1 & Done In Lake Reams!! Week #43

Hey everyone this week was really good, We were able to see some good things happen and Christmas as always was wonderful. So the big news with transfers. I am actually leaving and Elder Weiss will be staying!?! We did not expect this to happen at all, we thought Elder Weiss was gone for sure, since he has been here for 3 transfers now and I've only been here for 1. This Ward is great and I'm going to miss it. This Ward has some real gem members, and I have enjoyed getting to know them. I'm also going to miss the missionaries around me. We have had some good times this transfer. But I'm looking forward to my next area and all the people I will be able to learn from. 

It's Christmas!! it's Christmas!! it's Christmas!! I just love Christmas time, it's always a good time no matter what. And obviously this year was a little different having been away from my family. But I really did enjoy my first Christmas on the Mission. Christmas Eve we went to the bishops house and had some good food and watched their family act out the Christmas story from the Bible. Bishop told us a bunch of his crazy mission stories. That was awesome! Later we went to the Whitney's house and hung out with them and watched Mr. Krugers Christmas. They had a non member friend there, and we got to talk to her. On Christmas Day we went and had breakfast with the Szalajko's [sh-lie-ko]. They are my favorite family in the ward, they are just a lot of fun. We played some games with them, and got to try out this really fun game called Monopoly Deal. It's an awesome game. Brother Wilson from Melbourne, gave it to me for Christmas! Elder Weiss is really good at it. My favorite thing about Christmas Day was being able to FaceTime all of you guys! That was a lot of fun, and much needed. I miss you all!

Can't believe 10 months have flown by. I have just loved every minute of my mission and the experiences that I've had and the things that I've learned. I'm so thankful for the people I have got to know and made good friendships with. I love the people of Florida!! 👌☀️

I had to say goodbye to Sister Saunders Sunday night. We love her, she is great. She is one of the most Christlike people I've ever met. I'm thankful for the opportunity I have gotten to know her. We had a really powerful lesson on Sunday night, we shared a story from the Ensign titled "A Christmas Hug". It has a powerful message that helps us realize the simple things we can do to help others as the Savior would do. This truly is a special time of the year and as we realize that Christmas is a time to come together as family to celebrate the birth of the Savior and to invite the spirit into our lives. Sister Saunders is a good example of doing the simple things and showing love towards others. I'm really going to miss her!

 This time has been fun in Lake Reams and I've really enjoyed being Elder Weiss's Companion again. I am really going to miss those that I have created friendships with. Transfer Meeting is on Tuesday that's when I will find out where I will be going so I will let all of you know next week. The scripture I would like to share this week is Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is looking forward to the New Year!! Have a great week.

Elder Gentry

FOM

🎄☃🎅🏻🎄I.B.T.L.A.L.L.C🎄🎅🏻☃🎄 week 42

Hey Everyone, It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas welllll not really haha it was 90 degrees on Wednesday and biking in it was not fun.. But, it is Beginning to FEEL a lot like Christmas with Trees and Lights up Everywhere!!! I said to Weiss this week "If Someone was to blindfold me and throw me in Florida and tell me it is December I Would NEVER believe them hahah. This was an ok week some good things happened I wouldn't say it was the greatest week but Christmas is next week and I'm so Excited!!!

So this week I had an Exchange with Elder Yates, He is from Michigan weird I know, he's not from Utah. Hah He is pretty cool. We had this pretty cool experience while tracting. We knocked on this guys house and this Man from Turkey answers the door he is the nicest guy you will ever meet. He is Muslim so his beliefs are a little bit different hah, jk anyways we were talking to him and he said these guys knocked on his door like 18 months ago and gave him a bible. And we asked him if he could go get it and when he went and got it he came out with a Book of Mormon in Turkish language. So we told him that is is not the Bible and that is was a Book of Mormon. we explained to him why we believe in the Book of Mormon. He has read like 3 quarters of it. He is going to Convert himself without even knowing it hah we are definitely going to follow up with him and see if we can start teaching him.

So we had a pretty good lesson with this less active family that we are teaching. We shared a Message based on a talk Given by Thomas S. Monson. It is called "Blessings Of the Temple" He Said "As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives. We will grasp the true meaning of the words of the Savior when He said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” I love this talk and I Love the Beauty and the Peace that comes from the temple and I know there is blessings that come from attending the Temple.

