Tuesday, 19 March 2019 ~ Week #86

Weekly Letter 86

Brothers and sisters,

How you have you all been doing? This week definitely was an up and down week. There were the moments in which we had special spiritual conversations with our investigators, and there were many in which we were in the street praying and thinking "What would be the best thing to do right now?" following impressions and acting with faith. I still have bronchitis, coughing almost every minute, and my companion Elder Marino still has his stomach troubles; the missionaries in the zone too have their sicknesses and their trials and their standing still in the street figuring out what to do, and their moments visiting with investigators and members; but we thrive on, and we strive to build the Church here in Zacapa.

Aura is our biggest focus right now to help her get baptized in April, but seeing her progress and her desires to go to the temple the first week of April, and seeing that she already has enough knowledge of the Gospel, enough attendances to Church, enough spiritual experiences and enough support from Relief Society, she may be baptized by the end of this month. We are very proud of her for her progress. She used to be very timid around the missionaries, and now she is becoming a happier person, as she participates in service activities with the Relief Society. She is becoming an even more spiritual person than she was before. And might I mention, she has a son who is serving in El Salvador, who she is gaining more contact with, also thanks to the Relief Society, and through him he is learning even more about the Gospel. Her change was miraculous. I'm so thankful that Elder Marino and I could help her come to know the Gospel for herself after so much time having just enough faith to let her son be baptized and go on a mission. Missionary work is one of many ways in which the Lord uses to unite families.

As to other investigators, Maria Fernanda unfortunately has not received permission from her parents, or so we know up to this point, because she went on a vacation with them this last weekend. Neither has Vanesa received permisison. But Alejandra, who we taught for the first time this Sunday, says her father might allow her to be baptized, because they did for her older sister. Both Alejandra and her older sister Amarilis have received the missionaries and have gone to church at least 5 times, and yet after December just stopped getting up early, and because of that they stopped progressing. This will not be too difficult, to help them make promises with God they really desire to make. We just have to make sure they have support from the rest of their relatives who are active in the Church and make sure they have other friends in the Church too. Coming to know the Savior is a process that often doesn't just require a personal drive to do so, but support from friends and family to do so too.

Now, in the end, what can I say for myself? The spiritual impressions we follow, the words we say, the things we do, it is all the Lord. The Lord is doing His work through us, His missionaries. He wants Aura to have a happy life and a family sealed in the temple. He wants that blessing for Alejandra and her family. And He wants that blessing for many more people. Yet it is all according to His plan, and His timing. Just like Alma, I can say the same:

Alma 26:12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.  

And I have realized something. Missionaries are not just instruments in the hands of the Lord. We are sons and daughters of God too, learning to want to do the will of the Lord, and not just do it. We are not learning to become servants, but rather we are learning to become Gods too. The Savior himself submitted himself to the will of the Father, and made himself as a servant, and as a result, He became perfect, and He became even as God is -- all through his obedience and his consecration.

Let us remember, my brothers and sisters, that if we really examine ourselves, and examine our lives, and see how much we have done, and see how much the Lord has done, we would indeed say, "Wow, I really am nothing. Everything I have belongs to the Lord."

I am so grateful for my calling as a missionary, and for the opportunity to serve the Lord. I have surpassed my expectations as to who I would become on the mission, and it is because of the Lord's mercy and grace. I desired to do good, and I desired to do it more, and the Lord has changed me. I am still an imperfect person, but surely the Lord has changed me more than I expected I would. I testify that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and that He died for all of my sins. I testify that He has redeemed me, and continues to change me. I testify that such change comes through diligent prayer and study of the Gospel, and consecrated service and striving to follow Christ's example -- indeed, choosing to do what He would do as if it were the only way to do it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a wonderful week!

Your chapin friend,

Elder Dredge

Monday, 11 March 2019 ~ Week #85

Weekly Letter #85

My dear brothers and sisters,

I'm just happy to say, that every week over here is better. Every day I am seeing a little bit more of what I expect of our work. I want this side of Guatemala to have a well established church. If there is anyone who had made covenants with the Lord in Zacapa, I want to remind them of that promise, and encourage them to live it, and find others to encourage them to live it too. If there is anyone who is happy living His Gospel, I want them to work with us, and share their experiences with others. If there is anyone who is not doing their duty, I want them to comply it by doing their part of the work we do. What do I want in the end? I want everyone to be happy living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, helping others to do it too.

