Miracles

 Well

I'm waiting for laundry to be done right now. 

On Sunday I woke up really homesick. I really just wanted my mom's potato casserole(which is the best potato casserole in the world). Then we went to MTC church. 

ok, side note. My companionship is a quad- super rare. We started as a trio and Now we're hosting Elder Beharrel from the UK. nobody from his district was here yet and we were selected to take him in. The accent is super fun and we love hearing about all the differences between America and the UK. 

Anyways, our quad gave a lesson in Priesthood and then I gave a talk about God's character and How I've felt his love. I thought it went great and I was complimented by somebody in the bathroom later that day for my talk. 

THEN- we went to lunch. . .and guess what they had on the side--

POTATO CASSEROLE.

Of course it was cafeteria food, but I said a prayer for it to taste like moms- and it totally did. 

I know God loves me, and if we give Him chances to prove it, He will. If you look for his love, you will find it.

I love my district so much. Every single class, discussion, or meal we are together we have such an absolute blast. Everybody genuinely wants to be here and they are serious about the gospel and really care about being more like christ. They all have a great sense of Humor and wonderful laughs, especially Elder Green.

In one of our classes we wrote down everything we have felt because of the Holy Ghost and then drew an arrow to ones that we have felt before. It started with "basics" like burning in the bosom, peace, comfort, love. Then after a while it got really deep and we got things like 'quiet in the mind,' 'reminds me who i am,' 'light' 'enhanced.' We all felt the spirit super strong in our own individual ways and I think we all felt peace. There is a picture of this. I invite you all to look closely at it and think about which ways you've felt the spirit and maybe do something similar on your own.

The last experience I want to share happened last night during personal study. me and my comps went to the field in front of the provo temple and read our scriptures there. Honestly, I was in a bad mood. The rest of our district was playing frisbee in another field and I wanted to play with them, but Elder Taufer is wise and knew better and he and Elder Peterson decided we should go do personal study instead. First I set up a color code for my marking and wrote it in the front of my scriptures. Then I randomly opened up to Matthew chapter 4. This starts with Jesus being tempted while fasting, then he calls the fishers to become fishers of men. In the last few verses Matthew describes how His fame was spread through the land and everybody was bringing sick people to them so he could heal them. This hit me so much harder than I was expecting. but the last 3 words in verse 24 made me cry like a baby.

"He healed them"

I likened it to myself. I have to bring my 'sicknesses' , my trials, afflictions, problems, imperfections to Jesus and He will heal them. He can make me better. That's one way we can use the atonement. It's THE way we use the atonement. Bring your problems and trials to Jesus and he will Heal you.

I am sooo thankful that my comps made us do personal study instead of playing Frisbee. I could have missed out on that experience.

24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with ^adevils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the ^bpalsy; and he ^chealed them.

I love you all so much, y'all can message me through google chat or send emails. 

Also, I feel like adding this, if you're thinking about going on a mission- DO IT. If something is stopping you from being able to go talk to your parents and Bishop and find a solution. Giving a year and a half or two years to God is the best thing you can do with your life. I've only given like 2 weeks so far and the blessings I've seen are absolutely incredible. 

If you're not thinking about it. Then think about it.

also, happy pioneer's day

and happy birthday to my brother, Edwin!

Cookies

 So. 

The MTC is actually incredible. Everybody says hi to you and they're all so happy. Everybody makes sure you're OK.

I love my district, they're all very funny and appreciate my humor too and that's one thing that's important to me. I know that the district was handpicked by God for all of us to grow and be successful as possible.

There is peace everywhere, even the bathrooms. 

We had a beautiful devotional last night about the character of Christ and how 'Christ turns out in love service and

 compassion when the natural man turns in and is self absorbed self centered and selfish'

I had a headache, belly ache, and was half asleep and still got a lot out of that.

Also we compared the natural man to the Cookie Monster because he is always talking about what he wants and as soon as he gets it he gobbles it up. It's all about him.

Then--- they gave everybody cookies.

I don't know if it was on purpose or not, but I thought that was funny.

I know that I'm doing the right thing and I know that God loves me and will help me to do what I need to do and strengthen me in my trials here. I know I'm where I'm supposed to be.

Love you all

-ELDER Owens

Free Chips

Ok. First off. The most important lesson I've learned from my first week as a missionary is this: Peace is more important than being right.

I've had so many times when I wanted to argue or disagree with somebody and jst was struck with the stupidity in choosing to chase the spirit away just for the point of making sure somebody knows that you are more right than they are---WHO CARES? in the end it really doesn't matter and having the spirit with you is more important.

Online MTC has actually been incredible. I wouldn't call it "class" ; It's more like being a Jesus-focused-phone-call with your best friends all day. We joke and laugh a lot and Everybody takes care of everybody.  It's beautiful.

I miss sleeping in and I miss music. That's tougher than I was expecting lol. but it's all good. 

On Thursday I was able to go to the Jordan River Temple and I met up with my companion- most people don't get to meet their companion IN PERSON until they go to the MTC- so I'm, like, super lucky. It was a beautiful session and helped me to focus and diminish my stress and worries.

Afterwards we went to Beto's, a wonderful Mexican restaurant in west Jordan, and they gave us free chips and free drink cups. I think it was because they saw our tags. 

It's been amazing! I love it! I will go to the Provo MTC TOMORROW. THIS IS IT!! 

I know that God loves me and I've seen many blessings as I've chosen to let go of my past life and accept this new one. I know that this is the best choice I can make and that San Jose is the most important place for me to be. I know that God hears our prayers and provides answers. 

I love you guys!

oh, and here's a link to my facebook account:

https://www.facebook.com/caleb.owens.731572/