One step at a time

This was a week of growing by trials. I really felt down on myself pretty much the whole week. After all the success we had last week I thought every week would be like that, but oh boy was I wrong! We didn't have nearly as many lessons as we have had in the past or any new investigators. This was a week of rejection and being yelled at.
So yeah the mission is very difficult sometimes. 

So on Saturday night I decided to go on the roof of where I live and pray to know why I was feeling all this doubt and disappointment in myself. After I prayed I realized that I was being humbled this week because of my attitude. I needed to know that this is his work not mine and that I need to give 100% all the time. And as I forget about myself and about my problems and start thinking about others, that is when I become an effective missionary. Changing my will to God's will is what I was being taught this week. So a very humbling experience.

It's funny even when I'm not being exactly obedient or giving my full effort that Lord still sends me amazing experiences and blessings. On Sunday Elder Barola and I were on guard duty at church. We have to make sure that no crazy people come in and try to pull stunts or any funny business.  While we were on guard a middle aged man walked in. And he say us and asked if we could come to his house sometime and say a prayer with him. We told him that we could just do it now. So we took him into a separate room and said a prayer. Before we said the prayer we found out that he wasn't a member but has been taking all the missionary discussions. He told us that he just wanted forgiveness from God and the people in his life. We said a prayer with him, but after the prayer I was prompted to ask if he wanted a blessing. He said yes but didn't understand what it was. So we explained that it is
comfort and guidance from God. Elder Barola gave the blessing and it was so powerful! Everything Elder Barola said we all knew that those were words of God. The spirit was so strong. Elder Barola said that he will receive that forgiveness as he strives and promises to follow Jesus Christ and his teachings.

There was many other things but that was the main part. After the blessing the guy was crying and kept on thanking us. We could tell right then that he had a change of heart and would strive to be better. He shook our hands and silently left the church. It was honestly amazing.

So this week I truly learned that Heavenly Father will never leave us no matter what. Even when I wasn't doing my best he still was sending me amazing experiences. So I know that if I give my full effort each and everyday than he will keep sending blessings and miracles will happen. It was a hard week but I am so grateful for all the experience
and growth this week.

Next week Elder Barola and I get to go to Manhattan. He has a doctors appointment there so we got permission to walk around Manhattan for a few hours. I'm really excited and I'll send some pictures. So I'm doing great so no worries. Thanks for all the support!

I love you all!

With trust,

Elder Jeppson

Fearlessing

This has been a fantastic week! I will say though that the first four days were really slow. We didn't get much work in so I was getting a little discouraged. But then I thought back and realized that not everyone in New York has the softest of hearts. So this week I learned more about patience. Sometimes in life you're going to start out slow, but it's going to be alright. And that's how my weeks have been, start out slow but finish strong.

On Friday I had the opportunity to go on an exchange with Elder Paterson, who is my zone leader. At first I didn't want to because I thought he was just there to evaluate me and see how my progress was. But it ended up being a great experience! We taught five lessons that day! It was so amazing how people were just being placed in our way. I really learned how important it is to talk to everyone you see. Usually my week consists with about four lessons, but just in one day we taught five lessons! And three of the five are now new investigators. My faith has truly increased.

Our first lesson we got bible bashed so hard by this Elderly couple. We tried to testify of what we knew instead of bashing back, and they just kept on grilling us! It was awful but funny at the same time. Every time The husband would talk his wife kept on saying "Amen baby". And at the end we said a prayer and they had us stand up and hold hands. I said the prayer and she kept on saying "hallelujah" after everything I said. It was silly.

After we got bashed we found another family down the road. They have six kids and they are going to be homeless next month. The mom has such strong faith. She said that the lord is just trying to humble their family, and she kept saying "the lord will bend me but not break me". I know finding them wasn't just a coincidence! They are so ready for this gospel. I can't wait to see all the blessings that it brings to their family. But This made me realize how fortunate I really am.
Sometimes I complain about life but I have a house to live in, my amazing family and people who love me, this gospel, and also a lot more! So I am so blessed! Elder Paterson is going to keep me posted on their progression.

In the night we went to Main Street and did "fearlessing". It's were we talk to everyone we see. So in the middle of New York there is two white boys in white shirts and ties talking to people who are drunk and going crazy. You could say it was an interesting experience. We got two peoples numbers and Elder Paterson will be having lessons with them next week. The exchange was such a good experience for me! I learned so much.

Now the best part of the week. We exchanged back and Elder Barola and I went to visit Mary. She's the lady I've been talking about lately who came to church and paid her tithing. We taught her "The Gospel of Jesus Christ". At the end of the lesson we were prompted to ask her to be baptized when she feels these things are true. She said "YES" and her baptismal date is November 22nd. She is so prepared! She wanted to say the closing prayer and in her prayer she asked Heavenly Father that she would be ready for her baptismal date and keep strengthening her faith.  She came to church again yesterday and said that when she comes it "gives her a good feeling" So she said she will be attending every week and we have another lesson set up with her on Thursday. I'm so glad we were lead to her! I've come to love the people I teach so much.

