Tee Time

Hello Dearest Friends,

This week was a real positive week. It brings me so much joy to be doing this work and the privilege I have of seeing how many different ways people's lives can be impacted by some pure love. 

I met so many cool people this week. It's really what made my week. Just the opportunity to interact with so many unique individuals really filled my heart. 

We met this gentleman who is currently homeless and has been through jail a few times named Jeremy. He introduced himself as a Muslim, specifically a Sufi, which was really interesting to talk to him about. He shared with us a lot about his life experience and we just listened. It was nice to just talk to him. By the end of our conversation he was the one asking us for a Book of Mormon in addition to some pamphlets. A little bit of love and respect goes a long way. Our mutual desire to understand each other exuded the spirit and character of Christ.

We met this cool man with a HUGE antique sword collection. It was pretty astonishing.

We visited a member of the ward who we had never seen before and we were definitely guided to be in the right place at the right time. He struggles with really severe mental health issues which are currently exacerbated by extremely difficult family situations. We let him vent and were just there for him. We shared a prayer and some scriptures with him and set up a weekly time when we'd come over and talk to him. I was just filled with compassion towards him. I hope he feels loved.

We had dinner with a lot of really cool families this week, one of which happened to be famous golfer Johnny Miller…

On Sunday evening we met the Hubbard family, converts to the church with a really amazing conversion story that may have involved a member of the first presidency...but aside from that they were just the most kind and engaged people I've ever met. I really liked them. 

As I've had the opportunity on my mission to meet people from every familial, ethnic, socioeconomic, political, and religious background, it had become all too clear that "the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one." God is not a respecter of persons. He doesn't care who you are or where you've come from, because he is our father and we are his children. 

When Christ came to minister among the people in Jerusalem, did he go forth and minister to the righteous well-to-do citizens of the community? No, he sought the sick, afflicted, poor, and downtrodden. He sought those who perhaps could only muster a seed of faith, and through his miraculous power made them whole. 

I testify with Nephi of old that God

"doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile."

Whoever you are or wherever you've come from there is a place for you in Christ's church and in the arms of his everlasting love. If you let him, by simply choosing to believe, he will help you realize a divine and magnificent potential that we can hardly comprehend. 

I miss you dearly and wish you a fullness of joy. 

Tee Time--Vulfpeck

Funky Galileo--Sure Sure

Peace 

Elder Winegar