24 April 2017 WEEK 44

One foot after the other. This week was on the rough side. So the insurance on our car said that expired this week so we had the privilege of getting to walk every where. This went on for about 3 days and we kept track of how many miles we walked and it came out to be 42 miles. By the end of the first day I had big sores on the bottom of my feet. By day 3 the sores popped and my feet hurt super bad, but that didn't stop us from doing the lords work. Turns out that our insurance didn't expire until may, so we could have been driving haha. But better safe then sorry. But we got to talk to so many people. A lot of people called us over and wanted to hear what we had to teach about. I love the Haitian people so much. They love talking about Jesus Christ. I can't understand them most of the time and they can't understand me but I know they can feel the spirit. I love being able to serve the people of the Turks. It has brought such comfort and peace. They are the most kind people I have ever met in my life.

As I was reading and pondering back in 1 Nephi for the umpteenth time, a passage in chapter 17 stood out to me. Verse 50 reads: And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. 

What a wonderful example of faith, and total trust in the Lord Nephi shows us here. How can each of us apply this scripture in our lives?

-Elder Gibbons-

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

18 April 2017 WEEK 43

Please read and enjoy. Then ponder, and, if you like, commit to make the changes in your lives, attitudes, and the way you think, to become a hopeful, grateful, optimistic, always positive disciple of Jesus Christ. If you do, and indeed the rest of your lives, will be filled with a level of joy that you perhaps have never experienced before.

The things of God are understood by the Spirit of God. That Spirit is real. To those who have experienced its workings, the knowledge so gained is as real as that which is acquired through the operation of the five senses. I testify of this. And I am confident that most members of the Church can so testify. I urge each of us to continue to cultivate a heart in tune with the Spirit. If we will do so, our lives will be enriched. We will feel a kinship with God our Eternal Father. We will taste a sweetness of joy that can be had in no other way.

Let us not be trapped by the material things of the world, which for the most part is negative and which so often bears sour fruit. Let us walk with faith in the future, speaking affirmatively and cultivating an attitude of confidence. As we do so, our strength will give strength to others.

On one occasion when the Savior was walking among a crowd, a woman who had long been sick touched his garment. He perceived that strength had gone out of him. The strength that was his had strengthened her. So it may be with each of us.

Said the Lord to Peter:

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31–32.)

Let us not partake of the negative spirit so rife in our times. There is so much of the sweet and the decent and the beautiful to build upon. We are partakers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel means “good news!” The message of the Lord is one of hope and salvation! The voice of the Lord is a voice of glad tidings! The work of the Lord is a work of glorious accomplishment!

In a dark and troubled hour the Lord said to those he loved: “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)

These great words of confidence are a beacon to each of us. In him we may indeed have trust. For he and his promises will never fail.

-Elder Gibbons-

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

10 April 2017 WEEK 42

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
-Galatians 6:9
What do you think of when you hear this scripture?
as I have been studying the 57 entries in the topical guide, under Jesus Christ, this scripture describes my attitude exactly. I really have come to a knowledge of me being out here. I love being able to go out every day and really serve others. I have come closer to my savior and redeemer Jesus Christ as I have really focused on him. I am grateful for the chance that I have to serve with Elder Shepherd. We have truly been blessed being here. So many spiritual experiences occur, I know they are the tender mercies of the lord. The language is coming a long good. My love for the people here continues to grow everyday. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Shout out from President Pearson!

"I write to you this evening from Turks and Caicos. I can report that all is well here. Our Elders here are dedicated, working very hard, are being creative, and in spite of the unique challenges of being a missionary here, are as happy as can be, with not a hint of discouragement. I am most proud of them."

Here's my thought for the week. When we contact, especially in areas near our apartments or the chapel, we may feel that we have talked to everyone in a neighborhood or area. I have even heard stories of a missionary new to an area, that begins a contact, only to be pulled back by his companion, saying, “Don't talk to him. We have talked to him already, and he said no.”

I promise you that you have never talked to every single person in an area. As such, when you exercise faith and follow promptings in your finding, you will be able to find that golden needle in the haystack. 

Let it also be known that I approve of and encourage you to contact the same person multiple times. Don't ever give up on someone. Follow the promptings of the Spirit, always, every day.

-- 

-Elder Gibbons-

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

3 April 2017 Week 41

Bonswa! Keejon ou ye?

    To top of this week with success, I want to reflect a little bit on general conference. A lot of the talks focused on the atonement and reality of Jesus Christ and on the plan of Happiness-AKA the plan of Salvation.  

