15 June 2015 -- Garden City -- Spanish

Buenas tardes!! A utz a wach?

Mirad que le sirvais con todo vuestro corazon, alma, mente, y fuerza.

So, we've been working a lot with Daniel the past few weeks and he has expressed to us that he wants to change. All he wants is God in his life, but he doesn't know if he'll be able to. For a while, he wasn't able to walk and after the missionaries started visiting him and he started coming to church, he was able to walk again. A true miracle! But last week, his ability to walk went away again. He didn't know why, but we testified to him of the Atonement and that if he had the faith in Christ and His Atonement, only striving to be a disciple of Jesus Christ the rest of his life, he'd be able to walk again. On Saturday, we stopped by his house and he was out sitting on his porch as usual. As he saw us, he stood up and walked up to us. It didn't even register to me that he was actually walking until he got up to us. Such a huge miracle! He told us, "Words can't even express how much I want God in my life right now." I know the Atonement can enable us with the strength beyond that which we even know, and it comes from a pure love from our Savior Jesus Christ.

Friday was Zone Conference and the training was really focused on Elder Holland's visit from the beginning of May. Nothing has meaning except for the meaning you give it. As we find our purpose in doing or seeking to accomplish something (the why) we will love it more than anything else. In Mosiah 5:7, it talks about how out hearts are changed through faith. If we were to serve Christ with our heart before our mind and our strength, we would never be tired. Start fast, run hard, and to the tape. You can rest later. I know that as we exercise faith in Christ, we will be enabled to accomplish what needs to be done.

I found this poem by President Henry B. Eyring the other day and absolutely loved it! It was definitely motivating for me to do more and give more each day. "I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on his presence, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast and my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough. My companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the fare of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear."

Se que Jesucristo nos quiere perfectamente y gracias a que El nos quiere, tendremos la fuerza a vencer los desafios y las problemas personales que todos tenemos en la vida. El vive!

I love you all! Thank you so much for each of your individual example to me! Have an amazing week of miracles!

Love,

Elder Murphy

Trip to Oklahoma City Temple on June 2nd.

8 June 2015 - Garden City - Spanish

Buenos dias everyone!! I hope you all had an amazing week!

El campo blanco esta ya para la siega.

On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to go to the Oklahoma City Temple! It was such an amazing experience and the Spirit that is in the house of the Lord is so powerful and real, even outside on the grounds.

On Saturday, we went to try Jaime, who we've been trying to contact for a couple of weeks. He was there and was fully on board to learn more and come closer to Christ. About halfway through the conversation, Carmen pulled into his driveway, came up to us, and the first thing she told us was that she's been looking for a church. She told us that she had gone home for the night, but for some reason, Jaime had texted her and told her to come back. She didn't know why, but she acted. I know that as we act in faith, blessings will come into our lives and we will be changed and blessed by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

As a mission, we've really been focusing on what we learned from Elder Holland's visit: How we can have progression through spiritual power, loving our mission, and having a true sense of urgency about the work. As I think about it, these all fall under serving with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength. I know as we strive and do all we can to become true disciples of Jesus Christ, we will be enabled to reach our potential.

I know that it's almost natural for us in life to feel as is we are surrounded by a mist of darkness. But what I've seen and learned in my short time is that God's light is literal and full of hope. As we seek to grow it and integrate it into out lives, we will feel the peace and true happiness that comes from out Heavenly Father, who loves us more than we can ever begin to understand. And that love enables us to push through trials in life.

I hope you all have an amazing week! Thank you for everything! Love you!!

Love,

Elder Murphy

3 June 2015 -- Garden City -- Spanish

What a week!! And a great way to start off the summer and transfer!

Elder Packard and I definitely hit the ground running this week and were able to see so many miracles each day! 

On Wednesday, we were riding to an appointment and this guy, Daniel, stopped me on my bike in the middle of the road (and Elder Packard didn't notice so he kept on riding). He told me that he had been meeting with the missionaries a few months ago, but they'd never come back and he wanted us to come back and teach him! When we went back, he told us over and over again that he wants to change his life, start over and just do what God wants. He said he was actually supposed to get baptized awhile ago, but ended up being on a plane to Arkansas that day, and wasn't. But he's ready now! The Lord definitely prepares people for specific times. And when we are all ready, He places us in each others' paths at such a specific time.

While we were weekly planning, we were pondering about if we should stop seeing someone who we hadn't been able to contact in a few weeks. When they first met her, she accepted a baptismal date for May 30th. About 10 minutes after we had decided to not try and see them for a while, she texted us and asked us if she was still good to be baptized on Saturday. We definitely didn't expect it, but made contact with her and she is so ready to follow Christ's example and be baptized. The Lord is always preparing us.

