Week 62

Dear family and friends,

So much good happening at once. We continue to see the work hasten and the blessings that are attached with working hard, striving for betterment and living the gospel. We were blessed this last week to see a great man get baptized, a future leader in the Church. The monumental change in him and all others that the gospel brings is one of the greatest joys one can be apart of and experience in this life. We are very blessed with many more lining up for baptism, the blessings are innumerable.

 Every transfer in my mission has been great but it seems that every transfer just improves, on an individual basis, companionship, the work and the mission. Elder Jowers and I are like Steve Young and Jerry Rice, of course I am Steve young haha. We get along great and we work at a fast pace. We have had some amazing experiences together, receiving revelation for the missionaries, transfers and the influence and friendship that we have on one another will extend far beyond this mission. 

As you know last week we held a fast for some pretty big decisions that were being made in the mission and for the investigators in our area. I am convinced that fasting is the quickest way to pull down the blessings of Heaven. It is powerful and the testimony I have gained on my mission because of it, has greatly impacted me and those whom I associate with. We saw the blessings of the fast with many more people to teach that are ready and waiting for the gospel, I noticed the power behind my words and my teaching, and finally the answers that we needed for transfers and the missionaries. This mission has been life changing, the best decision I have ever made, and I love every second of it!

We will be going on more splits this week to see what we can do to help the missionaries and learn from them. I love the opportunity to serve and get to know everyone. I pray and strive everyday to develop Christlike attributes and spiritual gifts to help and uplift those I serve, I pray that those we teach will be under the influence of the spirit and that we can teach powerfully by the spirit. 

So often I think how fortunate we are to be missionaries and serve like we do especially the people of Armenia. I love these people they are my family and are great examples to me and I learn more from them than they probably do from me. I am honored to be able to serve them. Love you all and I pray for you and hope you are happy. It sounds like you are all happy and having fun. Love you all!

Love Elder Lunt

Week 61

Dear family and friends,
Things in the area are great! I love working with Elder Jowers as an assistant. He is an amazing missionary and we uplift and inspire one another for the better, He has become a brother who I love serving and leading with. We had a harder week with many tests and trials with people on the street and investigators, spiritually and physically. Elder Jowers and I held a fast yesterday for the work and for inspiration for the mission. I am pretty sure I have my answer as to weather I am staying or going but I will continue to pray about it.

We know that we are giving our all, I have never worked for something so hard or wanted something this bad. It is amazing to share that same desire in perfect unity with Elder Jowers. It is times like this when all you can do is keep going with faith knowing that Lord will deliver on his promises. We will find the elect and they will find us. It has been incredible to be able to receive revelation with Elder Jowers on things that we need to do for the missionaries.

I am doing great I am happy and enjoying the growth that comes from trials in the work. It makes me think of that talk missionary work and the Atonement by Jeffery R. Hoalland. Why is it so hard so hard sometimes? In simplicity Elder Hoalland says "because it is suppose to be". There is a price to pay for ourselves the Lord and those we serve. I love this work and always try to keep that clear outlook that reminds me how blessed I am to be here ans serve as a representative of the Lord. 

I apologize for the length of the letter this week I ran out of time writing the mission, but I want you all to know I love you all and miss you. I hope you are all happy like I am happy. I know that this work is so important and I love being here. Thank you for all that you do and for your letters, love and support!

Latest bit of advice worth sharing is a quote from Elder L. Tom Perry's final advice before he died.  "I wish I could get every member of the Church to go &  partake of the sacrament,and when they took the bread, they'd ask themselves, "Who am I?  What am I doing?  How am I living?   Where am I going?  What should I be accomplishing?"  as they renew their covenants with the Lord."  He finished.  "The minute they'd pick up the bread, something would happen.

 

Love Elder Lunt 
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Dear Elders and Sisters,

Another incredible week.The miracles and blessings are innumerable. Elders and Sisters, we are so blessed! 

