Week 49

Dear family and friends,

It has been a good week, I wish I had time to write all the miracles and blessings. We have had the opportunity to teach many ********( they can be killed if their government finds out), Indians, and of course Armenians. Armenians are amazing people and very humble, however the people from **** we have taught, are so elect and humble, it reminds me of humility and meekness the scriptures described like unto a child.  Four of them will be baptized this Monday and Thursday. We have also had the opportunity to teach many of people from India, and they are just as elect and amazing. They are all just happy people, it is always an uplifting--spirit filled experience around them. We have been trying to find investigators that are elect, we have a lot of Armenian investigators, but only one or two of them are elect and ready.

The mission is doing great, we continue to improve in almost every single aspect of the work, and the missionaries from our end of things seem happy! We have been following up with the zone leaders on planning and they have had some great things to say. In short, things are changing in their work, zones and districts. 

Our companionship has been different from all the others I have been apart of so far. Its been hard. It just started out different not in a good or bad way. Just different, its hard to explain. We have open communication and we are aware of the problems we have with unity especially teaching in Armenian lessons. I love Elder Cornett but I do not feel close to him at all, and I don't know if that is good or bad, and we have talked about all of this openly and his many concerns.  It has been hard not getting the same joy and happiness from lessons like I use to...Because I do not feel the spirit very often (mostly in Armenian lessons). We have talked about it and there is just something missing. We are not really sure what to do, but we will figure it out.

I am doing good its but its been hard with all the stuff going on. The area is on fire and the work is going great, we are working hard and have been blessed. I just try to stay focused and I am getting through it with prayer and fasting. Things will work out, I just have to remember this is all part of the journey and just enjoy it, smell the roses. I love you guys and enjoy hearing from you.  I love my mission but i miss you guys especially right now. I wish you all knew... everything that has happened and has changed. It's hard not being able to share these good and hard times with you but I will do my best to keep up to date on my journal so I can share some of the experience later.

P.S. May 10th is skype day. We have one hour.I will let you know what time would be good next week. I would like to have one feed going so that I can see you faces, I would like crystal and jeff to come for the last 20 minutes as well. And be thinking of some questions you want me to answer. Hope that's not to much! Love you guys and I miss you all very much.

Week 48 (Sorry ran out of time)

Elder Lunt's weekly letter to the President:

Dear President,
Another good week gone as fast as it came, where to start. As you already know we have the opportunity to be teaching all sorts of diverse people from India and Iran and of course Armenia. My capacity to love grows daily for these people. In my prayers I pray for my family here and back home. So many have become just that, family. I love them so much and just want to serve them. The members are doing great and many of them are always there to support us. We have been blessed with many investigators, many of which are elect and will be progressing when they come to church. We have been blessed to find less actives this last week one of which has not been visited in 2 years, she lives right next to the church and she was so happy to have us over.

Elder Cornett as you know is amazing and has so much going for him. We have many good talks and maintain open communication. We see things and do things very differently, we are trying to meet each other in the middle and find common ground on the way we do the work. It's hard sometimes but I am trying to see things from his perspective and I know there is a lot to learn from him. He is an amazing man he just needs to realize that. We have good long conversations and he and I both know he is way to hard on himself. However that is something nobody else can solve for him, only he can bring himself peace through Christ's atonement.

Obviously it has been hard to fully comprehend the weight of what has happened at home. However the full load of it will never sink in until I get home. I have been blessed to be lost in the work, regardless, it is still hard and sometimes I just have to wear a smile. Elder Gallardo and I had a great split and we were able to help and relate to each other very well. I have been blessed as I focus on these people and their needs and I have felt the Lord's help through everything.

I apologize for the length of this letter, I have been so scatter-brained during email. I start your letter and by the time I finish and read my letters from home I don't have time for writing home, so that is why, if they ask. We are excited to see the improvements in missionary work especially in planning and diligence, just since a few days ago we have been focusing on those things we talked about and the overall attitude of the zone leaders was different this morning during call ins as they have applied those things. They are doing great as they get their district leaders on board and we make these things habits. It has been a good, and we look forward to an even better one on the way.

Elder Lunt

Letter to all missionaries from Elder Lunt and Cornett:

Dear Missionaries,

We know email time is short, for that reason we will keep this email even shorter, but we ask that you read it, each week we pray that it will help you personally and your missionary work. This week we had the opportunity to talk to many of you and to come to some of your areas. We have noticed your overall excitement and happiness in the work. As we narrow in and focus on specific fundamentals in missionary work such as faith and our theme this year D&C 4:2, it is important to not loose sight of the big picture...Jesus Christ. Although it may not be life or death Elder Holland's talk can be easily related to us as we try to rely on the Lord.

