Welcome Elder Campbell, Reese's PB Cups, & Garrett's Baptism!!

Hey everyone!

I wasn't able to write a blog last week.  One new thing is that I have a new companion. His name is Elder Campbell and he's been out a little over a year.   We get along really well He's a good missionary,  a little on the quiet side, but I think just with some time and forming a deep relationship, well be able to really get talking.  He was on a badminton high school team, which is pretty interesting! He went to BYU the same year I did in heritage, and he was going for civil engineering.  We are doing good together! He's ready to work and he's very smart!

We have a great family in the ward. (The Smith Family)!! They give us rides and they went and bought our favorite foods.   She bought  gummies and Reese's PB cups. Of  course I ate the whole bag as I always do.. whoops ;)

We had a great baptism last week.  A young man whose name is Garrett! He's doing so good! I saw him in young mens and he was beaming after his confirmation.  It was a great manifestation of the Holy Ghost!

Our new area sisters have been cradled by the ward and they're working hard!

Sister Wilde is training Sister  Baining, and they're having some good success! We gave them Remi, our investigator, and she's progressing so well!  Things  are going great out here! This area is  ready to harvest!  Our ward mission leader is as excited about missionary work as  we are!! We need to take some of his enthusiasm and use it! He's off the wall on top of everything, and has helped us coordinate so much since

we've gotten here.

We've been biking up a storm here the last two weeks and we've talked to a lot of people!  We've seen lots of little miracles. 

One of our new investigators was a referral that's been staying at a member's home for a while. Hes had to go through some hard times in his life, he's turned to God, and has seen the difference in his life in doing so. Its incredible to see how excited he is and how many questions he has as we continually go over and teach him.  He truly loves the gospel, and is diving in so deep! One of the things we had

to talk about was how to find our own answers from God, and becoming in a sense, self reliant on our revelation and testimonies.  The  testimony of a missionary can only carry so far into someones life, but a personal testimony of the Gospel of Christ, changes the heart, and strengthens the soul.  

Elder Oaks gave us the initiative to become spiritually self reliant, depending upon the Lord, to help us overcome our trials and questions. We all go through tough trials in our lives, where we dont always know how to find the answer or where to turn. I testify that through learning how to receive personal revelation, and developing a healthy relationship with our Father  in Heaven, that we can find out the things that we need to do, in order to realize that we are truly sons and daughters of our father in Heaven. Imagine the things he wishes to tells us and remind us of.

Just like our own family members, the surface, once cracked, has so much more to tell, and the deep love that our Father in Heaven has for us, is a surface that we can choose to crack into, and partake of the unending love that he wishes us to feel.  I know that everyone of you is a child of God, that you're loved, and that if you dont feel that you are, there are so many that would love to remind you, especially

your Father  in Heaven!

Well, times a running out, I love all of you so much and hope that y'all have a great week!!! Take care a God bless yah!

Elder Langford

Mini-miracles & Serving Others!!

Blog time!!  Don't have too much time today.  

So we played disk golf on Monday and that was pretty fun!  I'm not the best but hey, I'm  not the worst!

We've been working/talking to a less active (LA), lately, he has been doing pretty ok!  He's working hard to overcome what he's fighting and we've got high hopes that he'll be able to make those necessary steps back slowly and surely!

We had a little miracle this week. We were heading home, and an investigator we were wanting to contact was right outside of her apartment!  We had plans to go see her, and there she was!  It couldn't have worked out any better!

Also, good experience.  One of our investigator's moms, the first time we went there, started off a little standoffish, saying, "meh I'll just be a by stander today... "  Then afterwards, she started to get more into the lesson and then she was almost in tears... The spirit she was striving to have was definitely there. It was good to see her put forth that effort to listen to our words and to make that change. Haven't been able to see her since but we're hopeful. 

Also, we have an amazing investigator from Africa who we met with this week in a member's home!  it was so great!  We talked about the plan of salvation, and she and her two daughters, said that they wanted to be baptized!  She said that she was so grateful to find God in her life, and to see the blessings that were coming into her life. The day we met her, she was just walking down the street.  She said that she usually goes the other way when she walks, and she never talks to people when walking home, but for some reason she went a different way, and felt impressed to listen to a portion of our message we were sharing that day. Now her two daughters are coming to church as well, and they're preparing themselves to be baptized! and we're giving them to the new sisters....  

YES SISTERS are coming into our area this week! it's crazy to think about! We've got them all settled in though so that's good!  All should go well and I'll have to tell you how it goes with them being here!

