Fwd: Homeward Bound

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Joshua Evenson" <joshua.evenson@myldsmail.net>
Date: Nov 9, 2015 2:10 PM
Subject: Homeward Bound
To: "Lance Evenson" <laneven28@yahoo.com>, "Lyndie Mittelsteadt" <lyndie.mittelsteadt@myldsmail.net>, "Karen Wright" <karenwright500@gmail.com>, "Stephanie Wright Curtis" <bemagnificent@gmail.com>, "Wade Evenson" <darthwader333@gmail.com>, "McKade Evenson" <3thebomb.com@gmail.com>, "lisa hjorth" <lisatsoi71@yahoo.com>, "Curtis, Cary - FSA, Burley, ID" <Cary.Curtis@id.usda.gov>, "Walker Hunt" <walker.hunt@myldsmail.net>, "Jenna Ahern" <jenna.ahern@myldsmail.net>, "jorjahjorth" <jorjahjorth@yahoo.com>, "Kylee Hale" <kyleestar95@hotmail.com>, "Natalea McCombs" <soccer8tallywags@gmail.com>, <lerwillquad@silverstar.com>, <susanblack41@comcast.net>, <linda@bonproductions.com>, <bob@happyhomesmaids.com>, <brettmisty@yahoo.com>, <kieran.curtis@gmail.com>, "Julina Curtis" <ljcurtis@filertel.com>, <slvbe7@comcast.net>, "Cindi Garrick" <cindigarrick@gmail.com>, <bboolerwill@tetontel.com>, "Katie Panter" <wkpanter@yahoo.com>, <welchginger@hotmail.com>, <grffy2424@yahoo.com>, "Doug Wright" <wridou@gmail.com>, <mikeswright2004@yahoo.com>, "C.J. White" <cjwright450@gmail.com>, <formertwinkielover4life@yahoo.com>, <dilly.dally23@hotmail.com>, <cygarrick@yahoo.com>, "Lula Knudson" <lulaknudson@yahoo.com>, <lcevenson@cableone.net>, "Betty Evenson" <bevenson@xmission.com>, "lyndie mittelsteadt" <lyndie1@live.com>, "Kimberly Lynn Willard" <kwillard@ldschurch.org>
Cc:

Dear Family and Friends,

Just last week I was in Bolivia, and now, Idaho. This has been a week full of emotion, full of happiness, full of sadness, full of anxiety, and full of joy. 

These last two years have been the very best of my entire life. They have taught me so very many things: How to have faith, how to have confidence in myself, how to lead, how to teach, and many more. I have come to know that Jesus Christ really is my Savior. He lives, and loves us. I know that we can be forgiven of our sins, and that by following Him we can be happy. I know that our families can be together forever. I know that God exists, He answers our prayers; the ones we say to Him and even the ones just in our hearts. 

I love Bolivia. I will miss the people there that I have served and loved for so long. I will always remember Bolivia with great love in my heart. 

I am so grateful to President and Sister Willard for being my mission parents these two years, I have learned ever so much from their lives and from their example. They taught me how to be true disciples of Christ, good parents, and good spouses. I love them lots. 

Most of all I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for this experience. In these two years He has taught me, loved me. and molded me closer into the person He wants me to be. 

And thanks to all of you for your love and support as well. :) They were the greatest two years, and I will remember them forevermore. I love you all greatly and if I haven't seen you yet, I'll see you soon!

Love,

Josh Evenson

Fwd: Baptism of a professional soccer player - and Josh's last letter - and some great pictures

Hello friends and family of Josh. Josh asked me to send the letter below. Hopefully you can all make it to Josh's report at Heyburn 1st Ward at 9am on November 15th. I know he'd love to see you all! And we'll be having a luncheon at "The Barn" afterwards. Here is the address: https://www.here.com/directions/drive/mylocation/SUNRISE-P-RIVER-RANCH:42.561497,-113.643242?map=42.5615,-113.64324,12,normal&fb_locale=en_US&x=ep 

Josh's letter

We had a baptism! It was super special. Bryan Zenteno. He is a professional soccer player, 19 years old, and is just about as sweet and humble as can be. He is an amazing person. He just ate up the gospel as he learned about it, making many changes in his life. He bore his testimony after his baptism, and it was full of the spirit.

"Our Heavenly Father's plan contains the ultimate expressions of true love. All that we hold dear, even our families, our friends, our joy, our knowledge, our testimonies, would vanish were it not for our Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Among the most cherished thoughts and writings in this world is the divine statement of truth: 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'" —President Thomas S. Monson

I´m positive I wont write next Monday. The leadership conference is that evening, so we´ll be traveling.

(This is a picture from Josh's baptism last week. He's had one in each of the past two weeks. He couldn't send a picture of the professional soccer player's baptism because they forgot their cord.)

