Week 45

Dear family and friends,

It has been a great week, and although it's not over yet, a great transfer. I am excited to see what the future brings, change= growth with is always a great thing. We have been very blessed this week as a companionship and as a district. We focused on faith through finding, It was neat to know that 17 sons and daughters of God were found this week as a district. Its improvement but we can do much better. 

We had a neat experience this week as a district and companionship concerning finding. In district meeting this last week we talked a lot about faith and talking to everyone and the power and blessings, and promises that will come when we do just that. 

During the meeting impression came to me, that if we have faith to try to talk to everyone and try to find families, that 10 new investigators for each companionship was a worthy goal. Through the spirit I felt that it was appraise to commit each companionship, not a raise of hands but rather they were asked to change their goal when they got home only if they felt that they had the faith to accomplish what was being asked, this is the time to expect miracles, they are people out there and waiting. 

This is the neat part, Elder Nelson and Garish shared an experience that just that day before on Monday as they were putting in their goals on the computer, they forgot their planner with their original goals on it and couldn't remember what they had. Elder Nelson recommended they pray about how many people they should try to find and they both shared that if were are focusing on finding families then 10 should be a great goal. It was neat to see that they received that inspiration a day earlier than I did, and that experience  was a second witness and reconfirmed the actuality and spirit behind that goal. Faith has increased this week especially in finding.  

On Thursday, we had only one investigator that we had found and we know that we needed to rely on the Lord more. We held a fast as a companionship and they miracles came immediately. That night we found a family of 5 and as we read about Christ in 3 Nephi 11 coming to his "other sheep" they spirit was powerful and they all accepted and their hearts were opened. The next day we were blessed with 2 more investigators one of which who was contact that we ran into on the street, and were able to meet with him. The power of fast is the FASTEST way to pull down the blessings of heaven. It was a great week and some neat experiences. There are miracles all around, this is the time to expect them, as we rely on the Lord!

3 of the investigators made it to baptism unfortunately 2 of them did not due to relapse. They are having a hard time with the word of wisdom they will make it though. M*** (the boxer) wants it so bad. We have been blessed with 5 baptism this transfer and there are many more coming to whoever is in this area next transfer, the work continues to take off on the upward each week.They are some amazing people, I wish you could meet them. One of the guys we baptized is 29 and he is awesome, we are very close and he wants me to stay in Armenian after my mission. I feel so close to them, all of them, I often forget I am a missionary sometimes and I feel like their family. There is a special connection and relationship with every single one of them.

I love you guys and I  pray for all of you each week. I miss you and love reading all of your letters. Email gets pretty old for all of us. So it will be good to see your faces and hear you all sometime soon. I love you guys and hope you are all happy, truly happy. I would recommend taking 20 minutes each day usually in the morning or evening before bed after your prayer to ponder, no distractions, just you and the spirit, its amazing what will happen, its one on one time with you and your heavenly father and the spirit. We often wonder why we don't receive immediate answers to our problems. How many times does it say in the scriptures to "ponder these things." When we make that time for us and the Lord and remove the distractions we will receive personal revelation. It is something I thought was worth sharing and has helped me out a lot. Love you all and miss you.

Love Elder Lunt

P.S. I got the package and it was great especially cause we were out of food this morning haha! thank you!!!

Week 44

Dear family and friends,

It has been another great week in Hrazdan. The Lord is pouring out his blessings on us, and truly using us as instruments in his hands. We had a great split with president last week. It was a great experience and we learned many things, especially from our personal interviews. He said some very complimentry and inspiring things. We felt the spirit was strong in all the meetings with investigators the day he came (Friday). Just like an investigator said "I can feel power in your presence". There 5 amazing people about to be baptized this week. We will be doing all we can to make sure they make it to baptism. We have been blessed in every single aspect and we have been blessed with triple the amount of meetings, thanks to the Lord and help of many of the members.

As every week we see many promised blessings and miracles, this week was no exception. We have been blessed with people coming to us and asking for the gospel as well as the help of many members. This last week we were tested in a number of ways, one of the biggest ways was the adversery trying to take down the unity of our companionship,members and as a branch. Also since Tuesday til Fri, our patience was getting tested over and over again by many different people. We felt like we didnt have the spirit with us in our meetings for those three days. It was awful and very tough,I felt like superman without his powers. However, we knew that it was just a test, that satan was and is throwing all he has at us to stop the great work here. We were able to bear through it, however, on Friday I cant explain what changed but it was so nice to have the spirit back I felt like I could do another day of missionary work at 10:30 pm.

