"In the Zone" in Wilmington, Unwanted Cereal Boxes Get a Home, & Coming Closer to Christ!

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Whoa... So for those of you who don't know, last Tuesday, I was transferred and here we are somehow out here in Wilmington, NC!  My new companion is Elder Mayberry from New Mexico! I know him already and love him! He's got one more transfer and is fighting to deny it ;) You'd never be able to tell though.  He's great!

I LOVE the new area, nice and chilly ;) 30 degrees at night.   Two great wards to serve in including a YSA ward.  This is going to be good, Plus, as a zone leader, a little benefit, I get to go down to Jacksonville, my first area, on exchange!  That'll be great!  I also have a car all the time now!!

It's sooo great being a zone leader! There are so many great ways that we get to reach out to these fantastic missionaries! There's so many of them! I've got some good stories!

First off, heading to the ward mission leader's house, we became engaged in a great conversation about the wondrous reality of how little we know, but how blessed we are for the knowledge we have. As I've served my mission, I've developed a firm testimony in the power of the Holy Ghost, and the specific prompting that it gives to serve as it is felt. Probably my personal favorite, was after a great lesson with the Ward Mission Leader's family, as they began to pull out cereal boxes that they didn't like and no longer wanted.... Ohhhh Hooo welcome to WILMINGTON!!

The day I got here, we went almost straight to a meeting in which we were to give a thought to the Stake President and all the bishops in the area. There was a special spirit to see so many of these bishops combined together, in the purpose of missionary work. We gave a thought on the power of love, and the power that it has to cast out all fear... Ohhhh boy. Welcome to WILMINGTON!!

I was also able to see one of the missionaries that I previously trained, who happens to be in our same district! What a blessing it is. The Lord has been so kind, and has given me so much in the last couple days.... I cannot express in words how powerful the atonement of Jesus Christ is... The more you learn, and the more you understand, the more it just begins to make sense... The roots of faith, can never be too deep. How unsearchable are the depths...  It's truly great to be a representative of Jesus Christ, to think that our job, is to make the choice people have to make, as easy as possible. Think of all that Christ has done for us, how easy he's made it for us. He's taken the road himself, he's gone through all of the hardships, and he's lived the life, so that we can have full trust in his simple gospel, to guide us towards happiness. The ONE thing that we have, is our own choice, just like our investigators out here... The second someone says 'Yes I will do that', it's our duty to help them feel just as we do.  We feel the joys and the blessings that come to us instantly as we keep the commandments of God. It's incredible! It's hard to imagine all the joy that Christ must feel as he sees us make simple steps closer and closer to him. I wish I had more time to go on!

As I mentioned, we now cover both a YSA branch and a ward.   Our bishop's on fire with what he's done for this area!  He announced over the pulpit for all the congregation to teach someone in their home... It's been great! Well, there will be much more next week! I love y'all so much and am so grateful for all y'all have done :) Till next week!
Love,  Elder Langford

 

"Extreme Lyrics, Possible Upcoming Transfer, Showing Zone Leader Love, & Road Kill!"

Hey there everybody!

So I'm still in shell shock mode from being called to be a zone leader! It's been a fantastic week though that's brought about a lot of good change:) 

Also, we're being treated today to a good squirrel and deer meat feast tonight on the way out, so can't argue with that!
One of the sweetest things one of the people we met with today said, that repentance, as she learned throughout the years, can be put simply as, "most than words". I couldn't help but look back to that song by extreme, and coordinate those words with our relationship to the Savior. "More than words, is all you have to do to make it real, then you won't have to say, that you love me, cause I already know."

Our President just sent us a little document that talks about how a writer from BYU said that faith is the ultimate principle, and that repentance is the ultimate doctrine... It's so true! If we continue to live and to try and change for the better on a day to day basis, we'll grow farther than we knew we ever could!

Transfers are in the next week.  It's a crazy thing to think about seeing this as possibly the last week here in Mebane. 

Pretty sweet dinner appointment.  We got to eat dinner with Elder Vanpelt from the best two years.  Sounds like there's a chance of a sequel coming out! What's that going to be called, "The Best Four Mission Presidents?"  Who knows, but he's got a great family, and I've got to say, he reminds me of Uncle Michael! Great family.
Nothing has been as surprising this week, as has been the fact of how I've been able to see the Lord preparing me to be a zone Leader... He's cracked the whip, and is putting me into shape! I know that as long as we can help every single missionary feel the Love that we have for them and for the Savior, that everything will fit into place, and all will be well. Love changes hearts faster than anything else I've seen in the mission. I can honestly say that anything successful that I've done on my mission or in my life, can be traced back to simply, how can this help someone else? There's love in everything that we do, deep down even sometimes! If we can just get all the Missionaries to focus on that purpose of love, and why they're doing what they're doing, then all will be well! Easier said than done, but I've got a probably good 18 weeks to get that ball a rollin!

