Copy/Paste

Yo so this week flew by but was one of the jam packed weeks of my life. And such a great week holy moly! So basically Monday night was sweet we visited a member and just sang hymns the whole time that was fun! And then we had a great FHE with Martha and Verna they crack me up.  

So Elder Gonzalez of the 70 visited our mission! That was fun and he taught us so many great things!! I will share with you some important things that I learned about Agency! So he started reading in 2 Nephi 2:13,26 "Men are free to act for themselves and not to be acted upon." He taught us about 3 things, 

1. Doctrine is the why

2. Principles are the what

3. Application is the How

Basically our day and age is run by technology and how we learn at a young age to Copy and Paste. But Elder Gonzalez taught us that if we understand the Doctrine and Principles correctly we can teach in our own way or style. So therefore we don't have to copy paste what we see others do. We can just be ourselves! Isn't that just awesome! 

He basically taught us that as we teach principles there are some concerns that come up. And instead of us trying to figure out how to help the investigator with there concern. We can just turn to the investigator and ask what THEY can do to fix there own problem. Therefore giving them there own agency to fix there own problems. While we are just the instruments in helping them along the way. Then after they think of there own idea to fix the problem we tell them that it is a great idea! and then hold them with High Expectations to do it! 

This may seem simple as you read this, but it was an eye opener to me. Because before we would go in and the investigator would have a concern and I would think of all these different ways to help them. But I wasn't allowing them to think for themselves how to fix it! This is such an awesome thing. Like I am excited to try out when I am a father also I think this is a great way to do things!

As the Prophet Joseph Smith said "We teach correct Principles and let them govern themselves" 

Well other than an awesome MLC and Zone Conference. We found some guys who were playing ball Wednesday night. And these dudes were actually really good at basketball so we went and changed and played with them. I gave them some licks! It was so fun to compete.. lol they Couldn't believe that a white kid knew how to play ball! After we were able to get to know a lot of these dudes and we are going to teach some of them this week! Basketball to Baptism! :) 

Also the latest counsel given to missionaries from the prophet is to focus on the rising generation! So basically we have been trying to teach teens and young adults! it has been fun. We are teaching this teenager named shakem and luckily his cousin came to visit him while we were there. So we taught them both. They are both doing well and both came to church!! so that was sick. 

My birthday on Sunday was actually surprisingly the best birthday ever. Church was just so spiritual and we were able to have some investigators there. Then we went to the Macs for lunch. And they surprised me with a nice meal and some champaign! it was so nice of them. Seriously nicest thing ever. And they even made homemade coconut ice cream for dessert! I am so blessed! They rest of the day we were able to teach some lessons so overall it was just a solid bday! thanks for all the b-day wishes it means a lot!  I am a real man now! lol 

Well here are some good vibe pics of the week.

Elder Gonzalez!