The are many investigators this week that will be baptized. It has been so neat so see the change in so many of them. S***** is and was elect from the moment we met her. She has already read the Book of Mormon and is almost done with D&C. H*** has completly quit drinking and smoking, he has been clean for many weeks now. And another man named H***** is elect and he is excited to be baptized by his son, A**** the man who served a mini mission with us. M*** and N*** both have word of wisdom problems and are starting today for the whole week to be clean. It will be a lot of work with them, calling every few hours but it will be so beyond worth it. It's always a blessing to have elect investigators from the start. But when someone you meet at first isn't and over time they change and become elect. To me that is the Atonement in action and is so amazing to see. We love these people so much and know that they all have the capacity to make it to baptism no matter what their challenges are.

The district is doing good but we are capable of so much more. Elder Garish and I feel that a big part of the problem is finding. Have we gotten complacant? Or just forgotten to open our moulths to everyone? If we are going to suceed our goals we need to talk to three times the amount of people. Most of the time I think its something that we don't forget about as missionaries, talking to everyone is our job and as we pass so many people and try to talk to everyone we will be blessed to recongnize the elect. 

Its something that people are naturally afraid of. Talking to every stranger we see.It comes down to who do we fear more, God? or man? or whatever else is stopping a person from talking to everyone! There may be a number of reasons but we feel that is a big one. When we have faith we will not fear, when we care more about what God thinks and wants for his children that will further out weigh what someone else might think of us. As a result we will align our will to his and forget about what others think of us. Finding will be a big focus this week for us as a district. 

I hope my letters have not gotten boring. I apoligize that I am not able to respond to every email or question. However just know that I am great, everything is going beyond great. Yes there are challenges, and disapointments but the benefits and happyness further outweighs all of that. I love this work, these people and the Lord. I am so blessed to be here at this time. A mission willl change your life forever. You can not put a price or explaination on how much it will change you in every way, but more importantly those you teach. I have felt the Lord's Atonement working through so many and myself. I promise you it is real, he is real and he is the way. I have been used as an insturment in his hands, and have been able to help many through him. I can't think of any greater blessing or work in this life. I know he lives and loves us and that this is his true church on the earth today. I committ all of us to share the great knowledge that we know with others and help them live the only way that gives a person true happyness. Whatever happens on April 1st, this time will always be cherished with these great people. I love you all and pray for you all multiple times daily. My family and friends 

Love, Elder Lunt

Week 43

Dear family and friends,

There comes a point where there isn't much one can say, after seeing so many blessings, miracles, and change in others and in himself. That statement would apply to the investigators, members and contacts and Elder Kay and I this transfer. I heard a great analogy from my Dad "There are blessings that are constantly being showered upon us; when we are disobedient in even the smallest, it's like putting up and umbrella and deny ourselves those blessings and miracles". 20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated--

21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

D&C 130:20-21

The obedience weather it be for good or bad of an individual affects the companionship, district, zone and is like a chain reaction throughout the rest of the mission, we are one. The following was sent to the district this morning through text, letting them know that we are one and that we are doing great and will do better. Romans 12:5 "We being many are one in body, in Christ." Phillip 1:27 2:2 One spirt, one mind striving together being of one accord, of one mind."every blessing is predicated on a law", although, we may not always know what blessings come from which law, we can always choose to be obedient in order to receive all that the Lord has in store for the area and us.

Elder Kay and I have been extremely blessed in every aspect of missionary work this transfer. For the first 3 weeks the work was tough, we worked hard and were doing everything we could. We were not seeing progress but regress in the work. The Lord had a bigger plan for different investigators, and us. The day after we fasted and lost all but one of the investigators. We were blessed with many answers to our heart felt prayers. The change that was felt in that day was apparent and tangible. Ever since that time the work and every other aspect of missionary life has been  absolutely incredible, people call us to meet, people are changing and the change in them brings tears to my eyes. What a life changing and wonderful opportunity it is to be here at this time.

Elder Kay is and the district are doing great. Last district meeting we talked a lot about all the small things in our missionary work bringing miracles. "Behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass." All the small things add up, we talked about always looking for opportunities to be diligent and do  missionary work, as well as being obedient in all things, that we may have the faith and confidence to pull down the power of heaven, as well as a few other great topics from the spirit that has helped all of our missionary work. Something that has helped all of us is following on the commitments given in district meeting with each companionship every night. It helps keeps us all accountable and pushes us to work harder.

