August 10, 2015

Hey All! I sure hope everyone had an incredible week!

To be super short because we don't have much time and I need to get to the more important part of the weekly email...

 

I HAD AN INCREDIBLE WEEK! I am loving every second of every day! As hard as it is...it is harder NOT to have the time of your life in the mission...despite all struggle...the miracles are far more powerful!

 

Before the spiritual message...

 

Happy Birthday to my grandma Linda. I did not get the chance to meet my grandma due to the cancer that took her life when my mom was just 15 years old. How grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation and the opportunity I have to reunite with my grandmother for eternity. I can feel of her constant light in my life, even though I do not know her. At about 6:30ish each night the sun sets in Ecuador...and I don't know if a 5:45 afternoon has passed when I don't think of my grandmother who is in the Heavens above. I draw so much strength from those sunsets...so much strength from thinking of an angel who is looking down upon her grandson and strengthening him with every step. I just can not wait until the day comes when I give my grandma a big huge giant bear resurrected hug! To meet the woman who gave my mother life will be worth a lifetime wait. Happy Birthday Grandma. Thank you for your sunset.

 

We had the chance to talk to a man this past week who really helped me strengthen my testimony of our Savior in an interesting way. I don't know if I have ever talked to anyone so unbelieving, hopeless, or confused. He asked us why we would ever believe in a Savior who had fear. He asked us why we would believe in a Christ who was scared to die and give His life. I soon came to the conclusion that, often times, the biggest increases in our testimony and beliefs come from the disbelief of others. I felt an overwhelming gratitude for our Redeemer and His everlasting love. My testimony of Him and in Him grew...and my appreciation of His perfectly FEARLESS COURAGE pounded in my heart.

 

If we examine the words of Isaiah through the Prophet, Abinadi, we are taught by a teeny tiny fraction of what the Lord experienced, suffered, and how He went about it.

He was "despised and rejected of man", "acquainted with grief", actually "bore our griefs", "carried our sorrows", was "esteemed of man", and "smitten", "afflicted", "wounded for our transgressions", "bruised for our iniquities", "oppressed", and crucified.

 

Let us all remember that the Lord knew perfectly well what He had embarked on...what was to come...and what He was to feel and endure.

"...yet He opened not His mouth; He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,...so He opened not His mouth...He was taken from prison...cut off out of the land...made His grave with the wicked...neither was their any deceit in His mouth."

A perfectly innocent Lamb...a perfect and innocent man...better said...a perfect and innocent GOD was brought to what He KNEW to be His slaughter with a closed mouth and with no deceit in His mouth.

 

THAT, Brothers and Sisters...is NOT fear.

 

That is courage.

 

I testify that the Lord is merciful, loving, obedient, humble, patient, governing, ordered, perfect, and powerful. He is the Savior of the Universe and much more...

 

But what the Savior is NOT is fear.

 

The Savior of the Universe is no fear. 

 

The Lord commands us to "fear not", "be not dismayed" and "not doubt". The Lord NEVER gives commandments that He Himself would not keep...because the Lord God certainly is NOT a hypocrite.

 

I testify of the Lord's courageous, un-doubting, and fearless protection. Through a fearless Redeemer of all existence our fear should too fade. 

 

Let us take on this world with a closed mouth and with not deceit in our mouth. Let us march forward with full faith and un-waivering courage as Christ did...

 

For faith destroys all fear...

 

For testimony destroys all terror...

 

"Look unto me in every thought; Doubt not, fear not."

 

He only gives us this invitation because He was the first to NEVER fear.

I

n His sacred name, the name of the Son of the Living God, Jesus Christ, I bare witness that He lives. And as He does so He does not fear. He never did. He never will.

Elder Noll

August 3, 2015

Hi Friends! What's going on?! All good in da hood?! I sure hope so. Things here are great! Super great! We are hitting up email a little earlier than usual because we are going to go meet up with my best friend. How many people can say that while in Ecuador?? ;) 

 

This week has been just great! As usual...

A ward member just got his call to Chile...I think it is the same mission as Max Terry but not 100 percent sure. He is a stud though. He always companions us and visits with us to help him prepare for his mission. He is so faithful and has the strongest testimony. There is no doubt that the Lord has prepared the strongest of missionaries for the coming days. It seems as if every generation gets stronger and stronger! 

 

We had a reference from a couple weeks ago that we hadn't contacted yet. They were old investigators from about a year ago that the missionaries had just left. So we thought we would give it a shot! When we knocked the door the father of the family lit up! The biggest smile! 

"BROTHERS!!! OH HAVE I MISSED YOU GUYS!!" He threw open the door and gave us the biggest bear hug ever...kinda caught me off guard a little bit...haha! We are not used to the opening of doors! Turns out that this family is amazing! So we will see where things go! We feel so grateful to have found them and so grateful to the Lord for softening their hearts enough to receive us.

