Merry Christmas!

We got to talk to Brian on Christmas, and although brief due to poor internet connection, it was so wonderful to hear his voice and visit with him!

Merry Christmas!

Week 83 Faith in Jesus Christ

Dear family and friends,

Truly a week of miracles...I have never seen a transformation for good in such a short amount of time. We have been blessed to say the least. We have been focusing much on facilitating Faith in Jesus Christ through constant prayer and eleveated thoughts. "Works without faith is dead". We have seen the maginitude of this statement this past week as many were found and taught.

Artashat is amazing.The Ward loves us and sees the work taking off. They are on board and already supporting us. Our Ward Mission Leader, Bishop and Clerk are stalwart members. Our Ward Mission Leader is a younger guy and a returned missionary. He is esctatic about the work as we are.

We were blessed to meet many great people on the street right by our church. We were able to bring many straight into the church and have lessons. I have been amazed with the humility and love of these people. I have changed my teaching style to teach according to their needs and in ways that intrests them. 

As we meet with many families, it was incredible to see one in particular that was ready for the gospel. A member introuduced us to this family and told us they were his realitives. It was neat to see this recent convert teach something so dear to his heart and spread that love to his family. I was filled with joy and love for this family, and for this member. 

This is just one example of the many mircales we were blessed to see this past week. I am learning much. I have much more time to reflect on all that is happening and has happened. I am soaking it all in and living it up.

 I love Elder Porcelli and I am learning much from him. Sometimes the change is hard for him as he sees what could have been last transfer. We talk through everything and I love and respect him. He is a good man and I have never see someone who applies things he learns so quick. I love these people. I love my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I love you

Love, Elder Lunt

Week 82 "Change in the air"

Dear family and friends,

I am doing great! I was just transfered from Yerevan to Artashat on Friday with Elder Porcelli as my new companion. From what I hear it sounds like you know more about the area and transfers than I do...Ha I appreciate others keeping you all updated. Elder Porcelli is great! I love him and I am impressed with him in every way. He just got off a unique transfer, in his words "it is hard making a 180 degree change", he says he feels like I do everything at the highest level and he expressed that he feels behind after last transfer. However I reminded him its not me but "us" doing missionary work at the level we need to be. He is doing great and he embraces the change, we will work miracles together, and I am excited to learn from him and grow together in every aspect.

President had a good talk with me and paid me some complementary remarks and thanked me for all that I did as an Assistant, I learned so much in these last 9 months, life long lessons and things that changed my life in every way. When I came into the mission office on Friday for transfers, all the missionaries welcomed me in and said thankyou. They all came up to me and shook my hand or gave hugs. I love all these missionaries so much and I did my best as a leader, the Lord changed so much through me as an instrument in his hands. 

I feel all of the missionaries love and respect they have twoards me and I do my best to exude that same love and respect back. Often times I feel like I get put on a pedestal for consistently following basic principles of the gospel and progression. I was asked what I would do different as a leader, initiating the prinicple of accountability,I thought for a minute then I responded, "there are things I could have done better, however that is life and the reason for the Atonement, but I would not do anything different... I gave it my all". In whatever accquisition in life I will repeat that sentence throughout until one day I can say it to our Heavenly Father, with Jesus Christ mediating at my side.

There is a lot to change in Artashat, the ward doesn't trust the missionaries, the appartment was disgusting (6 hours cleaning it, welcome to your new area!). I was not to happy about that, but atleast it is clean and up to par with inviting the spirit. No prior serious investigators. I got in, sat down and talked about goals with Elder Porcelli and all that we were going to accomplish this transfer. We have some high goals and then we talked about the "how" of accomplishing all that we are setting out to do. 

We are focusing on faith in Jesus Christ in all that we do, obedience in every way and we are working hard and smart. No growth in a comfort zone, No comfort in a growth zone. We are helping each other improve in every single way and we have the same vision, goals and mindset to do so. We are going to win the trust of the members by showing them we are here to work. The people here are so nice and warm, I would say 7 out of 10 people will talk to us on the street and accept our message. The potential here is limitless. 

