Last week

2 John 1:12. 2 Timothy 4:7.

See you guys soon!

Love,

Elder McGrath

Temple: July 22, 2015

Hey everybody, It is crazy to be thinking that I am entering into my second to last week of my mission. I already set up some appointments for after I finish my mission (thanks to vacations. :)). 

This past week has been really good. We had some ups and downs. One of the biggest things I have learned on my mission is a principle in itself: enduring to the end. 

All of us endure different trials and challenges. We all face adversity in every aspect of life. whether we want it or not. We just need to remember that God gives us trials, not only to punish us but instead to help us grow. We all have a purpose here in life and because of that, Heavenly Father molds us to be the person that we need to be, not what we want to be. My wise mother told me that He can always take away the trial if He wants to but He doesn't because He sees the bigger picture. 

In all of my areas, I have moments where I was beaming with happiness with the ways things are going and moments where I was disappointed. There are some in-between moments. But the biggest thing I have seen through those trials is that I have always found incredible families that I was able to teach. 

I remember this one time in Clinton when Elder Kelley and I have baptized our entire teaching pool and before we knew it, we were back at tracting. We were trying so hard to find some people to teach and to help them come closer to Christ. 

We found no one to teach. This happened three weeks in a row. It was one of the toughest trials of my life. But, I will never forget the day that I knocked on a house in Clinton. It was the Cefalos. From there on, my life has changed. 

I was reading about that a couple nights ago. If I have never underwent that trial, I would have never met the Cefalo family. If I have never met the Cefalo family, I wouldn't be the person that I am today. The Lord truly blesses those people, who endures with faith and patience. That is one of the biggest things I have learned on my mission. 

In 3 Nephi 15:9, we read, "Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."

This is Jesus Christ speaking. People who endure those trials gains eternal life. All of the difficult times and hardships we go through will be for a small moment. King Benjamin, one of my favorite character in the Book of Mormon, wisely said, "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual. And if they hold out faithful to the end, they are received into heaven that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true, for the Lord God hath spoken it" (Mosiah 2:41). 

The past few weeks in Morgan have been a little tough because a lot of lessons have been falling through. But some exciting things happened.

Last night, Elder Aston and I stopped by one of our recent converts, the Starks. Courtt and Chad got ordained to the Priesthood and got their Temple Recommend!!!!! We will be going to the Ogden Temple this Thursday to do baptisms for the dead. I am super stoked for that. It will be an amazing experience for them! They have came a long way to get to where they are at. I can tell that they are becoming converted to the Gospel. What a great feeling that is!!

A few days ago, Elder Aston and I had an awesome lesson with the Fairbourn family. They are so close but they are not quite there yet. So close! Ahhh!! Anyways, Elder Aston and I have a lesson tonight with them. I hope that it will go well. 

Junior is doing very well. He is staying active and strong. He is opening up a lot more in lessons and being more involved! I am happy about that. We had a solid lesson with them last night. They are awesome kids! They know a ton about the Gospel. 

Now, I saved the best for last!! 

Last Tuesday evening, after correlation meeting, we were out knocking on doors because we had no appointments that evening. We left a specific part of area to go out and knock on more doors. While we were driving around, Elder Aston and I had the exact same feeling. We felt inspired to go back to where we were. We decided to follow the inspiration and went back.

We stopped by the Stake President's house because we felt that we needed to. One of their sons (who just got back from his mission a few weeks ago) was there and asked if he could come with us. We said ok and he went downstairs to change. After he got changed into his church clothes, we left.

The first two houses we knocked on wasn't there but the third one, I am convinced that we were supposed to knock on, was amazing! A 23 years old guy named Tyler opened up and Cameron (the stake president's son) didn't know him. We got to know him a little bit and it turns out that he is just there for a week with his uncle and aunt until today. He is moving to Clearfield to go to Job Corps so he can become an electrician. 

Anyway, we asked if we could share a message with him and he agreed. He told us that he is a Christian and is not very familiar with the LDS faith. We got to share a scripture and testified of Him. We got into a very good discussion about Jesus Christ. Tyler has a lot of knowledge and wants to learn even more. We committed him to start meeting with the missionaries. He seems like a golden investigator but we had to hand him over to the Zone Leaders because they cover the YSA wards in our area. Last time I heard, he is progressing towards baptism. He is going to get baptized on August 8th. So, that will be very exciting. 