What I have been learning a lot about in the mission is the value of making goals and setting plans, and I hope that this is something that all of us can do. And not just make goals just to do things we want, but to do what the Lord wants. I would like to share a Scripture that talks about that:

2 Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men, neither did I build the ship after the manner of men; but I did build it after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men.
3 And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.
4 And it came to pass that after I had finished the ship, according to the word of the Lord, my brethren beheld that it was good, and that the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine; wherefore, they did humble themselves again before the Lord.

What is the ship that we need to build, like Nephi did? We need to build the home we want. We need to build the life we want. Most importantly, we need to build the kind of person we want to be. Why is that the most important? Allow me to share a quote from a talk called the Fourth Missionary.

"Your greatest work: your most important creation is and will ever be you. What kind of person will you become? By this I do not mean what role in life will you take. I don't mean will you be a cowboy, lawyer, surfer, homemaker, engineer, computer programmer, accountant or the like. I do not refer to what kind of car you will drive; what kind of clothes you will wear; what kind of house you will live in; what kind of spouse you will marry or what kind of family will you raise. I mean, when all of that is removed and there you stand alone, who will you be? I mean, you.

"What personality will you have; what strengths; what knowledge; what character; what emotional state; what presence; what qualities; what virtues? What will you look like? What will you sound like? What will it be like to be around you? Who will you be?"

I would encourage all of you, if you haven't already, to make goals that are relevant to all aspects of your life. Your home, your career, your hobbies, your family, but most importantly, you.

In the end, Jesus Christ died for you. He, being the Only One who is blameless and perfect and most obedient and most happy, suffered the penalty for all our faults, and thereby taking away all of the guilt of the sins for those of which we repent. That is the great message of the Gospel. It is learning to be like the Blameless to be free of blame; to be like the Sinless to be free of sin; to be like the Jovial, who is free of sorrow. He has goals and plans for you, so that He can make you more than you can ever dream to be -- a God, if you desire. But the question is: Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe He has a plan for you? Are you willing to listen to His prophets so that their words might help you learn what He wants you to do? And are you willing to change your life so that you can be like Him?

My brothers and sisters, I have never been more focused on His work. Granted, I am still somewhat distracted sometimes, and I make jokes, and I play some piano in select moments, but I am more concerned with the welfare of others, and I use my gifts which otherwise might distract me, to be a light in the life of those whom I serve. I am constantly trying to cheer my companion up in his afflictions, as he is going through some bad health. I joke around with my missionaries to help them feel relaxed and not stressed as they do the Lord's work, trying to see it more from His eyes, because I believe that the Savior has a sense of humor. I try to get along with the members, and to bless our investigators. I correct others in a constructive and firm manner, reminding them of what they know is true, so that they can feel the Savior's love and feel edified to do the right thing. I am having a lot of fun on my mission, and don't get me wrong because it doesn't transmit well through the usual tone of voice in my letters, but it is fun to do His work. It is the best way of life, because I can laugh perfectly free of remorse of conscience. I hope anyone could feel that way. It is made possible only by way of sacred promises we make with the Lord and that He makes with us.

Have a wonderful week, and remember to count your blessings. I love you all. :)

Elder Dredge

Monday, 4 March 2019 ~ Week #84

Weekly Letter #84

My brothers and sisters,

It's been a very fun week and a very challenging week at the same time. We are still in the process of strengthening the ward and going out with Elders to visit their neighbors and give them opportunities to bare their testimonies, and it's overall been a satisfying process, since we are seeing the Elders enjoy the process too, and at the same time we have been patient. It's a day by day thing, but it will bring great fruits. As we teach our investigators and the references of the members, we are helping all people to come unto Christ.

