Finding my voice, Baby Blessings and seminary

Dear Family,
This week has been interesting to say the least, the weather has been on and off with blazing heat and pouring rain (right now it is pouring rain). We have been striving so diligently to try and find people to teach and we found a couple possibilities one man named Julius from the Philipines, and the best name I have heard on a mission Jean-Baptist....I know pretty awesome. I keep imagining the day he accepts the gospel and we are able to say we baptized John the Baptist hahahaha. 

I have been struggling with being able to just open my mouth and speak to people lately,



I have been over thinking everything and have been trying to get back to my old mojo. I had an interesting study about looking at people in the scriptures that were strengthened and empowered by God. My favorite was Enoch in Moses 6:32-34, God commands Enoch to open his mouth and he shall be given power and well look at all Enoch was able to do with his voice alone, AMAZING. I was able to read and see that the Lord was aware of all the trails that his prophets had and what gifts were able to help them endure through them, I know that the Lord will do the same for me as I follow the council of NIKE and " JUST DO IT".

Funny story.....Well yesterday we were at a dinner appointment at a members home and the girls there asked me about seminary and they asked "did you graduate seminary?" "..Ummm no, not even one year actually I didn't like it at the time, Lucky enough I am on a mission so that I can make up for all my seminary assignments haha" They laughed and then they asked my companion the same thing "yes I graduated with 100% attendance" I responded with "BOOOO!!!!" They thought it was hilarious. 

Okay are you ready for the coolest thing that happened to me this week.....

So our Less active Kon Kon is a single mother of 3 and she has a 4 months old boy, and as we were helping her plan out the baby blessing for little Cody, she asked me to bless him.... WHAT!! So yup I gave my first baby blessing yesterday, the spirit was so touching to me it was like I had a glimpse of the love that God has for that little one. Plus I was able to hold a baby on my mission BONUS!!! That is so rare, because we can't normally do that as missionaries. LUCKY LUCKY ME! I love Babies, I can't wait for my own someday.

I got a picture of me and Kon Kon's family after Church. 

Going to work on getting more pictures this week. 

Of course I feel all your prayers they are what help me going each morning....cause you know I am not much of a morning person at all. lol

Love love love you all and hope you have a great week! 

Elder Muirhead

June 1st Update

Momma,
The Murrays came to Toronto YAY! That is so cool! 

This week has been really rainy and yucky. One miracle that we saw was in my companion phoning a potential investigator from a while ago. The missionaries didn't ever get in contact with this man and he is struggling a lot with his life in Alcohol and stuff, and frankly he just isn't happy with life at the moment and that is killing him. It has been a huge testimony to me that the vain things of this world are never going to bring us happiness that will last. Amazing! Going to see this man "Paul" today, wish us luck that we can help him come into the fold.

I have been contemplating on the promise in Preach my Gospel that as you gain a greater understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, your desire to preach the gospel will increase. I realized that lately I haven't been talking to as many people, so I thought I would start killing that bad habit. I then made a goal to study the Atonement more deeply, and I have been studying how the Plan of Salvation was planned before the Creation and also the prophecies of the coming of Christ to atone for the sins of mankind. #1 Atonement scripture has to be Alma 7:11-22!

Glad you got that Photo yesterday, a girl from another ward in YSA came up asking If we knew an Elder Muirhead and so I raised me finger to my tag and said "yup!" then she was so happy that her 2 month adventure trying to find me was complete! HAHA! I still have no idea who she was, I thought that it was still really sweet of her to send a treat to my family. People are so kind to send pics to my Mom.

I don't have to much more to say this week unfortunately, sorry. Just know that I am doing great and that I am happy moving on throughout the battle of souls. I will continue to try and have more fun experiences to share with you, the rain kinda just keeps everyone inside in Toronto...weird. 

Elder Sopal and Elder Muirhead being goofy - haha

No thank you for the offer but I am good and don't really need anything at the moment, but I will let you know if I think of anything at all.

 Love love love ya.

Elder Muirhead 

Ps. Lola's Ballet pics are sooooooo cute!!!!

A gift from a fellow Missionary Mom

A gift from a Fellow Missionary Momma - Sonia Mercado. She took a pic of Elder Muirhead and Elder Sopal today and sent to me. There's no gift like this when you have a missionary serving, it's the sweetest treasure to see my son so happy and serving others.

Happiness and Agency

Hi Family,
Well over all it has been a really good week, though we had to drop some non-progressing Investigators it has still been a time to be happy. This Transfer I wanted to really focus on having a HAPPY couple weeks. In my studies I have been looking at joy, happiness and trusting in the Lord, all have been excellent topics that brought some greater understanding on what it takes to be happy. The answer to being happy is well AGENCY, WORTHINESS, FAITH, and THE ATONEMENT. All these things are gifts from God that we are able to choose to use in effect of our lives or not.