Alma 50:23 But behold there never was a happier time among the people of (Armenia), since the days of (301 A.D.)

Let us remember the divine attribute of gratitude is what separated the one leper from the 9 (Luke 17;15-19). Let us pay heed to the blessings that surround us and sincerely thank the Lord for all that he gives us.

The sequence of being grateful but not satisfied is the process of conversion. It is within the framework of all we can do and constantly trying to be better that we are converted. "A process rather than an event". "Conversion is the power of being consistently committed to what you know".

 In order for the converting process to take place in those we teach, we know that we ourselves must experience that conversion, spiritual rebirth, or change of heart. Those who apply the gospel of Jesus Christ, seek betterment and improvement are not frightened or scared by this statement. 

1 For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing   that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught   away in the Spirit of the Lord,yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before   seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot.

In our upcoming zone conferences as most of you know we will be hiking Mount Aragats. The theme will be conversion. If we could start pondering but not be distracted on how we can summit a mountain, a level of missionary work of "which have we have never before seen and upon which we one we have never before set foot upon". We love and appreciate you and are inspired by your hard work and service. Thank you!

Love Elder Lunt & Jowers

Week 60

Dear family and friends,

It has been and amazing week, we have seen many miracles as a mission. There is an attitude of enthusiasm, excitement and drive in the mission. We continually strive to be better and see the blessing that come from doing so. As Leaders Elder Jowers and I are constantly praying, studying and pondering so that we can lead the Lord's mission in Armenian the way he would. It is an amazing opportunity to serve both the missionaries and these people everyday.

This last week we were blessed with a couple of baptisms and we anticipate a few more. It is amazing to see the change that the gospel brings to people's lives. Seeing the change in someone's life that comes through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and having a small part in that is the most incredible transformation.

So often as I study for investigators the study quickly leads into revelation for the mission. The following is just an example, it was something neat that happened this morning during my study. I was studying for a man that is not sure if he wants to introduce his family to us just yet. 

I felt that we needed to talk to the missionaries about the things that we were planning on teaching him. Really having a family mind set in all areas of missionary work. Especially with Our focus this month being strengthening members and families. The first commandment ever given to mankind was "to multiply and replenish the earth". The family is the core of our gospel and the "most important social unit in time and eternity". 

Elder Jowers and I are doing great! He is a great missionary and friend. We work hard and have a great time! He is always helping out and has a great humble attitude. It has been awesome working with him and we have seen the blessings of unity and hard work in this companionship. This last week we have prayed so much, on the street, buses, or in the apartment together, we see the miracles of faithful prayer as united brothers in the Lord's great work. 

Water day! Yesterday (Sunday) Armenia's national water day. It was a great time, and we came armed with water balloons and squirt guns. We have a balcony right above a busy street so we had some fun. After Church we got soaked and chased for 5 blocks all the way to our apartment as everyone wanted to get the guys in suits, it was a great time.

Every thing is going great, I am happy and always striving to improve in every area. I love these people and have so much fun with them. I got to go on a split this last week with one of my old converts from Hrazdan. It was inspiring to see the man that he has become and the influence he has on others for good. I love him and all these people. The culture is awesome and is so funny to me, it will be something I miss. I love you and appreciate your emails, prayers and support.

Thank you for all that you do for me.

Love Elder Lunt

Week 59

Dear Family and friends,

Sounds like everyone is doing great and had a great Independence day. As we were teaching this week I was reminded that the same doctrine I get to teach every day are the core principles which our country was founded upon. 

The principles of faith and freedom, "one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all". Those principles of freedom,faith and happiness are the core of the gospel. As we were teaching someone this week who is from a country that has no freedom, faith, opportunity or justice, my heart ached for him and his people. Oh how blessed we are to live in America and have the rights, opportunities, and blessings from God.

 It is my hope that we take a step back from all the worldly things and see things clearly, how they really are, ponder the gospel principles, preserve them and express our gratitude to God and for all those that have preserved that freedom with the price of blood. I love our Country so much and being the 4th 4th of July I have been away from home I look forward to being home for the next surrounded by my family in America.