One more thing, I want to leave you all with my testimony of the importance of people.  Everything you do, please, remember, that it is all about other people, it is all about them and it is not about ourselves. As we look outward, losing ourselves to the Lord's  service, we truly change and become what we need to become and what he wants us to become. It's a long process, but PLEASE never forget that it all comes back to serving others. Elder Hales tells us that  we are to become spiritually independent and temporally independent to more fully bless the lives of others. If other people are truly the goal, then the way we do things will change, and we'll feel God's love. As we express love and tender care in the smallest and biggest ways on a daily basis, that can change us and help us accept the love of Christ that he wants to give to us, and everyone around us!  I love you all!  Please  accept his love by loving others. Please accept his sacrifice by sacrificing for others. Be selfless to find more of yourself!  I love you!!! 

Love, Elder Langford

Upcoming Baptism and Maybe Check Out Hawaii after the Mission!!

Hey everyone! It’s time for the blog.

We’ve been stopping by this less active member's home for a couple weeks now, that is this spitting image, personality, everything of one of my friends back at home. It’s so weird how closely associated they both are to each other! He’s been going through some rough times, for literally his whole life, and he’s trying to turn back to the church for  help and aid through them. Keep him in your prayers, he’s going through a lot!

Also, we met this investigator named Remi Last week. This week, we were able to teach her once more, and she said that if she came to know that these things were true, that she would be baptized, and follow all the things that Joseph Smith has told us to do. She’s got such a sweet spirit, and she was able to make it to church on Sunday with her two daughters! Fancy that. That was really good to see her there and we’ve got high hopes in the future for her and hope to see her continually come and prepare for her baptism.

Also, Garret, one of our investigators, is going to be baptized on the 31st! Woot! It’s so good! He went over the baptismal interview questions with us this week, and he’s definitely prepared for baptism, and coming unto Christ. He’s got great fellowship in the ward, and we’ve got high hopes for him.

Also, a person named Jim talked to us for a good 20 minutes on the porch of his trailer about how we need to go to the cultural center in Hawaii and check that out. He wasn’t interested in the message, but he was just really impressed with the show that they put on with the fire and all the other events, so we’ll probably have to make a stop down there after the mission or what not.

A recent convert (last week) gave a talk, and just bore a really simple testimony of his conversion story.. it was really touching to see how he, being the only member in his family, was led to the missionaries. He said a prayer one night, out of frustration and having enough of some of his trials and tribulations, praying to just know if God was real or not as his family was going through some rough times, and he said just a couple days later, the missionaries showed up at the door. They were there to help him find Christ, and find him he did. He’s a great dedicated 17 year old member, that stands as a great example to the rest of the ward.

Hey and this Baptist preacher said he didn’t want to talk to me, because I was going to the BAD place… eee…  I don’t think it’s going to be too bad…

Well hey, I love you all so much and hope that all goes well in your prospective areas out there! Keep close to God! NEVER forget the promises and covenants that you’ve made with him and never let your standards slip for anything!!!

Please trust him and keep him close!  Love, Elder Langford

Parking Lot Lesson, Mowing Lawns, and "Flip!"

Hey everyone! It's Elder Langford!!

Good week!

We  had a great opportunity to mow someone's lawn this week! They really needed it! It was on a ledge and it was some hard work, but definitely worth the work put into it!  

Also, when we were teaching a less active member, by just showing him a video about finding faith in Christ, His roomate walked in and watched it with us. He asked a little after the video about somethings pertaining towards the difference between our beliefs, and the beliefs of the Baptist  church. He was pretty curious, and wanted to learn more. HE's a great guy, who just needs a little bit more of the Book of Mormon in his life. :)

 

We were also able to stop by a PI (potential investigator), named Crystal!  She's  a great lady who lives with a couple of her kids and  whose husband is out and about and works as a contractor. We had a great lesson with her, and talked about how the restoration could bless her family. It was great!  We can't wait to go back and teach her some more! 

We were out with a great member who has a nice beard, and a bald head. We were talking to someone else a couple days ago that was completely terrified of lighting because he was bald, and thought he'd make a great conduit for the bolt. That was pretty funny.

 

We are running in the mornings now.   We're really trying to get out there, and hitting the road every other day. It's been good! Just trying to do my best to get out there and stay fit!

 

We also taught this person named Remi who at first opened the door, being really tired, but still let us in! We had a brief talk about how she felt a bit lonely being out here from Nigeria w/out much family, and how the Lord had plans to help her out. The member that went with us was actually from Jordan, and he was able to relate w/her, and describe how the church has blessed his life in the things he's done. She wasn't able to come to church, but she really wants to learn more, and wants to get back in her relationship with her savior Jesus Christ :)

 

Haha! Funny story. I also went to go talk to this lady in a parking lot, and as soon as I approached her she said, "'NEVER APPROACH A WOMEN ALONE IN A PARKING LOT!"   I learned my lesson!!

