TILM 2021 Friday

It is finished. We are joyfully exhausted. After a week of sharing the good news that Jesus has done it all, we are drained and tired. But, the experience of sharing Jesus, making new Christian friends, and learning more every day makes this week a special event in life. Someone said tonight that this was the longest week and the quickest week! It is definitely true.

Jessica and I went back to see Emory to give her a book and she had her friend with her who had brought her to a Christian church. It was so wonderful to hear her story of leaving the LDS church. Her husband still goes, but has been okay with her going to a bible church. The women exchanged contact info with Jessica and they plan to get together. It will be such a blessing for all of them to have Christian friends here in Mormon country.

Thank you again for all your prayers of support for me and this ministry. God is answering those prayers by having the Holy Spirit work on the hearts of those we have been in contact with. To God be the glory!

TILM 2021 Wednesday, Thursday

We stink. Stink boldly!

Not something you expect to hear in a devotion. But, it made sense when we read II Corinthians 15-16 where it talks about the aroma of Christ. When we share God’s gospel message it can be the smell of death to some, but the fragrance of life to others.

Today the devotion was on John 4, where Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well and asked her for a drink. The Jews and the Samaritans were enemies when it came to their cultures. The true followers of Jesus Christ and the Mormons are at odds, too. Each of us believe we have the true religion. We are learning how to be like Jesus in our conversations.

Wednesday afternoon was in the low 100s again and I was wilting. Had to take more frequent breaks in the shade and drink more water.

Tim and I had several extended witnessing conversations. I feel that the LDS members are becoming more savvy to Christian messages. They talk more about how their works are rooted in Christ’s atonement – that Christ did it all and now they do what God placed before them to do. They are insistent that they are not doing good to earn salvation, but do talk about progressing to become better.

Today (Thursday) Elaine and I met a wonderful young woman who has left the LDS church and is attending a bible church, learning the truth about God’s grace and mercy. We were all so happy to meet each other and talk about God. I will introduce her tomorrow to Jessica, a TILM missionary who moved to Provo last year. They are both in their 20s and can be a support for each other. It’s tough being a Christian in Mormon country.

Tomorrow is our last full day on the streets. It is usually met with joy (last day and we will be going home), sadness (last day to share God’s word with those in darkness). We will celebrate Friday night and enjoy the new friendships we have made with fellow believers from around the country.

Thank you again so much for your prayers for this ministry. We are starting to get stats back about the beyeperfect.org website. We have already seen great increases in hits and opt-ins since Monday, compared to the first 12 days in June. To God be the glory!

TILM 2021 pictures

On the streets: Elaine and Carol

2021 Group

Emory: former LDS who is learning about the real Gospel of Jesus Christ at a bible church. We were thrilled to find each other. I will introduce her to Jessica tomorrow, who lives in Provo. Debriefing in the park after lunch.

TILM 2021 Tuesday

Tim giving devotion on trusting God

TILM 2021 Tuesday

I wanted to share some pictures of today, but am having trouble getting it to work. So ….

Our devotion this morning was given by Tim and got us thinking about who/what we trust. We often look to others, our self, etc for solutions to life’s challenges. Just like the Jewish people when the Assyrians planned to attack them. They negotiated a military alliance with Egypt, hoping they would help defeat the Assyrians. But they ultimately trusted God to deliver them. One example for us today is to take our hands ‘off the wheel’ and let God steer. That really helped me today in our conversations: I remember one moment where I was thinking, Peggy take your hands off the wheel! Wow, what a weird feeling: all of sudden I stopped thinking about what to say, my shoulders relaxed and, as they say today, I was in the moment. God was steering, I trusted him, and only God’s grace and mercy mattered. What a blessing to let go and let God.

We had several extended conversations today with three LDS women. We were a little surprised at how well versed they were in Mormon doctrine and their enthusiasm to chat with us. We challenged them a few times regarding their views on life after death (they believe they can continue to work on becoming perfect even after death), what repentance means, and that not everyone goes to heaven. We were definitely planting seeds that we pray the Holy Spirit will water. We encourage them to go to the website beyeperfect.org and give us feedback. Check it out!

After another delicious lunch at Light of the Valley Lutheran Church in Layton, we were encouraged to tour Temple Square. The conference center, with the 21,000 seat auditorium, had just opened up yesterday after being closed due to Covid. All other buildings at Temple Square were closed. They are doing major construction under the Temple to make it earthquake proof. Scaffolding surrounds it. The south visitor center has already been demolished. The north visitor center is scheduled to be torn down soon. They plan to build one new visitor center in the future.

It was probably 100+ degrees in Layton when we left and around 104 degrees in SLC. I’m pretty surprised that I am surviving in the heat. God has answered my prayers to help me tolerate it. 🙏

Continue to pray for us here and the people we talk to – open hearts, open doors; Holy Spirit enter in.

TILM 2021

Monday

We started our day at 8:00 with announcements, some review and a wonderful devotion.

Pastor Mark Parsons asked an age old question: not, why are we here, but why are we STILL here?

We learned the Hebrew word, Yadah, meaning to know, to throw or shoot like an arrow and to praise or declare. His illustration included his young daughter who for the first time was asked to throw out candy in a parade from their church group. At first, she clutched the candy and was very reluctant to give it away, until her dad showed her all the candy they had: they wouldn’t run out and they wanted to share it with others. So, satisfied that there would be enough left for her, she was happy to take the bowl to the crowd and flung all the candy she had into the crowd! They had so much candy that she wanted to share it all at once. Finally, she understood that this special gift was to be thrown out to others a few at a time.