This week was one full of miracles mission wide. In every single aspect, we as a mission continue to rise. The number of people whose lives were changed this week were off the charts. With increase of desire, faith and diligence mission wide, we made a huge leap and will continue to rise and bring others with us. We had a great week and split up with members,as we try to focus on young men and getting them on missions. I love working with the youth and I have a great time with them. It is such an amazing opportunity to teach with them and see their testimonies reinforced. It is one of the most effective ways to do missionary work and is such an awesome time.

The Lord is hastening his work, many of the people we are teaching are getting close to baptism. The vision has been raised and will continue upward. I have never wanted or worked for something so hard. We are trying to do all we can and pay the price so these people don't have to Jacob 1:19.

So many neat miracles and stories this week, in finding, teaching and this upcoming week baptizing. I have been focusing my teaching on Christ and his Atonement, because that is what everything eventually stems back to. As I have done so, I have noticed an increase of the spirit with us in and out of lessons. I am trying to become a spiritual person which today I found out means conversion, being spiritually reborn, no longer desiring to do evil. My friends and family so much good is happening I wish you could see it all, but I know you all have your special parts to play and just as many opportunities for missionary work on home front.

Elder Jowers and I are doing great, he is an incredible missionary and we help uplift and inspire each other to do better. We get along great and learn a lot from each other. We teach in unity and with the spirit and we have a great time. It is still not real, but sometimes I get tastes of reality that my brother is gone and it makes me close off to everyone. It is seldom and only happens at night when I am done for the day. It will be a lot to come home to, but I will cross that bridge prepared when I come to it. 

Love you all and I hope you are happy. I pray for you daily and pray that you will notice the spirit in your lives. I have said this so many times and will say it again, life is hard not the gospel. Cut out the noise, tune in. Pondering, praying, scripture study and going to church all three hours is so important. Satan is always planning for you, if you are not winning you are losing, there is no middle ground. I love you all and pray for daily. I have never been more tired but I am having the time of my life, I love this work.

Love Elder Lunt
_____________________________________________________________________

 (Letter from Elder Lunt and Elder Jowers to the mission)

Dear Elders and Sisters,

What an amazing way to start off the transfer. This last week we saw miracles mission wide in all areas of missionary work. Over 150 of Heavenly Father's children were found and many of our goals were surpassed, many are preparing for baptism at this very moment. 

The Lord is hastening his work and pouring out his blessings upon us and those we teach. We are doing great, and it only gets better. Some might ask why did we have to wait to see this kind of success? 

Enos 1:8-9 "wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.

 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to  feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, wherefore, I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them.

Jacob  2:3"And ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in the  office of my calling; but I this day am weighed down with much more  desire and anxiety for the welfare of souls than I have hitherto been."

As you know there are more answers than one. However, some of the more obvious are faith, diligence, and desire. As we continue to facilitate these three main principles for the welfare of souls, we will continue to see the miraculous hand of the Lord using us as his chosen servants. We will continue to improve and rise together. You are amazing and doing awesome. We love you!

Elder Lunt and Jowers

Week 58

Dear family,

What an exciting week. We have seen so much happen in such a short amount of time. We have seen an a hastening in the work and the miracles that come with hard work. The area is doing good, we will have some solid future leaders of the church being baptized soon. The investigators are doing good, I learn from them every week. We been picking it up on finding, and talk to everyone everywhere! We have come to know what the true mindset of finding really is. Simply getting to know people and making their day that much brighter. 

As I was praying, the first day of the transfer. I had a reassuring conformation that this transfer was going to be one full of miracles not just in our companionship but as a mission. Elder Jowers and I kicked it off right from the start as we made goals we came up with some inspiration for the mission and our area. We are very similar and have been working at a fast pace. It has been awesome working with him and the difference in ambition, drive and attitude is refreshing. He is an amazing missionary and we are learning a lot from one another. He is a humble, Christ like man and he is just what is needed for the mission. I am excited to continue to work with him and enjoy the blessings of brotherhood and hard work.

