6 Months & Transfers!

This past week I hit my 6 month mark! It is crazy to think that I am a fourth of the way done. I am starting to think that the more my mission goes on, the less I will want it to be over. I have grown to love a lot of the ward that I am serving in and also the people that I have seen come unto Christ. Looking back, I have learned to love the work so much over the past six months. I have learned a lot of life skills as well that I am sure I will have for the rest of my life. And most of all I have learned of the love that my Savior has for me and how He truly knows me personally and knows my potential. 

Update on the week:  

This past week was transfer calls and Elder Dale is being transferred to the Summit ward which happens to be our neighboring ward just across the street hahah! As for me, I am staying in Parkland and getting Elder Strong. I am excited to take over the area and continue to serve in the Parkland ward. I have really come to love the members in Parkland. They are all so helpful and loving. My favorite part about this ward is how unified it is. It is like a family!

A couple of miracles:

While knocking an apartment complex, Elder Dale and I knocked on a door and a young teenage boy opened up. Some background information— up to this point, no one had been too interested in talking with us— and seeing that we were losing his attention I quickly opened the scriptures and flipped to the first verse that I saw. I looked at it and realized that it was one that I was familiar with. I then asked him if he knew why Jesus Christ had to be baptized...to which he replied that he didn't know. I then was able to read him the scripture and explained why it was important not only for Jesus Christ, but that it is also important for each of us to be baptized. Right then his mom yelled from behind the door, "Are you gonna let them in or not?" We proceeded to go in and visit with him and his mother—both non-members. Then come to find out, they are very familiar with the church and her other son had been baptized almost a year ago and she wanted to start going out to church again!

Yesterday, Elder Dale and I went to visit a family in our church. They are all members of the church except for the youngest child who is nine years old. The dad has been waiting to baptize his son because he wants him to know more and be ready. While conversing with the girlfriend, she told us that the boy, A, had been praying to be baptized. She told us that he mentioned this to her many times and shared his desire with her to be baptized! I can't think of a more pure-hearted little kid! I mean at age nine I was more worried about playing sports or hanging out with my friends. But this young boy new that God would answer his prayer and help him get baptized. I look forward to working with the H family and their son A.

Well I hope that you all have a great week! 

With Love,

Elder Bullough

Yes that is a canoe! hahah!

Faith is Needed! 4/11/2016

Last week was full of many let downs and unfortunate events. I will briefly tell you about some of them. First off, J, a lady we have been teaching was supposed to get baptized this past Sunday. She was living with a member in the ward. Well, on Thursday, Elder Dale and I received a call that she had left in the middle of the night and that no one knew where she took off to. Without the contact we weren't able to find out where she ended up, all we could do was pray for her and hope that she is okay. It is unfortunate that she wasn't able to receive the blessings from baptism, but I know that in the lessons we taught her she did learn that she has a purpose and that God will always be there for her when she is ready to turn her life around. Then, later that day, Elder Dale and I went to our other investigator and found out that he was actually a member and was baptized at a young age. So that took baptism out of the question, but we are still working at getting him and his fiancé active in the church. I guess it was just a week that I needed to be tested on my patience. There is a good saying-- "Don't ask God for patience." That is very true! 

After it seemed that nothing was working in our direction, Elder Dale and I decided to go forward with faith and talk to everyone. Through doing this, we were able to find two new people to fill the holes. J is a guy who happened to be standing out his apartment door. (Had he not been standing outside I think we would have missed him because his door was hidden). We were able to teach him and put him on date to be baptized right there. It was definitely right place, right time! Then later that day we found a guy, N, who was in need of the gospel at that time. He has been lacking happiness in his life and wants change. We explained that this happiness can be restored to his life through the gospel and the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Immediately, he began to have hope restored to his face. I know without a doubt that there are people who are ready to hear the good news that Jesus Christ did face all of the challenges in life and overcame each one of our pains, and afflictions. I know that I needed faith to find these people, and with that faith, God made it possible. "It is by faith that miracles are wrought."

Well, I hope that you all have a great week! It is crazy to think, but here in a couple days, I will have been out six months! 6 months down and loving it!

With Love,

Elder Bullough

General Conference & a Baptism! 4/4/2016

This past week has just flown by! In fact, these past almost 6 months have flown by, but anyway such is life. Last week was full of great sunshine during this conference week. For those who don't know or aren't familiar, General Conference is held two times a year in April and then again in October. It is a conference where the Prophet of the Church, also known as President Thomas S. Monson, and the twelve apostles speak to us. This conference is broadcast worldwide online and over television. The reason so many members and non-members all over the world tune in is to listen and receive guidance in their lives. As I watched each session this past weekend, I was able to hear the words speak not only to me but also to all those who I was with. I know that each of the speakers that spoke over the weekend were inspired by God and had spoken to the exact needs in our lives today. 

