Hi! I am God's Man, Mike!

Josie, here! This is this week's email! Thanks for being so patient with me!

March 31, 2014

We went to contact a Mormon.org referral named Brandon but thats all we knew. (of course we had an address and number). An old man about 60 opens the door and we asked if Brandon lived there. He said no but I give "Well we're missionaries..." spill. I asked him if he was interested and he says "Actually I am." and comes out on to the porch and says, "I am God's man Mike!"... I was like, "Wha?" of course I didn't say that out loud but it took me awhile to respond. So Sister Anderson said, "...Oh hi Mike. I'm sister Anderson." and then looked at me with a face that said, "I don't know what to say!" but luckily I had finally pulled myself together. I asked him what he meant by God's man. And we had a good conversation and taught part of the Restoration but in the end he wasn't really listening. He told us that he was a seeker of truth and so I asked if he would seek the truth by reading the Book of Mormon and he didn't want it. Which to me didn't make any sense. But in the end I left a Book of Mormon on his porch and with a sticky note with my testimony. I hope he really reads it.

We then went to go contact another Mormon.org referral this man was named Gary. He ended up being in his 50's. But we gave him a Book of Mormon which he requested. Since then he has called us almost everyday. The last one he said he had read the Book of Mormon and knew that it was true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet. So we set up a time with him, Sunday at 5, and told the other missionaries, who are over his area, so that we could pass him over. Since he doesn't fit the age of our teaching pool. We also called President Toombs and asked him to come to the lesson. Well... Gary showed up but like 2 hours early. We weren't able to teach him because we were still at church but we'll set up another appointment. So hopefully that goes well. And even though he isn't our to teach I was happy to be the planter of the seed(:

My last story (since I'm out of time) is about a less-active/recent convert. His name is Oscar. He is so amazing. He's kind of lost some of his testimony. I asked why he was baptized and he said, "I'm not exaclty sure. It felt right but I want to get better and do better and find out the true reason." He's came to church twice in a row since we first saw him. He really is amazing! Pray for him will you?:D

Alright love you guys so much!

Stay Sweet and Don't Do Drugs!

Hermana Durfee.

 

The Sound of Death

March 24, 2014

 

There isn't that much drama and of course there is drama in a Family ward but in a Singles ward we deal with different kind of drama. Dating drama... Yeah thats interesting. We have members that have gone less-active because of a bad dating experience in the ward. And of course we watch the whole process. The beginning dating the engagement them getting married... and then leaving the branch. GREAT! jajajaja

 

Just some miracles this week.(: I came into this area thinking we weren't going to be able to find AT ALL! However, I've changed my attitude. We were contacting a Less-Active and a girl opened the door. We asked for Valarie (the less-active) and she said that she didn't live there. So I switched gears and told her we were missionaries. She said that she would love to hear our message and we were able to get a return appointment. The biggest miracle... She's 19! YSA AGE! jajaja. It was pretty awesome! 

 

Then there was an investigator that the Zone Leaders wanted to pass to us. His name is Skylar. He is so amazing! His "girlfriend" attends the singles branch so the ZL's thought he would do better there. So we went to a lesson with them and seriously Skylar is so ready! He has some semi-different ideas but he is very spiritual. When I asked if there was anything that we could do for him he replied, "Never give up on me." The Spirit was so strong. 

 

One thing that is awesome is teaching people my age. I am to connect with them because they are doing about the same things I am. I know how college is... I know how difficult it is to find someone to marry.... (Dont worry! That is not what I am doing right now! jajajaja) Its also easier to become their friends and gain their trust. Which is super important because we really rely on referrals here. 

 

Another thing that I am enjoying is that I get to eat American food. I was so sick of mexican jajaja not even the mexican most of you are use to. Its the authentic kind. My first meal was at Texas Roadhouse! YES! jajaja It was a good start. We eat out a lot because the single guys can't really have us at their place but they can take us out. I have to really work on not gaining weight. Luckily my companion is pretty big on exercise so I'm covered. jajaja

 

One last crazy story. Last night our appointment fell through and we found ourselves trying to contact less-actives at 8:00 at night. It was pretty depressing. We went up to a door and rang the door bell. We immediately heard a horrible screeching sound. Seriously I thought we had knocked on some sort of cult. Or someone dying. Or a dinosaur. I was so afraid! So was Sister Anderson. She looked like she was going to run for the car any second. I wanted to but I heard someone opening the door so I motioned for her to stay. A young man about our age opened the door but he was tattooed head to toe and with plenty of piercings. But don't worry he was actually really cool. He said his sister had moved (the less-active) and that he wasn't that interested. We asked about the sound and he said it was a giant bird that drove him crazy. Glad we weren't the only ones that don't like the sound. I am never going to have a bird for a pet. ESPECIALLY one that sounds like that!

