Scriptures - Post from 12/19/2016

This week was sweet. We had district meeting/interviews.
Now Elder Cowan and I pulled a little joke on President Johnson. So president likes to show a picture of him and his parents from before he went on his mission. In it he wears a fat tie super short. So when elder Cowan and I went to district meeting we both grabbed the fattest ties we could find and tied them short. Haha. Sister Johnson started laughing when she saw and then president saw and said "ohhhhhhhhhh. You two are starting trouble. You don't know what you've started. You are going to rue the day Elder Segon and Cowan. You're going to get it." 😂. Sister Johnson made us stand up so she could get a picture.

Haha president asked about goals I want to set for 2017 in my interview with him. My goals are:
1. Develop Christlike attributes by studying and working on one attribute every month.
2. Not drink caffeine.
President said they were good goals. Haha so I got the stamp of approval.
 I just love the scriptures. They are so great. I love how they mean different things at different times or how you can pick something up that you've never seen before. I learn every single time I read from the scriptures.

In the beginning of my mission I was really struggling and I was just really wanting to go home, to the point were I was thinking about calling president about it. I opened up my scriptures and found this scripture in Alma chapter 26:
27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

So in this scripture the sons of Mosiah were missionaries. And they were not finding success and people were telling them they were useless and all these things. And they were about to give up but the Lord helped them. This literally comforted me so much. I was just like the sons of Mosiah who faced challenges and were ready to go home. But the lord strengthened them and told them "Get back out there!" And so He did with me too, through this scripture. I found strength through the Lord when I was weak.

This week I read 1st Nephi Chapter 3:
14 But Laman fled out of his presence, and told the things which Laban had done, unto us. And we began to be exceedingly sorrowful, and my brethren were about to return unto my father in the wilderness.
15 But behold I said unto them that: As the Lord liveth, and as we live, we will not go down unto our father in the wilderness until we have accomplished the thing which the Lord hath commanded us.
16 Wherefore, let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; therefore let us go down to the land of our father’s inheritance, for behold he left gold and silver, and all manner of riches. And all this he hath done because of the commandments of the Lord.

Now this scripture speaks about how they were "unsuccessful" in their efforts. They were trying to get scriptures from Laban and he wasn't giving it to them. They had tried 2 times already to convince him and trade with him for the scriptures but Laban tried to kill them both times. They were "unsuccessful" in their efforts. Just like the sons of Mosiah they were ready to go home. However the thing that's different in this story is that Nephi stands up and is the one that strengthens them and turns them around. Now that wasn't easy... Nephi was sorrowful too, it says, "WE were sorrowful." But he found the strength and courage to be able to strengthen and encourage his brethren.
So what I learned is that you can be the one to help others turn around when they are leaving the court.

I once needed strength from the Lord, and because I found it I can strengthen those I serve with. There are still going to be days when I am weak and feel like I can't do it anymore, and that's when I can call upon the Lord and cry for strength. And then get back on the court, continue onward, strengthening my brethren, and serving the Lord. I've thought about this a lot this week. I want to be like Nephi. I want to encourage others when they are discouraged. I want to strengthen others when they are weak. But that means I must be strong and that I must have courage. Even when I am sorrowful I have to be strong enough and have faith to be able to tell my brethren "hey, lets go back. We can do this. We can do this easily with the Lord on our side." It's not always easy but it is possible.

That is the gospel message that I share. It's not easy but it's possible... and it's worth it. And even if you are "unsuccessful" again and again, you just get back out there and keep going. Never give up. Endure to the end. And if you do that, you will find true success, despite all of the flaws, weaknesses you have, and all the "unsuccessful" efforts made. Because the only true time you are unsuccessful is when you have given up. Stay strong. And keep moving on. The Lord is on our side. And our Heavenly Father is pleased with our efforts. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

❤️ Elder Segon.

