Alma 13:29...

Hello Everybody,

This week definitely stretched us. We've been working with a lot of different people here in downtown Long Beach. I Love going out in the morning knowing that we are going to have multiple people to visit that day. A few in particular is Brother Hoke (he is a recent convert) the stake has made it a goal to have 9 perspective elders receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. And so he is one of these 9 that we are helping. He came to church last week and we have been reading from the scriptures with him about 2-3 times a week.

Another is Bati. Bati is priest age and we have been doing all we can to get him active so he can prepare to serve a mission. That is his goal and he comes out with us quite a bit for lessons.

Jessica (recent convert) is still doing well. We have an appointment with her tonight to get her started on her family history so she can take names to the temple. And then of course there's Elaine who we had that experience with prayer last week.

Well my testimony of conversion and true change is growing even more because of what Elaine has gone through this past week. We met with her a few times, each time her appearance was better and better. She looked happier. She made dinner for us this week and allowed us to clean out her car. We are really seeing a positive change in her. She even came to church this past week! And she enjoyed herself. There are many others we are working with but these few are our main focus and really making changes in their lives little by little in order to draw near to the Savior.

I hope each of you can feel that there is a Loving Father who is in heaven and he knows you and cares for you. Everyday I have felt this Love and care. Well, I gotta go, but until next week, Godspeed Y'all!

Love, Elder Page

P.S. I forgot my camera at home so no pictures... Sorry about that. Next Week!

D&C 4:2...

So, I made a list of things I wanted to email home about this week, because as the week went on amazing things just kept happening. Miracles big and small I was able to witness this week.

To start off I just want to say I Love Being back on the west side of Long Beach. We cover everything from the ghetto down to ocean which is like the nicest spot in the mission. I few things that I've missed while being on the east was one, just being able to talk to people and have them actually except you and listen to what you have to say. People are so humble here, and just ready to receive the gospel. I also miss having to look over my shoulder every few seconds while we're walking through dark alleys. But most of all I think I've missed the south st building! Its the building the Virginia ward met in (my baby area) We have district meetings there! It was so weird to be back after almost two years! I've also had the chance to have dinner with a couple of members from the 4th ward because we get rides from the 4th ward elders and the other night we didn't have a dinner so we ate at a families house that I had eaten at back in my days of the 4th ward. The Lord is just too good, to allow me to come back to the areas where I made so many memories and had so many spiritual experiences. I am excited and ready to allow the Lord to use me however I am needed here in the 1st ward.

Elder Poirier and I have already had so many good things happen this week. I have taught more this week than I have in a while. It has felt so good to just get a fresh start work with new people. I did want to say though that I realized this week how much I really do love the Woodruff ward and the work that was done there, because I have been praying for not only those here in this area now but still for Elder Phunsaeng and the people we were working with together. Its helped me see that this work is beyond just me and other missionaries. It's the Lord's work and it keeps on even after we are gone. It is the greatest work ever to be done!

So to finish I just want to tell y'all about Refujio and Jessica, they are a couple that have been worked with for the last transfer and this past week. Jessica got baptized Saturday and Refujio has been a life long member but for the past 20 years was inactive. The missionaries found him one day while walking by his house. He at the time was on drugs, and just not in a good place, but he expressed to them that he has been praying for a way to come back. 7 weeks later after being on any and every drug you can think of and after being at his lowest with a wife and a young son Evan he is now 100% clean and sober. Since that day Refujio has been good. He is living the word of wisdom entirely and Jessica has seen this change in him and now that she is a member they are growing together spiritually with a goal to be sealed in the temple. We had the chance to take them to the LA visitors center yesterday. I don't really have words to describe what kind of an experience it was, but it was Sweet! I'll just say that. We were all in tears by the end of the tour.

I know that change is possible no matter where we are in that process. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is for each of us personally and individually to help us grow and become. I Love My Mission right now. I love these people. I love my companion (who is teaching me some french) and I just want to say thank you to my family who has been there supporting me from day one. For those of you who have loved me and helped me be my best. I hope this email wasn't too long. I just had a lot to say. Cant wait to skype on Mothers day!!! I'll give y'all the details and go from there.
Until then. Godspeed!



Love, Elder Page

End of the line...

