Baptismal Blessings ...#BornAgain🌞🌙✨-Week 29

HEELLLOOO!!! Peeps!!!

Sorry I didn't get to email last Monday. We decided that we are going to go to the temple today!!! So last week was pretty awesome!!  Most of it was actually planning for Kylie's baptism and going around visiting some people in the branch that we don't know. It was pretty sweet. I can't really remember a lot that happened to be honest. It was an entire week ago! But one thing that happened that was way awesome was after the baptism. A recent convert named Parker took us out to a sweet restaurant near gallatin Adam-Ondi-Ahman. It was like an hour away from our area, but still in our zone haha.  It was way awesome! It was his birthday. This place makes only Dutch oven food!! It was so good! You just get there, sit down, and they tell you what you are eating. It's really good, and then there are some really cool little shops and log cabins around. So we looked around, then had the long drive home.

Baptism/spirit time: Kylie's baptism was awesome! We had to get there at 5 in the morning to fill up the font and have it heated in time. Her husband got to baptize her!! The program went really
well!! Her father and mother in law gave talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost! Then Elder Taylor and I got to be the witnesses! (Everything went well) then we went back into the relief society room and shared the #Hallelujah Video while they were changing!! We bore our testimonies and the spirit was so strong!! I LOVED it! Kylie was Baptized in a dress (my suggestion) their family looked so beautiful! It was so amazing to see him and her dressed in white! I can't wait to see them again in white clothes next year, with their Children. To be in the temple clothed in white, to be sealed for all of time and eternity!! They are so so excited, and they are going to be such a huge help and blessing to the Branch. One thing  I have learned this week is that the gospel truly does bless families. That is the second principle we teach EVERYONE, right after "God is our loving Heavenly
Father"  I asked Kylie after we taught her the restoration for her new member lessons, "how the Gospel has blessed her family? " and she gave an amazing answer. There has been so much more peace in her family relationship. She said her eyes have been opened to God more, and that
she is ultimately just a happier person. Of course there are still trials and troubles but they are better equipped for them, and put their shoulder to the wheel with a happier heart.

I love the gospel. I know it has blessed my family so much. And the opportunity that we have to be a family, sealed together for all of time and eternity is just absolutely amazing. The words "until death do you part" do not exist in the Kingdom of God, that alone really is a huge testimony builder. I hope to bring as many people as possible to the knowledge of this truth. Missionary work is truly the most fulfilling thing for me.

I love all of you so so much. Temple deets to come on Monday, (and if you know me you know I LOVE the temple) have a wonderful general conference weekend. Heed the messages of the Prophets of the Lord and all the other speakers as well. I promise you that you will find exactly what you need to hear as you listen sincerely and intently.

I LOVE YOU!!!

~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

                                                                   Dutch Ovening

                                                           Kylie's baptism!

#RopinRascles 🐂- Week 28

Helloooooo family!!

This has definitely been an interesting week. We got a lot done! It was sort of a long week. But was good!

Monday we helped the Parkins a little bit more with their kitchen. That was really good! Tuesday was really good too. We all had interviews with President Vest (#Mission President) it was great! I got to talk to him about the work and my own personal self. It was really great. We also got to talk with Sister Vest as well, it went great but she took Siri off of our iPads. Which I was a little sad about hahaha... but some missionaries had been using that feature not wisely. So, everyone gets to pay for it! :)

Then the next day I got to go on exchanges with Elder Kirkham! It was way super awesome! He was one of my ol MTC companions, so it was really cool to catch up and work together again. We got some pizzas and walked over to sonic. Kimberlyn Parkin gave us some free drinks and it was a great day!!! 

We taught Kylie earlier this week. We were supposed to have a campfire with them but of course it started raining :(. So we had some hot dogs inside and had a little lesson. Her Baptism is coming up this Saturday! And it looks like her husband Robby is going to be able to baptize her! It's so exciting! This will definitely be a super busy
weekend! 

