Less Than a Month Left

Today for P-Day we went fishing. We went fishing for almost 8 hours. Things are going well in Georgia. It is a little weird to think that I am going home soon. Lots of people we meet and teach, I won't be able to see the end results of our labors. When we are scheduling meetings and ward social that are in a month, I will not be able to go. That seems really strange. 

Our teaching pool has shrunk yet again. Our progressing investigators have either dropped us or are progressing slowly. It seems like the Lord just wants me to give it my all and hit the pavement. We talk to everyone and knocking on a lot of doors is the best way to find new people. I have gotten a lot better at this since the beginning of my mission. It takes a lot of faith and diligence to knock on doors. I don't mind it. It has been helping me stay out of my comfort zone and push through until the end. Just under 4 weeks now. 

Talk to you soon, 
Elder Greenlaw

Elder Greenlaw 24 months

Fishing on P-Day! Caught 3 fish (Brim, Bass, and a Catfish)

Great Week in Georgia

So much to say and so little time! I wish I could just Skype you again. I would be so much easier! So things of been great, but also very difficult around here. Last week I kind of talked about how the work week has been going. Howard has been pretty slow and things are kind of difficult with my companion. The highlights are that we have had some great progression with our investigators. Things are really looking up for James And Jill getting baptized next month. 

We also had a great miracle finding a brother named Mathew. We were knocking doors, and after visiting with a potential he referred us to his neighbor who's name is Ray. Hes a really old gentleman and his wife passed away just last week. We talked about the spirit world and entering into a state of rest and peace. He ended the conversation pretty short but said we could come back. As we were biking away, I had an impression to turn around. So I followed, and the Spirit told me to knock on a door down the street a bit that I had never before seen. When we did, Mathew opened it and he said that he knew God had led us there that day and that it's time for him to turn his life around and get back into church. We taught him the restoration and he loved it, especially the Book of Mormon. We will be visiting with him again shortly.I had really been praying hard to find a new solid investigator because we are pretty low on the number of people we teach. We have been focusing on talking to everyone! People aren't always walking around in the neighborhoods so it's pretty difficult, but I have already seen miracles from it. 

Love, Elder Greenlaw

First Month in Georgia

Hey yall,

First off I just want to wish y'all a Happy New Years!!! Its going to be a great one! A lot has happened here recently, it's been pretty difficult, but i know that I'm here for a reason and there are lessons to be learned. The first two weeks I got here were really rough. We taught maybe 5 lessons all week and had hardly any people to work with. My companion has been out for over a year and has been in this area for a few months, but he just hasn't been able to crack the nut on this area. Since I was new to the area, I sat back and allowed him to take the reigns and hoped he would show the area well. Sadly that hasn't happened. We have 3 investigators, 1st is Bonita who has been having surgery and all kinds of health problems so we can't meet with her. The 2nd is an 80 year old widow named Jill who has had three strokes and so she can hardly retain any info. Especially our names and the teachings in the Book of Mormon that she listens to on tape. 3rd is a brother named James who is fighting addictions and living with a girlfriend who doesn't want to get married yet. Missionaries have been working with these people for 6 months or so now and they just aren't progressing..... So basically i have come into this area starting from scratch. 

This last week I have pushed by the spirit to step up, take the reigns, and make some changes. Both with some of the habits I personally have and also with my companion and the work we do in this area.

This week has been good! Difficult, but good! We taught double the lessons we had the following two weeks and have figured out some of the things we can improve on. James missed his scheduled baptism last month so we rescheduled it for Feb 7th. Hopefully he can get married or leave the chick by then. That will be his biggest hold-up. Jill came to church and loved chatting with all the old ladies in the ward! She told us that she knows there's a reason why shes still around and that the 3 strokes haven't taken her life. She also thought it was because she might need to become a Mormon haha which we all know that's exactly why!!!! Next visit were going to invite her to be baptized again and try to set an actual date.

We've been knocking on a lot of doors. Before, Elder Andersen, did not believe it was a good idea. By doing so this week, we have talked to way more people, taught more lessons, found new people to teach, and it fills in the time where otherwise we would be thinking.... Ummm so where to next? Now we don't even ask that. We immediately start knocking after our plans fall through or we have extra time. it is great. 