 

One day this past week we walked...and walked...and walked...and then...we walked a little more! Haha! We were hoping to find a less active family but we had no line of communication with them. We really felt deep down that we needed to visit them...and it just so happens that they live quite far...but we made the journey anyways. I have been to the house over and over and over again...and not once have they been there...but when we arrived soaking in sweat and catching our breath...they were there! And we were able to share a message with them. One of the millions of tender mercies that we experienced this past week. 

We visited the house of the sweetest lady...a less active family who we have been working really hard with. When we passed she was reading the Liahonna. We sat with her and just talked. She started to break down completely. She had been having a really tough day. She had been praying for the spirit...praying for peace and comfort...wanting nothing more than to just feel love. She said that she felt as if she should go outside and when she did so she realized the Liahonna Magazine...so she opened it up and right as she did, we passed by. So we talked with her about the message in the Liahonna and about life. Her sweet testimony touches my heart and her faith in the Lord helps me obtain a faith more profound and dependent on my Father in Heaven.

 

On Friday we got our cooking jam on! We did an activity for an incredible family so that they can get married! I don't even know or remember if Empanadas exist in the United States??? Are they things? Just fried tortillas with cheese or chicken or meat inside? Anyways...we made TONS! And we sold them to all of the members of the ward and had quite a bit of success! The ward was so willing to help and the Hermanas who helped us cook were so sweet to offer their homes.

 

I truly LOVE the area I am in!

 

One pair of my pants was getting too long...I do not know that is possible but one of the pant legs started to drag on the ground so I assume I am getting shorter...but I took them over to an Hermana who sews and she stopped her whole day just so that she could finish fixing my pants as soon as possible. These people are so selfless! So Christlike! Love Panorama so so much.

 

I guess something kind of cool is that I captured an Iguana. I had the sucker in my bare hands! Okay...I had a glove...but still! It was right outside of the church and I chased the little guy down and caught him by the tail! They are fast little buggers! And their tails hurt really bad when they whip you by the way. I called just about every Mamaita in the ward to see if they knew how to cook Iguana but nobody knew...so that was a bummer. I was looking forward to finally eating Iguana...maybe next time! But I let him go free...his tail got a little messed up but other than that he scattered away happy as could be.

 

Now on a more important note...

I love the Lord's invitation of "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect".

In order to obtain this perfection so much is required. The Lord lived a perfect life, with perfect love, exercising perfect patience, powered with perfect purity, and so much more. The list of his glorified attributes could go on and on...but I would like to focus on just one.

 

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

 

Are we the same person today as we were yesterday? Will we be the same person tomorrow as we are today? Not in the sense of a spiritual or physical stall or plateau but in the sense of being YOU...and NOBODY else...yesterday, today, and forever. In the sense of not changing YOU because of what your friends or the world want. In the sense of sticking to and accepting who you are and not letting anyone or anything change that.

 

The Lord made us all perfectly in His perfect image. He gave us perfect spirits and then sent us to earth to overcome imperfection and find that perfection once more. Who we REALLY are is a child of God Almighty, carefully crafted and uniquely formed by His very hands. We are not toys conformed by man and changed by the worlds deception and wickedness. We must be the person we are and trust in God who made us the way we are..Regardless of our imperfections. As we separate ourselves from the world and resist the worlds attempts to separate ourselves from who we really are we will come to know Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father more fully and deeply. 

 

In the book of Nahum, he teaches us that "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust Him". By accepting who we are we show trust in the Lord and we can come to truly know Him. 

 

As the Lord suffered in Gethsemane I believe He saw us in two stages...the first being a filthy, stained, sad, hurt, lowly hearted, and without purpose soul. 

But then He began to suffer...

Our filthy, stained with sin, garments were washed clean.

Our sadness turned to a never before felt joy.

He watched our pains mend.

He saw us in a lost and lowly heart state rise to a glorified Kingdom found with our Heavenly Father.

He saw ALL imperfection turn to perfection. 

 

The Lord KNOWS us by this second view...when we trust in ourselves and Him we will become liken unto this second view and liken unto this glorified being. Satan, however, only knows us by that first state, and wants to keep us there...and will do so by telling you that you're not good enough. That you can't do it. That she's skinnier. He's stronger. She's better. He's smarter. He will try to get you to change. He will try to make a different you. He will control your mind to make you think that you need to be different..when all we need to do is be US!

 

So the invitation is to put aside the opinions of others. To tune out the commercials, magazines, and movies. Throw away the negative input of our brother who fell and never got up...and focus on WHO created you. Because that brother who created you fell below all and got up. Raised up. Exalted up. And you can do the same when you stay true to YOU. The you who was carefully crafted and uniquely formed with more love that we can comprehend.