Before I talk more about the work, I would just like to talk about everything else that has been going on. In the same week, we saw people falling down from the sky, kittens in a box as we were tying tamales, seven puppies running around in a house we visited at the house of a man who lives in a distant village who knows all the capitals in the world. We gave a priesthood blessing to a guy who got really burnt and torn in a motorcycle accident with the bishop, and his mother cried and thanked us. My companion Elder Marino and I are together for a transfer more, and we are the tightest companionship in the whole mission. He's not too pleased to be in the area, but we're both cool with being together so that is awesome. In the mean time I'm cracking jokes and saying dorky things and commentaries about the things we see on the street to help him cheer up, such as the donkies, or the people falling from the sky, or whatever. And we are taking good care of our zone, helping them keep the "animo" in their work.

So yes, we have been going out a lot with members. As we've been doing this, I am realizing the way that the Savior taught people, including his own apostles. What we call "training" in the mission life is exactly what the Savior did so that His apostles would learn, so that they would have all the success and the wonderful spiritual experiences after His resurrection. And as He did so, as He taught his "companions," he taught others and served them and blessed them. He taught others by living His life the way He knew he should, focusing on His mission, and invited others to follow Him and learn from Him (2 Ne 31:10; see also Matthew 11:28-30). Giving members the chance to accompany us and teach and testify with us has been our way to follow Christ's example in His leadership.

The missionary work in that way isn't just the way we teach, but is the way we live. And after all, when we read the Scriptures, whether we are reading about the Savior or His prophets and His missionaries, we are looking for Gospel principles in the lives they carry, and not just in their words.

Brothers and sisters, I would invite you all to read the Scriptures as though you were accompanying the Savior himself, or as though you are accompanying the prophets and the missionaries. Will you allow the time you use to read the Scriptures to be time you use to follow the Savior? Will you allow that time to affect the way you live your life, to live it as though someone else could study it and learn how to follow the Savior too? And if you are a member of the Church, I would ask, will you go out with the missionaries so that you can learn from them, and help them in the Savior's work?

I hope that as we pray, read the Scriptures, and go to work, that we can remember these things, and seek to follow the Savior in all things. Do not do these things without a determined personal objective, and without a prayer. I promise you all that if you do these things, you will learn more about the Savior, and you will come to know Him, you will be blessed by Him, and you will be truly happy. I know that this is His church, and that He lives. He is my Savior, and my King, and my Guide. I love Him more than I ever loved Him before. I still make mistakes, I'm still an almost-20-year-old (March 10th, woo!!!), I am still a goofball, but I cannot talk about the missionary work and the Savior's mission without reverence. He truly has changed me. He can change you too. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a wonderful week!

Your friend,

Elder Dredge

Monday, 25 February 2019 ~ Week #83

Weekly Letter #83

My dear brothers and sisters,

It's been a wild ride this week. We went to the capital for a mission leadership meeting, then did a bunch of visits among less actives in our ward with the elders, and then had multiple conferences this weekend in which the leadership received some instruction... really hard, direct instruction. It's been a bit of a struggle with the leadership lately, but now we are finally going to see some changes going on.

Just in the transcourse of this week, and as we have worked with the elders and the leaders, I have often asked myself, What would I want to do to strengthen the Church if I were a bishop? Or if I were a stake president? I feel like sometimes I don't have enough power to bring to pass the changes I would like to see in the places I am serving. But then a scripture comes to mind, in Alma 29.

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.
5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knowethgood and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.
6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?
7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?
8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.
9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

(I would shorten the passage but I do not have time to shorten it. All of it is good.) My power and authority is not the greatest of all, but it is truly a great calling. The missionary work is something that must be taken day by day, using the time to the fullest.

It is the same with us. The cause of the Gospel is better when it is united, but even if it is not, the testimony of the divinity of Christ of even just one person can cause a great change, because the Lord will use it for His own purposes. And the change of many hearts can begin with the righteous example of one person. I have seen this in my life, and there are many examples of it in the Book of Mormon. My brothers and sisters, I know that this Church is true. I know that the Savior directs it through a prophet. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I desire that every living soul might read from it. And after all we can do, the Savior will change us by His grace. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a wonderful week!