It's been difficult because i have had to take charge by making the first move, and making all the decisions. Even though I hardly know anybody and know where things are. I still to this day have no idea what our ward boundaries are... I feel like I'm white washing..

Things are looking up though and I am just hoping i can leave this place a lot better When I leave then how it was when I got here. It's hard knowing that I only have two short months left and i probably wont see much of the results while I am here. 

Anyways, I know this gospel is true because it has changed me for the better and I have felt the enabling power of the Atonement of Christ. God lives, as does his Son even Jesus Christ. Their love is infinite and unconditional. Through them we may receive peace and happiness in this life, and in the life to come, if we so choose to live according to their commands. Of this I do testify, in Jesus's precious name, amen. 

Elder Greenlaw

Walking down the streets of Gorgia! 

The live band we listened to at a New Years party at the Zions Hill Methodist church. The base and mandolin players are members of our ward. It was a blast! 

Looking our best at church 

First time riding on a boat in 2 years, here at the famous Okefenokee Swamp!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas week! Cant wait to skype y'all on Thursday. I'm thinking around 1-2 is when I'll get on. 

The Mission-wide Christmas Party was great! Its always wonderful to see old comps and good friends that you don't see anywhere else. I did receive your package too. Those letters meant so much to me, thank you. I cant believe Trevor wrote a five page letter and a novel! Hes such a stud. Andrew said hes struggling with friends and wants me to be there to hang with him. Cant wait for that day.

My new comp is great, it's super easy to talk to him and we have a lot of the same interests and hobbies so I can see myself hangin' with him after the mission.

I think it's hilarious that some missionaries have a hard time becoming "Normal" again. Trust me, I will have no problem with that haha. I'm looking forward to catching up and making up for lost time with the family. My entire perspective has changed and my realization is that family is the single most important thing in this life, other than the gospel of course. There needs to be time set aside for strengthening the family.

We have three appointments for Christmas day this year. I'm new and hardly know the members at all which is hard... I wish I was still in Lake Butler in that aspect. It's great here too though. 

Merry Christmas!

Elder Greenlaw

The reason why Waycross has its name is because its the main intersection for CSX railways is in the state. There are railroad crossings everywhere around here and constantly a train going by. I just had to get a pic when we parked right on the rails at a red light. :)

My First Week in Georgia

Transfers went great! My companion Elder Robert Anderson is a stud! He's from Riverton, another close one! He's been out for just over a year now, he's such a humble, obedient, and faithful guy, I'm real happy I'm with him.

As for the work, we have 3-4 investigators were working with pretty regularly. James Williams Jr is the most solid. Hes a black brotha born and raised in Georgia. He has a baptismal date for the 27th of this month. Were hoping it will go through but hes living with his girlfriend.... We are teaching the law of chastity to him and hopefully we can get her involved in the discussions. As of right now she doesn't seem interested in the gospel.  There's another lady named Bonida who is a chef, but she has had really bad health issues lately, the reason why she isn't able to come to church and progress. She does say she wants to get baptized though along with her daughter and granddaughter that live with her!

People say the culture is different here in Georgia than in Florida, but i haven't really noticed it. I just came from a very small, country town, so I'm lovin it. There are more black people here which is great, too bad there's only 2 that are active in our ward right now... Everywhere i go it seems to be that way!...

I was hoping that I wouldn't ever have to bike again on my mission, but I got here and we have a car share, week on week off schedule. Sooooo this week we've been peddling A Lot! I'ts getting me in good share for home. I'm just trying to look at the positives haha. My first Sunday here i was asked to fill in for a young man and speak in Sacrament Meeting. They told me 3-5 minutes, but the youth ahead of me went for about 30 seconds and 3 minutes and left Bishop and I 40 minutes.... So I had to follow the spirit and drag it out a lot longer haha. It went good though. 

I seriously have a problem. This morning, out of nowhere, i got hit with a soar throat and congestion again! I went to go to the Doctor today but found that the lobby was filled and they said an hour or more wait, so we immediately left and now I'm putting up with it. Attempting to shop and play basketball haha. 

That's about it for this week! Christmas is coming up and I cant believe it! I love the Christmas spirit, and the easiness to talk about Christ with others. 

