Greatings Earthlings,

This is captain H. Greenlaw from the Fleming Island Starfighter. We have been out 8 months now and no sign of life. But we did see a big gator scurry away into a black hole. It has been a rough flight, we have had engine failures and explosions in the undercarriage. We have searched a few abandoned ships but no sighting of elect investigators. Better luck next time Houston... 
Starfighter out.

God is Merciful

Hello family and friends!

This week God has been very merciful. It has truly been an answer to my prayers for awhile now. We found four new solid investigators this week! We've had a challenge by other zones to see how many new investigators we can get in 1 week. Its on!! 

The greatest thing that happened to us this last week was with a part member named Brannon Mullins. He's in his mid twenties and both of his parents are converts of about 5 years. Brannon isn't your typical kid, very outgoing and can be very intimidating at first. When I first walked into their home, we walked up to me with a foot long knife in his hand. Apparently this is what he does to try and "break in" all of the new missionaries. Some time passed and then we had the opportunity to go out to lunch with him. Out of the blue he asks, "So why are you serving a mission anyway?"  For a missionary, this is probably the most thrilling question you could ever be asked. Right there in Dairy Queen with little kids running around screaming and a biker gang sitting next to us, I told him my life story. I told him how I wasn't the typical "mormon kid" growing up. I was a handful! I was raised going to church every Sunday and all, but when I got into high school I wanted to rebel and have a good time! Straying from the principles taught in church and not ever having a personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. I can go on for days but I'll skip to the chase, I later came to a certain point in my life where I was not happy. I had disappointed my family, my friends, and I was alone. Forced to make a decision in my life whether to change what I was doing and find true lasting happiness, or live rebelliously and who knows where I would be right now. Luckily I made the right decision and found Christ! I had truly experienced the Atonement for the first time in my life. I came to know that I truly had a Father in Heaven who loves me and wants the best for me. If we call to him for help, he will listen. I then bore testimony that I know that God and Jesus Christ live, The Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith is a prophet. I challenged him to read and pray to know the truth for himself. Even in Dairy Queen, the spirit was very strong and we all felt it. I honestly can't remember everything I said to him that night because the Lord GAVE me the words to speak. Words that I never knew I had. It was an incredible experience. Since then we have met with him 4-5 times. He has finished the first book of Nephi, planning on going to church this next Sunday, which has only happened once in his life, and we are noticing a physical change in him. When the Spirit touches the heart, hearts are changed. It has truly been a remarkable experience and nothing short of a miracle. 

We have also been working with a 15 year old black kid who's name is Marcus. He's best friends with two kids in the ward and he's been coming to church with them every week for the past 4 months and he has said that he wants to hear the discussions from us. What a miracle! 

Yesterday Elder Johnson and I both received such powerful blessing from the Bishop and 1st Counselor. What inspired men they are for helping us press on in this work. Its not easy, but if it were, it wouldn't be as rewarding. I know that this is the Lord's work and he will be with us every step of the way. If we have faith and trust in him, he shall direct our paths! Proverbs 3:5-6 (The greatest scripture there is) 

Until next time,

Elder Greenlaw

Riding bikes in Florida. 

Fighting for the Lord. 

St. John's River, Florida

Loving my new area!

Hello everyone!

This week has been very good. The members here are incredible! So loving and kind and are willing to go out of their way each day to help the missionaries. There are a few families in this ward that we can call up and ask for their help whenever its needed. I've been here almost two weeks now and I feel more comfortable with the area. I have made a lot of new friends in the ward, and I would feel comfortable in leading out in the area without getting lost. Thanks to my new GPS. ;)  

This week we had a black man named Vernon that accepted baptism on November 24th! This is very exciting! Hopefully he progresses well and can start overcoming his smoking problem. From what I have seen out here so far is once a person has a spiritual experience while reading the Book of Mormon and comes to know it is true, all of their concerns and setbacks seem to wither away. Even addictions! The Lord strengthens us through our trials when we are consistently obedient with the small and simple things. He asks for us to do. 