Here´s a picture of me during my birthday. They have a super funny tradition that he who has a birthday has to take a bite of the cake with his face; you can see the rest of the tradition from my face :D

 

Josh's birthday

Josh's emails:

It was wonderful :) actually I did get to celebrate a little :) Our pensionista cooked my favorite meal as a suprise, haha I never told them it was my birthday, and they got me a beautiful cake. It was really special. :) I´ll say in the group letter!

It was a splendid weekend!!!!! I love general conference! I´m going to make it a big family tradition in my family. General Conference weekend will be off-limits for work and or other activities. :) I really loved the talks by Elder Nelson, President Monson, and Kevin Durrant, and Elder Foster, and Elder Lawrence. Oh and Sister Neill F. Marriott, and Sister Carole Stephens were great too. But I think Elder Nelson´s was my favorite of the conference!

hahaha thanks for all the birthday wishes!! :) They are wonderful! Coltin is so big now! He looks way older! Conference sure was wonderful for me! :) I love general conference

DID MCKADE WATCH CONFERENCE???????? hahaha I hope he did!! 

Mom when I get home, I want to go to the temple. Can we go in the first few days? Perhaps Monday or Tuesday? 

Maybe I´ll go spend a week with Grandma and Papa before heading off to Rexburg. I could maybe help out a bit with the house and coltin.

From Josh to everyone: 

After a wonderful weekend of conference and miracles, I have many new goals and hopes for my future. I learned as much from what they said as how they said it.

The talk that most called my attention.. well I can´t say just one. I received little packets of light all throughout the conference from all the different speakers such as:

You can only teach someone when THEY are ready to learn, not just when I want to teach them. -Elder Foster

Talking is not teaching. -Sister Carole Stephens

I am going to PONDERIZE! -Kevin Durrant (I loved this talk so much!)  

Elder Bednar´s talk really helped me as well, because sometimes I worried to see the leaders of the church struggle with their age, like President Monson, but his talk helped me to repent and gain a new perspective that it is really a blessing! And also help me to look forward to being old. 

I can access the divine guidance of God through prayer. He can literally give me the solutions I need to the problems I have if I ask in faith. -President Erying.

I can be kinder in word and in thought. I can show more love. -Elder Rasband (You can just see in his face how loving he is!) 

I want to marry a woman who can ¨pull down the blessings of heaven through prayer to protect her family¨ really that will be like all the wonderful things he said a woman can be. -President Nelson

Heavenly Father blessed me with so very many wonderful revelations!! Now we have to take it all to the investigators. I´ve been worried about the zone, but I realized that I need to face our challenges with love and optimism, not with stress and negativity. I have to help them have the higher vision through my example and love. 

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Elder Evenson

Fwd: Miracles of the week!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Joshua Evenson" <joshua.evenson@myldsmail.net>
Date: Aug 24, 2015 9:40 AM
Subject: Miracles of the week!
To: "Lance Evenson" <laneven28@yahoo.com>, "Karen Wright" <karenwright500@gmail.com>, "Stephanie Wright Curtis" <bemagnificent@gmail.com>, "Wade Evenson" <darthwader333@gmail.com>, "McKade Evenson" <3thebomb.com@gmail.com>, "lisa hjorth" <lisatsoi71@yahoo.com>, "Curtis, Cary - FSA, Burley, ID" <Cary.Curtis@id.usda.gov>, "Walker Hunt" <walker.hunt@myldsmail.net>, "Jenna Ahern" <jenna.ahern@myldsmail.net>, "jorjahjorth" <jorjahjorth@yahoo.com>, "Kylee Hale" <kyleestar95@hotmail.com>, "Natalea McCombs" <soccer8tallywags@gmail.com>, <lerwillquad@silverstar.com>, <susanblack41@comcast.net>, <linda@bonproductions.com>, <bob@happyhomesmaids.com>, <brettmisty@yahoo.com>, <kieran.curtis@gmail.com>, "Julina Curtis" <ljcurtis@filertel.com>, <slvbe7@comcast.net>, "Cindi Garrick" <cindigarrick@gmail.com>, <bboolerwill@tetontel.com>, <wkpanter@yahoo.com>, <welchginger@hotmail.com>, <grffy2424@yahoo.com>, "Doug Wright" <wridou@gmail.com>, <mikeswright2004@yahoo.com>, "C.J. White" <cjwright450@gmail.com>, <formertwinkielover4life@yahoo.com>, <dilly.dally23@hotmail.com>, <cygarrick@yahoo.com>, "Lula Knudson" <lulaknudson@yahoo.com>, <lcevenson@cableone.net>, "Betty Evenson" <bevenson@xmission.com>, "lyndie mittelsteadt" <lyndie1@live.com>
Cc:

What a wonderful week full of miracles!!

