First Call Home

First of all I really like the things our mission pres sends us so I am going to send it to you:

Message from the President:

HOW BIG IS YOUR HEART? The heart (♥) has long been used as a symbol to refer to the spiritual, emotional, moral, and in the past also intellectual core of a human being. As the heart was once widely believed to be the seat of the human mind, the word heart continues to be used poetically to refer to the soul.   Lehi explains the only way to salvation is through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  The price we must pay to affect the atonement in our lives is by having a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  (2 Nephi 2:7)    Solomon asked for an understanding heart (1 Kg 3:12) and Ezekiel was told in temple language,   “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh…” (Ezek. 36:26).  Earlier the Lord had directed Israel to “cast away your transgressions: and make you a new heart…” (Ezek. 18:31). Once there was a horse named Big Red.   This horse was a stallion of good breeding, but nothing out of the ordinary.  He was groomed for racing.  It is reported that the owner acquired this horse with a “coin toss”.  On July 4, 1972 he finished fourth in a race at Aqueduct Racetrack.  He had been forced to the back of the pack and could never make up the ground to win.  From this Big Red learned how to be in the back of the pack and still pass the other horses to win.  He won some races and then finished third in the Wood Memorial as a three year old.  At the Kentucky Derby, the first race of the Triple Crown,  he again broke last but eventually overtook the favorite Sham and finished first by 2 ½ lengths.  Big Red had set a course record by running each successive lap faster than the previous one, coming again from last to first.  In the second leg of the Triple Crown he again broke last; he again won by 2 ½ lengths over the favorite Sham.  The last of the three races was the Belmont Stakes.  The jockey was warned about running the horse too fast as the race was a long one and this particular jockey had raced another horse so hard that the horse literally died that day of a broken heart.  This time Big Red broke first with, you guessed it, Sham.  The two horses set a fast early pace, opening lengths on the rest of the field.   Then, Sham began to tire, ultimately finishing last.  Big Red astonished spectators by continuing the fast pace and opening up a larger and larger margin on the field.  In the stretch he opened a 1/16 mile lead.  At the finish he won by 31 lengths, breaking the margin-of-victory which was previously 25 lengths.  Big Red had run the fastest 1 ½ miles on dirt in history.  The record still stands after 38 years.  Oh, Big Red’s track name was SECRETARIAT. After Secretariat’s death necropsy was performed to see what made this horse so special.  Those that were present said; “We just stood there in stunned silence.  We couldn’t believe it.  The heart was perfect.  There was no problems with it.  It was just this huge engine.”  It is estimated that Secretariat’s heart weighed 22 pounds or 2 ½ times the size of a normal horse heart.  What made this horse so special was the size of his heart. The question now must be asked, “How big is your heart?”   Are you hanging back hoping to win by a nose or do you have a new heart and trust in the Lord to break out in the lead and continue to run each lap faster and faster as you serve as a mighty warrior in fulfilling your purpose to invite all you come in contact with to “come unto Christ”?  If you have a stony heart, can you now exchange it for a “new heart”?  Our Savior, Jesus Christ proclaimed, “All things are possible to him that believeth”.  (Mark 9:23).    

I really like this.

I loved talking to my family. I thought it would be strange to talk to my family, but it was just like I saw you yesterday. I don't have very much time today, but I also know that I have a purpose here and I know that I need to do the work here. I know that the Lord will help me though my mission if I rely on him. I love this talk about the heart. I know that I can replace my heart with a 22 pound heart. (That means that I will be 190 when I get back because I will have a bigger heart). I don't know what to write about, so I will share my testimony.