Why am I out here? Update from 12/12/2016

Man,

Let me tell you what. My new area is sweet. My companion is a goofball!! My district is sweet. The sisters are so great. At district meeting they were even helping me teach by asking other missionaries questions. It was great. We caroled after district meeting with the two Williamsport districts. It was great. I got super sick this week. It was horrible. My stomach was all messed up, I felt like I was going to throw up, I had a mad fever, a headache, and the chills. It was bad. So we had to stay in the apartment one day because I just couldn't do it. So I had a lot of time to think. I got to start thinking about why I was out here? What was the real reason for me serving? And it all finally clicked. I understood the importance and the simplicity to my purpose. It was great. Who knows, maybe I was sick so that I had time to ponder this. But what I had come up with really struck me and I decided to write it down and this is it:

When I was young I would always say "I want to be a missiomary when I grow up." As I kept growing older I started making decisions that were poor. I made bad decisions. I didn't know who I was and I was trying to find out who I truly was. I struggled with depression and I just didn't know how to deal with that. Because of that I made some crazy mistakes. Thinking about who I was and the things I did is just shocking. I had some friends that were great influences on me and parents who never gave up on me. I saw that my friends who lived the gospel were just so happy, they had a glow to them, they shined. I wanted to be like that and I knew the gospel their source of light. And through that I was able to have my heart softened enough to give the gospel a try.  So after time as I continued to be around these wonderful examples I had, my best friends, I started to gain a testimony. I pulled out my scriptures every once in a while and I would say a prayer every once in a while, and I mean like once every two months or so. As time went by I found myself doing that more and more. And over time I began to read the scriptures daily, pray daily, participate in church, and I had a desire to be the example to others that my friends were to me when I was struggling. I had gained a testimony. A solid testimony over time. There was never a specific time when i realized I had a testimony, or that I was changing, beginning to be happy, or anything. It all just kind of slowly became clear, as if a thick fog was getting thinner and thinner until the fog was completely gone. I found out who I am and who my Savior is, I found true happiness, I found out that God is real and that He loves me, I found out that Jesus Christ truly did suffer for me and my mistakes, and I've found that this gospel is true, that even though I've made these horrible mistakes I am still loved and that I can be forgiven and cleansed of my mistakes. This gospel is happiness. 

So with my new testimony the missionary idea came back. My friends and I always talked about going on missions and how excited we were to go on one. I don't think I actually ever thought about why I wanted to go on a mission. I knew God has asked all young men to go on a mission. I knew all of my friends were going on a mission. I knew my parents wanted me to go on a mission. But I never thought about why I wanted to go. I didn't even know what to expect about a mission. But it was enough for me to accept the call I received. And being out here serving I've been happier than I ever have before. I've come to have a Godly love for His children. Ive come to love to serve others and to help them in any way I can. But I don't think I ever really figured out why I am serving or at least why I am still out, until now. It took me 9 months to figure out why I was still out here in Pennsylvania serving. The reason why I am out here is because this gospel, the message that I try to share with everyone, has changed my live in such a dramatic way. I struggled so much trying to find happiness when I didn't live the gospel. But with the gospel in my life I have found joy. Pure,simple, and authentic joy. I have found out who I am and what my worth and potential is. I am a child of a loving Heavenly Father and because of that I have infinite potential and worth. I have found out that I don't have to dwell on the mistakes I've made because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ paid the price so that I can receive forgiveness, even have my sins washed away. And thats why I am out. I want to help others come to know who they truly are, that true happiness can be found, and that Jesus Christ has suffered for them. It's so simple but its so beautiful. What we go out and try to share will change every single persons life. There are people in dire need of happiness, forgiveness, and a knowledge of who they are. 

I'm just so grateful to be able to share the message we share. Our purpose is so important. There is nothing more important than this. We are literally saving lives temporarily and eternally. I love the people of Pennsylvania. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love this work. It is true. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The ward here is awesome. I love it here, despite how disgusting this apartment is...

