Monday, October 29, 2007
Ryan's Letter Will Be Here on Wednesday
Ryan emailed us this morning and said he didn't have time to send his weekly post for the blog. He said something about receiving lots of emails from Barry and me that he needed to answer and ran out of time. Sorry about that! I'll post his letter as soon as we receive it on Wednesday. Bridgette
Monday, October 22, 2007
I LOVE MY WARD!
October 22, 2007
I LOVE my ward! They are all so amazing and unique! Our bishop and his counselors are all so funny, but they are so spiritual as well. It’s really fun seeing the way they react with all of the ward members. There are a lot of returned missionaries in our ward. They are so fun! And they give us a huge supply of spiritually prepared members to bring to teaching appointments.
Well, we’re off to have our last preparation day with Elder Kennah, he is going to be a zone leader in Wilmington. Sorry this email is so short this week! I hope you are all doing well.
Love,
Elder Walters
I LOVE my ward! They are all so amazing and unique! Our bishop and his counselors are all so funny, but they are so spiritual as well. It’s really fun seeing the way they react with all of the ward members. There are a lot of returned missionaries in our ward. They are so fun! And they give us a huge supply of spiritually prepared members to bring to teaching appointments.
Well, we’re off to have our last preparation day with Elder Kennah, he is going to be a zone leader in Wilmington. Sorry this email is so short this week! I hope you are all doing well.
Love,
Elder Walters
Monday, October 15, 2007
Laurel Rose Gray was Baptized!
October 15, 2007
Laurel Rose Gray was baptized on Saturday! She is simply amazing. She has such a bright smile, people just feel happy and welcome around her. She has had a lot of support from the members at Duke, from rides to family home evening to scripture study and prayer. Her roommate, Rebecca, has been a huge support to her, beginning when she invited her to come to church two months ago. When I met her then, I could just tell she would join the Church; a lot of people in the ward thought she was already a member! She is so sweet and supportive to everyone. The Gospel will help her so much in her life, but a lot of people have already realized how much she will help the members of the Church as well!
She asked me to confirm the Gift of the Holy Ghost on her yesterday, what an experience! I felt very strong promptings to say certain things and she was so sincere in thanking me and Elder Kennah and Elder Johnson. What an opportunity it is to teach the Gospel and bear the Priesthood! It is all about service. It’s tough at times, but the rewards, meaning the happiness and understanding that come into people’s lives as they accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, far outweigh the difficulties. This becomes clearer as we read the scriptures, ponder about what the Lord is trying to tell us individually, pray honestly and apply what we know and feel is right! It is these four simple steps that have pulled me through the most difficult times of my life, both in the last few years, and the last few weeks. There is a sense of peace and love that will often only come as we read the scriptures and honestly pray. Studying the scriptures and praying, really praying, pleading, thanking, and inquiring of the Lord, got me through the tough times, and I know they will do the same for all of us if we just put in the effort!
I hope you are all doing well! Thank you SO MUCH for your support!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simply and sweetly true!
Love, Elder Walters
Laurel Rose Gray was baptized on Saturday! She is simply amazing. She has such a bright smile, people just feel happy and welcome around her. She has had a lot of support from the members at Duke, from rides to family home evening to scripture study and prayer. Her roommate, Rebecca, has been a huge support to her, beginning when she invited her to come to church two months ago. When I met her then, I could just tell she would join the Church; a lot of people in the ward thought she was already a member! She is so sweet and supportive to everyone. The Gospel will help her so much in her life, but a lot of people have already realized how much she will help the members of the Church as well!
She asked me to confirm the Gift of the Holy Ghost on her yesterday, what an experience! I felt very strong promptings to say certain things and she was so sincere in thanking me and Elder Kennah and Elder Johnson. What an opportunity it is to teach the Gospel and bear the Priesthood! It is all about service. It’s tough at times, but the rewards, meaning the happiness and understanding that come into people’s lives as they accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, far outweigh the difficulties. This becomes clearer as we read the scriptures, ponder about what the Lord is trying to tell us individually, pray honestly and apply what we know and feel is right! It is these four simple steps that have pulled me through the most difficult times of my life, both in the last few years, and the last few weeks. There is a sense of peace and love that will often only come as we read the scriptures and honestly pray. Studying the scriptures and praying, really praying, pleading, thanking, and inquiring of the Lord, got me through the tough times, and I know they will do the same for all of us if we just put in the effort!
I hope you are all doing well! Thank you SO MUCH for your support!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simply and sweetly true!
