At Peace

Hello everyone! 

I hope everyone's week treated them well! Mine was quite the roller coaster! I had struggles, anxiety, a lot of fun, spiritual experiences, and miracles! I would like to say it was a learning week for me. But let's get into it!

First, so on Wednesday We were having a rough day! Nothing was going right, all our appointments were falling through and I was just feeling a lot of anxiety. I don't know why but it was hitting me pretty hard. But then we had this appointment late that night with a lady that called the bishop and said she wanted to learn more about our church. So we got there and it was this Haitian lady and her daughter and they were really nice, and we had the best lesson with them! We taught them about Joseph smith and the first vision and the spirit was very powerful! After the lesson they told us they wanted to read the Book of Mormon and that they would pray to know if it is true. They told us they were looking to find the truth and they were hoping this was it. So we testified to them that if they actually read the Book of Mormon and sincerely pray about it they will get the answer and they will know it's the truth. They told us that we could come back next week so I'll let you know about their progress. After the lesson I was feeling the spirit so strong and all that anxiety I was feeling earlier went away and I just felt at peace. It was a great testimony builder for me.

This week we gave two more blessings! 6 blessings in two weeks is a lot! It's been pretty cool being able to exercise The priesthood so much. One of the guys we gave a blessing is in a nursing home right now and he is very sick. The doctors said that he would be bedridden for the next 8 days. So he called us over to give him a blessing because he was feeling so much pain! But in the blessing it was said that he would be healed and make a speedy recovery. We went and saw him two days later and he was out of bed!! He told us he was feeling a lot better and had his strength back! That right there was a miracle my friends! It was another testimony builder for me of the healing power of the priesthood.

Also this week we had his guy that ordered a bible from our website, so we went to drop it off and we ended up teaching him the restoration! He had so many questions about the Book of Mormon and Joseph smith but they were good questions and I felt like we answered them pretty well. After, he told us that it made sense to him that we needed a restoration and he realized that the Book of Mormon wasn't to take away from the bible, but to add another testament of Jesus Christ. He told us he was going to read the whole thing and wants us to come by weekly to discuss what he has read! It was pretty cool. He also told us that he looked up to us so much for serving the Lord. And he was impressed because not many people our age are spreading the word of God. It was a good feeling to complemented like that.

So yeah that was my week! I had my struggles and I had my spiritual experiences. I was reminded that Heavenly Father knows everything that I am going through and he sent me those experiences to help me learn and grow. The mission is great! I've grown so much and I get to serve among so many pure in heart people! Those people are definitely the ones the make your mission an amazing experience. I love the people of New York so much! Over all it was a great week.

Much Love,

Elder Jeppson

New District!

AP's face timing in for District Meeting

Laughter, Love, Service, Getting Bashed At, and Many Miracles

Good morning to all my loved ones! 

I hope that your week has been full of good memories and laughter, because mine sure was! So on Tuesday we had transfers and I got a new companion and his name is Elder Bingham and he is the best! It's been less then a week and he is probably my favorite companion I have had so far! He's easy to talk to and to get along with, really funny, and is also a hard worker! He spent his last 9 months as a zone leader so he knows it all! I've already learned so much from him and we have had some good spiritual experiences already. He only has four months left on his mission and he is still working
hard. He served here in Lynbrook before he became zone leader, he was so happy to be back he loves it here. And all the members love him too so we will be getting fed a lot this transfer. 🙌

So this week with us getting transferred and trying to settle in was a little slow with the work. We didn't teach many investigators but we saw 10 different less actives this week! We had good good lessons with all of them and 3 of them actually showed up to church! One showed up who actually hasn't been to church in over a year, so it was pretty cool. Also we visited this member who hasn't been to church in a few years because she is having a lot of health problems and is pretty much bedridden. It's really sad to see but she loves it so much when we come over and visit because she says it brightens her whole week! So we try to see her At Least once a week! She told us that she was going to have her husband make us lunch next time we came over! She is the sweetest little thing. Also we met with Mark this week and his life is coming together now! He finally was able to get a job and will be able to support his family now! He told us that he was thankful to us for being there with him and praying for him because he was about ready to give up but ever since he started coming back to church and listening to the spirit his life has been coming together. It was a cool experience.

