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

Week 53

My family and friends,

 I can not believe that a year has come and gone this fast! It has been the most life changing time I have ever undergone. Where has it gone this fast? I know missionaries always say this but like most things, I never understand until I experience it myself. I am so grateful for the decision I made to serve a mission and for the spirit that guided me to making the right decisions. I wouldn't trade it for anything else and it has changed my life and others forever.

 I have truly seen Matthew 10:39 in action in my life and in the lives of others. "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." I know this is the Lord's work, this is where I am suppose to be. I love this, every second of it, the highs the lows and everything in between! I love being a representative of Jesus Christ, I love being a missionary!

Another great week full of great experiences. Everyday We notice the blessings from simply trying to do all we can. I am learning so much I wish I could express it all! We had a neat experience this week as we were planning we called some people in the area book and a man answered he was from Iraq and spoke great English. 

We talked and he agreed to a meeting the next day. He kept saying on the phone "how did you know"? We didn't think anything of it and when we met him the next day we realized how elect this man was. At the begging of the meeting he asked us how did you guys know? We asked know what? He said that he had been taught a year ago and had to return to Iraq early. He was sad that he couldn't be baptized and that he lost our number. 

He came back to Armenia for a bushiness trip and had been thinking about those guys in white shirts that taught him here a year earlier. The night he arrived in Armenia within one hour we called. It was neat to see the hand of the Lord in this man's life and to be able to help him . He will definitely be an Alma;great leader for his country one day. 

So many neat experiences like that daily. We have been blessed with many investigators and we will be blessed to have some baptisms coming up soon. We are finding a lot of people, the hard part is getting them to stick around. We have received so much great counsel and know its time to put it all into practice. As a result that will help people recognize us as Christ's servants and our overall missionary work.

Elder Cornett and I are doing great! In a positive way It has been interesting with how different this companionship has been. how much work we have both put into learning from one another and humbling and changing ourselves. Elder Cornett is great  I will always remember this transfer and all the life changing things I have learned from him. From my perspective he seems happier and for the most part and he has changed his attitude and outlook on things, it has been neat to see.

I have been in deep thought lately during the quiet times of missionary work. Not necessarily about anything specific but just pondering life, smelling the roses and enjoying this time I still have it. We often like to look ahead and think about how great something will be in the future or reminisce the past and long to remember those good times, and we overlook the good times we are creating in that very moment. 

I feel as I have tried to be grateful for the present moment and live it to the fullest. I can see the big picture of life and things on an eternal perspective. It helps me fulfill my baptismal covenant and remember him, as well as being grateful for all he does for  me. Love you all and I am thankful for your letters and your support. 

Thank you!

Love Elder Lunt

Week 52 HALF WAY MARK!!

Dear family and friends, 

This past week was a great learning experience. As we participated in four zone conferences, I learned some life changing principles from each one. It was a great experience in which I learned a lot about leadership and conducting by the spirit. As well as studying from the scriptures and catching what is actually being said then likening the passage to the circumstances your or others may be in. 

I love the line in Preach my Gospel that talks about personal revelation being the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted;" by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed". So many things in the gospel we say and we may think we understand and apply. Until we have our own experiences that really deepen our understanding, testimony and eventually application of the principle. It was a neat opportunity to teach the missionaries, but in reality to learn from them and learn from the spirit in personal studies, and pondering. All together it was just a great privilege to work with the missionaries in Georgia, get to know them and help them with their missionary work. 

The splits that we were able to go on were meaningful and effective. Elder Larsen and Mcarty are doing good. In the short time, hour or two I was with them, there wasn't a whole lot that I could learn or evaluate as far as the work. It was however good to get to know them. Elder Hoffman and I had a great split. He was asking me for the answers to his questions but I was able to turn his questions around and he answered them through the spirit. It was neat helping him realize that he has all the keys to success and happiness. Overall it was a great experience to be with them.

Elder Cornett and I are doing good. I tell him all the time how much I have learned from him and I don't know that he will ever realize how much has been learned from him no matter how many times I tell him. We have had very few disagreements, as different as we may be. Sometimes it has been hard to communicate with each other and the negativity can take its toll on me. I don't know what to do to help when he slips in to quiet sadness, other than try to talk to him but I am not going to always pull the problem out of him. We have talked about all this, and it is getting better. We teach unified and with the spirit. I love him and learn so much from him.

This past week was a lot of time out of our area. However it was worth it. I know that many people were helped and changed the most noticeable being myself. It was neat to have so many learning experiences in one week. I am applying what I have learned and we have already seen the results, in the middle of writing this very email. We had an new investigator come in and ask to be taught through a member that introduced us and we taught him a short lesson. If there is one thing that I would say has changed my view the most on life and especially missionary work, it would be faith in Jesus Christ which includes so much but in short, having daily experiences with him and his atonement. It's been a great week and I have been blessed to learn so much and have the blessings and opportunities that I have been given. Love you all and know that I am happy and doing great, I am enjoying this time and seeing the miracles daily.

Love Elder Lunt

Week 51

Happy Mother's day to the best women I know! Who has given me so much! Love you Mom.

It was great seeing you yesterday and hearing your voices. I love you and I realized how big my family is now, so many of you at home and here that were and now are apart of my family. Congrats to Heather on her baby and I cant wait to see him when I get home!

Another great week has come and gone. It has been busy, balancing the needs of the missionaries and those we serve daily. It's great and we learn so much. We are excited for Zone Conferences and the eternal purpose they will contain. We have been praying and pondering, trying to rely heavily upon the Lord for guidance in our plans according to the needs of his missionaries. We are excited for the things we will learn from the spirit in each one of the meetings.

