MONDAY 4TH MARCH 2013-WEEK 31

Hello everybody,

How has your week been?! These has been one of the best weeks of my mission with some crazy miracles that I wanted to share with you all :)

Now, I'm real sorry that I've skipped my blog for a few weeks over the last transfer or so... we have been hectic and rushed off our feet, even on our preparation days (not a bad problem to have though!), and I've actually been out of Poquoson on exchanges for the most part over these last two weeks. However, it's also given me a great opportunity to work in different ways and learn from the great missionaries in the Virginia Richmond Mission!

One of the sweetest things I've seen is the story of a girl called Jocelyn. Elder Burke (if you look back on my blogs, you'll hear his name A LOT - he's my main man!), Elder Perrault and I were working in the singles branch and decided to hand out some hot chocolate on a nearby college campus. As we were doing this, this young girl came up and started talking to us about how she dated an LDS guy who served a mission in Paris (that's a surprisingly common experience... EVERY girl wants a Mormon after all). Well, she left and then, about half an hour later, came back with mugs for us and helped us hand out hot chocolate! We talked about the Church and she expressed interest in learning more.

Well, I've been SUPER BLESSED to be able to teach her the first three lessons, even though I'm technically not in her area ha! Each time, the Spirit has been really strong and we've been able to help her understand more about the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation! One of the craziest things is how close you grow to those you teach as a missionary... you grow to love and care for them and really desire for them to feel the same joy you do! And that's what seems to have been happening with Jocelyn so far... we're excited as she's working towards a baptism date at the end of March! Watch this space :)

In fact, I was able to spend four days with Elder Burke whilst Elder Ovard was in Richmond and I absolutely loved it - we worked SOOO hard and barely had any time to eat or sleep! There is a fulfillment that comes from serving God and your fellow men and, this week in particular, I felt very grateful that I can do this 24/7! For example, we were prompted to drop by a ward member (who I absolutely adore... she's an amazing lady) the other day and came at the right time to give her a priesthood blessing - it was a very powerful experience for me as I felt Heavenly Father give me direct guidance as to the words that would bring this dear sister comfort! It's becoming a lot more natural for me to discern that 'still small voice' and I have become very reliant upon it's constant companionship... it's a lot like oxygen; even though you need it to survive, you don't recognize it until a) there's a lack of it or b) you sit back and pay attention. I have felt the Spirit on a few occasions comfort and guide me in those rare quiet moments, testifying to me that this work is true!

Heavenly Father also taught me an important lesson this past week... 'being busy doesn't always equate to being purposeful' ha! My mum commented last week about how much my life has changed over these last seven months (yes, it's really going that quick... can someone invent a way of slowing down time?!) and I wrote back about all the things I'm doing and how busy I felt... does that sound familiar to anyone? President Uchtdorf describes this tendency as 'wearing business as a badge of pride' and I think I may have missed the mark... well, this week has still been busy but I've tried really hard to prioritise the things that I engage in according to how it helps to accomplish my purpose and I've really felt a difference; I don't feel as tired and have been able to feel the Holy Ghost a lot more! So, there's my invitation to all the busy people out there... remember to 'be still and know that I am God' (a great place to do that is the temple!) and don't get confused as to why we are here!

Well my friends, I love you all dearly! I took a few moments this week to read over past letters and the notes you wrote in my farewell book and my heart was touched... please know that you are still very much a part of my life! I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord with 'ALL my heart, mind, might and strength' for these two years and am super excited to share this expereince with my wonderful cousin <3 I understand you are busy but drop me a line with some info about your life sometime... I might not reply but it'll keep my prayers for you and your families current :) May God bless you and bless His work,

Love,

Elder Marcus Pelham

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MONDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2013-WEEK 29

Hey everybody,

I wanted to start by sharing my study this morning with you all... Today, I felt prompted to study adversity. You see, this week has been HARD! Not just for me but for everyone... you know, those weeks where, no matter what happens, you feel like you're slogging uphill! Well, that's been this week ha! And I was asking Heavenly Father why we have to encounter opposition and here's what I got...

'We are not earthly beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having an earthly experience'

Adversity is there not just to help us grow but it's there to help us recognize our growth. We are ALL children of God and have been blessed with unique gifts or personality traits from our Father. Often, the purpose of adversity isn't to grow those qualities we feel we lack but to help us discover that we had them within us all along.

