There is no mistaking -- they got hit by a tornado

Hey Momma!

This week (Sunday when the tornado hit through Wednesday), all of us missionaries, were so preoccupied on the thought of being able to go up to help out with the relief efforts. Not gonna lie-- I was too; that is until Tuesday when I received information that before clean up could even start, they would have to make sure everything was safe AND THEN they would allow the insurance adjusters in to assess the damage. Knowing that it wouldn't be til week's end before I could get in, I was able to focus fully on the work. Business as usual!

So as for the work: My companion has a wonderful Christlike attribute of love towards his investigators. It's a characteristic that if used properly will help him see much success on his mission. 

We let go of a lot of people this week and devoted most of our time to finding new folks and we had some great results! This coming week we are also going to be teaching a guy named Zach, a recent convert's brother. I love working with member's family because there is an immediate support system. Mark is the recent convert who was taught by the sisters. He is my age and is a great member missionary. He's not scared to invite others to church. Zach needed help with something and Mark said only if you go to church with me on Sunday. It's as easy as that!

The cool part was at church when we were asked to ask Zach about taking the missionary lessons. They didn't know how to approach him, because they were scared that he would say no if we were too bold. They wanted us to do it but at the same time wanted us to tip-toe around it and almost trick him into it. It kind of bothered me that they thought that way. I know that if the Spirit is there that all things are possible and that we need not fear.

Gospel Principles class was amazing. We talked about the Abrahamic covenant simply and clearly. The lesson created a spiritual atmosphere that enabled us to ask, pretty bluntly, if he would like to take the missionary lessons. After class I asked Zach if I could speak with him and said, "For you to be able to partake of the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant you need to be baptized into this church. Now, I don't want you to be baptized without knowing what we believe in; so would you like to take the missionary lessons?" He readily accepted.

Now... it would be blasphemous to say that I deserve any credit for getting Zach to take the lessons. The reason I say this is because I know that anything is possible and that you can be as bold as ever IF the spirit is there. I just wish all missionaries could see that.

On the other hand, we all had a FANTASTIC time on Saturday with relief efforts. It felt so good to do some physical labor. We went to a place called Ferndale. They had a huge tornado but it got underplayed on the news because less homes got damaged because they were more spread out on a mountain. But there is no mistaking-- they got hit by a tornado. It looked just like what you see on tv.

I enjoyed myself and it was neat to have an opportunity to practice what we preach.

Love you more!

-Elder Wheatley

It was freakin' Hawaii here on Saturday!

Hey Momma!

Things are goin' just swell here-- 80 degrees and sunshine! The gentle breeze got a little out of hand though. 

For real though... it was freakin Hawaii here on Saturday. It was so warm, the skies were clear as could be, and no wind. Everyone was telling us that it was supposed to be tornado weather on Sunday but I never could've guessed it (or believed it)-- even on Sunday. It was a little rainy after sacrament but nothin' out of the norm. We were over at the Higgins' home for dinner when the alarms sounded. Two seconds later the phone is being blown up by the ZLs telling me to get my district inside, safe, and accounted for ASAP.
The spirit testified to me that nothing was gonna happen to us and not to worry so it was quite enjoyable being able to stay at our dinner appointment longer than normal and just take a load off and relax. haha. The news was on and the play-by-play of the tornado was a kinda cool. What really got me excited was the thought of getting a chance to help out. We haven't received any word on relief efforts yet, so it's business as usual here, but I'm anxious to get in there and contribute.

I've seen the pics and I know how bad it was but nothin too exciting where I was. I guess that's a blessing.

As for the work here, we have been struggling gettin folks to church but I had the opportunity to "fight for every inch" on Saturday night when an investigator was fixin' to drop us and decided that she didn't want to come to church until she learned more about "The Mormons." The only problem was that she didn't want to learn about it from us. She wanted to do her own research. We talked on her door step for at least ten minutes about how the only way that she will know is if she comes to church. I asked her what her favorite kind of car was; she said BMW. I posed the typical missionary question, "If you wanted to learn more about a BMW, would you ask the BMW dealership, the Ford dealership, or the Honda dealership?" She indicated that it was obvious that she would talk to the BMW dealership because they are the ones that know about BMW's. I compared that to learning about the church from us, first hand.