Elder Greenlaw

Elder Anderson and Elder Greenlaw

The original church in Waycross, zoom in on the plaque! They have now changed it as you can see. 

Charlie and Barbara Wiggins!

The famous Randy Thomas!

David and Bobby Williams! (Investigators)

The wonderful Cranford family in Lake Butler!

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll

Hey yall,

This last week has been great! New people are coming out of the woodwork! The youth in this ward are so enthusiastic and eager to share the gospel. We've met a bunch of their friends, we have an epic volleyball night where we had a lot of new faces and we're going to start teaching them here pretty soon. 

We had a great Book of Mormon study class also with an investigator that came and loved it! Sister Gail teaches from the institute manual so we're going into real detail of the events, using maps, power points, modern day prophet insights and scripture! It blew him away as to how great the class was. He would get baptized if his wife was more accepting... She would divorce him if he joined the church.... All in due time.

We've slowed down on the amount of service the past month or so and this last week we've been praying for more opportunities. In return, immediately projects in the community, for non-members, active and less active members have been popping up left and right! There sure is a special spirit about serving your fellow men, a spirit I can't get enough of I love it!! 

The members here are fantastic! We've had two Early Thanksgiving meals already and 4 appointments scheduled for Thursday. We are taking charge of setting up the Turkey Bowl too. 8 am we'll be out on the high school football field ready to tear it up! Haha

That's about it for this week. Elder Andersen and I are having a blast together. Happy Thanksgiving to ya'll and I'll talk to ya next week.

Elder Greenlaw

Florida and a New Pair of Boots

Hey yall,

It's been a great week and daggum has it flown by. 

Some of the highlights are that my new companion is named Elder Conner Andersen from Draper Utah!! He graduated from Alta a year after me. He then went to SUU for a year and then came out on his mission. He was a track star and has done 3 triathlons. Holy smokes! He's a stud, a little more quiet than my last companion, but that's alright. He hasn't been out too long on his mission. 4 1/2 months to be exact. He still has some "greenie" moments haha. It is all good though.

We've had a blast sitting around campfires all week long now that the weather is cooling down. Today is the first time I've worn long pants on a Pday and this morning when we did our workout at 5 am, I even wore a sweater!!! Crazy!... 

The work is a bit slow right now... But it will pick up soon when we hit hard with the Family Mission plans that we have to do with 35 member families. Hopefully we can get at least 1 a day. 

We've got a few investigators but they are all 70 haha. Never too late I guess! A lady named Lora has a baptismal date on for 6 weeks or so. 

We had a ward social (Fall Festival) with lots of food, candy, trunk or treating, hayrides, campfires all over the place, it was awesome! So many non-members came and it was so big and loud that random people driving by decided to stop by and see what all the ruckus was about. 

Charlie Wiggins, an older fellow whose fixin to pass soon, invited us over to give a blessing and to give the sacrament to him yesterday. Super spiritual!! It's amazing what the Lord teaches you and the things he has you say when you are truly a mouth piece for him. After a good while, he asks his wife to go into his closet and bring out 4 pairs of boots. He had us try them on then gave each of us 2. These things are 400 bucks a pop made out of Ostrich skin. Woo baby!! He also gave us some bolo ties and next time we go over he's giving us a cowboy hat.. This man is amazing... So selfless... He's hoping to make me a true southerner now.  We had a little photo shoot, I'll send some of the pics to y'all as well.

That's about it for this week. Right now, I seem to be learning a lot about myself. The Lord is revealing my weaknesses, which are many believe me, and he's helping me become more Christlike. I've had a lot of trials recently, times where I've really need to look deep within and humble myself to him. This week when I partook of the sacrament I had a great spiritual, rejuvenating experience. I've often reflected upon the talks in this last General Conference, "Are we not all beggars?" Along with "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence" I highly recommend y'all to make time and go back and study it them if you have not already. I'm so grateful for modern day prophets and apostles who receive revelation for us pertaining to our time here in the last days. May we all come closer to the Lord this next week and feel of His love for us.

Love,

Elder Greenlaw

Pulled out the good ol' polish and leather this morning. What a difference! 

Sorry for the blurriness.... Yeeehaaaa!! 

Elder Greenlaw and Elder Conner Andersen

Me and sweet lil Princess Olivia