    I really gathered a lot of revelation listening to the words of our general authorities, and living prophet Thomas S. Monson. Some things that really stuck out to me from Elder Holland: I like when he related the song to life. "There will be some songs in this life that we can't sing or won't ever be able to sing. We all will have the chance to join this eternal choir and the invitation is to come as you are, but don't plan to stay as you are!"

    I especially loved when Gary B Sabin was talking about being all in. I love when he said, " when we are partially in, and not all in there is as Star Wars would quote a disturbance in the force. When we are all in we stand up on the inside." I can bear my testimony that we need to stand up inside. Who are you going to be around outside influences?
    Jesus once said- "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." We are in a private personal combat with our physical self and temporal self! I especially loved when David A Bednar talked about the difference between called to serve/assigned to labor. We are called to the work, not the place. I know that this is the work of the lord. I know that God purpose is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. And this is his Goal. And his plan is the plan of Happiness. I truly can bear witness of the reality and love for gods plan. I know life didn't begin here at birth and I know it doesn't end at death. I know Jesus Christ over came death, and so will we. 

    I am super excited for this Easter season. The new Easter initiative that will be going on is incredible. I know Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace. I know he is king of kings. I'm happy I get to participate in this season. I am truly grateful for my prince of peace. We need to have a perfect brightness of hope as did that father who would love watching BYU football but only would if they won. He was so grateful for a VCR. I know Christ gives us a perfect brightness of hope. I testify that God lives. Jesus Christ is his son. And the atonement is real. I know God has a plan for us. And we will return to live with him again. I know some songs we will not be able to sing here, but we will rejoice when we sing in the heavenly choir. This is the lords work. We are called to the work, and not to the place. Jesus is the light the life and the way. He is the prince of peace. May we reflect on him the Easter season. In the name of Jezikri (Jesus Christ) amen.

-- 

-Elder Gibbons-

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

27 March 2017 WEEK 40

    I can't even begin to describe the change being in the Turks. It's just so exciting. This week has been full of new adventures and stories. I think the most difficult thing that I have noticed is the language barrier between us. A lot of the island is of Haitian nationality/Dominican nationality. We either speak little to none Haitian Creole, or little to none Spanish. You will find a couple people here and there that are Portuguese or are from the Philippines and speak Tagalog. I think it surprises them when we come up and talk with them in English. Probably because they don't understand what we are saying.  

    But along the lines with that, we are constantly in a lance with finding, teaching, and baptizing. That was the main focus of our district meeting this week. I have definitely seen the blessings that have come from talking with everyone. When we teach lessons though, it is a whole new story. When we teach, because of the language barrier, we have to teach the most simple you have ever heard. We use all kinds of tools, including a white board. Who knew right? 

    But the thing that struggles the most over here is probably the branch itself. There are over 100 people on membership record, and only 13-30 come every week. That includes tourists. So we are excited to get to work with the members, and less/not active members. It is hard because we have no idea where they live. They don't have any address written down. And some phone numbers don't work. It is going to be a lot of work, but we know that the lord is in it. Elder shepherd and I are still continuing to warm up to each other. He is very quiet, while I love to talk a lot. He is an awesome missionary, I am excited to serve with him. I would love to hear of any suggestions on how we can increase our church attendance with our less active members?

Email me back at gibbons.andrew@myldsmail.net

Island Adventures! 

-- 

-Elder Gibbons-

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

Elder Gibbons & Elder Shepherd

One of my Spanish Town Girlfriends! 

Mom's Tag Photo

Bluest Water I've ever seen outside of Airplane

Ready to Land on the Turks~

Outside my Plane Window! 

20 March 2017 Transferred Off Island to "Turks & Caicos" Week 39

Hello from the Turks and Caicos!! I am so excited to be here ahhh! This past weekend we had another Baptism for a man named Peter. In the Spanish Town Zone, we had a goal of 6 baptisms in 2 weeks. We got so close and reached a goal of 4! I truly do have a testimony of goal setting and I know that as we go to the lord he will promise us a goal that we can accomplish. An inspired goal is a promise from the lord. I can't say it enough but I love this gospel!

     I am so excited to get to serve the people of the Turks. I am excited to be learning a new language. I am excited for a new culture. As I was telling people goodbye this week it really hit me that I love these people so much. Serving in Spanish town was an amazing experience. I was able to see the lords hand in his vineyard. I saw many miracles that were brought to pass. I know that the lord works in mysterious ways. I was able to see myself mature in so many ways. But I have a long way to go and I know that with the lords help all things are possible!

     I am excited to share with you the adventures that I will have while I am here. My new companion is Elder Shepherd. I don't really know anything about him yet but that is going to change haha. I know that God is a god of order and I really pondered about that this week. All things are done in the wisdom of him. As we truly lose our selves in his work we shall truly find ourselves

-- 

-Elder Gibbons-

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