Sorry about this weird font... I don't know how to fix it..

It also snowed a bunch last night. Pretty crazy.

Love you

Love Elder Segon

Transferred - Update from 12/05/2016

Man,
This week was fast and slow.
We had zone conference on Tuesday and that was amazing. I love how
Heavenly Father makes you feel so special. At almost every meeting I
have a question answered. At almost every meeting I feel like the
whole thing was put together for me. It's truly so beautiful.
So the subject caught your eye huh? Well it's true, I'm getting
transferred. I'm going to be going to be the district leader in
Williamsport walk area. I'm so excited. My district has 3
companionships. 2 sets of sisters and one set of elders. I'm going to
be follow up training an elder named Elder Cowan. I messaged him the
other day and he said the only problem with the apartment is mice.
That's not too bad. Back in Somerset I slew probably 8 mice with my
bare hands, just kidding. I caught them with a mouse trap. But yeah
I'm super excited. The work in the Williamsport zone has been going
really good so I'm excited to be able to serve there. I hope it will
be a place that I can really improve my teachings and Christlike
attributes. It's not too far from where grandpa was born too! Actually
I think this is the closest I will be to where grandpa was born! When
President Johnson called me in the morning he said "you're pretty
scared aren't you elder segon? Getting another call from me means
you're getting another assignment huh?" Haha. I love President
Johnson.
In fact, when we had zone conference he came up to me a couple times
and started talking about the Sacramento kings. Haha he's so funny.
You'd think your mission president would encourage you to not think
about that. But he kept telling me to give up the kings. At the end of
the day he said "have you thought about it elder segon? Are you ready
to repent and give up the kings?" Haha I said "yea I'm ready
President." Haha he laughed.
At zone conference the new missions video for 2016 cam out! It was so
sweet! You all should try to go on YouTube and find it and watch it.
Just search 2016 ppm video. It was awesome.
I've had some really amazing experiences this week. I always do. Know
that. They are amazing and they come from God. And they are sacred.
I love you all. I miss you all. Hope you have a good week!

Ye Cannot Go Amiss - Update from 11/28/2016

Another week here in Erie, PA.
The snow stopped so it's been pretty warm here this week. Around the
high 30'S to low 40's. Haha that's so weird thinking that that is warm
to me. So weird. "The mission will change you." ;)
Wow. Look at my view right now.

Those clouds are so sweet. Haha I just looked at the picture and the picture isn't that great. But the clouds are all pinkish.

This week I wrote some quotes from Elder Holland on a whiteboard. One of them says:

"When you struggle, when you're rejected, when you're spit on, or cast out, or made a hiss and a by word, you are taking your place in standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived-you have reason to stand tall"

Like a day or two after I wrote this quote on the whiteboard these two guys drove by in their car honked the horn and flipped us off. Man I was so mad. I had a lot of angry thoughts going through my head. Then what do you know. They turn around and drive by us again and a guy rolls down his window and started cussing and yelling at us, or in other words he made us a hiss and a by word. What I wanted to do was yell back and agh, but what I did was i smiled and waved. Waved and smiled to them as they drove away. I have a reason to stand tall. Christ was persecuted beyond anything. We are just getting a little tiny tiny taste of that cup He drank. 

But it's fun. Despite all these hard times I'm happy. I literally have so much happiness I just can't keep it on. There is nothing sweeter than this.

Thanksgiving was sweet. I ate like 7 pounds of food after 1 breakfast, a Linner, and a dinner.