Man, I love miracles. I love my mission so much because I get to see miracles every day! I love you all so much and have a wonderful week. Stay strong and enjoy Arizona. I will see you guys soon! It is crazy how fast time is flying! No joke! Love, Elder McGrath

A great week in Morgan

Hey everyone, I hope that you are enjoying Arizona and it's super crazy to hear that Dad is flying in on Sunday night. Time flies by so fast. It's unbelievable. So, this week has been a little difficult because Elder Aston and I had a lot of lesson falling through. I know that this is a trial and if that we persevere, the Lord will bless us immensely for doing so. When I was reading in my journal last night, I came across my time in Smithfield and read about Sawyer. 

The whole experience reminded me that six consecutive lessons fell through but we were able to teach Sawyer and he ended up following Jesus Christ by being baptized. Having all of those lessons fall through consecutively was so difficult but finding Sawyer made it all worth it. Just from reading that story, it gave me that push to keep going. I know that we all go through difficult times in all phases of life but when we endure, that is when the Lord blesses us the most. I have seen that so many times on my mission. That is one of the biggest things I am taking away from my mission. 

We had some good things happen this week despite a lot of things falling through. 

First things first, Elder Aston and I had an awesome lesson with Junior and Alazae McDermott last night. We were able to review the Restoration with Jenga and it went super well. We were able to use Jenga to demonstrate Jesus Christ establishing His Church, Great Apostasy and the Restoration. They understood everything very well. They are still progressing, even after baptism. They are a great family!!

A few days ago, we found out about a little more stuff about Maddie and it was incredible. Before last school year, she was against the LDS church and did not want to do anything with it. A boy in her grade started working with her and helping her understand the doctrine of the church. It's easy to make judgments without really understanding the basics. As you do know, she then took a full year of seminary and is reading the Book of Mormon and we found out that it is all because this guy. After hearing about this, we asked who this guy is. Guess what he said? He told us that it is Cody McDermott. Junior and Alazae's uncle!! The same uncle who baptized Junior. How awesome is that? We talked to Cody and he already called Maddie. He was able to set up a lesson and this seems like the most solid lesson (meaning that it doesn't look like it was fall through). I am super stoked about that. 

We found a person to start teaching. His name is Lee. He is about 70 or 80 years old and he isn't very active in the church due to a stroke he had a few months ago. He is like the most awesome guy in Morgan.The stories that he shares are incredible! He used to be in the Navy. He was employed right after WW2. Part of his job was to scan the ocean for Russian submarines and surveillance stuff. He has some pretty cool stories. So, I am very excited to start teaching him.

Our other investigators are progressing. We are currently teaching Lisa Baugh, who is not a member. She is very complacent with the way life is going and doesn't really want to change. We are trying our very best to help her realize how the Gospel can change her life!

The Fairbourns are doing well. It is still tough with the father but I know that he can do it. He keeps relapsing but we are going to start going by everyday to help him stay focused on his goal. He needs to become worthy. He is so close. I know that he can do it!

Now, I saved the best for last. Last Sunday at about 2pm, Courtt and Chad were ordained to the office of Deacon! How incredible is that? Courtt and Chad were able to get their temple recommend so they will be doing baptisms for the dead. I am so excited for them. So excited!! :)

I love you all so much! Have a great week and stay strong! Keep enjoying Arizona and I will see you all soon. :) Love, Elder McGrath

Baptism

Hey everyone, It has been a wonderful week in Morgan. A lot of great things has happened this past week. To be honest, I am LOVING my time as a missionary. I never want to finish my mission or go home. Everything is perfect right now. I love it. 

Elder Aston and I had the best 4th of July ever! We were able to witness Junior and Alazae follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood of God. It was an incredible baptismal service. They both have came a long way. I heard a little bit about all of the chaos that was going on earlier and it was incredible to realize how far they came. They are incredible kids and deserve great things. I am so happy for them. 

A few days ago, I was exchanges with Elder Simbeck (Yes, I served with him when I was in Clinton) and we went over to the Fairbourns. It went super well. We were able to find out the real concern to what's holding back Brother Fairbourn. It was an incredible lesson. The kids are ready. All we need to do is to resolve Brother Fairbourn's concern; then we're golden. Elder Aston and I know exactly what we need to do. To be honest, I am looking forward to it. 

Last night, we stopped by the Stark's bishop and he informed us that the mother got her Temple Recommend. How awesome is that!!!!! Courtt and Chad's ordination is on hold because the Bishop wants to see if Brother Stark will try to become worthy to ordain Courtt and Chad. We will have to see what happens. 

I am so thrilled for tonight because we have a lesson with Kylee tonight. I am praying that it will go through. Elder Aston and I talked to her grandmother and she mentioned to us that she is so excited to be baptized. It is just the father that is holding her back because he is putting the whole baptism thing on the side. 

