Loving My Mission

Dear Mom,

That is so exciting that they brought so many friends to the Baptism and the church it will lead to great things!

Yes I do have Ontario health care, all the Canadians signed up for it on day one. Thanks for letting me know though, I will handle that after the mission, in the meantime I am covered so don't worry. ^_^

This week has been actually amazingly powerful it has been a huge build of my testimony. I went on exchanges and helped our south Elders find 5 new investigators! It was crazy! the Lord guided us to work our tails off and we were rewarded with many sheaves of the day. 

While I was still on the exchange the sister missionaries called us and told us to rush to the hospital to help a sister in the ward with a blessing. We didn't have any oil vials with us so we ran to the grocery store and bought a bottle of oil and just consecrated it in the cap, haha. When we arrived at the hospital we met the members 2 daughters and they told us of the situation. The sister missionaries failed to inform us that it was a sweet lady who was terminal and about to pass away. I went in confidant and happy only to see this weak and tiny little old child of God. Her name is Edith and she served many years ago in south Africa ( President Monson blessed her, so I touched the same head as a Prophet.) I sealed and blessed her and gave her one of the most powerful and reassuring blessings since my Papa was in a similar situation. I commended her on her services to the Lord and blessed her with peace of mind and a knowledge that the Lord is going to take care of her family and that this is Edith's next step towards the Saviour. I finished with Amen and opened my eyes to the tears of the 2 daughters, such peace and love entered at that moment and we left. I won't forget that moment that I was able to assist in that farewell to a beloved sister in Christ.

We had a phone call chat with our Mission President and we discussed some of our trials and feelings. He counselled me to help everyone come to Christ and strive for the whole work of Salvation. I took his advice a little farther and studied the next day about being a Disciple of Christ. I Loved looking at the simple guidance of the scriptures that I was led to, ex) "Be thou an example of the believers, love one another by this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if you continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed."

We ourselves found some new investigators:

Jenny: is from Granada in the Caribbean, she is a tenant at a members home who we met at a dinner appointment. She is 7th day Adventist, but is open minded to doctrine and the Book of Mormon, she even came to church yesterday. 

  

Steve: we met Steve walking from a less actives home. He stopped us and asked if we wanted to rent out a room in his house for a deal, we in turn for his offer offered him a Book of Mormon and a prayer. Looking forward to see him on Sunday to share more.

The many prayers of my dear ones at home thank you so much they have kept me a float, I love you all so much and without your support this mission would be a whole lot different from what it is now.

Last night we went to a members home for dinner, we shared a video on mormonmessages.org "The Refiner's Fire" it is a crazy video with great visuals. We testified of the Lord being like a blacksmith beating us and changing our raw materials into the true beauty and potential that only his eyes and designs can imagine in us. I felt the refinder's fire strong this week and I am grateful, that the Lord just loves me so much that he would correct and educate me. Newton's Law is that for what ever is lost the opposite is gained, including negative experiences for equal positive ones.

Mom, Dad and littles I love you all so much and can wait to see those handwritten letters from you all. ^_^

Elder Muirhead

I talk to Everyone

Hey Kids: We have a groundhog living across the street form us, we call him "dead meat"

Short but Sweet

Dear Mom - Josh is wearing my Shirt!!! I love the sand messages in those pictures from the beach though, that was nice!

My Week has been a battle for sure just to function but It has been very humbling to press on and do what I can. We had a lot of people in opposition of us this week Laughing, mocking and contending with us. It was impowering to see the strength and change I have gone through so far. The old me would contend back and probably start a fight, but now I was able to bite my tongue and hold my composure, which truly makes opposing people just look silly. 

I Thought a great deal about the persecutions of Joseph Smith all of his life, and how if he could endure all that and come out on top, Surely as the Lord liveth so can I. D&C 121-122 for example is something I can somewhat understand better now through all my personal trials.

Thank you for the added prayers and love. It goes a long way to help me out.