Exactly one month ago I received a reference from the members of El Carmen of a less-active single mother. We contacted them as fast as we could and had a spirit-filled lesson with her, Maria Luz, and her two children, Celeste and Gaston. That same sunday they came to church the three hours. As we started visiting them, we learned of the many hardships this family had faced, and their desires for something better. The two children, age 14 and 10, were never baptized. We invited them to be baptized the 22 of August, exactly one month away, and they responded affirmatively! I have never in all my mission met a family so prepared to receive the gospel. They haven´t missed a single sunday or activity since that day, and they have been praying and reading and changing everything in their lives to accept the gospel again. Celeste and Gaston were baptized the 22 and confirmed the 23. Maria Luz was interviewed yesterday by the branch president and is looking forward to the future with hope and happiness, something she hasn´t had since time of her baptism. They are already sharing the gospel with all their friends and neighbors, and have brought a few to activities! It´s truly a miracle to see the change and happiness that the gospel brings as we apply it to our lives. I´m so happy to be a missionary. :) 

I hope you all have a wonderful week as well!

Elder Evenson

Fwd: picture together

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Stephanie Wright Curtis" <bemagnificent@gmail.com>
Date: Aug 24, 2015 10:01 AM
Subject: Fwd: picture together
To: "Stephanie Wright Curtis" <bemagnificent@gmail.com>
Cc:

Fwd: Good morning!!!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Stephanie Wright Curtis" <bemagnificent@gmail.com>
Date: Aug 24, 2015 12:02 PM
Subject: Fwd: Good morning!!!
To: "sweetred3.stephanie@blogger.com" <sweetred3.stephanie@blogger.com>
Cc:

Fwd: fotos

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Joshua Evenson" <joshua.evenson@myldsmail.net>
Date: Aug 24, 2015 10:09 AM
Subject: Fwd: fotos
To: "Stephanie Curtis" <bemagnificent@gmail.com>
Cc:

More pictures! Talent show, baptisms! And fried rice haha these are from elder arenas. My camera started working again!!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Spencer Arenas <spencer.arenas@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 6:06 PM
Subject: fotos
To: joshua.evenson@myldsmail.net

aaaaa

It's good to be alive!

¨Count your blessings, name them one by one.¨

That is a wonderful way to make your day better! Write down a list of all the wonderful blessings that you have, then kneel down in prayer and thank Heavenly Father for each of them. Gratitud is way of thinking, and a way of life, rather than a solitary moment of giving thanks. We have so very much in our lives to be grateful for. When we are grateful the world is a wonderful place!!

Here in Bolivia its very cold and wet and rainy, and my area is seriously pure mud, but life is great! Even though I can´t be dry and my clothes are covered in dirt, It´s good to be alive!

Have a wonderful week full of thanks!

Elder Evenson

Zone Leader!!!

 

​There were transfers! I have a new companion, but i´m in the same area. His name is Elder Pacheco from Colombia, and we are the new zone leaders! I have the best zone in all the misison, of the 16 elders, 5 are in training, so we are a super excited zone to work and to make miracles!!!

Just to clarify from my message from last week, I certainly do not think watching movies is bad or anything, my family loves watching movies together. Just be careful with what types of movies you choose and the quantity. Families just need to be together!

This week were our transfers, and I have a new companion; Elder Pacheco from Colombia. We have some great new responsiblities, so I will be tested to my limits! 

Thinking about the great love of our Heavenly Father, He want each of us to be all that we can be. We as people are not prone to change. Normally when change comes along, as it always does, we object and oftentimes complain. But change is something we all need! Heavenly Father loves us, so HE sends us storms and trials, and new opportunities; all to help us grow and learn and be better than we are now. How grateful I am for a loving Father in Heaven who cares so much for me. 

 1 And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art myfirstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness.And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictionsand much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren.

 2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.

 

Here, Jacob had to know of the greatness of God before his afflictions could be for his gain. And the same goes for us. All trials, afflictions, hardships, and every new experience are given to give us the choice to change. If we know HOW we should change, we can allow such moments to ultimately change us for the better. We are here on earth to become as our Savior Jesus Christ. 

 

So as things in life change, we should not ask, ¨why would this happen to me?? What did I do to deserve this?¨ rather, ¨what does Heavenly Father want me to learn from this?¨ and then change for the better rather than for worse. It´s up to you! 

 

Read this scripture as a tie to what I said, the trials do come from God :)

 

Ether 3:24-25

 24 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

 25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?

 

I love you all dearly! Have a wonderful week.

 

Elder Evenson

Happy Mother´s Day!!

This is to all the wonderful Mothers, Grandmas, and future mothers in my life! You are wonderful!! I´m so thankful to all of you and wish you all a happy Mother´s Day. :)

I have to say that my mom is the best in the entire world I believe! And all my Grandmas are also the best grandmas in the world! Thank you all for your support and all the love you have given me throughout my life. :) I have been abundantly blessed with motherly figures in my life :) Know that I love you all so very much. The world would be a very much sadder place with out the love of moms and grandmas. 

