We had a good sacrament meeting today. The Mariano's talked. It was their welcome to the ward and goodbye also since they're moving to their new house in Ogden this week. They both did a great job. Kelly talked about how they met and being prepared. And different levels of being prepared or I guess perceptions of what being prepared is. Scott talked about history and what I took from it was that we really need to focus on what the gospel is about and not the fluff. I'm not super big on the fluff so I guess that won't be one of my issues.
We had our home teaching dinner today. They Baileys couldn't come, but Burt's, Baker's, and Greene's came. It's always a great time. Dad made corned beef and cabbage. It was ok. Not something I would do again I don't think. The meat was really tender but it had a Different flavor. It's always good to try something new. Doesn't mean you have to like it.
We got to talking about some of the dumb things that members of the church say to people. Brian and Kim were telling us about some of the things people said to them when hey started coming back to church and it really is totally amazing that anyone ever joins the church or keep coming. I know they say that we choose to be offended, but seriously. Some people are so rude with the things they say. I don't know if they are just that stupid or what but holy cow!! I was reading part of Al Fox's blog a while ago and I can't remember what she was talking about, but she said that there have been members of the church that have told her she should just kill herself. SERIOUSLY!! She has tattoos! SO WHAT!! its not something that I would do and don't want my kids to do, but does it seriously make her a bad person? I don't know her life story or what things she did before she became a member of the church and honestly I don't care because it doesn't matter. If we are truly members of the church and have a testimony of it and what that means we know that there is repentance through the Atonement. Doesn't that mean that if we have asked for forgiveness and gone through the process to truly repent that our sins are forgiven? So it doesn't matter what we did before and we shouldn't be judged because of those things. That doesn't mean that the consequences for our choices go away, but it does mean that when we go to church that there shouldn't be judgement passed by the members. We should be welcoming and kind no matter what situation the person may be coming from. I'm not saying that I haven't ever been judgmental toward someone unfairly, but as I get older and hopefully wiser, it breaks my heart to see people not coming to church and taking part in the blessings and joy that the gospel provides because of something unkind that was said or done to them. I hope that as a missionary those prejudices have been forgotten and that you can see the person that they can be with the gospel and not who they are today. And just be their friend regardless of whether they decide to be baptized or not. There needs to be good examples set. Forget about the numbers and focus on the people and how they will remember the missionaries and by associated the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for years to come if they are treated with respect and like they matter even if they aren't interested in taking the lessons right now. People are good regardless of their religion and we need to respect their right to choose for themselves no matter how much you want them to embrace the gospel.
I was reading in Alma 38ish where Alma's talking to his sons before he dies. When he talks to Corianton about the sins he was committing and he flat out tells him he knows better and then in 39:6 he talked about denying the holy ghost which is the unpardonable sin and then he says "whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness." I really found this interesting. So many times people think they can't be forgiven for the wrong things they have done but right here it tells us that even those who fight against the gospel can be forgiven. It won't be easy, but it can happen. So there is almost nothing, that if we choose to do the work, that we can be forgiven for. Obviously life is easier if we choose good but things don't always work out that way. Anyway, I know that we can use the power of the Atonement to be forgiven and we should use that gift every day. And allow others that same opportunity without our unrighteous judgments. (Easier said than done most of the time, but we should really make it a priority. )
Alright, this week was really more of the same. Carson had baseball practice on Monday, Tuesday after work Carson and dad went to the Colling's to hit in the cage and throw, wed. They went to the Colling's again and then Carson went to young men's to Hardy's to work on the go-kart. Thursday Carson threw with Kourtney for a while and then they were going to Colling's to hit but they were painting so they didn't get to. Friday Carson went to Bro. Mortensen's for game night with the teachers. They had fun. Dad and I went grocery shopping and got stuff for Sunday dinner. Saturday we got up, went for a walk, took Carson to help clean the church came home and had breakfast. Did some laundry, dad started working on the grass to put up the batting cage. Carson invited Charlie over and they hung out and played basketball and whatever. Then we all helped get the cage up and dad went to work. So a pretty uneventful week. I did finally finish painting the baseboards so that was my accomplishment for the week.