Love you all so much! I am so grateful for the example that you have all set for me. Keep keepin' on, Brothers and Sisters. 

Elder Noll

 

July 27, 2015

HOLA! HOLA!

BESOS from Ecuador!!

 

How is everyone? Hopefully fantastic! I am doing great! This week truly has been incredible! And today has been super fun too!

 

Monday was kinda funny...started the week out with a bang! We had a family night with some members...and they ended up giving us dinner...but they served us around 9:20...and we have to be in the house by 9:30...and when the people give you food here they give you a mountain on top of a plate. Boy did we scarf that down! It was absolutely delicious too! But we finished up dinner around 9:26 and booked it out the door! I ended up having to flash back to some 100m dash days!!! Haha! We were sprinting through the streets to get home on time! My companion is not quite the sprinter though...I am convinced that God stopped time...we made it all the way down the street and into our house by 9:29!! WHAT YOU WANT USAIN BOLT?!

 

We had a couple of interchanges this week. First I was with Elder Obeso. People get quite the crackup from that. I feel kind of bad...Elder Obese would be a tough name...it is a good thing he is not overweight! I would guess he would really take some heat! He is a stud though! Then on Friday I was with Elder  Mecham from Las Vegas. He is an awesome missionary too. He helped us out with some Baptismal Interviews, we had a fun ward activity, and we took a selfie with an Iguana...a HUGE one. I am determined to catch one.

 

Today we went somewhere called the "Puenta de la Isla de Santay". It was awesome! It is a big bridge that extends out onto an island from Duran. So as a zone we headed over there and got to explore the island on bikes and eat lunch down there. Super fun! We even managed to run into some crocodiles! They didn't feel like coming out of the water but seeing their heads was still neat. 

 

What more...???

 

We have had some incredible experiences...too many to choose to put in this email and too incredible to put into words. The Lord is so mindful of all of us...and how blessed I feel and am to be a worker in His vineyard. It truly is amazing to see the miracles of our Savior when we look for them...because they are around every corner and on every street. 

 

Those were the bigger events of the week...so I will end with those!! :)

 

I love the promised blessings that the Lord has given us through the spirit and living worthily to be a residing place for that spirit to dwell. The power of the Lord's spirit is so perfect and profound. Its companionship is so pure and persistent. 

"Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance..." (Galatians 5:22-23). These are some of the attributes that the spirit carries and that we can carry through the spirit. However, this past week my testimony was strengthened in regards to the spirits ability to lead and guide.

 

One of the days this past week was hard...I did not know if I could have been "weighed down with sorrow" much more. If I could have "waded through tribulation" any longer. My heart and soul "anguished because of the people". I felt a fraction of what Alma felt while laboring in Ammonihah (Alma 8:14).

 

But when Alma departed from the land and had given up he is visited by a messenger of the Lord telling him to return. Upon his return he finds a very prepared Amulek who takes him in and provides hospitality.

 

So after being weighed down quite a bit...and feeling like giving up...a strange thought came to my mind...

"LOOK FOR A MEMBERS UNCLE"

Well that sure narrows it down doesn't it?? Haha! I had no idea where to begin!

 

But we went on looking...

 

After walking quite a ways and paying close attention to the feelings in my heart and the thoughts it my mind we knocked a random door and out came a random man. He was very stressed...teary eyed...and weighed down by the world. After talking to him for a little while, come to find out his Nephew is a member of the church...and he has been waiting to hear something that put his heart to peace like the message of our Savior's gospel did. 

 

I was in awe as I reflected on the power of the spirit and am still amazed as to what the spirit can do. In a world of decisions, difficulty, hesitation, and complication, how would you feel if you had a constant companion by your side telling you exactly what to do? KNOWING that this constant companion comes from God and his counsels will align your path the the Celestial Kindgom?

 

Because this constant companion does exist!

 

The Holy Ghost is real. His purpose is to 

 

 

"teach us all things that we should do" (2 Nephi 32:5). His guidance will align our path with Gods to help us reach the glory of the sun and help others do the same.

 

Listen to the still small voice. Trust in these God inspired promptings. Act upon those heavenly sent counsels.

I testify that our Heavenly Father lives and His son, Jesus Christ, has risen from the tomb. I know that the Holy Ghost is sent from these two living beings to deliver to us. 

The Holy Ghost is the deliverer. Whether it be delivering diving instruction form God's Kingdom or delivering us from the darkest of places into the light...He will deliver you if you listen.

Love you all.

Elder Noll

July 20, 2015

Hi people!

This week was great!! No doubt...I am missing my homie, Elder S. But I am excited to be with Elder C from Panama! He is a stud! 

