From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: January 26, 2015 at 7:39:22 PM MST
Dear Family,
Transfers yesterday. Elder Johnson and I had a great transfer. We
revitalized the area by finding 22 new investigators but now it's a
matter of helping them become solid. We were both proud of the boost
that happened in the area while we were there.
My new companion is Elder Shelton. He was my district
leader and now he's my companion!
It's SO funny because he's a geeky computer person that is obsessed
with Windows 7 and Lynux but our brains operate so much the same way.
He's a lot smarter than I am so living with him for all last
transfer, every night when we'd go to bed I'd ask him questions about
the Gospel…a fountain of knowledge.
The fire was tested intensely this week. Only two new investigators
and a lot of self doubt and self introspection. I love having Elder
Shelton as a companion. We think the same way and he talks me through
my doubts and discouragements. It hit me pretty hard this week that
this is the Lord's work.
After failed appointments or when we have a bit of extra time
we'll knocks some doors. Usually we pick two and end
up doing five because I am so afraid that there is somebody there... I
asked Brother Baker about it and he told me how on his mission he
baptized a lady whose house they had previously tracted. The lady was
at home but her grandmother answered the door. He wondered, "God, we
knocked the RIGHT door at the RIGHT time, and the RIGHT person was
even there but the WRONG person came to the door. WHY?”
He said that he realized that the Lord does His work regardless of what we do.
Our diligence is our expression of love and our desire to be a part of HIS
work. I realized that hard work is an expression of faith and love and
not a down payment for success. If it was, this would be OUR work and
God would be like a middle man to our success. I’m grateful for those
people that God has put in my life to help me and guide because, boy,
do I need it.
I hope YOU people see miracles too!
Love, Elder Weiss
Monday, January 26, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
Wake Up and Do Something EXTRAORDINARY!
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: January 18, 2015 at 7:25:25 PM MST
Dear Citizens of the Planet,
Hear ye! Hear ye! We are children of the All Powerful God. Our
potential is without limit. Stop feeling like you are just another
drop in the bucket! You have a divine inheritance and you can withdraw
from it right now. A limitless inheritance. Our spiritual geneaology
goes back one generation straight to God the Father. Get up and go
blow some holes in the negativity in this world! We can ALL make a
difference! Rich people have rich kids. Why? Because to them it's not
"rich" it's just normal. Becoming wealthy themselves isn't hard
because it's the mentality they've been brought up with.
Poor people are the same. They think financial stability is a
novelty and that the way THEY are is "normal". There are many
"normals" in this world. Which normal will we pick? In eternity their
are many normals... which will we pick? Those who KNOW who they are
KNOW what normal is. What is "normal" for a child of God seems
extraordinary to a child of this world. Choose for yourself what
normal is. Find your divine heritage and understand your own potential
and you will own your destiny.
When I ask people, "What do you feel is your purpose in life?" They
often cannot give me a straight answer. After a few seconds of the
typical "errs" and “umms”, instead of giving me a purpose they define
their own life for me. "Have fun. Be kind and see where life takes
you." If they put their expectations right where their performance is
then they don't feel like a failure.
That's like the Spanish national team saying "Hold on people. We
actually never wanted to do good in the World Cup so that's why
we let Brazil thump us!" Are you kidding me?
Because people don't have a full understanding of who they are and why
they are here and where they are going that make up a purpose that
justifies themselves. Justification never helped anyone rise to a
higher level of success.
Make “extra" feel ordinary to you and then you'll start finding success.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have a
knowledge of their divine identity. If we truly know in our hearts
where we come from, mediocrity is not a suitable outcome.
WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY!
Love Elder Weiss
Date: January 18, 2015 at 7:25:25 PM MST
Dear Citizens of the Planet,
Hear ye! Hear ye! We are children of the All Powerful God. Our
potential is without limit. Stop feeling like you are just another
drop in the bucket! You have a divine inheritance and you can withdraw
from it right now. A limitless inheritance. Our spiritual geneaology
goes back one generation straight to God the Father. Get up and go
blow some holes in the negativity in this world! We can ALL make a
difference! Rich people have rich kids. Why? Because to them it's not
"rich" it's just normal. Becoming wealthy themselves isn't hard
because it's the mentality they've been brought up with.