Later this week we went to the Dunlaps to do some service! They are super cool. Bruce is a real interesting guy. His wife Leta is also really cool. She's already a member, we are working on trying to help her get to church more often. She leaves on a cruise this week. But we are going to try to get her to the Visitors Center when she gets back. Anyways, we did some service at their house... their middle level floor was sagging down pretty hardcore. So we spent like 6 hours in the basement putting in new support beams and hitting stuff with heavy hammers. It was pretty fun. My body hurts, but we got it about halfway done! Haha. We also ate egg and Spam sandwiches there ;) .

We also did some service at the Ray County Museum which was also really cool. 

But probably the Most interesting thing that happened to me this week is two things. We ate at a family restaurant with the Conner family. Well, it didn't taste bad, but it didn't taste good either. We got the tenderloin and we survived. Buuuuuttttt. We definitely payed with some severe gastroenteritis the next day 😅. But we Still went to the Dunlaps and did all the things. 


The next thing, is that we met a REALLY interesting couple, we've talked to them a few times on the phone in the last couple months. We have been trying to find his records so that our Branch President can marry them. But I don't think he was actually ever baptized. But that's besides the point, we went and finally met them in person the next day. Well we had a lesson with them. They have some really interesting beliefs to say the least. But they are definitely very nice genuine people. Hopefully potentials to join the gospel some day, but there are some things we will need to clear up first haha. 


Spirit time!:  I read through some of the Book of Helaman this week; and of course came across Chapter 5. Where Nephi and Lehi devote themselves to preaching. They help convert a lot of people, but are eventually cast into prison, and 300 people are overshadowed with a cloud of darkness. I love the verses  40-41 

40 "And it came to pass that the Lamanites said unto him: What shall we do, that this cloud of darkness may be removed from overshadowing us?
41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you."
42 And it came to pass that they all did begin to cry unto the voice of him who had shaken the earth; yea, they did cry even until the cloud of darkness was dispersed."

To find the way back as Aminadab had remembered, one must repent and pray until doubt and darkness disappear. It is possible to return. And to see that Heavenly Father focuses on who we are, and who we are to become, instead of who we once were. Doubt and darkness can be removed from all of our lives. We can always overcome darkness.  The Lord will help us! I know that is true. I know that Heavenly Father truly loves all of us, and that he is willing to help, especially if we just simply ask, and have faith. I love all of you!! Thanks for all that you do! Have a marvelous week! 

~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

Elder Kirkham and I 

Flying the Millennium Falcon kite!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

This is my super awesome district- "The Ropin Rascals"

#HorsinAround🐴 -Week 27

Wasssuuuppp!!!!

This was really a great week!! Lots of things happened!!

The last few Mondays we have been teaching a family named the Offields for F.H.E. One of the sons will be getting baptized next month when he turns 8. They are really super awesome!! We sang "Let it Go" from Frozen for the opening song. I am proud to say I remembered most of it!!! So that was really cool, they are an awesome family.

We had another great Lesson with Kylie again!! We talked about the vision of the Tree of Life. I think she really liked it. I have a picture on my iPad I showed her, and we went through all the symbolism. That message is probably one of the most important in the Book of Mormon, because it can talk about many things, but how all of them point to the Love of Christ, and enduring to the end. Which is very important to understand, especially before baptism, baptism is just the gateway...things tend to get a lot harder after. But we know that as we remember Christ always, that all will be well. 
We then had a prayer, and went on to quote back and forth silly things like Spongebob, Mean Girls, and all sorts of different things, it was awesome. On Thursday with her, we read 3 Nephi 11. Which is probably THE most important scripture in the Book of Mormon. When Christ Appears to his people on the American Continent, just after his Resurrection. Everything prior to that in the book speaks of the that event. That is truly the pinnacle part of the whole record of the Nephites and Lamanites. I felt the spirit very strongly while we were reading it together, which I know means that she did too!! We unfortunately were unable to get in another lesson with Ambrose this week. But hopefully next!

