Hello, Florida!

Dear Everyone!
 

This Gospel must be preached to everyone, so if you are not actively seeking to find people for the missionaries to teach, then start.  Do you think that missionaries knocking on doors all day is effective?  It really isn't.  There are those who must be found that way because they have no connection with the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, but almost all of the people who are prepared to accept this true message are your own friends and the people you know.  Remember that success is in the invitation.  For example, your friends could be invited to church, family home evening, mutual, ward activities, or the most important, to talk with the missionaries!  Because the worth of souls is great in the sight of God and He wants all of us to return to him.  How will these friends of ours know how to return to Him if they don't know where to look?  How will they know that the whole purpose of life is to prepare to meet God (Alma 34:32) if no one ever tells them?  We are the answer--the friends, the coworkers, the accquaintences.  So I give a charge to all to pray earnestly for missionary opportunites, and then seek them throughout the day, and then take them.  They will bring you more joy than you can hope for and will bless you with the trials that you are going through right now.  I know that that's true.  The field is white, already to harvest.  The time to reap is now.  The time to seed has already passed.  Let us thrust in our sickles with our might and lay up in store that we perish not, but bring salvation unto our souls.
 

Here I am in the city of Florida in the department (that's what they call states here--"departments") of Florida.  It isn't a Stake quite yet; it's still a district.  But the active members here are really strong and we are going to help them find people for us to teach and baptize.  Elder Gila, my new companion is actually not from Fiji.  He is from Vanuatu, which is close to Fiji, and he is from the island Ambae.  He speaks four languages and he is a super great missionary.  We are working super hard together.  This area, Piedra Alta, is a little bit small, and on top of that, we share the branch with two sisters.  So our working area is a little bit more than a third of the size of San Carlos.  But we will do whatever it takes to find the miracles that the Lord has prepared for us.  I love doing this work.  I love being a missionary.  We are looking to find those who are prepared to hear and accept our message and work has been a little slow, but it is about to pick up.  Our area is a pretty active city and the people are kinda rich, which leads many of them to believe that they don't have time to talk to us.  But there are those whom we are finding that need our help.  I am learning more and more how to depend completely on the Lord for everything.  We really can't do anything on our own.  If we wish to reach our potential, we must go to Him.  And the blessings that He has in store for us are amazing if we are willing to humble ourselves and do what He would have us do.

Also, optimism is the best.  Sometimes it's easy to think that their is no way to continue to have hope that things will get better.  Do you know what we should do if that happens?  Start by smiling.  If you are by yourself or with other people, just smile.  I think that our brains are programmed to be happier when we smile.  Next, we have to realize that we aren't perfect and that the Lord expected us to make mistakes.  We don't let the Lord down when we make mistakes, we only let Him down when we realize we are making mistakes and we don't repent and try to do better.  And even when we let him down if we don't immediately repent, He still waits for us with open arms, ready to forgive us and lift us up.  We truly can be lifted up by the Lord.  So once we repent of our follies and try to do better, we look forward (continuing to smile) and keep going.  And it's not easy, but once we have that hope, it becomes a whole lot easier!  I love this Gospel.  Not just because it gives me purpose, but because it gives me the strength and perspective to fulfill that purpose.  This Gospel is true.  I know it is true.
 

Remember to seek to build the kingdom of God.  Then everything else shall be given to us.  I appreciate all of the prayers and support.  I'm sending it all right back your way.  I love you all!  Keep on rockin' in the free world!  I must now go and serve the beloved children of God.
 

LOVE,
Elder Plautz