 On Tuesday night I headed to the temple with my temporary companion to spend the night there in a hotel and arise bright and early at 4:30 for an early morning temple session! I love the temple! There was only a small group of changes in the mission on Tuesday night so we all got to go to President's house and have breakfast which was neat. They talked to us for a while there and gave us a training for the better part of the day, told us who our companions were, and then we were on our way back to Panorama! 

   The taxi we went in ended up taking quite the route...I thought he was taking us down a deserted path to leave us to die...we got stuck in hole for a little while...it scuffed up his car pretty bad! I felt really bad...but he didn't seem to care. He just told us not to worry about it because he already has tons of dents and scratches. Haha!

 

   We had an activity as a ward this past week which was AWESOME! It was just a little welcoming activity for the new recent convert! Love her and her family so so so much! Everyone who came had a chance to present themselves. Just your name, where you come from, and if you could go anywhere in the world...where would it be. Everyone had the typical answers...Italy! France! Utah! And then the convert rolled around...and she said if she could go anywhere in the world...of all the countries, cities, towns, and places...she said that she wants to be in the sealing room in the temple of God. 

WOW.

It really hit me. How grateful I am for her example and for her vision and priority. It is my prayer that we can all think like her and have our vision be 100% focused on the temple. It should be the place we desire to go OVER ALL.

 

   We passed for a family who recently lost one of their daughters. One of the most touching things I have ever felt is being blessed with the opportunity to share testimony on that of eternity...on that of eternal families...on that of God's loving, family-based, and forever together plan. Nothing better. As I fought back tears and felt my spirited pounding heart...my testimony was once again strengthened on the divinity and realness of God's eternal plan. I KNOW that families are forever. I KNOW that eternity with the ones we love is what awaits us.

 

Let's see...

   There was not a whole lot of craziness this past week. With having a temporary companion until Tuesday and not getting back to our sector with my new companion until late Wednesday night and with the zone conference on Thursday it made up for a pretty peaceful week. I think we are going to get to eat Iguana or Guinea Pig pretty soon though...so stay tune!! ;)

 

   I sure hope things are going great for all of you! I pray for you all each and every day! I am so grateful for your constant prayers and the millions of blessings you are all sending my way...I hope you are receiving equal and more in return. 

 

   My dad asked me a question a little while back that has been stuck in my mind and caused me much thinking and quite a bit of changing.

 

   What was HIS mindset? (In reference to our Savior)

Every time I think about "mindset" I can't help but think of slamming weights, sweat, and buckling up my chinstrap. It was the most commonly used phrase going into my senior year of football by Coach Steve Murdock. Coach Murdock's "change your mindset" liner got me up after each big hit, every dropped ball, and helped me overcome every physical and mental fall. I very quickly learned that a positive mindset brings forth positive results...and a negative mindset just the opposite.

   The examples are so clear in the scriptures. The Nephites who separated themselves, including Nephi who had the mindset of "I will go and I will do the things which the Lord hath commanded me", are the ones who keep the commandments, build a temple, and prosper in the land.

It is the murmuring or "negative mindset(ed)" Lamanites who are cursed and become a scourge unto the Nephites. 

But more than anything in the world...I am amazed at the mindset of someone who did a whole lot more than slam weights, break a sweat, and buckle up a chinstrap. The weight of the entire world was slammed upon Him, He sweat and bled profusely, and buckled up to give His little siblings life.

   Just moments before His Atonement, the Lord says, "I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day WHEN I drink it with you in my Father's Kindom."

"WHEN" I drink it.

Then shortly after..."...after I am risen again, I WILL go before you..."

"I WILL GO"

 

Mindset is a "WHEN" and a "WILL" thought process. The Lord's mindset is clear and faithful.

 

I WILL FULFILL MY PURPOSE.

 

"And Pilot asked Him, art though the King of the Jews? And He answered him saying, Thou hast spoken it."

He is too humble to say it but has the perfect mindset to know it. 

I am a King. I will fulfill my purpose.

 

Let us all change our mindset to a "WHEN" and "WILL".

A child of God like you has no time to question divine potential.

 

When you have your personal Pilot (Satan, struggles, doubters, haters, and all other branches of negativity) asking you about who you are and questioning your potential...

Simply reply to yourself...

 

"WHEN"...with a WHEN I inherit the Kingdom of God perspective.

 

"I WILL"...with an I WILL overcome the darkness.

 

And a "I AM A KING" or "I AM A QUEEN"...with definite determination to fulfill your purpose.

 

Be STRONG and of a GOOD COURAGE...

 

Be POSITIVE and of a GOOD MINDSET...

"And the Lord thy God will be with thee; whithersoever thou goest."

 

So go tell yourself you can! Because it's true!

For thou has spoken it...