We met with John again yesterday. He wasn't able to make it to church so we went over to see what was going on and he was having some family issues that he needed to take care of but he told us he was sad he missed it and will definitely be at church next week! He said he was thinking about the Sacrament service this whole week and was reflecting back on the spirit he felt. So he is still doing good! We're meeting with him on Wednesday and we finally feel he is ready to receive a baptismal date!

Also we gave four blessings this week! It was cool to see the healing power of the priesthood work so quickly! We had two members in the hospital and a few days after we gave them a blessing they were up and out of the hospital healthy as can be! I have a strong testimony of the priesthood! I know that it is gods authority here on earth and it is the only way that we can perform these sacred ordinances.

Oh also this week we had a couple people ask us why we were out trying to convert other people to our religion. So we explained to them that we aren't trying to convert people to our religion, we are trying to convert them to Jesus Christ and his gospel. There is a quote by D Todd Christopherson that says "We don't strive for conversion to the church, but to Christ and his gospel which is a conversion facilitated by the church". Some people don't realize that we are fully centered on Jesus Christ. But Christ knew we needed organization so that it was we have as the church today. That's why the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church. It contains the fullness of Christ's teaching and "PROPER Priesthood authority" which is so key. I know most of you know this but it is always a good reminder that we are converted to Jesus Christ and his gospel which is just facilitated by the church.

So yeah that was my week! Consisted of laughter, love, service, getting bashed at, and many miracles. I'm loving every second of it! Have a great week all!

Much Love,

Elder Jeppson

New Companion Elder Bingham

Elder Jeppson and Elder Bingham with an enthusiastic member

..... and again

Never Doubt Your Faith

Good morning family and friends! How was you week?? Mine was great! We definitely finished the transfer on a high note. But I found out that Elder Shirts will be leaving which is pretty sad, buts it's okay. I'm still in though

So first of all on Tuesday we received a referral for someone who ordered a bible from Mormon.org. So we went to deliver the bible but the guy wasn't there, but his son answered the door and he actually invited us in because he was curious about our church. We asked him if he new anything about our church and he said "I've done a little searching on the Internet (Which is never good) but you can't trust everything on the internet so I don't have any concrete information about Mormons." Then he asked us if we could tell him what's true and not! That was a miracle! Usually people only look at the bad and false comments about our religion. We ended up teaching him about Joseph Smith and the restoration, it was so awesome! We gave him a Book of Mormon and he committed to read and pray about it! He wants to learn more so we will be meeting with him again this week.

Also that same day we had the best lesson with John! We read with him 2 Nephi 31, where it talks about the doctrine of Christ. Which is Faith, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. We really emphasized the importance of "PROPER priesthood authority" and that baptism can only truly be done by this authority. So then he asked "So my baptism wasn't valid" (because he was baptized in a baptized church awhile ago", so we lovingly explained that it wasn't by Gods true power so we were bold and told him it wasn't valid. He really understood the concept of priesthood authority so it was great! 

His sister's (who is a member of the church) flight back to Trinidad got cancelled because of the weather so she sat in the lesson and she was a very big help. That was no coincidence my friends! And guess what? He showed up to church this week!!! It was so amazing. He made some really good comments in our meetings, and told us that he will come to church next week as well. It was a miracle. I'll send pictures of him at church.

So after that our week slowed down quite a bit because President Reynolds called us on Wednesday to let us know that our apartment is closing down and we have to have it all cleaned out by Tuesday (which is now tomorrow). So we have been so busy cleaning out our apartment throwing away so much stuff from missionaries over the past 7 years. It's been non stop, but it looks really good now if I say so myself.

After all the chaos we were able to take a few hours out of our day and go to the temple with Jimmy on Saturday. It was the greatest experience! He actually had the opportunity to do baptisms for 40 people! It was so much but he loved it.  After, he told us "Wow I feel so good, I saved a lot of people today". He wants to go back soon. It was a good experience for me as well. The spirit in the temple in so strong! 

