Mardi Gras...children of God...great week in Plaquemine

Feb. 8, 2016

TRIO MARDIS GRASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Dear Family and Friends,

  Another good week. By good, I want y'all to know that in reality its darn good. Super darn great! We have a steady occurrence of miracles and we feel blessed, not knowing the cause for such great spirit to be poured. We don't fear anyone and though it be Mardis Gras, all of the people of the community and in the hood, support and love us and give us the respect that we need. 

sista honey and plumb round 2 mardis gras

  Great things that happened this week: 1) a Less-active member we did now know existed, came to church with her not baptized 15 year old, and he wants to learn more. 2) we were confronted by a lot of friendly and also not so friendly, intense personality type children of God. Drunk people respect you when you say your men of God. So a quote from that "hey what y'all doin in the hood?" "well we are walkin' and talkin'" "well why you doin' that?" "because that's what we do" "aright thas coo I can spect that." 3) Cocaine user investigator of ours committed to read the Book of Mormon, and he and his wife want to join our church, after we spoke to them and told them boldly that no other place on earth offers eternal families in the priesthood given to men by God. 

 Baptism pics from Natchitoches, LA

4) Catholic family asks for help bringing in super bowl food on Sunday as we walk by, then tell us to teach their children and help them overcome trials. They accept Book of Mormon and our contact info. Further help will be asked for, I am sure. 

5) we made homemade crawfish etoufee and unified our companionship.

Crawfish Etoufee

6) we have like 7 investigators and 3 less-actives progressing with lots of potentials on almost every street SOO ALRIGHTTTT

  All in all my dearest of readers, we are rockin' the socks off this sweet little city with its rough neighborhoods and unkindly attitudes. The Spirit is the teacher, and all He wants is for us to open our mouths.

District in Natchitoches, LA

According to some people I'm the "leader" of the trio and they always tell me how much of a politician I am. When in reality my companions are the ones who truly lead me and I just speak hahaha. I love them lots, we are strong together. 

love yallllll - elder joshua dean rush

Plaquemine...Mission Conference...Elder Rasband and more....

the old district in amite ;D sister groesbeck goes home soon sooo had to get this one.

Feb. 1, 2016

Dear Friends and Family!

the MTC homies except Elders Forbush and Rogers....sorry :/

  All is going quite while. Lots of news on what's been happening lately. The most important news was that we had mission conference after I was transferred to Plaquemine (which was last week so check out my new address) and we had Elder Rasband, Zwick and Bluth, a 12, 70, and area 70 come and speak to us and inspire us to go forward. They taught us that we were called here by special revelation and that each place we go to is a sacred place that we must harvest from. The Lord knows what he is doing. He also has servants who know to the best of their mortal frames, what they are doing. If the Lord trusts them then we should too!

 Elder Whittier on the left then Rogers then Skillikorn then Jensen.

(Rogers and Whittier came out with me)

Sister Plumb with dark hair and Sister Honey with blonde

  This week has also been a time of frustration, trial and test, but I refuse to give up, because God refuses to give up on me. Discouragement is a lowly term to describe everything, but it doesn't matter because the Spirit has been really warming me lately with the comforting role that he provides so well. I love this new place and Jesus Christ can help us do all things.

  When we are told to go on missions, it is a commandment to convert ourselves. During this process we can bring others with us if we choose, and that's the joy of the mission.

mission conference reunion Elder Ralph

  Elder Rogers and Elder Jensen are amazing companions, and if you thought that teaching with 2 people was awesome, then you should do it with 3, because people that can feel the Spirit have an extremely hard time saying no when prompted to change, and we are always asking people to do that. Everywhere we go, if the Spirit says go elsewhere or say something, then it can be done. It's only our fear that holds us back, and it's silly to hold back that which we love the most.

my compooooooooooosssssssssss Rogers close and Jensen on back. Rogers is from Gilbert, Arizona and Jensen is from Vancouver, Washington

  WE are determined in our powerful TRIPANIONSHIP of JUSTICE! that we will do what the Lord wills us to do, even if I'm only here for 2 weeks. A part member family we talked to, already committed to be reading and continue learning in there home so that the member can come back to church and hopefully the non-member can come to know the truths we are teaching. 