Elder Noll

Elder Noll's new companion - from Panama

We got to meet Jess's companion at his homecoming :)

 

June 13, 2015

Long time no talk...see...email! Haha! 

How is everyone?! How was everyone´s fourth of July?! Hopefully tons and tons of explosions, fire, hot dogs, and parades! How is the summer heat? They say that the summer months here are the months...´´mas fresco´´...more fresh/cool...THEY LIE! Haha! It is pretty darn hot! But I love it so so much! Definitely having a blast!

 

Well I guess we could start with 2 weeks ago!

   Kind of a cool story! One of the ward members is helping us out with a less active and getting him back to church and to institute and what not. They are really close friends now- after spending so much time together and the active member trying his hardest to help his inactive friend. They ended up going to the store to buy something and they were going to pass the alcoholic beverages where he bought every single time he went to the store...but this time he decided to change. He turned to the active friend and said, ´´Let´s not go down this way. I want to become a God´´. WOW! What a humbling story and a testimony builder. I was so grateful to see someone who realizes his potential. For someone who realizes his weaknesses and is striving to become better through diligent obedience. AMAZING!

 

   Two weeks ago was cake after cake after cake! I think I had 4! Haha! The Mamasitas sure did take care of the birthday boy here in Panorama! It was a super fun time! The ward threw me a surprise party on Sunday night which was super fun! I sure do love this ward! SO, SO, SO much! They are so awesome...and the members are so willing to help in the Lord´s work. 

 

   We took a taxi early on last week...after talking to the taxi driver for a little while he told us that he was sick. He had Tuberculosis! We were so grossed out! I don´t think I took a breath or touched anything in the car for the rest of the drive! So let´s hope and pray I don´t come down with that! ;) Haha! We got home, decontaminated EVERYTHING, showered, sprayed ourselves with sanitizer, and showered again! Haha! 

 

   We did have a downer day. NOBODY wanted to accept us...not even talk to us in the street. I said a little prayer in my heart that we could find at least one soul...at least one person...ANNNDD...

nothing...

Later that night, we finished up our planning session and were just about to say our prayers to hit the hay when the Bishop called.

"Elders! I am sorry that it is a little late...I just wanted to give you guys a reference to go and teach! He is ready to receive the lessons from the missionaries!"

There are no words...

The Lord lives. He answers prayers. He loves us. And miracles do exist...we just have to search for them in our daily lives.

 

   The same type of miracle happened on Fast Sunday. We have kind of been in a dry spot when it comes to people to teach. Panorama is a little more of a difficult sector...and we decided that the best way to go about our fast was to fast and beg the Lord for more people to teach. And what do you know...yet again I am left without words. That Sunday it seemed as if every member of the ward was ecstatic to give us a reference of someone to visit! 

I am so grateful for the law of the fast and the blessings that come through the law!

Such a great birthday present!

So was Elder Johnson´s call!! That was awesome too! 

 

Speaking of Johnson! I just saw him a few hours ago! We both had changes so we met up in the terminal in Guayaquil...he is doing good! And he is off to Duran North. With me being in Duran South we will be able to hook up probably every Pday! We are super pumped!!

 

The day that the Pope came was super boring...NOTHING was open! The whole world stood still! haha! We weren't even allowed to leave our Sectors as missionaries...so that was kind of a boring day...

We watched a movie for a ward activity called ´´A Good Man´´ or something like that. A story about a man who gets called as bishop. The Bishop in the movie ends up drinking a rootbeer...ad boy did that confuse the people. Rootbeer doesn't exist here so we had to take a little while explaining that the Bishop did not commit apostasy and that he just drank soda. haha!

 

   I have a new nickname that everyone calls me...NOLLITO! Haha. So there is just a random fact!

 

   We got to go to the temple with our converts to do baptisms for the dead...which was AMAZING! It was so cool. TOO cool. I was so touched to see the recent convert be touched by the spirit and see her eyes fill with joyful tears as her husband was baptized for her ancestors. Something I will never forget. What a miracle the temple can be and is in our lives.

 

   The past two days have been a bit crazy. Elder S heads home tonight :( He is in Guayaquil and I am here in Panorama with a temporary companion until Wednesday! It was super sad saying bye to Elder S. He has come to be one of my very best friends. He has taught me so much...he truly is an incredible missionary! And I wish the best for him. The ward threw him a surprise goodbye party last night. They had a few people talk...and they finished off with me. We have grown to be super close, Elder S and I, and boy did the tears flow! It is truly amazing how close spiritual experiences can bring two together. There is no relationship stronger than that of a spiritual one. But apart from the tears and bittersweet feelings...we got him all packed up and out the door! Pray that he makes it home safe everyone! 

 

   Those are a few of the details from the past two weeks! 