The closest to heaven we can get is in the temple. ALWAYS be worthy of a temple recommend friends! But on our way back from the temple the member we were with, Brother Larson, accidentally took the wrong exit and we ended up in New Jersey! I've never ended up in a different state on accident before! The worst part about it was we had to pay a toll to get back into New York. But hey we had a good time and now I've seen more of the country.

And my last experience was in church. So in priesthood we talked about trials and hardships in our lives. Brother Larson (who was teaching the lesson) asked the question "why do we have trials?" And some answers were "to test us, strengthen us, they'll be better for us in the end" sometimes we don't look at our trials as blessings in our lives, but they really are. In the end they make us stronger and better prepared to live with good again. Then he asked another question "how have you seen a trail in your life benefit you?" So I felt prompted to share a personal experience. I talked about a few years back when my dad had a heart attack. That was the most scared I had ever been in my life. I was asking myself why did this happen to me? It was really hard for me to deal with, then one day I realized that it happened for a reason. I saw because of that experience our family became a lot closer and more unified, I saw that my relationship with my dad started to become a lot better and we became closer. It was definitely hard to deal with at the time, but I know in the end it strengthened my dad, me, and my whole family.

Stay strong during trials my friends. Never doubt your faith.  You have friends and family all around you that are willing to help you in times of need. Also sometimes we have trials so we can be there to help others when they experience the same thing. Be there to help and up lift each other. But especially reach out to your Heavenly Father. He sent his son Jesus Christ to be with you every step of the way. Trust and love him and you will not be lead astray. I have a strong testimony of this because I've seen it in my life. I didn't notice at the time, but I know that Christ has been there with me through every one of my trials. He's given me strength beyond my own. And I know he gives us this strength through the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that this church is true without a doubt in my mind, I love it so much and I love my mission.

I love you all! Have a great week.

Much Love,

Elder Jeppson

Temple with Jimmy

Elder Jeppson & Shirtz with John

Elder Jeppson & Shirtz with Jimmy and John

Entering New Jersey

What Lack I Yet

First of all shout out to my Broncos for taking the W! I'm so I'm so proud of them. Take this as a lesson kids, you serve a mission and your team will win the Super Bowl hehe. But in all seriousness being on a mission made me realize that there are a lot more important things then football. Im happy they won but the gospel makes me a lot happier.

This week was pretty good. We taught a little more this week so that's always good. First we visited our less active friend Micky. And we had a pretty good lesson with him about the general conference talk "what lack I yet". Read it, it's a good one. But after the lesson he asked if we could give him a blessing of comfort because he is really having a hard time in all aspects of life right now. But in the blessing it was said that if he would do his part and read the scriptures, pray, and attend church then he would be blessed with sufficient for his needs and he would see increased happiness in his life. After the blessing he asked us what time church is on Sunday's and said that he will come back to church in the next couple weeks. So it will be really great if we see him at church soon. But this is a good lesson for all of us. If we do the things that Heavenly Father wants us to do and follow him we will be blessed spiritually and also temporally.

Also we had 3 other less active members we have been working with show up to church yesterday so that was great.

We met with John again this week and had a great lesson about the Book of Mormon. We showed him the Mormon message  "Testimony of the Book of Mormon" with Elder Holland. After the video we asked John what he thought and all he said was "WOW, well that  was very powerful". He told us he would finally start making time to read from the Book of Mormon, so we're hoping he takes it to heart and actually does it.

Our recent convert Jimmy talked to the stake patriarch and will be getting his patriarchal blessing next Sunday so he's really excited. Also he got his temple recommend and we will be taking him to the temple this Saturday to do baptisms for the dead. So this is a pretty big week for him. He told us he wants to come out teaching with us and share his conversion story with our other investigators so that'll be great. He's making great progress!

