I Am a Chicken of God

Things this week have been going slowly but going well. We are really trying to focus on finding those who are prepared to hear the gospel. It’s so interesting how often times false interests can be so deceiving. I think its fun to discuss theology with people, but is that really a good use of time? No. So I don’t. It’s been cool to have my testimony be strengthened by bearing it during a discussion. Sorry. I tend to rant a bit... haha All is well here and I am so grateful to be sent to such a lovely yet humble place.

Spiritual: This week in church we talked a lot about the Holy Ghost. It was mentioned in gospel principals about the Holy Ghost that the difference of the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the power or influence of the Holy Ghost are two different things. One of the big differences is the ability for personal revelation. Knowing where you need to go and then acting on that revelation is a constant blessing for those that receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as opposed to the feelings of peace or fruits of the spirit that come from the influence of the Holy Ghost. Tommy sneaked into our block for church. (This is the man who we met on the street, challenged him to be baptized and he accepted. We went over to his house and he is a little odd, but I just fell in love with him.) We asked him about how he liked church after the third hour and he responded that he liked the preaching’s and the topics, but he felt like he didn't belong there. It broke my heart. Just because he didn't dress like everyone else and just because he had a lip full of chew did not mean that that he didn't belong. We had a really cool conversation with him about how we should never feel unworthy to be there. We should recognize that church is not for the saints, it’s for the sinners. Never feel unworthy at all to be in church. We of all people should recognize that we are not even close to perfect! The good thing is that we are there. We are showing God in whatever fashion or format we are dressed in and in whatever state our heart might be in at that time that we are humble before him and want to change. I Love this gospel. It makes me so sad when people do not want to come to church because they feel unworthy to be there. Realize that because we are not perfect, we need to be in church. Realize that the way that we improve, is by being in church. There should be no one who feels like they are not good enough, cool enough, or spiritual enough to come join us in worshiping our God and renewing our covenants. We shared these thoughts with Tommy and even though he had to spit out some dip before he could answer, he was happy to be there and willing to change and that was all that mattered. 

Funny: While teaching Van this week we wrote on the piece of paper "We are all Children of God." He has a bit of a hard time reading so he read it like this "We are all Chicken of God. What?? Why are we Chicken of God?" "No!! Not Chicken,  Children!!" "I know, Chicken of God???" "No! *sigh* C-H-I-L-D-R-E-N." "Oh! Children!" Okay. Sometimes teaching takes a lot of patience, but if they are willing to learn we are willing to teach. 

Where I am at: Things are going well here. I am currently in a tri with the seaside and Fort Ord ward. Elder Barney, and Elder Green-Bey. Elder Green-Bey’s companion (who was a mini missionary) got moved to his next area and until a new elder comes he is with us. It’s really fun. We feel like the militia every time we go to a door. Things are really good here. This Church is true. The witness that I received from the Holy Ghost is real and powerful. I can’t really tell you exactly what it feels like, but it is real and it is powerful. I know that this is true.