Week 83

Hello everyone!

Hahah this week was definitely one of the most action packed weeks in a very long time. Do I say that every week? If I do, you really got to believe me on this one. I thought it was all going to be normal, a last week before the transfer... nope. I was wrong. The mission definitely keeps you guessing and I think that is good for me to learn so I can better deal with things flying in my face yanno?

This week Elder Seaquist and I had a super good first two days. Our Monday night was awesome! We got to work quickly and we had a lot of determination to serve and love the friends we had been teaching. We baked these cookies and delivered them out to these Hispanics who probably want nothing to do with cookies! It's the thought that counts right? We had a phenomenal Tuesday with some miracles and exciting things that happened. We taught some cool people and just ultimately fulfilled our missionary purpose, helping others come unto Christ.

I guess I should just cut to the chase on this one... I got transferred! I left the amazing Sky Vista Branch which I'm going to miss 100 fold and now I am in the Sienna Vista ward! This is my first time being in an English area but ironically I still get to speak some Spanish which will help me keep it up. So far this area has been so much fun and it has so many promising people. We are central and northern Reno which has a very dense amount of people. I'm currently with two missionaries who came out with me back in August of 2021 so we've been reminiscing about things together.

In this new area we had a fantastic experience that I hope to never forget. We drove over to someone that these elders had found previously and we knocked and no answer. We look to our right and all the way at the end of a complex we see a man sitting out his front door. One of my companions mentioned that they had talked to him a few days prior. I said we should go talk to him and see how he'd been doing. As we approached this man we realized he was completely intoxicated, yet still recognized who we were. He began to talk about how life has just been so unbearably hard and he doesn't know what to do. We listened to him and he stumbled from the sidewalk to the road pacing with his thoughts. We said very little words, but I know for a fact the Spirit touched him. I was debating on sharing something because of how intoxicated he was, but we shared a Scripture and he began to cry. He shook each of our hands and asked us to return when they weren't intoxicated. The Spirit we left there was so strong and I know that we needed to offer consolation in that moment. How crazy is it that we happened to be visiting their neighbor at the exact time he was outside. Just yesterday we received a text saying they knew for a fact we were sent from God and that we needed to talk to them and teach them. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate this Holy Work.

As I had said, this week has been crazy. We have had so much stuff to do in a short amount of time, but it worked out. Taking it a step at a time. I have to remember to have fun during this time because truly what we do as missionaries is enjoyable. I have learned how to work in the Lord's Vineyard and I continue to do so everyday. The people here are receptive and we are working with a lot of people who have a desire to be baptized into Christ's church. Please keep those in your prayers who are working to get on the path that they can do so.

Another week comes and another one goes. Cherish each minute you have because it's valuable. We have seen so many miracles and so many blessings and I can't write them all in this email otherwise you'd skip straight down to the pictures, but know that I know God is a God of miracles and perfect opportunities. As we diligently seek, He will put us where we need to be. Wish me luck this next week! It'll be a wild ride from now on. Have a good week and remember to Stay Moose! Be safe!

2 Nephi 28:30 - For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.