 Elder Jeffery Holland:

 I said my last prayer —then I leapt. There was enough adrenaline in my spring that the jump extended my arms above the ledge almost to my elbows. But as I slapped my hands down  on the surface, I felt nothing but loose sand on flat stone. I still remember the gritty sensation of hanging there with nothing to hold on to—no lip, no ridge, nothing to grab or grasp. I felt my fingers begin to recede slowly over the sandy surface.

“But then suddenly, like a lightning strike in a summer storm, two hands shot out from somewhere above the edge of the cliff, grabbing my wrists with a   strength and determination that belied their size. My faithful brother had not gone. (Knowing) exactly what I was planning to do, he had   never moved an inch. He had simply waited...silently, almost breathlessly..Knowing full well I would be (willing) enough to try to make that jump. When I did, he grabbed me, held me, and refused to let me fall.

 We have been advised as we pick up the work so will the opposing force, there will be bigger cliffs, giving us a greater opportunity to rely on the Lord. Let us involve him in each aspect of the work, applying that will be different for each person but the results and miracles will be the same. Rely on him and have the faith to make that leap, knowing that full well, if we fall short he will grab us and refuse to let us go. We love you and see the great miracles daily in the mission, more importantly though, the Lord loves you and he is with you apart of every single leap of the climb and eventually the summit. Let us remember to rely on him during the whole journey.

 

Elders Lunt and Cornett

Week 47 "RIP my brother"

We have been blessed  and have had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing people I have ever known. We have only been here for over a week and most of these people we feel like we have know for a transfer with how special they are to us. We have been blessed with investigators, and just as important, the help of the members. This is a great area and we are excited to see what the Lord has in store, and we are enjoying the blessings of this great work.

Elder Cornett is an amazing missionary. He amazes me with the things he says, straight from the spirit. We learn a lot from one another, and we have been able to help each other out in all aspects both personal and missionary matters.We have had many good conversations and experiences that have brought us close to one another. He is an inspiring example and I love him.

The missionaries are doing good from what the zone leaders and district leaders are saying. As you already know we have decided to call two companionship's of missionaries daily so that we can get to know them better on a personal level and that they may feel our love for them. We have asked zone leaders to be on board with us, if there is anyone in their zones that would be in need of a call of love. We feel that this will help in many aspects some of the few would be the overall unity of the mission and missionaries realize the love their leaders have for them. As we talked to zone leaders today, we discussed the vision the Lord has for this mission and for the leaders. <For mission Pres>Elder Cornett and I are still in the middle of it, with much to be added however this Thursday, we would like to discuss some of the goals and expectations we feel would be good as well as yours for us and the mission. 

You never know how you are going to react in a tragedy such as this, and when things like this happen you can't explain it. I feel so scatter brained, it has taken me way to long to even write this email. I wont attempt to explain my thoughts and feelings because I myself can not figure them out. I am holding up well and taking a bit at time. It is still not real to me and will not fully be until the day I get home. I have felt the Lord's protection through it all. It was hard reading all the emails today. I try to get my mind off things, and wear a smile around others but it still hurts inside. The only time I feel at peace is when I am in lessons. I am praying so hard and trying to figure things out myself. I just want to deal with it all at once or deal with it later, so I can be focused on the missionaries and the investigators, because I feel I am not my best for them lately. It is distracting but It should be its my best friend/ my brother that died, I lost him. I am trying to find the balance of copping and consecration. I love you all and I wish I could just talk to you face to face and physically feel your arms around me, but I have felt them spiritually and I have literally felt held up by means beyond this world. I will be alright guys, don't worry about me, I will be able to talk to him. Please help the Norton family.I want them to be there at the next skype call. I love you guys and miss you so much. Please pray for those who actually need your prayers. I love you

Thoughts from Brian...

My parents talked with Brian's mission president this morning, and stated that Brian handled the news well and is doing good.  He said Brian's thoughts and prayers are with David's family at this time. Brian is engaged in the The Lord and the work and keeping extremely busy as he also serves as an assistant to the president. His mission president also said that the Lord is mindful of Brian and has prepared him for things and is doing great work. He loves you all!

On Monday morning Brian's best friend passed away. David and Brian have been best friends since we can all remember. We have some great memories with David and he will be truly missed by many. The David we know was always making someone laugh, eager to help you out with anything and loved life. We know you are with our loving Heavenly Father.

Services for David will be held at the chapel on 1120 N at 400 W in American Fork.
Viewing- Friday April 10th 6:00pm to 8:00pm & Saturday April 11th 11:30 am to 12:30pm
Funeral: 1:00 pm to 2:00pm
Grave side service 2:30 to 3:00 at American Fork Cemetery

From President and Sister Carlson

April 6, 2015

Brother and Sister Lunt,

Sister Carlson and I surely love your son!