So how was your week? Anything fun and exciting happen? Any cool stories to tell? Is it transfers this week? Hopefully you are working hard and getting along with your companion and things are going well.
We love you
Love
Mom
So Wow this week we did something super super cool!!! We did the good old normal missionary work. Haha you probably are bored of hearing the same old things every week... I'm sorry. I am just doing the same things. We do have good experiences its just that when it gets time to write that I forget them... I am very forgetful. So anyways Sabrina got her answer. We prayed on our knees and we felt the spirit and asked her after so how did you feel? Kinda weird. Well that's it Sabrina You cant explain it with words can you? No... Well, yep that's the spirit. We also talked this week in sacrament meeting. Wow did my comp and I tear open these members that don't even give us purified water if we go to their house. Super cheapskates. But after sacrament they were like hey great talks wow you guys are going to be 70's and all that garbage. Then some even invited us to their house. Woah what Pharisees. It is ridiculous. But anyways we went to ward council. WOAH. The people there are just looking to rip us open but we ripped them and then they started to rip on each other... I am like this is insane. I don't want to be here.. Haha anyways that is my week. I love you!!!
Elder Lancaster
Mom: Sounds like you need to chill out. They aren't going to help you if your a jerk.
Jackson: We were nice about it. We didn't tell them that they suck or anything. We just said hey every member can be a missionary and they always attack us in ward council.
Mom: It's just normal for people to play the blame game. No one wants to be responsible for stuff .
Jackson: I know it is ridiculous but hey it's all good. But I bought Ray Bans don't tell me they aren't cool.
Mom: I thought you couldn't have sunglasses. Isn't that why I sent you glasses and you bought a pair there?
Jackson: My glasses that I bought to see are Ray Bans....I bought mine first.
Mom: No you didn't. You might have gotten them first but I bought the other ones long before you got those. And just because they might be ray bans doesn't mean they are cool. A name doesn't mean crap.
Jackson: Okay are we going to fight or love? You know you only get to talk to me once a week ;) They are cool I like them and that's all that matters.
Mom: That's true. We just like to give you a hard time about it. Mom: Isn't it all the same😉. So what do you have to talk about today? Is it transfers this week?
Jackson: This is the last week of the change.
Mom: So do you need me to send you anything in particular? Anything you miss having? I'm going to send you a package. Probably next week sometime since we are headed to St George early Thurs. I'm not going to have time to get it done this week.
Jackson: Candy and deodorant. Maybe shaving cream. that'll be cool and ask Azalea if she wants to send anything. Oh can you send the scripture stickers. An elder wants to buy some.
Mom: Which scripture stickers?? Bible, BOM, D&C??
Jackson: BOM
Mom: Dads not writing because he is driving. Carson has a scrimmage at 6 in providence. And then tomorrow they have hitting practice from 830-10. It's going to be a long night. Good thing Wednesday is late start.
Jackson: Are you with dad too?
Mom: Yes we are going together tonight. Work Hard! Love you.
Jackson: Love you mommy have a good week :)
We had some interchanges this week, 2 times. We did ok, it's alright. oh, some dude asked us if we knew what the gangs were where we were going and if we were scared because he was from one of them. He was like, "hey are you guys scared?" We were like, "no, it's normal for us." But whatever you know, who cares.
Today we went to San Salvador to look for a new phone because ours doesn't work. Got a new one, it sucks, but whatever, who cares.
Jefferson went to church alone yesterday, We also gave talks that straight ripped open the members, We ripped them open, And then right after, they all started being our friends. Ok- farisaos, Pharisees, Because they're all like, Hey elders when are you going to come to our house. Elders, great Talks, Elders We're going to help you out. And they're never going to help us is the thing. Whatever right?! Que farisaos. What Pharisees. Honestly- that was my week. We didn't do a ton because it's about the end of the change so you can't really do that much so we're just working normal trying to find people and working hard to get it all done and everything.
That's it.\
Love you guys! Bye.
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