So, as anticipated my time here in Woodruff is up. I will be leaving tomorrow morning, headed to the Long Beach 1st ward, so... back to the stake that I just came from. They meet in the same building as the LB 4th ward, so I'll be seeing a lot of familiar faces. I am Truly A Long Beach Missionary. My new area will cover most of Downtown Long Beach, 1/2 Ghetto half High rises. So I'll get a little bit of everything. My new companion is Elder Piorrier (Spelling?) (PuaHea) <--- Pronunciation. He is from Canada, speaks french and has been out for about 2 months. I'm really excited to get to know him better, to learn from him and to work together.

I am Sad to say the least, about leaving the Woodruff ward. This area and ward has become home to me. The members truly have just taken us in and treated us like their own. We have served them and they have served us. Its been good. I have had spiritual experiences here that I wouldn't trade for anything. The memories I've made with investigators, members and companions have been priceless! I have come to know the Lord better here And myself and how I can better help those that I've been asked to help and love.

Elder Phunsaeng is pretty sad I'm leaving but his new companion is Elder Brown (who came out with me) They will get along great! I'm really excited for things to come. A little nervous. Its funny how now matter how long you've been out, transfers are always hard, I guess in this case 9 months makes things even harder. The Lord Loves me enough to send me elsewhere to further learn and grow and stretch myself.

Tonight We'll be having dinner with Daleen, and a couple of other families from the ward. Saving the best for last. I'll finish up by saying this, I bore my testimony the other week basically thanking the ward and saying bye to everyone. I said that this area has become a sacred place for me because its where I have sacrificed time and energy for the Lord, and so I will be sure to come back one day. I told them I loved them and sat down. It hasn't really hit me yet that I'm leaving, even after all the goodbyes, maybe tomorrow morning it will set in.

I Love You guys! I've got to head out, but I cant wait to update y'all next week on more good news. Until Then, Live, Laugh, and all that good stuff. Goodbye!

Love, Elder page

P.S. Elder Phunsaeng and I stumbled across a buddhist prayer group this past week and so we said, hey what the heck lets join em. So we did. They gladly excepted us and we took part in some really good discussion about faith and how to serve others. My knowledge of their beliefs grew and testimony of my own beliefs strengthened. It was a cool experience. They tried to get us to chant with them, but we politely declined. haha, it took Elder Phunsaeng back to his old ways, he just laughed the whole meeting. After we had refreshments and people came up to us and asked a lot of good questions and we even were able to help a woman get excited about doing family history. We took pictures with them so I'll send them next week :)

Roundin up those lost sheep...

So this past week has been super busy. It went by so fast Sunday came around and I actually woke up thinking it was Friday. I can't believe we're already on the last week of the transfer.

This week was just really well rounded as far as how we spent our time. We were able to take part in a lot of Just service projects, we were able to help a few members and an investigator with some things, we taught non members, a lot of less active members, and we even had time to meet with a few of the active members of the ward and get to know them better.

I mentioned last week that we have really been reaching out to the less actives in the area, so that was still a huge focus this week. We've been meeting with about ten families or individuals a week, and a few of these families and or individuals have started to return regularly to church and it has been the sweetest thing to see. Because these people they have tasted the fruit once before if not many times and they knew how good it was and now that they have returned to the tree you can just see how happy they are and how pleased they are with their own choices. I bore my testimony last week in fast and testimony meeting because I figured if this is my last transfer here than it would be my last chance to share my testimony with the ward, so I did. And I just told them how this area and this ward and many of the members homes have become sacred places for me, because its here I've sacrificed time and energy for them and for the Lord and it has become so special to me. Its basically become home here. I don't know whats going to happen in the coming transfer but whatever happens, I Love The Woodruff ward, I Love these people that I've been able to uplift and strengthen, because in doing so they have also done the same if not more for me. I guess to share a specific experience We went by one of our investigators Abayha and as he answered the door we could immediately tell he was tired, overwhelmed and needing something anything to cheer him up and get him going. I thought of my favorite scripture in Ether 12:27 we shared it with him and he was able to get more out of it than I even thought he would. His whole demeanor changed. We offered not only spiritual relief but also help with what he was going through and although there wasn't much we could do right then and there, the spirit of love and of genuine service touched him and we could all feel it. It was just a really spiritual experience and although I cant really put it into words its experiences like this I really cherish as a missionary. Simply going around and making peoples days better, helping people feel the spirit and the Love of the Savior and Heavenly Father. And then to give them the tools to go and be able to have this spirit whenever they need it. And something in Moms email stood out to me this week. She said that I need to do everything I can to take this special spirit home with me and then to keep it. These experiences and these feelings I realize I don't have to lose when I come home, I will just be able to take the things I've learned and apply them to different things. And I'm grateful for that. Well, Its about time to close up shop so I've gotta get off, I hope y'all enjoyed this email, and know that I'm doing well. I'm excited to see all of y'all on Mothers day, but until then. Talk to you next week! Love You!!!