After seeking the Lord’s inspiration, Elder Lunt has been called to serve as an Assistant to the

President.  He’s been called because of his missionary skills and the example he has shown of

obedience and dedication to the Lord’s work.



Serving as an Assistant to the President is a great responsibility, and we have every confidence he

will lead with love. We will work together closely and regularly and I look forward to spending time

on our knees as we seek guidance from the Lord. He will learn about inspiration and about losing

self. It’s all important preparation for life, for marriage and for future Priesthood leadership.

We send our appreciation for supporting him as he serves here in the Armenia Yerevan Mission.

He’s in good hands. The Lord is mindful of him and we regularly give him hugs.

Love,

President and Sister Carlson

46 weeks Transfer and AP!

Dear family and friends, 

Lots of changes this week. It was hard to leave my old area and the people there especially because I had to leave 2 days before everyone else for leadership meetings and to meet the new missionaries and help with transfers. The new area is called Arabkir its right by the mission office and we are reopening it, after being closed for a transfer (3 months). I have been assigned to serve as Assistant to the President with Elder Cornett. Oh man its tough, I wish I could explain it all, but I am on my knees for most of the day. My companion is awesome and I always knew I was going to serve with him, I have a special connection with him, even before I knew him. He is the best speaker in the mission and he is a great leader I feel like I am back in my training and its a very humbling experience. I am praying for so many things and your prayers always help. One thing that you might think is funny, is that I am praying for the gift of tongues for both languages, because I am not as good as I use to be at English. And my companion is the best in the mission at the language. I thought I was pretty good, however as I constantly seek correction I realize that there is much more to learn, the small things. He's a stud and I love him, he doesn't see me as junior companion at all and I help him in other areas as well, its a two way street, that's a companionship.

 Elder Cornett and I have been trying to get everything organized and figured out, it will take time. We set some goals for the area and have come up with means to accomplish the goals. It still needs the "how" which will come with more planning, however the basic foundation of many things are figured out. As far as the mission goes, Elder Cornett and I feel that we want to focus of happiness in missionary work. Are we really happy? If not why? And how? We plan on using exchanges to help with a lot of that and will ponder and pray to know what else that will include. We feel there is a need for an excitement in the work as a whole mission, especially with our goal of 500 baptisms for the year and the success we have been blessed with.

 The area is great, different from what I am use to, however change is always good. We have lots of support from the ward, bishop and priesthood leaders. There are a few investigators that we have been able to meet with that seem to have quite a bit of potential. We look forward to having more time with them this upcoming week and getting to know them and the members personally. 

Elder Cornett is an amazing missionary! He is a great example and I am learning much from him in every aspect of the work. I feel the spirit when he speaks and am amazed at the profound knowledge of the gospel he has acquired through diligent study. I am excited about this transfer, something I told Elder Cornett in a discussion we had, was that I have always know that I am going to serve with him, even before I knew who he was, I heard his name and it had a familiar ring to it. Although I can't explain it all right now, I know that it will make more sense later and that this companionship like every is inspired.

I am doing good, Its been a very humbling week for me, in a good way, however still humbling. It has caused me to rely on  the Lord more than I ever have in my life, through fasting, and constant prayer. Its the normal feelings of inadequacy, fear, and discouragement that Satan always sends in these kinds of scenarios. All those feelings and more haven't been dwelt on and every time I feel the weight of it all I go down to my knees. I love the quote "Man stands the tallest when he's on his knees." I have been comforted as I confide with him and pour out everything to him. Although many of the gifts promised in my Pat. blessing have helped me, I realize this is the time that I will build upon them and much growth has and will take place.I love the missionaries and investigators so very much, I realize that helping missionaries will change not only their lives but thousands of Armenian's lives as well.  I will continue to rely heavily on the Lord to help the investigators and missionaries we serve. Thank you! 

Elder Lunt

A letter to a friend, some of my thoughts on the atonement

 The atonement is real and we are the only ones that hold ourselves back from being forgiven, the lord immediately forgives us. I am convinced that Alma the younger suffered the pains of a damned soul for 3 days because he wouldn't forgive himself, it wasn't until he focused on Christ and his Atonement that he was able to come out of the darkness and forgive himself, he held himself back for that long. When we make mistakes, it simply comes down to two choices,give up, or get back up and try then his grace is sufficient for us, because he forgives us immediately.  He has given us weaknesses and problems to make us humble, and to help us grow and overcome them. Without our hardships we would be following the plan of Satan and all would make it back, however, we would be worlds away from godliness. I always thought my weaknesses were and trials were from Satan, however that was just giving him credit for something he didn't do. They are from God, so that we have the opportunity to overcome them and become the person he wants us to be through his son's Atonement. It's stuff I am sure you already knew, I hope it helps. Even if it keeps you going through out the week a little longer with a little more happiness,