The Chiristmas Devotional was Sickkk, it was pretty fun to have a night where we got to hang out with Missionaries and listen to a devotional which was pretty Good. It's always nice to see the Mission Homies.

This week we had a ton of service opportunities we got to go to the Temple and work on the Grounds, we also helped a couple of family's move.

This week was tough but I'm still alive and Killin It. we had some good things happen. Me and Elder Weiss have Christmas Eve and Day all planed out and are pretty Pumped. I can't tell you how excited I am to see you guys on Christmas. #Facetime!! The Scripture I would like to share this week is  Luke 2 11-14 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. I love these scriptures, may we turn our thought towards Christ and know the true Meaning of Christmas. Love you all Merry Christmas!! 🎄☃🎅🏻☃🎄

Elder Gentry
FOM

Knocking Doors, Classy Party's, and Looking like The Grinch.🎅🏻☃🎄week41

Hey everyone, this week was pretty Chill, we had some good things happen, The Christmas party was pretty fun, lots of service and we also found a family to teach!

So Tuesday I was with Elder Hilton on exchanges in my area, we had a couple of hours of finding time that we put into the schedule and we had it all planned out to visit some former investigators and to knock the doors around them. We were just straight Grindin' Thru, knocking door after door and NO ONE was answering but we had FAITH that someone would hear us out. So we kept knocking and finally this really nice lady answers the door and we talk with her and get to know her a little bit and we asked her if she would like to see the Christmas video and she just kept giving us excuses but we were PERSISTENT, we weren't giving up. She finally accepted our invitation and she invited us in, which was pretty crazy how easy she let us in but she wasn't willing to watch the video from the door haha. Oh well this is what we wanted. We shared the Christmas video with the whole family and taught a short lesson on the Restoration and they invited us back next week. I was pretty jazzed about this experience, i wouldn't go as far to say it made me actually like knocking doors haha but it was very rewarding.

The Christmas party was great, it's always fun just hanging out with a bunch of members and eating a ton of great food. We actually got to help put together the Live Nativity which turned out awesome, it was pretty cool how they did the show and read the story from the Book of Mormon. We also got to sing a bunch of Christmas hymns.

We also went to an event Tuesday night, it was at Elder Munns home, he is a area seventy. It was a pretty Classy get together. They are super rich. Even the Mayor of Orlando was there. It was a Festival of Nativity so it was pretty cool to look at all of the different nativity's. 

Kind of a funny story, me and Elder Weiss were driving around this neighborhood and we saw this 9 foot Christmas tree just chillin' on the sidewalk and was about to be thrown out. So we thought we would just take it and give it to the sisters, hah it was a pretty ugly Christmas tree. It was already decorated with ugly sunflowers, Indian ornaments and Christmas lights. so Weiss took it apart and stuffed it in the back of the Jeep, He totally looked like the GRINCH!! Hah

This week was good, times going by fast, Christmas is sneaking up, it's not too late to send anything to me haha. Life is good. Seeing the joy the GOSPEL BRINGS to Me makes me want to share it. The celebration of the birth of the savior is a wonderful time to count our blessings. The scripture I would like to share this week is 2nd Nephi 19:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. A child is born so we can be born again, Love Him, Remember Him, Follow Him. Love you all have a Wonderful week. 

Elder Gentry

FOM

               P-Day with my district!! Good times! 

Spirt's Up.... And so is The Tree🎄 Week #40 WOW!!

ELDER GENTRY LOVES CHRISTMAS!! 

Hey everyone, this week was pretty good. We had a couple really good lessons with our investigators and some Less Active Members. Me and Elder Weiss were on bikes this week so I'm really looking forward to the car. "We are still just out here Grindin'"

So this week we had a really powerful lesson with our Investigator family. They are from China so it is challenging to teach them, they can speak alright English. The hardest part about teaching them is they have no Christian background so they don't really understand the need or the purpose of The Savior. We shared a Savior is born with them. When we teach them and we say certain words if they haven't heard that word before they will repeat it, so it was super powerful when they were watching the video and it said "Savior" and they repeated it back, we also testified of the Savior Jesus Christ and the importance he has in our lives and the spirit was so strong!