Love, Elder Walters
Monday, October 08, 2007
General Conference
October 8, 2007
Wow! What a great weekend! I don’t think I have ever enjoyed General Conference as much! As I noticed how much the subjects applied directly to me and this stage of my life, I began to realize how inspired these men truly are. More important than the exact words, I felt the Spirit show me what I could do to be happier and more successful in my life.
During a few of the talks, I realized that I was being given exactly what I needed! When Elder Oaks said the first line of his talk, about time management, I just looked up at the projector with my eyes wide open. I realized that his remarks, and others, were exactly what I needed to be happy and successful. I knew because of how I felt that what they were saying was true, and was meant for me.How amazing, to see revelation at work, through the inspired selection of new church leaders.
President Eyring’s talks were great. It’s interesting that even in his being called as a member of the First Presidency, he feels overwhelmed or inadequate. Maybe feelings of inadequacy are a reminder of how important our role is to the Lord, and how much we need Him, whatever our role may be.
We are at Duke University library right now, emailing our families and loved ones. We just left the special collections and rare book section, and had the chance to look at, touch and read from a first edition copy of the Book of Mormon. The librarian said it’s a very popular item to be requested, as the five of us missionaries watched excitedly/giddily as she went to retrieve the book. I believe President Hinckley said that a similar copy recently sold for over one hundred thousand dollars.
Something odd struck me though, as I turned the yellowing pages. What is so special about this book, verses the two dollar copy, I got at the BYU Bookstore? Nothing! They are both the same! The older is in a large, paragraph format, while the new is divided into verses, but truly, is there any real difference? Why is the copy I have sitting on my bookshelf any less important than a first edition copy? The real power of the Book of Mormon is found in every copy.
The Book of Mormon is, in a word, amazing. Joseph Smith said something like “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.” President Ezra Taft Benson has said, “There is a power within the Book of Mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.” I know that is so true! This book is such a gift, reading it has made me happy during the darkest moments of my life! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and has been restored, evidence of that is found as we study the Book of Mormon, willing to act on the sweet impressions the Holy Ghost gives us!
I am so thankful for your love, support and letters,
Elder Walters
When upon life’s billows, you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
P.S. Laurel is getting baptized on Saturday, the 13th of October! I’ll tell you all about it in a week!
Wow! What a great weekend! I don’t think I have ever enjoyed General Conference as much! As I noticed how much the subjects applied directly to me and this stage of my life, I began to realize how inspired these men truly are. More important than the exact words, I felt the Spirit show me what I could do to be happier and more successful in my life.
During a few of the talks, I realized that I was being given exactly what I needed! When Elder Oaks said the first line of his talk, about time management, I just looked up at the projector with my eyes wide open. I realized that his remarks, and others, were exactly what I needed to be happy and successful. I knew because of how I felt that what they were saying was true, and was meant for me.How amazing, to see revelation at work, through the inspired selection of new church leaders.
President Eyring’s talks were great. It’s interesting that even in his being called as a member of the First Presidency, he feels overwhelmed or inadequate. Maybe feelings of inadequacy are a reminder of how important our role is to the Lord, and how much we need Him, whatever our role may be.
We are at Duke University library right now, emailing our families and loved ones. We just left the special collections and rare book section, and had the chance to look at, touch and read from a first edition copy of the Book of Mormon. The librarian said it’s a very popular item to be requested, as the five of us missionaries watched excitedly/giddily as she went to retrieve the book. I believe President Hinckley said that a similar copy recently sold for over one hundred thousand dollars.
Something odd struck me though, as I turned the yellowing pages. What is so special about this book, verses the two dollar copy, I got at the BYU Bookstore? Nothing! They are both the same! The older is in a large, paragraph format, while the new is divided into verses, but truly, is there any real difference? Why is the copy I have sitting on my bookshelf any less important than a first edition copy? The real power of the Book of Mormon is found in every copy.
The Book of Mormon is, in a word, amazing. Joseph Smith said something like “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.” President Ezra Taft Benson has said, “There is a power within the Book of Mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.” I know that is so true! This book is such a gift, reading it has made me happy during the darkest moments of my life! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and has been restored, evidence of that is found as we study the Book of Mormon, willing to act on the sweet impressions the Holy Ghost gives us!
I am so thankful for your love, support and letters,
Elder Walters
When upon life’s billows, you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
P.S. Laurel is getting baptized on Saturday, the 13th of October! I’ll tell you all about it in a week!
Monday, October 01, 2007
Teaching the Gospel at Duke
October 1, 2007
Well, we had another awesome week. I am beginning to see what an amazing ward I have been assigned to. We are teaching Laurel, a freshman at Duke. Her roommate is a member from Salt Lake, Rebecca. I guess they both just clicked from the beginning, they are so fun together! We can’t help but laugh with them!