Motherhood is one of the most precious things there are in this life. Being a mother is the highest and most noble honor that any woman can have. I honor woman who decide to stay at home and nuture their children. In an every increasingly wicked world, the righteous influence of a dedicated mother is the greatest power in the home. I know that not every situation for every family is the same, but moms need to be VERY present in the lives of their children. 

Thank you all again for being so wonderful! :) 

Have a great week!

Elder Evenson

Missionary Life!

This week I was given the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of life and the plan of Salvation.

Last Wednesday, very unexpectedly, a young father that I had been teaching, who is member, died in a tragic electrical accident. He went out to work at 4 in the morning, and had a visit with us at 11, but never showed up. The hospital contacted his family. The next day we entered him into his grave. I was asked to dedicate the grave. He was dear friend of mine and I could learn many things from him.

Inicially I felt great sorrow, especially for the family he left behind. But as I thought of the plan of salvation, I was conforted. We are eternal beings! Before we came to the earth we lived! Our time here on earth is but a small moment. And we will live after. We came here to earth to be tested, to prove to God and to ourselves that we truly love Him. That we would do His will. He promises us that as we do so, we will grow more than we can possible imagine, and that we shall inherit ¨thrones, prinicipalities, dominions, and kingdoms¨ if we endure to the end. We are all intended to become even as our Heavenly Father! That is His great plan! It is only sometimes hard to see because we are shrouded with the mask of life and death, and we can not see the end. But how grateful I am for an eternal perspective. A perspective that gives meaning to all I do. I know that one day I shall be able to see Jhonny again, and we will rejoice in the time we had to share and grow together.

Have a wonderful week, and be eternally grateful for all the many blessings in your lives. You never know when your time will come. Always show appreciation to those you love most. :)

Elder Evenson

4-06-15

I'm feeling 100% better now and I just loved conference! It was the best! What were your thoughts about it?? I noticed how they talked a TON about families and the relationships within. I loved Elder Ballards talk to the Priesthood, and Pres. Uchtdorfs and and Eryings in the priesthood session. haha you miss out big time!! I also liked Linda K. Burtons talk and Elder Ringwoods talks. and the talks by the two Elder Andersons :D the apostle and the 70! They were all fantastic! :)

bautismo y si confirmado

I have some new news for you. First off, I´ve got a new companion. His name is Elder Marcely, he is from El Salvador, the only elder in the mission from there. He´s got about the same time as me as a missionary.He´s awesome. he´s a spirit akin to Coltin. I´ve had a few of those as companions. :)

But the good news is that we had a baptize and confirmation saturday and sunday :) It was a real miracle. We had a miracle baptism this week. Limberg Añez. He was an investigador that we had actually baptized the14 of february, but he never showed up for his confirmation. One whole month passed that we didn´t see them, but we never ever gave up in looking for him. We found them again and yesterday was confirmed! We believe he had a problem with the law of chastity, and just ran away, but now everything is good. It was a true miracle. Elder Marcely confirmed him, and we both felt the Holy Spirit of Promise confirm to us that the ordenance was confirmed in heaven.

Do I look really skinny in my pictures? Everyone here is telling me that just in the last week I lost a ton of weight, and so I´m kind of worried. My sicknesses haven´t completely left, and I´m not sure what to do.

It´s been another rough week, but we did have a baptism! So that´s good. My sickness just isn´t going away though. It´s rough just to get from one place to the next. Buuuuutttt I have to work!!! I´ve only got a short time left, and I need to use it best as I can! There are miracles to be made! I just love being a missionary. There is no greater love I have than teaching the gospel. I feel such power and energy running through my body as I testify of the truth and teach the gospel! I wish I could just be a gospel teacher all my life :) Maybe I´ll study theology! Honestly if I could, I would make the church my whole life. That´s why I´d love to be a seminary teacher. I love being a missionary, but i only get 2 years to do that. :) I know that it is only by truly living the gospel that we can overcome all things. My family will be a gospel centered family, where the gospel is taught all week long, not just on sunday! That doesn´t work. I´ve seen hundreds of times here in bolivia how that does not work out! The Gospel must be everything! We must love God above all things. That´s the first commandment, and the most difficult, but it´s the secret to all success and happiness in this life. :)

The Mission (March 30th)

This week me and my companion have suffered a bit from sicknesses.
Elder Jones has had stomach issues and I got something called
Chickungunya.