Send my love to the little ones ( and my clothes back in their boxes lol I like that Josh loves me that much, that he mirrors my fashion style though ahaha it is funny. But I need to have clothes when I return.) 

Short message but not to much going on this week. Imagining you all jumping into sooke pot holes and stuff together! You are amazing! Dad too I am so blessed to have such loving and caring parents who know me so well and wish to make me as happy as possible.

Love,

Elder Muirhead

Duck Egg, WWE Baptism and more

Dear Family,

This week didn't really have to much going on at all, Oh and I forgot to mention that last week I switched my prescription to another drug. The usual wasn't doing much any more and so I got a new one :) it is called Celexa? So it has been a difficult with going through withdraws and trying to adjust and at the same time keep up in the work. It's been the hardest week of my life! Oh well we got taken out to a nice dinner, say hey to that Elder Cedeno and tell him that Maria and Nick say hey.

We did have a couple funny stories this week, on Saturday we were invited to dinner at a members home (a sweet Filipino family) and they made "Balut= Duck egg with a fetus inside" it is the initiation they have for the missionaries. Elder Morby did it already and this time he did it again. I on the other hand refused! Mom, I just could NOT do it at all,  I shall send a picture and you will know why. We knew before hand that they would make that so we had the great idea to make and bring our own North American version of Balut using Easter eggs and peeps! It was Hilarious they loved it!!!  

Balut - their version

Balut - My way

Funny story happened yesterday too actually. There was a baptism that other elders had and they had a member do the baptism. This member had not performed a baptism in 21 years and when the time came he kept on forgetting the words of the ordinance. Once he got it, he grabbed the person by the neck and lowered him down WWE style, it didn't allow him to go all the way under so he had to do it again. This time grabbing his head hahaha it was hilarious I tried to be reverent.

Me with my Dope Easter Loot - thanks Mom (I mean Bunny)

Man 1 year mark next month and my birthday ahhhhh I never know what to do for my own birthday. As far as suggestions the only things that I could think of would be like money for new shoes or a suit or something like that. Options for birthday gifts are not as vast while on mission hahaha. 

Sunnessa is doing great we have been starting the discussions with her to bring her up to speed with the last 20 years of inactivity. She loved it and is coming to church this Sunday. 

Yeah those talks were super powerful!

Love love love you all 

Elder Muirhead

Easter Weekend and General Conference

Happy Easter my Beloved Family! Alleluia the Tomb is Empty and HE is Risen.

I am so grateful for the chance I have had to celebrate my first mission Easter which has been surprisingly more exciting experience than even Christmas....yes even Christmas.

I received your packages with a giant grin on my face as I couldn't wait to open such a fun gift, thank you so much for the back roller ;) love it! Sunday morning we had a mission wide call in and we read John 19-20 and D&C 138 to worship and better understand the magnitude of the TRIUMPH of the Lord Jesus Christ. He over came sin in the Garden, He died on the cross fulfilling the prophecies of ancient prophets, and He organized deliverance to the captives in the spirit world including the sinful souls, and the He overcame death itself for us to also overcome it and become glorious in the future presence of the Father of the Universe. AMAZING!!!

General Conference was just amazing, Elder Jefferey R. Holland of course of course was #1 in my book. He solidified the true meaning of the Atonement and Easter weekend. I also enjoyed the story of the Naviho Indian at the hospital "I can teach you to dance, but it is up to you to hear the music", Alma 5:26 talking about the song of redeeming love is a perfect connection and it made me truly think if I am constantly hearing the spirit of the Lord and being continually grateful for it. 

Mom and Dad I am amazed by the loving talks at Papa's funeral, it is a miracle to hear the change and constant growth of your testimonies as you have been in the service of the Lord alongside me. 

When Elder Neil L. Anderson spoke about Elisha and his servant, how God opened the servant's eyes and saw the armies of Heaven behind Elisha. It made we think and imagine the amount of the hosts of Heaven who are behind us every waking moment INCLUDING Papa. Though I haven't felt him or seen him, I don't have too see him to know if he is or isn't with me. I know my Grandpa and I know his boundless love for his family...he never left. (something I prayed about in the Temple that gave me great comfort a few weeks ago.)

