I was bummed to leave Elder M*** and Elder B***... we
were having some good times together... but to be honest... we didn't get a lot
of work done.
I am with Elder B*** from Springville Utah! He is
super sweet and is very dedicated. He has a lot of energy and so one of
the most genuine Elders I have met! He loves tractors more than I love
corndogs... so we've enjoyed the last week together and we have worked HARD! (He absolutely loves corndogs. We made homemade corndogs for all of his buddies the night before he left on his mission.)
I always saw the part in PMG (Preach my Gospel) that explains how success of a
missionary is really measured... but because we were baptizing so much in
Sierra Leone I never really studied it or thought too much about it.
Success of a missionary is measured by their diligence, effective time use, and
their true desire. We may not have had fantastic looking numbers but we
really worked from sun up till sundown. I am learning to talk to
literally everyone I see and it is so awesome!! We wouldn't talk to
everyone we would meet in the street in Sierra Leone or we wouldn't be able to
make it to any of our lessons! haha So many times I think to myself...
holy cow that guy looks super scary and like he wants to kill me.... then I
talk to him... and realize he is a teddy bear inside and he needs the gospel
just as much as anyone! We found so many potentials this week it was
crazy... I can't wait to follow up and make them ALL investigators!
One thing I love about this mission is the dinners we get to
have with memebers! All the food I was fed in Africa was from people we
would just meet or from investigators. However, here we have dinners
scheduled for almost every night of the week! It is amazing to go into a
members house after being in someone's sketchy beat up apartment because you
can just feel the presence of the spirit in a members home. It reminds me
of the feeling I would get when I was in my own home!
We are teaching the G**** Family. They have a crazy
background and things are continually hectic at their house. One son
named J*** just got out of Juve and the Other daughter named H**** just went
in.... so when I first met them I was just blown back by all the craziness that
they have been dealing with. I made it my goal this week to help them to
feel the spirit strongly. Well... we taught 2 of the most powerful
lessons I have taught while out on a mission and J*** and the youngest
brother M*** both came to church! I can't believe how amazing the
gospel is at bringing peace into a mix of chaos! We see them almost every
night. We come in we invite the spirit with a prayer.... fill them
with good feelings (teach a short lesson)... and get out of there quick to help
them realize that those good feeling they feel come from the Holy Ghost.
I can't wait see them again this week:)
I did my first ever District meeting. I didn't plan
very well so it was a little too late to give assignments to other people in
the district so I ended up giving a talk about faith. I shared the
experience I had with my brother when I relied on his faith to receive an
answer from Heavenly Father. I explained how that experience has helped
me to develop my own faith. I don't think I have ever shared that
experience without shedding tears... so hooray... more tears haha! We can
only rely on others for so long.... but after time we must gain our own
testimony and learn for ourselves. I think the meeting went
pretty well... I felt the Spirit so I hope they did too! Oh and lucky me..
the Assistants joined us last minute so that added some pressure ha!
We had a sweet lesson in Elders quorum about how as the world
grows darker and darker... the Church of Jesus Christ becomes brighter and
brighter. Which reminds me of an awesome quote that I got from Lindsey
Parrish in a letter. "It takes a certain darkness to be able to see
the stars" -can't remember who (don't get me for plagiarism) This
world has grown dark... whether is be ebola... war... drugs... or immorality...
It is definitely the last days. There is a definite peace that comes to
your heart when you know you are doing what you are suppose to. Prepare, for
the Lord will come quick!
California is cool in its own way... I am learning to
adapt. Thank you for all the prayers! Peace and Blessings!
Shout out to Wamps! Happy Birthday this week! I
love you tons and i'm sure you could beat me at tennis even though your are
turning 86! keep aceing them old ladies! (in tennis) haha
p.s. sorry no pics...
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