Our work and burdens will be light and easy to bear if we will depend on the Lord. We are going to be successful, there is no doubt about it. The Lord does not expect us to fail. He doesn't call anyone to fail. He expects us and will provide a way for us to succeed. When Elder Bednar came to the mission last year, he said, "when you feel the Spirit, time no longer exists." That's a lot to think about. But when we are constantly relying on the Lord through our trials and challenges, we'll see the eternal perspective and realize that they are only a moment in the grand scheme of things and will only help us grow and progress. 

Have an amazing week and remember that the Lord is always by your side! Thank you for everything! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Murphy

Bump Day Ritual -- 6 months

25 May 2015 -- Garden City -- Spanish

Buenos dias everyone!! Greetings from the Land of Milk and Honey! How was your week??

I am absolutely loving Garden City! We see so many miracles each day and I know the Lord has big plans in store for the next month.

Elder Packard and I started out this transfer in a trio with Elder Leishman from Ulysses, since his companion didn't get here until Sunday. It was definitely different being in a trio and driving back and forth an hour each way from Ulysses to Garden, but we saw muchos milagros!! It was pretty crazy the first couple of days, especially since Great Bend was a mostly English area and Garden City is all Spanish all the time. I love it!! And Elder Packard is practically fluent! It's awesome!

Elder Packard served here 23 months ago when he first came out, so we've been contacting a few people he'd talked to who'd fallen through the cracks and miraculously found Carlos. He's from El Salvador! Elder Packard said that he had so many sincere questions the first time they met him that they taught him all of the lessons in the first contact! He is so excited to learn more and grow closer to Jesus Christ. He has a lot of faith and has a true desire. Miracle.

I don't have a ton of time today, but that's just a quick update for the week. I hope you all have an amazing week!! I love you all and thank you so much for all that you do and the examples you are to me!

Love,

Elder Murphy

Kia Kaha

18 May 2015 -- Great Bend -- transfers to Garden City -- Spanish

Buenos dias everyone!! I truly hope you all had an amazing week!!

So transfers are this week and... I'll be going out west to Garden City with Elder Packard! I was honestly caught off guard. I've only been in Great Bend for 7 weeks! But I know the Lord needs me in Garden City at this specific time, just like He needed me here in Great Bend at this time, even if the time was short. And I guess that just shows how short our time really is. It flies by so fast, it's just so important that we make the most of it, because life is too valuable of an experience to rush. I love Great Bend, and even though it's a mostly English area, I feel like I've learned more of the ropes of how to become an instrument in the Lord's hands.

Yesterday, President Smith came to the Great Bend ward and talked about obedience and why. He explained first that obedience brings blessings and happiness and that disobedience brings misery in this life and in the life to come. He talked about the story in 1 Samuel 15, where Saul is commanded to "utterly destroy the Amalekites." Well, long story short, Saul doesn't "utterly destroy" them, but only partially does, sparing the best of the livestock and the king of the Amalekites. Samuel (the prophet) was told by the Lord that Saul didn't completely keep all of the commandments, but only some of them. And when confronted about it and lying about what actually happened, Samuel asks Saul in verse 22, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than to sacrifice..." Saul later explained that he had not fully kept the commandments because he "feared the people". Today, we're constantly confronted with challenges and trials. But when we understand that the Lord knows what's best for us in the eternal long run, we'll desire to do what He asks, even the small, mundane tasks. And the desire to do those things will come from the love we have for the Lord.

We met with the Baumgardner family a couple of times this week and they are definitely seeing a difference from when the missionaries were meeting with them a couple of months ago until now. They can see that they receive more blessings in their lives as they center their lives on Christ and His Gospel rather than not. I know that none of us are perfect at it, but Heavenly Father will send blessings and "open the windows of Heaven" as we strive, try, and choose to become and reach our potential. As we council with the Lord about the potential He has in store for us (vision), we will feel the Spirit more abundantly in our lives as our passion to become who the Lord wants us to be and our power to do so increase.

Yo se que cuando escogemos hacer la voluntad del Senor, veremos mas bendiciones en nuestras vidas y nos acercaremos mas de El. Yo les testifico que cuando edificamos nuestras vidas y familias en Jesucristo y Su Evangelio, no caeremos y venceremos los desafios y tribulaciones que vienen.

I truly am grateful for you all! You're always in my prayers! Have a super cien week! Love you!