Yesterday in Church a member of the Bishopric spoke on reading our scriptures. He read to us Lehi's dream and how it is by HOLDING FAST to the Iron Rod, not just clinging to it, that we are able to make it to the Tree Of Life. Also the story of the Samaritan woman at the well and how Jesus is the Living Water for our spirits. Elder David A Bednar said that the most precious and essential commodity in life is "water", the same is for our souls they need to be ever nourished by the Word of God. The member put it like this, "if you're thirsty...then Drink, it is that easy!" haha I loved it. He spoke also how we should Read, Study and Search the scriptures. Read it cover to cover to learn context and the basic variables of what is happening to the people throughout the stories. Study by topic and see patterns that the scriptures hold. Finally Search the scriptures and "Liken" them to our lives, when we are reading are we just saying "oh wow I am glad that Nephi was able to have that experience" or are we internalizing it and asking the REAL QUESTION "Wow from Nephi's experience how can I be able to take that and use that same principle, so that I too can have a similar spiritual experience and build my testimony?"  This talk gave me a great look at myself and the appreciation that I have as a missionary to read everyday and apply the Read, Study, Search in all that I do, BLESSINGS!

Something that I have been able to learn lately is that even after being a missionary how important it is to go and continue to invite others to Christ, whether they be Less Actives or Recent converts or New People. We as Latter Day Saints are always to be missionaries with or without the Tag. Another thing I have been able to think a lot lately about in the future is how everything I learn out here truly prepares me for life with every aspect of life, whether it is working with my church leaders and members, my family and also my future companion, so that I have the constant foundation of spiritual support in my life. Really cool to think about. Now that I have been at my (1 year) hump mark of the mission I have been trying to look at what I have learned and pondering how I will use it at the end of the mission and for all my life. 

I am so blessed to be able to be part of the movement of the church and all the members of the church are as well. Are we doing as the Lord has said "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness, for the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward".-D&C 58:26-27

I love you all and I am doing Great! looking to kick this year of the mission in the rear and help the Lord achieve his mighty work. "FOR THIS IS MY JOY" 

Elder Muirhead

Birthday, Half Way Mark, Love Bots and more

Dear Family, 
OH My Goodness what a crazy week!!!!

I got your package the day before my Birthday and I loved it so much! Thank you so much! I ate a lot of the junk food in like 2 days haha ooops not very controlled on sweets haha. I loved my blue tooth GPS! it's so sick I have been using it tons and it kinda bugs Elder Sopal sometimes when I am going through the Directory to see where everyone lived hahaha, But it is so helpful. Thanks Mom and Dad!

So on my Birthday night we are in bed for 20 minutes or so, and then we hear a knock knock at the door and I look through the peep and see a chinese man asking for me. ( What in the world is this guy thinking he is doing here?) I slowly open the door and he then says "happy birthday"...and at that point I am even more awkwarded out....WHO IS THIS GUY!!?? He hands me a bag of food and hands his phone to me. As I am still really mentally confused, I wasn't able to click who was speaking on the phone....then I heard "Happy birthday dear Grandson" IT IS NANA!!! NO WAY!! Never going to forget how Nana terrified me on my Birthday, because you know No One knocks on the Elders Door hahaha. 

I went to have sushi at lunch time and it was fantastic! I have been pretty happy and trying to make it a huge focus on this part of my mission to JUST BE HAPPY! I am working hard and at the same time looking to enjoy each moment that I can to reflect on the present and not worry so much on the past and future. 

I wanted to do something for Papa's birthday as well, When he passed on I had the Idea of remembering him on his Birthday. We usually shared that week and I thought that it would be cool to light a birthday candle for him annually. Here is a picture! I thought it was a great moment for me I was pretty happy to do a little something something for him. 

Here is something that the kids will like to hear. Since I gained Elder Sopal as my comp he told me that there are stickers all over the south part of Toronto called "Love Bots". They are robots with hearts on them and they are all sorts of different designs and the artist sticks them in hiding spots. Kinda like a giant treasure hunt. This has now become my new addiction looking all over to find these stickers and collecting them. Turns out you can order them online but since I can't do that I shall do it the fun way, FIND AND CONCUR! Here are some that I have and I found some huge ones that wouldn't come off, But they are still pretty cool.

I have been amazed these last few weeks people have been popping up everywhere and we have been gaining referrals and news here and there and low and Behold we have an actual populated teaching pool! YAY!! Just last night I was on the subway and a girl sees me get on and as I sit down says "I want to hear". My response took a couple seconds to process since this is the first time I have had someone ask to learn without me even speaking hahaha "....uuuuummm Okay, what would you like to know?" "about Jesus, you teach about him right?" "yes yes I do!" Great moment!!

My dear friends and family I love you so much thank you for the Birthday wishes and for Mom thanks for my 1 year mark email, that camel pic made me laugh pretty good!

Love you,

Elder Muirhead

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Hello Hello Hello!

Again happy happy happy Mother's day! I am so blessed to have such an amazing mother. I have been constantly learning so much by your example and I thought that I would include in this letter just a few of the infinite lessons that I have and shall continue to learn from you.