I am doing good, I just got off a great transfer with Elder Cornett, It was hard but I learned so much from him and I love that man. I am working on becoming a spiritual person, feeling the spirit through out the day and always noticing that calm presence that comes from the spirit. It has been a great week and we are excited for what lies ahead.

Thank you, Elder Lunt

Week 57

Dear all,

Another good week has come and gone. We have been blessed in many ways. The investigators are doing good, slowly but surely they are progressing. There are so many that need to come to sacrament as their next step prior to baptism and as we seriously do all we can do I realize they need to meet us half way or at least a fourth of the way, they need to make that decision for themselves. We have been blessed to have less actives and recent converts help us teach investigators and the spirit they bring is a amazing. 

Elder Cornett and I are doing great! We have learned so much together and have helped one another grow. When I hear people say that the maturity and growth you experience on a mission is equivalent to 7 years back home I think of transfers like this. Nothing has been easy this transfer and because of that we have grown so much together.

Everyday I learn something that will have an affect on me for the rest of my life. A lot of times it's more of reminders I need to do better on or re-facilitate. This week as I have prayed and fasted over many things. I am reminded that the Lord is always on call, waiting to help. However, we must seek! All the answers are laid out in front of us, prayer, the scriptures and the way we live everyday to have the holy ghost in our lives. I am so grateful for this mission, I love it and it has changed my life. I often feel like I have gone from one nature change to the next to the next always trying to unconditionally give myself to the Lord for the right reasons.

We have some neat things to come, I am excited for the change that is about to take place and the miracles to come. I love these people and I love this work. I was reading today from Ether 9 of Omer and Emer from a missionary point of view on the topic of success. Omer and Emer are both great men and they both did they best they could to lead in righteousness. 

However we know Omer was betrayed by his own son and left to the wilderness to live most of his life as he says "days full of sorrow" not for his own life and wickedness that we know of, but for his son and his lost, wicked kingdom. His son Emer eventually takes the kingdom and gives it to back to his father, Omer who only sees two years of peace in his life. Emer rules in righteousness, and the land prospers, it says that Emer even saw "the son of righteousness".

 Now from a missionary perspective, I would assume both did all they could to help those they served, both tried their best. However Omer's "days full of sorrow" compared to Emer's life full of prosperity and peace reminds me of a few things. One the Lord's ways are higher than ours and we will never understand why everything happens the way it does, simply not doubting him is one of the  biggest elements of faith. Second the Lord hastens his work and that will be dependent on the agency of those receiving the message and how hard we work using his grace through his Atonement. Finally and personally the most important to me is that success is not measured by the outward results. If so that means Omer and many other prophets have failed. Success for me is measured only by focusing on the savior and the thoughts and answers I receive through personal revelation.

 There were many other thoughts and feelings that came to me for the missionaries that I am still in the process of sorting out but this was a spirit filled study with some good revelation and reminders. I love the missionaries and these people we serve everyday and I always strive to live every moment to the fullest. I love you all and I pray for you all daily. I often think how simple life is and the gospel and how complicated we make things sometimes. I love that line from Lawrence E corbridge "Life is hard not the gospel". Take the quite time to hear the voice of the spirit and have that one on one time with God. Mom and Dad I sort of volunteered you for helping the missionaries I hope that's ok. I know that the blessings of doing so will help you. Love you all and miss you.

Elder Lunt

Week 56

Dear family and friends,

It has been a good week, full of growing experiences and tests of faith. Agency of the investigators is a hard thing to deal with. Elder Cornett and I both know that a lot of the problems we face right now are trials of our faith, nevertheless it still makes us sad, to work so hard for these people and for a lot of them to not make it to baptism this transfer. 