Elder Cornett is doing a lot better. It has been hard with all the constant ups and downs of his trials, and can be hard to not eventually be affected by the sadness or quietness he slips into.  I politely, and more formally expressed to him, that he may need to lose himself in the work more when those times of darkness come, that means off and on the court (outside of the apartment and inside) and gave some advice on a variety of ways to do so.  

We all have different trials but the source of power and liberation comes from the same eternal being, that being Jesus Christ. I have some reasons to be sad and down, but I have more to be positive and happy and at the end of the day that is the easier way, his way, Christ's way. Giving it all over to the Lord, that means your thoughts and hardships, and constantly trying to ALWAYS remember him!

 Elder Cornett is an amazing disciple of Christ and he has taught me a lot that has changed my life and will change others. I love him and I know that this transfer is inspired just as every other one on my mission. We have a big week coming up, it will be good. Thanks for all that you do and the influence and affect you have had on me and indirectly on these people through me. 

Love you all, Elder Lunt

Week 50

Dear family and friends,

This week has been amazing, it really has. It was has been one of the hardest weeks of my mission but the weeks keep getting better and better if that makes sense. Yes, the past few weeks were hard and this one was no exception, I have felt this ENTIRE transfer I have had so many trials, I felt I have been in darkness, without clarity,happiness or the spirit. For the first time starting yesterday, during this transfer with much prayer and fasting I feel like I have been freed from the trials I was in. I feel liberated from the dark hole I was caught in and all the lonely feelings that came with it.  Now I just need to pull Elder Cornett out of it...No that will be something only the Lord can take care of. Elder Cornett and I are doing good. We see things very differently but we sort things out and our unity is coming together. I love him!

Trials are so excruciatingly hard sometimes, yet so beautiful. They are always tailored to the individual. It's like after a storm when everything is calm, it makes you appreciate the calmness and tranquility of the environment after the storm settles. Or climbing a mountain when you can summit and look back to see what you have accomplished. Although through out the journey of the climb you may not see the summit in other words the purpose of the climb, being obstructed by trees, rocks or cliffs. You may feel lost alone or afraid but you keep going in faith, even when that is all you are going off of. It is during the climb that determines whether or not you go up or down. But as soon as you summit and look back and see the entire ascent itself in clarity, you appreciate how hard the climb really was and the person it made you. Seeing everything clearly you refocus on the purpose of the climb, you can see the big picture and appreciate the stronger person it made you. Only to descend and scale a bigger mountain.

This last week was one full of miracles. We were blessed to baptize 4 very elect men that have taught me so much especially about humility like unto a child Mosiah 3:19. We had a lot of tender mercies this week but one I want to share is that the Lord always gives us whatever we want. We just have to show him how bad we want it. We have been working  hard and our desires our right, as we ask for investigators, really plead to find them or them us. The Lord has blessed us this transfer and this week with investigators prepared to hear the gospel. We found a big family this week and as we talked about the book of Mormon and they were all gathered around attentively listening, the spirit was there in abundance. It was a great faith building experience! The members are amazing here. The best in my opinion as far as members supporting the missionaries goes. 

We are seeing miracles everyday and differences in peoples lives both big and small. If I can just make someone smile or brighten their day a little bit. Then I have fulfilled my purpose. This last week I saw and old grandma that always sits on a bench by our house, she wears the same clothes every time I see her. A yellow sweater  she  looks tired, alone and sad. This particular time as I  walked by and I saw a dandi lion in the grass, without hesitation I picked the flower and gave it to her. I told her it was beautiful like her and to remember that. As I was walking away I looked back to wave only to see her smelling the flower with the biggest toothless grin, full of light and happiness I have ever seen . Its the small things that make a difference in people's lives. Everyone just wants to be loved in this hard world. It was a great reminder to me. 

Elder Lunt

Letter to all the missionaries from Elder Lunt and Elder Cornett

Dear Missionaries,

It has been another great week, full of miracles especially in finding. How important it is to enjoy the moment, this short time and to notice all the miracles daily. As our theme is D&C: 4:2 Serving with ALL of our heart, might, mind and strength we have to ask ourselves, what is our "all"? And what does that mean as we focus on finding this month? First off it means that we continue to do our all in planning which hopefully by now are habits or developing habits.

Although, only you know and can answer what your all really is. Many prophets and apostles have given us revelation as to how we apply D&C 4:2 in our finding, to make it part of us, a habit and and a mindset rather than an activity!    

2 Nephi 25:23-- "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do". 

Its within us that after all we can do, that the vision,opportunities and blessings of missionary work come about.

As we already know talking to everyone, everywhere, is mentioned many times in the scriptures along with the promises and blessings.

"And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night. (Promise)-- And I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men".

 This promise will be different for every single missionary and companionship as we all have different needs and trials, but the blessings, attributes of light attained and the lives changed will be the same. As we all follow this council, and street teach vs street contact. we will find out the true meaning of our all in every single aspect. There are many more promises in the scriptures and also from our leaders,but  it's up to us to do it! John 13;16--"If ye know these things, happy are ye if you do them"

We will talk with leadership about what more we can do in our finding to attain our all. Be pondering these items and bring your revelation to the table this Tuesday and to district meetings through out this month. We have some amazing opportunities to build our faith this year as we serve with ALL of our heart, might, mind and strength. It is important to keep in mind who is behind it all and that "The task ahead is never greater than the power behind us!" 

Love you all and pray for you daily by name,

Elder Lunt and Cornett

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