Having Chickungunya gave me an unique experience to reflect upon the
suffering of the Savior. When I woke up Saturday, I arose to such a
pain as I had never before felt in my life. Literally every joint in
my body was in immense pain. I could not even stand or walk without
great pain. It was truly the most painful experience of my entire
life. And feeling such pain, I imagined how could the Savior have
suffered so much more. It was unfathomable to me. But as I reflected
and prayed to the Savior for strength the words of D&C 19:16-19 came
to mind and gave me comfort. The pain that the Lord suffered,
especially in the garden of Gethsemane, was so great that He sweat
great drops of blood. He suffered our pains, afflictions, trials,
sicknesses, doubts, and any other thing that could hurt us. (Luke
22:44, Alma 7:11-13) The Savior suffered all so that in the last day
we wouldn´t have to; if it is that we accept Him and His teachings. I
prayed that my experience would help me have more compassion for
others in the future.

But, I´m so excited for general conference next week!! I hope all of
you are as well! Prepare a question, any question, and Heavenly Father
will help you answer it through the voice of His servants, the
prophets! It´s the best really. :)

Have a wonderful week!

Elder Evenson


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Chikengunya (March 30th emailing session)

Just so you know, I´ll be writing a bit slowly today, I´m recoving from a dreadful sickness I got friday evening called Chickungunya. I´ll write more about that in
a minute. I just finished wrtitng president Willard.

Mom: Did you receive a healing priesthood blessing?

Josh: haha like immediately! I was in so much pain. It was the most pain I had ever felt in all my life saturday morning. It usually lasts an  entire week, and its a miracle that I´m out and about. I´m still not totally better, but its a lot less for sure.

Missionary Life (March 23)

We have been working with a man called Joaquin Barba since about
December of last year, and this last saturday was baptized. He
suffered many many trials even before ever being baptized. He is a
taxi driver, and has 5 small children, age 7-0. His wife, Karin, is a
member, but was less-active. They are very very poor, and during all
this time suffered various health problems with himself, and with his
kids. About two months ago was when all the big trials started to
happen in his life. The car he drove wasn´t his; he paid rent, and one
day he had to take his boss to a meeting and his glove box fell open,
and there was his Book of Mormon that we had given him, and all of a
sudden his boss just started verbally abusing Joaquin for having it
there. ¨What are you thinking?? Why are you wasting your time with
religion?? Do you think God is going to give you money for your
family?? Work is all there is!¨ And other similar things. She ended up
threatening him that if he continued visiting with us that she would
leave him without work. So Joaquin was really concerned. There were a
couple of hard hard weeks for him, and the relationship between him
and his boss only got worse. We continued visiting him, trying to help
him see that this was a test of his faith. And the tests only got
worse! Right at the end of Carnaval, all the taxis of his boss´s line
of vehicles had some sort of party that was obligatory, and there
present was beer and alcohol and every type of horrible thing you
could think of. And they all pressured Joaquin to drink and do drugs
and just bad bad stuff, but Joaquin stayed strong and rejected all of
them, just drinking soda. In the end Joaquin lost his job, but he knew
that the church was true, and decided to be baptised. He now has a
new, and better, job! Yesterday he expressed so much gratitud that we
never left him through all the trials, and told us that he truly felt
peace, and happy now. Elder Jones baptized him, and I confirmed him.
haha i won´t even go into the craziness of this week preparing his
baptism. The Lord opened up all the closed doors and made a miracle
happen. How I love being a missionary!

Elder Evenson

March 23 emails

But hey just so you know, we had a baptism on saturday!!!!! It was such a miracle seriously. It was a crazy crazy saturday and sunday, but so wonderful. :) I´ll send some pictures!!

This week I got a new book, The teachings of the Presidents of the
Church: Ezra Taft Benson, and I have just been loving it. He was such
a great man and did so many great things. Also he´s from Idaho! He
loved the principles of prayer, hard work, humility, and the love of
God. We are studying this manual in Priesthood (elders quorum) this
year. I love studying the lives of the prophets; they inspire me, and
help me to see the vision that the Lord truly has for us in our lives.

As a missionary I have been really focusing on testimony this last
little while, and I have felt such a large change in the way I see
myself as a representative of the Savior. I truly feel like I´m here
to represent Him and His church and I feel great love of the work! So
I´d like to share me testimony with you today. :)

I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know He loves us and sacrificed His
life for each one of us, and that as we go unto Him, He can heal and
comfort us. I couldn´t say that before my mission, but now I know. I
know that He wants us to be happy, and that comes as we follow His
example; in everything. I know God hears and answers our prayers, and
that through faith miracles can be made. I know that this life is all
a great test, and that obedience is what will carry us to the presence
of God once again to live in eternal happiness. Obedience is SO
important! It is the great teacher of our souls. I know that Joseph
Smith was a prophet of God and that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet of
God today. I know the Gospel is true! And what happiness and love and
peace it brings.

