{Letter #104} Be A Humble Sponge

Hi everyone! I hope you all have had an awesome week! What was something good that has happened?

This week was great! We had some amazing lessons, exchanges, my last Mission Leadership Council (MLC) of the mission, and a training from Sister Botchway!

First of all, our lesson with the Montiels this week was amazing!

We went over the restoration with them! They were all feeling the Spirit confirm it to them! Sadly, I won't have the chance to meet with them again before I finish my mission in about a week. I think that they will soon accept a date to be baptized though! The Spirit does amazing things when people feel it, recognize it, and act on it!

We had some more exchanges--kinda the normal at this point. I was once again in my old area, and got to see some of the people I worked with and taught in the past. Always an awesome experience! Especially when they have grown in their faith in Christ since last time talking. Kinda an Alma 17:2-3 type of experience!

In this last MLC they talked a lot about obedience. Our mission presidency all got up to talk and something that really stuck with me was this principle:

It is easier to be 100% obedient than 99% or less.

When are completely obedient God promises us many things. Here are 2 specific verses that I like:

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it" (Mosiah, 2:41).

"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated" (Doctrine & Covenants, 130:20-21).

Any blessing we see in our life come from living our covenants and doing what we can to follow Christ!

One of the counselors also talked about being a humble sponge. Soak up everything we can from everyone we meet! Soak up what we can from the Spirit and what He teaches you. Then act in faith on what you have learned trusting that God will guide you. It's a good pattern for life.

My spiritual thought for this week is pretty simple and it's about Christ's love for us.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John, 15:13).

"We love him, because he first loved us" (1 John, 4:19).

"If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John, 14:15)

Jesus loves us and asks us to follow Him to show our love to Him! And we do He will bless us to feel more of His love each day!

Have a great week! I am praying for you all. Let me know if I can do anything for you.

Love,
Elder Goold

Elder Duersch and me on exchanges

a pretty sunflower

A glimpse at our family phone call today:  (Me in Mount Hood, Cam, Lucie, and Oliver just back from a long walk in Alabama, Mom at home in Alpine, Spence at home, Ellie at home)

{Letter #92} Seek and Ye Shall Find

Hi everyone! I hope y'all have had a great week! What was something fun that happened?  When was a time you felt God's presence in your life this week?   

It's been a pretty good week here! Pretty uneventful, just lots of normal missionary work activities. Mission Leadership Council (MLC) again, exchanges, and some good lessons!

At MLC we got to talk a lot about how we can help other missionaries develop their skills and conversion to Christ! It was really good!

I went on exchanges with Elder Beyer. It was my first time serving with him--he is an awesome Elder. We got to talk a lot about how we can help others and also how we can effectively do the Lord's work! It was awesome!

We found a few people to teach, all of whom were super excited about the Book of Mormon! Mike has already read a good amount since we first talked to him on Wednesday!  We also had 6 friends come to church this week.  

I want to just go to my spiritual thought this week. I recently read these verses from Nephi in The Book of Mormon-Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Nephi taught:

"For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round."

I love this! God still speaks today! He is aware of everyone and is willing to answer prayers!

Turn to Him! He will bless you forever!

I love you all! I hope you all are doing great! I am praying for you!

Love,
Elder Goold


Some photos from this week:  

An arrowhead I found at a service project...

I love spring...

A glimpse at our family phone call this week (me in Canby, Mom at home, Emma in Provo, Dad in Saint George, Ellie in Rexburg, Cami (and Garrett, Lucie, and Oliver) in the car in Alabama).  

{letter #71} Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone! Merry Christmas! I hope you all have had a fantastic day (and week)! It's been a super busy week here between MLC, Mission Christmas devotional, exchanges, and today.

All those were seriously awesome! But today I just want to bear my testimony of Jesus Christ!

He lives!

Jesus Christ lived a matchless, sinless, and perfect life! He performed His great and infinite atonement on behalf of you! He has restored His priesthood and His church, through the prophet Joseph Smith, on the earth so we have a way to return to our Heavenly Father!

All things Christ did were on our behalf so we can obtain God's greatest gift of eternal life (Doctrine & Covenants 14:7).