I am loving it! The past 11 months of my life have been unreal. I am so excited for the 13 to come! I have never seen the hand of the Lord more in my life than I do now...the blessings are so abundant and real. So broad and profound. Representing the Lord and wearing His name over my heart is the best and most humbling calling that I have ever been privileged of carrying or claiming.

 

   I have learned so much about our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ, over these past few months...it seems as if I realize a different attribute of God the Father and the Son each and every day. These living, breathing, and perfectly glorified beings are glorified beings of love, understanding, compassion, mercy, and power. But equal to their infinite love, perfect understanding, everlasting compassion, atoning mercy, and endless power...these are glorified beings of law and of justice.

 

   Our Savior teaches us that ´´He gave the law´´ and that ´´the law in Him is fulfilled´´. If we take ourselves back to the first spoken words of God, recorded by man, in the Old Testament, He says, ´´Let there be light´´. In Spanish He says, ´´Haya luz´´. ´´Haya´´ is a commanding form of ´´to have to do´´ or ´´must do´´ something. Here the Lord is COMMANDING light. From the foundation of the world the Lord has commanded...and His laws will never cease.

 

   He has given us laws to keep. We keep His laws because we love Him. When we love Him through abiding by His laws, He blesses us...and will manifest Himself unto us (Juan 14:21).

 

   There is no possible way to show love to He who commanded light, He who commanded you to be formed, and He who fulfilled His law so that you could inherit His throne...save it be through obedience.

 

   Obedience is willingly, lovingly, and diligently putting your trust in the Lord and keeping His statutes and sanctifying His word. Disobedience has almost the same exact definition...but with a slight, yet drastic, change. Disobedience is willingly, lovingly, and diligently putting your trust in Satan and keeping his statutes and sanctifying his word. We learn from 1 Nephi 14 that there are no more than two churches, two gospels, and two paths. On of these paths belongs to the Lord...and the other to the devil.

 

   ´´Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve...´´

Let us remember the people of Nephi and the contention that came about due to the Kingsman ´´desire that a few particular points of the law should be altered´´. We do NOT govern God. His laws are written and His ways are set. His commandments can NOT be justified or altered. We see later on in the story that these Kingsmen, these justifiers of the law, these self-governers are ´´cast into prison´´, ´´put to death´´, and ´´executed according to the law´´.

 

   If we are changers of the law or alterers of God´s ways we too will be cast into misery, put to death, and be executed into captivity.

 

   The promised blessings of obedience are much better.

To finish, I would love to share Deuteronomy 30:11.

´´It is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.´´

The commandments of God are not hidden from us. Nor are they far off, or in other words, too hard. Nothing that God gives us is too hard.

 

   I testify that Gods laws bring happiness. His laws are laws of love. Live His laws. Live the higher law. The higher the law we live the higher capacity we are able to reach and achieve. 

For "This Gospel is not weight, it's wings".

Love, Elder Noll

June 29, 2015

Hey all! Yet another week FLOWN by! So crazy! This week was definitely one for the books. A week I will never forget! I have to explain it super fast though! Not a whole lot of time! So let`s get rolling...

 

Monday was cool! One of our converts ended up coming all the way down from Ventanas to hook me up with a birthday cake! It was so nice of them! Love that family to death! The only problem was that the cake traveled from Ventanas...about 3 hours away...then we didn`t meet up until about 2 hours after they made it to Duran...so it didn`t end up getting in the fridge until about 5 hours of being out in the hot and humid Ecuador sun. We ended up having a family night that night so I decided to take the cake there so we could all enjoy in together...I would suggest not to eat cake that has been left out for 5 hours in the Ecuador sun. We were all stoked to eat it and as soon as everyone had taken a bite of the cake, we were more than finished and Hermana P was serving us ice cream and bananas. Haha! But it is the thought that counts! :)

Wednesday! We had a multi-zone conference and every time we have a conference we start the day off bright and early with a temple session. 

 

So there I was...getting dressed in the temple...and some goofy and familiar looking dude pops up in the mirror...ELDER JOHNSON! We didn`t even know that we were in the same multi-zone! So we got to kick it together through the entire temple session! We had a solid and very much needed homie-heart-to-heart in the Celestial Room too. So that was awesome. Then we ended up kicking it with each other through the conference and for the majority of that day! We made some plans to meet up this next week to celebrate our birthdays on PDAY. So more info on that next week!

 

Hmmm...

To sum things up because I have to get to the spiritual message...

 

The pope is coming to Guayaquil next week. Haha. The pope in spanish is ``El Papa`` and potato in spanish is ``La Papa`` so we are having fun with that! The potato is coming to town! Are you going to visit the potato? etc. His coming is definitly making things a bit harder...but it would not be worth it if it were easy, right??

 

How are all of you!? Any plans for the 4th? 

Set off a firework for me! ;)

 

Oh...almost forgot! 

