Season 12: Skyway A. Episode 1: Always Remember Him.

Elder John and I love our Mods pizza :D

Saturday morning watching the sunrise. Starting on the left Elder Mitton, Elder John, Elder Samuelson, Elder Sanders, Elder Cook, and Elder Sumsion.

It is always showering blessings, especially here in Washington :D 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/shower-of-heavenly-blessings

A shower of blessings are around us just like that new Mormon message describes. It is very literal here in terms of blessings from God and literal here in terms of rainfall. Elder John and I really desire to be blessed with someone not only to teach, but someone who is ready to exercise their Faith in Jesus Christ, Repent, Be baptized, Receive the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the end. That was something I was fasting for on Fast Sunday. Near the end of our fasts, we were blessed to meet Gin. He speaks Chinese and at first wasn't interested. We asked him questions about his beliefs, he is Buddhist, and eventually that led to him saying something like "You know I am not interested in learning more about Christianity right now, but in the future I will learn more." We asked him why and that led to him being interested right now. The future for him was a couple minutes later! We shared more about the restoration and he agreed for us to come back as we taught him more on the spot. We are going by on Wednesday. He is very curious and prepared to learn more and is definitely a direct answer to my fast. I am excited to continue to work with him.

Another great blessing happened as Elder John and I were walking/running with Holy Haste during our finding time. We knocked on the door of Laudon and he was a very prepared individual as well! We are going back on Tuesday with a member. He isn't currently going to church due to something a pastor did a little while ago, but he felt the importance of what we were talking about and he is letting us come back.

Happy Easter on Sunday! Happy General Conference this Sunday! Write down questions you have (and if you don't have any, create some you care about) and then pray and look for an answer during General Conference. I have heard it described as a "scheduled answered prayer" and I invite you to try that out!

President Eaton has a permission of watching the Easter sunrise every year. Morning time is about when Mary first ran into Christ and when the Resurrection occurred so it is a special way to remember it. He gave us permission to go and watch the Saturday sunrise (because Sunday was stormy). That was really great. We drove 2 companionship of Elders with us to a place in the Fairwood ward. The hill was right next to Lake Desire and it was a good experience to remember Christ in that special way.

Here are some updates on investigators:

• AJ hasnt had any progress sadly since I last mentioned him. His work has gotten even busier and is now working on Sunday. Right now we only have had occasional contact maybe once a week sadly. 

• Shannon and Rob are progressing a little bit at a time. They came to a baptism that happened in the Stake on Friday. That was great and we had our first official sit down lesson with them last night. She has worked with missionaries in the past and understands that she will need to quit the substances she is currently taking. She is wanting to take some more time, but neither of them committed to a date for baptism. We have invited them though and they know that's what we are working for. They are very friendly and the biggest difference that will be made with them is involving members.

• Dionte and Kamilah haven't had a lot of progression either, so we are considering dropping them this week. We have a lesson this evening and will be helping them see truly what is at stake and why we are coming by. 

Here are some things that have been on my mind recently:

What is the importance of remembering Christ everyday rather than just on Easter or Sunday?

That is a question I have been thinking about. We should always be remember Christ, because without Him the world would be an utterly dark and unforgivable place. This video talks a little about what the world would be like without a Savior.

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/purpose-of-a-savior

I love remembering Christ. My pondering has led me to another question of how I can do better at always remembering Him. Its something we promise to do when we are baptized, but how hard do we actually try to accomplish that. We say we will, but is that a goal that you are actually trying to do? I invite you to ponder about what you will do to always remember Him. One of the ways that I am trying is to memorize more Hymns. I am trying a Hymn a week. Last week was "How Great the Wisdom and The Love." This Week is "Come, Ye Children of The Lord." It helps a lot and I love doing it.

Things are great up here in Washington. Heavenly Father is so good and I am grateful for the progression I am experiencing throughout my mission. Christ takes us as the natural being we are and helps us become new creatures as we exercise our faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:17, Mosiah 3:19, and Alma 32).

Love,

Elder Sumsion

Season 11: Skyway A. Episode 7:

3 generations of missionaries. Elder Graham my missionary "father" and Elder Jackson my missionary "son." This was at the mission devotional down in Graham on the 20th.