 

Let me share an example: we had a sister missionary (Sister Banner) who, in her 'pre-mission life' (it seems FOREVER ago by the way...) was a life guard. Before she could get her certification, she had to swim 500m in a certain time, which was all good apart from the fact that she'd never swum that far before ha! So, she worked so hard for weeks on end to break that barrier but, each time, she was just a little bit short... she just needed that extra 10 seconds or another 50m...

 

So, she goes to her test and is totally breaking down! She said she felt totally incapable of passing the test but she knew that, if she wanted the opportunity to get the job she wanted, she had to at least try. Well, you know the ending... sure enough, she passed with flying colours and the rest was happily ever after (well, until she came on a mission ha!).

 

What's the moral of the story? Without the opposition, we would never truly understand our own capabilities. We could never appreciate just how infinite our eternal potential is if we never had 'earthly experiences' that show us that we are 'spiritual beings'. Remember, 'out of the lowest depths, there is a path to the highest heights'.... the steps on that path - no matter how much we try and avoid it - are trials.

 

I have felt incredibly blessed this week to be able to share that with the missionaries around me: (I know this won't make sense but I want to remember these experiences...) standing in an abandoned car park whilst it's snowing for two hours; sitting in a car and crying with your best friend for an hour and then deciding to suck it up anyway; priesthood blessings after district meeting! I have seen the Lord use me as an instrument to soften the blows of the Adversary this week and am grateful that He sent me my own angels to 'bear me up' (D&C 84:88). Here's your challenge... be someone's answer to prayer this week and 'lift up the hands that hang'. I promise that if you pray to recognize the opportunities to serve that they'll come... that's the prayer in my heart 24/7... 'Father, what more can I do?'. THAT'S WHY I AM SO HAPPY... because, even in my imperfection, I can be made useful in God's hands :D

 

So, one miracle and then I have to go (I'm speaking Spanish with Elder Perrault today) - I was with a brand new missionary called Elder Geddes this past week and we tried to see a whole list of people with no luck. Well, rather than taking a break, we decided to do something called 'spirit-tract' (eg. we walk around and wait til a particular house sticks out and then we knock it) in the apartment complex right by our apartment. So, off we go and this building (it was number 212... yes, I still remember musical references ha!) and we see this lady all by herself smoking on her porch. We start to talk to her and she obviously wasn't interested... two young boys in suits :/ Well, we felt prompted to ask about where she's from ect and then I asked if we could give a pamphlet... well, I went to get the Restoration one and, without thinking, put it back into my bag and got out the Plan of Salvation pamphlet. We gave it to her and, our of nowhere, she just started crying and opening up about how her mother is dying of cancer... it was very humbling and the Spirit was very strong! It was a blessing to 'mourn with those that mourn', even a perfect stranger! I pray that Karen will have peace whispered to her soul and that she can gain a witness of the Plan of Salvation!

 

I love you all - keep praying for us! Adios amigos... Te amo

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MONDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2013-WEEK 27

Dear wonderful people,

 

I wanted to drop you a quick note to share the joy I feel right now! MISSIONARY WORK IS THE BEST ha! To work side by side (well, a little step behind...) the Saviour is a 'great and marvellous work' and it's one that I feel privelaged to be a part of! I'll start with my testimony this time... God lives and is mindful of you! He knows and loves His children. Because He loves us, He created and perfected a plan... the plan of salvation! The teachings of Christ are essential to growth because they teach us how to become heavenly beings. These things are true!

 

This week has been AMAZING and I've had some of the best experiences of my mission. I wanted to cut and paste a little part of my e-mail home and then share one in particular (it includes me speaking espanol):

 

'So, you'd be proud of me... these past six weeks have been INTENSE ha! I have been working my butt off (not physically... I'm still 40 pounds heavier than when I left!) and feel exhausted. In fact, I saw President last Wednesday and he commented on it; 'Elder Pelham, I just don't get it. How are you teaching 18 lessons a week, keeping the district so united AND dealing with your companion?!). I laughed and told him that I have no idea but I've never been happier ha! He promised me a third companion to help look after the area but, as you've heard, it wasn't to be this time... that's okay though! It's funny because, rather than giving me another companion, he made me district leader of the biggest district in the mission... I think Heavenly Father wants me to be so tired I can't get into trouble! I'm excited but also nervous... we're going from 9 missionaries to 12, including two brand new missionaries. Also, this transfer has been relatively 'drama-free' but, looking at the companionships, I'm gonna be on damage control most of the time! I know I'll have divine help though... this is what the last six months has prepared me for :) We did 6 overnight exchanges over the last 6 weeks (it's my job to train each elder for a day, one on one - the Zone Leader's train me) but this transfer, we'll have 9 in 5 weeks... oh, and we have to baptize still ha! Pray for us in Poquoson!