There is still a lot of work to be done in this area. Many potentials to go see and a lot of neighborhoods that we haven't been to yet. This week we are striving to be a little more obedient, work a little harder, smack some doors and shake the bushes so we can expect to see many mighty miracles. Until next week! God Bless!

Elder Greenlaw

Loving the people of Florida

Hayden by the water

First week in Fleming Island

Hello everyone!

What a change it has been since last week I've talked to y'all. I'm now serving in Fleming Island 1st ward, and might I just say, its been VERY different from Gainesville. No college campus to go by, no more ghettos, and no more friends and families I love. I don't know a living soul out here. It's hard going from an area that you know everyone and everything about it. But in the end, change is good. My companion Elder J. Johnson is pretty sweet! We get along great! We are very different from each other that's for sure, but we both want to work hard and expect mighty miracles in this area. Missionaries have talked bad about this area and how hard it is here. The ward is very small and not very many baptisms. He is very new to this area and his last companion he hated. They got little to no work done so it feels like we are white washing this area. That means starting from scratch. We have already seen great miracles come by faith and hope for this area to BOOM! We have taught more lessons and received more new investigators this week, than they have in the last few months. We are only getting started! Next week I can't wait to tell you more. I'm very happy and very excited for the future here.

Love y'all! Have a fabulous week!

Fleming Island Florida

Elder J Johnson and Elder Greenlaw

Elder Johnson is from Spocan, Washington. Hes been out 6 months now, so only a transfer less than me and is wonderful! 

The backyard of a less active in the ward.... Jealous!!!  Also that's what I look like after riding sweaty bikes ha ha

Elder Greenlaw, Elder Jenkins, and Elder Moser

New Companions - Elder Johnson and Elder Greenlaw

Elder Johnson and Elder Greenlaw - Fleming Island Florida

Getting Transferred to Fleming Island

Hello everyone!

The day has finally come. Tomorrow I will be getting transferred to........ wait for it...... FLEMING ISLAND!! I hear this is one of the best areas in the mission! I hear my new companion is very chill and likes to work hard so I'm very excited for that. Hi name is elder J Johnson. It is such a bittersweet feeling leaving this place. I have loved serving here. I have made such great friends and taught the gospel to so many great people. White, Black, Indian, Chinese, you name it! ha ha. At the same time I need to go to a new area, have a new companion and meet new people. I struggle with some people here in this ward and the work that goes on so I'm very excited.

This past week we have been visiting a lot of members and saying goodbye to them. This has been a struggle. I've been filled with such gratitude lately and tears come to my eyes every time I think of these people because I love them so much. Gainesville has felt like my home and I've been a part of a great big family. You never fully realize what you have until it's gone. I will truly miss this place. Thank goodness for Facebook though. I will be able to keep in touch with them that way and continue to encourage them to do missionary work from a far.

Last night was the hardest. My favorite family, the Whites and the Valentines, threw a going away party. We had Filet Mignon, with Brother Whites famous mash potatoes. MMMM Sooo good! No wonder I can never lose weight in the South! As we were being dropped off at our apartment complex, their youngest boy, Henry White, started to cry when I told him I have to leave and that I will greatly miss him. That was very difficult to see. I told them that I will be back here in Gainesville to see them again after the mission. We have already planned a trip to go hunting, fishing, and boating on the Swanny River and having more fun with them. Brother Mott, I believe I told you the story of him a few weeks ago, offered to let me stay at his house when I come and visit ha ha. So I pretty much have everything planned out already. 

Next Monday I will give y'all my new address in Fleming Island. Until next time, farewell from Gainesville, Florida!

Elder Greenlaw

Doing Service together. Elder Greenlaw and Elder Anderson

Saying Goodbye to the White family

Transfers Coming Up... Most likely elder Greenlaw will leave Jacksonville

I heard from Elder Greenlaw this week, and he told me that he is getting transferred on October 16th. He has been serving in the Gainesville, Florida area for 7 1/2 months and is really excited to be going to a new place. He has loved the ward and area he has been in, but change is good. Thank you to the many families that have fed and cared for the missionaries. Elder Greenlaw has made good friends in the Gainesville 2nd ward, and will miss them very much.

Gainesville Florida Mission Zone