Mail:
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2017 2:55 PM
To: Kathy Junk
Subject: The Lord's Hand in the Work
Elder Carson Lewis Junk
Washington DC South Mission
5242 Lyngate Court
Burke, VA 22015
From: Carson Lewis
Junk [mailto:carson.junk@myldsmail.net] Sent: Monday, November 27, 2017 2:55 PM
To: Kathy Junk
Subject: The Lord's Hand in the Work
Hello everyone! I
hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving! Mine was super fun, a little
different not being home, but a good different! I think it is safe to say that
this has been the best week of the mission. The Lord's hand is here in Woodbridge,
Virginia. I know that this is His work and His glory. My mom sent a quote to me
it says, "You are not called to a place, you are called to serve in place
of the Savior." I found that to be true this week. I am here to serve in
place of the Savior and this is His glory and work. I am thankful for the great
work that has begun here. I am definitely thankful to be a missionary.
I am not sure where
to begin. I guess the best week of the mission began exactly last Monday at
around 6 o'clock. We got a call from The Dale City trio saying they got off the
line with a woman named Sheca Lovett who wants to meet with missionaries and
they set up an appointment for us on Wednesday. We were pumped as they told us
this has been something she has been thinking about for a while. Wednesday came
and we got to know Sheca. She is incredible. She has truly prepared herself to
receive the Gospel. Most importantly, The Lord has prepared her. Sheca has
family members, cousins, and friends, who are all LDS. Sheca had told her mom
that she wanted to meet with the missionaries, somehow she had Dale City's
number than they relayed her over to us! It worked out, she was requesting the
missionaries! She had questions as to why they were so happy and felt she was
lacking a missing piece in her life. I felt prompted to teach the Plan of
Salvation. The Plan of Salvation went wonderful and she had amazing questions.
She said it all made sense to her and it just felt right. We were able to
schedule her for a baptismal date for December 23rd! We left her with The Book
of Mormon and scheduled an appointment on Friday to come back and teach her
more.
We had Thanksgiving
and our ward did the annual "Turkey Bowl"! It was super awesome and
we had 9 on 9 playing. I didn't have cleats so I was sliding all over the place
but as it warmed up at 10, I was catching everything and was getting touchdowns
(Only 3 haha). I was also going hard at defensive back, but Brother Parker in
the ward (who is about 6'5) was giving me a run for my money and caught some
incredible balls. Also, about 3/4 of the way through the game, Brother Simms
decided to guard me (Played NFL football for The Eagles as a Wide-Receiver )
and I couldn't go anywhere. I think I only caught one on him. There was one
where I literally got behind him caught the ball and took a step and somehow he
picked it off one handed and took it from me. It was so dang fun. Elder
Miller's team and I lost 14 touchdowns to 11. Super fun though! Later, we had
dinner with the Jamisons. They are awesome and made some great food. Then we
finished the night off with cards and some board games.
Friday, was sealing
up the great week! We had the follow-up appointment with Sheca and she read
from The Book of Mormon and was very receptive to what she read! We were able
to teach a powerful restoration lesson. She loved it! She was asking to come to
church! I was so happy. She truly is loving the gospel and the wonderful
message we share! Later that day, I went on an exchange with the legend Elder
Cottle. He leaves on Wednesday. It was my last exchange with him and his last
exchange ever. We had a great time and I am going to miss him! He has taught me
so much but I know he is going to do great things and this isn't the end of
missionary work for him!
Sunday, had to be
the best day on the mission. Elder Miller and I gave a talk at a farewell for a
good man Salsabil! Elder Miller began his talk with, "I am the better
looking missionary" I was dying and followed him, I stated to the
congregation that he was in fact the better looking one. I also invited
Salsabil to do the Robot for his farewell since I had to do it. He didn't
accept but it was an awesome meeting. Sheca came to church for all 3 hours and
she loved it! In Gospel Principles, we focused on The Atonement. She said that
everything said was just what she needed to hear. We knew that was the sprit.
She was answering questions and the ward was awesome and really reached out to
her! We look forward to involving her husband and children in the lessons too.
Another investigator named Akiko came to church for Sacrament meeting. This was
the second time on my mission I had investigators at church, it was so great!
I am staying here
in Woodbridge for another transfer to finish train Elder Miller. I look forward
to serving 1/4 of my mission here in Woodbridge. I am particularly excited that
the work is picking up and we have the opportunity to teach Sheca. She truly is
incredible and I am thankful again for the Lord's hand in this work. He truly
is the head of this church. I am thankful for His atonement and I know that
because of Him we are able to learn, grown, and ultimately experience joy and
happiness. I love this gospel. I love all of you. Have a great week. Thank you
all for everything!
Love,
Elder Junk
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| Sweater shrunk on me last week |
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| Thursday at the Turkey Bowl. Only a few of us. Everyone left before getting a picture. Brother Simms is the one next to me on the right |
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| Shout out to Aunt Jill for sending the legendary El Matador's salsa! |
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| Elder Cottle the legend – finished with the mission. Going to miss him. So many good memories at Taco Bell with him. Long live Taco Bell and I love this guy! |