We did however go to the Visitors Center with a Member named Jamie and his daughter Aaliyah. That was really good. Aaliyah is not a member, she's 11. But we have been teaching her for a little while. The visitors Center was amazing as always, and I think they really enjoyed it as well! 

Another wonderful thing happened. An Apostle of the Lord came to see us!!!! Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the 12 came to our mission. We had an all mission conference with him, Elder Deschler, and Elder Anderson!! It was so spectacular. We all got to shake their hands!! Haha. But it was Soo good!! My favorite talk was probably Elder Stevenson, and here is why!

(#SpiritTime) Elder Stevenson at first said, we are going to open an app in the back of your brain, that has been running in the background, but is not being used at this time, and is strictly under lock and key, we are going to open it for a sec, talk about it. Then put it back right where it came from until another appropriate time. The app, is eternal marriage...OH JEEZ!!! Haha. That definitely caught me off guard. He was mainly just talking about how President and Sister Vest, are good models of Eternal companions to look for, but it was really funny. 

So the actual spirit part is this... Elder Stevenson as an apostle of the Lord is a special witness of him. Meaning that it is his job and obligation to testify of him always and to everyone. Which is the exact same commission that I have as a full time missionary. Take whatever you will from the term 'special witness.' But I know, that when he testified of Jesus Christ to us, that everything he said is true. I KNOW it. Why? Because the spirit told me so. Just as it has told me that the Bible and Book of Mormon are true as well. But I KNOW that Jesus Christ is The son of the Living God. I felt the spirit very very strong as Elder Stevenson was taking about it. I felt that thing that we can all feel called the Holy Ghost. Who comforts, testifies of truth, and many other things. I KNOW that Christ has paid the price to bring Mercy AND satisfy justice. I have learned a lot about Christ while I have been on my mission. I've learned about who he is. Why it was necessary for us that he atoned. And most importantly, how I can implement Him in my life, and how to help others do that as well. I invite all of you to watch the new #Hallelujah video that the church put out yesterday. It talks about everything I know to be true, and that Elder Stevenson helped reaffirm for me. Thanks for all that you do!! I love all of you, have a marvelous week!

~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

First edition of the Book of Mormon

Add caption

This. Is. Missouri (our burn barrel for the kitchen)

Sister Heitman!

Me and Lindsey Parkin remodeling their kitchen

Week 26- Modeling at the Monument

Hellooooo!!!! How's it going y'all!!

This was a really good week!!!!!  We had a really good lesson with Kylie!!! She and Robby wanted to give us a really good meal. So we went over on Tuesday and they had basically the greatest food ever!!! Crab legs, crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, etc. HOLY COW IT WAS AMAZING!!! They

are just super awesome and working very hard to make March 26th happen!! We taught her the baptismal interview questions. So she is officially done with the preach my gospel lessons!! And we are really going to start focusing on Book of Mormon stuff. So that's really cool!! 

We also did a lot of finding this week. We got 2 new investigators. 1 from the area book of potentials, and another one from a referral! The area book one is named Ambrose. We went there last night with one of the Young Men. Ambrose is like 80 years old and extremely deaf. He thought we were supposed to come tonight. So last night he didn't have his hearing aids in, and he apparently has to do

some serious prep in order to put them in. I dont really know... but I sat right next to

him. And basically had to scream the Book of Mormon to him 

me: THE BOOK OF MORMON IS A RECORD OF GODS DEALINGS IN ANCIENT AMERICA!!....

Him: (smiling) What?

...that went on for about 15 minutes then he started talking about the government and we left. We are gonna go back tomorrow when he has his hearing aids!! Hooray! 

We had a lesson with the refferal Rigo, but he cancelled... :( also.... BAD NEWS.... Cheryl and Steve DROPPED US. So sad! :( I cried a little bit. But we got some new gators so it's ok. It was really sad but it's all part of it!! Hopefully they will turn around soon.  

Also, we did some good service!!! We went to the Ray County Museum and did some cleaning and playing with stuff. So that was fun!! We went to the Dunlaps and did some service. I packed a wheel bearing, (thanks dad and Thor) we helped with some animal stuff, and moved a shed!! So a pretty great week! I love doing service like that!