District meeting and sweet experience helping to answer a prayer

Well this week for us we just worked hard! Hahaha…I had a meeting with all the district leaders in Santa Cruz with President Willard. It was very good. I was asked to conduct the meeting and had the privilege of teaching the other leaders about Ezekiel 34. We talked about how to be good leaders of course. Our heroes in the Book of Mormon, the mission manual, and how to give good correction. It was really good :)

I'm district leader, but it´s a little different here in Santa Cruz than out in Camiri; my district is bigger. There are 8 missionaries instead of 4. I also don´t participate in the leadership conferences with the zone leaders. Just the structuring of the mission is different. Hahaha…I don´t have to do finances :D The zone leaders are actually a part of my district as well, so we check on one another mutually.

I´m really bad at sharing stories, but I had a very sweet experience this week:

As we were leaving our house in the morning to go out and teach the Gospel, a lady with two young sons called out to us, and we recognized them as a family that we had taught about a month ago. She asked us if we could visit with them in the evening, but as we already had a full schedule, we told her if we could find the time we would pass by. As it turns out, our appointment at 8 fell through, and we decided to go and visit the Soria Family. They lived rather far away so it was about 8:40 before we were able to start the lesson. So as missionaries we should be in house at 9. 9;30 as the very very last deadline. So we were really short for time, but as we started talking a spirit of peace entered into our hearts as we shared about the restoration and the experience of Joseph Smith. The weird thing is that we shared the exact same thing a month ago when we first visited them, yet we felt inspired to share it again. Then we reached the moment that during Joseph Smith´s search for truth, he read a scripture that changed his life. James 1:5 which says, ¨And if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and is shall be given him.

But let him ask with faith...¨

 

In that moment the mother of family got really emotional, and began to tell us that she felt as though she had been escaping in her life from God. She told us how just the day before she had been reading the Bible for hours, and could never find the scripture she was looking for. But that we came by, and through us, God gave her her answer. She hadn´t been praying much, and her family was going through many difficulties, but she felt the love of God as she read the scripture. I felt very blessed to have been in tune with the spirit so that through me he could answer the prayer of one of His daughters. :) Experiences like that really strengthen my testimony that God truly does love us, and is aware of our needs. :)

This morning as I was reading the Liahona of March, (ensign in the states) I was really interested in a talk written by Elder Oaks about the antichrists that are so present in our days. Hahaha..well I read the whole talk in Spanish so I´m not sure how well I´d be able to translate it to English, but we live in times where there are every so many voices telling us where true happiness awaits. Some say in solely doing what makes us feel good. Some say it is found within fame, fortune, titles, gifts, and other material things. Moral relativism reigns supreme. All believing that happiness and salvation can be found on our own, doing what we feel is right. However, I know that that is not the truth. Our loving Heavenly Father from the very beginning already knew how we could be happy and gave that way in the form of the Gospel! It is through our obedience to the commandments and our love of God that frees us and allows us to find lasting peace and happiness. I love the gospel with all my heart. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. He knows us. He loves us. He pleads that we can follow His example. I have seen in the lives of oh so many the truthfulness of the words of Alma, ¨wickedness never was happiness.¨ My own life is a testimony. As I have striven to keep the commandments in my life, and learned to love my Heavenly Father and Savior, I have found peace and purpose in my own mind and heart. I am truly happy. I´m not perfect, but when I do make mistakes I know how I can be forgiven, and how I can then change. The gospel of Jesus Christ is glorious! I know God exists, that He lives and guides our lives. I know that He answers our prayers. Any of us can know the same if we but humble ourselves and seek for the truth. God has given to each of us the marvelous gift of being able to choose for ourselves between right and wrong. And as a missionary it is my wonderful job to help others choose the right! I know this is true with all my heart.

Have a wonderful week!

Elder Evenson

 

When my mind changed then my work changed and everything changed

haha way to go Wade (Wade got a 4.0 this last trimester)! That's great. I do know Porter (Wade's best friend). He's a good kid. I've really seen here in Bolivia how great of a difference good friends make. It's the difference between serving a mission and being addicted to alcohol and having a miserable life. The friends we have are so very important.

I've had 9 baptisms altogether! 7 since christmas :) the week after I left camiri another person got baptized that I taught. What has changed? My faith. Before I had a hard time believing that I actually could baptize.. But then that changed. There in Camiri I received the faith that I needed to go out and do miracles. I now strongly believe and know that there are many many prepared people just waiting to be baptized. That was all that changed :) When my mind changed then my work changed and everything changed. The things that I havent been sharing as much are the reactivated families. I think that Ive reactivated about 25 or 30 people as well. Those count the same as a baptism in mission work now. Good thing I have until November right?? I have a ton of more people to help!