Love, Elder Page

P.S. One more thought, one thing serving a mission has done for me is helped me see the importance of change and progression! Ive never been so focused on becoming and improving. Now Im still not perfect and I still often fall short, but I never give up. And thanks to the Lord I can keep going. Thats it.

Taking care of each other...

So this week was a wild one, up and down it went. The first few days were on point but from somewhere outta the blue I got sick. From Thursday to Saturday we were in sick, quarantined within the walls of our living quarters. I was sick all Thursday, then Elder Phunsaeng caught whatever it was that I had so Friday we were both bedridden, then Saturday came around and I was feeling better but Elder Phunsaeng was feeling off. Luckily by Sunday morning we both felt well enough to go to church and the rest of our Sabbath went well! I Love that even amongst all of this sickness and affliction though I can honestly look back on the week and say it was a good one. Let me expound on that.

So earlier this week, we were able to meet with Michael the non member husband of the less active member we met with a couple of weeks ago, and it was only him and their two daughter home, but he gladly welcomed us in. It ended up being perfect that it was only him there because it really gave us a chance to get to know him better and get a better feel for his spiritual location. We had left Alma 32 with them to read together last time, he didn't get a chance to read it but he said his wife did. So, we opened up our scriptures and read with him from the chapter. After reading a section from the chapter we asked him what seemed to stand out to him the most. And he thought for a minute then said, "the part where it talked about having a desire to believe and letting this desire work within you." He said, "I feel like I have a desire to know more and to be closer to God, I just need help doing more to get there." And so it was the perfect time to help him see that's why we were there, is to help him and his family grow closer to Heavenly Father and each other. So he was down with it so we invited him to when his wife got back home to read over the chapter again with her and share insights he received while reading and to have a family prayer. He seemed on board with it all and excited to do it, so we are looking forward to seeing how it went next time we meet.

Also, another highlight of the week was when I was feeling sick as a dog I asked Elder Phunsaeng for a blessing and so he gave one to me in thai. It was a very powerful spiritual experience. Although I understood nothing of what he said, I felt that he truly had the authority to give such a blessing and that as long as I had faith to get better I would. We went to bed, and the next morning, I woke up not feeling anything I had felt the night before, I had literally been healed of my sickness overnight. It was pretty cool. I haven't always been the best at asking for blessings when I need them, but I'm glad for times like this where my faith is strengthened because of a blessing I did receive.

Its been a great week everyone! Its been fun taking care of my sick companion and being taken care of. Times are good. Until next week, Be Safe, Smile, and Always thank the Lord!

Love, Elder Page

Press forward Saints...

So where do I even begin.

There's a lot that I could say about the tender mercies and the spiritual experiences that we experienced this week while out doing missionary work, but Id have to say the most spiritual experiences I personally had were while watching conference Saturday and Sunday. I just want to share a few thoughts I had while listening to the messages that were shared. Now I'm not gonna say everything, because I'd be here all day, but just a few things that really stuck with we were first from Elder Hallstrom's Talk. He said, "Our hardships have eternal purposes, whether we realize it or not." And quoting Elder Holland he said, "You can have what you want, or you can have something better." His whole talk surrounding these two truths really hit me and the spirit just seemed to let me know that my future will always be hopeful as long as my eyes are set on the Lord and his will for me. I also really liked Elder Renlund's Talk where he spoke all about being close to The Savior. He said "The closer we are to Jesus Christ, the more we appreciate his Innocent Suffering and Grace." I really loved the story of the woman who had the sacrament passed specifically to her and how she said to herself in relationship to the Atonement, "Oh, he did this for Me." These were a couple of things that really stuck out to me during this talk. Elder Ballard's Talk on Family Councils really caught my attention. The whole thing was just eye opening to how blessed I was to be apart of a family growing up who had family councils often and it makes me want to make this a regular part of my family one day. Elder Christofferson speaking on Fathers also got me excited for my future. Not just being a father though, but being the best one I can be. Elder Christofferson is the man! He always gives the best talks on being Good men and good husbands and fathers. He said something interesting in his talk, he said, "If a man can show his family what complete fidelity to God looks like, he has done Good."

