When it gets tough...

Sounds like everyone is wiped out this last week.  I hope you are all doing wonderful!  And really, I am so happy everyone is done with School!  That is crazyyyyyyy!

Ash and Liz...Congrats!  That is so great!  I am so happy for you guys!  Seriously!!!  That is so great!!!  Sorry I couldn't be there for your graduations!  But you were both SO BEAUTIFUL in the pics!  Seriously-- Stunning!! :)

This week, I will tell you, it was full of its up and downs to tell you the truth.  It was full of many uh....."learning" opprotunities:)  Sometimes, the Lord teaches us we need to change the way we are doing things when we get the same results.  It is a way of experimentation and growth that I have loved, and still don't understand perfectly. hahahahaa! 

Funny you asked mom... the truth?  We did get sick.  When I say we, I mean my comp and I:)  But because of ALL the knowledge I have about medicine;)  and my mom... I healed us both-- and we went to workkkkkk:)  It was wonderful!  Thanks for all the things you have taught me mom!

Also, wonderful trials of the world are making it a little bit of a challenge for some of our investigators to continue progressing:)  Ramona, who was supposed to get baptized this week, ran into challenges.  Her husband, who isn't married to her, but who wants to leave, told her he is going to stay in the house another year.  She can't get baptized until he leaves. She came to us, crying, saying she wouldn't be able to be clean of her sins and sharing with us how she would have to wait another year to be baptized!  We felt the spirit super strong as we comforted one of our sisters and a daughter of God when she thought she wouldn't be able to go on any longer.  The Lord is putting her at her limits.  But it is because she will see the difference in the end.  We also have been having struggles.  I know I am usually so happy, but we have seen some people start to give up, or when no one answers us... that we, as a companionship just end up saying "man, what are we doing wrong?"  But the Lord has always blessed us.  I think there are two lessons this week.  The first has to do with the last. That we sometimes don't feel capable to do the things the Lord needs of us.  The truth is, we aren't.  BUT, the Lord will help you, if you are trying your best.  Through Christ, you will BECOME capable.  That is the point.  Reminds me of 1  Sam 16:7 (But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.)  There is no reason for us to say we aren't able to do something.  We judge by the eyes of men.  God's judgement, is so much higher, and he sees so much more.  No matter the day,  no matter the darkest hour, the Lord is aware.  And He is hoping you learn so that you progress in this life-- Day by day...week by week. 

The second thing is that we recieve the things we need most, when we need them. This week wasn't that great, but the thing I learned, is what Christ did in the darkest hours of his life. He turned outward. He didn't pray only for himself. He looked for somebody to serve.  And that makes all the difference.  There were people this week, who NEEDED with their whole soul two missionaries who were humbled and listening to the spirit.  Now, not saying we were perfectly humble, but we were looking, and praying for a way to help somebody, and we recieved the answers.  

I know that this also is a short letter, I am so sorry. But know that whatever you are passing through, you will make it... Heleman 5:12 (And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon therock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.)  Doesn't say we will be exempt from the fiery darts or whirlwinds of the adversary. But that we will be able to make it through them.  Not easily, but with a foundation on a rock, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  So whatever or whenever something is happening, dig into that rock.  It isn't easy, but it is sure.  And it is the sturdiest place you will ever have. 

I have a testimony of Jesus Christ.  I know he is the person we need to be like.  I know that this is His church and that the things I have learned in this church, I would never learn anywere else.  I love you all so much.  Enjoy the summer:)  I hope this letter helps somebody. hahahaha! 

Love you all! Enjoy the week!

Love

Elder Lincoln Ellis Goodman

Those of you that know Lincoln pretty well, knows he would always text a scripture every night to his contacts.  He sent some more, to get you through :)

1 Sam 16:7, 1 Sam 17:45-46, Amos 3:7, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 1:18....TOTALLY Lincoln!!

I love this kid!

MOMMMMMM you are going to kill me!  I tried to send the pics and it took forever so I can't write much, but I really wanted to let you know that here in Mexico, it is amazing. We are HASTENING THE LORD'S WORK DAY AND NIGHT.  My companion has recently told me that when he wakes up in the middle of the night, I am teaching lessons or contacting in my sleep.  So really, day AND night!  We are going crazy with two baptisms, that both fell through this last week... Israel and Ramona.  They are different families, but we were so excited for them!  Israel is a kid we found smoking marijuana and asked him what was going on!  We have taught him and he has changed his life completely!  But, his parents won't let him get baptized.  We are really going to be working and following the spirit with that situation this next week.  Ramona, she had to kick her husband out (because they aren't married, and he wants to go somewhere else if she gets baptized).  But he didn't show up.   We hope first, that he is ok, and second, that Ramona stays strong and can do what the Lord wants her to do.  I think the best things this week, were the promptings of the Spirit.  Every day, all day, we teach, follow our plans, and wait until the Spirit says we need to do something.  Searching in such a way has really changed the way we teach.  The investigators feel it.  They understand it.  And with these two examples, when they understand, they are willing to give up anything.  We have a less active family and they are preparing for the temple.... the Flores family.  