 

Well I love you guys so much! Stay Sweet and Don't Do Drugs!

 

Hermana Durfee

Happy St. Patrick's Day

March 17, 2014

 

So I was looking back at some of the e-mails that I use to write espicially when I was in the MTC. Dang, when did I ever have that kind of time! Seriously. I probably wont ever be that good again but I thought I would try to at least compete with them. Here we GOOOOO....

 

First things first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY! (which isn't until the 23rd but I wont be able to e-mail before that) I hope its fantastic! Though I know that is hard to achieve because I'm not there. :D Totally kidding! But Daddy, Josie, Alex, and Rose better make it wonderful! I know that you have a daughter in CO who loves you! (Two actaully)(: and Happy Birthday Jonah. Dude you're 20 now! Do you feel old? Because I do. jaja 

 

We have had some crazy adventures here. We don't do much investigator work which is totally opposite of my last area which was all investigator work. We work a lot with Less-Actives, Members and those who could be attending our branch but are still attending their home wards. So Josie I am glad you are attending the Singles Branch because I now understand how much they need you. And I feel kind of bad because thats all I did as well, attend the home ward that is. It so different from what I am use to. We use a different finding approach. Tracting was such a big thing in Downtown but tracting is useless for us. We really can only rely on referrals or our members can tell us where single people live and they have to be between 18-30 generally. Its going to be hard to find. But we are going to work hard by inviting all to come unto Christ, which includes non-members, members, less-actives. All. In fact, Sister Anderson said that it has been really hard for them (Sister Anderson and her previous comp) to reach 10 lessons and this week we hit 11 easily. As always I hope to leave an area better then I found it. So watch us. We're going to get to 20 lessons one of these weeks. 

 

Just a little bit about my new companion. Her name is Sister Anderson. She's from St. George Utah. Tall, blond, blue eyed, very athletic. Jajaja so pretty much opposite of me. I was afraid she wouldn't like me. However, that wasn't the case. She's awesome. She loves the piano which is AMAZING! We've had some great times already so I'm excited to get to know her a little more and as always laugh a lot. You know me(:

 

Its been so great to be back in Brighton, well kind of in Brighton. Our area is HUGE! And its just us. Spanish wards are huge too but they have 4 companionships of missionaries. Its a little hard but of course we're going to do our best. However, I've been able to drive around of the places that I use to work in Fort Lupton. We even go up to Fort Lupe to do service at the Quilt place. Wilma, the main lady, was so happy to see that I was back she almost cried, which in turn made me almost cry as well. The stake had a women's conference on Sunday and I saw all the ladies from the Fort Lupton ward. Sister Becky Smith saw me and just rushed for me, brought me into a huge hug and she DID cry. It was soooo amazing! I truly love that ward. I was also able to see my recent convert, Patti Nell, who still remembers my name and almost cried as well. Just a few ago she went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead and she told me all about her experience and how happy she was. "Better late then Never." She says that all the time. The last person I was able to see was Jose Sanchez! Who I met on my first day on the mission, who also became one of my favorite amigos! I saw him at FHE the first day I was here! and now, he's decided to come to our ward! He's so awesome and its so nice to have a familiar face in the branch. 

 

Transfers happened today, but of course I already knew I was going to be staying here. The most crazy thing is that Elder Brown who has been in the Brighton zone for 5 transfers has left for home. ANNNDD... Hermana Giron, one of my companions. She too has gone back to Georgia today, and Hermana Earl, who was my Sister Training Leader my first 4 transfers. They gone... I can't even believe it. when I met Hermana Earl she still had 6 transfers. I am as old (mission wise) as she was when I met her. 6 transfers left. Its going by so quick. 

 

Well I love you guys! I hope that everything is going great! And if you there is anything that I can do just let me know!

 

And remember, 

Stay Sweet,

And Don't do drugs!