Spiritual Time: ~ I received some great revelations this week. I read in Alma 46:12-15 about Moroni and the title of Liberty. That has always been one of my favorite events that took place. I love how

courageous he was to defend the amazing gifts he has been given. And even to help other people see the blessings of freedom they have, and to defend it, even if it takes bloodshed. It reminded me of the

amazing country I live in. For the ability and freedom I even have to be a missionary and to believe in God, to have a wonderful family, power to vote, etc. I realized that this land has been and is a land

of promise, even from ancient times until now. A land of freedom. That was another confirming witness for me of the Book of Mormon and the Divinity of this Land. I know it is true. I know that these things actually happened. And that Jesus Christ Lives.

I love all of you! I survived transfers! And awesome things happened!! Elder Kirkham, my MTC companion is in my district! And he's district leader so I'll get to go on exchanges with him! Also, elder Timmreck my other. MTC comp is in my zone!! Crazy!! I love all of you!!  Have a

wonderful week!! Sorry for the super short email.

~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

Last District!

Seafood Medley

Face Swap! #mrsdoubtfire

Ray County Museum

Model shots! At the 3 Witness Monument

Week 25- Headless Hens!

Familllyyyyy. This week Was Pretty awesome!

We had a really great Lesson with Kylie and Robby this Week. We taught them the principals of "eternal Marriage" and "temples and family history." Eternal marriage has been the foremost motivating factor for them to join the church. So we wanted to teach them more about the covenant of it. That it's a promise between the two of them and God. They seemed to really enjoy it. 

Because Elder Taylor and I don't really have any experience on the topic quite yet, we held it at the

Heitman's home. It was really awesome! They gave such great testimonies, they have had lots of experiences with their kids being sealed to them, and have embraced the reassurance of being a family through time and eternity. It was really super touching and I shed a tear or two.

So we did that, Cheryl and Steve unfortunately had to cancel their appointment with us. So we rescheduled for tomorrow night! Hopefully they have still been reading, and at the rate they were going last week, they should just about be done with the book!

I had to give a training at district meeting this week. It was actually pretty fun. It was only the second one I've ever gave. It only had to be 5 minutes, but I'm pretty sure it went for 20. Haha. It was on "The Importance of the Spirit in Missionary Work." So hooray!

So some interesting things happened this week. President Dial (the branch president) lives in Richmond (Yes, THE Richmond). Which is kind of the central point of our area. So we do a lot of service in Richmond or the farms around it. President Dial has a key for us and we can go in and change or eat or whatever if he's not home. So we did that a few days ago, and he's an Apple Product family. So he has all sorts of cool little phone attachments. On the counter was a container holding a box. It is called a Canary, which is basically a smart camera that you just set in your house and it detects unusual movement and sends it to the persons phone who can see video and sound an alarm. Ok.

Well it wasn't set up yet, I was just reading the box, thought it was cool, then set it back down. The next day we come, and the container is still there... But we were in a huge hurry, so we just

decided to change in the hallway real quick...right as we just finish changing, I notice a mysterious little box in the corner. A little red light flips on, and an EXTREMELY loud alarm starts sounding! I screamed like a little girl and cried a little.  We waved to the camera and fled the scene haha. Then President Dial called us, asks where we were, and just starts laughing his head off... only in the life of a missionary! :)

The next day we go to the Dunlap's farm to help put up a fence for his cows. Sister Dunlap calls me into the coop and asks me to catch a few chickens for her...That went well, I eventually catch 5, and she is standing outside the coop with... AN AXE! I may have squealed a little but it was the poor girls' time. So she takes them, holds them down on a block and brother Dunlap played executioner. Turns out that the so called myth of headless chickens is REAL...blood flying everywhere as

well as the chicken...headless. I even got attacked by one.