So, why are we still here? We have been blessed with the gift of salvation through God’s grace and mercy. We are to toss, throw, shoot these blessings out to others. Share the blessings!

As expected, it was hot today in Layton. Temps were in the high 90s and low 100s. My partner, Carol, and I, stayed hydrated and took a few breaks in the shade in the morning. We all cooled down in the air conditioning at Light of the Valley Lutheran church, which served us lunch, along with some water and electrolyte powder. Grateful for all of it!

We had a mix of people who opened their doors to us. One man asked us, “you do know you are in Mormon Country, right?” (Oh, yes, we are well aware of it – that’s why we’re here!). The LDS people we visited with often agreed with our message that Christ has done it all for us; then would continue that we must continue to try to do our best. They don’t have a sense of needing Christ’s intercession, since they have pretty much all of eternity to become perfect. We met a few people who left the LDS church and don’t have any use for “religion.” We even met a couple Christians. A pair knocked on the door of someone who goes to our Lutheran church there, but she revealed it slowly. Turns out, one of the door knockers is a member there, but the other woman had been doing online services during Covid so they didn’t know each other. A fun introduction!

There’s so much to tell you. Our group of missionaries include two school groups; Lakeside Lutheran from Lake Mills, WI, and Great Plains Lutheran from Watertown, SD. We also have two 18 year old Christian girls from Utah who have been working with the Truth in Love pastors online. They are amazing witnesses, with all their experiences of living in Mormon country and the conversations they have had with so many of their friends. There’s a returning missionary who takes a week vacation from work to come here, often bringing his sons and other young people from his church.

We had a wonderful presentation last night by Pastor Nick and Taylee Winder. They had both left the LDS church, pursued their idea of a life outside religious boundaries, and later became Christians. Their journey was long and interesting. They are so appreciative of our ministry to Mormons. We all want the Jesus of the Bible to be known to Mormons to bring them out of their life of works righteousness.

That’s all for now. Thank you so much for your prayers! We appreciate the support for planting Gospel seeds in ‘Mormon’ country. We know God is with us and His Holy Spirit is working among us.

TILM 2021

Saturday

Thank you everyone for your prayers for safe travel. All went well. I even had a row to myself! Always interesting to fly in over the great Salt Lake.

There are a lot of students here, most just graduated from high school. Some are from Lakeside Lutheran and some from Utah.

Had a good introductory session this evening. Learning some new ways to communicate: changing up some vocabulary such as Jesus is our substitute (instead of Savior), and not keeping the commandments (instead of sin).

It’s fun to see some familiar faces and meet new ones.

It will be a busy day tomorrow. Can’t wait to share it with you!

Utah 2021 Mission Trip

UTAH 2021 Mission Trip

Tim, Peggy, Carol and Elaine

Hi Again! We missed 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, but it’s a go this year! The picture is of my team in 2019. I leave tomorrow, Sat June 12th, on our 48th wedding anniversary.

Thank you to everyone who is praying for us as we travel and reach out to others with the message of God’s grace; that we can rest since Jesus has finished the work for us. Continue to pray that the Holy Spirit works through us this coming week. And to keep us safe in the 100+ degree heat!

Please feel free to share this link with others who may be interested in what we’re doing in Utah. Just click Follow below to continue receiving my posts.

Blessings to you and thanks so much for your support!

TILM 2017 Friday

It is difficult to recount our last day of the week.  So many thoughts and feelings emerge as we go about our activities.  Mostly, we feel happy/sad.

• It’s our last day.  It’s our last day!  We can feel tired and feel excited.
• The weather is pleasant in the morning, draining in the afternoon heat.
• We look forward to going home the next day.  We are sad to part from friends we won’t see again for another year.
• We encounter unopened doors and No Soliciting signs.  We enjoy discussions with returning missionaries and sowing seeds of the gospel.

We canvassed/witnessed neighborhoods in Provo in the morning and the afternoon today.  Lunch was provided at a park by our new mission in Lehi, Good News Lutheran Church.  We met two wonderful women who are in their core group.  The pastor and his family also joined us.  Pastor Dan Heiderich always had at least one of his children with him as he knocked on doors.

We were blessed with another awesome dinner at the Brandt home (members of our church in Taylorsville). Each week that TILM is in Utah, they spoil us with choices of grilled meats, salads, desserts and lots of ‘fixin’s.’  We especially enjoy the liquid ones.  And at least one brave soul enjoys an after dinner cigar with Mr Brandt.

We were thrilled to hear about the visit that two of our youngest missionaries had at the end of their afternoon.  Jessica and Eli were experiencing no answers to their door knocking until a young man answered the door.  They spent two hours with this returned missionary answering his many questions.  His wife joined them when she arrived home.  Their doubts with the LDS teachings and eagerness to learn more about Biblical teachings led them to eagerly agree to have Pastor Heiderich visit them. Jessica said they were so excited to hear the gospel message and they made comments that showed they understood what it meant.  Praise God for this divine appointment between the sower and such fertile soil!

 

TILM 2017 Thursday

We had another pleasant weather day today.  We were done by noon, met for lunch at a park, and then we were done for the day.  Thursday aft is a time for us to decompress and have some R&R. My favorite thing to do is to head to the mountains.  Curt, Jean and I headed to the Olympic Legacy Park near Park City, Utah.  This location was the sight for ski-jumping for the 2002 Olympics.  It now has ski jumps for training during the summer.  The jumpers land in a pool of water.  You can also go zip-lining, bobsledding, tubing and alpine sliding.  We chose to ride the chair lift to the top and walk around.  A beautiful view and great weather.

We have a full day planned tomorrow with a final party at a church member’s home.

Time to sleep!