Christ loves you individually and specifically! Turn to Him! Find His Joy! He will bless you and help you!

I hope you all are doing well! Have a merry Christmas! I love you all! Please let me know if I can do anything or pray for anything for you!

Love,
Elder Goold

Watching for falling walnuts...

Christmas gifts...Names of Christ ornaments, 12 days of Christmas caramels, lots of ties....

{Letter #58} T’s Up?!

Hi everyone! I hope all of you are doing well! Things have been good here. It has been a crazy week. Probably felt way busier than it was though. Here's a few things that happened: transfers, mission leadership council (MLC), and pday activities.

Definitely felt far busier than it was.

On Wednesday night transfer news came out! I got moved to Tualatin! (that's what T's Up means in our mission) No more living in the land of beavers unfortunately. Another fun part about the transfer is that I'm with my MTC companion Elder Crum again!

Everything felt super rushed to get ready for transfers. Not to mention we were whitewashing out (meaning both my companion and I left the area). So we had to prepare notes for everything and pack to move. It was a blast. Felt super fast.

Transfers happened Friday. All went well with that. The new zone is awesome. Elder Crum and I are covering 2 wards out here, both are really cool. We get to go to both wards on Sunday, makes for a lot of sitting around church. Overall all fun times!

This Monday, yesterday I guess, we had MLC! That was awesome! We talked about quite a lot. Here's a few things we covered: 

-how we can better set goals and plans and act on them
-following the Spirit in goal setting
-the purpose of counseling, best summed up by Doctrine & Covenants 50:22 in my opinion
-the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice
-the importance of unity!!
-3 Nephi 11:30
-when we become more unified with each other, we become more unified with the Savior
-a fun little acronym for the Oregon Portland Mission
Obedient
Purposeful
Missionaries
-consecrating our time talents and abilities to serving here
-when we do this, we will be happier, more diligent, more obedient, more unified, and we will become more like Christ!

I'll stop there. It was an amazing meeting. Very filled with the Spirit.

Today we had a couple zone and district activities. Played some games at the church then went bowling. Fun times!

My spiritual though for this week is going to come from the teachings of the prophet Abinadi. He taught:

"Behold I say unto you, that whosoever has heard the words of the prophets, yea, all the holy prophets who have prophesied concerning the coming of the Lord—I say unto you, that all those who have hearkened unto their words, and believed that the Lord would redeem his people, and have looked forward to that day for a remission of their sins, I say unto you, that these are his seed, or they are the heirs of the kingdom of God."

The purpose of prophets is to lead us towards Jesus Christ that we can become heirs to the kingdom of God!

We have the opportunity to hear from a livng prophet this weekend! It is available in all sorts of places, the church website, youtube, BYUtv, and maybe some more.

BRING A QUESTION

WATCH IT

STUDY

PONDER

PRAY


It is such a blessing to have a living Prophet today! I know that Russell M Nelson is that living prophet that has been called of God. He has been called and given authority to lead Jesus Christ's restored church on the earth!

I love you all! I'd love to hear from you if it's been a while! I'll do my best to respond in a timely manner. Let me know if I can do anything for you!

Love,
Elder Goold

P-day bowling! 





A glimpse at our family phone call:  me in Tualatin, mom and dad in Saint George, Ellie in Rexburg, Spence getting dinner at Aubergine in AF, Cami in the car on her way to a baby shower, Emma and Garrett were at work, and Lucie was sleeping! 

{Update #54} Busy, Busy, Busy

Hello dear friends and family!  
This is another update written by Mama Goold, since Adam just experienced what he called the craziest p-day of his mission.     Among other things, his p-day excitement included a temple trip, helping a ward member move, and dinner with his mission president.  By the time he had a minute, p-day was almost over, so this letter will have to do!    

This past week included MLC (Mission Leadership Council), which, as always, was a highlight for him.   His mission president taught about the Christlike attribute of DILIGENCE, which is an attribute that will take you far in life...both spiritually and in your daily life.   The Preach My Gospel manual says this about diligence:  

"Diligence is steady, consistent, earnest, and energetic effort in doing the Lord’s work. The Lord expects you to work diligently—persistently and with great effort and care. A diligent missionary works effectively and efficiently. Diligence in missionary work is an expression of your love for the Lord and His work. When you are diligent, you find joy and satisfaction in your work."