So the last couple of weeks we've had this little Christmas tree and it's cute and all haha but Me and Elder Weiss were thinkin every missionary has a lame tree just like this!! So we wanted to get a better Christmas Tree!! So we went Thrift shopping and found a 6 ft Tree for 20 Dollars and we DECKED IT OUT. We also found a roll of wrapping paper in the house so we wrapped a bunch of boxes and made it look legit. hah it's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our home hah.

The First Presidency Christmas Devotional was last night and it was pretty cool. My favorite song the Mormon Tabernacle sang was Carol of The Bells. My favorite talk was by Linda K. Burton, she spoke about what we can do to become more like the Savior and to remember him this holiday season. She quoted a children's hymn. He Sent His Son..."How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness? He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness. How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go? He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know. How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death? He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath. What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say? Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way. What does he ask? Live like his Son." If we follow the council in this song we can become true disciples of Jesus Christ. We must LIVE LIKE HIS SON.

So things here are still going wonderful, we've got our Christmas Swag on and we are out there teachin' and testifyin'!! I just love this time of year. The scripture I would like to share this week is 3rd Nephi 27:21 21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; I love this scripture because I know that Jesus Christ was sent into this world from a loving Heavenly Father to be an example for all of us. I'm so thankful for Jesus Christ's Example. Have a great week everyone and enjoy this Holiday Season.

Elder Gentry
FOM

Turkey For Dayzzz and A Savior is Born!! Week 39!!

Hey everyone,

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving, Me and Elder Weiss had a great Thanksgiving, we also had a pretty good week and were able to see some good things happen. We had the car so that was nice haha. Temple service was fun as always. But most importantly we were able to share the truth with others while having a good time! :)

So Thanksgiving was pretty crazy it was a Marathon, Turkey for dayzzz haha, we were pretty much stuffing our faces from 2 till about 9 o'clock haha. We had 3 dinners just like we planned and they all went great. We ate at the whitneys, who were really awesome, and just played games, then we went to the Malquists who had everyone in their family there, like 40 people. It was nuts. Then to end this day we went to the Ramriez family that we have been teaching, it was a lot of fun cause we have a really good relationship with them. This day went really good and I think it went as well as it could have gone without my family.

I had an exchange on Tuesday with Elder Harris he has been out like 7 weeks and he's killin it, It felt like I was a old missionary #9Months. He's a good missionary. He has a powerful testimony of the church, Missionaries knocked on his door when he was 10 years old and his mom and him joined the church so he has a strong testimony of this work. He is way cool and definitely a bro! 

Something I wanted to talk about was the new video that the church released Sunday. It's called A Savior is Born, I just love the simple message that it brings about God sending his only begotten son in this world for all of us, our savior Jesus Christ. And how I think it is important to turn our thoughts toward the savior especially during this holiday season. I'm thankful for my opportunity to represent our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and Share the truth with people everyday. I invite all of you to share this video with others and your powerful testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer!

So Sunday night we were following up with some people, and we decided to knock on this less Active's door, even though Elder Weiss said he had knocked it 10 times and never got an answer. We are glad we did, he invited us in and sat down to talk with us and he explained his busy work schedule and why it has been such a challenge in his life to remain faithful to the Gospel. We asked him, is this something you would be interested in returning to? And he said, "I would be lying if I told you No, I know the Gospel is true and I know the blessings that come from living it" So I was pumped to hear that and I'm looking forward to working with him and helping him return to living the Gospel!

Once again I'm blessed to be going about this great work and I know it is true and changes lives! The scripture I would like to share this week is John 3:16-17 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. I love these scriptures and how it says "through him they might be saved" because I know that it is up to us and we can all return to our Heavenly Father if we take advantage of the Lords Atoning Sacrifice. Love you all Have a Wonderful week. 

Elder Gentry

FOM

"Big Daddy Weiss" and Thanksgiving!! 🦃 Week 38

Cant Get Much Better Than This!!!