I asked one last question, "If you never had tried Mint ice cream, how would you know if you liked it?" I explained that if she made a decision, without the proper steps to come to an honest conclusion, she would be lying to herself and would never truly know if the church was true or if she liked it.  

The sky the night of the tornado

These were very simple and common missionary tactics but they work. It was a fight and the Spirit was able to testify to her that it was something she needed to do. She ended up coming to church a half hour early, we gave her a church tour, and she was fellowshipped very well. The Relief Society sisters did a fantastic job with her! That's what was needed-- member support. She was the ONLY black person in the building. I bet she noticed it too and I guarantee that she wouldn't have stayed all three hours had it not been for that fellowship.

I really felt a change within myself this week. My determination and desire to serve increased greatly and I just feel good. It was really really hard there for a bit but I know that I made it through because of your prayers. I just wanted to thank you and dad for all you've done for me.

I love you more!

-Elder Wheatley

We were swallowed up in the joy of Christ

Last week was a very difficult time for me; for nothing seemed to be going right. I was in a rut, I was tired, we couldn't find anyone to teach, I had no desire even though I really wanted to gain one, and against my own will the thought of going home in six months kept popping into my mind and racked me with home sickness. It was the first time, I think, on my mission that I could actually say that I felt home sick. I didn't want those thoughts! I didn't want to facilitate them. They just kept coming. I was praying SO hard even fasting that Heavenly Father would take them away and help me focus and regain that desire and the determination that stems from it.

Lately I've been fascinated with the book, Jesus the Christ. What I had been going through this last week, mirrored, almost exactly to what He went through during the early part of His ministry. Ultimately, when hope seemed grim and no success was eminent, He pressed on. From Friday morning (Good Friday) through Sunday I felt the Spirit so incredibly strong. It was almost overwhelming. All I wanted to do all day Easter Sunday was testify that He lives! The feelings were never fully alleviated, but just like the Nephites in the Book of Mormon, I was strengthened so that I could bear those burdens.

I think this talk from Elder Bednar explains it best:

In verse 33 of Alma 31, "Alma prays that his missionary companions will receive a similar blessing: “Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people”

"Alma did not pray to have his afflictions removed. He knew he was an agent of the Lord, and he prayed for the power to act and affect his situation.

"The key point of this example is contained in the final verse, Alma 31:38: “Yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ."

In the midst of a very hard time, my afflictions "were swallowed up in the joy of Christ," and it truly was a Happy Easter.

-Elder Wheatley

Pretty much, things are AWESOME and I'm happy!

Hey Momma!

Great things are happening here. I am having a wonderful time in Benton. Last week we set three baptismal dates for a part-member family who was uncertain about making the final leap; but we taught a very spiritual lesson that allowed the spirit to comfort  their worries and inspire them to set that date for this Saturday. We have plans to teach them a fun and creative lesson on Tuesday.

The Elders before us did great work here so we do hardly any finding. We just go from person to person teaching lessons. It's good to get back into the swing of things with a full plate and things to do. Also, my companion and I are getting along great! We are working in unity and the Spirit is strong.

I like how you always, at the end of the letters, tell me to stay obedient. I know that that is something that will bring blessings. I can always work on that.

Conference is always the best! I absolutely loved it! We had a few technical difficulties so it gave me a good opportunity to work on patience as well as a bigger reason to read the Ensign.

Pretty much, things are AWESOME and I'm happy.

Love you more!

-Elder Wheatley 

I just gotta remember that this "ride" is all uphill and if I stop pedaling, I'm gonna roll backwards!

Hi Momma!

Still in Arkansas!! Woot woot! 

Yeah Benton is really nice. I loved PB and the members.

I was nervous when I got into church on Sunday (in Benton) because the ward was SO big and I never thought I'd get to know everyone. But I was able to meet quite a few and I'm feeling a little more comfortable now. I know I'm supposed to be here so I'm gonna work hard to figure out why I'm here and who it is I'm supposed to teach.