 

Sunday was also an interesting day! We sat down for a Gospel  Principle's class waiting for the teacher to come in.  Then I recognized his voice from somewhere... it sounded familiar. I looked at him and it was Elder Vanpelt from the Best Two Years!  (Bro.  Hopkins), with a beard!  We had a great lesson on repentance, and I got his autograph. (Had to ask)!  He wrote my name, said 'flip' and handed it back to me. 

Good, good times.

 

Lastly, I just want to let everyone know that you should always stay close to your Savior!  As you continually learn of him, he'll come nearer to you, he'll draw nearer unto you.  As we learn how to do things, we gain excitement from that learning, and it gives us the energy, and ambition to go, and try them again. The gospel is a treasure of knowledge that as we study, we can continually gain more insight and deeper understanding on who we are, and who we can and are becoming. It helps 'shed the scales of darkness' and brings us in a brighter perspective of life!  I love you all! I hope you have a great day/week  and always value every good moment and every good feeling you have! They are all from Christ!

Love,

Elder Langford

Sent from my iPhone

Be grateful, See the Light & Don't Run Into Mailboxes!!

Hey everyone,

Ok computer's going off in five minutes here! I've  got to put the pedal to the medal! So this week I was moved into the Mebane area, a bit closer to Raleigh, and wow is it beautiful!   It reminds me a bit of Michigan! (the little piece I hang onto back there somewhere)!  

I just got a 30 min. extension on the computer, so this will be a bit easier now ;)

 

So the Manpurse comments have died down, I've found it very effective on the bike to let it just bounce around behind me... hope fully this will be a good workout!

 

Before I left Fayettville, we had a lesson with Patrick, one of our investigators. He's doing so good and progressing well right now! We taught him the Word of Wisdom, and had the lesson over at some senior missionaries' home. The spirit was defintiely there, and it was a great moment, when we were able to talk about how the word of wisdom allows us to be more open spiritually. We related a time back to when he was able to receive revelation, and helped him recognize it. It's been great watching him grow, and I know he's going to make a good member down there in Fayetteville!

 

We, have recently been asked to use the pamphlets with pictures that the missionaries always hand out to people. It turns out, that even as we get older, the reality of it is, if there's pictures in the book, then we're more likely to listen and apply some understanding ;)   We had a great porch lesson trying it out, and it was really neat to see as she turned the pages, how we were able to share the lesson with her step by step. It's a great way to share gospel truths! 

 

There was a great miracle that we had happen on that same day. We'd been biking for quite a long time, without too much success on meeting too many people. We were heading back to get picked up for dinner, and we saw this woman on her porch. we talked to her for a second and actually found out that her grandma, and son were both members! She said she wasn't too interested, but yet continued to talk and had us stand there... as we did, we asked if there was anything specific that we could pray about, and she mentioned just finding God in her life. We opened up that can of worms a bit more, and talked to her and her son. She was able to pray with her son, and they had a touching moment of the spirit :)   It was a great bonding moment for them :)  Great  to be a part of it and watch. They said that they'd read at least once or twice a week together, and I hope that things work out well for her in Fayetteville! (Then we had some Thai food that was extremely hot (not too hot), but very delicious! it made for a good lunch the next day as well :)

 

We found a great insight before leaving Fayetteville about light. about what light really is, and how it's a truly discernable understanding. If the eye is the light of the body, then if the eye be single, the whole body will be full of light. Christ promises us, that if our eye is single to the glory of God, that we will be able to have all understanding :)   Sometimes  we put shards of glass in the way of focusing upon the gospel, and keeping the commandments such as pride, selfishness, or vain desires. The light comes from our hearts, enlightens our minds, and inspires us to be better and follow his will :) Tje less we reflect back onto ourselves, the more of the world we're truly able to see and understand :)   So let the light shine! Turn  it on so you don't stub your toe as much!   It hurts pretty bad!

 

It hurts,  just like when someone falls off of a bike! There was a day where I remember three things happened...

1. Fell  off my bike by hitting a mailbox ( out of nowhere )!

2. We talked to a lady who was really kind and mentioned at the end that she'd love to have us over for dinner sometime, that she was just the neighborhood's  friendly athiest! I didn't know what to say! haha

3. I saw a firefly as we were out and about. That was a great finish to the day!

 

One  more thing, on Saturday, we were able to help a part member family place tin on their roof! That was fun! I've never drilled so many screws in!  Come to think of it, it reminds me of our trip down to Mexico. They were very kind and provided delicious lasagna and cheese bread! We got about half of it done and we're going to start on the second half next week. The pouring rain took over the remainder of the project, but we got a lot done!

 

GRATITUDE. 