After the last session of Conference on Sunday, Elder Dale and I had to rush to the chapel for the baptism of R.  R is a great guy who we have been teaching. He is a single dad who loves to play the drums in a rock band and works each day driving a shuttle for work. He had recently moved into an apartment that was later knocked on by missionaries. He let them in and allowed them to share the message. At the end he invited them back and told them he wanted to learn more. That week R came to church, and Elder Dale and I were able to meet him. We then set up a time to come back and share more with him. Each lesson went great and he kept each of his commitments to read and pray to know for himself. A member from the ward volunteered to come with us when we would teach him. This was great because they were able to form a friendship and whenever R had a question he could go to us or even him for an answer. Not only did R have a member from the ward helping him, but he also had many friends from work who were members of the church that helped him along this new path. Well, at the baptism each of these friends from work came out to support him; and the ward member, Brother Beagley, was able to baptize him. R had previously told us that he wanted change in his life. He wanted to have stability as a single father trying to do the daily chores of life. R had seen the stability in the families that came to church each week. He was able to see the joy in the hearts of the members. And yesterday I think that he was able to get a taste of this joy that is found through being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

I have not always had my eyes open to the joy that comes from this Gospel, but as I have made mistakes and grown from them I have seen that living within God's plan does offer joy. One thought that I would like to share that has stuck out to me this week-- being a Mormon is fun, don't let the adversary tell you otherwise.

Hope that you all enjoyed General Conference this past week! Love you all.

Elder Bullough 

In a letter to his parents, Elder Bullough said the following about the baptisms he has been able to be a part of:

"So I think a key to all of the baptisms that we have had, definitely is due to the retention in this ward. 1- the ward is very diverse and the most unified ward I have ever served in. Just as Alma had taught his people to be unified, this is a key to new members staying active. 2- member missionary work, this means that members are there to welcome and answer any of the questions that the investigator may have, and above all, someone to be a friend. This is the purpose of the ward—is to be a family. One thing that helps is by having members go to the lessons with the missionaries or hosting lessons in their homes. It takes the auxiliary leaders and also just every member reaching out. Yes Aunt Sheryl is very right, wards outside and even in Utah become your family."

AND:

"I never understood what you [Dad] meant when you told me that I would have prepared people on my mission. I kid you not this has been precise! Most of my baptisms have been the Lord's doing, he has prepared them and I have simply just been in the right place at the right time."

D&C 84:88 "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

R's Baptism:

Elder Bullough, Elder Enosa, Brother Beagley, R, Elder Dale, Elder Irava

Elder Bullough, Brother Beagley, R, and Elder Dale

Central Zone Conference:

Happy Easter! 3/28/2016

This past week was great because it was Easter weekend. Elder Dale and I got to go out for an Easter Dinner Saturday night with a family in our ward. We went to a Mexican restaurant. It was so good and the plates were huge! Then yesterday, we were able to help hide Easter eggs with our ward mission leader. I enjoyed that a lot because it reminded me of the traditional Easter egg hunt we would have in our family. But more than just the fun traditional Easter eggs and the bunny I would like to focus my email on the true meaning. 

Easter is a time of HOPE, and of remembrance for all that our Savior, Jesus Christ did for us. There are three parts that stick out to me about Easter. This is known as the atonement. The first part was Jesus Christ’s suffering that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus Christ suffered the pains, sickness and afflictions for each of us that has ever lived on this Earth. This suffering is what makes it possible for us to repent and enjoy the remission of our sins. It also gives us the strength to overcome any pains, sorrows, or afflictions that come from this life. Following Jesus Christ's suffering in the garden, he was held captive and led to Golgotha where he was later bruised and killed, known as the Crucifixion. Necessary to our Father's plan, Jesus Christ had to die a physical death to bring to pass the Resurrection. Three days after the death of Jesus Christ, he fulfilled the long foretold prophecies and rose from the grave. Because Jesus Christ lives again, we can too. He bridged the gap between physical death and spiritual, and because of Him we can have HOPE for a better life and to one day return to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's presence.

Well, hope you all enjoyed Easter and have a great week!

With love,

ElderBullough

Here is a picture of a good sunny day with clear blue skies
on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University

One of My Favorite Weeks! 3/21/2016

This past week was one of my favorite weeks so far and was full of great things! First off, during the week a bunch of the missionaries went and helped load a big truck full of chopped wood so that they could move it to Idaho. Don't ask me why they wanted to move it to Idaho... because I am sure that there are trees there haha! But it was super fun because I got to drive around this lawn mower and haul the wood around. I definitely had the easy job. And the best part was that this week was sunny and didn't rain that much, so that was a plus! 