My companion is a kid from Thatcher, Utah named Elder Mathews. He's been out three months so I get to follow-up train yet again. It's fun but hard. Ever since I left Conway I've follow-up trained. These whipper snappers are keeping me young and obedient which is what this old fart needs. I believe it's divinely appointed for my sake. He's a good kid. 

PB helped me relax, be happy, and take it all in as I work; while being able to be bold with people when we teach. 

We have taught a couple solid people with some really good potential.

I'm just trying to stay focused on the work. I love this work and wouldn't want to be doing anything else right now. I'm just trying not to get complacent. haha. That'll be what gets me if anything. I just gotta remember that this "ride" is all uphill and if I stop pedaling I'm gonna roll backwards.

I have a feeling that good things are to come here.

I love you more!

-Elder Wheatley

I love this experience and don't know where I'd be without it

A few tidbits from this week's email:

President wanted to transfer me six weeks ago but said, "I think there is something you need to accomplish here first." I believe that by the Grace of God it was accomplished and I am so very grateful and just happy. I sure do love this ward and it seems like my mission keeps getting better and better as the time goes on. This was a fantastic ward to serve in and the members deserve all the credit.

I'm just grateful for the very strong and close guidance of the Holy Ghost on my mission. I know I don't always do what I'm supposed to or in a manner adequate to my fullest potential but He's never left. He's been with me through thick and thin helping me out and buoying me up.

I think the hardest part about a mission is that your mistakes are more amplified; that's also my favorite part. When I can blatantly see where I messed up, my own desire to improve increases. That desire allows me to become refined.

Also, one thing that I recently learned is that the devil will try to make your strengths look like bad characteristics. For example, I kept feeling like I was TOO strong willed and that I had to do everything my way and that I was dragging my companion along and "making" him work and that maybe I was getting a little Pharisaical, and that others just wanted me to relax.

Then two comments, inspired from God, came to me, one by a friend from back home and the second from my companion. The first being an unexpected, out of the blue, e-mail saying, "You're super determined to get the job done and i respect you a lot for your sincerity."

The latter being something like, "I can tell you're getting trunky because you're slowing down."

Haha. That wasn't why I was "slowing down," but my reason was dumb. I didn't want him to feel like I was forcing him, so stupidly, I slowed down to see if he'd take the reins. Dumb right??

It was a good lesson to learn. I know who I am and what I need to do. I can't let the thoughts of the world get in the way of that.

I love this experience and don't know where I'd be without it.

-Elder Wheatley

I love this place....I love missionary work!

Alrighty!

So....

This week was just awesome!

As you saw, we were able to baptize Nate and Nomie; which also includes re-activating their mom as well as their non member dad coming to church. They're good folks.

But the highlight wasn't the baptisms, the 6 investigators to church, or the awesome member present lessons we taught this week; but the wonderful moment was when one of our investigators, Chad (Sister Reynolds brother), walked up to us after sacrament meeting and told us he's ready to set a date to be baptized for before the transfer ends as well as Anna (daughter in-law of the Reynolds).

Nate and Nomi and their parents and Elder Wheatley

It's been something I've been praying for very fervently for awhile now. There progression has been phenomenal in the past few weeks, leaps and bounds, and I know it's because of persistence, a strong support system, and love. It was a huge blessing, too, to have Melanie (from Spanish Fork) there. She, along with the rest of the family, helped Chad and Anna learn and grow so fast! Ike, the son in-law, I believe will soon want to be baptized too. It was difficult teaching them at first because they were kind of uncomfortable with us asking them questions or asking them to participate at all so it felt like I was just teaching a wall. BUT, the gospel changes people! Now, the lessons are lively and full of participation and questions by them and us. And it only took one lesson to do it. I love teaching these wonderful folks. They are like family to me now.

Nate and Elder Wheatley at his baptism

Other great things are happening and I'm so grateful that the Lord gave me the patience necessary, because it all is coming together now and it's exciting to witness.

There is still so much potential here and I am hungry to discover it for the next couple weeks I'm here.

We want at least three more baptisms before the end of the transfer. But it's gonna take some work. So if you could, please pray for the success here because there are at least two others besides the three that are ready to be baptized. We just need to help them realize that they are ready. I love this place. I love missionary work!

 -Elder Wheatley