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
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 (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