 

Love Hermana Durfee

Nothing Slows down on a Mission

March 10, 2014

So the first HUGE news.... I was ETed! For those who don't understand Mission lingo I was Emergency Transferred. There was a sister here who was waiting for a visa to go to her original mission which is Brazil. So I am to replace her and follow up train her companion, who is named Sister Anderson. I am now serving back in Brighton and... in a YSA Branch. (Young Single Adult) Which also means that I am back in English. But like always I am going to do what is asked of me and with all my heart. This will be 8 companions in 8 transfers. I think I have a record! jajaja

 

Sorry about my lame e-mails. I really need to work on writing better ones. I promise (pinky promise) next week I will write a better e-mail but hey I have pictures! :D

Get Back On the Horse

So, this is Josie. I have been a major slacker lately about updating this blog with Shar's emails. And I am terribly sorry. So, I am going to spend some time updating it so that each of you who are interested in her adventures will be able to catch up with her.

March 3, 2014

There is a saying among horse people. When you fall of a horse you have to get back on. Two weeks ago it was one of those falling moments. On Feb 21st my companions and I got into a car accident. I was crossing a street and broadsided a car on the driver's side. Now don't worry. Everything and everyone is okay. About three hours later after things had calmed down I was slammed with emotions. I was sad, embarrassed, probably all the emotions in between. It was hard to go out in the morning only because I would see the car (whos front bumper is entirely off) which was a reminder that the accident really happened. Then of course there are all the missionaries that see it, let a lone our investigators, less-actives and members. Bleh! To say the least! But as missionaries one of our best medicines is to go out and work. So I go.

 

Not only was the accident a falling moment but the family that I had just told you about and those pictures I sent... We got a text from the mom on Monday during our zone p-day... She told us she didn't want us to ever come back. We are not sure what happened. And of course we were sad. Especially Hermana Freeman. I've been dropped so many times that I can't even count so though I was sad I knew that I needed to move on and focus on the people who want to listen. But since this was Hermana Freeman's first drop... It was hard on her. She still talks about them. But there are other prepared people the Lord needs us to find. So off we go!

 

There are two specific people that we are focusing on. One is Justino Garcia. He is amazing. He was on date for baptism however he works on Sundays so he hasn't come to church yet. He really wants to but isn't quite ready to make the sacrifice of not working so he can come. He always has great questions and reads 2-3 chapters from the Book of Mormon each week. He really wants this to be true and he's working on try to know. The next person is Jose Castillo. He been taught everything and even passed the baptism interview questions. The only reason he hasn't been baptized is because his mother-in-law says he wasn't ready. I am here to say he is sooo ready. He told us that the Book of Mormon was very dear to him. He's finished reading it! and is now reading the index/dictionary part. Before we went into the lesson we told Hermana Freeman that she needs to ask him to be baptized. As she started asking him (before she even finished) he interrupted and said, "Si!" and we were like... ahh... what? hahaha. He said that he wants to come to church 3 more times before he is baptized. He really is amazing. 

 

Well(: This is it! I hope all of you are enjoying the cold weather in Missouri. If you are experiencing the nice weather of 57 degrees we can enjoy it together!

 

I love you guys! Stay Sweet and Don't do Drugs!

 

Hermana Durfee

Saviors up on Mount Zion

Obadiah. Saviors “up on Mount Zion”

 

Read Obadiah 1:17, 21

Doctrine and Covenants 128:5, 15

Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “Saviors on Mount Zion” (pg. 259)

Bible Dictionary, “Obadiah” (pg. 739).

 

In Obadiah 1:17, 21 of the King James version of the bible it is talking about Saviours on Mount Zion. In Doctrine and Covenants 128:5, 15 it further references the Saviours of Mount Zion. In the Latter Day Saint religion we believe that we can redeem those who have passed away with baptism for them. As a member of the church I go to the temple regularly to participate in this. The temple is a special place where members of the church go to come closer to God. We believe that it is a place where God can more fully communicate with us.

 

The temple is a place where we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ are able to go and participate in ordinances to help our loved ones receive the gospel. We believe that through the temple we are able to be sealed to our family for eternity. The term "seal" means just that we are able to become a forever family with them.

 

 

Daniel in the Lion's Den

So, you all have heard the story of Daniel in the Lion's den. I am going to tell you again (See Daniel 6:1-24).
It all began with King Darius setting Daniel as the highest of presidents. It was an honor for Daniel to be at this rank, but the other men were jealous, and wanted Daniel put in his rightful place. So, they persuaded the king to make a decree that no one should make any decree or petition to any God, or man besides the king. Daniel knew of this law, but he prayed in secret. The men did this because they wanted Daniel dead. Daniel was a righteous follower of God, and was also friends with the king. The king did not really know the law that he had just made. He thought that it was just a royal law that was not hard to follow.