Its been another great week in Hrazdan, Armenia. Its truly a privilege to serve here with Elder Kay and get to know these great people. Many great things and baptisms are right around the corner. I love these people and know feel for them when they hurt and just desire their happiness and success. It has been amazing to see the change in others through the Atonement, the light in their eyes and change in their countenance. Thats the joy I live for, thats my joy and happiness.

I often ponder Mosiah 2:41 and again realize that this life is hard, the gospel isn't. The commandments are for our benefit, for our happiness and guidance. He is the way and the only way to real happiness! Love you all and hope and pray for your happiness and success everyday.

Love, Elder Lunt

Week 42

Dear family and friends 

There comes a point when words cant describe how much joy and happyness this gospel brings to a person. Reminding me of Ammon when he expresses how grateful he is for his God and Christ, their reedeming love and mercy. How perfect their plan is. Its the only thing in this life that will bring real happyness. I often feel like Ammon and ponder the many blessings that God has given me. This week has been hard due to things back in the home. However as soon as I get outside and lost in the work its like it doesnt even exist. There is always a direct correalation there, when we serve others we forget about ourselves. Then the Lord can make shape us as a tool in his hands Matt. 16; 25. I am blessed and have seen many people change their lives! We have been lead to people and they have been lead to us.

 The work here changed the 3rd week for the better thanks to the Lord answering our prayers and fasts. We did and try to change every day for the better to get better results. So that we may be used as an instrument in the Lord's hand.  If I would say one major factor that has helped us and me personally on my mission, the answer is simple ... work. As we read in DC and the Book of Mormon those whoe preached this perfect message did not think about where they were going to sleep or as to what their next meal was going to be. They were lost in the work! As a result they baptized thousands. PMG says it best, " the secret to missionary work... is work", I say the secret to life, is work!  We have noticed, the greater the sacrifice the greater the reward or blessing. We are very blessed to be lost in this eternal cause. I wake up with so much purpose and happyness everyday because of this great work, and because I get to do P90x ab ripper! Yeaaahhhh dont worry ladies this guy  is still looking good, correction..better! ;)

Elder Kay is doing great, we learn a lot from one another and have great gospel discussions. I grown to love him even more and he will always be a good friend. The district is doing good from my perspective. Elder Garish and I will be doing a split on tuesday to pray and discuss what we can do for the district, so that we can change the work as a whole. Elder Garish is an amazing man I can see the love in his eyes for all the people he is around.

I am doing great and I ponder and reflect as to why I am where I am, right now being that many old friends have taken different paths. Why was I blessed to take the turn for the better? Everyone has the light of christ and knows right between wrong. However free agency is always the process, as hard as that maybe, as a direct result we will always be the product. I have found solace in the scriptures, and have been studying the New testament and the Book of Mormon side by side to better teaching from both. Love you all and hope are all truly happy!  I know that this is true and that through the Savior is the only way to happyness! l know that they know us personally, better than we know oursleves. I love this work, I love this people, and I love the Lord Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father!  Please stay close to them and rely on them in all you do! You have something that most of this world doesnt, share it by your examples. Be happy, smile! 

John 13;17

Love Elder Lunt

Week 41

Dear family, 

Its been a great week,

This week we had a great privilege to serve with a native missionary named Armen. We worked hard and had a great time. I learned a lot from him in every aspect as we carefully listened to him. He's a great guy and he desires the same great things we do, a family, opportunities, and happiness and peace. He said many great things that really impressed me. "I know that God really exits and loves me". And that he said he learned a lot from serving with us and that he plans on incorporating what he learned into his daily life. It was a great privilege to serve with him, I know that I will always remember him and the brotherhood and friendship we formed. 

 Elder Kay is still doing great. He is easy going and a hard worker as well. The district seems to be doing well. Elder Garish and I would like to see us all working together as a district more as in everyone pulling their weight as a companionship. Its something we are praying and fasting about to know what to do to help the district as a whole. They are loved and appreciated, I have the privilege to talk to them each night during call ins and its neat to hear about their miracles, highs and lows. 

Ever since that tough week when things changed for the better, work here continues to amaze me. We are so blessed and as we really work hard and try to do all that we can, we are blessed in every aspect of the work. The members are going with us for lessons and introducing us to people to teach. I was blessed to baptize a very elect man that is going to be a leader in this church one day, and he wants his family to be taught as soon as possible. So many tender mercies. As I keep a journal I try to write them all and realize all that the Lord has done for me. I plan on giving my journals to you to read after the mission, that will be the closest account of all that I have been through.

Love you all and miss you guys. I realize everyday how great of people you all are. I would be happy the rest of my life just serving you guys when I get home. I love you!

Elder Lunt