playing nurse

January 9, 2012

Hey, we are in the hospital right now finishing up with the surgery on the cyst of Elder Jordan. Sorry that I didn’t write very much, but I’ve got to go hang with the little guy. The church is still true, even in Hospitals and I love you a lot!!! 

Much love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

January 16, 2012

This week was a strange week, that’s for sure. We were in the house a lot. Elder Jordan is doing great. Since his cyst was infected, they left it open so that is would heal better - that is why we have to be in the house - to keep the thing clean. He’s getting restless and so am I, but I could at least leave a couple of times on splits. Elder Narvaez came with me one day to teach a lesson and we began by talking about faith and then the Atonement. The spirit arrived strongly and we identified it. We set two dates. One son, who has 19 years, Adrian, was especially sincere.  Sadly the family didn’t come to church. They weren’t at their house when we went by Sunday morning. I felt blessed to be able to have a cool experience in such a short workweek though.  It helped me this week to feel more the sense of urgency, because I only had 1 or 2 hours to work, so I knew I had to get everything out of it. That was a good lesson to learn.

All this sitting sure makes me appreciate and miss working! It is sooooo much cooler to be working hard. We see the doctor again on Thursday and he’ll give us the news of how things are going.  Until then, we’ll be in the house. 

One verse from the scriptures that hit me was about how God brings great things to pass through small and simple means. I just felt humbled and so little. I love that even though we are nothing, we are everything to God! (Pres Uchdorf´s talk). Love ya!

Elder Pope's challenge

Oh yeah!  So, for those who read the Book of Mormon in English,  you’ve finished the book by now. For those reading in Spanish, we’re still in 3 Nephi. The new challenge for all of you that have read is to do the Promise of Moroni again and ask God if the Book of Mormon is true. Listen to your feelings and you’ll know that that is how the spirit talks to you. I want to hear how everybody feels specifically in the next email!!!

A sweet memory of Grandma Dot

This church is so true. Families are truly eternal. Parting is still hard and I’ll miss that sweetest of sweet ladies, Grandma Dot! I love her a lot! I remember when she would pray - even just to bless the food it was really like she was talking to Heavenly Father. I think a lot of times we forget how great a blessing it is to have a Heavenly Father that listens to us and has made such a perfect plan for us, His children!

Contact on the sidewalk

This week we had a lot of cool experiences. On Thursday we had some time to contact and on the way to a busier street I looked across the road at a house and felt like we should knock it. I was a little confused when the people answered and didn’t want to hear, but then the blessing came. We turned from the house and contacted the man walking past and he let us go with him to his house and talk a little.  We invited him to church and set an appointment for the next day. He was there the next day and had read a bunch of the Book of Mormon. We talked about baptism and the spirit came and he explained how he had felt the same feeling fill his chest when we had talked to him on the street the day before and how he slept so well after reading the Book of Mormon. The spirit witnessed to him of the truth and he loved church on Sunday. The gospel truly changes EVERYTHING in people’s lives. It is incredible to be an instrument in finding the right people.

I'm right where I need to be

I do know that I’m right where I need to be.  There have been times where I have just thought about being on the mission as I walk to an appointment and I can feel the spirit so strongly and I just know that this is the best thing that I could be doing. I feel so grateful and a little selfish, because the mission has blessed me every day. I hope I can bring more blessings to those we teach. I know that Jesus is the Christ and can truly comfort us in the weeks that just don’t go so well. All is part of our Heavenly Father’s Plan. What a perfect plan!

I just don’t know what else to say. In the next week, I'll have some awesome opportunities and we’ll be teaching people about Christ, so I guess for now it’ll just be my testimony. In the mission I bear my testimony 100’s of times every week and a lot of people just don’t really care. I still know it’s true and that this is Christ’s church. We just need to find those that are ready to hear the truth from God’s weakest servants. I hope that I can carry that truth to many, because I know that it is the best thing that people can have. I love you mama Jane and all the family (even Uncle Jack), and all my friends!

Love,

John Pope

Elder Pope's sister is home from her mission!

I chose a long time ago...

I love this work. I know that Christ is my Savior. My burdens are truly made light in the Strength of the Lord. Come what may, and I truly do love it.

We just kept on working after the fallen baptisms. On Sunday, nobody came to church, so we went to work after Sacrament and were able to bring a few back for Priesthood and Relief Society. We worked all the afternoon and finally, knocking doors from 7 to 9 at night we found 2 families and 7 new investigators. I really know that God loves His servants, even the most weak (like me). He truly does bless us when we need it. I don’t get discouraged because I chose a long time ago not to do that, but things are tough sometimes. Isn’t it such a comfort to know that we have an Older Brother who knows exactly how we feel and knows how to truly hold us up? Christ in the great enabler and in Him we truly can find strength. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY AND TRYING MY HARDEST TO REPRESENT MY SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!

Love ya all un buen!