Monday, September 30, 2013
30 September 2013 "I Witnessed a Miracle"
30 September 2013
I had the opportunity to experience
something pretty fantastic early this week and that was a literal
miracle. For the sake of names I will change them but the rest is
from my point of view.
Some members of the church live in an
apartment complex and a few doors down lives a member who hasn't gone
for quite some time. They have been trying to find time to go talk to
her but are busy. Eventually one day the Smith's (active family
trying to reach out) is approached by Sara (not so active member that
lives down the way) and says that she has been noticing the Smith
family and the way they take care of their young kids. Got talking
and invited Sara back to church. She comes and meets us at church. We
were excited about that and the bishop tells us that she would like
for us to go over and teach her because she has forgotten much. So we
go. When we get there she expresses the trouble that she has been
going through and the difficult situation she is in. She lost her job
because of a misunderstanding. Has a 12 yr old daughter to take care
of with an abusive ex-husband . With only $12 to her name to buy
food. No other income. While she was expressing this to us someone
knocks at the door. We can't see who it is but Sara is talking to a
man and at first seems like an intense conversation. The door closes
and she walks into the room with a large box of food that Sara's
neighbor got for her at Costco. He gave her $100 and gave her a
number of leads of jobs she can check into that aren't to far away.
Emotions were high and we all recognized that God had sent that man
to help Sara out.
Pretty intense!
On Mondays of each week we are given
time to make preparations for the week such as shop, clean, write
letters, EMAIL, and whatever else. One thing we try to do each week
is have fun. Last week Monday we had a huge Nerf war with 6 total
missionaries. That was fun and all but next week we are doing
something even better. We were talking with some members and they
asked us if we would chase their toy potbelly pig, I think that's
right. Its smaller right now but faster than the dickens. So that's
what we are doing next week with 10 missionaries. They are going to
try and get a few more as well and we are going to chase down pigs! I
can't wait!!!
Now that I have been on my mission for
about a year its weird thinking back to what I was doing this time
last year. So when I think back to that time I think of....who am I
kidding my memory isn't that good. Anyways I hope everyone is doing
great and your memory is better than mine.
Love Elder Leonhardt
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
24 September 2013 "Just repent bro"
Wow this seemed like a great week back
at home hearing about Aaron's experiences as well as Mom with the
little ones and other good news! Aaron when did you decide to do a
1/2 marathon? Did I have anything to do with the motive? I
really want to do one with you when I get home. All others are
welcome! I am very jealous of you and your experience with Elder
Eyring. I manage to miss every chance I have of seeing an Apostle.
Mom thank you for the words on the message that the Lord provides a
path and a way out. Always. It really puts things into prospective
that no matter what, the Lord is cheering for us to succeed and will
help to meet our needs. A lot of people that I see have closed their
eyes so much that they don't even have a hope that there is another
way out and therefore shrink. I don't want to shrink or be held back
for what ever reason. I want to progress!
So I mentioned last week that I would
have a lot more to report on this week. I do. I hope you enjoy my
past week.
We had a lesson with two new teen age
ladies that are friends with a few members in our ward. They asked to
meet with us. Then they canceled. We later found out the reason.
It was because they were nervous to meet with us and were scared that
we were going to show up and pull them to be baptized and say they
HAVE TO GO TO CHURCH WITH US. They were just about trembling before
we came. We got talking with them and after a little bit they told us
that they had felt that way but now they didn't as we made them feel
comfortable with us. We heard that they didn't want to talk about
baptism and didn't plan on joining The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. They simply just want to really learn about it
more. The Spirit told us other wise and I am so glad we heeded the
prompting. We talked about the Plan of Happiness and that led into
baptism. You may ask, was I nervous? Heck yeah I was! I have been
doing this for a year and I still get nervous with it because we are
not teaching some lessons a few times a week. We are teaching God's
Children. We better respect them and take care of what they need at
that time. But I also know that because I am one of His sons He will
help me too and He did. I felt the largest wave of peace come over me
as if God was with me telling me “All is alright, you will be
fine.” That means the world to me to feel that. I testify that you
will feel that too as you pray for it. When you are in need He will
answer you. I know these things to be true. We invited them to
baptism when they are ready and they talked about this good anxiety
feeling and peace that they had as we talked about it and want to be
baptized. The Spirit of the Lord was absolutely there. In the next
lesson they accepted the invitation to be baptized in October. I am
so happy for them. They come from a broken home where emotional
damage is present and fear many things but have now felt comfort in
the message of the Spirit and of Christ.
Had the opportunity to do some awesome
service as well. Elder Wade can't smell so he was delighted when
someone asked us to pick up dog poop in their backyard. It was so
funny because there was a TON and he didn't mind. I went out to help
after getting done with another project. Don't worry I was still in
sight and sound of him. Boy did the poop smell. The flies were a
buzzing around like crazy! Fun... We also got to help another person
move. 20th one in the past 4 months. I swear!
I have found a new focus in life.
Personal focus. If it doesn't build my faith or edify someone then
there is not a need for it. That goes into talking with people about
religion and other things. There are a lot of weird things out there
that I don't understand. So first I try my best to understand it and
where someone is coming from and see how it will strengthen my faith.