I love y'all so much! I'm headin out now to go get some fresh road kill food!

Elder Langford

A New Calling and the Power of Love (Not the Huey Lewis kind)!!

Hey everyone,

Well, time=0, so I’ll give some good highlights!

So this past Sunday, I prayed for Humility… Haha always a great idea when you ask the person that knows it best, the problem is that he gives you exactly what  you ask for…

Yesterday morning, I had the prompting to study responsibility… I broke it down a bit and saw that it truly is "to be ready to respond, or to always have the ability to respond to whatever happens around you."  Sounds to me like faith to always do, to always respond! So during our companionship study, we got a call from President, and He asked to talked to me Privately. So I snuck outside for a second and I’m pretty sure, still debating if this was a dream or not, BUT HE CALLED ME TO BE A ZONE LEADER……. Haha! I almost asked him if he was serious… but at the same time,it’s been incredible to see how in just these last couple weeks, I’ve been striving to be more receptive to the Lord’s will, trying to do more of what he wanted and less of what I wanted… 

 I have such a firm belief in the Reality of our Savior, and his enabling power that he gives every single one of us. As we come to Him, the ultimate source of true power (love), we find the way that we are truly able to do all things. That’s going to be the path I’m going to depend on more than ever as I try to influence the lives of so many missionaries. I remember when I was becoming a district leader, that my previous trainer mentioned to me that these callings of leadership have an effect far greater than simply guiding… They are for their eternal welfare and I’ve been able to see missionaries change the course of their lives through the Great power of love. Not the Huey Lewis kind but the Christ like love that changes hearts. Ahhh time’s going to run out.  I love you all and I’m so grateful for all your prayers, letters etc.!! Thank you so much!  I’ll need them all :D

Love, Elder Langford

Sweet Old Ladies & Helping People Change!!

Hello everyone!
 I have to start out with one of the small and simple miracles that made my entire week. (Ok actually 2 things!)
1.    We were biking home after a great contact with this man, and as we
were it was raining a bit, and I was just pondering how we can really sky rocket the progression of this area  so I offered a little silent prayer on the bike. Our complex is right next to an elderly home, and as we were passing by it, I saw this old lady, in the rain,
with a walker, holding a huge black trash bag… I thought psshh… are you kidding me? So we biked up and politely confiscated her garbage from her and took it back in. I know without a doubt that it was an answer to that prayer. The feelings of gratitude and peace were overwhelming, and it was a great feeling almost like a pat on the back saying, “This
is why you’re here”.  It’s so easy for some to get caught up in the ‘thick of thin things’ as President Monson tells us, and it’s incredible how quickly our imperfect logic on how to be successful and how to do this work just melts into your heart when you put that full
effort into love for the people. I know that when Christ is the foundation for our work and all we do, that we are given just that much bigger of a perspective that he has, that everything happens for a reason, and that all of our afflictions are for our good. Someone
who truly loves us, (can’t help but think of my mom), doesn’t change the situations we go through, but shows us how we can be the change of our situations. Every single person out there has that power to change, and it’s our duty to be an example of what our change of heart has made of us. Sweet old ladies do things to you… ;)

2. My companion, who is a bit on the more of the “ I’m terrified to bear my testimony” side, was in a round about way, set up by me to promise to go up there if this little kid did (who always does). As we sat in sacrament meeting, sure enough, the little kid ran up, bore a great testimony, and sat down. I looked at Elder Campbell and he kind of chuckled saying “Ah I can’t do it, you don’t understand…” I felt a prompting to whisper back to him, “Say a prayer, he does!”  He did, went up, and bore a powerfully simple testimony. I’m so grateful for the courage that my companion has, and I couldn’t  help but notice, as we went to a family's home for dinner, his increased giddiness to share the message, to talk to the kids, and to interact more. I’ve been so blessed on my mission to not only see those whom we work with change, but many of the missionaries that I’ve worked with change. It
makes it all worth it. Every bike ride, every rainstorm, every door slammed in your face, is nothing compared to the Love that Jesus Christ places in your heart. You never know who you’re serving your mission for… you never know what effect your actions have, but One
thing I can always promise you is, that God is love, and every extra effort, benefit of the doubt, or just care and devotion that we lend to others, will change them. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but down the road when they turn to their Savior, they will remember all of those that have reached out in service to him, and be forever grateful for that love, an example you’ve shown, from the change he’s given you. I wish I had more time, and I wish I could just let you all know how much I love and appreciate every one of you. I’m nothing without my Savior, and without the love and support I’ve received from so many in the past years of my life. I hope that my dedication and sacrifice can be enough for the master’s grace.
Ahhh, gotta go! Love you all soo much :D :D
Elder Langford
PS:  Bolut? So good!!

