P-day

 (Elder Putnam)

Aright mama, I know your stressing out right now, so imma just explain how being able to communicate with people works. I'm allowed to open any message from anyone throughout the week (I don't have Instagram downloaded) on Facebook or email. I'm not allowed to react to them though until pday... if they are immediate family or unless its like an emergency or something i guess. I'm not allowed to FB Messenger anyone outside of my immediate family. All communication with friends needs to be through email on p days. So if you want to get in touch with me email is the way to go. I can message a person's Instagram through fb but that just doesn't make much sense cause I'm not likely allowed to text them anyways. I'll write the rest of my email later today. Imma ft mama right now

Elder Putnam

Ivo the Satanic Worshipper and Bralis Hiltons likes kids MTC week 1

 (Elder Putnam)

Hey guys,

 

Today marks my third day in the MTC and my first P-day. So far I'm loving it! There's a lot going on so I'll break down each day one at a time.

Monday:

I met my companions. I have two since we are the only Latvian speaking Elders in the MTC at the moment. Apparently there’s also a trio of Lithuania Sisters, an Estonian Elder, and a Russian Elder that will be in my mission, but they are in person for the first two weeks for whatever reason. Elders Bastovs (Elder Bastow) just finished up his first year at Southern Virginia University where he was on the track and field team which is dope and he's from Baltimore. He's made some lifting references which has me pretty hyped up. Big fan of him. Elders Bibijs (Elder Beebe) is from Salt Lake City and has a wide variety of instruments and languages under his belt. Our very first meeting, he gave the prayer entirely in Latvian which was a little scary to me and Elders Bastovs.

There are a ton of people starting online MTC this week (540+) and in our first meeting they told us that this was the largest Online International MTC Meeting they've had this year. I thought that sounded like an ESPN Next Gen Stat. In our second class of the day Bralis Hiltons shared a talk by Elder Holland from 2012 called "The First Great Commandment." It was about how when Christ was crucified, all the apostles went back to their old jobs, Peter going fishing. When Jesus beckons them back to shore, he asks Peter 3 times, "lovest thou me?" To which Peter responds "Lord... thou knowest that I love thee." Elder Holland extrapolates that Jesus likely said something along the lines of "Then why are you here?... Isn't it obvious that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples-- and I need them forever." Ok that was a lot. I gleaned two things from this:

1. This calling as a missionary isn't just for the next two years. It's for the rest of my life.

2. I tell people that I love basketball, I love music, I love my friends and family. But I honestly can't recall a time when I said the words "I love The Lord." I believe in Him, and I have a testimony of Him and His gospel but I've never said I love Him. That was humbling. However, in my prayers on Monday night (after a feeble attempt to pray in Latvian) I asked to gain a love for Heavenly Father and for His work. I felt the spirit before getting into bed and I know that although it will take time, over the course of my mission, I will develop a love for Heavenly Father.

Tuesday:

A lot happened on Tuesday. I woke up earlier than usual to work out at the Rec Center (I got permission first) and then I came back and had scrambled eggs which were delicious. In our morning Lesson, Bralis Hiltons invited us to share a scripture with someone and I felt prompted to share some with a few people. I've been left on read by one person, one person accepted my challenge, one person said they'd check out the scripture I shared, but I haven't heard back from them (You know who you are, and don't even try to say you're busy I've seen you posting your dunks). Anyways, I'm not that mad. I’m expecting to see a lot more rejection on my mission. I did realize that sleep is gonna be a big problem for me when I drifted off at the end of Language study, but I'm taking steps to make sure I'm awake without the use of caffeine. Before I fell asleep, we were working on cases for Latvian (cases are the equivalent to conjugation for nouns) and Bralis Hiltons used the example "I like children" before switching to a different example. We all laughed and imma give him a hard time about it going forward.

In class on Tuesday we found out that we'll be doing TRC or practicing giving lessons to actors. The first person we'll be teaching will be acting as Ivo, who we "met" outside of the University and know nothing about. Bralis Hiltons said Ivo could be an inactive member, a devout Christian of another faith, an atheist, or he could be a Satan worshipper. I like the last one cause it promotes a bit more of a challenge for me and my companions. Besides I think Ivo the Satanic Ritualist has a nice ring to it.

It was Alyssa's birthday so we had steak and cake and watched the Chosen which was fun.

Wednesday: P-Day

Let’s see, I went to the gym again which was good. I got lots of people asking about my missionary tag so that was fun. not a ton else has happened today, but Companion study is going pretty well. were all very enthusiastic about our coming meeting with Ivo so that’s hype. they seem to be a bit more well read and knowledgeable about the gospel than me but I’ll get there. During P-day we went and ran errands and stuff to grab last minute stuff. It’s got me more excited for getting into the field, but I’m also nervous about the first few months where I won’t understand much.