Poor people are the same. They think financial stability is a
novelty and that the way THEY are is "normal". There are many
"normals" in this world. Which normal will we pick? In eternity their
are many normals... which will we pick? Those who KNOW who they are
KNOW what normal is. What is "normal" for a child of God seems
extraordinary to a child of this world. Choose for yourself what
normal is. Find your divine heritage and understand your own potential
and you will own your destiny.
When I ask people, "What do you feel is your purpose in life?" They
often cannot give me a straight answer. After a few seconds of the
typical "errs" and “umms”, instead of giving me a purpose they define
their own life for me. "Have fun. Be kind and see where life takes
you." If they put their expectations right where their performance is
then they don't feel like a failure.
That's like the Spanish national team saying "Hold on people. We
actually never wanted to do good in the World Cup so that's why
we let Brazil thump us!" Are you kidding me?
Because people don't have a full understanding of who they are and why
they are here and where they are going that make up a purpose that
justifies themselves. Justification never helped anyone rise to a
higher level of success.
Make “extra" feel ordinary to you and then you'll start finding success.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have a
knowledge of their divine identity. If we truly know in our hearts
where we come from, mediocrity is not a suitable outcome.
WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY!
Love Elder Weiss
Monday, January 12, 2015
Transparent Obstacles
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: January 11, 2015 at 7:49:50 PM MST
To: Cyndy Weiss <cyndyweiss@gmail.com>
This week, my life changed. I learned something that changes
everything. President Pearson came on Tuesday to Mission Leadership
Council. He basically told us we are the worst... actually we were the
worst. He told us we are ineffective and faithless. "Sydney is not the
problem!! It's the way you're thinking!" "We are not looking for
needles in haystacks here!" On wednesday we had zone conference with
him which was even better. He taught us that how we view ourselves
determines who we become. He said that this is what everyone needs to
acheive salvation. Every person needs an identity. If we have a fire
in our hearts that we are children of God then we know we can achieve
greatness. Everyone says life is in your head. What you believe you
can achieve. I always believe that's just a fairy tale. If belief
means hard work. As long as I work hard enough I'll get what I want,
right? FALSE!
Remember that movie "The Secret"? I thought that was soo stupid, but
I didn't understand it. It all clicked in my head last Friday during
personal study. The day prior I was sitting studying when I looked
over at the window sill next to my desk. I was 8-10 little flies lying
on their back dead. All but one who continued kicking his legs
desperately with the last remaining strength that he had. These bugs
had exhausted all their strength trying to fly through the seemingly
non-existent window. In their heads that was the way to get out. When
at first it didn't work the bug gritted his hypothetical teeth and
said, "Well this is the way out so I'll just try again." Over and over
again he tried but the fruits of the 100th attempt yielded the same
fruits as the first attempt and like-wise the last. The bug fought
with all it's might and strength but it's mind was closed all the
while.
On my mission when things didn't turn out how I wanted it to I didn't
think twice, I kept working and trying the best I knew how. I thought
maybe I'm just supposed to be a seed planter. I've tried my absolute
best for 18 months and things haven't really turned out the way I
hoped, "But this IS the way... isn't it? So I'll do all I can until my
time is up and I'll fall onto my back and lay there kicking my legs
till I die." On Wednesday President Pearson grabbed me, shook me up,
and showed me that next to the window there is a wide open door.
There are transparent obstacles that stop us from achieving greatness.
Just because these obstacles are not perceivable with our physical
eyes, that does not make them any less effective it hurting our
progress. With a positive faithful attitude we literally move
intangible obstacles out of our way. The world starts to move how we
believe it can. Such spiritual power to move these mental or spiritual
obstacles can only come through a correct understanding of our
identity. We are Children of the most powerful being in the universe.
We can do AMAZING things. It's in ALL of us. We have limitless
potential. We all knew this before we were born but by choosing to
come to this earth we chose to leave this memory behind so that we
could choose our divine potential.