We did our best, its all one can do, and I always try to see what I need to do better on. It is still hard and sad though, ALL the investigators had great excuses for not coming to church this past Sunday, but they were still excuses. They will make it to baptism soon but it will be very hard for them to make it this transfer and we are trying to do all we can to help them, but they have to meet us half way, they HAVE to want it as bad as we want it for them. It will all work out, I will not let Satan use it against me, we just need to trust the Lord and do all we can to help them. 

There have been many miracles this last week, less actives coming back to church and helping us teach investigators. Changes in the members and an excitement about missionary work. Many plans and meetings are in place to change the ward council and other things to work even better with the ward. It has been neat to be apart of. I have also received a lot of great revelation as to what I need to do better as a leader, how to minister better and be a better Christ like, relate-able, and understanding leader.

This transfer has been great and I have learned so much from Elder Cornett and I have let him know that. I have tried to focus on the positive but It has been hard this transfer. This last week I just simply told him I was tired of his attitude that he has had throughout the whole transfer off and on and that kind of attitude has been hard to be around. He is always feeling like he is not good enough and sad  I have tried my best to be patient and help with the lack of energy, excitement and the sadness. But it takes its toll after a while and I don't know that he wants to listen anymore. So I plan on showing love more through service. I love the guy so much and just want him to be happy but he always feels like happiness is just out of reach, just beyond the horizon. I don't want him to go his whole mission like this and regret why he didn't just enjoy the time, because happiness is right in front of him! We have discussed all of this and he gave me some great advice on things I need to do better and I am trying to apply those things, I am not perfect and I am just trying, we all are and the Lord knows and appreciates that.

It has been a harder week but it was still great. I am trying my best to be positive and have faith in the Lord for his investigators and what he wants for them. They have their agency and that is hard sometimes no matter how much I try to do for them. It seems like when It rains it pours, we have had some great opportunities to practice Christ like love and patience with many people on the street getting in our faces or being rude to us. A year ago I would be mad and want to retaliate but now it just makes me sad for that person, I catch a small glimpse of the sadness Christ must feel for us when we reject him or disobey.

I can feel Satan working on me, with thoughts about friends that have passed away, the what if's, and more. More importantly I feel that the Lord's power is stronger than it all. We are both very tired and I fear the grind of everything is catching up with me and my health. I don't want to portray the wrong message that I am unhappy or doubting the Lord. I love these people and I love this work. I will go through anything the Lord wants me to go through and I will strive to do it with a smile. There have been so many miracles in the mission and in the missionaries. It has been a privilege to play a small part in  missionary's lives. We have re-emphasized all those things we talked about on Thursday, this morning and we committed the leaders to get those items to the District Leaders before tomorrow, as well as a loving reminder to get numbers in on time. Family and friends, I love this work, there is nothing greater, and I love being able to serve the Lord through his missionaries and these people, and I love Elder Cornett and all he has taught me, a mission only happens once and I strive to enjoy every minute of it. 

This is one of my favorite scriptures that beautifully and very personally explains missionary work.

8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

 9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

Thank you! Love you all and I would like to hear more from you in letters how you are doing personally and advice on how I can do or be better, also let me know how I can make my letters better, or anything better in that result. Love you guys and miss you!

Week 55

Dear family and friends,

Another great week here in Yerevan, Armenia. Every day when I get out of bed, I feel the motivation and real happiness that only comes from serving others and teaching this perfect message daily. I love the Lord and I love his work, I have never been happier than on my mission! The miracles are showing themselves everyday and now the baptisms are coming and will continue to come. The things we have learned this transfer have changed my life. There is no greater work or happiness than this!

During this past week, a lot of our investigators were not able to meet. We were getting concerned for them and wondering what we needed to do. We continued in trying to do all we could do and relying on the Lord. We were blessed to find investigators and have great spirit filled meetings. As Elder Cornett and I reviewed this last week together we realized how blessed we were. We reestablished that one of the biggest factors that plays a role in a missionaries' success is the patience to endure through hard times and to continue to rely on the Lord and do all you can. It is about doing the right things for long enough out of a desire and love for the Lord. 