1) My Mother has great Faith. I have always been around the influence of the spirit, I have been taught and brought up in correct principles and that are pleasing unto God. I feel like the Sons of Helaman, they were taught to trust in the Lord in all things, they taught their sons how to pray, read the scriptures and to uphold righteousness as a primary path through life. (Alma 56:47-48)

2) My Mother is one who Endures trials and challenges with grace and patience. Many many challenges have come to pass in my mom's life and she has been God fearing through it all. Ever trusting that she would be delivered. From those experiences I have been able to receive her support through my own trials. Which is one of the greatest blessings ever! (2 Timothy 2:3)

3) My Mother is a beacon of Love! Even with my obnoxious behavior through life she continues to forgive and just Love me up. Her love is a pillar that holds up positive feelings and my self identity as a beloved child of God and someone of great worth in her eyes, and continues to do so with her other children and will do so with her future grandchildren. (Moroni 8:17)

4) My Mother just has a Smile that makes the room gleam with joy and makes everyone else smile with her. hahaha (2 Nephi 5:27)

I love you so much Mom and hope that you enjoyed your Day. The greatest gift for my birthday was just being able to talk with my family members! I am the most blessed man alive to have such support. 

I am grateful to be here to experience how to be a better man for the future. To be a strong disciple for Christ. And I only got this far because my Mom brought me here to experience the Joys of the Father. AMAZING!! 

Can't believe that I am at my one year, but now is time to take what I have learned thus far and kick some souls into shape and help build the kingdom more and more! I've got you in my prayers, and I know that you do the same for me, I feel it from you all and it empowers me to press forth. I am feeling much better these last few weeks, now that recoup is over lets get down to buisness....watch out Satan, I am back! and taking Names to the font!

Love you!

Elder Muirhead

Babies, Transfers, Birthday and Mother's Day Plans

Dear Mom,

That is so amazing to hear about your friend Spencer glad to hear she is doing so well with her testimony building! 

This week I again went to the hospital to give a Sister a blessing, when we got there she had a 3 day old little baby girl in her arms asleep. It just radiated the spirit to me that after all these bad things I have been feeling lately and have had to hear, the Lord sent me a tender mercy to see one of my favorite things in the world, Babies! I Adore children, and I am excited for the future, where after my mission I can begin to build the Lord's Kingdom in a new way, through my own family. 

We also helped a sister move which took a lot of work, about 5 hours of moving stuff. They are a super cool family The Jimemez Family, they are from Mexico originally and they are just having a bit of new challenges lately but the Lord has their Backs.

Well we got our transfer calls last night and Elder Morby will be moving on to Brampton, and I will be staying here but guess who is my companion?? Elder Sopal! I'm Super excited, in case you didn't know I went to High School with him in Lethbridge sooooo sweet! So we will get the switch tomorrow, and press on. Elder Morby is kinda nervous to leave his first area behind but I hope I reassured him enough to not stress to much about area 2. 

Mother's Day is coming up and it will be amazing to see you all and tell you some funny stories. It will go just like Christmas where I will call the day before and tell you the time that I will be on Skype on Sunday.

My Birthday is also coming up on the 13th and I don't have any clue what to do for it ? I honestly don't really need anything out here, It is now just a weird thing to think about. Not really expecting anything to crazy to happen because I will just be working still haha. ahh doesn't really matter that much its just a number. I can just get a cupcake or something lol :)  

I shared my testimony yesterday in church about the Plan of Salvation. I shared a couple of experiences that have been happening, like hearing here and there about death and how I was about to help a sister in the hospital find peace as she was dying last week. And how I helped another sister who was about to have twins and that one wasn't doing well and we were about to assure her that everything would be alright and talked about families being sealed forever. And this week seeing that little baby girl fresh from heaven. I bore testimony that our Heavenly Father HAS a Plan for EACH of US! He knows our need, he knows our pains, our joys, +'s and -'s. This last couple months I have been able to witness the Lord's plan move all around us on each level of mortality and it is Beautiful! I have been able to take my studies into a personal knowledge that these things are necessary, and for what TO BE WITH GOD AND BE LIKE HIM!

I had a lady in the subway tell me that we were wrong because the Book of Mormon taught that we will be like God. She only wanted to contend so I just walked on without explaining for it would fall on deaf ears, But to you I can truly say that this has always been God's end goal "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." It is all throughout the Bible, Book of Mormon and more how do I know this, well I LOOKED IT UP! It will happen and we shouldn't think otherwise it is merely a fact! Unfortunatly due to the Apostasy many people won't believe this or accept this doctrine, but we should let everyone have the chance to at least hear it and let their agency do the rest. For "Faith without works is dead", and what I have learned out here is that if we don't open our mouths we take away people's agency to choose to accept the gospel. 

I wish to Challenge each person who reads this to testify to 1 person just 1 person each week and from it you will find joy in knowing you are doing what is expected of God.

I wish you all well and Love the pictures of your faces so so much, I miss you. But like I said Mother's Day is just around the corner!! ;)

Loves loves loves,

Elder Muirhead

PS. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I just got word that the eldest Walsh girl Veronica

 got Baptized this week!!!!! AAAAHHHHHH!! I am so excited,