Dr. Pepper & the Gospel, Duck Embros, and Belinda Carlisle was right!!

Hello everyone!!
OHHH gosh… I have plenty to type in not plenty of time… hopefully I
can get a good jot and tittle in before time’s up here.
First off, Elder Zwick, along with Elder Pino came to our mission, and for the first time, we had a full mission conference! They were pretty tall spiritual Giants to say the least! He talked about how as he walked out to the plane to come here, Elder Oaks told him to tell us how much they all loved and cared about each and everyone of us… PLUS, He mentioned that Elder Oaks was the one that probably called almost all of us to this mission! Holy revelation... He just kept throwing out more things that stung every one of us (I’ll just speak for all the missionaries) right to the heart… He also mentioned Elder Ballard being requested by the PROPHET to lead the prayer in the prayer role about missionary work, and he mentioned that through our trust in the Savior, the members would be able to trust us. They told us many stories, and one being the announcement  he made to us that our mission president, was the BEST one in all the world… He said he’s met with, and seen all the new mission presidents coming in, and that President Bernhisel, was the best… whoa… I couldn’t help but agree! Not that I know many, but just like the gospel, I don’t have to go lookin for better when I’ve got the best right here! I’m so blessed to serve in this area! Plus it was quite the reunion seeing every single missionary who hasn’t passed on from the mission yet at that gathering!! It was so great! They truly inspired us with their words, and Elder Pino, who was talking to us in Spanish, being translated by a missionary (oh you know he’s got a lot to write home…), asked him to step down, as he bore his powerful testimony that Christ lives, that this is His  church, and that we are hastening his work at this time, as his servants. What an honor!

We had a great dinner with  a recent convert in the ward, and we managed to snag her ladder from her to and made a great analogy about the atonement and cleaning out gutters with  a broom on her roof (oh..only teaching by the spirit!) Also, we invited her to share her testimony, as an investigator joined us for dinner. IT was so great to see how her simple testimony changed his perspective, and allowed him to also feel the great spirit that she possessed. We also got fed by Sister Kinnin and her sister. They make the most amazing Phillipino food. They also had us try an authentic Phillipino appetizer called ballot.  (See pictures in the blog)!  It is actually a fertilized duck embryo. A bit thick in the middle but not too bad!!
Ah, and, there is NO better third hour meeting at church, than talking about charity, while hearing the primary practicing behind you in the chapel, Like a song from the 80's says, "Heaven is a place on earth!!"  I’ve never felt such a strong feeling of love and a realization of purpose! In that same class, I was also led to give an analogy, which to me, has changed my life, and the way I look at Dr. Pepper…

Did you know, that there’s plum juice, in Dr. Pepper??  Pretty nasty… In fact, if someone told me to come and try a DR. pepper, advertising that it had plum juice, I Probably wouldn’t drink it! Sometimes, we look at the great gospel that our Savior has given us, and solely focus upon that plum juice, thinking how is this supposed to make me happy? How is this ever going to taste good? what kind of a crazy drink is this? The adversary works hard to try and pull reality our of proportion, having us put all our time and focus on a little bit of
plum juice, or something that doesn’t make sense to us in the gospel…If we focus on it enough then it leads us to cease drinking living
water (Dr. pepper), then we’ll never understand how good it tastes!And the great thing is, we don’t even have to know why it’s in there,
but just that it tastes delicious! As President  Uchtdorf says, doubt your doubts before you faith!  Drink it!!! Agh time’s a gone today.. I love you all sooo much!!! Can’t wait till next week to talk about everything that we’ve got planned!!
Happy Halloween!!!
Love, Elder Langford







 
 
 

New Building & week of Miracles!!

Hey everyone,

Haha!! Oh I’ve used so much time already…. Never enough emailing time!!  This was a WEEK OF MIRACLES!!!

As always! Don’t even know where to start… the excitement for the new church building in this area keeps on snowballing! (See picture on my Facebook page)! So many members are ready to drive less than a half hour to church (like we Utahans), and so many members are going to be able to make it back once it gets closer! We were meeting with the bishop, and he  said  that members will be calling us.  Needless to say, the ward’s going great, and the work is also better than ever!!

We had a spirit filled lesson a couple nights ago with two 19 yr. old boys. As we were sharing testimonies of the Book of Mormon and how it blesses us on a daily basis, he paused and said, "timeout… time to get serious…"  (gotta love that as a missionary when they take you seriously :D)  He went about telling us that he wakes up just angry, just mad every single day… that he’s never happy, and that He just doesn’t really feel God’s love or the purpose in Life. We were able to bear solemn testimony about the Love that our Father  has for him as an individual. The spirit spoke a profound statement that sparked some real food for thought…

God has the ability to give us anything that he desires, keeping in mind that his main purpose is our ultimate happiness….