On that night as I was saying a prayer I was listing things off that I was grateful for. Before I began that prayer i noticed pictures on the wall of joesph smith, Christ, and a temple. These were very very big things that I Am grateful for. Some of the main things. But I didn't see a picture of a family on the wall. So I looked for one because they are one of the greatest blessings of my life. I didn't find one. Then I thought, I don't need a picture of a family to remind me of them. I don't need them on the wall because I've got them here in my heart. I love my family so much. I wish I spent more time with them before my mission. They truly are the greatest gift Heavenly Father has given me so that I can be encircled with love. I can't wait to see them again! So when I had begun this prayer I realized something else. I truly understood the plan of salvation. I truly understood the gospel. I knew it but I didn't feel it before. It's all because He, our Heavenly Father, loves us and wants us to have joy and to live with Him again. The commandments, the trials, the blessings, our live on earth, our families, our injuries, our sorrows, everything is for our benefit and happiness. He loves us. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to return to live with Him again. How touching, how beautiful the plan of happiness is. I know that Heavenly Father truly loves us. I know we are His children. I know that the plan of happiness is that plan that has been created for us to experience joy and receive eternal life. All of our trials and sorrows are things that will help us grow and to one day have exquisite joy. I know God ordains families and that families can be together forever through His plan. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you guys and miss you guys.

Love Elder Segon 

Families.... Post from 11/21/2016

This week was another hard week trying to work well in both areas. Man the Erie district is struggling here. But we have great missionaries here so we will figure it out.

This week I had strengthened my testimonies of the plan of salvation and families. I know families can be together forever. It really is part of Gods plan.

The past four weeks we had been trying to get in contact with one of my favorite members. Usually every time we stop by he is there. We had stopped by and called and called and stopped by and we hadn't been able to see him for three weeks. I prayed and prayed and prayed we could find him again. On Tuesday I called him, again, and left him a voicemail just saying "I LOVE you! I LOVE YOU MAN!" The next day while we were eating lunch we got a call. It was him! I answered it and he asked how we have been and told us we could stop by. So we went over that day at three. Committed him to come to church and read scriptures again. He didn't come to church sadly but it was awesome because the Lord was defiantly working on him the whole time. There were a lot of promptings in that situation that helped us get back in contact with him. He will start coming back to church. He's done it before. He has a great testimony and loves coming to church and reading the scriptures but he just gets tired and doesn't want to wake up sometimes. We just got to keep loving:) Oh this is a cool story. We were out trying some people. We were near a members home whom we have tried to meet before, multiple times actually, but I felt like we should go try them again. So we drove over there and knocked on the door, and I told Elder Payne to move so that they couldn't see us;) haha. I just knew they were going to answer this time. There was nothing different about the house, no lights, no car, nothing, but I knew they would answer. And they did.

She came out and we talked to her for a bit. She was super nice. It was cool. There's so many times that these type of things happen. On a daily basis too. But this one stuck out to me. Follow promptings!!!

That's something we received counsel about from Elder Stevenson. He told us to listen and follow promptings:). I still am amazed at that Apostle visit.

This church is the church of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ's lives and He stands at the head of this church. He is does indeed reign as the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and advocate with the Father. He loves you. Joseph Smith was the chosen vessel to restore Christ's original Kingdom on the earth in this dispensation.

The Book of Mormon is the tangible proof of the Restoration of the Gospel. It is another testimony of Christ. It is true. It has changed, does change, and will continue to change me for the better. I know who Christ is and who He wants me to be through it. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you guys and miss you!