Sorry if this is jumbled and all over the place, I'm just copying and pasting notes I have here in my journal. So many Good things were learned during conference. The Spirit was unreal, especially during the hymns. I don't think I've ever loved listening to the hymns as much as I did this weekend. One last thing! At the very end of Elder Holland's talk he quoted scripture that hit me like I sack of bricks, he said "Fear Not, I will Help Thee." Anytime the Lord says Fear Not, All of my fear literally goes away, because I trust that he means what he says. I know he's there. And I am so grateful to be here on a mission where feeling that is easier than other times and in other places of life. I am learning here how to be close with the Lord and to the spirit and to My Heavenly Father, so that when mission life is no longer 24/7 I can still be supported and help others in their efforts to do the same.

I can't wait to talk to y'all on mothers day and maybe hear some of the things that you liked about what was said at conference. Just another Month or so! See y'all soon, until then, I Love You!

Love,
Elder Page


P.S. That Belem Brasil Temple Though. I know you were happy to hear that one, right dad? Maybe we can take a family trip down there for the dedication!

He is Risen...

Hello!

So This past week went by really fast. We were very busy and so I'm gonna try and do my best to recount all of the good things that happened. The weeks really are starting to feel like days.

I also really tired right now from sports with the Zone. I'm not all here mentally, but I pray that the spirit will guide my fingers as I type the words that come to my mind. Earlier this week we experience quite the miracle, there's this part member family that I personally have been trying to get a hold of for the past 8 months but in all my efforts have never caught them at home. But a missionary that I guess had taught them and met with them a while back had called the bishop of the ward and asked how they were doing. So we were of course asked to stop by, I of course thought theres now way in heck we are gonna get em this time, but we went by anyway, and for the first time since I've been in this area, they were Home!!!And they immediately invited us in. Tiffany, the wife is the member and super friendly and her husband is one of the nicest guys Ive ever met as well and they have two cute little girls ages 2 and 4. we sat down and talked for a bit and just got to know each other. We then showed them the Easter video and the loved it. Now Tiffany is pretty less active, but it was awesome to have her bear her testimony of the gospel after watching the video and to hear her say all of the things she wants to start doing as a family, that they aren't currently doing like reading scriptures, and praying nightly, and coming to church. We weren't too pushy but we did want to leave a chapter from the book of Mormon for them to read as a family, so we opened up the book and the first chapter revealed was Alma 32, so we figured, hey this is a great chapter, and right as we were saying Alma 32 she just freaked out because that was the exact page she had opened up to. So we kind of laughed about it saying that it must have been the spirit, but in all seriousness I believe it will be a good chapter for them to read and we trust the Lord knows what he is doing as we are simple instruments in his hands.

There's been a lot of crazy coincidences like that this week. You know, just God doin his thing, as usual. We've been blessed enough to be witnesses to some of these mini miracles. So Anyway, this family seems promising, It was interesting to see so many involved in the preparation of this family. The previous missionary, The ward, ourselves, and the Family themselves being so ready and willing to let us in.

Well, I kinda got on here late and time is about up so I gotta dip outa here, but It has truly been another great week. A week of personal spiritual experiences with the Lord. Its been good. I can't wait to just try and share more with y'all in person, there's so much to tell and the weekly emails just dont do my time here justice.

Until Next time, Love You guys, thanks for the emails and pictures!

Love, Elder Page

20 years old and wiser too...

Hey There Everybody,

This week has been one to remember. Looking back on it I just feel happy. It was a week of Good. I think a journal entry from the night of the 19th sums up this week pretty well, so here's a snippit from it...

"Today we had a specialized training on Change, and it is exactly what I need right now. As Im nearing the end of my mission I know I have changed in a lot of ways, but I also know that there are many areas where I can still improve and grow in, and so I just want to try my best to work, love others, forget myself, and allow the Lord to change me & better me for those that I Love and for those that I will come to Love. I am truly Grateful for the Savior, for personal and eternal progression, for the joy that coming closer to God brings. I am happy and I find satisfaction in helping others find that same happiness."

