October 24, 2016 An "Ammon"ish Experience

Hello all!

This week we didn't end up meeting with the Carvers.  As usual, they got busy.  I've decided that "busy" is the acronym for "Burdened Under Satan's Yoke".  The only problem with that is that being busy is a good thing.  But!  Being too busy for the best things is when the devil is winning the battle.  So, moral of the story, find time for the best things.

Do y'all remember D?  Guy from Jamaica that we helped move in a couple weeks ago?  Well, every time we talk, he thanks us for that day that we helped him and reminds us that he is forever indebted to us for helping him in a time of need.  He came to church yesterday, and seemed to enjoy himself!  After church was over, he had us over for lunch, and man, may I just say, that real Caribbean food is the best.  Hands down.  So good!  He's a chef, so he really knows what he's doing.  We had a great time at dinner, and then we were able to share with him and his wife, P, the message of the Restoration.  They accepted a Book of Mormon and said they would read it, and really seemed to enjoy the discussion.  As we were wrapping up, he asked us "what motivates you to come out on a mission?"  Elder Webb testified that we all had felt God's love for us through this message, and we wanted to share it with them because we have grown to love them.  The Spirit filled the room, and it really seemed to touch D and P.  It was a grand experience, once again, to be in their home!  They are truly some of the most wonderful people I've met on my mission.

When we were leaving, Elder Bone pointed something out to me.  When we met D, we were driving home, saw him unloading the truck and asked to help.  From D's point of view (we know this cause he's told us since) he was so glad we asked, he said yes, then he watched us drive away.  He thought we were being rude or something, then as he was coming back down the stairs, he saw that we had gone to get a couple more hands to help.  He thanked us the whole time, and as I said before has continued to thank us since.  Now, had we not done so, we never would have been able to meet D, and to share with him our message.  He has told us many times that if someone comes knocking on his door or walking up to him saying "hey, believe what I believe" he will push them away.  But when we came offering to help, he noticed something was different about us.  We didn't just tell people the word, we tried to live it. 

We have experienced our own version of Ammon and King Lamoni.  Had Ammon just come in with a soap box and started preaching, he would have been rejected (and much worse), but he chose to serve.  And because of his service, thousands of others were blessed by his example.  And now we get to see the blessing of our dear friends D and P as they come to know that what we taught is true.  I am so grateful for Ammon and his story!  He has shown us a way that we can be a light to those around us, and he truly has given us a great example of how we can be more like Christ.  So my invitation to all of you is to go out and serve!  Look for unplanned opportunities to help those around you.  It doesn't have to be a big drastic thing.  But find some way every day to serve those you meet.  For all you know, they could be going through a rough time and you could be the one that pulls them out of the rut they're in.  Maybe they will become a life long friend to you, and could bless you and your family for the rest of your lives.  You never know what the Lord has in store for you.

Here is a fun quote I found from Proverbs 25: 25.  "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."

That's all for today folks!  Love you tons.

Elder Carter V

This is us volunteering at the soup kitchen.  We have way too much fun down there!