If only people knew what they are capable of, they would no longer
settle with lives of instant self-gratification. Instead they would
choose lives of power and glory. "The power is in us"!!! We "are
agents unto ourselves." With P-day, MLC in Sydney, Zone conference,
and weekly planning, we didn't get a normal day of proselyting until
Friday. All together we had about 3 1/2 days of proselyting and we did
more work in 3 1/2 days than we did in the entire previous week. We
found a new investigator Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and on Sunday we
found three, one of which accepted an baptismal date on the first
lesson! Am I working harder? No! I already did that. I believe that I
can achieve greatness, therefore the intangible, spiritual obstacles
that once slowed me down have been moved out of my way.
"Spiritual matter is the same as physical matter but it is finer and
purer." One day we will all see that "It is all matter." One quick
experience that I had last night before I end this "lecture on faith".
When we believe that we are can do great things, the Holy Ghost and
communicate to us more openly.
Last night we had just finished doing some visits with our ward
mission leader. He dropped us off at the end of his driveway next to
our car. As I got in the car I saw this house that we had parked in
front of. I thought maybe I should knock it, but we needed to get back
to collect numbers so we drove away. I had this sick feeling that
there was something wrong. I told my companion, "I don't feel good, we
need to go back." I pulled a U-turn and parked where we had been
parked one minute earlier. We got out and knocked the door. "Hello we
are just asking some questions today." "Ok like what?" The bearded man
responded. "Well, for you what are your feelings about God?" "No
thanks!" *SLAM*. But the feeling in my stomach persisted. I told my
companion, "Just one more door and then we'll go".
We knocked on the door and blond women in her 30's came to the door.
She smiled and said "Hey guys how can I help you?" We asked what her
feelings about God were. "I don't believe he exists." "Ok what led you
to that conclusion?" My companion says. "I just can't get over how
much bad there is in the world. Those children that died in that
orphanage in Pakistan didn't choose to be there. They didn't choose to
die." "God gives all of us the right to choose and some misuse it and
hurt others" "But if he gives us the right to choose how come those
children died? They did choose to die. Did they?" We taught that
before this life we lived with God as spirits and we all had the
choice to come here to gain and body and learn from our experiences.
"So you're saying we did have a choice?"
Minute by minute as the conversation had been going the spirit and
started to creep in. When she realized that we all had a choice she
began to get emotional. We taught her of her divine potential and
tears began to flow down her cheeks. We said to her. "Thank you so much
for listening to us and letting us share what we know." She explained
that in two years she had never had religious people come to her door.
That week her friend had died and we were the second people to knock
on her door that weekend. All of a sudden she knew God was real and
she felt his love.
Hope filled this lady's eyes as we stood there in the dark with just a
small porch light. This "atheist" had just felt her fathers love and
the Holy Ghost. That changed everything. And the cycle goes on for all
of those who know their true identity will help all of their brothers
and sisters to do the same.
I know God loves his children.
Love, Elder Weiss
Date: January 11, 2015 at 7:49:50 PM MST
To: Cyndy Weiss <cyndyweiss@gmail.com>
This week, my life changed. I learned something that changes
everything. President Pearson came on Tuesday to Mission Leadership
Council. He basically told us we are the worst... actually we were the
worst. He told us we are ineffective and faithless. "Sydney is not the
problem!! It's the way you're thinking!" "We are not looking for
needles in haystacks here!" On wednesday we had zone conference with
him which was even better. He taught us that how we view ourselves
determines who we become. He said that this is what everyone needs to
acheive salvation. Every person needs an identity. If we have a fire
in our hearts that we are children of God then we know we can achieve
greatness. Everyone says life is in your head. What you believe you
can achieve. I always believe that's just a fairy tale. If belief
means hard work. As long as I work hard enough I'll get what I want,
right? FALSE!
Remember that movie "The Secret"? I thought that was soo stupid, but
I didn't understand it. It all clicked in my head last Friday during
personal study. The day prior I was sitting studying when I looked
over at the window sill next to my desk. I was 8-10 little flies lying
on their back dead. All but one who continued kicking his legs
desperately with the last remaining strength that he had. These bugs
had exhausted all their strength trying to fly through the seemingly
non-existent window. In their heads that was the way to get out. When
at first it didn't work the bug gritted his hypothetical teeth and
said, "Well this is the way out so I'll just try again." Over and over
again he tried but the fruits of the 100th attempt yielded the same
fruits as the first attempt and like-wise the last. The bug fought
with all it's might and strength but it's mind was closed all the
while.