So this week I have gotten to learn a lot more about reaching out to the one. This is the of the most unique aspects of our Savior Jesus Christ. He came to save the world, but always made the time to change the lives of individuals through loving and caring, personal acts. My companion is struggling right now, he's newer here and is still adjusting to everything, and so I've had wonderful opportunity to see others reach out to him to help and strengthen him. haha I strive everyday to help him, but sometimes when you're with someone 24/7 they start to ignore you. haha ah so that's been a trial for me. But I, and he, have been greatly blessed as some of the leaders of the church here have lovingly reached out to Elder Jones to lift and inspire him to greater things. They didn't need to take the time to go and sit by him and give him advice and talk to him and get to know him, but they did. Even though no one asked them to, and it really isn't their responsibility. They were just acting as disciples of Christ. I love a scripture in Luke 22:32 that says something like, "When you are converted, strengthen your brethen." One small and seemingly insignificant act really can change the life of someone suffering or struggling with some inward battle. Reaching out to others can often be scary, I know, but it can make all the difference. I've been greatly strengthen in such moments as I've offered a small prayer in my heart for courage, and then opened my mouth. I've seen miracles happen! The Lord always helps us to have the courage to reach out and bless His other children. I love the Gospel. I know it's true. And I love my Heavenly Father.

March 2nd emails between Josh and me

MOM

So,  I've kept track and I believe you've had 8 baptisms now. Six since Christmas!  What changed since Christmas, do you think? 

JOSH

Oh good! Well actually 9! 7 since christmas :) the week after I left camiri another person got baptized that I taught. What has changed? My faith. Before I had a hard time believing that I actually could baptize.. But then that changed. There in Camiri I received the faith that I needed to go out and do miracles. I now strongly believe and know that there are many many prepared people just waiting to be baptized. That was all that changed :) When my mind changed then my work changed and everything changed. 

The things that I havent been sharing as much are the reactivated families. I think that Ive reactivated about 25 or 30 people as well. Those count the same as a baptism in mission work now

Good thing I have until November right?? I have a ton of more people to help!

So this week I have gotten to learn a lot more about reaching out to the one. This is the of the most unique aspects of our Savior Jesus Christ. He came to save the world, but always made the time to change the lives of individuals through loving and caring, personal acts. My companion is struggling right now, he's newer here and is still adjusting to everything, and so I've had wonderful opportunity to see others reach out to him to help and strengthen him. haha I strive everyday to help him, but sometimes when you're with someone 24/7 they start to ignore you. haha ah so that's been a trial for me. But I, and he, have been greatly blessed as some of the leaders of the church here have lovingly reached out to Elder Jones to lift and inspire him to greater things. They didn't need to take the time to go and sit by him and give him advice and talk to him and get to know him, but they did. Even  though no one asked them to, and it really isn't their responsibility. They were just acting as disciples of Christ. I love a scripture in Luke 22:32 that says something like, "When you are converted, strengthen your brethen." One small and seemingly insignificant act really can change the life of someone suffering or struggling with some inward battle. Reaching out to others can often be scary, I know, but it can make all the difference. I've been greatly strengthen in such moments as I've offered a small prayer in my heart for courage, and then opened my mouth. I've seen miracles happen! The Lord always helps us to have the courage to reach out and bless His other children. I love the Gospel. I know it's true. And I love my Heavenly Father.

Parts of a letter home; written in February, 2015

Bolivia sure is different from the states, from Idaho at least, it's so HOT here! :) I'm moving to Alaska after the mission, haha. I've seen every type of insect imaginable, from grasshoppers the size of my hand to cockroaches so big that they have wings and fly! I've had fleas, and been bitten by more mosquitos than I can count, and even received Dengue, a fun tropical disease that makes your bones ache and fever for a week! Santa Cruz is really weird because there are so many plants and insects, but there is sand everywhere! I love it, though. :) There are only 2 seasons here, really hot, and 2 weeks of cold. I could talk all day about Bolivia, but it sufficeth me to say that I love being here. 

Up until now I've had 9 companions, and 5 different areas. My companions have been from Chile, Colombia, California, Peru, Bolivia, Bolivia, Peru, Nevada, and Utah. A little bit of everything! They have each tight me important things that have helped me grow and change my life. Of all the things I've been as a missionary, I think my favorite is training, receiving a brand new missionary and teaching him everything. New missionaries are so full of faith and energy, it's a ton of fun. I've been a trainer 2 times, with Elder Pena de Peru and Elder Dyer from Nevada. They're the best! :) I've been extremely blessed to have been a part of many baptisms and reactivations. I love helping people come unto Christ. I know the Lord has always put me where I was needed most. He has been very mindful of me. :) The Lord knows what he's doing. He could do His work without us really! We are just blessed to have a part in it. 

One of my very favorite scriptures is this, "wherefore, be to weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that with is great. 