We had a miracle happen yesterday, a Less active sister named Sunnessa of 20 years (she left at 14) who we had seen on the bus and never was able to yet meet with was praying for guidance as she is leaving her husband and taking her 2 year old boy Aiden too. Early Easter morning I texted her to invite her to General Conference, she took it as a sign and brought her less active Mother and her son. We talked after and she expressed her situation to us and told us her desire to change and return after a long time. I was so excited to hear that she wanted the gospel for Aiden and to leave her non member husband till she could be sealed in the Temple forever. I commended her for her choice and reassured her that all will be well, I told her of my childhood and how "I was Aiden." She told me "You're just meant to be MY missionary!" I have been praying for confirmation as to why I have been in this area of Don Mills, and I discovered it finally! I also told her that because of the faith and love of my mother I knew the gospel and I knew how to pray at a young age, which I prayed that my mother would find her companion and I just know that Aiden will be the key to that family tie and I am Excited to witness it happen in future years!!

I love you Mom and Dad, Josh, Brigs, Noah, Lola!

Happy Easter!

Elder Muirhead

His Late Grandpa's Missionary Tag in his jacket next to his heart. 

God's Love, Pre-Easter and Testimony

Dear Mom, This is also one of my favorite days it is time to prepare unwind a bit and chat with my loved ones.

TADA! You're all healthy again hahaha that is great, glad that you are all better now. Time to now celebrate getting over a flu with a Easter Candy explosions! chocolates and gummies galore!

This week has been kinda slow, but we were given an investigator who's name is Bruce. We taught him about the Restoration of the Gospel and he loved it, hearing about angels visiting Joseph smith was his favorite part, he accepted a baptismal date. Yet just as things were going so well with the spirit at the end of the lesson, he said " I am making a decision in my life that I don't know God may be proud of." He then handed me some papers and I looked and asked what he intends to do with them, his reply " I am going to get my gender changed"........wait what? We were frozen for a moment, and I just told him how much God loves him and created him for a purpose just the way he was. We felt so sad for him that he wasn't able to like himself, and though it was a strange experience we contemplated just HOW could we help him out with this and to help him feel of Gods love for him? Agency is such an interesting thing, and opposition to our choices are just so hard sometimes. I am so glad to have knowledge that I have a loving Father and Saviour in heaven guiding me in all I do, If I didn't I may not make it even this far in life. 

During Testimony meeting we heard a lot of well stories rather than actual testimonies and I admit it bugged me a little bit, the Spirit filled me and I got up and bore my testimony of the Saviour's last week in mortality and how the Sacrifice of Jesus overcomes the effects of Physical and Spiritual Death. Then I sat down  and was greeted by a fist bump by Elder Morby he said "that is how a testimony meeting should go." Afterwards others gave simple doctrinal testimonies and I was so blessed to hear those precious impressions to help out a little. 

We taught the Atonement in Gospel Principles class and the study on it continues to grow my faith and appreciation, to know that because of Christ we are able to settle the demands of Justice and Mercy, and there is No Other Way except through Him that we may make it back to the Father.

My dear Family I love you all so much 

Still sending daily prayers

Happy Easter Conference!!

Elder Muirhead

Ps. Lola you are hilarious!!    (he said in response to this story about his sister Lola from my letter to him: Today in Sacrament Meeting one of our new Senior Missionaries was speaking, he’s like in full on Amazing Apostle-like mode. The spirit was so strong and my eyes were full of tears. Lola looks up at me and says loudly “This is just like a funeral!” HAHAHA Oh man. So funny, you’re so going to adore that little sister of yours in a whole new way when you get home.)

Dylan put his Late Grandpa's Missionary tag on his scriptures, he's taking
Papa with him the rest of the way.