Love you all dearly - Elder Joshua Dean Rush

My new address:

Elder Joshua Rush

58745 Belleview Dr. Apt. 6

Plaquemine, LA 70764

Birthdays, Fishing and Memories being made....

Jan. 19, 2016
Hello everyone, 

  It was a nice week, pretty mellow, sometimes slow, stressful and trying and rewarding. I will just include the pictures from yesterdays P-day which was MLK Jr. Day, so the libraries were closed and we had to email today. We had the Zone Leaders come down because it was Elder Barney's Birthday! He is one of the friendliest, most fun leaders in all of church history, I think, and we have members that feed us and have a big lake to go fishing, so we did that!! No technology just some poles and beautiful weather. The Smith's are so good to us, and made Barney a cake and had tons of poles and lures. We didn't catch a single thing, except memories!

 Fishing time at Lake Sibley

 Fishing

  I feel like every week sneaks up on me then it's gone, it's so hard to just let it go by, when it seems like things are so slow and that the last 3 transfers have been so long and so uneventful. I cannot say that nothing happened, but maybe it will just take time to see the good that I have prayed to be there. 

  I never thought my faith would extend up until my legs cramped or gave out, but at least I'm not walking in Africa? Positive attitude has been the motto of the week, because if any of you know or knew me, i guess (been a long time), I tend to focus on what lack I yet rather than ye blessed child. It's a bad habit and I am trying to break it. Both Elder Carter and I have coughs, the wind cuts through everything and then our sweat and the outside moisture makes us even colder, doesn't even matter what we wear, the weather has no mercy. Blessings to my family!!!!!!! WOO

Elder Cohen (from Australia/Bountiful, Utah) and Sister Jenkins. plus Elder Johnson in plaid, my comp-Elder Carter behind him, and Sister Bell behind the squinter in the left of the pic who is Elder Nield.

(Just as a side note here from mom, Josh had pneumonia in December, so another cough! Yikes! but he's fine now ;-)

  We took over the primary teaching of an investigator that the sisters were working with, he is great friends with several of the ward members of which we had dinner with this last Friday (with the investigator) and he lived in Colorado and has always had a high respect for the Church and it's members. I believe that in time, hopefully in a short time he will join, because we know he definitely wants to. He likes the eternal family perspective that we all have. I like it too :)

The whole crew playing Catan that my mom sent me

  We taught another investigator about the priesthood. Her baptism is this Saturday and she asked me to baptize her, so that is super exciting :) I only taught her one lesson but she knows her stuff and the sisters have taught her well. Fun fun fun weekend coming up. Stake conference. 

 The fancy deck

  The best part of stake conference was the special broadcast we had this last Sunday that was directed to only the South East region of the U.S. Sister Reeves, Elder Rasband, President Clayton, and Elder Hales all spoke powerfully all to us! All about sabbath day and keeping it sacred, going to the temple more, having self-worth and seeing the worth of others through God's eyes. There was one story about how we can help the missionaries and be missionaries by treating people with respect that maybe they have never been given before. That we are a people full of love and tolerance and of goodness and righteousness. In my opinion, I think it's the vision of the south that President Kimball saw long ago finally coming true. Soon temples will dot it all over and millions will flood in. Hopefully, some of what I have tried to do has helped bring this about or lead into some of those promises. Bless the south.

love - elder joshua dean rush

Freezing in Louisiana!! Christmas, New Year's and Glow Sticks!

Dec. 14, 2015

Dear Friends and Family,

  

This is my white elephant gift, Chia Squeeze for women

  I don't remember how all of my emails looked or sounded last year around this time, but I really hope they were so much more enriching and actually inspiring. I will try my best despite uhh, lack of actions to make words with. We did have some miracles that if pondered on, are much more significant than I thought.