"Behold, the Lord requires the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in the last days." D&C 64: 33-34

These scriptures always help me to remember the great importance of being strict with small things in m life like praying, reading scriptures, going to church, and doing service. I've seen how just an invitation to come to church has changed someone's life. It also helps me not only to be obedient, but happily obedient! that makes everything better. We can always trust in the promises of the Lord. If we dedicate ourselves to Him, He will bless us abundantly. I loved the talk by President Uchtdorf int eh last general conference to the women how he compared the commandments to vegetables. We like to eat the pea but groan with the carrot, but as every wise parent knows, children must eat ALL the vegetables to have a healthy body! We can't pick and choose which commandments to keep and not keep, otherwise 'commandments' would just be 'suggestions'. I keep a little card in my pocket that says, "Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles." I've seen the wonderful blessings of obedience as a missionary, and the miracles of a 'willing mind" when it comes to obeying them! 

I know this work is true. I know God lives and listens to our every prayer. He loves us. I know Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior. Only through Him may we be saved. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is true. Our families can be eternal. I know that true happiness comes through a life devoted to God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The commandments are the manifestation of the love God has for us; they are here to bless and instruct us! I know that anyone from age 10 to 110 can receive the same knowledge as I through sincere looking; prayer, study, and an open heart. Know that any stress or hardship can be taken from us as we open our hearts to He who suffered all. I know we will one day live again and stand before the Lord to give account of all we have done, who we are, and who we wish to become.

A letter to President Willard

This is my letter that I sent to President willard this morning, I
thought I´d share. :)

To be honest, this was a hard transfer for me. It was full of
miracles, but also full of many trials and low points. I feel like I
grew and learned a great deal though. At times I felt completely
worthless, as if all my efforts came out to nothing, and at other
times I rejoiced in the works and wonders of the Lord. I thought we
were going to have more baptisms and reactivations than we did.. The
enemy worked hard against us and our investigators. Very hard. The
last two weeks have been especially hard.
I can say with full confidence that I did my best to help Elder Jones.
I tirelessly strived to help him and teach him; give him opportunities
to teach and grow as well. But I often felt like I was just hitting a
brick wall most of the time. He has just struggled greatly between
doing what he wants and what the Lord wants. I struggled for a time
with that as well, so I understood. But for that reason it was a
difficult transfer for me. Haha it was a battle every day.. But the
Lord is teaching me many things. But I know I did my best President.
Thank you for helping him as well, he really liked the chapters you
gave him, it was interesting because my personal study of Alma 46-48
was about a really similar topic.  I love how the Spirit works 
I love being a missionary. I know this work is true. Enduring to the
end is the fun part. I know it isn´t always easy, but it is possible.
And it can be wonderful! It should be! I glory in the gospel. There is
nothing I love more than diving into the Book of Mormon and feeling
the Spirit communicate the Love of God to me. It changes the worst
moments, when you feel alone, to moments of peace and revelation. I
know Jesus Christ is my Savior and that His way is the only way to
happiness in this life and life eternal in the next.
Have a wonderful week President!
Elder Evenson

Good morning!

 

Here was the highlight of our week! The other elders had a baptism too! So that was a great weekend! The other person, Jose Luis is going to be baptized I believe next week. His family were in ¨El Campo¨ which is like in the fields, and so we wanted to wait for his mom and brothers to be there.

 

oh mom lo siento! I´m sorry!! I didn´t hardly write you this weeek! Sorry :( Next week will be better. I love you so much though!! Have a wonderful week! :)

letter from Josh this week

This last Little while i´ve been contemplating a wonderful quote by President Thomas S. Monson. He said, ¨When you are on the Lord´s errand, you are entitled to His help.¨ The life of President Monson inspires me so much. He has truly lived such a prophetic promise. I have seen it as well here in Camiri, the área that I´m at. I´ve been here about 7 months now, and it has been a time of truly great change for me as a disciple of Christ. It has been where I´ve learned how to consecrate much more of myself to my Heavenly Father through the wonderful companions and opportunities i´ve had to serve others. I´ve seen so many miracles here. So many!!! For example, this next saturday we are planning on having as a district 3 baptisms of people that have truly been miracles. Our great challenge here was being on the Lord´s errand. All missionaries ´do´ missionary work. They all go out and teach and talk to people and eat weird food, but we don´t always act as the Lord´s disciples. Sometimes we forget. Or sometimes we spend all our time just wishing we were at home, or that the misión could be over, or whatever other thing. That was me for some time as a missionary. :) But then I slowly began to change. I began seeking to do the Lord´s will and He put people, and talks, and messages into my life to help me change. :) And then my heart started to change! Began to love the Lord more. To have greater desires to serve, to forget myself and not think about glory or titles or anything like that. I was so prideful. So selfish! Well I´m still not perfect but I can happily say that I´m not who I was. :) And then the miracles started to happen as I stopped wanting to serve myself and start looking outwards. Again, not perfect, but I have desires to be like my Savior, and like president Monson and all the other amazing men and women I´ve met in my life. As I started looking to be on the Lord´s errand, and not my own, that was when the lord started showing his incredible power.