I’ve been listening to conference talks during workouts which I enjoy. please let me know if there are any that yall would suggest.

as far as communication goes these are my rules while I’m in at home mtc:

I’m allowed to read and react to messages people send me on Instagram and fb messenger but I cant type out a response unless it’s an emergency. but I can respond to people on P-day it’s just preferred to email back and forth. the only exception to this is if I use one of these social media platforms to share the gospel.

Anyways, that’s all I got today. See yall in a week!!

Elders Putnams

S16 E6: Mission Accomplished!

 (Elder Cummings)

Yup. This is the last one.

This week was amazing.

The night before Alicia went on the high adventure with the young women to go to the temple, paintball, and rafting etc, we went over to their place and had a lesson with the whole family. It basically became a testimony meeting for Alicia as this 17 year old girl bore her testimony of her conversion, the power of the Spirit and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She said "I just felt warm and whole. It felt right".

Cristine, her mom, was stunned. The Spirit was so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. We look at her and ask if she wants that for her self. Through tears she told us that she needs to make some changes in her life before she could have it. We hadn't even taught her that. The Spirit simply bore witness to her the changes she needs to make to bring her life in closer harmony with God. She nows has a goal to be baptized August 27th.

Then on Saturday we drove down to BR with the ward to go to the temple. A month ago Elder Cannon baptized Brother Hossam Dalati. On Saturday, Brother Dalati baptized Elder Cannon in behalf of deceased ancestors. Then I got to baptize Elder O and Elder O got to baptize me. Super super cool. I love walking out of the temple back into the craziness of the world because I feel on top of the world. I just feel like I've I've uplifted and am one step better

I love this work. I love being a missionary. I have come to a greater understanding of Jesus Christ as my Savior. I have felt His love and His grace in my life as I have tried to be His instrument in His hands to help others to come unto Him. I have never been happier. I am grateful for everything I've experienced as a full time missionary. "And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."(1 Cor 15:14) But "I know that my redeemer liveth" and that "he doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation"(Job 19:25, 2 Nephi 26:24). "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"(Matthew 28:19).

See yall soon!!

Elder Cummings

S16 E5: Satan don't kick no dead dogs

 (Elder Cummings)

Man this last week was insane.

So we've been teaching our friend Alicia. She is so elect. Literally the pioneer of her entire family and she just turned 17. We had her baptism scheduled for this last Saturday July 23 at 6pm in Clinton because we don't actually meet in an actual church building.

So back up and explanation of the email title. I love the ability that Southern people have to simplify and relate principles and ideas. Somebody I used to teach once said that "Satan don't kick no dead dogs". Meaning, that Satan is not gonna work on someone he's already won over, or someone that's not doing anything. Satan goes after those want to do the most good, want to make the most change, and want to be the best they can.

So at about 4pm on Saturday. 2 hours before Alicia is to be a baptized. Cristine, Alicia's mother calls and says "I don't think Alicia should be baptized". Our hearts dropped. After talking with her learned that they had gotten into an argument over Alicia not doing the dishes and it escalated into her not being grateful for everything her mother does. Crisitine felt disrespected and Alicia being a teenager girl I'm sure didn't help with that. It was wild. We asked to talk with Alicia and she was like "I don't want to talk with nobody". Elder O worked his magic and asked "Do you want to talk to Elda O?" She was like "yeah". While Elder O talked with her I was praying so hard for everyone's heart to be softened. A minute later we found ourselves just listening to Alicia and Cristine have a very respectful and good conversation and Alicia is back on for tonight.

Not one hour later, Cristine gives us call and explains that she is not at the house and that her car broke down. And she lives 30 minutes away from us and 30 minutes from Clinton in different directions. We was like "uh oh, what we gonna do?" Elder O is great with cars and while he was on the phone asking her what was going on and explaining what she needed to do next, I was praying that a way would be made that they could make it(see a pattern here?). We end up coordinating with two different members to be ready to go pick them up and BOOM she calls us back saying that the car is running and they'll make it to Clinton. And they did. And she was baptized. And it was so absolutely amazing.

I know the Lord is in His work. Because that's what it is. It's His work. The advesary has power to bruise our heel, but with Christ we can crush his head. That wasn't even close to all the things that happened this week that put roadblocks in Alicia's baptism, but hey, she is now confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and is going to the Birmingham, Alabama temple with young women in the stake on Wednesday. God works. And God's work works. We just gotta work with Him

Have blessed one yall!!!

Elder Cummings

S16 E3&4: JXN

 (Elder Cummings)

Howdy yall! I'm just gonna give a quick rundown of some of the best and craziest things the past two weeks:

1. Our friend Ryliegh got baptized!! She is so so sweet and it was an amazing time

2. We was on the streets the other day and this guy just pulls up in this old Honda and just starts telling us how he used to study and hang out with the missionaries all the time like 10 years ago. We were like "no way this is hype". Then he tells us that we're in the craziest neighborhood in Jackson right now and that we gotta be careful. But that he owns the streets and that he ain't gonna mess with us. He told us his name and turns out he is like one of the head gang leaders in Jackson. So I'm sure he really does own those streets.