One day this past week, when a lot of our plans had fallen through, we went to the apartment and had dinner. While we were eating we called a contact in the area book that had been contacted on the street years earlier. I asked for a man named Honvaness which was written on the list and a women answered. I asked if I could talk to her husband and she asked why? I did some explaining as to what we do and why we are here and that her husband had probably talked to the missionaries years previous. 

Suddenly the lady said "LUNT"? I replied yes! She said "this is Susan from Alaverdi" (my first convert in my first area). I was amazed she recognized my voice and ever more by what she said next." Hovaness is my brother and I have told him all about our church for a long time now". She had happened to be at her brother's house all the way from Alaverdi for the weekend and happen to pick up the phone when I called. We meet with them that night and picked up Hovaness and his wife with Susan's help. This is the Lord's work!

Everything is great! Elder Cornett and I continue to learn so much from one another I will miss him greatly, he is a great missionary and a great man. He has taught me so much and we have a great time together as we work hard. The area is doing great there are many baptisms coming soon. I love these people and I love this work. I wish I had time to write the many life changing principles and doctrines that are learned everyday. I have come to know my Savior and Heavenly Father personally and their love for me.  I love serving the missionaries and learning from them. I testify to that verse that says " there never was a more happier time among the..."  (missionaries of Armenia) is true! I love you guys and I know that this Church is Jesus Christ's church and that he lives and he is the way to happiness, peace, comfort and every other attribute of life! I love you all and hope and pray for you that we remember the Lord daily and apply the things we hear so often. Love you! 

Week 54

My Dear family and friends, there is so much that has happened since the last time we talked. I wish I could share it all with you. But know that I am happy and I have never been so blessed. I wonder why I am highly favored of the Lord, and then I reflect my pat blessing and the specific gifts and promises it contains. I realize that I have been chosen to be a leader to help and uplift others in this life. Things are so busy right now with the end of transfers being july 24th and making decisions for the Lord's mission. This is such an incredible experience. And I have and am learning so much.

 Love you all!

Dear President Carlson,

We are blessed and I have noticed the many blessings this transfer and throughout my mission. Elder Cornett and I as you know have been out of the area lately more than usual. It is a testimony builder to me that as we do our best to fulfill the responsibility we have and focus on both the missionaries and the area, the Lord always makes up for what we cant do. 

It has been awesome learning from other missionaries and being able to help them, ministering in this way is my favorite part about leadership. Its amazing to see how the Lord takes care of the area and hastens the work for his children as we do so. We have seen so many miracles lately and we should have some baptisms coming up soon. 

It was great to go to my home town of Alaverdi this past week. Although I keep in contact with the members and some investigators there, I forgot how much I love those people, from the members to investigators, taxi drivers, and neighbors. I was ecstatic to see the change in so many of the people.

Elder Cornett and I are doing great. He is a happy, fun to be around guy. I have realized so many reasons for why we have been together this transfer. He has taught me so much about the atonement and understanding people, really understanding the scriptures and likening them, as well as tuning into the spirit and teaching like the savior, and much more. He is amazing and I will always be grateful for the time I have had with him.

I already expressed a lot of my thoughts in the mission letter this week. I realize the Lord has blessed me with so much I try to do everything I can to help others and spread the blessings I have received. However I have a concern that I don't know how to fully express. So many missionaries think I am perfect. I know I have so much to improve on and I am nowhere close to perfection. I always try to set a good example but I highly dislike being put on a pedestal. I know from my personal experience that I admire a leader much more who is humble and knows his weaknesses and isn't afraid to share them when the occasion calls for it. I know the answer will come from the Lord as I pray and humble myself, so I can find out what kind of a leader the Lord wants me to be.

Thank you for all you and Sister Carlson do, we really do love you two so much and appreciate all that you do for us. I have learned so much from you and Sister Carlson. Things that will use the rest of my life. Thank you

Love Elder Lunt