We met with Maddie's friend and he told us awesome things about Maddie. He told us that Maddie is very excited to learn about the Church. She has been texting him nonstop with questions about the Church. He thinks that she will be a golden investigators. I am praying that her lesson (happening on Friday) will go through. I am so pumped to start teaching her. 

Elder Aston and I found two teenagers to start teaching: Dallas and Dillon. They both are brothers and are not members of the church. Dallas and Dillon has a friend, Zach, who is very active in the church and invited them both to meet with us. I am so excited for it. It will be awesome! 

Last Thursday, Elder Aston and I were able to meet President Jaggi. He is going to be an awesome Mission President. He has a family of 4 kids, who are under the age of 18 and are living with him. They will be like little siblings so that will be cool! He has a huge testimony of Jesus Christ and it was amazing to hear his testimony. He really does love the Savior. He also has a strong testimony of the Gospel. 

I know that the Gospel is true and Jesus is the Christ. His path is only path that will lead to the Celestial Kingdom. I know that He lives!

Great things are happening right now in Morgan. I am so happy with the way everything is going. :) I love you all so much and I will see you all soon. Enjoy Arizona for me! Stay strong! :) Love, Elder McGrath

Fourth of July baptism

Hello everyone, Thanks for the emails. They are always fun to get and read. I'm glad that Arizona is going well. I still can't believe that I only have one more transfer. It's crazy! I'm loving my mission and the gospel. It truly blesses all those who listen and obey.

On a side note, it has been really hot here lately. It even feels like Arizona at times. It's really weird! It was definitely a lot hotter than last year. Some people were telling us that there is a big heat wave that is going on.

Elder Aston and I are doing super well. It was a difficult week. We had to drop some people we were teaching. It's never fun to do so. We had to drop Matt because we have been teaching him for a few weeks now and he has not kept any commitments. He even told us that we are wasting our time on him. So that was a little tough but we are pushing through. Whenever we persevere through a difficult time, that is when the Lord blesses us the most.

First off, Junior is doing so well. That kid is extremely smart. He may come off as shy but he is a genuinely good kid. Last Monday, we had a lesson with him to go over the Word of Wisdom and the Baptismal Interview Questions (BIQs). At the beginning of the lesson, we wanted to know what he knew about the Word of Wisdom. He then proceeded to tell us the five things that Heavenly Father specifically told us that we shouldn't put into our body (coffee, alcohol, tea, tobacco and illegal drugs/substances). It was crazy! I never had that happen to me on my mission! Really cool.

He is stoked to be baptized this Saturday. He is so ready to be baptized! He mentioned to us that he will celebrate his baptism with fireworks and then celebrate the anniversary every year with fireworks. Haha, genius. The 4th of July is a great day to get baptized. :)

Emma and Hayden Fairbourn are doing well. We had a great lesson with them last Monday and it went well. We were able to commit them to pray to overcome their obstacles so they can be baptized. It was received
well and hopefully, it will go through.

The lesson with Maddie fell through because of her birthday party and her parents took her out tubing. We are hoping to get an appointment later this week but we will see what happens because her friend (the one who originally set up the lesson) is on Trek right now. On that subject, last Tuesday evening, Elder Aston and I were able to tag along with 70 other Angels to assist in the Trek. It was so much fun! There was three huge steep hills by Hardscrabble Canyon so our job was to help three handcart companies get through the hills. We were not allowed to talk and it was a cool experience. It was a ton of fun because I got to know some of the members, who were the other Angels. The whole experience was a blast!

Last week, we were able to meet with the Stark family one last time before handing them off to the Ward and it was so good. The father was there. The first time ever! He is not active in the Church because of his job (he works for the Morgan Police Department). He told us that he saw a huge change in the family because of the gospel. When he gets his shift change (happening in August), he will start coming to church with the family. How awesome is that?!

Courtt and Chad are receiving the Aaronic Priesthood this Sunday and they are going to be interviewed for their Temple recommend! They are so excited to do baptisms for the dead in the Utah Ogden Temple! I'm so stoked for them to have this experience. I still remember my first time and that was a memorable part of my Deacon years. The Spirit is super strong inside the Temple. The Temple IS a holy temple. A house for God. I love Temples so much! :)

President Hiers has finished his mission. He left for Boston with his wife a couple days ago. President Jaggi (pronounced: ya-gee) got here and we are meeting him and his family (four of his kids are under 18 so that will be interesting) later this week. I am looking forward to it. It will definitely be a little weird with having a new Mission President, especially for just a month.

I am looking forward to an awesome week and busy one too! I love serving here in Morgan. The people here are fantastic and I love being around them. I am working hard and enjoying everything immensely. I love being a missionary so much! :)  I love you all and stay strong! I will try to be better with the weekly email next Tuesday! Love you all so much! Love, Elder McGrath