Hello Everyone,
This morning has been great. We have been playing pickleball every day for exercise in the morning, waking up at 6am so we have enough time. I love it! On pday, we play for a couple hours in the morning, do our shopping and errands, and then get together with other missionaries and play for hours in the afternoon.
Two people I taught in my last area got put on date to be baptized! It’s a little crazy since AJ's been taught for about a year and a half. He feels like he finally got his answer the Book of Mormon is true. The other guy, Mario, that Elder Williams and I found, got put on date for baptism. He had been taught a year ago by missionaries but felt like they didn't care about him. However, Elder Williams and I were able to connect with him, and he knew we genuinely cared about him. Mario has a pool and would try to think of ways to accidently get us in, so we could enjoy it without breaking the mission rules. Ha ha
We got into a Bible Bash with two really nice guys named James and Ed. Cool but not really interested in changing. We had an amazing zone conference where we learned about being born again, taking on the name of Christ, the way of Christ, and about the sacrament. I've been able to spend my personal study really expanding on what's been taught and it's been amazing.
We also attended a meeting where we learned about faith. The idea is simplicity beyond complexity. The idea behind it, is that there are three types of faith. The first type is simple faith, faith that a child might have when he bears his testimony the church is true. This type of faith is optimistic but not realistic. This type of faith oftentimes lacks repentance, or a desire to change. Once questions and other perspectives come in, this faith grows into complex faith. This type of faith acknowledges lots of ideas but also brings in doubt and fears. This type of faith lacks hope, or in other words, an abiding trust in the lord. The third type of faith is the simple beyond the complex. It’s faith that is cemented, tested, firm and undoubted. It's faith you don't have to worry about because any fears or doubts are swallowed up in and by Christ.
There are so many cool people here in Orem. Serving a mission is awesome!
Elder Cluff