There is greatness in every single one of us. I change so much daily and I am greatful for all that the Lord has given me. My companion asked how i consistently do all that you we are expected and more? You have to start where you are at and simplify your approach to discipleship as mentioned in general conf, rely on the Lord then get up and go to work. The question of doing it or not fades completely as you focus on becoming and turn outward, doing what we are suppose to do and progressing daily becomes a habbit rather than a task. I am so grateful for my mission, the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the love of God and Christ and their perfect understanding.

Love, Elder Lunt

ծնունդտ շնորհավոր tsnundt shnorhavor AKA HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!

Looks like he had a great birthday! So glad he was born!

Week 81 "The greatest Miracle"

Dear family and friends,

All is well. I can't believe it is already that time for transfers. It seems like just yesterday that I came Yerevan. I am so grateful for all that I have learned in my time as a missionary and specifically as assistant these past 9 months. I am grateful for all that I have yet to learn and the enabling power of Jesus Christ to do so.

This last week, Elder Jowers and I have been focusing on finding families. Well that is exactly what happened. We were blessed to find two amazing families ready for the gospel. The strength of the church truly is the family unit. We have been blessed to find many waiting and ready to hear the gospel as we talk to everyone on the streets and try to be an example worth following.

Elder Jowers and I are doing awesome! We are sad to see such a great team come to and end, but we are both ready and excited for what the future holds. He has been a great brother and I know our paths will meet again in the future. I truly am grateful for all that I have learned from 6 months of being around him and enjoying his company and presence. The same goes for Elder Cornett and all that I learn and cherish from him. These companions and so much more than friends and have helped shape my life.

I am doing great! I am happy to see things going so well in our area and the mission in general. As I thought about the change that has taken place these past 9 months I was overcome with joy and satisfaction, that the Lord through us has established his church more fully and hastens the work. I love these people, I love the missionaries I serve and serve with. I am so fortunate to be here at this time with these incredible people, in Armenia.

President and I had interviews this last week, it was great talking to him about the change in myself that is hard to recognize sometimes and the change in the mission. I treasure all that I have learned from so many great people and the Holy Ghost.

Thank you for all the birthday wishes, letters and packages. I love you all and miss you!

Love Elder Lunt

___________________________________________________________________________

For the missionaries:

Dear Missionaries,

9 months ago Elder Cornett and I sat in President's office and discussed expectations and plans we had for the mission. 6 months ago Elder Jowers and I did the same. 3 months ago the cycle repeated. Only a few days ago, in the same setting, we looked at the original goals and plans. As I share a few of those original goals I would ask that you think about your personal development and our overall progress as a mission. 

Happy healthy missionaries

Faith (confidence) in Savior

D&C 4:2 (understanding)

Excellent teachers

Teaching style (triple play)

Finding mindset

At the conclusion of any task we pursue in life, we all ask ourselves a similar question...

Jacob 5: 41,47,49  "What could I have done more for my vineyard?"

As the Lord of the vineyard asks himself this question three distinct times in these passages, we too, being our own biggest critic, naturally ask ourselves "what more could I have done"? 

Jacob 5:47 "But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it?Nay, I have nourished it. for I have done all."

We have made leaps and bounds as a mission. It is incredible to be apart of. We have further developed Christlike attributes, skills in every phase of the work, and acquired an understanding of what it means to serve with all of our heart, might, mind and strength. As you can see the happiness of the mission is top priority for leaders. When we have faith in Jesus Christ, we follow the pattern The Lord of the Vineyard displays...We start where we are at and go to work.

Jacob 5:61 "Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may  prepare the way".

 Through out Moroni 7 a different question is posed but again three times is repeated... "Has the day of miracles ceased"? They do if we doubt and more importantly if we fail to recognize them. We have had an awesome year of missionary work. Recognize that and embrace it! As I do so it motivates, and strengthens my faith. We ask you to ponder the changes you have seen in yourselves. The biggest miracle is the change in ourselves.

 Let us "retain a remembrance" of what we have learned this past year and let the rest go. Let us always focus on the task at hand and envision our future. Where will we be in 9 months from now? That is all up to us...Let us consistently give our alland desire the things that bring happiness. "We are what we repeatedly do, therefore excellency is not an act but a habit". Thank you for a wonderful 3 transfers, and all that you have taught me.

We love you!

Elders Lunt & Jowers