 

Speaking of which, Poquoson is doing SOOO well! We've had miracles galore this week... Barbara's (you remember her right?) boyfriend has been investigating and is ready for baptism but, in order for it to happen, they need to get married... SO YES, A MARRIAGE AND A BAPTISM IN POQUOSON IN FEBRUARY :D I'm super excited - it started with Barbara, then Seth and now Kavin... they'll be a sealed family by next year (if all goes well!). It's amazing how perfectly Heavenly Father prepared this to happen and I'm super grateful to be a part of it!

 

Also, we've been working with a sweet part member family (the Coulsons) over the last six months and, through some divine intervention, we started teaching Fanny last month! Well, she's praying about baptism! Which doesn't sound like a big deal but, when I first arrived, she wouldn't even let us talk about church! I love that family... she just opened up to us in our last lesson and started crying and I couldn't help but cry with her! Her Father in Heaven loves her SOOO much <3 She's amazing and you'd love her'

 

I hope this gives you a little glimpse into the day-to-day life of a missionary! Anyway, now with the sweet experience... On one of these exchanges, I went with Elder Perrault, one of our Spanish speaking missionaries (he's such a good guy... we had TOO much fun: we saw this girl pick her nose and eat it and couldn't stop laughing for twenty minutes ha!). Anyway, we were visiting some potential investigators and met this guy from Mexico called Cruz! It was freezing outside so he invited us in to share the first lesson. Now, for those that know me, I DO NOT speak Spanish... I studied it for four years so I can listen and understand but I cannot talk. Well, I'm listening carefully and can hear little snippets of the lesson ('Jesu Cristo', 'aposticia' ect). Well, it gets to part about the First Vision and I ask if I can share it... as I read from the pamphlet, the Spirit was crazy! I'm certain my pronounciation was awful but it was one of the most powerful time I've shared that scripture. Elder Perrault continued to teach and, as he asked Cruz to read the pamphlet, I felt prompted to promise Cruz that, if he read that pamphlet on his own, he'd feel the exact same way he did as we shared our message. I asked Elder Perralut to translate and, as he made that promise, Cruz just changed... he gazed at the pamphlet for 30 seconds and then said 'really?'. It was SWEET ha! It goes to show that the Spirit has no language barrier and it was a blessing to me to see the power our message has to change people!

 

Anyway, I best be off... I love you all! Please pray for us here; we are going to need added strength but I know that, 'with God, nothing is impossible'!

 

Love Elder Pelham

MONDAY 28TH JANUARY 2013-WEEK 26

Elder Marcus Pelham: Richmond, Virginia 2012-2014

Elder Josh Field : Leeds, England 2013-2015

Elder Sam King: Brisbane, Australia 2013-2015

Elder Jason Boyce: Greece, Athens 2013-2015

 

ALMA 17:1-4

 

'And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla. Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him.'

 

Isn't this scripture just perfect?! I cannot believe that after six months (as of today may I add) of serving the Lord, three of my best friends in the world will be joining me in this great work of bringing souls to Christ! I feel extremely blessed today to be able to wear this tag and stand as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ! I wanted to share with these friends (and all who read this blog) some scriptures that I have grown to love over these past six months! I am excited for our reunion (although instead of Manti it will probably be on the BYU Provo campus!) when we all share the experiences we had as missionaries!

 

ALMA 42:31

 

'And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.'

 

This scripture helps me understand where my call to serve in Virginia has come from: God Himself! A missionary is called to do many things but it can ALWAYS be encapsulated by Alma's statement... to 'bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them'. To some, we may be just young adults pounding the pavement, others may respect and admire our efforts but, when we look at this work through God's eyes, we are on a mission to save His children! The message we share isn't just 'interesting' or 'nice' - it is eternal truth, taught from the mouths of prophets, that enable each person to return home! In the words of Joseph Smith, 'how great is our calling'

 

D&c 84:88

 

'And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your righthand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, tobear you up.'