I know that the prophet Joseph Smith was a prophet and that he saw the Son and the Father in the Sacred Grove. I know that Jesus Christ lived and that he suffered for all of my sins. I know that He always know what I am going though and can help me any time of the day. I have seen the priesthood work. On my mission I get the opportunity to use it a lot. I have personally healed people though the priesthood power. I have also baptised and confirmed people and have been an advocate for the Lord on my mission. I know that my family loves me and that they care for me very much. I know that the prophet Pres Monson is a true prophet today. I have felt the Holy Ghost every time he speaks and I know that the apostles are also called by God to teach the gospel. Elder Holland told us that he is on a mission too, just like us. We are promised a lot of the same blessing he is [promised] as an apostle. He called us apostles of Jesus Christ. We are truly apostles and I know that the Book of Mormon is a book of God's words. I know that. I read it every day and every day it helps me get closer to my Heavenly Father. No other book can help me as much as the  Book of Mormon.

I loved talking to you family. I love you all and will pray for you. I encourage you to open the scriptures every day to grow closer to Jesus Christ.

I also love Grandpa's comments. You are one of the most knowledgeable people I know (about the Gospel). I would love to have hours of conversations with you about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Joshua Walker

Miracle Time

I got to baptize someone this week. That was so cool. She is the eternal investigator that we have been working on for 6 months. and I got to baptize her. It was very special. I will never forget that experience  I will also confirm her next week at church about 2 CA time. I was so excited when it actually happened. I love missionary work. I also have a talk on Mother's Day about Mothers. That will be cool. We also had a funny experience this week. Elder Rae went outside and someone was looking though the car that was in the car port. Elder Rae looked at him and he walked away and then Elder Rae called 911 and the police came over and we talked.

Turned out that the person was my landlady's granddaughters husband and he was looking for papers to the car for some reason. It was funny and we got to talk to the police.

We had a great week. I hope that people see the benefits of going to Church and not getting offended. That happens a lot in Utah. People get offended and then they leave the church because of that. My favorite thing to say is that the church is not for perfect people. If it was then no one would be there.

I also like an analogy when people say that I want to go golfing that day or I want to do other things. but then you say what is good on a sundae (ice cream) bananas, chocolate strawberries, but is mustard good on a Sundae? No, it is not. It is good on other things, but not on Sundaes. 

Elder Joshua Walker

A Cool Week

Well, This week has been very cool. We have 4 people on date for baptism and they are all going to get baptized. Yay! I hope that I don't get transferred out of this area. It is a really good area with good potential. I think this area that I am in is going to get split because of its good potential. All of our areas is going to get smaller. 

Some cool things that happened this week; first, I got a really cool pen that is made from a tree from Jerusalem from a olive tree that is really old. It is a present that I will keep for ever. [Note: I believe the present is from Brother Sacett.]  His name is Bro. Sacett. He loves us. I hope that I will be able to remember him forever. He came to church with us this week. He loves us so much and he said that we are the missionaries that were inspired  to talk to him right at that moment. I love things that we are inspired to do. I love the Holy Ghost that helps us every day of our life. When I explain the Holy Ghost to investigators I explain that he is like a best friend that will never leave you if you are righteous. He knows all and is willing to help you at any moment in your life.

Love

Elder Joshua Walker  

So Much Potential

So my area is a great area we have so much potential. I can't wait for the time these people decide to get baptized and meet with the missionaries. This week was harder then others because if feels like we are doing the best I have ever done and things are not working. It is frustrating sometimes when you know that people are ready to step though the gates of repentance and baptism 2 Nephi 31:17.

We heard about the Boston  marathon bombing. That is so sad that such young people would do that. I heard that at like every house I went to this week.

So we are teaching a less active bishop. That lesson that we taught was one of the most spiritual lessons I have taught yet. I love people that are willing to progress and they know that they should. 

We have a ward missionary named Bro Valcarce. He was the one in Jeff's ward in Tracy and he convinced Jeff to drive up to propose. He also lost a companion that was new and that companion went to uncle Jeff's house and Bro Valcarse went to his apartment  The new missionary had the phone and called uncle Jeff because he was on the phone.

Can you ask Jeff if he remembers that story? I think it is cool the connections that I have up here.