Hey Everyone,

This week has been a pretty good one, I am now in my new area Lake
Reams South, it is in the Windermere area so it is right next to
Disney like you can see the Fireworks every night. I am also really
close to the Temple so that's pretty cool. My new companion and Former
Trainer is Elder Weiss, I guess it is my turn to Train him haha. The
student is now the teacher. I'm really excited about this transfer and
I'm pretty happy that I have the chance to serve with Elder Weiss
again, it's a good thing we got along haha. So we were at transfer
meeting and we were sitting right next to each other and president
said " Elder Weiss, your new companion is Elder Gentry, we stood up
and gave each other hugs haha it's not very often you are sitting
right next to your new Companion. 👌

Lake Reams seems like a really good place and I'm looking forward to
helping this area and Ward grow. Something M. Russell Ballard said,
"Do not be a missionary who complains about his unreceptive people,
his constant refusers, his companion, his leaders, and his burdens.
Instead be a missionary who can be placed in (any area) and in any set
of circumstances, and be relied on to set things right. Become a
creator of circumstances instead of a creature of circumstances. This
is why success is not luck. It can be predicted and followed each day
into a successful week, year, and mission. Live one day at a time as
though it were a building block. Do each day what should be done that
day, and do not under-work, because that brings on the "bad luck" and
slumps. Your actions, attitude, mission, and life will be directed by
your thoughts." I think attitude is everything.

Here in the Orlando South Zone everyone is super close to the temple,
so every Tuesday we get to go and work on the grounds at the Temple,
it was pretty cool to be at the temple for a couple of hours.

Thanksgiving is coming up, we are both pretty excited about it,
apparently we will eat at like 3 different dinners so it should be
pretty sweet. One thing I'm grateful for is having the opportunity to
be blessed as a missionary. One thing I'll miss this year is being
with my family and watching a ton of Football haha.

Something that was pretty cool that happened, on Friday went we went
to see this Less Active family, they are very friendly and way cool.
We just talked with them for a while and got to know them. We shared a
message on The Holy Ghost as Your Companion by Henry B. Eyring, "To
always have the Spirit with us is to have the guidance and direction
of the Holy Ghost in our daily lives. We can, for instance, be warned
by the Spirit to resist the temptation to do evil. If we partake of
the sacrament in faith, the Holy Ghost will then be able to protect us
and those we love from the temptations that come with increasing
intensity and frequency." So we just got "Real" with them and We asked
them the simple Question. Why haven't you guys been coming to church?
And they just said there is no reason, we just haven't haha so they
said they would come to church.

Once again I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve with Elder Weiss
this Holiday Season, I'm grateful for everything I have and the
scripture I would like to share is 3rd Nephi 19:28 Father, I thank
thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of
their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe
on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on
their words, even as they are purified in me. This scripture is very
powerful and shows us all that we must go through Jesus Christ to be
purified. We should all be grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ
and the sacrifice he made for us. Have a good week, count your
blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!! 🦃🍂🍽

Elder Gentry
FOM

The Book is true, Peace Minneola Week 37

Hey Everyone,

So the big news is that I will be leaving Minneola, I'm going to miss this Ward and the friendships that I have gained here in this area. I'm also going to miss Elder Stiggins cause we had a great time being companions. I'm ready and excited for change, to get a new area and help build it up and the ward. I'm looking forward to this challenge. 

This week was really slow and was pretty challenging, sometimes it is really tough to stay motivated but it's best to just do the work and you will see great things and it will help motivate you.

Zone Conference was this week and it was a Super Loooong Meeting, so I guess the main part of having the meeting was to Get a device in our car called Tiwi's They are Super annoying but it's prob for the best. It tracks your speed and will tell you to slow down if you go over by like 5 mph and it will send them a notification if you drive to aggressive so it keep us safe, to safe haha!!  I'm not even afraid of cops anymore cause I can't speed haha. Well the meeting was ok there was a lot of Powerful testimonies and it's always nice to here them cause they help strengthen mine. But the meeting was still too long haha 10 Hours!!

Another cool thing that happened this week was we went to a fireside, it was nice to see all of my friends in the mission. One thing that I really love about my mission is the friendships that I have made. The fireside was pretty cool it had a professional pianist and professional singer. They just sang Christian songs and it was pretty cool. 

