11-27-2017 - The Lord's Hand in the Work

Mail:

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 

Sweater shrunk on me last week

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 

Shout out to Aunt Jill for sending the legendary El Matador's salsa!

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!