I never thought I would experience plucking and gutting chickens on my mission, but...only in the life of a missionary! It was pretty gross. She even saved the gizzards hearts and livers. (Which gizzards are actually pretty good I've discovered.) She said we shall be having fried chicken next time we come over!! So that definitely makes for a very interesting week in Missouri!

Spirit time: I learned and reflected a lot on the atonement of Christ this week. I had some questions about it, prayed, and the next thing I know is I am reading Alma 42:23 Which says "But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice." 

I did learn that the Savior's performance of the atonement, the unimaginable pain and anguish he experienced for each of us, sweat as it were drops of blood,  and Him dying for us on the cross truly is the most magnificent act of love that has ever happened. His mission truly was "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. " Such an act of grace that we could never repay, but still satisfies the demands of justice. I understand more in depth that not only did he grant the blessings for EVERYONE to be resurrected, but also opened the way to eternal life for all who would follow Him,

repent and have faith in the atonement, and observe and keep the commandments and ordinances of His gospel. And it makes me so happy to share that with others. I KNOW it is true, I KNOW that Jesus is the Christ, and He is the only way for us to return.

I love all of you!! Thanks so much for being awesome! Crazy that my 6 month mark is this week. Transfers are this Thursday, so send stuff at your own risk :) ! I appreciate all the support, have a marvelous

week!

~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward.

Parker and I

Constructing Zion! - Week 24

Hello Family and friends!!

This was a super duper good and busy week!! Lots of things happened!! We taught quite a few less active members, and committed them to come to church and some of them came! So that was cool!! It's also been a really nice week weather wise! 70 degrees or so most of the week! Which was good because most people were out and about doing stuff so we had more opportunity to talk to people!  We also had the chance to do some service a few times!

I went on exchanges again with Elder Pope to the Kearny 3rd area again. It was pretty fun! We tried some potentials there that I have actually met before on the last exchange, and one of them became a new investigator! So that was really exciting to see and be a part of. We went to a member of the Far West Stake Presidency's house, President Meyer. I also went there last time. They are such an awesome family. One thing that I really like about them is that they have such a clean house!! They are just as nice as nice can be. They remind me a lot of my old boss Dr. Cole and his family. And a lot of members from the Chapel Hill Ward and Victory View Ward back home. Just very very nice and friendly and Christ like! I met their son Cole both times. He has been going out with Elder Thompson and Elder Pope a few times. He is really cool. I outlined the Plan of Salvation for him and gave him some parts to talk about for the next lesson he goes with.  There aren't many families like that in the Wood heights Branch. And I'm certainly missing that a little bit haha. It may not seem like it to outsiders, but Missouri is definitely a huge culture shock, and I love it! Although, I'm dreading the summer humidity time coming up haha.

One other thing. WE GOT KYLIE ON DATE FOR BAPTISM!! It was so awesome! Kylie is super solid. Loves the gospel and just can't wait till the day she can be sealed to her husband. She wants her husband Rob to baptize her!! Rob is working towards that!! We don't know exactly how long it will take for him to get there. But we set a goal for them to baptize Kylie on March 26th!! I sneakily suggested that day because it is my Brother Ethan's Birthday and I just think that would be cool! Also, it's the same day as the Women's General Broadcast. So that will be a busy day for her! Just keep her in your prayers that all will go well and that that day can happen!

Also. We stopped by Cheryl and Stevens. That one referral. Last week we weren't able to set up another appointment because they were super busy. But we stopped by this last Friday. And Cheryl came to the door.
She said sorry she never called back haha. But she said that she has read HALF OF THE BOOK!! Not sure if she meant the whole book or first book of Nephi. But we are gonna call it the whole Book of Mormon until we hear otherwise! Haha. It's so amazing! Definitely an answer to prayers! She said she has a couple questions, but that she really liked it! So we have an appointment for Tuesday!! So exciting!!

On Saturday we helped a recent convert build a new deck for his porch. Brother Arnold is his name. He is really cool. And can build anything! So we helped him with that and nailed some new tin roofing onto his shed! So that was fun!