3. We've been teaching our friend Milton for a couple weeks now. He's set on turning his life over to God right now and we've been working with him step by step. He has a hard time understanding everything we read and talk about with him but he is such an amazing guy. We challenged him to pray about the truthfulness of the Restoration of the gospel. We came back the next day and asked how it went. He looks at us and says "I didn't get no big show or amazing thing. But I felt a way I never done felt before. I felt peace, and I felt like I suddenly understood more of what yall been teaching me. It's gotta be true, all of it". Man if that isn't just amazing I don't know what is

4. We do service at a charity/thrift store center down in South Jackson and they had a good quality, foldable, ping pong table selling for $30. And we drive a Tacoma. We couldn't say no. We bought it and strapped it up and drove around with it the rest of the day until we went back to our place. Now we have mini tournaments right before we go to bed

5. We also met a guy who claimed to have seen a vision of the heavens opening and Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jung Un coming down and making peace with the rest of the UN and the world. In the vision he sat at a table with all of them as well as Bill Clinton and HW Bush and other world leaders. Pretty cool.

God is good. All the time. I am constantly reminded of how much He cares about each one of his children. He is aware of them and loves them dearly. "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." 1 Nephi 11:17

Have a blessed one!

Elder Cummings

S16 E1&2: Angels Go Before us

 (Elder Cummings)

So we were at the church making a couple calls and we were about to head out to find some new friends to teach. Our man Brother Sisson walked in to clean the church and, not thinking too much of it, we were like "Hey Brother Sisson! Can you say a prayer for us before we go out?". He says of course and offers the most sincere and powerful prayer where he prays that angels will go before us and prepare and make ready people to hear our message. He prays that the Spirit be poured into the hearts of the people and they will be humble and ready.

Elder O and I look at each other and are like "man. We better have the faith to see the answer to that prayer because that was amazing. Let's not put Bro Sissons prayer to waste". So we get biking in the blistering wet heat(this week the plastic covering on Elder O's helmet shrunk cause the heat melted it).

We stop across the street from this house and this chained dog started just barking at us like nothing else. This dog was MEAN. We just stand there while this lady slams open the door and is like "WHATCHU YOU DONE DISTRUBIN MY DAWG LIKE THAT". We was thinking "oh boy, we need an angel to go before us on this one".

She steps down and just smiles at us and says "I'm just playing, but yall did disrupt me from prayin"

We get talking to Ms Felicia and learn that she was on her knees praying to God at that very moment for help and a sign when her dog starting barking it's head off. She opens the door and sees two young men preaching the Word on bikes. As we continue to talk with her we learn that she is still grieving from the death of her husband and has a lot lot more going on. We were able to testify of God's loving mercy and plan of happiness for all His children. I am so grateful to have been an instrument in the Lord's hands. I love it.

Another update: Willie and Tracie got baptized and confirmed this week!! They are so so awesome and I love seeing the Lord change people from the inside out.

God Bless

Elder Cummings

These are a ton of pictures of some of my favorite people in the world that I love so much! 

S15 E6: Hazlehurst to Brookhaven to Brandon to Baton Rouge to Clinton to Jackson

 (Elder Cummings)

So. I was all over the place this week with exchanges and temple trips, I'll just get right into it

We've been teaching a couple, Willie and Tracie. They're legit. We taught them at the White's house earlier this week and invited them to come down with the ward to see the Baton Rouge Temple.

So we take the 2.5 hour drive into BR with Brother Sisson and when we get there Willie and Tracie have been sitting in the temples Visitor Center for the last hour just soaking in the Spirit. From there we walk around the temple grounds and they love it. Then we go do a church tour at the stake center right next to it cause in Jackson we meet in a strip mall.

Willie kept asking about all the paintings and loved it when we explained them. His mind was blown with the painting of Jesus Christ knocking the door with no handle and the fact that we got open the door and let him in. We end in the chapel, testify of the Savior and the Sacrament and then have them sit in there while I played some Sacrament hymns.

Then from there we went to the Family History Center with Brother White and them and watched the Temple tour of the Washington DC temple. The Spirit was so strong and we invited them to be baptized. They asked if they could be baptized as soon as possible. So Willie and Tracie are planning to be baptized July 2. Please pray for them!

Then we watched some Book of Mormon videos with them and testified of it all and now Willie is stoked to receive the priesthood and Tracie is planning to be baptized for her mom in the temple at the end of July.

THEN from there we drove the 3 hours to Clinton to watch the baptism of our friend Sam with Willie and Tracie!! They were on top of the world and were telling everyone they met that they were getting baptized in two weeks!

Please please please pray for Willie and Tracie this week!!

Love yall and have a blessed one!

Elder Cummings

Photos