Rebecca invited Laurel to church the first week of school, and they haven’t missed since. The two of them and other members at Duke even read the scriptures and pray every night! We could not ask for a better teaching opportunity! When we teach, Rebecca often shares scriptures and her testimony about what we are teaching, it is SO helpful to have her!
I’ve really grown to love our ward here. There are so many awesome members, and we love when they help us out!!! There is a slight rivalry between the UNC and Duke students that is so fun to watch. As a missionary to both, I’d better get a Blue Devils shirt to wear along with my Tar Heel hat on P-Days.
There is only one freshman with a car at Duke, so William Howard (don’t call him Howie) Barlow, or as he likes to be known, Your Liege Lord Bill, picks up all the Duke Freshman girls in his golden Mercedes and takes them to church.
Bill is the man! He’s super smart, has this awesome Persian rug in his dorm and classical music playing, is looking for a publisher for his novel, and at 17 years old, says he has turned off that part of his brain that likes girls until he gets home from his mission and has finished his second year of law school.
Bill and Rebecca helped us teach Laurel about prophets and apostles. I was a little nervous when Yasser, another Duke freshman joined us. But the spirit was really, really strong in the lesson, it was so much fun to teach and then watch Elder Bednar’s talk, “Ye Must Be Born Again” the parable of the pickle, all about true conversion.
It was so fun to get to know Yasser, he was asking a lot of questions, like how do Prophets know what God wants us to know, and I had him read 1 Nephi 22:2, which says the Spirit tells prophets all things.I learned about a lot of the similarities between Islam and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yasser was really interested to learn that the Holy Ghost can be felt by all people, not just members of Christ’s church, and that the Spirit is how we can know the truth of all things.
Bishop Condie asked me to speak in church yesterday. I love preparing for talks because I learn a ton and feel the Spirit. For about 25 minutes I spoke on the blessing of adversity and how attitude, service and eternal families can help us endure it well.
I am so excited for General Conference! What an amazing blessing we have to be able to watch and listen to a Prophet of God, Apostles and other church leaders! I know that if we prepare ourselves for Conference, it will bless us, help us with our problems and let us feel Heavenly Father’s love for us.Thanks for all of your support and letters!
Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Dr. Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Well, we had another awesome week. I am beginning to see what an amazing ward I have been assigned to. We are teaching Laurel, a freshman at Duke. Her roommate is a member from Salt Lake, Rebecca. I guess they both just clicked from the beginning, they are so fun together! We can’t help but laugh with them!
Rebecca invited Laurel to church the first week of school, and they haven’t missed since. The two of them and other members at Duke even read the scriptures and pray every night! We could not ask for a better teaching opportunity! When we teach, Rebecca often shares scriptures and her testimony about what we are teaching, it is SO helpful to have her!
I’ve really grown to love our ward here. There are so many awesome members, and we love when they help us out!!! There is a slight rivalry between the UNC and Duke students that is so fun to watch. As a missionary to both, I’d better get a Blue Devils shirt to wear along with my Tar Heel hat on P-Days.
There is only one freshman with a car at Duke, so William Howard (don’t call him Howie) Barlow, or as he likes to be known, Your Liege Lord Bill, picks up all the Duke Freshman girls in his golden Mercedes and takes them to church.
Bill is the man! He’s super smart, has this awesome Persian rug in his dorm and classical music playing, is looking for a publisher for his novel, and at 17 years old, says he has turned off that part of his brain that likes girls until he gets home from his mission and has finished his second year of law school.
Bill and Rebecca helped us teach Laurel about prophets and apostles. I was a little nervous when Yasser, another Duke freshman joined us. But the spirit was really, really strong in the lesson, it was so much fun to teach and then watch Elder Bednar’s talk, “Ye Must Be Born Again” the parable of the pickle, all about true conversion.
It was so fun to get to know Yasser, he was asking a lot of questions, like how do Prophets know what God wants us to know, and I had him read 1 Nephi 22:2, which says the Spirit tells prophets all things.I learned about a lot of the similarities between Islam and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yasser was really interested to learn that the Holy Ghost can be felt by all people, not just members of Christ’s church, and that the Spirit is how we can know the truth of all things.
Bishop Condie asked me to speak in church yesterday. I love preparing for talks because I learn a ton and feel the Spirit. For about 25 minutes I spoke on the blessing of adversity and how attitude, service and eternal families can help us endure it well.
I am so excited for General Conference! What an amazing blessing we have to be able to watch and listen to a Prophet of God, Apostles and other church leaders! I know that if we prepare ourselves for Conference, it will bless us, help us with our problems and let us feel Heavenly Father’s love for us.Thanks for all of your support and letters!
Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Dr. Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
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