Elder Dredge

Monday, 18 February 2019 ~ Week #82

Weekly Letter 82

True Gospel living

My dearly beloved friends,

What a crazy week it has been. How can I concisely sum up my week for you? I just can't do it in a way that would properly express how calm I feel at the end of everything, because I honestly feel fine. But in the zone Elder Marino and I are serving, there have been sick elders and sisters, stress of the companions taking over the work, and baptisms, all in one. Oh, and a heat wave passed Zacapa. It's 103 degrees over here. Oh, and also there are emergency transfers going on in all of the mission, because a large group of missionaries is leaving, and there is a great necessity of a change up, including some areas in our zone. So that is fun. But in the end, I feel great. I feel calm.

At the end of the week, (today) we went to Panaluya, which is a mountain we can climb and get a nice view of, which also has a waterfall. We went over there, we dipped our feet, and we spent time together having a good time, relaxed after a hard but productive and fulfilling week. The rest, needless to say, was much needed.

Brothers and sisters, I think we all need to take a moment and reflect on our lives. This is something we have been inviting everyone to do. Ask yourself, Is the way I am living a happy life? Is there someone who inspires me to be better? And, how can I inspire others to live the way I live, so that they can be happy too?

Is this not the essence of Gospel living? Looking to the Savior as our leader and example, and following Him, and inviting others to do the same -- is this not the key to a happy life? Was the Savior not the happiest person who had ever lived? Don't we want to be more like Him?

Remember that as we follow Jesus Christ, we should not change at our pace, but rather change at His pace, and let him make the change, as we consistently, earnestly strive to follow Him. And we should seek to be His disciples, disciplined to do His will. If we discipline ourselves to obey Him, we will be happy. In other words, if we put the Lord's will above all else, and if we seek to serve others, we will be blessed instantly. Indeed, in the very moment of repenting and seeking to do these things from this instant, if you do that, you will be blessed instantly.

(Mosiah 2:17,41)

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
  41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

I know that these things are true, because I have lived them. The Gospel in its essence really is simple, we just have to continue learning and changing. That is, after all, what life is all about. But it is best done after the manner of the Lord. I know that He lives. I know that He guides His church. I know that He gives His power unto us because I have used that priesthood power. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a wonderful week!

Elder Dredge

Monday, 11 February 2019 ~ Week #81

Weekly Letter 81

Hey everyone! I don't have very much time to write, so I will keep this short. But I testify to the truth which is found in Ether 12 27. Being direct and simple has been a weakness for me, and with the help of th Spirit I have been able to improve, and preach the Gospel in the way it should --- directly! I testify to the divinity of Jesus Christ and His priesthood. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a wonderful week!

Elder Dredge

P.S. Next week's letter will be normal length!

Monday 4 February 2019 ~ Week #80

Weekly Letter 80

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27)

My dear brothers and sisters living in the United States, or wherever you are reading this letter,

I am so thankful and honored for the privilege I have to serve the Lord with all of my heart, might, mind and strength. There have been so many miracles we have been seeing, and my heart is full, because of how much the Lord has blessed His children by way of the things we do. I will just talk about the experiences we have been sharing with two families in particular.

First, with Kensy, this little 9-year-old girl, has been a very good little girl. Every Sunday her uncle and aunt take her to church and she behaves herself the best she can. She has a bright and shining smile. She also has a wonderful amount of support from her neighbors who are also members. Her parents, however, have not been able to create the environment she has each week in Sunday in their own home, and because of this there is a cycle that is going on. Her parents, her mom being Catholic and her father an inactive member of the Church, don't show agreement in their religion, and the father comes home annoyed after spending time with grumpy people from work, and her cousins and family around her don't give a perfect example either, and they come back and see her not behave as well as she should, and even though she prays in Church, she doesn't feel like doing it around her parents. And it is a sad situation. We are going to see what happens this week. She's ready to be baptized, her parents just aren't ready to appreciate it. We'll see how we handle the family in the process.

And second, with Jennifer, this 16-year-old who just experienced a great change of heart. With the help of the wonderful Pazos family (Daniel and Damaris Pazos) we simply shared with her what we do as missionaries, and gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon. We helped her to understand that everything that we do, and everything the book does, is help others to understand who God is and how we can feel His love. She accepted it, and accepted the invitation to pray. She was however too nervous to do it on her own. We offered to pray for her so that she can repeat our words. Upon repeating the words, "Thank you for the support of my family" she began to weep. We continued and helped her to end her prayer with the following, "Father in Heaven, is it true what the missionaries are sharing with me? In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." We found out that she felt God's love right then and there and wanted to feel it more, but said her mother wouldn't allow her to go to Church.

