Email March 24, 2014

Hey all! (Not y'all, just hey all :)) This week. There wasn't a ton that happened this week. We went over and had another lesson with Rick Richard in which we began to ask him the baptismal interview questions. Funny that I was starting to think, wow this could be his time. He could be ready for baptism now. And right after I thought that, he answered the second baptismal question (do you believe President Monson is the Lord's prophet on the earth today?) with, "No, I'm not sure I can believe that yet. He is a great guy, but I don't think he is a prophet." And basically went on to explain that he thinks President Monson is an awesome person, but that, like a corporation, he just climbed the ladder and made it to the top. He has trouble believing he is a prophet because he hasn't seen or heard of him performing a miracle or seeing God the Father or Jesus Christ. We tried to explain that the church isn't like a corporation, that the people are called of God and although in the Twelve it starts to to by seniority, that whoever is called to be prophet is the one foreordained to that calling. That he truly is called of God, not just a big ladder to climb. He still has trouble with it, but he is still praying about baptism and the truth of the Book of Mormon and the church. When he comes to realize the the church is true, he will by default then know that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet on he earth today. So hopefully he prays sincerely so that he can receive that witness. He is still our closest person for baptism and he really likes to meet with us and read the Book of Mormon with us. He is awesome. I hope he comes to know of the truthfulness of the gospel. Just goes to show, and all past missionaries will know this, that the adversary strikes the hardest right at the time when the best things are about to come to pass. Like Lehi said, "it must needs be that here is opposition in all things." I was SO excited for him! But now it's going to be a little while. Hopefully he'll watch general conference and come to realize the truth of, well, everything he's been taught about the church. He's such a great guy! I want him to receive so much more happiness! Some of our other investigators are doing well. One, Jim Richards, is a pretty golden investigator. The only problem is that he talks soooo much. He was in the Vietnam War and likes to tell a lot of stories. Last time we talked he thought it was hard to believe that someone died for him, but last time we went over he said he had been thinking about it and feels that maybe someone really did die for him. It was awesome to hear! We plan to go over again this week and keep talking with him about the restoration and invite him to be baptized. We are hoping like crazy that the courage and faith we are told to have in inviting people to be baptized will pay off. He is a really nice guy and has been searching for a church for a little while now. So he's in his prime time for us. Another, Bonnie, we were unable to meet with this week. We had a lesson set up, but no one answered the door. We are going back again this week a few times to hopefully catch her home. She knows baptism is important and wants to do it, but since it's so big she isn't sure about it just yet. Which is fair, it's a big thing. So hopefully we will be able to help her know, through the Spirit, that this is the true church. Kevin and Nicole. This one is interesting. Not married, have kids, smoking. They used to come to church, but haven't come in a while. We are trying to get them to come, but they've both gotten really busy recently. They are both suuuuuper nice, awesome people. They want Jesus Christ in their lives. I hope we are able to work with them and I hope they are willing to do it too. Their kids are awesome too. They're really young, but adorable haha. When we say prayers there, Kevin and Nicole both are on their knees and seem sincere and humble and it's amazing. Whenever we show them a video on the iPad, Kevin gets really close and leans in and seems really interested and Nicole always talks about how good it was. I love all of these people! I want them to come to know the truth so badly! It's the opposition. But here's the thing. Opposition = Growth. The hard times are what make us grow stronger, closer to Heavenly Father. I'm trying to appreciate the hard times. It's really hard. :) But it helps to know that there is a reason behind everything. It's good to know that it doesn't just end. What would life be if it just, after all of the joy, the love, the happiness, etc., we just...weren't? Not that we weren't any of those things, but that we just aren't there anymore. That's the end...what? How can anyone be happy with that? We see people all of the time accept their circumstances, accept who they are, accept what's happening in the world, but how can anyone be okay with just saying that after the good life they've lived, there's no more? I don't understand it. I'm so thankful for this gospel in my life that allows me to know that it's really not all for nothing. That there is a reason. Look at the universe. It's too complex, too massive, too incomprehensible. There's no way it was all by accident. Think about it. If the universe was an accident, does that mean that we are an accident? That we weren't meant to be here? That all of the billions of people who have lived on the earth were never meant to be, but they were just accidentally able to live, feel, enjoy? No. It couldn't be. I'm so thankful for the gospel. It is SO incredible. I love he gospel. I love you guys! :) the mission is teaching me incredible things. Love, Elder Jacob Cevering :)