Also another phrase I have been using a lot is "Just repent bro"
I love it! Seriously whats the big deal with repenting? You feel good
afterwards. You're closer with God. You get blessings, understanding,
and a greater love for others. So if you don't want that, why are you
here? Anyways I like it. Don't make repenting difficult on yourself.
Another learning of mine this week was
about judging others. This is now one of my favorites and I'll
explain why. Matthew 7:1-2 talks about judging others. The first line
says not to judge. The next verse says that the way you judge others
is the way you will be judged. Normally I thought of this as a
negative verse saying judging others is terrible. But its a neutral
comment. So if you judge someone wickedly of course you will get it
back in the same way. Let's face it, we all could find something bad
about someone. But on the other hand if you judge someone and look at
them with the potential God has given them and with righteous eyes
then you'll get the same kind of judgment. That's awesome! In that
respect we control how we want to be judged in the end. So look at
others with the most positive attitude you have and desire to make
them a better person.
There was a primary program in one of
the wards I cover and boy was it funny. It was written by the kids
and performed by the kids. I love kids and it nearly made me cry to
hear some of the ways that a babe could feel the spirit. I say nearly
cried because Men don't cry, I can't...
There were a few other things that
happened this week but for the sake of my carpel-tunnel and now
exhausted mind I will let you go. Thanks for all the prayers and
support. I love you all, heard and unheard.
Love Elder Caleb Leonhardt
24 September 2013 "Nerf Wars"
We had a Nerf War and these were the candidates
I, Elder Leonhardt was 'Rambo' but they
forgot to take a picture of me.
Monday, September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013 "Cool way to study the scriptures."
September 16, 2013
Hello From AZ!
Mom you asked if every job in the world
paid the same salary what would I like to pursue? To answer your
question I would be a traffic supervisor from a lawn chair outside my
home. Or an air sampler....
Happy Birthday Grandpa and Maria! I
hope this years is a good one, hope all of your crazy fun dreams come
true! I sent you both a virtual hug, hopefully it arrives soon.
So my companion and I have been trying
this new way of studying from the scriptures for the past couple days
and I have to say its pretty cool. It doesn't matter what approach
you take to the scriptures whether it be through the index, certain
topic, certain verses or such. What does matter is how you view the
scriptures. What is said in the scriptures is no longer that
important. Still important but don't pay so much attention to the
actual words on the page. The scriptures are instead a key. What does
a key do? Open things. The scriptures are a key to opening up the
windows of heaven to learn more about Gods mysteries. How to do it?
Start with a prayer asking a specific question or just something you
are looking for. For my companion the first time he just asked God “I
am acting in faith here with this new way of studying and I pray
that I can learn your mysteries. Simple. Then open the scriptures of
talks on scripture, what ever your cup of tea is that day, and write.
Write all the thoughts that come to your mind. Read a scripture and
then write all that comes to your mind until you can't think of
anything anymore and continue reading again. It is pretty amazing. It
feels as though God is speaking straight to you and in some cases it
feels as though He is in the room with you. So I challenge you to try
it out and if you have an experience then let me know!
Other than that my companion and I
haven't done a whole lot and it sounds weird to say that because I
thought I did a lot. I will try and have a great story for next weeks
email.
Love y'all
Love Elder Leonahrdt
Monday, September 9, 2013
Pictures 9 September 2013
Lizard couldn't take it anymore. Room was too messy.
9 September 2013 Struggles are a blessing.
That's so cool that Eric Black was able
to finish the TM in that time! I am very jealous of him. In fact I
issue a challenge of when I get back we will do one together, if
there is one at that time somewhere close. I wanted to do one really
bad before my mission but I had nose surgery which took me from that
as well as a marathon that I trained for. But I'm OK with that
because I was in the best shape of my life when I was training for
those. I miss that shape now since I have gained 25 pounds and look
like a round blue umpa lumpa. More like red because of the sun.
Also Mom you asked what pet
peeves I have and I would say for me is lack of effort. It drives me
crazy when I see people not trying in things significant or not just
doing your best in everything. That's why I am glad that the Lord has
given me so many struggles to humble me and those around us. It helps
us get on the same level so we can rise together.
Had a lesson this week with a man named
Ned Rowen who joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
a little over a year ago and now teaches a class at church for those
that are new members or visiting. He often shares the things of his
past and this week he talked about his past on drinking, smoking,
drug use and other vices. As he talked about it, it seemed as if those
things had no magnitude because they have no part in him now and who
he is. He simply wants to share that with others to warn them of the
difficulties that may come and the struggles one might have not with
just their health but with those around him. Some of these things are
direct reasons for losing loved ones and pain untold. It is a miracle
that he is still here to share this stuff with us and I am so glad
that he is here to share it with us. He has taken himself from one
end of the spectrum to the other and told us that it is impossible to
do it with out the Lords help. I love him.
I went to In 'n Out for the first time
the other day. It was alright, nothing better than what I can whip up
at Culvers! Yea yea!