Also I've made a goal this week to be more obedient and work harder. Because sometimes as missionaries it can be hard to find motivation to work as hard as we did when we first came in. I'm trying to keep the fire burning and give it my all. First of all because I've noticed I am a lot happier when I'm being obedient and working hard. And second of all when I committed to serve a mission I promised to put everything on the shelf and forget myself and  "serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength". Not because I have to but because I want to and because I love the lord. He's given his all to me so why not give a little back. But the best part about it is that he knows me perfectly and will be with me every step of the way as long as I seek his help. That's why the atonement is a great thing. Also another thought from the talk "what lack I yet" is "the spirit can tell us our weaknesses but it can also tell us our strengths so we can be encouraged." It's always amazing to feel our heavenly fathers love and encouragement for us. So my challenge to you this week is to ask Heavenly Father in yours prayers what you can improve on and also what your strengths are. I promise you it will bring increased happiness and encouragement to your lives. I know it has for me in my life and my missionary work.

So that was my week. I hope all of you had a good week! I'd like to hear about it

Much Love,

Elder Jeppson

Elder Jeppson's District

Take a Few Minutes Out of Your Day and Serve Someone

To all my loved ones-

Well it has been quite and interesting week this week I don't even know where to start... Well first of all Elder Shirts had a rough week! He is still sick, and on Friday we went to a members house and she fed us this cake. And after we finished that cake we realized there was coconut in it and Elder Shirts is allergic to coconut! He had a pretty big piece too. The whole ride home he was itching from all his hives and is tongue went numb Haha. But he got over that in the next day so it was okay. 

But don't worry his week got worse! On Saturday we were doing service as a zone and this other missionary was telling Elder Shirts that he could bet him in a race. Elder Shirts was not having that so of course he had to race him. Elder Shirts won but at the finish line there was some ice and Elder Shirts took a tumble and he thinks he tore something in his knee. So yeah he's had quite the adventure haha. But hey at least he won.

So Tuesday we met with a less active by the name of Mark and Mark is having a really tough time in life right now. He has been out of work for awhile now. He might be able to get a job in two weeks but he isn't totally sure as of right now. He doesn't have the money to pay the rent or any money to put food on the table for his four kids. Not to mention they just had a baby last week. He told us he was so happy when we rang the door bell because he was thinking about us that day. After he told us what was going on we showed him the video "Good things to come". Definitely a good Mormon message for you to look up. After we showed him the video he asked "were you planning on showing that video to me before I told you about everything?" We said yes and he just stood there in silence for a little and said "I love how God works because that is exactly what I needed to hear." He said he feels like God is just putting him through a test of faith, but he'll be there to help me every step of the way." 

But Let me rewind a bit to the beginning of that day. So we were getting ready to leave for the day and I grabbed my wallet and I just had the thought that I needed to grab a little bit of cash before we left. It was weird because I never carry around cash but I followed the feeling anyways. So back to Mark. After he told us he didn't have any food for his kids I was prompted to give the money I had gotten from earlier to him. So I gave it to him and he just started crying and we all just stood in silence for a bit. He then gave me a hug and just kept telling us that he loved us so much and was so grateful for us. The spirit was so strong and I just felt so good. The best part about this is he showed up to church yesterday and bishop said that he be would able to get him and his family some food from bishop store house. (For those of you who aren't familiar with bishop store house it's where the church supplies food for members who don't have the money to buy groceries.) So things are already starting to get better for Mark. Is was such a powerful experience.

We met with John this week and we taught him the plan of salvation. It went pretty good. He believed in heaven and said that he wanted to go to the celestial kingdom so that was good. But we invited him to be baptized and he told us he was already baptized. So next week we will be discussing PROPER priesthood authority with him in depth. But he is still progressing.

But we did have four less active members we are working with show up to church yesterday so that was a blessing. We are working with a few of them to get them to the Temple so hopefully that will happen soon. Also our recent convert Jimmy will be going to the temple to do baptisms for the dead and will be getting is patriarchal blessing in the next month! We're pretty excited about that.

That's about it for this week boys and girls. My challenge this week is to take a few minutes out of your day and serve someone. It doesn't have to be something big, but enough to boost their spirits a little.
I could be an answer to their prayer and the Lord will bless you for it. Have a blessed week all.

Much Love,

Elder Jeppson

Our apartment is full of them

I got all I need right here