 

A good friend of mine shared this scripture with me at my mission farewell! This a promise from Jesus Christ that He never leaves His servants alone... He is always there! I have seen this time and time again - not only as a missionary but throughout my life! Our message is that God loves His children so much that 'He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in himshould not perish, but have everlasting life.' Christ's suffering - known as the Atonement - enables us to overcome sin, pain and grief (see Alma 7:11-13). The Atonement is infinite AND intimate - in fact, it can bless EVERY life on this earth! It is His Atonement that has got me through these six months and that will carry me throughout the rest of life's challenges :)

 

D&C 123:13-14

 

'Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things ofdarkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven — These should thenbe attended to with great earnestness.'

 

Missions are not easy! They are not the same as how they look in 'The Best Two Years'. Indeed, every day won't be an Ensign article! BUT, the miracle of missionary work is that, for those that act in 'great earnestness' and 'waste and wear out [their lives'], there is no going back! A missionary's greatest convert is themself! THAT IS POWERFUL! I can see the growth that I have been blessed with so far and I am excited for the growth I'll undertake in the next eighteen months! I am working hard but no effort is wasted because each lesson I teach, each member I visit, each door I knock is my personal testimony that Jesus IS the Christ; that after centuries of confusion He restored His church and fulness of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith; that there is a prophet on the Earth today and, most importantly, that only through the Atonement of a loving Saviour can we fulfill our potential and grow! I love that message and I am willing to 'give up' two years to share it - I'm grateful for great friends who, even though the Atlantic seperates us, still set the example for me of why I signed my name on that page and said ' I will go and do the things which the Lord commands' (1 Nephi 3:7).

 

I leave this with you with love in my heart and joy in my soul,

 

Elder Marcus Pelham <3

TUESDAY 22ND JANUARY 2013-WEEK 25

Well, another week in Poquoson... I LOVE IT HERE SO MUCH! We have been busy - since being called as district leader, I've been on an exchange with other missionaries at least once a week so I've been all over the zone! It's good fun though - we have been blessed with some of the best missionaries in the mission and it's a great opportunity to learn from them! It's crazy because we're all so young YET the work we're doing is incredibly intense... thanks goodness for prayer huh?!

 

In fact, this had been the busiest transfer of my mission so far by a mile! I don't think I've sat down for five weeks ha! It's been a blessing though - I'm growing a lot and, for the first time, I'm able to be the one giving help rather than being on the receiving end! It's also helped me to lose myself in the work - I'm definitely a full-time missionary now... I'm exhausted when I go to bed and shattered when I wake up at 6.30am! You're gonna have to let me rest for a few days by the end ;)

 

Despite the heavy workload, I'm still having fun! I appreciate the little things a lot more these days... hopefully that will come across in the pictures of Elder Stika (he's a greenie from the NN3 branch) and I from our exchange this week! I was just telling Fizzle about how close you become to those you serve with/around... they really do become your best friends! We have fun, whether it's in little Private jokes or dancing to crappy music in between meetings :)

 

So, an update on the area - we have 18 LESSONS PLANNED THIS WEEK! It's pure craziness... when I arrived, the average was 2 and now it's 900% more! Isn't that crazy?! We are being blessed beyond belief here and I'm grateful for that! The change, I think, has come from one main thing: focusing EVERYTHING we do on the message of the Restoration and how we can allow that to change our lives! It's a powerful message that we have been called to share and I'm very grateful I get to be the one to share it right now! One miracle we've had is Fanny... she's from a part member family that missionaries have worked with for over a year! Her husband is less active but, over time, he's starting to come to church, little by little! And, sure enough, we've begun teaching Fanny and her daughter Aurelia! It's amazing to see, mostly because of how much we have grown to love them (they have been fantastic to me... my nickname is Princess is fact... that's another story...) and also, to feel the Spirit as we teach them about the Restoration and the First Vision! It's causing some big changes in their lives and, slowly, the Holy Ghost is testifying that what the missionaries share is true :) And I'm blessed enough to be able to witness that!

 

I also am grateful for my wonderful companion (and friend), Elder Ovard! He is one of the kindest people I know and he has definitely been very supportive and patient with me! It's funny how much you can grow to love someone but he is such a great example, it's difficult not to! Please keep him in your prayers... we need the energy to be able to handle all this work!

 

Anyway, I best be off - I love you all and am grateful for your prayers; they make a difference! Have a great week :)