There was an Elders Quorum BBQ this
past Saturday which turned into a much larger BBQ for the whole ward.
We talked to a lady there and had one of the most wonderful talks of
my whole mission because of the honesty that was shared. We have been
going by their home asking if their kids could help us out by letting
us teach them the missionary lessons and give them an opportunity to
ask questions that they get at school or just questions that they
have and we try our best to answer them. Some are pretty tough too.
Each time we have talked to them they are unsure and want to get back
to us. Never do. So we asked her again and she explained something
that was behind the scene. The kids testimonies are struggling and
aren't sure which direction they want to go and if they like going to
church at all. Both parents have been wondering what to do and how to
help them understand what they believe and do, but aren't having the
best of success. That is when we started to go over there asking if
they would like to help us out. The thing is neither my companion or
I really had a prompting to go there, we just did and it was an
answer to a prayer. The answer however came from not us but those
that are around the family that care so much for them and have been
praying for them.
We met with a Lady named Glenda this
week at church to show her around and let her get a feel for the
building before she came on Sunday. She has learned little by little
about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and explained
lots of reasons why she is interested and some questions that she has
about doctrine and such. She is a very special lady. When she was
learning more about the Mormons in the last place she lived there was
a lot of opposition to her even talking to "Mormons". Her
husband used to make jokes that it was in the papers because she got
letters from people of all churches telling her tons of...different
points of view. Anyway after showing her around we had a lesson
about staying of the path of righteousness relating to Lehi's dream.
The Spirit was so thick in the church you could cut it with a knife.
I am so thankful for my inadequacies
that force me to rely on the Lord to make up for that which I can't
and allow him to use me for a better tool in spreading the Gospel. I
testify that it can't be done without the Spirit and is worthless to
do without it. Pray for it.
Love Elder Leonhardt
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Pictures Elder Jones, Wardle and ME
I love rain!
Sept 3, 2013 I love storms!
Sept 3 2013
Want to tell you about this giant storm
that hit us on Monday night. It was crazy with how the dust came in
a huge cloud. It was like want you see from the movie “Mummy”. Followed
by intense rain for 1-2 hrs. We were so happy to have rain that we
stayed out all night working in it trying to talk to people as rain
was running down our faces. Then we heard that a tree not to far from
where we live, mile or 2 away was struck with lightening and went up
in flames. I love storms!
We had a really cool zone conference
last Tuesday. We discussed Faith, Principles vs Rules and on line
missionary work. As I have been thinking more and more about
principles I have been noticing that they carry over to many other
things in life such as talking with people and asking open ended
questions that create better conversations. There are many other
examples out there but I thought it was cool to see that and to think
about how those principles are truth and how they will carry over to
life after death.
Had a conversation with a lady who is a
member but hasn't come to church for a long time for many reasons.
She shared a few with us. Many of the questions dealt with deep
doctrine things that in the end don't really have anything to do with
strengthening ones faith. I have learned that if the conversation on
gospel isn't strengthening ones faith, why have it, what's the
importance, why does it matter if its not going to do anything for
you, and how can that be applied to your life. Focus on the basics.
Getting lost in deep questions can be some of the hardest things to
get out of. It is always better remembering that we are here to
strengthen our faith upon the Lord.
Oh yeah and while we were out on splits
with a young man from the ward we were driving down a side road and
we saw a hand running down the street. Yes a hand. Like from the
Adams Family! Who would have known.
We stopped to visit a man that is a
member but hasn't gone for a while. We stopped by to see how things
were going and if he was interested in coming back to church. He
yelled at us and told us to never come back again, We had one of the
priest age young men was with us. (16-18) We told the man that to prevent anyone
from coming back again he would have to remove his name from the
church records by writing a letter to the church. He then got
threatening and told us to go away because we were harassing them.
Mid sentence he changed and said to his wife, "No. no, you know
what, wife go get the phone I'm going to call the cops. You're going
to jail for harassing us!" No cops came.
OK my companion and I had a very weird
and startling experience.
It was Sunday night and we were asked
to go by a Do Not Contact person that is a member and for some reason
in the past has been a little violent to elders. He has asked to have
his name removed so the bishop sent us there. As we pulled up to the
house I noticed something was missing. I turned to my companion and
asked him how he felt and he said fine. I wanted to say a prayer
before going in. After the prayer we both knew that for some reason
the spirit was not there and we shouldn't be there. We got on our
bikes and rode away. A couple blocks away was someone we could stop
to visit. As we got off the bikes again the feeling wasn't gone and
decided to keep biking. We said another prayer asking for the Lord to
guide us where we should go to get away from this feeling of danger. We both thought
of home, where we live home, and started to ride there. It was weird
because the night wasn't over and we needed to keep working. Once we
were near our home we decided to see an investigator. The feeling was
still there and we both felt as though something was following us
with something not nice about it. When we got to the house of the
investigator and started to talk with her the feeling left and we
started to feel good again. She also gave us coconut pop cycles,
which were good. Anyways that was our interesting experience of being
guided by the Spirit.
Love you all
Love Elder Leonhardt
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