Then why doesn’t he give us a nice car, when our old one
breaks down, and why doesn’t he give us all of these great temporal
blessings?  Why do all of these seemingly big things, remain unfixed or imperfect?

This guy really pondered how deep God’s love is, and how it truly doesn’t matter what our surroundings give us, what life deals us out, or even what we’ve done. God desires our TRUE joy and happiness, through allowing us to change our hearts, and see this world as he sees it, and to see the purpose (and value) of our existence as he sees it. We talked about as we truly study his word and keep his commandments, we quickly find that these are simply enablers of happiness, to wipe away the dark, flawed perspective that are logic sometimes fogs are hearts with.

As we shared this, The other person felt inspired to share an experience of how he had attempted suicide, and almost succeeded, but felt that there was a strand of hope left in his life. He said that he knew that this book was true, he knew that
this was from Jesus Christ, and this WAS a hope that could change his life. He began to ask, "can I read this even if I’m Baptist right now?" I know it’s true and want this joy in my life.”

A man who was sitting on the steps seemingly not paying attention, asked as well if he could
have a pamphlet, and began downloading and reading all the scriptures on his phone. The other boy said this was the day he was making changes. He listed all the things he’d done, that he wanted to change and stop doing. As far as we know, he has ceased a number of drugs, and is taking big steps…

I know that the atonement is real, and that if we do as King Lamoni’s father was instructed to do, that the “evil spirit rooted within our breast, will be taken out" and we shall see God as he is, Loving & caring, always!! 
Love. Elder Langford

Facebook Proselyting Miracles, Strong & Faithful Youth & The Gall of Bitterness!

Hooo boy! Time’s a tickin today…

First off I’d like to say thanks to my mom for sending the Halloween candy! Great analogy of the Savior here.  I'm not allowed to blame her for me getting sick for eating the entire Gummy Bear/Recess PB Cup bonanza, but only grateful that she sent it all :D.  So when we have those days, and make poor choices, it’s usually not his fault… but it’s ours, with the way that we spend the gifts he gives us…!

This was another week of great miracles! (as always). First off, the
facebook kick off has really started to begin now! I was able to teach
someone that we met two areas ago, with my former companion, Elder Packard, over facebook!! Oh the things you’d never think you’d do on your mission! I thought the age change was crazy…

....WHICH, it actually was! I know this, because we had a fantastic stake
conference this weekend, Presided by Elder Giddens. He said, that he
overheard Elder Nelson say in public, (so he assured us it’s doctrine),
that this revelation has been the greatest of significance, second
only to the expansion of the priesthood in the 70’s… WHOA…. It’s no
surprise that his talk was about catching the wave, because this has
been one of the biggest we’ve ever seen! Pretty crazy..

As we know however, the real miracles, are the smaller, more
personal ones that we get to see as we keep our eyes open.  We had
someone from the ward call us last night, asking for help in teaching
one of his friends about prayer… He’s the only member of his family,
and has one of the strongest testimonies I’ve felt on my mission. It
was an honor and a humbling experience to give him some help and
advice on how he could present the message to his friend. We
encouraged him to share his testimony, and the power that comes from
it. The youth today of the church that I’ve been able to see, are so
strong. I don’t think I’d be able to have had the courage to sit down and
give a missionary lesson!

The greatest thing is, that it’s not that hard! ;)  As Elder Ballard has
told us, as we truly have a deep love for the people around us, we’ll
only be naturally inclined to bear our testimonies of the Gospel, even
if it’s just by the way we live, the way we talk, or the way that we
carry ourselves. Everyone has some light to give!

Another little tidbit before I head out.  We had an impromptu lesson
with these 2 high school kids which went really well and we set up a time to
go back and see them. When we called them back, their mom answered
saying how appreciative she was for us teaching him and the immediate
difference that he was able to feel. Haha!! She also said in her
wonderful southern accent,  how he had neeever cleaned his room like that!
The gospel blesses families. Trust in your daily scripture studies and
family prayers, and there’s a great promise that the industrious,
proactive energy will burst out of your families, stretching out to
made beds, chores, and who knows what else, with smiles and vigor!
Gotta love the gospel.

Elder Campbell and myself have been invited to
the ward chili cook off party going on this weekend! We’ve got some
great plans to somehow make something that tastes kind of good
hopefully, and douse it with ghost pepper sauce, entitled “the gall of
bitterness." So that should go great as well! ;)

Just another friendly reminder to everyone to continue on with your daily

readings and prayers, because I know and promise that as you do so, that love for missionary work will naturally come out in you! You may talk to
someone about the gospel, and not even realize it until they ask you
about what it means to go the temple.

Ahhh time’s up! Love you !!!!!!!  Elder Langford