Living the dream

Hey guys, I am writing to you all from the place up in North Ogden. North Ogden is pretty cool. My stake covers a bit of the homes that is on the mountain of Ben Lomond. It is really really cool. When we get to the top of our stake, we can all of Ogden, Riverdale, Roy, Clinton, Clearfield, Syracuse and little bit of Farmington, If the valley was all the way flat, we would be able to see Salt Lake City but there is a little ridge that is blocking the view. Haha.

I came into this area and they had no investigators.. Not one nonmember we were teaching...We had a first lesson with two nonmembers, John and Ashley, and we taught the Five Essentials (a teaching tool we have in this mission). I invited them both to be baptized in August. They had a concern and it was resolved. They had a problem with Word of Wisdom (smoking) so I set the baptismal date for August 23rd, allowing them enough time to quit smoking. John and Ashley were evicted from their apartment because they weren't paying their rent so they are living with a couple of friends, whom the mother was baptized last month and the father is returning to activity. 

We had our second lesson with them last Sunday and that didn't go as well as I planned. We planned on teaching the Restoration with pamphlets. We started talking and they pulled out their tablet and laptop and started doing things on them. It was really confusing because they were evicted from their apartment but yet, they have the tablet and the laptop.. Confusing.. haha.. They got too absorbed into them so we had to get going..

The next morning, the Bowden family (the family that John and Ashley are staying with) called us and told us that they are kicking out John and Ashley because they were smoking inside the house (the Bowden parents were also trying to quit smoking so this didn't really help). It became a mess real quick. Ashley later then texted us, asking for help. We called the Zone Leaders and they advised us to stay out of the situation so we sent a very very polite text to Ashley saying that due to the circumstances, we are unable to assist you with this type of situation because of legal reasons. She then told us to *insert not very nice words here* and she went on blaming the church for her problems and telling us that God isn't real because if God is real, He would help everyone. We just laughed and ignored it. 

So, there. Two dates were dropped and we are back down to no investigators. But I am keeping my head up because "patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting" (Joyce Meyer). I am being patient and doing my best. I also am working extremely hard and trying to build great relationship with the stake leadership. Did you know that my high councilor over missionary work is cousins with the Krey family from Clinton? How crazy is that?!

I know that I will find people to teach. I know that I will find, teach, baptize and get them on the road to the temple. I have no doubt in that. So far, I have two families who will be sealed in February. I have already witnessed a family become sealed last May and it was amazing. I love being a missionary because my commission is to unite families for eternity. Families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan. Oh, what wonderful knowledge that we all have. It was all because of one young man's decision to ask God a question. We are privileged to be a part of Jesus Christ's church. I am proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Stay strong and have an awesome week. I am looking forward to witnessing all of the tender mercies I will be receiving in the next week in North Ogden. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am truly living the dream because I get to represent Jesus Christ as a missionary. There is nothing greater than being a missionary for the Church. I love seeing how the gospel blesses families. 

I hope all is well, and if it's not, say a prayer. It'll get better. Always. Have an amazing week! Love, Elder McGrath

Pioneer Day 2014 Parade. I am on the far left.

 am the very very far left.