In prayer and wearing Papa's Tie. This photo made me cry this week.

Temple, Baptism Date and Transfers

Dear Momma,
We had the chance to go to the temple on Saturday and it was great so wonderful to get into the Celestial room again, I truly got some comforting revelations there. We currently have one investigator named Samuel he is filipino and catholic, he had many questions about the church and hasn't attended his own in 4 years. He wishes to grow his faith and when we shared the Restoration with him the spirit was so strong. At the end of our discussion he said " I believe in God and therefore I believe what you say to be true as well" WHAT!! AWESOME! Then he accepted a baptismal date for April!! He is so amazing we now just need to get him coming to church, operation fellowship is underway. We love him.

We will be getting two new MTC Missionaries in our district which means there will be some miracles happening here shortly, greenies are just to innocent for people to say no to haha. 

Sending some stuff home today.. with a letter no worries!

Brigs Noah I hear that you aren't feeling well today I will be sending some treats in a package for you guys to share this week.

Love you so much Elder Muirhead

PS - Oh transfers came today and Elder Morby and I are staying put for another round in Don Mills Ward we are pretty excited!

Behind me is a signed poster for all the missionaries that have served in the Don Mills area since it was posted up, I have me on there too!

A Week of Miracles

Oh how much I love you all, I have been contemplating how this week could have gone, and because of all your faith and prayers we had a miraculous week!

We have been going so hard at talking to everyone we can and inviting them to learn more or to let us know of a referral we can go by. We were prompted to go one day to a home of a man on the directory to see if he still lived there, the member had moved but we contacted another man named Samuel. Now when we knocked on Samuel's door he was hiding behind the door because he had no clothes on haha. He told us that he was cooking for him and his 2 year old son. We told him who we are, and he knew who we were already from seeing missionaries around back in the Philippines. He at first offered a bottle of water "I trust fellow Christians" He said and then invited us in. He then ran around the apartment towards the bed room covering his crotch as he pranced in his underwear and told us to take a seat on the couch. He came back clothed for public view and made us pancakes and told us he was Catholic, and said that we could return on Thursday to share a message with his family.

We also found another awesome Filipino man investigator for English class this Saturday amazing!

Yesterday we went and taught a lady we talked to named Juliet, she is from India and she's Catholic. We brought a member with us and taught her and her husband and met her daughter who unfortunately had homework to do so she bolted. We taught a powerful lesson on the Restoration and they said that they would read the Book of Mormon and study carefully and pray about it to know of its truthfulness. They are so amazing they made us dinner after!! Official new favorite investigators hahaha.

+Mormon 9:15- God has not ceased to be a God of miracles!!

On Saturdays for my Job as a building manager (in charge of English class) I teach the district, and this week I had to lovingly rebuke for some of our district for non-professionalism, then I instructed on how my previous discussions were based off of Christ-like attributes from Preach My Gospel. The Topic for that day was about "Power and Authority" I had each of the missionaries bring their individual ministerial certificates and testified that they were given the trust and Authority to go and teach all nations. Then had all who were present to bare testimony on why they came out on a mission, and the spirit flooded the room! 

I testify that the power and Authority of the Lord is in not only the missionaries of the Church, but every one of the saints of the Church of the Lord. 

We also had a meeting with all the Toronto missionaries, and Sister Clayton (president's wife) spoke about building our testimonies through prayer more effectively. She told us of a secret that I now include in all my prayers, that we should not just make a grocery list for God and expect him to pay up. The trick is to ask God what we can do to accomplish that thing and make a "Commitment" with the Lord to go and do it! I loved that principle, it has given faith in prayer more power behind it and reminded me of the story of Nephi in Helaman 10:3-7, and realized that this is how Nephi recieved such blessings for God.

I love you all so much and thought of each of your faces through out the week, I am feeling more happy and the Atonement  helps me work through grief and to grow from Papa's passing, just wanted you to know that I am getting there. 

With Love,

Elder Muirhead