ummmm Christmas?

Wow is it that time of year already? Ohio sure doesn't know what winter is (not that i'm complaining in this balmy 40-50 degree weather)

In other news New Investigator!!!!! Gabriel is awesome and loves God and wants to know more so keep him in your prayers! He even came to church with us this Sunday!

So kinda got cut off on last weeks emailing so I am just going to continue the train of thought and hope it makes sense even though I have a week between the two...

Romans 12:21 Continued...

Last of all we are told that giving out is not an option either. To give out is to collapse under pressure, all three of these are very similar and all of them are ways the Adversary seeks to destroy our salvation. 

that is how we are "not overcome of Evil"

Now we are instructed to "overcome evil with Good"

We do that as we become like Christ, as we treat others, no matter how they treat us, as he would.

Love you all and I wish you the best

Elder Bone

OCM

Omni 1:26

26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye shouldcome unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, andpartake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption.Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as anoffering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying,and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will besaved.

Romans 12:21

"Be not Overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good"

Short and to the point this week I guess 

As I was in my studies this morning I consulted my "Ponderizable Possibilities" list. In it I record all the scriptures I may come across that stand out to me and that I might desire to "[have] words and phrases written upon [my] heart" I came across this one and my first thought was, "Wow that is a short scripture!"the next thought was "this one". As I thought more on it and asked Heavenly Father in prayer if this is the Scripture is the one that might "Elevate my thoughts" this week.

As I thought on it I broke it down in to the too parts Paul has to not be Overcome of evil and to Overcome evil with good

I think of being overcome Of evil as giving in, we have been told by Kevin Peterson that "Giving in, giving up and giving out are not options"

To Give in is to allow the Adversary, the cause of all evil in this world a foothold in our hearts. it is to let him convince us that "its ok because everyone is doing it" or "just this once won't hurt" these lies are just that LIES. think about it, what honestly does Satan have to gain by his efforts. Absolutely NOTHING! he wants our misery and our suffering so he can feel just a little bit better knowing in hell he wont burn alone. that is ALL he has to offer you. so don't give in on your standards

To give up is a little different but the result is the same. Enduring is HARD but it is so worth it. giving up is when, at all points you know the truth but you can't take the heat anymore. I know that heat can be unbearable some days but that is why the Savior came to this earth, lived among us with infinite love and then died for us.

Got to go now I will write more later,

Love you all

ETTE

Elder Bone

OCM

Breaking Format

So this week is gonna be a bit different, I am gonna try to do something a little different and just talk for a minute.

My sister last week told me something that has been sticking out to me this whole week. "missions are 98% work, pain, homesickness, heartache, frustration, sickness, etc. and 2% absolute pure joy...and that 2% literally makes every second worth it." 

I have been reflecting on that 2% and I have seen that Pure Joy that she refers to once or twice so far, But as I remember them they overshadow the 98% it took to obtain them. I liken it to the sinking of the Titanic, It wasn't the 2%, the Tip of the iceberg, that sunk the believed unsinkable ship. it was the 98% that was under the ocean, the part that had been tried, tested and weathered the arctic storms, building layer upon layer until, when a strong vessel, a large trial, a great temptation of worldly measure, came upon it, it Held fast to the Joy it had in the 2%.

The Adversary is the Captain of the Titanic. A ship that was great in the eyes of Men. he sees our 2%, the Joy and the happiness that the Gospel brings, He seeks to Destroy it with his cheap imitations of greatness. However we are Built upon a Rock and he can not sway us. When the Titanic hit the Iceberg it destroyed itself. the world will always fail when up against the power of God. 

I came out on my mission seeking the Joy that others had so often described, and I have found it in the darkest of places. I know that while now may be a time of great darkness I am merely in the storm of the world and as I hold fast to the Rod of Iron and my own solidified testimony I will emerge the victor of the battle.

Hold to the Rod

Elder Bone

OCM

In with the theme of avoiding worldliness comes my Ponderize scripture of the week:

James 4:4

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Oops almost Forgot..

so nearly forgot I do this every week :P

Alright quick rundown

Monday:

Played Ball and Had dinner with the Seiters before Missionary Corrilation Meeting with Brother Gay

Tuesday:

Drove around and tried to stop by people but no one answered so nothing happened 

Wendsday:

District meeting and we found out who the new sister in the Wadsworth area is.. Sister Jacobsen! from Lisbon South! she was pretty suprised to be moved and to see me again!

Also we sat and talked and played with Ricky Jay a guitarist that plays on the square every once in a while. He is going to audition for "America's Got Talent" and do Magic tricks so if your watching the Detroit auditions he might be on!

Thursday:

I sat and stared at a wall while we did nothing to weekly plan dispite my efforts to the contrary..

Friday:

Went  to Bruswick, Blew miles trying to find anyone to teach, no dice

Saturday:

went to the Johnsons for dinner, a very nice older couple. Brother Johnson has type (2?) diabetes and has had almost all his toes amputated recently. Elder Sanches and I in a rare moment of unity did a musical number for them. Elder sanches played the guitar while we both sang Come thou fount. Sister Johnson said it was wonderful and we had a great evening talking about music. Brother Johnson told us how he listened to music of all kinds in his home as his siblings and he himself played piano, violin or guitar as well as sing. I love music and the absolute power it brings.

Sunday:

apparently word spreads fast cuz the next thing we know All the medina elders got drafted to sing in the ward choir.. 

that evening we had dinner with the semus' an awesome family that I love visiting with :) and Brother Zeimer who is doing loads better and having a good time.

sorry not much to write cuz not much is happening but I keep trying to get out there and spread the word!

Love you all

Elder Bone 

OCM

(no photos sorry :P)

Working on Charity toward all men so the words of Moroni on the subject seemed fitting this week

 45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things,believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.