Revelation - Post from 10/31/16

So this week I made some changes in my mission life.
I read a talk called the fourth missionary. It speaks about four
different type of missionaries.
1. Disobedient- goes home early or is sent home early and doesn't
benefit from his mission.
2. Disobedient- stays our his whole mission and doesn't benefit or
change from his mission.
3. Obedient however he doesn't like what he does (still is worried
about things from home. His mind isn't on the work)- benefits slightly
by his mission.
4. Obedient and gives his life to the work. Gives Christ everything.-
benefits immensely  and is changed entirely by his mission.
As it spoke about the fourth missionary it spoke about how the fourth
missionary gives Christ everything for two year. And I thought as I
read this, "yea I'm obedient. Yea I'm working hard. I'm doing my
best." I didn't quit understand what giving it to Christ meant. It
then explained what giving it to Christ means.
It then said this, "There are those who give of their means, their
time and talents, and then there are others who give themselves.
Sacrifice, it seems to  me, is the first - consecration, less  common,
is the second. , Sacrifice implies doing  one thing at the  expense of
another thing that has equal, or maybe greater, appeal. One bites the
bullet and sacrifices his time and talents, his  girlfriend, concerts,
friends, cars, education, tv, movies, music, and even gum for two
years. "
"The Fourth  Missionary  is  the only  one who can lose  himself in
the work, because  he forgets his own concerns, he  lets go of what he
wants.  When he lets go he then is free to  think of others. He  is
the only  one who does not count the cost.  He doesn't  itemize and
total all that he  has left behind  to serve a  mission. He  does not
count the cost. He forgets about it. He forgets himself. He loses
himself. "
Now I realized what it meant to give it to Christ. Literally being his
servant. We can be obedient but truly not giving it all because we
don't put in our heart or rather we don't GIVE our heart. I've been
working hard. But I think if I give my heart to this work I will be
changed even more, well I know that's true. I want to be changed from
my mission. I want to come back a new person. I want to be changed.
Absolutely changed. I want my weaknesses to become strengths. To do
that I need to not only work hard and be obedient but give my heart as
well to this. I know I can give that. Christ has given us the perfect
example how to give a heart to someone else, to completely submit, and
give everything. I am going to do my best. Doesn't mean I will be
perfect. But I will try. And that's another thing I've learned out
here is that there is never going to be a day when you say, "Man, that
was a perfect day. We did everything right." We will not reach
perfection here on this life. But we can learn how to always be
seeking improvement, diligence, and the ability to simply try.
I know that as we give our heart, might, mind, and strength to the
Savior that we will receive much more than we give. I know that. I
know we are not perfect. I know that more than anything haha. But I do
know that we can try, and as we are diligent we will find perfection
in the next life. I am so grateful for my personal Savior and the
atonement. I know we can all feel His love, compassion, mercy, grace,
and embracing arms if we turn to Him. I know He is always aware of us.
He wants to helps us and is waiting for us to allow Him to help us. I
love Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

This is my favorite person in the world. This is his "angry puppy face."

Love Elder Segon 

Yo Times 3 - Post From November 7, 2016

So my companion went home this week. So I am in another trio again.
It's been difficult to try and work in both areas effectively.
But we've been trying.

So because of this situation things have been crazy... kind of like my
world is shaking.

I was reading in third Nephi and came a rose this scripture:
3rd Nephi 10:10 And the earth did cleave together again, that it
stood; and the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the
people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned
into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto
the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.

I likened this scripture unto me because it fit well with how I was
feeling. I was super stressed about my companion going home, being in
a trio, trying to help these other missionaries get used to the
situation, and figure out how to work best in both areas. I read this
scripture and I was assured from this scripture that everything was
going to be okay. My world would cleave back together. That this time
of stress will bring joy into my life after I endure the trial as by
striving to be Christlike and do as He would in this situation. It's
so true. Hard times defiantly have a reward in the end if you push
through them in the ways that He would want you to. I know this
situation isn't really all that bad it was just kind of a shock.
On Sunday we attended both wards. In the first Ward a little boy went
up and bore his testimony. It was simple. It was sincere and heart
felt. That little boys testimony touched me. I don't know how to
describe how or why. But it just did. Also in the other Ward there
were a bunch of elderly people sitting in the back that haven't been
able to attend, because of their health, for years. The bishopric
hooked up a mobile microphone and walked it down to those elderly.
They spoke with power as there cracked, stuttery voices were heard
throug the speakers. It was amazing. The spirit was so strong. It
was.... touching. They all spoke with such convincing power. While I
was there sitting, listening through the speakers (they were sitting
down in the back so I just sat and listened, didn't bother to turn
around) I was struck by something that almost all of them said. They
said "this is the church of Jesus Christ. He leads this church. Joseph
Smith did indeed see God the father, and Jesus Christ. He was a
prophet of God." These were all very fundamental and simple
testimonies but yet they were so powerful. It was amazing.
But things are going good. We have gotten this new investigator who is
very prepared. We taught her the restoration when we first met her and
when I was baring my testimony I said "the Book of Mormon is true" and
she said "oh, yea, I believe it!!! I believe it!"  Haha wow. I was
excited after the lesson. She if very sweet and humble. We went and
did some service for her on Saturday and she brought up the Book of
Mormon. She said she had read the intro and 9 chapters into the Book
of Mormon. She's awesome! She said she enjoys the spiritual talks we
have with her.

