Week 70. The Beginning of the End

 This week marks the end of my blackout year (the full year of being a missionary) and the beginning of the 2023, the year I finish. Sadly I wrote half of my journal this week last night so a lot of the stories were lost but here's what I remember: 

Maguires - talked about baptism with Ashley again and what that typically looks like. She said she is so ready to officially become part of the church and uphold our/her beliefs. Then her son, who also wants to be baptized, was talking about how he wished his extended family knew about the Gospel and how much it could bless them. The testimony of kids is so awesome!

Haleys - we taught Robbie all the commandments. It was pretty good and she understood all of it. She's not looking forward to no tea but is willing to make the sacrifice which is awesome. She said next week she wanted to set a baptismal date!

Patrica - this is just something funny. We were looking at old contacts and found Patrica. Me and Harkness had a small debate on her name and it turned out we were both wrong. It's pronounced Pa-tree-sa.

MLC - DLs got invited again. The whole instruction was mainly focused on how we can lead DCs. It'll be a bit confusing to change things up but the changes seem like it will be very good. 

Best Costco Pizza - we went shopping and had this great idea. We bought a rotisserie chicken, bacon bits, BBQ sauce, and a cheese pizza. Went home combined it all and had a super awesome pizza

Worst resolution ever - it was Harkness' idea to do the 75 day challenge. For those of you who don't know what it is, everyday we have to do two 45 min workouts, drink 1 gallon of water, and have a diet. We added a few other things for missionary work, but the real kicker is that if we fail one day we have to start back at day 1. 

I've probably had more water in the past 4 days than I have my whole mission. 

ZLC - probably one of the funnest ZLCs I've had. We goofed but also made a really good plan and supported one another. It's going to be a fun month. 

P day - we went hiking to Oyster Dome lookout. In total it was a 6 mile hike and took our group 6 hrs. A little bit longer but fun. 

Spiritual Thought - I was reading Joseph Smith's History, one of his accounts on the first vision, and found the formula he used to receive his answer. 

Moroni 7:6 says that when you "pray unto God, except [you] shall do it with real intent it profiteth [you] nothing.

As I read Joseph's account I saw the steps required for real intent and I wanted to share them. 

1. Desire

2. Reflection 

3. Personal Effort

4. Read the word of God

5. Pray

6. Determination 

And that equals number 

7. Divine Help

First we need to have a desire, Alma the prophet taught that even a desire to have a desire is enough. Then reflect, ask yourself what you have done and what you can now do. Next is to do it. If we expect God to do everything for us we are wrong, but He will help us as we do it. In Joseph's case he guided him into the scriptures. The scriptures and prophets' words or both resources where God has spoken to us. Your answer or help that you need might already be there, you just have to search for it. As you do the steps required when you pray an answer will come, but it's not always in our timing which is why we must stay determined and keep searching and asking and when the time is right we will receive divine help. 

I know this to be true, these steps changed the course of History, they changed the course of my life and they can do the same for yours. If you have a question, or need God's help please use these steps and I can promise His hand will be present in your life. 

I love you all and I wish you the best of luck with your New Year resolutions. 

Here are the pics