This week I was reading in the book of Alma. And came across Alma 36:30.  This chapter is Alma telling his son Helaman about his conversion after seeing an angel...towards the end of the chapter, after the story of the conversion he says: "But behold, my son, this is not all; for ye ought to know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word." I realized that the word "prosper" in there also refers to the spiritual meaning. Of course it may refer to material things as well. But I think namely things of the spirit. If we keep the commandments, we prosper. We are successful in obtaining the blessings of being close to the Lord. We are on the track to entering the Lords presence. And if we don't keep the commandments, of course the opposite effect happens, and we are "cut off from his presence." I love how simple the gospel really is.  And how wonderful the blessings are if we live it. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son Of God and that he is the only way for us to return. I Know the commandments are holy and truly are for our benefit. To keep us happy, have eternal families, and to return to Father in Heaven.

I love all of you so much!! Have a splendid week!!
~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

Brother Arnold's deck! 

Referrals for Dayzz- Week 23

Well hello! Happy week!!

It's been a pretty good week! We got lots done here in the Wood heights Branch this week! We started off on Monday going referral contacting! Nobody was home, so we left some little notes and such. We taught lots of Less actives this week. One even took us out to dinner! We went to Applebee's. Which it's pretty amazing that they even have that here...we had to get permission to leave the area haha. But I had spinach artichoke dip!! Sister Conner is the one who took us out! It was  really awesome! She brought her non-member friend Ed along. Ed has met with missionaries in the past, in the Independence 4th ward. He was really close to being baptized once upon a time, but he had some issues that hadn't been cleared up yet. And apparently the missionaries just
handled everything utterly terribly wrong, which is so sad. So he wasn't baptized. But he came to dinner, he lives in excelsior now. We cleared up a lot of questions he had. He said he wants to leave everything that happened in Inde. 4th in the past! We weren't able to set up another time to meet with him, but he said it wasn't the last that we would be seeing him! So that was really cool! 

We went on exchanges this week. I Went to the Kearney 1st ward with the  district leader Elder Thompson. It was really awesome! We went to dinner at an awesome members hose WHO IS GOING TO SEE ELLEN THIS WEEK!! Her mom was on it before, on the twins episode, and now they are going back! I told her to tell Ellen that she is awesome from me. So hopefully that gets passed along. But while on the exchange, Elder Taylor and popped went to go see Kylie! Apparently it was really good! She is definitely set on getting baptized, she can't give us a date yet, but we DO know that it's probably going to be in March. She wants her husband to
baptize her, so he is working towards that! 

 We went back yesterday to the referrals home, Cheryl and Steve. We have been praying all week to find solid prepared investigators. We knock on the door, she looks confused, and I'm ready for her to slam it. But we start talking and she says..." Come in!!" Wwwooooaaa! That doesn't just happen. We go in, it turns out they have a granddaughter being raised Mormon. They didn't refer themselves, but they wanted to know more about if she is
being raised right! So we start off with a prayer, and have just an absolutely amazing restoration lesson. They asked all the right questions, and the spirit was just so strong!!! Definitely one of the best lessons I've experienced on my mission so far. They pretty much agreed With everything we talked about That God really can call a prophet today, and that he WOULD and HAS. We invited them to baptism, and they said when they know it's true, that's something they will definitely do. They had some questions about the temple, and we testified of eternal families and the amazing blessings that come from the temple. They LOVED the idea of being sealed for all of time and eternity. They committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. I KNOW that they were truly an answer to our prayers, and will hopefully go to our zone goal of 16 baptisms in the month of March. The Power of Prayer is just so amazing and this work is truly amazing.

 It's so crazy that February is already over halfway over. This transfer is flying! I love this work and know the Lord is at the helm. I love all of you so much!! Have a wonderful rest of the week, talk to you soon!

~Elder Samuel laVar Ward.
(Letters are welcome ;) 
209 Fine St. Apt. #3
Excelsior Springs, MO 64024

I'm wearing a Lava Lava because I forgot my pajamas on exchanges this week! 

I didn't give in!