This week has been humbling. The Lord in our weakness gives us
strength. I've had a headache all this week but the headache has not
gotten to the point where I have to stop and go sleep, but it's just
annoying. I believe fully that us the Lord giving m strength to
continue to press onward in this work. I have felt such love this
week. This work is true. The Book of Mormon is true. This is Christ's
church. He has restored the same doctrines that He taught when He was
on the earth. The priesthood has been restored. Thomas S. Monson is a
prophet of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

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Elder Stevenson - Apostle of the Lord - Post from 11/14/2016

Wow this week was amazing. Specifically Saturday.
Saturday we went down to Altoona to meet with an Apostle of the Lord
(Elder Stevenson), A president of the Seventy (Elder Hallstrom), and
an Area Authority (Elder Kunz).

We were all sitting in the chapel silently waiting for all of them.
They came and we all stood. Elder Kunz walked down, then Elder
Hallstrom, and finally Elder Stevenson.  When they walked by the
spirit was so strong and I was so excited. President Johnson announced
that we were all going to be able to shake their hands. Boy oh boy was
I excited. We all went up. Boy oh boy. I got up and Elder Stevenson
grabbed my hand with a big ol' smile. I told him my name and he asked
where I was from and he then said nice to meet you, with a pat on the
shoulder... haha. So sweet. I was so giddy about it.

Then the training began.
Elder Stevenson is indeed an Apostle of God. I went into the training
with questions and they were answered. I had deep questions of my
heart answered that I was not even focused on. He was receiving
revelation during his whole training. It was inspiration after
inspiration after revelation. The veil was breaking through him. I
cannot  write the correct words to express what happened other than
saying he is an Apostle of Christ. He spoke with such great power. He
testified with even more power. He literally was giving me the EXACT
words I needed to hear at that specific time. Exactly! It's amazing. I
can continue and continue to keep saying these describing words but
there isn't enough nor good enough way to describe it. He is an
Apostle. He testified and gave us Apostolic blessings that brought
every single missionary, even president and sister Johnson and the
other general authorities, into tears. The spirit was in that room in
such abundance that ANYBODY could have known that this was all coming
from somewhere unearthly. It was beautiful.

I testify to you that the keys to the priesthood have been restored. I
testify that they are all held by Thomas S. Monson. I testify that
those called to be an Apostle hold the Apostolic keys that were lost
in the great apostasy. This is the church of Jesus Christ. He loves
us. We are children of a Heavenly Father, who also loves us. They weep
of joy when we are faithful (3rd Nephi 17:20-21). I know this. I feel
it everyday if I seek for it. You can too. In the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.

That scripture, 3rd Nephi 17:20-21, I read this week and it brought
me happiness. It caught my eye that if we are faithful then Jesus
Christ's joy will be full. We can make His, the Savior of the
universe, happiness or joy. His joy is dependent on us, sinners, and
our faithfulness because He loves us. We sometimes don't deserve it,
but it's a truth that you cannot remove. He loves us. How touching
that it to me you know not. I matter to Him. I, a puny 20 year old
kid, a sinner, a fool, a child, can determine whether this King of
Kings has joy-even tears of joy. Oh it is wonderful. In the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.