This week to put it simply has been one of positive growth and change. More so of just doing more of the things that strengthen me and looking at how they are strengthening me. I think personal evaluation is so important to change & growth because if we aren't seeing how we can improve or seeing how far we've come there is no real measure of our progression. I had a spiritual experience the other night while I was updating the area book. Updating the area book is not something that I have been very good at throughout my mission but after the trainings on change I made a promise that I would be better at it, so that night I went home and after we had already planned for a good half hour, I sat down for about another 45 minutes to an hour updating potential sheetes, teaching records, progress records, and then some. This wasn't something that I was looking forward to initially but as I did what needed to be done by the end the spirit fill me with the greatest sense of peace, fulfillment, and greater love for the people that I was helping. And also a greater Love for the Lord and His work, this work that I am contributing too, it was as if the Lord was saying, Thank You. I Love the feeling of being tired when going to bed, I love seeing people change, especially myself, I love coming closer to Heavenly Father and Christ Everyday. I Want Christ to be my Best friend, and I owe any relationship I have with him to this mission that I've been able to serve. Here is where I have turned to him in times of not only need but in returning thanks, and seeking for guidance and direction. I just feel close to him and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I Love You All and I'm pretty lucky to have some of you in my life. Don't know where I'd be without you. Until Next week, Godspeed!

Love, Elder Page

Hallelujah...

Hello Everybody,

So there's not a whole lot that I have to say about this week, its been one of those weeks where you take each day at a time and next thing you know its Sunday and you don't really know where the time went, so This'll be short and sweet.

Elder Phunsaeng and I are still Loving our time together. Its crazy to think we've been with each other for 7 weeks already! Time goes by so fast, and its only getting faster! Its been good really getting to know each other better. Elder Phunsaeng has a crazy past because he had to serve in the military before he came out (not sure if I already told y'all that) and he is a convert of course, so his testimony of the gospel and of the church is very strong. He is such a good missionary, he has such a desire to be better everyday with the language with his skills as a missionary, and just everything. He has really motivated me to be better and to just enjoy myself while serving. He makes going out and doing missionary work fun. Recently we've faced a lot of rejection and people just haven't wanted to accept the message we're out sharing, but we have just been able to find joy in the fire and laugh about the little things, so All is Well. That's one thing I'm glad the Lord has blessed me with, A Good Sense of Humor.

(This is Sister Montague. She is a friend of Christopher's from BYU-I)


We are, as a mission, so excited to get this new Easter Initiative going. The new video is so powerful, You can't watch it without feeling the spirit. So it will be good to be able to hopefully share with y'all next week some cool stories using and sharing the initiative. I know that the Lord is inspiring the leaders of the church to help move his work along, and its awesome to be right there apart of it all. This church is the real deal, we are actively sharing the message of Christ, His Gospel, and the fact that HE LIVES! and isn't just chillin up in the clouds, but he is Doing Work, he is showing his love for all of us by leading and guiding this church. I have felt his love personally more than I ever have while serving him and I just hope this season will bring even more of that. I Love You Guys, Thanks for the emails, pictures, cards, letters and everything in between. #Hallelujah!

I Love It.

Love, Elder Page

Woodruff Ward for Life...

So It is official, Elder Phunsaeng and I are staying together for another transfer here in the Woodruff Ward!!! This transfer also happens to be the one 7 week transfer of the year so we're getting a 1 week bonus. After this transfer I will have been here in this area for 9 Months!!

This is crazy, almost half of my mission here. Of all the wards and areas for this to happen though, I got lucky, this ward truly has become home. I think the bishop really is considering a calling for me. Its funny how people that used to treat me like a missionary, now treat me like there own kid or grandchild, its the best! I've never been so spoiled in my life. It feels good to have looked back on these past 7 months here and think of the people that I've been able to help, and all of the love and support that people have given to me, companions included. The Lord really has blessed me here, in numerous ways. Also the ways that I Know I have personally been able to change and grow. These are times that I 'trade for anything, and I know that's the ultimate cliche but I mean that, there's nothing anyone could offer me for the memories 'made here, the spiritual experiences I've had with my companions and Investigators, the laughs I've shared with members, and the many nights that I've been able to go to bed tired, satisfied with what was done during the day. All of these things are Priceless!

