It was so nice to be talk with most of you, even if the technical side was a little faulty! We'll get it figured out for Christmas (assuming I'm not in the bush.....we'll see what happens!) for sure!
Elder Wilson and I were in Anchorage for most of this week! It was fun and exciting, even with the wallet thieves and it was so nice to be around other missionaries! Elder Zwick of the Seventy was there at our Zone Conference. He owns the construction company that built the Portland Temple! We had a great time and he told us a lot about building foundations. I hope you are all ready to listen to the Church wide broadcast on the 23rd! It's going to be good! He sure had the spirit with him as he talked. Elder Wilson and I learned a lot of valuable things which we have started to implement here in Dutch Harbor and it has been working pretty well!
I had a very special experience while up in Anchorage. As I told some of you on Monday a man named Wes was baptized in the Brayton ward (my first area) last Saturday. Elder Dean and I tracted into him and began teaching the lessons to him back in September. On Tuesday we got to go and see him and give him a lesson with the assistants (it's their area now). He tearfully expressed his gratitude for all 6 of the missionaries that have helped him get to where he is now. Every effort truly does count! It was very cool.
We are teaching an awesome less active lady here. Her name is Sister Mcguire, and she made it to church last week (first time in 6 years), and stayed for the whole time! Last Sunday we were asked to teach Sunday school last minute, so the spirit led us to talk about the Book of Mormon, how special it is, and all the people who sacrificed so much for us to have it. On Saturday we gave Sister Mcguire a call to see if she was planning on coming again this Sunday. She said she was and that she wanted to start reading the Book of Mormon cover to cover! We had a great lesson with her last night where we read a couple chapters with her. At the beginning of the lesson her neighbor was blasting rap music, and it was distracting for all of us. I silently said a prayer that it would stop, and we began the lesson. As we read the Book of Mormon, I realized that the music had stopped! We were then able to bear powerful testimony that God truly was mindful of us, right there, right then, and that he answers our prayers, especially as we study the scriptures. She was touched, and committed to return to activity, and to read every night! It's just as exciting to watch someone return to Christ as it is to see them find Him for the first time!
On Saturday we had a good lesson with Sheril, a really cool Native lady that we were told to go visit. Before we started, she told us that she had been alcohol and cigarette free for two days, and wants to quit for forever! We taught the Plan of Salvation, with a strong emphasis on the Atonement, and how she can really use it to overcome her addictions. It was very good, and she wants us to come over often to help her out. She wasn't able to come to church, but she will next week!
It's cool to see people really accept the atonement, and use it in their own lives, especially after seeing it work in your own! Thank you all for your love, support and constant prayers! I can feel them working!
Love to all,
Elder Gullerud
Email dated May 20, 2013
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