We eat so well here. So well. Too well. I think that I have gained too much wight. lol. I have never had this problem in my life. It stinks. lol. Well I get to eat lobster some nights and pizza lots of nights. We never know what is coming for dinner. We also have lots of people give us stuff. I am keeping a record of all I get from members. That is not including what stores discounts for missionaries or the dinners we get fed every night. I also know that missionaries are late for a lot of things ): I don't like running late. So just expect the missionaries, when you set up a dinner appointment, to be late. We don't want to get there to early but we also don't want to be late. It is a hard balance to find.

I think that this is a great time to work on patience. It is a Good Christ like attribute. One of the ones I need to work on the most.

This week I heard a talk given by our bishop in the 3rd ward. He was talking about the parable of the sower. He said not to go chasing the birds because then you will leave the rest of the seeds while you are chasing the birds to prevent them from eating the seeds. Now he did not say that you should leave them if they are easy to get away but don't chase them, but nourishes the ones that have been planted. "The field is white and ready to harvest" so lets get out there and harvest!!

This week has been a hard week. We are working really hard and no work is coming because of it. Our area has so much potential to grow and explode. We just need to work a little better and find other ways around like Alma did in Alma 8:19 and will find another way in "the city" the great experience  I had this week is watching Elder Rae grow to meet the requirements of district leader.

Dear Monica

I have a present for you it is to read 2 Nephi 31 with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in mind. (Article of Faith #4 with endure to the end). It will bring you great wisdom and you will be wise in your youth. (Do I sound like a person from the Scriptures or what?) I have read that chapter 10 times on my mission and have gained so much out of it every time I read it. It is the only place where it shows the responsibility of all the Godhead. Find that in the chapter too. My scriptures are so marked up there it is unbelievable.

Monica I know this is a lame gift because you already had it but I am a poor missionary and can't afford to sent you the buckets of candy I am accumulating here. Sorry.

Happy Birthday.

Love Joshua Walker

Priesthood Power

I am really confused at what time we are Skyping I have lots of church all day. I also have ward council meetings a lot. So I don't know when I am able to do it. I can Skype by the way. I don't know much yet because my mission president has not told us anything about it.

For example, yesterday I went to 6 different wards and bore my testimony in 5 of them. Sundays are crazy for me. I am over 7 wards for now. I will not have another transfer until after Mother's day.

My new companion is Elder Ray. He is a really hard worker. He also became a district leader for the first time so I get to help him a lot with that. 

So I got to do my first confirmation the other day. I love using the priesthood. His name is B. He is 10 years old and is a great kid. I can't wait to see him in a few years when I come over when I get off of my mission and visit him. We are now working on his older sister to get her to be baptized also. That family has changed so much as the month has gone past. They are now coming to church and they are changing their lives for the better. Yay. I love missionary work we get to see so many people change there lives. I also get to see how the Church at the Stake level works. Our stake president is a great guy. The stake we are in is struggling on less actives. Lots of people are falling away from the church these last few years and he is having a really hard time. (We have a ward that has 60 people show up to church). I am learning that it is our job as missionaries to help him in his calling and that is the same with the bishop. We go up to them and ask is there anything we can do to help you in your calling? That is a great way to get the wards to trust you and let you help them in any way possible.

We are teaching a less active member named Bro S. He is a great guy. He was almost an AP on his mission and baptized many into the church. He was a bishop and is now less active. We met him on the street and now he is going to come to church and shave his beard. He said that he could feel the Spirit as we entered into his house. I felt the Spirit so strong in his house when we were telling him to go back to church. He is way cool. Mom why did I have to get your tears? I cry way too much on my mission. My companions think I am strange. I wish that I could feel the Spirit without crying. lol.

I also am worried that the new boy that we baptized last week will go inactive later in

This is where his letter ends.

Conference Weekend

So I learned a lot this conference. I forgot my notes so I will write it by hand. I wrote a lot for Robert in Priesthood meeting. It was talking directly to you Robert. I will share what I learned with you in a letter I send. So I did see Bradley at conference. He was holding a paper with the words, "A hug for a ticket" or something like that. I was very surprised that I met one of my relatives up there. With 20,000 people, what are the odds that I would see a relative? I think it was a tender mercy of the Lord. Blessing all over for missionaries. One thing I think is neat is that the people who we ask to pray at the end of the lessons almost always don't want to say it. We get most of them to say it and when they do say a prayer is a really thoughtful prayer. They do not just spit it out like some of us who have been saying it our whole lives, but they always have a special spirit to it. Also, so many of them bless us for coming and taking the time to teach them, when it is us that are really grateful that they let us in to teach at all.

