¡Hola Fonzfam!
I'm starting this email draft at 10 am this morning from the base of the Pup Creek Falls with a couple other companionships from my zone. The trailhead is about 20 minutes south of Estacada which is pretty deep into our area boundaries. It's a four-mile hike to the falls which you turn around and go back the way you came. Along the way are a series of smaller waterfalls, bridges, and overhangs. Even though it's the middle of January, we got a great break in the weather to go on this fun hike for pday.
This last week we've found so many new people to teach by the hand of the Lord. It's been mind blowing how merciful He's been to us. These people we find our sincerely interested in learning more, but for some reason, many of them don't keep their return appointments for one reason or another. It's very difficult to invite them to church when we can't keep consistent contact with them. But we know that once we get these lessons more consistent that our church invites will be more solid and our people will start coming, and then...Baptisms!
During one of our weekly planning sessions, we were inspired to put a former named Spencer on our list of people to stop by. So that's what we did later on Tuesday night. He was home and we introduced ourselves as the new missionaries. He let us in and through our conversation, we quickly found out that his roommate had just taken his life recently.Spencer had a ton of questions of the Plan of Salvation and he shared how we probably were a sign from God that he needed to be turning back to religion. He was so grateful for what we shared and wanted to even have Alma 40:11-12 memorized before we come back because it made him feel so good! We were definitely playing a huge role in God's plan for him and we're excited to see what else He has in store.
This past Friday was our mission-wide conference where Elder Cook and his wife came to talk with us. It was a memorable experience that I will never forget. Elder Cook shared how there needs to be urgency in the work and how President Nelson is leading the Restoration of the gospel. He shared many stories that were inspiring and some that I hope to remember forever. The best part where the Spirit was the most intense was when he shared his witness of the reality of Jesus Christ. He got real serious, told us to listen closely, and bore testimony of his relationship with the Savior with the intense conviction. Everyone had tears running down their cheeks. We concluded the conference with "I Believe In Christ" where the Spirit continued to touch the hearts of everyone. When Elder Cook left, President Bullen got up with tears in his eyes as well and asked that we just sit in silence to let it all sink in. It was incredible. It motivated me and all the other missionaries in the OPM to go about doing the Lord's work with more urgency.
Like Elder Quentin L. Cook of the 12, I can testify of the reality of Jesus Christ and the power of His atonement. He plays a role in God's plan that no one else could do. He is our Savior and Redeemer. I love Him and I know He loves me. I'm grateful to be a part of this amazing movement. I continue to pray for all of you at home. Enjoy this week and all the many blessings we have. I love you and miss you!
Love,
Elder Fonnesbeck
I'm starting this email draft at 10 am this morning from the base of the Pup Creek Falls with a couple other companionships from my zone. The trailhead is about 20 minutes south of Estacada which is pretty deep into our area boundaries. It's a four-mile hike to the falls which you turn around and go back the way you came. Along the way are a series of smaller waterfalls, bridges, and overhangs. Even though it's the middle of January, we got a great break in the weather to go on this fun hike for pday.
This last week we've found so many new people to teach by the hand of the Lord. It's been mind blowing how merciful He's been to us. These people we find our sincerely interested in learning more, but for some reason, many of them don't keep their return appointments for one reason or another. It's very difficult to invite them to church when we can't keep consistent contact with them. But we know that once we get these lessons more consistent that our church invites will be more solid and our people will start coming, and then...Baptisms!
During one of our weekly planning sessions, we were inspired to put a former named Spencer on our list of people to stop by. So that's what we did later on Tuesday night. He was home and we introduced ourselves as the new missionaries. He let us in and through our conversation, we quickly found out that his roommate had just taken his life recently.Spencer had a ton of questions of the Plan of Salvation and he shared how we probably were a sign from God that he needed to be turning back to religion. He was so grateful for what we shared and wanted to even have Alma 40:11-12 memorized before we come back because it made him feel so good! We were definitely playing a huge role in God's plan for him and we're excited to see what else He has in store.
This past Friday was our mission-wide conference where Elder Cook and his wife came to talk with us. It was a memorable experience that I will never forget. Elder Cook shared how there needs to be urgency in the work and how President Nelson is leading the Restoration of the gospel. He shared many stories that were inspiring and some that I hope to remember forever. The best part where the Spirit was the most intense was when he shared his witness of the reality of Jesus Christ. He got real serious, told us to listen closely, and bore testimony of his relationship with the Savior with the intense conviction. Everyone had tears running down their cheeks. We concluded the conference with "I Believe In Christ" where the Spirit continued to touch the hearts of everyone. When Elder Cook left, President Bullen got up with tears in his eyes as well and asked that we just sit in silence to let it all sink in. It was incredible. It motivated me and all the other missionaries in the OPM to go about doing the Lord's work with more urgency.
Like Elder Quentin L. Cook of the 12, I can testify of the reality of Jesus Christ and the power of His atonement. He plays a role in God's plan that no one else could do. He is our Savior and Redeemer. I love Him and I know He loves me. I'm grateful to be a part of this amazing movement. I continue to pray for all of you at home. Enjoy this week and all the many blessings we have. I love you and miss you!
Love,
Elder Fonnesbeck
Mission Conference with the Cooks.
Elder and Sister Cook shared some inspiring words with us Friday.
Pup Creek Falls. 8 miles. 37°F. Mid-January. Amazing.
We made it together to a destination that was worth the cost.
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