One thing that I have been doing everyday is reading the Book of Mormon, it's actually the Book of Mormon made easier. It has made reading so much better and has helped me learn things in the Book of Mormon that I haven't learned before I know that there is a power that comes from reading the Book of Mormon and the strength it gives me to keep going when time are tough. David A. Bednar said In April 2010 "The convincing and converting powers of the Book of Mormon come from both a central focus upon the Lord Jesus Christ and the inspired plainness and clarity of its teachings. Nephi declared, “My soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn” (2 Nephi 25:4). The root word plain in this verse does not refer to things that are ordinary or simple; rather, it denotes instruction that is clear and easily understood."

Things here are great I'm very excited to be moving on and I'm looking forward to tomorrow to find out where I will be going the scripture I would like to share with you guys this week is D&C 17:6 And he has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true. I know with all my heart that the Book of Mormon is true and as we read it. We will invite the spirt into our lives and we will be blessed, I'm so thankful for the knowledge that I have gained from the Book of Mormon and the opportunity that I have to bear testimony daily. Have a Great week!

Elder Gentry

FOM

Champions Respond to Adversity!! Week 36!!

Hey everyone, another week is gone by really fast. This week wasn't the greatest it had its ups and downs but it's all good. Can't believe I am entering week six of the transfer, I could possibly be leaving Minneola but hopefully I can Stay another one with Stiggs. The only positive thing about leaving this area would be this is my last bike week here on these bless-ed hills. But anything can happen so I don't know.

So we had another solid lesson with our investigator Karla, we taught probably my favorite lesson to teach The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel Jesus Christ is our purpose here on earth and I feel like I learn more about it that every time. Me and Elder Gillen taught it to her while we were on exchanges together that was pretty fun to do an exchange with one of my old companions. I love to teach it using 2nd Nephi 31, it explains it so simply and easy to understand.

Something that i really like that I read out of a New Era Magazine one Morning Explained perfectly what I must do to move forward "I’ve learned to let go of fear. I trust the Savior. I trust my Heavenly Father. I know we are all in His caring, merciful hands. We cannot control others or the world around us, but as children of God we can control how we respond to adversity. Cultivating a faith-filled perspective and uplifting thoughts tends to push out the negative and defeating ones. Anyone can turn on a light in a dark room; we create light and hope in the world as we choose to be happy."

So the reason why I focus on dealing with Adversity is because of how this week ended, We went into Saturday night feeling pretty Great, and tried to do everything we can to get our 4 investigators to church. We received a text message Sunday Morning from our most solid Investigator saying "I'm sorry boys, I have loved everything you guys have taught me but my husband doesn't agree and I must support him" we can respect that but it is pretty tough so we moved on and we're hoping to see at least 3 Investigators at church but none of them showed up. It's all good it was rough day but we got to move on and I know the lord will bless us if we trust in him and do everything we can to find more people to teach.  

So while this week is rough, we have Zone Confernce to look forward to on Tuesday uhhh it's so long haha I do learn a lot though haha. The scripture I would like to share this week is in D&C 6:34&36 “Fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. … Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” I love this scripture and the powerful message it brings. Have a Wonderful week, I know I will I Heard the Eagles had a Great Overtime Win Against the Cowboys haha #BEATDALLAS

Elder Gentry

FOM

THE SAVIOR KNOWS.... WEEK 35!!

Hey everyone this week was a pretty good week we were able to see a lot of success and get a lot done. We were able to see our investigator Karla that we have been focusing on and helping her progress towards the waters of baptism. Me and Elder Stiggins are bros and we're having fun and were killin it here in Minneola, These Bless-ed Hills aren't getting any easier to bike and I swear they are getting steeper and steeper haha. So glad we have the car hah.

Anyways we had a really good lesson with Karla, One day me and stiggs we're just chilling at the clubhouse and she walked up to us and started talking to us about her faith in Jesus Christ and About how she keeps running into those dang Mormons haha. So technically she found us hah Will take it. So later on in the week we sat down and had a lesson with her about The Rrestoration, and she just loved everything we had to say. During the middle of the Lesson I was thinking about a date that she could be baptized, I was thinking the 28th, so I was going to bring it up at the end of the lesson. Well Elder Stiggins just goes for it and asks if she would like to be baptized and if she will set a date for The 28th, it just so happened to be that she will have her birthday on the 28th, #inspired haha it was a pretty cool experience and she wants to be baptized on That day more than anything. She does have some obstacles to overcome her but I know that through Jesus Christ she can.

