Kolob- Week 18

Hello family! 

This was a pretty awesome one! Lots of things happened! We had a great lesson with a lady named Teresa and her  husband Ron. Not the same Theresa getting baptized soon though. This one was a good lesson! We had Bro. Black with us and he answered a lot of questions that I definitely couldn't, so it worked out well. We are meeting again this Tuesday! 

We also taught Jan! it was pretty good! We had Brother Bruce with us to reteach the restoration because she has forgotten it a little bit over time. It was a good!  We asked her to be baptized again, but she said "nah... someday!" She is beginning to move away from her old church, so... baby steps!

We also took Theresa to Liberty Jail! It was great! Bro. Reynolds took us. It was very spiritual as usual, and she said multiple times how pumped she is for her baptism on Friday! She is so excited and I'm pumped for her! It's so amazing to see the progression she has made! I love it. 

The next day we helped the Kaw River Ward with a "lost sheep" activity and they gave us pizza! 

We had Theresa come to church this last Sunday, and we taught "Exaltation." Which she LOVED. But Liberty Jail was amazing, and other than that we mainly were trying to find people this week. And we also had a good zone training. 

One night this week we went to dinner  at Patrick Bruce's house, aaaaannnndddd he bought a

PRACTICE CHANTER!!!!!! aaaaahhhhh and I even got to play it! I have been missing my pipes  sooooo much lately, and that was definitely a blesssing...  This work is truly a blessing of the Lord, I love seeing the changes not only in my life, but others as well. I'm so glad to be here.  

I finished the Book of Mosiah this week. The Book of Mosiah has always been one of my favorites in the Book of Mormon. I love that it shows how influential people are to each other, especially when they are in some sort of leadership position. Mosiah was a righteous ruler, King Noah was a wicked one. Both of their people followed in their ways. But the Lord only helps one way. The people of Mosiah prosper and the people of Noah perish. it is also amazing to see how Mosiah didn't care to be king, and that he even set up the Judge system for after his time. I learned that those who are truly humble are definitely favored of the Lord and receive many blessings. Also, that they are able to help others even when they are gone. He set up a system where people could dwell in righteousness, but more importantly have the agency and ability to do so. He helped bless the lives of many. I hope to be like him someday and to always strive to be a righteous and humble servant continuously forever. 

I know the words of the Book of Mormon are true, and I love sharing it with others. Thanks so much for all the love and support! 

FYI--- Transfers are on the 21st of January, so if you are going to send something, and it wouldn't get here by then, I'd recommend waiting haha. 

BUT THANKS SO MUCH!! I LOVE ALL OF

YOU!!

~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

HI!

Our car got PUNKED!

With the Zone Leaders at KC Joes. SOOOOO good! 

Elder Torrico and I.... and a daughter of God in the background.

Stopped by the 9/11 Memorial

Best Zone EVA!

Liberty Jail with Theresa, Bro. Reynolds, and Elder Kolacz

and FINALLY.... BAGPIPES!!! (practice chanter) "If You Could Hie to Kolob"

Shout out to Grant Harbison... Wish we could have them harmonies! haha

Liberty to our souls - Week 10

Hello hello! 

What a good week this week! We got lots done! We also got a couple of new investigators! HOORAY!! Unfortunately, a lot of our investigators cancelled. But we did a lot of member work, and committed a part member family to take the missionary lessons as a family! It was awesome! They are the Pehrsons who we helped cut down a few trees for! 

Also, the Tuesday birthday was awesome! Thanks so much
for all the letters and packages! But the best birthday present of all was the new investigator we found at the mailbox! His name is Richard,he's had a pretty rough time but we know how to help him! We are going to hopefully meet with him today, he lives in the same apartment complex as us. He is really cool and has a sweet mustache. We had dinner one night this week at the tadys, our ward mission leader. We had the splendid meal of pizza. And we stayed way too long. I think it was like 2.5 hours. We just got caught up so much in talking about the temple. Which was so awesome! I learned so much from them and we are going to try to go in the next couple weeks. I'm so excited! The Kansas City, Missouri temple is so pretty! Y'all need to come!

 Also, the wonderful Will Dillulo and Linda Clayton took us to Historic Liberty Jail and the Visitors Center! Those places are so awesome and so spiritual! I love the Liberty jail. You definitely know that that is where the prophet Joseph Smith was and more importantly, where he received revelation in the Doctrine of Covenants Sections 121, 122, and 123. I advise all of you to read those sections. And remember that everything that was revealed to Joseph applies to us individually as well. Also, our investigator Theresa committed to baptism! She is doing very well and is planning to get baptized in the next couple months. She wouldn't set a specific date, but we are planning to fix that this week.

 A great week over all! Lots of member work and other lessons. It was great! One quick thought. In the historic Liberty jail it goes through the story of the saints persecution out here in the Midwest, and what Joseph and the other prisoners in jail experienced. The last couple weeks have been a little hard with homesickness and such. But when I was in the rotunda of the jail, and the presentation of the Lord talking to the prophet played. They read a quote from section 121 that really brought peace unto my soul, and changed my outlook on many things in life. It says "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (Section 121 verses 7-8) I love that. I know it's true, it is the words of the Lord our God. If we endure, we WILL be exhaled and we will find that everlasting peace and comfort. This IS the church of Jesus Christ. And I'm so glad to be sharing it. Thanks again for all that you do! I hope it is a great week! Thanks for everything! Love you!

-Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

 Birthday French Toast!

  Liberty Jail!

           Will and Linda took us to an Indian Buffet!

                             New coat, thanks mom and dad!

 Go Cups