On Saturday, Elder Dale and I knocked into an older guy who had a pet macaw... so, of course, I asked if I could hold it and take a picture so I will post that for you all to see. It was kind of creepy because when I put it on my shoulder it started to laugh!? haha

Also M, a lady we have been working with, got baptized yesterday so that was great! M's story of how we found her was pretty neat. Elder Alhert and I were on splits and were knocking an apartment complex when we knocked into her. She opened the door and told us she didn't have time but never turns down an opportunity to hear the word, so we left her with our phone number and went on our way. Then the next day Elder Dale and I received a call from an unknown number and were surprised to hear that it was M because nobody ever actually calls when we leave our number. So Elder Dale and I went over that day and taught her the first lesson. M is one person who reads the Bible each day and knows it inside and out, but each time we taught her she was teachable and very open to the messages. In the first lesson, M listened and understood everything and told us that the story was familiar because she used to go to an LDS church in Alabama. So we continued to teach her and got her a couch for her apartment, because at the time she didn't have any furniture. It was great to see her change so much and see the light of Christ within her each time we met with her. She had been dealing with some depression from the move and each time we met with her she would get a big smile. It was great to see that she could make friends in the church and start to restore the happiness to her life. I will post a picture of it below.

Another thing that happened in our ward is we got a new bishopric-- which consists of the Bishop and his two counselors. It was sad to see the others be released from their callings after getting to know them so well; but, it was great because the new bishopric seems really great so I am excited to start working with them! 

And to finish off the week, the church put on an Easter performance called the "Lamb of God." It is a musical/orchestra that sings and maps out the life of Jesus Christ. It was really well done and the Spirit was very strong as the choir sang, which was great because there were many nonmembers there and J brought his sister to watch it as well. 

Well, I hope you all have a great week and enjoy the upcoming Easter Sunday! 

With love,

Elder Bullough

Elder Dale and I with the macaw! haha

Me, M at her baptism, & Elder Dale

Change is Possible through Christ 3/14/2016

A lot of things happened this week. I will start first with... We had a baptism! On Saturday, E was able to get baptized! It went very well! Her family came out to her baptism and then to church on Sunday. The baptism was very special and then the family had cake afterward... and to our surprise they ended up sending the leftover cake home with us!? We honestly have so much cake!! 

Then on Sunday at church, a lot of our investigators showed up, which was kind of a surprise because we were worried about daylight savings and everyone forgetting about the hour change.  M came with Sister Price and was able to enjoy church. Elder Dale and I are excited this week because M has chosen to get baptized on the 20th! She has given up coffee and is going strong. Then C, another one of our investigators, came with J.  C is a recovering alcoholic and is looking for change in his life. The stressful part about church was that C came drunk... But he still had a great time. The cool part of the story is that C leans over to us during sacrament and told us that he wants to get baptized! So we told him that we could work toward a date in April but first he has to quit drinking. He stayed all three hours and loved it. During priesthood, C heard someone’s testimony about how the Spirit changed his life. Then C interrupted and asked what it felt like. The brother in the ward started to describe the feeling as an "undeniable feeling." Then C said, "you felt the Holy Ghost... that is the same feeling that I have felt today. I am thankful for all of you showing me the way today and I have decided to come to this church from now on." By this time, I believe that the drunkenness had worn off and C truly did feel the Holy Ghost. He felt it promising him that this is the path to the change that he seeks in his life. It was amazing to see the hope in his eyes after he had come to church. 

I know that this church is true and has the fulness of the gospel. It is what brings change into peoples' lives. The atonement provided by Jesus Christ allows us all to become better people and I have seen it.

Well, I hope that you all have a great week and enjoy the week ahead. Keep M and C in your prayers.

With Love,

Elder Bullough 

Elder Dale, E, and Elder Bullough at E's Baptism

First Week in the New Transfer 3/7/2016

This past week was great and we saw many blessings! Last Monday, as a zone, we were able to go bowling! It was super fun! Then we were able to have a miracle and able to have the car one more week because the Spanish area was diminished this transfer and a car was freed up! That was a blessing because both Elder Dale and I were fighting a cold this past week!

Last week Elder Dale and I were able to have some prayers answered and able to see some great things happen. First off, a young boy named A. was able to get baptized on Saturday. Elder Dale and I had been working on reactivating their family in the church and it was great to see them come back to church and have the baptism for their 8 year old. I will post some pictures below.

Second, this week we weren't able to see D. because she was too busy but she sent us a great text and told us that she was determined to come to church this Sunday. Elder Dale and I were so grateful to hear that because we knew if she came to church she would understand a lot more and know that this is the path that will bring her happiness. Well, she was able to put her mind to it and come to the 1 o'clock service and was able to meet a lot of really great friends! I have learned a very important life truth from this: when we put our minds to something, we can accomplish it! 

Well last bit of great news... Elder Dale and I are planning on a baptism for a young girl, E., this next Saturday so that should be great!

With Love, 

Elder Bullough

Elder Dale, A., and Elder Bullough at A.'s Baptism

Bowling on P-day

Elder Bordelon with me and Elder Dale before he was transferred out the the city of Manette