I'm finally letting myself Go and thinking of others. I've never been more happy and I look forward to going out and knocking instead of being scared to do it. When you put your faith in the lord everything will fall into place and I've truly seen that this week.

Thanks for the prayers and the support I can feel it each andeveryday! I love you all so much

With much love,

Elder Jeppson

"Through my Exact obedience and perfect faith miracles in others will happen"

Hello Family and friends it's Braden here.

This week has been a week of learning and finding out why I'm here. I've had so many struggles and I felt like I wasn't good enough to be here. I would find myself always mad and thinking about my own needs. But, it was right then I realized why I wasn't happy. Because I was thinking about myself and not the people of New York. When I'm thinking about the people and really start loving them, that is when Iam the most happy. When I forget myself and get lost in the service of God, that is when Miracles Happen. And I've seen that this week. Also I've seen how important obedience is. If I'm not doing my part then how can I expect to be happy, and help others feel the truthfulness of the gospel? I can't, the only way is as our mission vision says:

"Through my Exact obedience and perfect faith miracles in others will happen".

I've come to know how true that really is. So obedience is what I have been working on this week.

This week at church we had so many investigators and less actives come. The lady I talked about in my last letter, her name is Mary and she showed up, another guy we have been teaching for a week showed up, and four less active members we invited all showed up! It is so great when they keep the commitments you extend. It shows they really have a desire to be better. And Mary even told Bishop she wanted to pay tithing! She's not a member but bishop let her pay it anyway. She is really progressing! We have another lesson with her next week.

We taught that family of four again this week. We taught them about the restoration and the Book of Mormon this week. The spirit was so strong in that lesson. We asked them to start reading the Book of Mormon and sincerely pray if it is true. They said yes and you could really see their desire. It was so great.

Also we taught another lady. She is 73 years old and her husband diedabout a month ago. This was our third visit with her and this time we talked about how there is eternal life. She said she didn't believe in that. So we told her that she can know for herself that there is eternal life. We talked about how she will see her husband again and can be with him and her family forever. She told us that this is very comforting and she wants to learn more. We even sang "Families can be Together Forever" to her. We have another lesson with her on Tuesday.

Now one of my most special experiences so far.

Elder Barola and I were just about to head home after our lesson. It was about 9 o'clock P.M. and we got a call from Martin, who is a less active member. He said "Hey can you guys come over and talk with me for a little bit". We knew he was moving the next day so we thought maybe he just needed some help. So we got to his house and we asked him how he was doing and what was going on. And he said "I'm really nervous about this move tomorrow and I just really need someone to talk to". We talked for a while just about random stuff to calm down
his mind. But then I got a prompting to ask him if he wanted a blessing of comfort. He said yes but he didn't really know what it was. So I explained it to him and then he asked me to give him one. In that blessing I was prompted to say that the move will go smoothly and he doesn't need to worry. And also that he is never alone and is
always being watched out for. After the blessing he became relaxed. He told me when I was standing Behind him it reminded him of a movie about guardian angles. He said he felt like there was a guardian angel there to comfort him. It was so special, but it got even better. I talked about how we really do have guardian angels. I told him about my uncle Micah who I am named after and that he died when he was a baby. And I also told him about my uncle Bryce who died a few years ago. I told him how they are always looking out for me and there to
comfort me. And I know that they are serving their missions through my brothers, cousins, and I. Then Martin told us that he knows someone is looking out for him. He shared a very personal experience with Elder Barola and I, and we are the only ones that he has told. It was such a spiritual night. I thought about my patriarchal blessing where it talks about how my uncles will always be with me, and I will have times on my mission when I know they are with me. And I know that they were there that night, I felt them so strong. It was such a sacred experience.

We saw Martin at church on Sunday and he was telling us that he was so happy that the move went so well. I know that priesthood blessings are from God, and I believe that Martin knows that now too. Now I know I belong on this mission! The spirit has shown me. All these amazing experiences have shown me what missionary work is really about. Now I have the desire to be obedient! Because I know that miracles in others will happen. That is such a special promise that I know is true. My testimony has grown so much and I'm thankful for this gospel. The Lord has truly been good to me this week!

Thanks for all the love and support

With love,

Elder Jeppson

*For security purposes, names have been changed*

Week of MIRACLES

First of all we had the opportunity to help more people move in this week. It's always so good to see the joy on the people's face after you serve them. Service is one of the best ways to show somebody you love and care for them, and how to really gain their trust.

