01/17/2015

Dear Reader,

I still can't decide exactly how or what I want to say! I know that this missionary life is something very different, very special when compared to regular life, but I keep drawing blanks each time I sit down to write anything... ughhh.

This week President Senior invited one of his friends, a speaker, to give our district meeting lesson. Dave Marcum gave a fantastic lesson on confidence and patterns. I would not be able to talk about all he said because I got so much out of it, but Elder Curtis and I got to play chauffeur! Which means we got extra lessons from this brilliant man in the car.

This week I've been working to change habits. It's really hard...

Okay, I have a story to tell.

This morning during companionship study we got a text from one of our investigators. He is a Catholic. He is only sixteen and he asked us if we'd meet him at the church and read the Book of Mormon with him. So, we replaced our P-day language study with a lesson. We read the introduction, discussed it, and read the first chapter together. Afterwards, he opened up to us and told us the reason why he came to church with us in the first place. He said that he went to a Protestant church and during the class he asked who the Mormons were. He told us stories of how the teacher told him that we believe that Jesus is an alien from a different planet and how we worship satan. They then warned him to not go to church because we would sacrifice him to satan.

He told us that he decided that killing was illegal and so he'd try coming. 

Yesterday we were on a switch-off with the Stake President going to an appointment on the subway when all the sudden this lady is like "Hi Elder!" I recognized her pretty quick. Elder Curtis had told me about her and her friends and the appointments they had last transfer. (Some quality anti-Mormon stuff) She pulled out this beat up plastic bag with two papers in it. Both were anti-mormon material... She gave them to us and encouraged us to read and then asked for our card so we could talk another day. I gave it to her and she hopped off the train.

This morning during personal study I thought back to a study I had earlier this week in the book of Acts. I reviewed my previous study, seeing this chapter in a different light.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

I compared this with us. There are many who fight against Zion. And "if this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God" it cannot be overthrown; and "all who reject this glad message shall never such happiness know." Running into opposition only confirms that I'm doing what is right in God's sight.

I am so grateful to have the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ be the center of my life. Not just a piece of my life when it's convenient, but truly the core. And I will continue to "cease not to teach and preach Jesus Christ"

Elder Osborn