For recent news, Daleen is doing great! she was at church yesterday and the bishop extended a calling to her, she didn't accept it, haha (This is only funny if you really know Daleen), but she did say she would love to work with the primary especially because 'where a lot of the members she knows are. So the bishop understood and is now thinking of a responsibility she could hold in Primary. She is now trying to get her parents to come to church with her, its been so good to see her do things to share her testimony and share the gospel with those around her.

Norma, the Syrian woman that we've been teaching is doing well too, although she is going to be going back to Syria for the next couple months, and then coming back. She said she wanted to check out the church there, so we looked up chapels on the church website, we don't have buildings in Syria, but in Lebanon the church is pretty established, so she said that while she is back over there she will try and go to church at least once there! Its amazing to see people just except the gospel with open arms, for no other reason that because they know that its something good and they feel the spirit because of it. That is how simply beautiful it is and how beautifully simple it is as well.

Its hard to except the fact that my mission is coming to an end pretty soon here. Its the weirdest thing, its like I'm starting to wake up from a dream, but its a really good dream so I'm doing everything I can to stay asleep. I have Loved my mission and I am excited to see what these next three transfers hold. I know that the Lord has important work for me to do and I know that Elder Phunsaeng and I are meant to be with each other for the next 7 weeks. Thank You all for your Prayers, Love, Support, and Concern for me. I know these are things people just say at the end of emails, but I really do mean it. It makes all the difference. So Thank You! Until Next Week.

Love, Elder Page

Another Page...

Brody Steven Page was born on Feb 27th to our son Zachary & Marissa!
That is Grand Baby #3! We could not be more thrilled. He is adorable!
They are going to make wonderfully, sweet parents. We are so happy for them
and their growing family. We can not wait to head out to Utah in a couple of weeks
to squeeze, kiss and love on this little guy.

2 Nephi 2:11...

Hey Everyone!

This week has been "Sweet"! Sweet is the best way to sum it up. It has been one of the least stressful, spirit filled, enjoyable weeks I've had as a missionary. I have come to the conclusion that Elder Phunsaeng and I are long lost brothers. So If I find that my life isn't going well in the states when I return home I'm moving to Thailand, Just Kidding, but its always an option Elder Phunsaeng says.

We have seen the Lords hand just doing work throughout this week. We have just been put in the right places at the right time. One experience we had was with the woman from Syria we were teaching a little while back but lost contact with (Norma). We went by over and over again for a few weeks and she was never home, but while we were riding by her house the other day we both felt like we should stop and see if this time we could catch her. We knocked on the door and she answered. Before we could even say anything she said, "Hello! Come On In!" So we gladly, went in and sat down. It turns out she was sick for the previous two weeks and so she wasnt staying at the house we normally would visit her at. She was so happy to see us and we read from the book of Mormon with her. She had told us that over the past few weeks she had been reading on her own. She said that the teachings were so simple to her so we figured that was a good thing. We shared with her 2 Nephi 2:11 and she really loved the idea of there being opposition in all things with life. She felt the spirit and when we prayed she expressed again how much she loves it when we pray for her. The next step will be having her pray for us! But we invited her to church and she said that she would like to go, so hopefully next week she will make it.

We have just had a lot of cool experiences like this happen to us this week. This area and this ward and its members are as close to family as they can get. I'm waiting for them to just give me a calling. I really hope to stay One more transfer here with Elder Phunsaeng, but we'll see, next week we'll find out. 2 Nephi 2:11 is a principle that I can bear testimony of. I have realized since being here on my mission that there truly is a need to experience opposition because without it we would not grow for one and also we would not really enjoy the good and Gods blessings. I can say that I am grateful for affliction because it has helped me appreciate The Lords Love and Heavenly Fathers blessings for me. I am excited to share more in the coming week. Its gonna be a good one, I can feel it! Until Then, hug and hold and kiss those babies for me. And be sure to keep telling them my name so I'm not a creepy stranger when I get back home, Thanks!

Love, Elder Page

P.S. Larry is still doing well, we missed him this past week but we plan on meeting in the coming days, we'll let you know how things progress

The Lord's healing hands...

Hey There,
So I guess y'all didn't get the email I sent last week, that's too bad, because it was a really good week. I resent it so hopefully it goes through. This week was a good one as well. It is the sharing of my testimony that has consistently made me happy. When there's been nothing else to do it is doing what I was called here to do that has gotten me through, and that is to share with others the joy I feel from the gospel.