  We had a slow week honestly, and it's been raining a lot, so that makes finding new people to teach very difficult. That's nothing new though in the lives of missionaries. One day Sister Pfleger was very ill, and we were able to use their car and we saw A LOT of people that we have been meaning to meet and also return to see. The fact that they were sick, was bad, the fact that we made it worth it, was spectacular. Lots of different places in the city are rough for a number of reasons, but REALLY honestly if you know anything, these are the places where most people know who we are and respect us the most. We go there to see if anyone is willing to make some darn commitments now, just keep checking, that's the goal.

 Natichitoches has a huge Christmas celebration, all month long,

including lots of fireworks

The lights are amazing too

  There is an investigator who the sisters have been working with for awhile and he likes to talk to us and invite us to invites from time to time. Went to his First Baptist Church where he was in the choir and they sang lots of Handel's Messiah, so beautiful!! He also always induces such good conversations and gospel lessons when we talk with him. Amazing guy, moving at his own pace, in an honest way. 

  We also were able to enjoy a good Sunday, where the ward expressed lots of love for us and myself personally which really meant a lot to me. People never really know how much they affect us and can bless us when they put forth the effort. God thankfully gives persuasive means (the Spirit) to tell us how to love our Brothers and Sisters.

  It rains, its cold, but that is all just in a short period of life. Soooooo it gets better. Merry Christmas y'all

-love elder joshua dean rush

Jan. 5, 2016

Dear Friends and Family,

  I didn't write last week so I guess I should probably write something this week. Let me say that events have been lacking but I will remember and relate the best I can when something great happened. 

  

 This is my sad sad Star Wars face because 

I am missing Star Wars episode VII

 My comp, Elder Carter, loves Star Wars too

These are our shirts

This is our memorial fire in memory of missing our show,

just like Vader and Qui Gon were burned as Jedi

  The primary forward motions of the work are with this part-member family we have been working with. The member is coming back to church himself and trying to be active and stay the course and his wife is Catholic and her mother is also Catholic. We wanted to make friends with them so we went to some Mass with them, and then the other day the Many elders and ourselves did service for the mother for a few hours. Helping her rake leaves, not just some leaves, but vast amounts of them, and then we burned them (that was super fun). To makes things even better, she is such a sweet woman, she made us this amazing pasta that we enjoyed for lunch and we had some fine discussions on Faith, The Book of Mormon and the priesthood. She kind of has a testimony of lots of the principles of the gospel that we teach, so that should be good for if her daughter ever wants to join (this being the second time missionaries have tried in the last 5 years). We gave her a triple combo and she is gonna read it haha ;)

Secret Santa

  New years was great spending time with some of the funnest members in the ward, the same ones we helped move their house in from their trailer. Good times and great food down here in the sweet south. 

 Zone Christmas Picture

 so sly with Elder Solomon and Sister P

the "old" district

  It's been freezing lately, humidity just makes me cold. I was a polar bear in the dry cold with wind, but with the humid air, the pain is 10 fold. A vehicle, we are hoping, may fall from the sky soon though. We fasted for it.... 

 So we had a little bit of fun putting glow sticks

on the Sisters car :-)

  I learned something this week (isn't that great?) and it was all about argument, misunderstanding and self-control. We need those things to become the Children of God that we are meant to be, and that when you are upset, it is not good to harbor frustration. When you are misunderstood (which i am allll the time) just clarify according to the Spirit and forgive, then everything becomes sweet again. Bitter is a cause of lack of control, we can control a lot of things that we may not know we could, thank goodness for the Atonement. 

PEACE Y'ALL -love elder joshua dean rush

Jan. 11, 2016

Dear Familia and amigos,

Bro J Paul Storrs, coming to Provo soon. Ladies be wary, too much suave.

  I am not a Spanish speaking missionary just yet, but its liable to change based on revelation! This week was good y'all, we heard that there was some kind of lame lottery, who needs money when you got Jesus right? That's all I got to say about that business.

Sister Jenkins is from Newton (norther part of cache valley)

 Great week everyone, its' been real cold and the wind cuts our souls nearly in half while we ride, but thankfully they are easily repaired by a dose of enthusiasm. It isn't something you can buy, but you can definitely make it even though you really don't want to. I guess we aren't in Utah so it isn't as cold temp wise, but humidity is most likely what threw the earth into an Ice Age, I'm almost certain...

