with him even though we didn't stick together. It was still lots of fun with him. I got food poisoning last night. Woo hoo! First of the mission! I'm doing good though.
Janea, I gave some missionaries the info at the parade. If they haven't contacted them I'm not sure where the info is. It should be in my memory box that isn't duck tapped over. If they're both duck tapped, it's the one with less stuff. Feel free to dig for it.
It's awesome to see the impact as missionaries. How people will listen to us so easily. Everyday I get to have an amazing spiritual experience with someone. I'm seeing my blessing of loving people more than myself come to pass already. I love the people here. First Sunday we gave a talk on missionary work. I spoke on the need for understanding and not being pushy. (Sorry Tyler, I'm learning to motivate people rather than push them.) I love you guys so much. Thanks for your prayers and love. I can definitely feel it. Take care everyone.
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