I've learned this week that living with somebody can be hard sometimes. Elder Barola and I didn't get along about some things so it made it hard. But then we decided to get over ourselves and talk about it. And because we talked about it, our companionship has been stronger. The spirit is so much stronger when we do lessons and testify of what each other is saying. Its been a really good learning experience.

We got new investigators this week! It's a Spanish family of five. There is a single mom with four kids and she doesn't speak any English, she can understand but can't speak. So when we teach them, her daughter translates of what she is saying. Our first lesson went really well with them! We talked about how families are eternal and how the gospel really strengthens families. After the lesson the mother had tears in her eyes and said "Everytime you missionaries come
over you bless our home. I can feel it every time you walk in" She said she was very thankful for us.  We have another appointment set up with them for next Friday. I can't wait to see how it goes.


And another miracle happened. Elder Barola and I were searching up our eferrals and we found one that really stuck out to us. So we found her address and went to her house. We knocked on the door and an elderly lady answered. We said we were looking for (Ms Johnson) and shesaid "this is she". And at first she was very irritated that we were there, and she wanted to know what we wanted. Then she saw our name tags and she had a total personality change. She said "oh you are the nice people" So we found out that she was meeting with sister missionaries before this. She said they stopped coming but she has more questions and wants to learn more. But she didn't have time that night so she invited us to come over Sunday night at 5. So we came back and talked with her and we brought brother Mansuetto. We talked to her for almost two hours! She believes there's a God and about Jesus Christ. So our visit was just a focus on what her questions and concerns are about the church. We didn't teach much, but we testified very strongly. I could tell she was feeling the spirit and really understood what we were saying. We asked her to come to church on Sunday and she said "yes, I think that would be good for me" so Brother and sister Mansuetto are going to pick her up so she is will for sure come. And after that we closed with a prayer and she really wanted to say it, and in the prayer she asked Heavenly Father that she would really open up her heart to our message. It was the coolest experience. And she even told us that everything happens for a reason, and meeting us was no coincidence! The first night we met her I had a feeling that she could be one ready for the gospel, but after our lesson today I know that she is prepared. And finding those people you know that are specifically for you is seriously the greatest feeling. It was really an answer to my prayers! The spirit testified to me so strong that she was ready. It was Simply a miracle

And yesterday I had the opportunity to speak in church. I spoke onfaith in Jesus Christ and his atonement. My talk was 15 minutes and I felt good about it. Members came up to me after and said that they were touched on what I said. But the things I said were none of my own ideas! I got up there and the spirit took over and prompted me to say things I didn't even plan for. Teaching with the spirit is the greatest gift as a missionary. It so comforting that I'm never alone while teaching. Because I know I'm not going to be converting people, It's the spirit that will lead to true conversion.

My challenge to all of you is to be a Member missionary. The members in the ward are what keeps the people coming to church. Like we say in our mission vision here "The Members are the key" Look for those opportunities to serve those people. It really helps hasten the work

Thank you for all the support it really helps to know that your family and friends are always praying for you and thinking of you. I love youall!

Love, Elder Jeppson

Hey Friends and Family, It's Me:)

Hey it's me. This week has been really great/interesting. Remember when I talked about the guy that we taught about feeling the spirit? He showed up to church on Sunday! It was so cool that he kept his commitment! When I saw that he was at church, it was confirmed to me that what we were teaching him was from the spirit .  

We did a lot of knocking this week. Not much success but looking back at it I know that we planted the seed, and now when they're ready other missionaries will capitalize.

Not much really happened until Thursday. I had my first exchange, and for one whole day my companion was Elder Beecher. He flew to New York with me so he is also brand new. It was crazy that they put two brand new missionaries together for a whole day. I was a little nervous at first but it ended up being a great experience. He stayed at my place for the night so that made me the senior companion. I had the opportunity to lead in studies and other discussions. It was really a great learning experience. Applying what we've both learned really helped us work off while teaching and learn from each other. It's really cool to see how much you can learn in such little time.

So Elder Beecher and I went to the park to start talking to people, and it was my turn to go start the conversation. So we walked up to these three guys sitting on a bench, and one of the guys was rolling up a joint. He tried to hide it from us, but then realized that we already saw it so then he started rolling it again. So in my mind I said to myself "welcome to New York"

As a district we have had many service opportunities this week. We helped three people move this week! Seeing a smile on someone's face because you served them is the greatest feeling. One of the people we helped move out was brother and sister Mansuetto's daughter. The Mansuetto's are great members in our ward. They have a Mormon message about them so you should search it up on http://www.mormon.org/frank her name his Thea and his name is Frank. Frank doesn't have a filter and can come off offensive like my father. But he is so nice and funny when you get to know him! They always want us to come over its awesome.

It's funny, everybody here asks why I talk so weird, but I'm like what? You guys are the ones talking weird. So it's definitely different here. But I'm loving every second of it. Thanks for all the love and support. I'll keep the stories coming

With love and trust,

Elder Jeppson