This week Elder Phunsaeng and I had a few good chances to simply teach the message of the restoration to people. Thats something the mission has been focusing on. And not just sharing it with investigators but with everyone. People we talk to on the street, members our companions. It has reiterated the things that I have known to be true for so long but now have a fresh view of. I love being a missionary, I really do find peace in helping others and I'm happy to still have the time I have left to do this, because I know that it has made the Lord happy too.

Its been a good week and a half since we've been able to make contact with Daleen. She has been going through some troubles with her family (kids and ex husband). And it has all been stressful for her and seems to be quite the burden on her temporally and spiritually. Please just keep praying for her, she needs all the help she can get. Larry though is doing alright, he is still meeting with us, his progression is slower but its still there. We have been able to find and teach a few new people this week, so we're praying that at least one of them will stick around for future lessons and exposure to the gospel, we'll see.

I think this week I have just been able to see the Lords healing hands be placed on me at a time where I have needed it more than ever. It's been a gradual healing and there are still areas unattended, but the core of my troubles have resolved by the Atonement. Through it, all things can and will be made right in the end, I know that that's true. I'm grateful for the eternal perspective that I have, for the Love I am able to feel from y'all and the motivation that it is to keep going. Pray that I can continue to lift others higher and help in the best ways possible. I Love you guys, I can't wait to let you know how the coming week goes, until then!

Love, Elder Page

Mosiah 24...

Hey Everybody,

So I have a lot to cram into this email because its been quite the week!

To Start off I want to explain why there are so many pictures of me doing weird things in public with nature. That is because this week, I invited our district including myself to make an effort to try and admire Gods creations while out working. Its amazing just how that small thing made the greatest difference in our attitudes and enjoyment of being out each day. We have also been working on purifying our hearts as a district, more so myself than anyone else, but its been real fulfilling. In other words, when people are rude and mean to us just to do everything we can to love them and help them feel the spirit so that even if they may not be interested in the moment that the Lord can work his magic and prepare them little by little for future missionaries. Its been great! I haven't been perfect, but I have felt quite a change when it comes to just talking to people and leaving people better than I found them. I really like the spirit, I don't know what Id do without it, I really don't.

So this week from the start was a harder week for me and it just so happened that we were studying in PMG for comp study and the Gordon b. Hinkley quote jumped out and got me! Its the one that simply says, "Do You want to be happy? Forget Yourself and Get Lost In this great Cause."

I never thought that Gordon B. Hinkley telling me to get lost would be a good thing, but it was. Since then my problems haven't gone away but I've allowed the Lord to step in and begin helping me.

Just to show how aware the Lord was of me this week, it also just so happened that the message that I studied in Tuesday personal study and the message that somehow kept coming to surface was Mosiah 24, which talks about the people being overwhelmed with affliction and being kept in bondage, but as they pray and turn to the Lord in word and thought, they are given the strength to bear their burdens and they can witness that the Lord truly does comfort his people in their afflictions. Their testimonies are mine. I know that The Lord has been here for me day by day.

On a side note, Larry is doing pretty well. He himself was going through some stuff this week and so it was awesome to be able to comfort him through the words of the Lord. We didn't know what to share with him at first, because he just was not feeling it, but we asked if we could pray and ask god what we should read and so I offered the prayer and as soon as I said amen Mosiah 24 came to mind. It was the spirit once again directing me back to that chapter. He is still searching for what is right. He is having a hard time knowing for Sure what is right and what is wrong, which is a hard thing to address, but We just trust the Lord and Know that the Answer will come in his time and his way. Lastly, We had a General Regional Broadcast from Salt lake as an entire western united states yesterday. It was So Good! Elder Runlund was the main speaker and they had a few others speak. Aw Man it was just Too Good! I wonder if they'll have their talks on the church website, if not, I'll just have to tell yall all about it when I come home, I took some notes.

All in all this week has been evidence that the Lord is mindful always, he knows me. And he knows whats to come and although some moments are still hard I am learning to trust Him more with everything. I Love You all, thank you for your prayers, I can feel them. Until Next week.


Love, Elder Page




P.S. An Elder has let me borrow his Ukulele, so we've been singing primary songs for dinners and every member has suggested I play for the Primary during sharing time, so That might be my new calling here, Ive been here long enough, haha! Let ya know how it goes. Whether I get booed off the stage or whether they cheer for an encore. Hopefully the latter.