On my mission when things didn't turn out how I wanted it to I didn't
think twice, I kept working and trying the best I knew how. I thought
maybe I'm just supposed to be a seed planter. I've tried my absolute
best for 18 months and things haven't really turned out the way I
hoped, "But this IS the way... isn't it? So I'll do all I can until my
time is up and I'll fall onto my back and lay there kicking my legs
till I die." On Wednesday President Pearson grabbed me, shook me up,
and showed me that next to the window there is a wide open door.
There are transparent obstacles that stop us from achieving greatness.
Just because these obstacles are not perceivable with our physical
eyes, that does not make them any less effective it hurting our
progress. With a positive faithful attitude we literally move
intangible obstacles out of our way. The world starts to move how we
believe it can. Such spiritual power to move these mental or spiritual
obstacles can only come through a correct understanding of our
identity. We are Children of the most powerful being in the universe.
We can do AMAZING things. It's in ALL of us. We have limitless
potential. We all knew this before we were born but by choosing to
come to this earth we chose to leave this memory behind so that we
could choose our divine potential.
If only people knew what they are capable of, they would no longer
settle with lives of instant self-gratification. Instead they would
choose lives of power and glory. "The power is in us"!!! We "are
agents unto ourselves." With P-day, MLC in Sydney, Zone conference,
and weekly planning, we didn't get a normal day of proselyting until
Friday. All together we had about 3 1/2 days of proselyting and we did
more work in 3 1/2 days than we did in the entire previous week. We
found a new investigator Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and on Sunday we
found three, one of which accepted an baptismal date on the first
lesson! Am I working harder? No! I already did that. I believe that I
can achieve greatness, therefore the intangible, spiritual obstacles
that once slowed me down have been moved out of my way.
"Spiritual matter is the same as physical matter but it is finer and
purer." One day we will all see that "It is all matter." One quick
experience that I had last night before I end this "lecture on faith".
When we believe that we are can do great things, the Holy Ghost and
communicate to us more openly.
Last night we had just finished doing some visits with our ward
mission leader. He dropped us off at the end of his driveway next to
our car. As I got in the car I saw this house that we had parked in
front of. I thought maybe I should knock it, but we needed to get back
to collect numbers so we drove away. I had this sick feeling that
there was something wrong. I told my companion, "I don't feel good, we
need to go back." I pulled a U-turn and parked where we had been
parked one minute earlier. We got out and knocked the door. "Hello we
are just asking some questions today." "Ok like what?" The bearded man
responded. "Well, for you what are your feelings about God?" "No
thanks!" *SLAM*. But the feeling in my stomach persisted. I told my
companion, "Just one more door and then we'll go".
We knocked on the door and blond women in her 30's came to the door.
She smiled and said "Hey guys how can I help you?" We asked what her
feelings about God were. "I don't believe he exists." "Ok what led you
to that conclusion?" My companion says. "I just can't get over how
much bad there is in the world. Those children that died in that
orphanage in Pakistan didn't choose to be there. They didn't choose to
die." "God gives all of us the right to choose and some misuse it and
hurt others" "But if he gives us the right to choose how come those
children died? They did choose to die. Did they?" We taught that
before this life we lived with God as spirits and we all had the
choice to come here to gain and body and learn from our experiences.
"So you're saying we did have a choice?"
Minute by minute as the conversation had been going the spirit and
started to creep in. When she realized that we all had a choice she
began to get emotional. We taught her of her divine potential and
tears began to flow down her cheeks. We said to her. "Thank you so much
for listening to us and letting us share what we know." She explained
that in two years she had never had religious people come to her door.
That week her friend had died and we were the second people to knock
on her door that weekend. All of a sudden she knew God was real and
she felt his love.
Hope filled this lady's eyes as we stood there in the dark with just a
small porch light. This "atheist" had just felt her fathers love and
the Holy Ghost. That changed everything. And the cycle goes on for all
of those who know their true identity will help all of their brothers
and sisters to do the same.
