companions

Elder Wilcox and his companion Elder Jacobson.  Elder Jacobson is from Harrisville.  He has family that lives in Syracuse.  Not too far away from us.  

September 23, 2013

The week is over. It has been a very interesting week. A lot of trials, and a lot of success came from it as well. I will try to remember all that I wanted to put into this email, and let ya'll know how the work is going here, and as well how I am doing.

 

It rained for about 24 hours here in arlington on friday, and after that.... IT's been in the 70's and 80's!!! It may finally stay cool here in Texas haha Today is a nice 80 degrees I imagine. The rain is not very fun to be in though. But luckily we won't be getting rain anytime soon, and the weather seems to be staying down in the cooler area. Humidity isn't all that bad eather. But nevertheless, I still find myself sweating a ton!! But I think that's just partially me, and not necessarily the weather haha

 

In this area we are really struggling, and have struggled to find quality investigators, those whom the lord has prepared to recieve the gospel. It has been a bit disheartening at times, and has been a big trial/struggle for me. I often find myself getting discouraged. I recieved some council, and a paper from a missionary who just recently came home from his mission (Jared Carter, for medical reasons, has to get his knees fixed) He copied us this page, Read Write and pray. To sum it up real quick, we have a question in mind that we want to learn/study about. We then pick a chapter of scripture to read out of the book of mormon, (It specifically works with the book of mormon, for reasons I will later explain.) and we pray and ask god to help us learn how this chapter applies to our question, we then write down we learn, and what stood out, We summarize what we learned, and we then pray again, and report to god what we learned, and we ask him to open our understanding a little bit more, and to learn more, and recieve the answer we are looking for. We take notes, and write the impressions we feel, and we summarize again what we learn, and account to the lord for it. We then ask the question, is what I've learned true? So i decided to try this in my studies this morning. I have been feeling a bit discouraged for the past few days, so my question I had was "Am i where i'm suppost to be?" I decided that I would read Alma 8, it seemed fit, seeing how alma went through a lot of trials, and struggles in preaching to the people of ammonihah. The direction and answer I recieved was truly inspiring, and wonderfull. I feel that god already knew, that I knew that I needed to be out here, so instead of straight telling me that/directing me to that. He pointed out other items in that chapter for me to remember, and apply into my life. A few details of that, Remember the oath and covenant of the priesthood, remember the covenants that I have made with god, what holding the priesthood means, Friends are there to help me through trials and struggles, and that i'm never alone, and the lord is always looking after me, and the importance of working with members, in order to find those whom the lord has prepared, I will be sending my mom a copy of this paper, so if any of ya'll would like to follow it, you would be able to find the answer to gospel questions you have. Now as to why it works better with the book of mormon, It is used so investigators that have a quesiton, can read a certain passage, and pray and recieve an answer to that quesiton, thus helping them to learn and realize that the book of mormon is true. It works for us as well, with the book of mormon, and even in Doctrine and Covenants. I enjoyed my studies so much this morning, and was able to learn so much, that I wish I could put it all in this email, but there is not enough time, nore can text letters explain everything that I feel and know. I know this church to be true!! I know with all my heart, with every fiber of my being that the book of mormon is true!!!! I am out here doing the lords work, and he will help and support in doing so. I have a burning testimony of the restoration of the gospel of jesus christ on the earth once again, in preparation for the 2nd coming of our lord and savior jesus christ. I encourage each of you, that if you have a gospel question, to take into the sscriptures, and try this out. I know that it works ,and that the book of mormon answers the questions of the soul.

 

love,

Elder Wilcox

ADDRESS UPDATE

Elder Austin S. Wilcox
3251 Matlock Road
Apt. 7206
Mansfield, TX 76063

              CALLED TO SERVE-February 6, 2013

          Alexia, Mariah, great grandma Irving, and me (Ami)

                                   missing my mom Susan

D&C 84:88

I finally wrote Austin to tell him about his funny granny.  This is what I wrote.  I pray he will understand and be comforted.
The early morning of July 18th, 2013 Great Grandma Irving passed away.  She lived to be 95 and 4 months.  She had a stroke which caused her brain to bleed.  When I arrived in Idaho on Tuesday she was in a coma.  It all happened so fast.  I like to think grandma Wilcox welcomed her to the spirit world.  It was Granny's time to leave this earth, all is well.  Yes, I am sad.  This has been a difficult year, but also such great blessings too.  
I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. D&C 84:88
The blessings of your service, Elder Wilcox, are noticed.

TIME

6 months ago, my oldest son left to serve a the Lord.  I cannot believe it has been 6 months.  I miss him as much as I did the day he left.  Time has not made that easier.
He has accomplished a lot in 6 months and his testimony is growing.  This week he was able to attend the Dallas Temple.  Jeff and I were married there 23 years ago.
He got a call from President Ames this week and will be training a new missionary.  He is really excited.
This weeks letter was 1/4 of  a page long.  A very short letter.  However,  he wrote Blake a 3 page letter.  I am ok with Blake receiving the best letter:). I have always told Austin that he is his brothers keeper.