Dear Family, Friends, and those of you whom I have never met or eventually will (I am pretty sure that covered all my base's),

I am just soo grateful for life and being on a mission. Life is such a gift and I am grateful for the tender mercies of Heavenly Father. I practiced looking for things that He has done for me and it has been a huge blessing. I just feel very happy right now. I am happier. Not that I am simply choosing to be happier right now, but since last week I have become a happier person. 

2 weeks ago when we went to the Kubota Gardens my camera actually succumbed to gravity and went "the way of the ghost." Heavenly Father blessed me so much to find a new one for a wonderful deal for a camera! It just "happened" (quotation marks are to highlight that Heavenly Father was the architect behind that event) to be on sale when we decided to check out Fred Meyer to pick up something Elder John forgot to grab. It was such a blessing and I am grateful for that. 

Gratitude is actually a pretty big thing in Heavenly Fathers eyes. "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." D&C 59:21 In this sense when the word "confess" is used, it would mean to recognize and show gratitude for what He has done for you.  Show some gratitude by first recognizing what He has done for you and then thanking Him in your prayers. Showing more gratitude and recognizing His hand will help you become happier.

Love you see you! I am not getting transferred and staying another 6 weeks with Elder John.

Love you all! 

--

Sincerely,

Elder Sumsion

"Search the Book of Mormon and the words of the living prophets every day, every day, every day! It’s the key to spiritual survival and avoiding deception. Without it, we are spiritually lost." -Elder Kevin W. Pearson

Happy 20th Birthday to Elder Cameron today on his way to a fireside.

Season 11: Skyway A. Episode 6:#Hallelujah

This is a gong thing they had. I thought it was really funny.

Elder John and I went on P-day to the Kubota Gardens in our area last p-day. It was a nice beautiful place to be in. Spring time is great in Washington.

Howdy! All weeks are good weeks and all days are good days should you choose to look at it that way. I love what President Eyring did growing up, is he would before writing in his journal ask the question “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” I know Heavenly Father touches our lives every day! If you struggle to recognize it, pray for the eyes to see what He does for you. You will see more! Just like as I grew older I noticed more and more of the things my parents did for me, you will notice what your Heavenly father does for you.

Monday: We went to Kubota Gardens in our area. It was beautiful and I am grateful for Gods amazing gifts of nature! The lesson with AJ didn't turn out due to him being called into work.

Tuesday: Elder John and I were able to present Zone Training to our zone. We talked about working with members, less actives, and recent converts to find those who are prepared to be baptized in the Lords way. With the new Easter Initiative going on, we are encouraged to try and visit all of the active members in the ward in short 15 minute visits talking about sharing this video with them. 

My invitation for you would be to go to this website right now for 5 minutes, watch the video and explore it, and then share it to someone via social media with a personalized message saying why you like it. Try it out!FollowHim.mormon.org Its a great website and is focused on Jesus Christ! Check it out.

Wednesday: I was on an exchange with Elder Jones a current district leader in the Zone. We had a really fun experience where we were getting a ride from a member to another appointment, so we left our car parked at an investigators place. After that appointment we had another one to get to and we were late, so we went straight to the next one and afterwards get a ride back from a returning less-active to our car. So we got dropped off and it was just pouring rain and realized we forgot our phone in the members car. We talked to a stranger and he let us use his phone to call the member back to us. it was still super duper rainy and we were getting soaked. We then got our phone back, but we couldnt find that returning less-active member and the appointment we had fell through. It was such a funny situation because we were far away from our car and couldn't find our ride back to it. We walked around and got drenched for a bit looking for him and eventually we found him and got a ride back. It was a memorable exchange and I am grateful for that experience :D I returned with a much stronger appreciation of a car and a greater respect for those missionaries out on bike throughout these downpours this winter (this winter has been the wettest winter on record in Seattle history, so my hat is off to all of those missionaries on bike).

Thursday: We had a great lesson set up with AJ at Elder and Sister Knowles home (a senior missionary couple in the ward), but he wasn't able to make it. AJ's mom is not the most happy camper about him meeting with the missionaries, but AJ is still going strong even with family opposition.