Another cool thing that happened this week is we were able to get a Less Active that I have been working with for like 3 months back to church, she hasn't been in like 5 years so it was pretty cool, in the words of Gordon B. Hinckley, we need to take care of the Members we have before the Lord will trust us with bringing more to the church, so it was way cool to see her at church me and Elder Stiggs were Pumped haha

Something I wanted to share from a documentary that I saw this week It is called the 5000 day project and it shows the life of four brothers. I got to see the part that talked about the second brother and his name is Luke. He served his mission over in Cambodia and showed how hard and difficult it was serving there. He ended up getting and tapeworm inside of him and he had to take pills for it and also he was very hungry. It was the end of the week and him and his companion ran out of food and it was Sunday so they couldn't buy anything. He said that he was so hungry that he was miserable. On Monday him and his companion went and bought some rice and he was so happy to be able to eat that rice but when he got it, he saw a six year old boy in the streets and he looked at him and he thought to himself, "I wonder if he ever went to bed hungry. I wonder how many nights he didn't know if he was going to get a meal." What Luke ended up doing was giving that little boy the rice and he said the little boy ate it so fast because he was so hungry. What I really liked though was when he said "I will never know what these  people go through, but the savior does."

Well there goes another week and I'm still doing awesome, the scripture I would like to share with you guys this week is Alma 7: 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. I really like this scripture a lot it shows that we might not know what people are going through but the Savior does. Love you all have have a good week.

Elder Gentry

FOM

Come Unto Him, And Make Weak things Strong! Week 34!! 8 Months as of yesterday!!

Hey everyone, this week went by super fast but also it was a pretty good week. I can't Believe I have hit my 8 Month Mark I have officially finished 1/3 of my mission. It is crazy to think about how fast it has gone, things are still going really well and Florida is getting better and better. It's not hot anymore the weather is perfect, like 75 to 80 degrees. This year has gone by so quick can't believe it's almost Halloween.

Tuesday was a really good day for me and my companion and for our Investigators, we were able to get them to the church and attend the face to face event with the Piano Guys and you can watch it on Lds.org. It was perfect for them my favorite part was towards the end when they played Nearer my God to thee and Come Fount every Blessing and they show bits and pieces of the Bible Videos of Jesus Christ and what he did here on the earth for everyone he loved everyone with a perfect love, while this was playing the spirt was so strong and I'm so glad Karen, Susan and Josh were able to make it. Also this kid in our ward was a champion he went and sat by Josh and gave him his CTR ring and Josh loves it and hasn't taken it off it made him feel very special. It was A blessing.

This talk is something that I've been studying lately and really enjoy it, it's titled Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ by Dallin H. Oaks. Our Savior …knows our struggles, our heartaches, our temptations, and our suffering, for He willingly experienced them all as an essential part of His Atonement. And because of this, His Atonement empowers Him to succor us—to give us the strength to bear it all. … Sometimes His power heals an infirmity, but the scriptures and our experiences teach that sometimes He succors or helps by giving us the strength or patience to endure our infirmities.....I know that if we humble ourselves we can use Jesus Christ's Atonement to Help us in our life. And he is the only way we can be free form the burdens and struggles that we carry Daily.

We were pretty disappointed on Sunday when we were planning on Susan, Karen and Josh being at church this week and they failed to show up. It can make it so tough sometimes when you do all you can to get them there, but it wasn't all bad a investigator of ours that were weren't expecting to show up came to church we were pretty pumped when we saw him come to church. There is a special spirt that you can't get anywhere else that you get from the sacrament. And we just want all of those people we see to enjoy that blessing.

I'm still doing very good and enjoying Minneola and the great Companion that I have, looking forward to this next week but I'm pretty sad that car week is over haha oh well better get biking them hills anyways the scripture I would like to share this week is one of my favorites and one that I share with those that i teach. Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Hope you all have a great week and a Happy Halloween 👻🎃

Elder Gentry

FOM

Family's Can Be Together Forever! WEEK 33!!

Me and My Girl.... Haha

Hey everyone, I'm doing very good it is finally starting to cool down here in sunny Florida. The temperature is way nice. We just got done with bike week so I'm looking forward to car week. Me and my comp are still doing really well. Me and Elder Stiggings are pretty tight so things are great. We saw a lot of success had a lot of fun this last week.