We had a baptism this last week. It was wonderful. I felt the Holy Ghost bear testimony to me that this work is what I am supposed to be doing at this time of my life. I am sad Elder Kuli is going home. He is a great missionary and knows the scriptures so well. I don't like transfers very much. I make such a good friend and then I have to see him leave with out knowing when I will see him again. :(

I have also never heard of Slamwich before.

Well Dad and Robert how is your home teaching going?

Dad and Mom I an so glad that I have grown up in a home with the Gospel. Being out here really shows me the evils of the world and I am grateful that I was raised in such a "Special Home" (from my Patriarchal Blessing and from my heart). I am glad I was able to go on the camping trips and the 50 miler hike I went on with you Dad. You showed me that I could do hard things when someone is beside me helping me along the way I will cherish those always. Even though you can't be there beside me now on my mission, I now realise that I can always have the Holy Ghost, Jesus Christ, and my Heavenly Father always helping me as you did. Mom, I am glad you taught me how to be caring for people. I saw your example in church when you would go up to the people that needed some help in church or who were new and you would introduce yourself to them. I now see what a blessing it is on peoples lives as you talk with them. I am now away from home and I realize how much I still need support from both of my parents, I still need your prayers, your wisdom and testimony. I am so glad that you raised me in the Church. I can't imagine what life would be without it. Thank you for your example in everything I will strive to follow it the best I can. You have made me a great missionary. So every blessing I receive from God I should also be thanking you. I will wear my name tag with pride knowing that I am an Elder Walker just like you were dad and even though your name tag Mom did not say Elder Walker I still feel your spirit as I look at my name tag every day.

Thank you Mom and Dad

Love Joshua Walker

P.S. I hope I do not make you miss me to much I just wanted to show you the love I had for both of you.

Missing Fish

So my report the first number is the people who were baptized; the second is confirmed; the third is investigators with a baptism date; the forth number is investigators that attend sacrament meeting; the fifth is other lessons; the sixth is progressing investigators (keeping their commitments); the seventh is referrals received; and the 8th is the referrals contacted; the 9th is new investigators. Here is the numbers we have to report every week to the mission president. 0 0 3 5 7 2 5 1 5 3 9

So Easter was fun. I got to go to all of Church for the first time on my mission. We normally go to 3 or 4 sacrament meetings. I learned that I miss Priesthood and Sunday School. I contribute a lot more in those classes then I ever did at home. Scriptures just come to my mind as I am prompted by the Holy Ghost to share specific scriptures in church. I get a lot more from the scriptures as I really ponder and search the scriptures rather then read them. The only reason I was able to go to all of Church was because we went on splits with ward members yesterday.

I received 6 letters last week! that was cool. I received 2 from Monica lol and I know I don't have what Monica thinks is in my suitcase. I have packed and unpacked my suitcase about 20 times while being on my mission to go on exchanges with other missionaries.

I will have on a really red tie in conference so look for me in it. lol My companion goes home in 11 days. He is excited and scared. Him and his brother are the only members of his family who are Mormon. His dad was not happy that he went on a mission and gave up a great scholarship for school. He plans on going back and converting his family to the gospel. Tonga sounds so fun to go to. Always perfect temperature and perfect everything. They have avocados and Mangos and coconuts everywhere and you can go fishing any time of the day and eat lots of fish. I want to go there some day.

One thin I crave as a missionary is fish. No one feeds us fish. We always eat beef or chicken every night. lol I am not following the word of wisdom very well. I am learning cool things I never knew were in the scriptures. That is fun.

I might be able to email again today so you can write me again today and I will try to get back to you.