As the story unfolds Daniel is found praying and the law was then to be fulfilled. King Darius though regretted having made the law because Daniel was his friend and had the light of Christ. Before Daniel is cast into the den the king says to him, "Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee"(Daniel 6:16). This shows that the king had faith in a being that he really did not know of. He was able to tell Daniel that he had some sort of belief. He then spent the night fasting because he loved Daniel and wanted him to be spared. He felt bad for what he had done.  With this Daniel was able to pray to the Lord in the den to be spared. He was spared because of his righteousness and his faith. The king was so happy because of this. He then wrote a decree telling the people that they should worship the god that Daniel worshipped. He said in his decree that the God that Daniel worshipped was "stedfast forever" what a description. He was telling his people that God is forever and that His kingdom is forever.

 I know that as I strive to live the gospel that my actions are not in vain. Heavenly Father will bless me. He knows what I go through as He knew with Daniel. And as each of you who read this go throughout your life trying to do what is right the Lord takes into account all of your efforts. So, take heart He loves you! He loves me! I say all these things in the Savior's name, even Jesus Christ, Amen.

Promises to Scattered Israel

Hey all! Josie here!

Jeremiah 46:27–28; 50:17–20, 33–34, 41 

Scattered Israel shall be able to gather in the last days. They are not lost forever. The Lord will be with us forever. Those who are reserved in Israel will be saved. The Redeemer of Israel will save them.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 110:11
 
Israel was scattered so that they could have the chance to repent. It says in Doctrine and Covenants 110:11 "And in a manner that we may be found worthy, in thy sight, to secure a fulfillment of the promises which thou hast made unto us, thy people, in the revelations given unto us;"  In Jeremiah's time they were commanded to go to different parts of the land. In 1836 they were commanded to go to different parts of the land. They were commanded to do this because it was a way for the Lord to scatter the gospel on the earth.

 

Deliverance is Nigh

Hey, y'all! Josie here! So I am just going to dive right into the study. And for those of you who may be new to this blog I use the King James version of the Bible.  This week I am studying Jeremiah. We will see how this goes! :)

So the scriptures that I am going to study right now are Jeremiah 29:11–14; Deuteronomy 4:29. The first set of scriptures is talking about how when we sin we can be delivered from our sins through the Lord, Jesus Christ. The first verse of scripture reads this: "11. For I know the thought that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an unexpected end." This is talking about how the Lord has forgiven the people of Babylon. He has told them that if they are willing to repent they will not be destroyed. The same goes for us. If we are willing to repent we will be saved, and be able to live with God in His kingdom.

Now I am going to go on Deuteronomy 4:29 is talking about if we seek the Lord with all our hearts then we will find Him. It can be applied to when we sin. When we are in the deepest peril of sin and we turn to the Lord then we will be able to be found, and He will be with us.

The next verses of scripture that I read were this Jeremiah 30:9; 33:15–18. These scriptures are talking about how in some future time Israel will not need someone to be on David's throne. These scriptures are referring to Christ.

In the next scriptures there are at least six ways that Christ fulfilled the roles of king, priest and sacrifice for His people. Here are the verses of scripture and I will list my thoughts beneath each of them.

 Jeremiah 23:4–6
These verses of scripture are talking about how Christ will be the righteous branch unto the Father. Heavenly Father said that "He will raise unto David a righteous Branch..." This Branch is Christ.

 Luke 1:32–33
He, Christ, is the Lord of lords. "He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;..." the house of Jacob is us. He is the eternal ruler of us all.

 John 18:36–37
This particular set of scripture is when Christ was brought to Pilate. Pilate asks Him if He is a king. Christ answers with "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world..." This part is amazing because Christ truly testifies that He is the king of all of us. He is the priest. He is willing to sacrifice Himself so that each of us may have eternal life.

 3 Nephi 9:19–20
This is referring to the end of the Law of Moses (if you do not know what that is I suggest the websites Mormon.org or lds.org, or to ask the missionaries in your area). The Law of Moses was ended because of the atonement of Christ. The atonement of Christ was the ultimate sacrifice that needed to happen in the world.

Ok, so all of these scriptures are very hopeful for each of us. They provide us with the knowledge that we will be delivered if we are truly repentant. They also provide hope for each of us because we are all sinners.