A Call from Elder Budge

November 7, 2010~Why hello everyone! Thanks for all the pics and emails this week. That is pretty cool that Budge gave you guys a call. He has been one of my favorite companions. Where is his homecoming going to be? I forgot. That was when I was on transfer 2 about a year ago. Pretty crazy how time flies. Everyone seems way happy and enjoying life. That would be pretty cool if Lenzi and Jon moved by the high school. That is pretty sad that everyone is getting sick in the ward. I'll be praying for them. Could I write them a letter or something too? Maybe send me there addresses next week. I have been thinking about a lot of things lately and I am so thankful for the gospel. These new converts are starting in on a quest of sorts. The road to eternal life is straight and narrow and that is what makes it hard. It is really cool to see them make their first steps in the gospel. You asked for a couple of the investigators names so here they are. Kento, Iru, Yu, and Kageyama. These are the people preparing for baptism this month. Kento and Iru are Sister Arito`s kids. Yu chan is 10 years old and is one of Iru chan`s friends. Kageyama is 40 and met with the missionaries about 5 years ago when he was looking for a job. He found a job and it was on Sunday so he stopped meeting. He recently lost his job and met the missionaries randomly at a mall. He realized that God always puts the missionaries in his path when he needs it so he his meeting with the missionaries and coming to church. Yesterday a way sweet thing happened at church. After sacrament meeting a girl named Yuri came to the church. She is fluent in English and got baptized in San Francisco in another church when she was going to college there. She wants to find a church to go to in Yonago so she looked on the internet and found ours! It was a miracle and she seems pretty prepared. I have felt so blessed lately and my whole life to be apart of things from God. It is pretty special to witness. I am always speechless. Last week I went to Kobe to receive training and tonight I am going to Okayama until Thursday night to receive more. Pretty wild huh! While in Kobe I was trained a little bit on how to help the members. All of us missionaries received more information on the Rescue Plan. About a year ago Pres. Monson gave a talk about how to help and "rescue" our friends. This is how I have been trying to help my friends like Dana and Kody. Right now in my ward everyone is way fired up because there have been 3 baptisms in the last 2 months and they really want to share the gospel. The plan is as follows:
1. Name List: Write down everyone's name you know.
2. Rescue Ladder: Pray about your friends and choose three or more that you feel good about.
Write down there name and make a goal. The goal is something that you can do, not what they choose. For example your goal isn't for them to get baptized, it is for you to invite them to get baptized. Our purpose is to Invite other to come unto Christ.
To achieve the goal you start with a little goals leading up to the big goal. For example if I wanted to invite my friend to church I would first pray for them everyday. Then maybe serve them by baking them cookies or something. And so on. This is working really well with the members and they really are feeling the joy of the Gospel. I know that our friends are prepared to hear the word but we may never know unless we Invite. Ill send you copies of the lists today and if you want you can try it out with me. For example recently I have been praying and I felt that I should do something for Marrisa. I have never met her but I know that the gospel will bring her joy so I want to help. You guys are great and you really are good examples. The gospel really does bring joy. I cant really explain exactly how really well but I know that by following Christ`s teachings I have found the most joy in my life. For example right now I just feel good. I have a lot to work on and my flaws are endless but I am a child of God who has been blessed with the opportunity to hear the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want everyone to have this same opportunity so I will boldly invite as many of God`s children as I can to come unto Christ. The gospel is simple and it is rooted in the love that Jesus has for us. He Atoned for us and I know this is true. I love you all and keep up the good work. You guys are awesome! Love ya