The following day we returned and found Daniel and Damaris talking with Jennifer's mom, Marli, who is an inactive member of the Church, and who was mourning, because her daughter was pregnant with a baby who would be born a month premature, and has been getting sick with certain side effects of the medications she had been taking. We shared with her a few "words of consolation and instruction," affirming to her that whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and nonetheless He always loves us, and waits for us to repent, and forgive. There were certain things we said which we didn't understand in the moment why we shared them, but she was weeping. And after giving her the instructions, we asked her to pray. It was the first time in a long time, and it was the most heartfelt.

I wish I can give account of everything. But there was a death in the family... the father of Jennifer. We will see what happens. But the Lord is taking control now, and we are pleased with what He is doing. I hope I can be the best instrument in His hands so that I can help Him do His wonderful miracles. I know that this Gospel is true. He is the Savior, and the Head of this Church. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Your friend and servant,

Elder Dredge

Monday, 28 January 2019 ~ Week #79

Weekly Letter 79

Hello, hello, helloooo!! How are my friends on the other side?? Wow, what a crazy and long week this was, but almost constantly I have been a happy creature.

Due to transfers, I have worked with three different companions this week. First, Elder Bonett, with whom we took advantage of the last few moments together and made our last good memories, then a day with Elder Polad who is a younger missionary who I chose to help me practice going through my area without Elder Bonett (who also worked very hard with money), and then the rest of the time with Elder Marino, who is my new companion, and who is from my group. Elder Marino in fact was my district leader in the CCM, and now we are working together as companions with the same time in the mission. It is actually the coolest thing. We have been literally the "dream team".

We received a great deal of counsel from our beloved mission president as well as our extremely dedicated area authority Elder Uceda. We now have a better vision of how we should be dedicating our efforts... that is, applying the counsel in Matthew 28:19, and emphasizing the first step, which is "making disciples" ("hacer discipulos"). And the impression hit us all hard... that the missionary work really has complicated itself, and that it is essentially quite simple. It is everything that happens between the two missionaries, the investigator, and the Book of Mormon. And if the investigator reads the Book of Mormon, prays, and attends Church, they take the steps necessary to build their faith in Christ, repent, make covenants, and then follow the Spirit so that they can endure to the end. The pamphlets help, the missionary lessons are necessary for doctrinal understanding, and there are many things we ought to do to help others come unto Christ, but in this mission, we have to work with the people we have, and focus on them, and not give up on them, and not find too many new investigators. We have to establish the Church first so that we have enough support to keep the investigators in. We just need to help people become converted to Christ and His gospel.

I am so grateful for the sweet experience that I have had to serve a mission and learn these things in a way more profound than ever. I am so happy to have the Gospel in my life. The Gospel is my path in my life, and the love of Christ is my drive. And the things of which I am most sure are the precious truths of the Gospel which have been shown unto me by His Holy Spirit. I know that this Gospel is true, that this is His Church, guided by His prophets. I know that we have everything necessary to attain forgiveness, if we just use the priesthood. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a wonderful week, my dear friends and family. Remember to pray and to carefully read the Scriptures to seek the direction and comfort the Lord desires to give you, and remembering that the truths which are in the Scriptures are eternal, therefore we never learn enough from just reading them one time.

Your friend and your guide,

Elder Dredge

Monday, 21 January 2019 ~ Week #78

Weekly Letter 78

Hey folks!

How have you all been? I'm just glad to be able to report... the pain in my sciatic nerve is gone! Hahaha.

We have been seeing a lot miracles, and it is all thanks to the love that the Lord has for His children. There is a very interesting geographic in Zacapa, Guatemala, where I am serving, and it is the following: almost everyone here is either a member of the Lord's church, or a member of the family of a member of the Church. What does that mean? The Lord has already taught many of His children here, and has blessed them very generously. There are many who are ready to open their hearts. And it is amazing.