A really cool thing that happened this week, the 20-year-old kid that I was talking about last week that we've been teaching, His mom comes up to us in church who is semi active and she says are you guys the ones that come over and visit My son. And we're just thinking like what did we do wrong Haha. But then she says thank you so much for putting in time to help him because I know he's been going through such a rough time and he's been really struggling so thank you guys so much you mean so much to me for you guys to come over here every week just to see how he's doing and helping him out. It was way nice for someone to come thank us for the work that we do every week.

Something else they I really want to talk about was how important family's are. One thing that L. Tom Perry said in his last talk was: "We believe that marriage and family ties can continue beyond the grave--that marriages performed by those who have the proper authority in His temples will continue to be valid in the world to come. Our marriage ceremonies eliminate the words “till death do us part” and instead say, “for time and for all eternity.” Family's are the Most important unit here on this earth. And Family's Truly can be Together Forever. Bruce R. McKonkie said in a 1977 BYU Devotional, That a Family Unit is More Important than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Now that is throwing it down hahah.

We taught a way good lesson on Wednesday night to one of our investigators. He is the only Non-member in the family, he is the father. We focused on eternal family's and the reason why we were their to teach Him, that reason is so they could all live with each other for time and all Eternity. also a big thing we focused on was the power that comes from the Priesthood and how he needs that in his home and it will continue to bless them immensely. We are looking forward to seeing him and his family next week and helping him progress towards the waters of Baptism, so him and his family can work their way to the temple.

I just want to say how thankful and blessed I am for the family that I have and the influence they have all been on me and helping me to get to this point in my life. The scripture I would like to share this week is Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Looking forward to another great week love ya all. Have a Wonderful week.

Elder Gentry

FOM

The Savior's Example For Us.‏ WEEK 32

 Hey everyone, things are going pretty great here in Minneola Florida, I got my new companion this last Thursday and I Love this guy already. His name is Elder Stiggins. Is from Provo Utah and he is been out on his mission for about 20 months so he's pretty experienced. We get along great and we were able to get a lot of work done. I was talking to my trainer Elder Weiss and he said when he saw the President Berry put Elder Gentry with Elder Stiggins that President was trying to create best friends haha. One thing that I have learned is your companion means so much and if you have fun you will love the work.

                We had a pretty good lesson with one of our Less Active members of the ward, he came to church like the first four or five weeks I was here and now he doesn't care to come to church at all so we can do is keep working with him and trying to get him to have that desire to want to go to church. We shared with him a video that talks about how just like our bodies need food and water are spirits need Scriptures, prayers, and going to church. We talked about how it's so necessary for us to do those things that invite the spirit in our lives and help lead us and guide us to doing the right things and giving us the desire to do those things. We challenged him to read a chapter of The Book of Mormon a day so he can gain a testimony that when he reads his days will go better because he will be inviting the spirit.

                We are unable to set a date with Karen and Josh, because we were unable to see them they've been really busy and Susan has been in the hospital. One thing that was really cool is that Karen who is  the nonmember, asked us to come give Susan a blessing, it's so cool to see that she already has faith that our blessings do help and there is a Priesthood Power. Our goal with them next week is to meet with them and set a date for them to be baptized and to go on a temple tour next Saturday so they can feel the spirit that you get when you are at the temple.

                 Z.T.M. This week was really good, a training that really stood out to me was about earning trust with members and finding investigators through them by receiving referrals. One thing that I really noticed is that members pay attention to missionaries a lot. We are watched like a hawk haha.  They know that their kids look up to us as examples so if we're not doing our best and showing that we care,  they're not going to trust us with their friends. So one thing we have been working on is building trust and relationships with members and always asking for referrals. And being the best example of Christ that we can be.

                This week went good but was kinda slow. This next week we will be picking up the speed and will be able to work a lot harder and do the things that we need to do to bring others closer to their heavenly father, the scripture I'd like to share with you guys this week is 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps. The Savior is the best example of how we need to be and I'm thankful for all that he did for me. Love ya all, Have a Good Week!!

