Last words as a missionary

I  love being a missionary. Working with people, inviting others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel is amazing! That is why it is our purpose as missionaries. The gospel is so simple! Faith in Christ and his Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the End. That is it no more no less. There is no imaginary bar we have to reach. There is no passing grade. We are not here to earn heaven and eternal life. We are here to learn eternal life, to make heaven on earth whenever we can. Have faith for a better tomorrow. Have faith that through our Lord and Savior our broken pieces will be fixed. Give up that which is evil and devilish, all that truly brings pain, sorrow and misery. Give up your sins and Christ will fill you. Repent. Rely on him and his grace and he will make you into what you were designed to become. A son; A daughter; of the most High God to inherit his kingdom. Remember who you are. Follow him. Be Baptized! Make an eternal and unbroken promise with Him that you will love him, that you will serve him and that you will lift up his sons and daughters at all times. This is your duty. Receive his Holy Spirit into your life. Let him lead you, guide you, walk beside you. You will find the way.(1) Peace He leaves with you, peace He gives unto you but not as the world gives, let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid(2) for He is with you from all eternity to all eternity. Never give up. Straight is the way and narrow the gate which leads to the kingdom of heaven,(3) but He is with you and if you give Him your whole self he will carry you to the mansions of his father. If you love Him, if you serve Him, if you follow Him. This is my testimony. I know this work is true. I love the Lord with all of my soul! And so help me God, you will feel His love and know His way. It is the only and true way under heaven. All of this I say and bear witness in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Amen.

A servant of the Lord,

~Elder Joshua Alger

(1) LDS hymns #301

(2) John 14:27

(3) 3 Nephi 27:33

Week 101 - I love being a Missionary!

We have been working hard. Michelle and Junior. Were happily baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I baptized Junior and Elder Kersten baptized Michelle. On Sunday I conferred the Aaronic Priesthood to Junior. He is excited and ready to serve. He told us he wants to serve a mission. On Friday they will be going to the temple to be baptized on behalf of their own ancestors. I am so proud of them. They make great Mormons! Because this is my last week in the mission field I want leave you with my final testimony to you as a Full-time Missionary of the Lord. I will send it in the next email.

~Elder Joshua Alger

Me above one of the many canyons that speckle downtown San Diego

 

Multi Zone Sports with our Mission President, a once and a mission experience.

The classiest Restroom sign I have ever seen in my life! I had to share lol 😂.

Us with Michelle and Jr. At the Mormon Battalion. That was a blast!

Elder Kersten, Michelle, Elder Alger (Me), and Junior at their baptism

Week 100

Just a video and a photo this week.

Here is the link to the video: https://youtu.be/2_nURvipKMA

Week 99 - I am sick

I am sick but working hard. The ward takes care of me when I need help. I have been given 2 remedies for my cold/cough/flu or whatever it is. I am not cured yet but am defiantly feeling better. Also, I have a great companion to support me. As long as he knows I am trying, he is patient with me. It is such a blessing. 

I have been so spoiled. I have not been sick very much on my mission. I cannot remember a time when I had to stay in the apartment because of my own illness. Whatever I have is pretty darn annoying and exhausting though. It's just like I am constantly breathing up dust bunnies and sleep is a real struggle. I took some NyQuil last night and that knocked me out but I hate drugs. I am holding up though. 

On a lighter note we have 3 people with set baptism dates, 2 in June and 1 in July, and getting 3 people back to the temple. The work is hopping!

Love, 

Elder Alger

We got to go to the aquarium with the Nielsen family.

Week 98 - There is so much work!

The 1st ward is chock-full of missionary opportunities. Half of the people we randomly meet will listen to us. In the past week we found 3 or 4 members that were not on the records just on the street! 

Michelle and Junior are doing great. They came to church for the first time this last week and they are actively working to prepare themselves for baptism. It is great! 

The members here are wonderful! They all want to help each other. Brother Putt has got to be one of the best of them. He works so hard to keep everyone who gets baptized active and to the temple. And he does a wonderful job. Currently we have about 8 active Recent Converts 3 of which are preparing for their endowments. I love the work and I love this ward.

Love ya! 

Elder Joshua Alger

 A member took us out to a Thai place and I got fried rice in a pineapple. It was soooo tasty!

Super tasty pizza at Bronx Pizza

Week 97 continued - I love this ward!

I have seen so many old friends it is amazing! For those of you that do not know my old ward San Diego 4th ward was dissolved and half of it was merged with San Diego 1st ward, the ward I am currently serving in. So in sum, it is awesome! Brother Putt is our Ward Mission Leader and a great one at that. We love him dearly and he loves the work. It is a beautiful relationship. We have been teaching a lot of cool people. First off we baptized Allen this Saturday. He has been attending church for the past 7 weeks and is going strong. When he came out of the changing room after he was baptized he burst through the doors and said "I feel like I have been born again!" It was awesome! And this man is just behind 80 years old! 

This week has been full of similar miracles and lovely city scenes. I will try to take pictures this week. And on top of all of that Elder Kersten, my new companion is awesome! He is super fun to be around.

These truly are the best two years. :-D

Love ya! 

Elder Joshua Alger

Week 97

Just a short video this week. https://youtu.be/tKjcQSuNsAI