Our very neighbors have opened their hearts in such a manner. We have had lots of opportunities to serve our friends Jorge and Sandra who live right in our callejon (it's like a little street that stems off of a big street...). They have expressed to us such a great desire to know the truth, as they have many friends who go to many different churches, and even live right behind one, and yet just don't sit well with their questions. We introduced them to the Book of Mormon, and they are more spiritual than ever.

We also have other neighbors, who live right in front of us, who have always kept in very good contact with us. Now their situation is a bit more tragic, as they are a young couple who have a little baby, the wife being an inactive member for a long time, and the wife and the mother of the husband are divided against the husband for the things that he is doing, and it is very sad. We very innocently entered the store of the mother of the husband, who is also our houseowner, and there was a very heavy argument in the store. We were completely silent, even though we wanted to help. Nevertheless, we didn't want to correct the problems right then and there, because we wanted to minister to the issues in a more personal manner with the husband, who has gained lots of confidence with us. We are just astounded with the love and wisdom of God, and how he has brought this family to this very crucial point. And how humbled I feel to be His representative, and the confidence He has put in us to help others in their most devastating family circumstances.

As I think about these things now, I have learned many special lessons about the family these past 6 weeks. I have learned in my companionship with Elder Bonett the importance of loving someone who thinks very different from me - and this is a lesson that has repeated many times for me during the mission. And I am happy to know that, even though Elder Bonett will be leaving Zacapa, off to the capital in Zone 18, we have reached a point where we can call ourselves brothers. He has helped me to be more conscious of my health and my strength, as I have helped him to be more productive and official than he already was. And I have felt the love of my Heavenly Father in a very tender way, as He has witnessed unto me that my mother is doing okay and is happy and working hard on the other side.

I am so grateful for the plan that our Father has for us, and I have a testimony of its truthfulness. There are no coincidences, just miracles. And I am thankful that He sent His Son, and that He has called prophets to guide us these latter days to help us in the hardest of trials. I know that He has done so, because His Spirit has spoken peace unto my heart concerning these things. I know that families were meant to be forever, and I know that I will see mine again after this short life is over. I know that everyone can have this wonderful knowledge if they just keep the commandments and make the covenants necessary with Heavenly Father. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Braden K. Dredge

Guatemala Guatemala City East Mission

Monday, 14 January 2019 ~ Week #77

Weekly Letter 77

My beloved friends and family,

How's everybody been? I'm feeling just a little bit tired, but a happy kind of tired. I really feel good about the things I did this week. Elder Bonett and I worked the hardest and most efficiently we ever have.

I would just like to share a thought that has occurred to me many times: What is it that we truly want to do with our time while we are here? What is it that will make us happy?

This has occurred to me a lot because I have found myself in many moments where I would be working effectively and feeling satisfied with the work that I am doing, even as a missionary, and yet in these same moments I feel like I want to do something else, often just to rest. I wouldn't want to admit it, as it is the goal of every missionary who wants to change during his mission to learn to be a consecrated missionary, and therefore to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. But I think this is something that happens to every missionary who is less than perfect. And I think this may be something that happens to everyone, because we are all human, and we all feel like we need a rest.

But what I have learned from my mission, and what I have a testimony of now, is this; that happiness and true joy come from willingly doing the will of the Lord. That is, without surrender, following His instructions, and constantly striving to do what is right. Have I constantly chose the right thing, so much as that there hasn't passed a single minute throughout the day in which I chose to do wrong? No, I haven't. But I have experienced consecration in very particular, precious moments. And it is truly awesome. It is a lot better than obeying grudgingly.

I hope that one day we may all learn to be consecrated disciples of Jesus Christ. All we need is to know what it is we want to do which is good, and let that grow. I will include some scriptures which touch on this subject.

The growth of faith, and the growth of our constant desire to do good and to do the will of the Father, Alma 32:28:

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.  

The Savior's mission, to do the will of the Father. John 6:38,40

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The happy state of those who do the will of the Father. Mosiah 2:41

41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  

I know that Christ lives, and that this is His Gospel. I know that if we seek to do good, we will have His Spirit to be with us, and the Spirit will change us. I leave these things with you, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Your friend,

Elder Dredge

Monday, 7 January 2019 ~ Week #76

Weekly 76

Dear friends and family,

How awesome it is to yet have another chance to write you all. This week has been one of a lot of growth and learning already. Every day as I along with my companion seek to invite others to come unto Christ and to teach them how to do that, I find new light in the restored gospel, and it makes more sense for me. It becomes a little bit more of a part of me, and I feel a greater desire to share it. I feel closer to my Savior, and I desire the companionship of his Spirit all the more. It is such a great blessing to be a missionary.