District P-Day and Prep

 Sis Jenkins and Pfleger at the Christmas party at the Gaylords(members) open house

I promised Sister Pfleger I would share this ridiculous photo, this was Christmas dinner with the Smiths.

  We ate at some awesome members house on Saturday and ate fried squirrel including the head. It was dang great so now as a list of crazy food I've eaten includes armadillo, squirrel, alligator, oyster, cow tongue, and probably more stuff that I wasn't even told ;-). 

Everything is going well, we are still working with less-actives and part-member families and we are getting more rides due to it being so particularly cold, people probably feel bad for us now. 

 Zachary house for Christmas yay

Love you all and the work keeps movin -elder joshua dean rush

Catch up time!!! Transfers...Fireworks....Sickness...Work

Nov. 9, 2015

Our Backyard View

Hello Friends and Family,

  Well there is a lot of crazy stuff happening in y'alls world back home. I don't really know the extent but I think everyone should just take a deep breath and chill out. :) I mean I have hardcore anxiety so that's a hugely ironic comment, but it's out of love! (This is in reference to a church statement that was released that had some controversy associated with it)

  Lots of things happening this week, mostly rain and cold temperatures and early nights. We still bike in rain and in the Dark but we try not to do that as much as possible and still, of course, stay with our hands to the plow in the work. A servant who, "having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." therefore we continue. 

Because they had my camera i get to share these ;) this is Sister Whitney Carpenter from Austin, Texas

Sister Ariel Pfleger from Idahooooooooooooooo

It is so much easier to appreciate the world around you when you try to look through God's eternal eyes which sounds like it could be a difficult task, and it is, but it is a noble one to pursue.

  I learned a lot about patience, just like I always do because I am naturally very impatient and want things to move fast, but it brings a lot of peace to know that after waiting a man willing to change was found. This man we found was a random number of about 160 people in our phone who were labelled as some sort of investigator or that had potential to become one, and I called and texted ALLLL of them (so painstaking) and our finding this guy happened as result. Nice guy, we had one lesson, then he said he was moving to Florida, we told him we would get the missionaries there, he decided not to move and now with one thing leading to the other and lots of exposure to the church, he wants to get baptized! Hurrah!

  I randomly texted him if he made it to Florida safe, and he was reading the Book of Mormon at that exact moment and, therefore, took that as a huge sign and we came and taught him and he has the starting of a wonderful testimony.

  Not much else to report, the days are short, it's getting cold, and our bikes are made of metal and run by our pedals. Hope y'all are taking care of  yourselves feel free to write, send a package, email or pray for me, all is acceptable hahahaha.  But seriously, Thanks for the support :)

-love elder joshua dean rush

Nov. 16, 2015

Dear everyone,

  Things are always great right? Yes, indeed they are. I am now going to give you some descriptions of events.

This time around Christmas everything gets busy in Natchitoches, they now have lights all over the city, especially downtown which are starting to turn on at night, and it is quite the sight. Lots of lights, and moving lights, and singing lights, and all kinds of sweet amazing Christmas and New Year's spirit. 

NSU vs SFA game!! NSU won

  Okay, so investigator Man who is 19, we do service with him and he is great and now we just need him to find a testimony of the sweet record of Joseph. The investigator guy who didn't move to Florida has some struggles from being a war veteran and tried to drop us, but he is doing fine now. He needs to come to church, but he is reading the Book of Mormon and just being a little trooper :3. One of our ward missionaries has a friend who is sincerely investigating, and if we can coordinate meetings with him he is our highest hopes of conversion. Nice guy, real fun, super smart, if he reads, he will succeed. The rest of our investigators need to learn how to search, ponder and pray (but that's pretty much anyone) so they are stuck in the mud when it comes to concerns, oh well.

sis carpenter on the left sis pfleger on the right

  Our Climate recently has been dropping and the 65 with 80 percent humidity makes it real real nice for me. Short sleeve white shirts and everyone thinks I'm crazy but I think the white shirt black name tag signs of a Mormon missionary are like the Title of Liberty, ya know? People notice and, in my perspective, surely enjoy the sight.