We asked a question that struck a chord, that I wanted to share it with you... "are we willing to give up EVERYTHING for the Gospel?"  We say yes, but God will not just take an answer, He will put us through the work.  He will work with us, guide us, and we will pass through trials that we never thought we would need, so that we can grow in that testimony.  We have to go MORE than we think we can.  That is what I learned... We have to go to the border where possible meets impossible.  We have to give 110%, and keep giving it.  Then, the Lord carries us OVER the boundry and into the impossible.  He is the only way.  It is impossible to live with my Father in Heaven, if I am not giving 110%, or without His help.  I can't reach any of the goals He has for me without Him, or my 110%.  That is what I think the Lord wants.  We give everything.... our family, our friends, our house, our food.  Or maybe to the point where it isn't our food, but the food of our family (harder for me) and the Lord says, "It is for your good."  I know that to be true.  I can't write much today, but I wanted to just share that with you guys.  When focusing on so many different people, it is hard to update you on all of them.  But the overlying lessons my companion and I learn help us to share it with others, and do it with a stronger Spirit.  Therefore, that means somebody, is really needing it right now.  Trials are pushing them to the limit, and they need to Gospel to continue.  That is why we talk to people.  That is what I want you all to know.  And I want you to know that I know the Gospel is true.  There is no fiber of my being that doubts it.  I know it with all my heart, and I will be the Lord's servant until the end because it is worth it.  I love this gospel.  I love my family.  I love my Father and the plan He has! 

Enjoy your week:) And remember that the trials now, don't compare to the millions of years AFTER this life, and this suffering....So don't ever sweat it:)

Love you! Hope this makes sense!

Elder Lincoln Ellis Goodman

 I FOUND DRPEPPER... FROM THE U.S. and I shared that with my companion.:)

 We baked the cake! Don't even ask me how... but we did it, and thank you so much! IT WAS GREAT!

My comp didnt believe that I had skill in crane games. So I won him one... in one try... he wanted to cry, and he thinks I am like superman :)

Finding the Lord's way...

THANK YOU TO ALL FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES. I really am thankful and hope everyone ELSE had a good week also:)

This week was super great.  To tell you the truth.  The Lord has blessed us greatly every week, and I am always excited to write a little bit more about it on Mondays!!!!!

Well, first, we started of the week rough.  Just want to let you know.  Well really....the week was a rough one.  Not many people were in their homes, and we lost some, and others "lost intrest" in the message.  So I can apply that at the end of this letter! 

But anyway, this week we found a reference named Javier, and it was seriously a little crazy! What happened is we saw him in the street about 2 weeks ago and contacted him.  We felt and then followed the spirit, as we began to teach him the first lesson there in the street. After, he said we could visit again.  Then later, we recieved him as a reference.  The member only said, "He lives on that street.  That is all I know and I don't remember his name."  So we went there to that street and we found Javier!!  He has been having problems with thoughts of suicide and he is really in a rough spot.  He is older and a great guy, and we were so happy to find him.  We entered his house to find that he had put all the pictures from the first pamphlet on the walls!  We knew it really was a blessing, and we definitely plan on updating you about what happens with Javier.  It was then  I realized, that really, there are two ways in this world; the way of man, and the way of God.  The way of man, is full of the things we can't do perfect, and has imperfections and faults.  But the Lord's way is perfect, and really, it never fails.  It isn't our choice... His way just keeps working like He wants it.  SO IT IS A  GREAT BLESSING TO BE PART OF AND TEACHING THAT WAY OF GOD ALL DAY EVERY DAY.  We contacted Javier for a reason and we recieved his addres for a reason.  I know it!!!

Also, the Lord wanted to reinforce the lesson so he gave me another experience.  We had contacted a reference about 1 month ago, named Liz.  She said she wasn't interested, but about a week ago, she contacted us.  She said, "I need a message right now.  My husband needs a message right now. Can you guys come and share one with us?"  As we went over to her house, we felt the spirit.  The Lord's plan for Liz, was something I had no clue about.  He touches the people we don't know, and we may never see it.  It is a blessing every time. That is why we talk to 100 people every day, asking for other people who need the gospel....because we never know when they will be ready!

After that experience was the best part, on Saturday.  I had been worrying about how to be more effective.  No one had been at home and we couldn't find people to help.  It was like there was a slump in our area.  I can't stand slumps!  So I of course, prayed, planned, and we tried our best.  It all payed off Saturday.  That day, we found people everywhere!  We are walking in the streets, and our investigators show up.  We found members who were offering to help!  It was a great day!  Last moment... THE LORD'S WAY.  I know I had a testimony of that before.  But really, I continue to say it until it is stuck in my head.  My way will NEVER be as effective, no matter how hard I work.  I am grateful  for those spiritual pushes the Lord gives us to say "Hey...remember that lesson you learned the hard way?  You aren't about to forget it are you?"  It helps... I know the Lord loves each one of us.  I testify of that every day. And no matter how cheesy it sounds, I know it is true.  His way, in everything... tests, school, family, is better than my way!  

I love you tons!  I am stoked to talk with you when we talk on Sunday... really!!!!!  I love you with all my stinkin heart!!:)

Love,

Elder Goodman

sorry it is so short...I will work on longer letters :)