I had a great study on it a couple days ago that helped me to feel the spirit. There are so many great things to be thankful for in this world! Let us not forget on a daily basis to not only look at what we have, but how much work so many people in the years past have put into making most of the things that we have now. We have so many things and ways to express our gratitude! Even finding 5 things daily can really change the night to day :) ( I should probabaly start doing it if I'm mentioning it here)!!

 

Another note, the members here are extremely friendly! We literally have a dinner almost every single night... Talk about gratitude! These are great hospitable people, in which we need to continually make sure we thank and appreciate. There's  that danger as a missionary to just, expect meals, or to expect members to do something... there's a lot of sacrifice behind the scenes that's getting done for us out here, and we definitely need to keep that in mind!

 

Well,  that's all for today! I love y'all so much, and want you to know that I have a testimony of my Savior  Jesus Christ! I know that he is the Son of God, and can bring us through any trial if we rely upon his mercies through the Atonement! Don't lose faith y'all :)

 I Love you soo much!

Elder Langford

Preaching to the Mailman!

Hey everyone!  

I Forgot my list of things to talk about this week but here goes!  

We went out with the new missionary back to the land of Fayetteville! We were blessed to see some great things going on! We were driving home one day from a lesson, and had the feeling to stop by a less active member. Turns out that her nephew had just died, and she was going through a tough time. It was a great opportunity to give her some comfort right there, and to help her see the beauty of the plan of salvation.  We also had a great new investigator named Jackie Allan!  She had called us a couple weeks back about not having a Book of Mormon, and wanting to hear more.  We lost contact with her, and finally just stopped by her house. She had a lot of off beat questions, but we directed her back to the source, of reading and praying about the book of Mormon.  She's doing a great thing now reading and praying about it, and we can’t wait to see her back next week!  She’s got a great personality!

The mission rule for backpacks has also been changed, and now we actually have to wear side bags instead… quite an interesting thing to say the least… so now I’ve got a hefty man purse, but hey it looks great, and will eventually get with the bike.

Um, oh we also met this great man named James!  He was the mailman in Dunn, and the Dunn sisters referred him to us. We had a lesson with him talking about how the Book of Mormon can bless his life. He’s reading it tomorrow so we’ll see how that goes! We’re hoping for the best with him.  Ah well, I’m out of time just like that… dunno where it all goes… Hope y’all have a great week! 

Love y’all!

Elder Langford

Teaching with the Spirit and New Companion!

Hey everyone,

Allright!!! The blog for today!  We had a new missionary come in from Sacramento,  California, who’s missionary spirit has made a big difference on our tri-companionship.  We took him to a lesson of a less-active member of about 14 years, and his prayer made him tear up.  He later told us that he has only cried with four other people in his life… It was a very touching experience… There’s such a lesson to be learned how when you come out of the MTC, your love for the people, your desire to change their lives, is more powerful than any amount of experience or knowledge.  The spirit touches hearts, and gives that chance for them to start their own change, with the truth they’ve received.  It’s incredible how much we can learn from these new missionaries coming out!

We had a great lesson with a man named Mr. A out in Spring Lake, who’s been out and about here and there and hard to get a hold of… We just asked him, “What are your thoughts on preparing for baptism?” which enfolded into a great conversation about how we all have a mountain of tribulation and trial to go through and get over.  Only through trusting the one who’s been to the top and back, who sees the green valley on the other side, who can successfully overcome all of our trials.  He really took it to heart, and the spirit was strong .

We’ve also been teaching another man who’s been great from the beginning!  We had a lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and towards the end, we had a good talk on the hope that he feels, and what drives him to learn more, and take part in this gospel.  We’re able to identify it as the Holy Ghost, , and are making steps towards helping him be baptized on August 10!  He’s already given out a Book of Mormon and wants to have his friend over for a barbecue with the missionaries! That should be good! We’ve also got these fired up new senior missionaries in our area named the Reinharts, , who have been so good to us in just the last couple weeks. In the twinkling of an eye, they’ve come to our aid, and have taught a couple great lessons with us already!

We had a pretty neat experience with a less active member.  We went and talked to him ,and as we did, we decided hey, we have some investigators near by, let’s bring him along to go teach them!   So we convinced him, and sure enough, he bore his testimony ,and expressed his concern for smoking,  just like the investigator, and we were able to see the spirit strengthen and edify all of us from that great miracle!!  Ahh wish I had more time but I have to be going. The assistants are coming down tomorrow morning with my new companion, another new missionary , and I’m moving back into Fayetteville with him!!!  It’s been a crazy couple of weeks, and I can’t wait to learn and grow with this new companion! 

I love y’alll!! Take care!!

Love,  Elder Langford