I know God loves his children.
Love, Elder Weiss
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Pics from Down Under-Jan 2015
Elder Ubina with Elder Weiss. A great team.
Elder Weiss and his trainers.
Aussie 2012 Gold Medalist (Shot Put) with the Elders.
 |
| Funny Sticker Joe took a picture of. |
Planting Seeds in the Lord's Vineyard
From: Joseph Weiss <joseph.weiss@myldsmail.net>
Date: January 4, 2015 at 6:53:16 PM MST
We had a great week. Last Sunday we resolved that we would fast for
new investigators because our teaching pool was a puddle and and we
had be bageled for new investigators for two weeks straight.
We fasted
and went finding every day to plant seeds in the Lords vineyard. As a
result we found five new investigators. Dylan, Dean, Gari, Siri, and
Saram. Thursday night we were visiting a recent convert with one of
our members when the recent convert's housemate just came and sat
down. We taught about baptisms for the dead and invited the recent
convert to go to the temple with Brother Baker our ward mission
leader. He was a bit iffy but his housemate said to him, "Raymond you
should go! If I were you and had the chance I'd go." The member,
Julius, is a recent RM. He said "Dean have you ever known someone that
died without baptism? What do you believe happens to them?" He fumble
for words for a while and said assertively, "I believe in the baptisms
for the dead. Yeah that makes a lot of sense!"
Siri and Saram are neighbors down the road. They are sent here by the
Cambodian government so Siri the husband can study. They have 2 kids
still back in Cambodia. They are also here for two years. They grew up
Buddahists but now aren't very strong in their religion. We taught them
that God is their loving father and that because of Jesus Christ those
filthy feelings of guilt that we get can be washed away so we don't
have to feel them any more. Siri started tearing up as we taught. He
felt something.
I realized this week that I don't mind it when people slam the doors
in my face anymore. If they aren't ready then I'm off to find someone
that is. I used to try to talk them out of being atheist or talk them
into being interested but it doesn't work.
The Lord prepares the
hearts and I'm just there to check and see if they are ready yet. I
wish I could go serve in Bathurst again or in a branch somewhere so
that I could do heaps of tracting with my new and improved attitude
for it.
6 months left... Never been a better time to be a missionary! Ride
like the wind bulllseye!!
Ofatu, Elder Weiss
Date: January 4, 2015 at 6:53:16 PM MST
We had a great week. Last Sunday we resolved that we would fast for
new investigators because our teaching pool was a puddle and and we
had be bageled for new investigators for two weeks straight.
We fasted
and went finding every day to plant seeds in the Lords vineyard. As a
result we found five new investigators. Dylan, Dean, Gari, Siri, and
Saram. Thursday night we were visiting a recent convert with one of
our members when the recent convert's housemate just came and sat
down. We taught about baptisms for the dead and invited the recent
convert to go to the temple with Brother Baker our ward mission
leader. He was a bit iffy but his housemate said to him, "Raymond you
should go! If I were you and had the chance I'd go." The member,
Julius, is a recent RM. He said "Dean have you ever known someone that
died without baptism? What do you believe happens to them?" He fumble
for words for a while and said assertively, "I believe in the baptisms
for the dead. Yeah that makes a lot of sense!"
Siri and Saram are neighbors down the road. They are sent here by the
Cambodian government so Siri the husband can study. They have 2 kids
still back in Cambodia. They are also here for two years. They grew up
Buddahists but now aren't very strong in their religion. We taught them
that God is their loving father and that because of Jesus Christ those
filthy feelings of guilt that we get can be washed away so we don't
have to feel them any more. Siri started tearing up as we taught. He
felt something.
I realized this week that I don't mind it when people slam the doors
in my face anymore. If they aren't ready then I'm off to find someone
that is. I used to try to talk them out of being atheist or talk them
into being interested but it doesn't work.
The Lord prepares the
hearts and I'm just there to check and see if they are ready yet. I
wish I could go serve in Bathurst again or in a branch somewhere so
that I could do heaps of tracting with my new and improved attitude
for it.
6 months left... Never been a better time to be a missionary! Ride
like the wind bulllseye!!
Ofatu, Elder Weiss
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