Elder Gentry

FOM

Sent from my iPad

Inspired Words Of the Lord.‏ Week 31

Hey everyone, 

         Things are going really good here in Minneola. But a lot of stuff is changing. I'm losing both of my companions Elder Black and Elder Gillen. I will be staying in the north area for at least another transfer. Elder Gillen is going to the south area. So he's not going to far for me we will still be living in the same apartment complex which I'm happy about because I love Elder Gillen. I'm pretty excited to find out who my new companion will be tomorrow and get to work. A lot of successful things happened this week and we had a pretty good transfer.

        We had a really good lesson with our new investigator Kandie, she has met with missionaries in the past so she knew little bit about the Book of Mormon. We taught her the restoration and helped her have a better understanding that Christ's Church has been restored to the earth again. After we shared the unique message of the restoration, we invited her and her family to be baptized and they all said yes. I'm pretty excited with my new comp to set a date next week for them to be baptized.

        General Conference was once again was a success. My favorite talk was by Jeffery R. Holland, he is such a powerful and Inspiring man of God. "No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child. You see, it is not only that they bear us, but they continue bearing with us. To all of our mothers everywhere, past, present, or future, I say, “Thank you for giving birth, for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ.”  Once again I am so thankful for the Mother that I have and the impact she has had on my life and making who me who I am today.

        Another talk that I really enjoyed was by our Beloved Prophet Thomas S. Monson who said. "Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others. The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. … As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own. As the world moves further and further away from the principles and guidelines given to us by a loving Heavenly Father, we will stand out from the crowd because we’re different. As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions." I really enjoyed this talk because we all have that light of Christ and we all can make a difference if we choose to stand out and be different and make the right choices and center our lives on Christ.

This was a great week and an even better transfer and I'm grateful for the people that I got to know but I am looking forward to transfers and continuing with that Light of Christ to work hard to change lives. The Scripture that I want to share this week is D&C 1:38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. I loved Confernce and I know that those words that were spoken to us from prophets were from the Lord. Have a Wonderful Week!

Elder Gentry

FOM

Showing Charity and Gaining Faith!‏ Week 30!!

Hey everyone,
Well another week has gone by, can't believe I am entering the last week of the transfer. That's so crazy I will find out what will happen next Saturday and I will let you guys know on Monday. I think me and Elder Gillen Will be staying together, it should be awesome because I love that guy. I think Elder Black will be leaving and I'll miss him a lot. It is been a fun week and we got a lot of work done and We were able to see some success.

We had a really good lesson on Tuesday with one of our less active members, he is a really good guy and he was really nice to us, from what we gathered he was pretty strong in the church but he got pushed into doing a lot of things and it kind of pushed them away. So we did our best by just showing love towards him, cause at this point I think that's all we can do trying to push him to church won't help. It will have to be done with charity, so our plans are every week or two we will just share a spiritual message with his family and try and help them with whatever they are going through, something I have learned is we need to take care of the members we have before the lord will trust us with bringing others into the church.

One thing that I've been struggling with is having faith, having faith in the people that we talk to that they will be interested in wanting to learn and wanting to hear from us. One day this week I was kind of sick of doing anything and Elder Gillen suggested we go knock a street and I was just thinking yeah that's gonna work ha ha anyways we went to knock the street and we found three new investigators from it. Sometimes it's so hard to be faithful and my companions have to have that faith for me but it is so cool when you do something that you have no faith in and something good happens, it is such a faith Builder for me. 

I gave a training this week in district meeting, about loving the people around us especially our companions. It all kind of comes back to we treat those we love and care for the most worse than we treat people we don't know. I love my to companions Elder Gillen and Elder Black and I've learned a lot from them. but the things that I shared in my training was that Jesus Christ loves everyone with a perfect love. And if we can just look for that perfect love and apply it to those around us especially loved ones it will help us grow as individuals and grow a stronger witness of Jesus Christ. I also think it is important to Forget One's Self, Forgetting One’s Self-The Mission is not about you, Put Companions, Members, Less Active's, Recent Converts, Investigators and Contacts above you. We as Missionaries need to look for opportunities to be an example of the Pure Love of Christ.

This week went really well and I was able to see how showing love and caring for others help strengthen my faith in finding and in this wonderful work the scripture at like to share with you guys this week is 1st Nephi 1:20 .....But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance. Love and miss you all have a wonderful week. :)

Elder Gentry

FOM