Based on our conversation today, it sounds like  Elder Goold and his missionary colleagues are doing a great job at being diligent at bringing people unto Christ!  Speaking of Christ, here's a quote I read recently that reminded me of the peace and hope that having a relationship with Christ can bring to each of us. 

"Because of Him, we do not have to deal with our frailties, sins, and fears alone. Because of Him, death is not the end. Resurrection will come to all who have ever lived. Because of Him, families can be together forever. Because of Him, guilt becomes peace, regret becomes relief, and despair becomes hope. We are given second chances, clean slates, and new beginnings. "   "This Easter, Find Peace in Jesus Christ," Russell M Nelson, March 2021  

A few more highlights for the week: 

Exchanges with Elder Endemano (or something like that).  He's awesome.
Helped shovel gravel for a few hours
Met a cat named Doug, that acts like a dog.

Met a frog that acts like a frog

I have no idea why these pictures were taken, but #missionaryhumor

This is a picture from last p-day's zone activity: 

Alright, that's about it.  He's crazy busy, but also happy.    I'm sure he'd love to hear from you, so send him an email or a letter and make his day!  

He loves you and we all appreciate your support!  Have an amazing week!

Love,
Mama Goold  (for Elder Goold)

PS  We only had a few minutes for a phone call today, so only a couple of us could get on.    Ellie and I were in a parking lot in Provo, Dad was at home in Saint George, Spence was unavailable while he was climbing at the gym, Cami was putting Lucie to bed, Garrett and Emma were working.   That's all folks!  

{Letter #45} Changes are happening!

Hi everyone! I hope you all have been doing well! This has been quite the week! Very very busy. Some of the things that happened: exchanges, mission leadership council (MLC), goodbye devotional, and a new mission president!

First off, exchanges! I got to stay in my area with Elder Pfunder this time around. It was honestly such a blast! We listened to a few really good BYU devotionals and also were able to find a few new people to teach. It was also the same day that the new Preach My Gospel came out. Something from the introduction that I loved, that also brought up some good conversation was:

"Study the chapters repeatedly throughout your mission. Evaluate your work. Set goals and make plans to accomplish them. Missionaries who prepare themselves daily and improve regularly will bless the lives of those they teach and serve. They will also receive blessings in their own lives"

This doesn't just apply to missionaries, but to all people! As we diligently seek to improve each day, set goals, and make plans to do so we will be better able to bless the lives of those around us! And we will be blessed in our own efforts

The next day we had MLC!

It was the Haymond's last one before leaving (today😭). The main this they talked about was making sure that we remain obedient and help other missionaries to remain obedient through the change. When we diligently seek to serve God, no matter what aspect of life, obedience to His commandments will help us see His hand more! He will have more capacity to act in our lives when we strive to obey Him. (Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21)

Just last night we had a departing devotional for the Haymonds. They bore their departing testimonies in essence. It was a very powerful meeting! The Spirit was incredibly strong and we were able to say goodbye to them one last time. Lots of emotions going on there, definitely a little sad, but also some excitement and peace! Ultimately, this is the Lord's work! Not the Haymonds or the Botchways, but the Lord's. The mission president is called and assigned to a certain area to lead missionary endeavors to help hasten the Lord's work! That was a very strong spiritual confirmation that I was able to receive at the time.

Just today the President and Sister Botchway arrived here in Portland! Very excited to be working with them for the rest of my mission!   President Haymond is in the front, the Botchways are in the back. 

This week I wanted to share a verse from Christ's teachings in the ancient Americas. He taught:

"Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened."

I know that is true! When we seek for answers from God He will give them to us! I invite you all to turn to God in prayer for guidance this week! He will direct you for good!

Let me know if there's anything I can do for y'all! Love all of you! Have a great week!

Love,
Elder Goold 

 

 

A glimpse at our family phone call this week:   {Adam in Farmington, OR, Ellie, Spence, and Mom at home, Dad in Saint George at work, Cami, Garrett, and Lucie at home in Alabama, Emma {not pictured} at work}