There have been some trials in the process of helping people here in Las Flores, Zacapa repent. A young girl Kensy is ready to be baptized but her parents are running a bit behind in their commitment to come back to Church and understand it. Sisters Scarlet and Jussell have been having lots of spiritual experiences, including dreams about seeing angels after praying about our message, and yet might be moving away, outside of the mission. Other folks haven't been home or haven't answered the phone. But this isn't anything different from what usually happens in this particular mission. It's tough at times but that doesn't stop me from preaching the true Gospel. We have been working harder than ever to talk to more people on the street, and we are finding a lot of potential. We hope to keep this going, and help many more people make sacred covenants of obedience with our Heavenly Father.

The success of a missionary is never the number of baptisms. The success is in the attitude, which is reflected by the effort to teach as many of God's children as we can. The success isn't in the absence of conflict, but in the enthusiasm through the failure. What a wonderful work it is, to help bring Christ's children back to His fold.

My brothers and sisters, I know that this is His Gospel, and His Church. It has changed my life, and has changed who I am. By that, I mean Jesus Christ Himself has changed me as I have strived to do a little better giving up my will for the will of the Father. It is difficult, but it is possible. The Lord has not required any of us to do something which is impossible, but rather has invited us to do that which will offer us the greatest of happiness. I invite all of you to study the Scriptures, to pray often, and to seek opportunities during the day to put into practice what you learn in those sacred little moments. And just do the right thing, because it is always better to do the right thing. Believe in Christ and His Gospel, and He will change you, and make you more like He is, which means we will be happier, because He is the happiest being known unto us, besides our loving Father in Heaven. I know these things to be true, and I leave them with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Dredge

Monday, 31 December 2018 ~ Week #75

Weekly Letter 75

Hey everybody!!! It's Elder Dredge. How are you guys doing? I've got a little bit of pain in my sciatic nerve, but don't worry about me, I'm doing stretches.

Well, it looks like this year has come to an end. I think we ought to think about who we were last December and ask ourselves, "Did I keep up with my New Years' resolutions?" or even more important, "Did I change for good in the aspects I wanted to this last year?" However your experience was, I invite you all to improve with me.

Why are we here? To learn, and to change. According to God's plan, that is why we are here. (Alma 34)

 33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many ^awitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not ^bprocrastinate the day of your ^crepentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the ^dnight of ^edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.  

Every year we need to change, or as the scriptures say, "repent." We need to change in a way that we are living more in accordance with the Lord's commandments. Why? Because that's how we will be the happiest. We are all children of God with the potential to be more like Him. And so what does that have to do with New Years Resolutions? What does that have to do with every day of our life? The Lord cannot change us until we are willing to change ourselves. That is how we experience the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ - by our personal efforts to follow Him, combined with the Spirit which causes the gradual change of heart. Every year we can decide to be a little bit more like God in as many aspects as we desire. But how do we accomplish this, whatever it is? We make specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable and time limited goals, and we make the plans... for every month, every week, and every day. It can end up being small things we have to do each day. Nevertheless, we must follow up with our own plans to improve. And if there are things that are coming up in the following months, determine how these things can be opportunities for you to improve in the aspects which you desire. What a grand opportunity we have each day to be a little bit more like our Heavenly Father, and thus a little bit happier!

Let's compare these scriptures. Which one do we want to be a reflection of this next year? Doctrine and Covenants 50:24, or Helaman 13:38?

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.  

  38 But behold, your ^adays of probation are past; ye have ^bprocrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for ^chappiness in doing iniquity, which thing is ^dcontrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.  

That is my message to you all this day. I hope you have an awesome New Years Eve, and that you start off this next year with excitement. I know that the Gospel is true, and that the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. I have seen it in my life, and I have experienced the change, and the forgiveness of my sins. I know that Christ lives and continues to teach us and invite us to do good continually. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Dredge