Well I hope you're all doing so lovely thanks for all the wishes, prayers, emails and support from the homeland.

marching band because #throwback

trumpet section :')

Keep on

love elder -Joshua dean rush

Nov. 25, 2015

service after much sawdust and paint

Hello dearest Family and Friends,

  A lot of events have transpired and a lot of informative things have happened in just this last week. It's been one of the busiest weeks of all transfer. I can't complain because usually when life gets busy the Lord seems to take over. I can't lie and say it hasn't been extremely stressful, but it has made me stronger and I feel quite happy and satisfied to have grown because of it. 

elder allen and myself (aren't we great?)

  For the next month all you will hear about will most likely be the Christmas Festival here in Natchitoches, and I hope it's not boring but you just gotta know!!! It's the most beautiful and amazing thing I have seen to see an entire city filled and lit with the Spirit that comes when Christmas rolls around. On Saturday, we got to attend the opening ceremony where they have a fireworks show, and it was great! Apparently, they have that every Saturday for awhile, with thousands of people coming in, so we will be able to talk to a lot of people.

the good ole district

  I am not entirely sure how to get around just yet here, and I just got a new companion who's name is Elder Kyle Carter from Washington State. Great guy, it's gonna be real good! When I get lost, I guess, I just have to try to find those people that need to be found right?

District

  I usually don't talk much about transfer meeting, but this time around it was really extremely hard. I am getting to the point on my mission where everyone I've known and loved and served around are ending their journeys. The Hastings and The Bibles (senior couples in Oakdale and in Fort Polk) are leaving this month, and I spent 6 to 9 months serving around them. There isn't a more perfect example to me of what true love, discipleship, and marriage is like than what I saw in all of them. 

  There is something to be learned from those who have lived longer than we have on this life, and we should use this resource more often. 

Fun Timessss

  There has been a lot of discouragement and loneliness in my life and on my mission, but now through the lens of the gospel it isn't of any significance. Too much of what those feelings represent is our tendency to look inward rather than out. This is wayyyyyy obvious I know, but I love the people I have been working with and teaching here. They may not always progress or do all the things I know would bring them closer to the Saviour, but they bring me joy when I can serve them and help them. 

  We have a Less-active who we hope to get back to church soon, a 19 year old guy we do service with who we hope will open more to our message and a good man that is a friend of a member of ours who is very very interested and open to what the gospel has to offer. 

How great the peace the gospel brings.

I love you all and miss you in great abundance.

-Elder Joshua Dean Rush

Nov. 30, 2015

So Josh had pneumonia this week and was super sick, so no group letter this week :-(

Dec. 7, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

  Sorry for the lack of a letter last week, nothing to report besides sickness and coldness! This week is much more noteworthy and, unfortunately, I don't have pictures to send until Sister Pfleger gives them to me. It's easier for us to all bank on one person taking pictures as long as they get circulated. 

nice picture of fireworks -by sis pfleger

  We had the opportunity of attending a few wonderful Christmas events this week. We went to a Gala put on by the NSU art department that literally made life a more beautiful thing to live. The tap dancing soldiers were definitely the highlight of the performance (there was a member who was the star, of course.)

the "old" district

  The next event was the Christmas Festival and I wish i could describe it to you. 2 hours of parade and singing and bands and music. The festivities here go above and beyond usual, and it suits me well. I am usually a Grinch with Christmas, but on the mission my hearts gotten real soft for it.

so sly with elder Solomon and sis P

  This letter is going to be really short and to the point and I am sorry again. It gets difficult to stay focused on long explanatory emails, y'all will just have to get an account from me personally when I return home. The 18th month mark of my mission is coming soon and I feel really proud to have made it so very far and done so much (hopefully) good unto my brothers and sisters. This time of year is a good time to remember Charity and to feel love for God's great gift and the gifts of our lives in such a wonderful place wherever that may be.

More Fireworks!

love you all and take care - elder joshua dean rush