Every night I fill up a big pitcher of water to drink before I go to bed. I was drinking it as usual but I saw a little skinny glisten of light. I had almost finished the pitcher which is about 2 liters but I pulled away to see if there was something in there. When I looked closer there was a nasty worm looking thing swimming around in the almost completely gone water than I drank! We think it was a parasite. GROSS! But I have been good until now...so I think we are safe! No worries! I will probably check anything and everything for worms before consuming it for the rest of my life though!

 

Well...here we go...

Eternal families have been a principle, fundamental, and everlasting ordinance since the beginning of time.  After giving up his spirit, Abraham was ``reunited with his people`` (Genesis 25:8). After Isaac died, he too was ``reunited with his people`` (Genesis 35:29). The list could go on and on through ancient times, through Joseph Smith`s revelation in July of 1843, and up until this very day of those who have entered into this ``new and everlasting covenant`` and have been ``reunited with their people``. 

Salvation is between you, your Savior, and your father in Heaven. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be saved ``after all that we can do``. But God the Father has a more divine purpose for His children. He has given us instruction on how to become like Him; an EXALTED God. God`s intention is not to save us...it is to exalt us...and this type of exaltation comes through family. Eternal families. The temple.

I was forever changed on Tuesday night when we had the chance to see a beautiful couple look into the eyes of one another and bind their love forever through God`s power. From the creation we learn that ``it is not good that man should be alone`` and that the Lord then ``made him an help meet for him`` (Genesis 2:18). We were made to marry. We were made to be WITH someone. For ETERNITY. Your spouse is there as a help to you...a help to get you to the highest kingdom of God. But what if we marry ourselves to another in the world? To what end does it last? All things effected by man remain in a temporal state and cannot endure past the chains of death. However, when we are in the house of the Lord God, with ordained power from on high, there is nowhere to go but forever. Through the sealing power of God we come to be one with someone. We come to NEVER be alone again...therefore fulfilling God`s purpose. To take hands with a child of God and to eternally bind ``a help...meet for him or her`` to inherit the Kingdom of God. There is NO other way. 

What changed me even more was when the three sons came, all dressed in white, to be sealed to their parents. I was taken back to 3rd Nephi chapter 17. Christ is in the Americas ``and it came to pass that He commanded that their little children should be brought``. It seemed as if the Lord blessed us with His spirit more and more second by second. 

And then they knelt together as a family.

``And it came to pass that when they had all been brought, and Jesus stood in the midst, He commanded the multitude that they should kneel down upon the ground.``

Finally, with the divine authority of God we saw and heard as this family became one. ``And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of man conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard Him pray for us unto the Father``. Like the joy that filled the souls of those in the Americas as they were sealed as families, our souls were filled with immense joy to see this beautiful family become one...forever. There was not a dry eye within that room. I know my eyes were a bit sweaty too.

 

THIS is our purpose, brothers and sisters. Christ finally says, ``Behold, now my joy is full``. Christ`s joy is full when ours is...and the only was to obtain this fullness of joy is in and through the temples and eternal families.The only way to obtain this fullness of joy is through a man and a woman, brother and sister, parent and child, being bound together by the everlasting, loving, and eternal sealing power of God.

I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that families can be eternal. This probationary speck on God`s timeline that we call life is not the end...it is the very beginning of forever.

Get to that sealing room! No matter how distant you feel or forgotten you think you are...through the Atonement of Jesus Christ you too can become one with your God given family. 

Get to that sealing room! Help other children of God, who are waiting anxiously to receive these ordinances, to obtain the joy that you have.

To finish, I would like to quote the words of the father was sealed to his wife and kids who bore his testimony yesterday...

``I believe in Christ. I believe in His gospel. I believe in the temple. I believe in the sealing powers within. I believe in the family.``

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Noll

 

June 22, 2015

Hey All! What's good? Anything new? How was the Day of Fathers for all of you studs out there? Hopefully SO SO good!

 

Elder S and I have had a great fantastic amazing awesome super buenisímo week! 

 

Monday night started out so great! We had a family night planned with a recent convert but she told us that we couldn't visit her anymore. I was heartbroken. She then followed up by saying..."My husband and I changed our job schedule so that we could go to church every Sunday now." I was so humbled by their willingness to follow our Savior and sacrifice to fulfill their covenants and promises to the Savior. Such humble and diligent followers and examples of Jesus Christ. 

 

On Tuesday night we got to go to the temple and help with the confirmations for Baptisms for the Dead. What an incredible experience. I love the peacefulness and stillness within the temple walls. There is nowhere on this planet closer to the gates of Heaven than a dedicated house of the Lord, Jesus Christ. GO!

