27 December 2017 WEEK 79

(We were able to Skype with Stone on Monday December 25th and Tuesday the 26th was Boxing Day - So P-day this week was Wednesday December 27th)  
I don't have to much to say this week but that I loved being able to see my family! It was so cool to see how much they have all grown up. I am grateful for the Christmas season as it brings family together. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know the Church is True! In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

Stone and the Siblings! 

Stone with Sisters and Spouses ! 

Mom and Dad with Gibby! 

Skyler Norton (Just returned from serving in Mexico)  and Stone 

18 December 2017 WEEK 78

The gospel plan is simple. It is perfect. It is infinite in its’ reach. Despite its’ simplicity, one can spend a lifetime learning and living it better and better. As full-time missionaries, our mission is very focused: Preach repentance and baptize converts. Even though our purpose and focus can be summarized in five words, we have been taught and learned many lessons on how to be as good as we can be at preaching repentance and baptizing converts. As a reminder, here are some of the things that we have learned over the past 18 months: 

Obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings miracles.

We cannot teach without the Spirit and without unity.

We can boldly challenge 10 people a day to baptism, using the BOM.

We want to move from a “wishy-hopey” faith to a “knowy” faith. 

Teach investigators using the BOM and inspired questions; let them feel the Spirit and receive their own personal revelation.

The best finding is done while teaching; so, teach as much as you can.

Part member families are a rich source of new investigators and baptisms. Most families in the Church in Jamaica are part member families. 

Read the Missionary Handbook every day.

Read PMG every day; it is inspired. Apply what you read.

Strive to be passionate about your calling. Go for that A+, and find ways to get “extra credit” every day.

Your Area Book is like the “Brass Plates” for your area. Treasure it. Maintain it. Use it!

Sing hymns in your studies, in your teaching, and in your finding. It will invite the Spirit. 

So today was the day that I left the cool places of Mandeville with Elder Evans and arrived in the scorching heat of Savannah La Mar. I am going to miss him so much, but I am excited to train Elder Fua. I do not have much to report on seeing that I am new to here haha, but I am excited for this new adventure. I am grateful to the lord for allowing me to serve in this area. 

Love you all!!

--

-Elder Gibbons-

Keep Trying. Keep Pushing. Keep Believing. Keep Growing. Heaven is Cheering You on Today, Tomorrow, and Forever.

11 December 2017 WEEK 77

 In chapter 1 of PMG, President Ezra Taft Benson is quoted: “Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family.” I love this statement; it is just so . . . basic. We don’t need think-tanks. We don’t need editorials. We don’t need focus groups. We don’t need the insightful opinions of our Hollywood and sports celebrities. All we need is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Referencing D&C 58: 26-29, just doing what we were commanded, such as attending our Sunday meetings, reading the scriptures, regular prayer, fulfilling our callings, doing our visiting and home teaching; these things if done will give us a “C” grade. These things are the basics. But I don’t think we will get into the Celestial Kingdom with a “C”. It is going to take an A+ to get into the Celestial kingdom. That means “extra credit”! We need to do more than what we are commanded. We’ve got to think up good things to do on our own. 

So, for a full time missionary, what is going to get us a “C”? If you want a C, just do what you are commanded. Get up at 6 or 6:30, kneeling united prayer, personal study, companion study, out the door on time. You know the drill. 

Now, what must you do to get that A+? I can’t tell you. That is in the nature of “extra credit”. It needs to come from your own free will, not mine. So, what is your own free will going to lead you to do? I will give you a hint, though. I think your “extra credit” is inspired by love. 

​So some unexpected news for you all, Elder Evans and I will no longer be with each other for this Christmas season which is a huge bummer. We are both being Emergency transferred due to missionaries going home (reasons unknown). Sorry family I was so excited for you to meet him. But Elder Evans will be going to the Cayman Islands, and I will  be heading to Savannah La Mar to train a new missionary. In all honestly I am super sad to leave Elder Evans. Me and him have become close brothers and work really well together. I guess the lord needs us else where then here in mandeville at this time. I am super excited though as I will be training a missionary from Tonga. His name is Elder Fua. I will be heading out on the 19th of December!

-- 

-Elder Gibbons-

Keep Trying. Keep Pushing. Keep Believing. Keep Growing. Heaven is Cheering You on Today, Tomorrow, and Forever.

4 December 2017 WEEK 76

No Letter today, just pictures - A Picture can paint a thousand words! 

 

-Elder Gibbons-

Keep Trying. Keep Pushing. Keep Believing. Keep Growing. Heaven is Cheering You on Today, Tomorrow, and Forever.