Friday: We met with a lady who struggled with addiction to lots of things like cigarettes, alcohol, etc. During exchanges Elder Murphy and Elder John taught her. She has met with the missionaries before and she said something like "I really like having the missionaries over because I feel great every time, but dont ask me to give up my addictions because they tried it before and I wont do it." When we showed up on Friday, we found out the very soon after us leaving she decided to quit doing those things and has been sober since! It was such an amazing miracle which we were so grateful for. She felt inspired to do it and followed through with that prompting.

Saturday: There was a ward party, a silent auction and live auction, fundraiser for the Young Women to go on campy. It went well and some people came who haven't been to church in a long while! Shannon almost came with her boyfriend and 12 year old son, but she was way to tired due to symptoms of going without these drugs n' stuff. We tried to meet with AJ on Saturday, but he has a way busy work schedule and worked from 7am-9 pm at a adult home. He is working super hard!

Sunday: Daylight savings caused many investigators and folks throughout the whole zone to miss coming to church. AJ made it to the last 2 hours and he loved it! We taught him about the restoration and he felt the Spirit so strongly! He definitely received an answer to his prayer about Joseph Smith, but did quite recognize it. We are going to have a family home evening tonight talking about the Book of Mormon with our ward mission leader. AJ is so solid and excited. 

Love you all! Have a great week!

--

Sincerely,

Elder Sumsion

"Search the Book of Mormon and the words of the living prophets every day, every day, every day! It’s the key to spiritual survival and avoiding deception. Without it, we are spiritually lost." -Elder Kevin W. Pearson

Season 11: Skyway A. Episode 5: Church Attendance Counts

These are all of my companions who are still in the mission minus Elder Jackson. This was at Mission Leadership Council on Friday. 

Howdy Family and Friends!

This week has been really swell! We had an investigator come to church yesterday! A.J. is his name. It was the first time we actually met him. We had only talked to him on the phone before, so him coming to church was a big act of faith. He really enjoyed it! We gave him a pen and paper for him to write his questions down on from church and he used it. He asked us questions like "Who is Alma?"or "What is the Book of Mormon?" It was super great for him and we are excited for him coming. Its the first investigator we had make it to church for the transfer I have been here. We have a lesson/family home evening tonight where we will invite him to be baptized. April 9th is the goal!

We had a funny experience this week. We were talking to some people at the bus-stop who ended up not being interested, so we started to walk back to our car. While walking back to the car a man on a bike came to the bus stop, but we didn't take much notice. So we hopped in the car and were putting into the GPS where we were wanting to go next and the biker biked passed us and yelled some stuff we couldn't understand. So we started on our way with the biker about half a football field ahead of us. While we were driving closer he pulled of to the side of the road, turned his bike around at us, and just stared. When we passed him we made eye contact and he had the most livid look on his face. He then got back on his bike and started trying to catch up to us while we were driving haha. He was in a hot pursuit for about... 2 seconds :D

As a Zone Leader we have the great opportunity to help missionaries focus on their purpose and to work on certain things. One of the things that Elder John and I are emphasizing is church attendance and it has made a big difference. Now key indicators are not everything and our success isn't measured from them, but they are a great indicator of what is actually happening. On the 14th of February we had 3 investigators in the whole zone come to church. We started focusing on church attendance then, because 3 in the whole zone is not the best. On the 21st we had 8 come to church in the zone. Then on the 28th of February we had 16 investigators come to church! That was so happy! More investigators are progressing as a result. This Sunday the 6th of March we had 17 come to church. Things are really progressing! The record for the Renton Zone last year for investigators attending church was 18, so we are set to reaching that. We have a goal as a zone to reach 20 this Sunday. Good stuff is happening. These aren't goals to boast or make others feel bad, but goals to save souls!

Love you all so much. Have a great week. Try reading The Book of Mormon every day! Apply what you read to yourself and become more like Christ. Don't read it like a non-fiction novel, read it like a cookbook! If you read a cookbook like a Harry Potter book, it wouldn't change you at all. Pray before you read and apply it (1 Nephi 19:23).

Love,

Elder Sumsion

"Search the Book of Mormon and the words of the living prophets every day, every day, every day! It’s the key to spiritual survival and avoiding deception. Without it, we are spiritually lost." -Elder Kevin W. Pearson

Working at the Cannery