 

We had an investigator who would not accept us, the Book of Mormon, or even the fact that God exists. So we simply invited her to pray and to ask. We figured we would give her a little while before passing for her again but we felt obliged to visit her. Upon doing so, she told us that she had the opportunity to kneel...to pray...and to ask God, if there was one, if He existed and what it is that He wants for her. She then told us that she has never in her life felt more love fill her heart than the amount that filled hers at that exact moment. She explains that she was brought to tears as she gained this profound testimony that God does exist. I love this story because it applies to us all so well. Our Heavenly Father answers prayers. Maybe he does not talk to us, tell us He is there, or show evidence that He exists...but He WILL fill your heart with more love that you can possibly imagine. Prayer is the most divine blessing! Let us all lean to Him through kneeling and allowing him to succor us. 

 

Well...here in Ecuador it is apart of the culture to shake hands and then for the homies and the chicas to kiss on the cheek...but obviously as missionaries we have to refrain from it. The thing is...EVERYONE KNOWS...so it is not a big deal.

"DON´T KISS THE WHITE BOYS OR THE GUYS WITH BLACK NAMETAGS."

The other day we met a friend of a less active who had never met missionaries before. When I went to shake her hand...and only shake her hand...she started to lean in for the cheek smooch...

My life flashed before my eyes! I didn't know what to do. Good thing my reflexes came into play! I said, 'NO PUEDO! NO PUEDO! NO PUEDO!" (I CAN'T! I CAN'T! I CAN'T!) and curled up in a ball on the couch. Haha! She thought I was quite the goofball. We explained to her that we were missionaries and that we have specific rules and guidelines that we have to obey. So long story short...I escaped the kiss! VICTORY! Never thought that would be a win until I got here... ;)

 

¿Que mas?

 

We got to give a blessing of health to two little children, a brother and a sister. They were both super sick. We gave them the blessing and that night the parents called us and were so happy to tell us that the two little dudes where completely fine! We were so humbled by God's power and so grateful for the miracles that our Heavenly Father can work through the Priesthood!

 

So those were the major events this week!

I am super pumped for more adventures and stories this week!

 

My testimony has really been strengthened in the topic of the sacrament and the sabbath day as a whole. I love focusing on a few self-reflecting questions.

 

1) Who does this day belong to?

"Therefore the Son of man is the Lord also of the sabbath." This day is His...and all that belongs to the Lord is to be perfectly respected, cherished, and sanctified. 

 

2) How is it that we are able to sanctify this holy day?

Sanctifying the sabbath day DOES NOT START when the Priests kneel to bless the sacrament. It requires preparation, spiritual meditating, and much more. Keeping the sabbath day holy does not just mean to take the sacrament. This day is COMPLETELY dedicated to HIM and His name. We pray in His name. We read about His name. We learn from His name. We feel of the spirit that is sent in His name.

 

3) What is the importance of the sacrament?

The sacrament is the only ordinance that we are able to do over and over again for ourselves. The only ordinance that we can repeat. As soon as we realize that and comprehend that it should help us come to the realization of just how important this ordinance is and just how important your covenant with our Heavenly Father matters. 

"He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him."

As we partake of the sacrament, partake of our Savior, He becomes a part of us...and we become a part of Him through taking one step closer to inheriting His glory. What a blessing it is to be promised a part of our Savior. What a blessing it is to have a King...the only true King of all the universe want to dwell within you. A Redeemer who offers His Kingdom for you to inherit. And it all comes through the sacrament.

 

I know often times when we take the sacrament we fail to listen. But what about what your Heavenly Father is trying to tell you? I used to think of the sacrament as my ´´chastizement´´. Is that a word? Or as my time to reflect on what I have done wrong. The sacrament means much more than this. I promise that as we partake of this holy ordinance...as we become a part of Him and as He becomes a part of us...our Heavenly Fathers voice will be heard. Our Heavenly Father is so content with us as we partake of His son. He is so content and the sanctity and purity that we obtain through doing so. Every time we partake of the bread and water, your Father in Heaven is saying, "Well done my child. Look at you grow. Look at you become. Good job."

 

The name of Jesus Christ is also so much more than I thought...

Christ´s name is forgiveness. His name is the essence of the church. His name is eternal. His name is power. Love. Humility. His name is salvation. Every single time we take that little piece of bread and the tiny sip of water we promise to God to take upon ourselves that  name...those attributes...His traits. 

 

With 168 hours in a week we have ONE single hour...ONE moment...ONE chance to step into Gethsemane. As you are seated in a padded pew think of your Savior kneeling in a garden. As you reach for the bread think of God's beloved son reaching out to you. While the water goes down your throat keep in mind the blood that flowed from every single pore of our King for YOUR sins. Do this and listen closely,

"Well done my child. Look at you grow. Look at you become. Good job."

 

Love you guys so much!

Elder Noll