Love,

Elder Murphy

Kia Kaha 

11 May 2015 -- Great Bend -- Spanish Branch

Buenos dias everyone!! Como lo fue su semana? Espero que fue fantastica!

 

So this week, we found the Reyes family! All they want to do is what God wants for them, because they know that it will help them grow stronger together as a family and will help them reach their potential. It's almost like they've set a vision for themselves and are doing what they can to implement Heavenly Father and the Atonement of Jesus Christ into their lives to change and bring it to pass.

 

This last Saturday, we had Zone training and we really focused on our meeting the week before with Elder Holland. One of the main focuses was having a sense of urgency about the work and loving our mission. We need to OTOI! And just stay "On Top Of It"! And the center of all we do as missionaries is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We are personally changed and are enabled through the Atonement as we help others turn to it to progress and reach their potential.

 

Jacob and Sabrina have been having very powerful spiritual experiences in our lessons as they are taught by the Spirit. They are coming to realize for themselves that when they center their lives on Jesus Christ because they love Him and strive to change, be enabled, and grow because of Him, they will find true happiness. One thing we've really been focusing on with them is acting as an agent instead of waiting to be treated like an object. We all have the power to choose for ourselves, and there is true power in choice. We choose for ourselves whether or not to be productive each day. We choose for ourselves whether or not to be happy and have a good attitude, even when problems and challenges of the world confront us. We all have the power to choose to change and reach our potential. When we choose, the next step we need to take is to act, go, and do. If we have a vision for ourselves and who we want to become, and have a burning desire to become that, then our vision will not just be some words, but will become us.

 

I've been studying a lot about the life of Jesus Christ, mainly His first miracle of changing water into wine. At first, I thought, why change it into wine, when He could just purify the water and make it taste good? But it was deeper than just that. The Savior wanted to show that He can change things. He changed the worst water into the best wine. In the same way, if we put our faith and trust in Him, He can change us into the best we can be: who we have the potential of becoming. I know that as we truly apply the words of the prophets into our lives, we can full access the Atonement.

 

Yo se que Jesucristo vive y gracias a que El vive, tenemos esperanza por lo mejor. El esta aqui en cualquier tiempo y El nos ama no importa que hacemos. Yo se que Dios tiene un plan para todos nosotros y que cuando tenemos una vision, podemos obtener nuestra potencial.

 

I hope you all have a fantastic week! Thank you all for everything! I love you all!

 

Love,

Elder Murphy

 

Kia Kaha

 

4 May 2015 -- Great Bend -- Spanish Branch

Buenos dias!! Como estan? I hope all of you had a super fantastic week!!

So, Saturday morning, we had a huge mission conference in Wichita and  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland visited!! It was such an amazing and humbling experience and opportunity to be taught by one of the Lord's twelve apostles. He started out expressing to us how important this mission is to the Lord and how important it should be to us. He expressed that his mission meant everything to him and that every good and significant thing that has happened to him in the 54 years since his mission have happened because of his mission and what he was able to become because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He expressed that the fundamental way to do missionary work is to just open your mouth and speak. If we do that and allow the Lord to place the words in our mouths, we will be able to change our lives as we lose ourselves in helping others come closer to Christ in their own lives. Overall, Elder Holland told us to be joyous about our mission, but understand how serious and important it truly is. The Spirit that was in the room as he expressed that was overwhelmingly peaceful.

We also had a training by the Assistants during interviews this last week. They talked about having Vision, Passion, and Power! Throughout life, we need to set visions as to what Heavenly Father has in store for our future potential. When we maintain that vision with passion, constantly thinking about it and going above and beyond to realize and become that vision (reach your potential), you'll receive power through the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to do so. That enabling power is our constant energy source to climb the mountain of life and it comes from the perfect love that our Father in Heaven and Savior have for us. 

As we teach people, I've really been focusing on trying to get them to open their eyes to the vision Heavenly Father has for them. The vision for their eternal potential. (Kind of like Lehi's Dream in 1 Nephi 8). When they see that and strive to reach it, they will do whatever they can to reach it and will allow it to become a part of them, taking joy in trials because they know those trials will help them the most in reaching their potential.

I know that one person can be a multitude. We have the power to choose whether we are going to strive to be a Christlike example or not. I know that we become who we want to become by consistently being who we want to become. And that which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not because the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do so increases.

I love you all and I appreciate everything you have done individually to impact my life and help bring me where I am today. Have an amazing week!

Love,

Elder Murphy

Kia Kaha

KWM Mission Conference - 2 May 2015

(Elder Murphy - front row, left-hand side, 2nd from the left)