Week 84

How is it going everybody?!

Yeah so since I'm in an English Area now I figure I gotta keep my theme of the introductions the same soooo now you all can understand them! This week was definitely a crazy one, but nothing was thrown that I couldn't handle with Christ by my side! 

First off, this week was transfer week. We had a lot to do in order to make sure it all went smoothly and that everyone got to where they needed to be. With Heavenly Father's help and some hard work everyone is now in their areas nice and cozy ready to spread the word. We had a lot of areas splitting and combining and so that was a lot of fun to go and talk to the missionaries and gain a better knowledge of the mission as a whole! God is so good too because every night I found myself depleted of energy, but still with a smile!

We had some fantastic teaching opportunities this week and I can truly say there is nothing better. Ever since I've come to this area I've seen a change in how I view the people I am with. I have such a sincere love and care for the people I meet and teach everyday here in this area. It's truly a gift from God because I can't begin to say how long I've been praying for it to happen. I see their faces and all I want for them is to have the same joy that is promised from Christ. I love it here so much! It's a change, but life is all about changes right?!

A particular experience I enjoyed this week was a good mental refresher and kicker. We had an appointment with one of our dear friends David and Jennifer who have a shared interest in coming to know their Savior more personally and are wanting to progress towards their first covenant with their Heavenly Father. David had this gnarly curly hair but recently shaved it all off. I missed his hair so of course in a desire to increase our friendship I asked if I could feel his head. It was so smooth man I loved it. My companion jokingly said that this time around he would ask to see if Jennifer would let him feel her baby kick during the lesson. We both laughed and I offered 10$ that he wouldn't do it. I'm sitting there thinking, "He is totally kidding, no way would he even try." Next thing I know my companion is feeling for the baby kicking of this pregnant woman we are teaching. I love this work so much.

On a more serious note, we had a fantastic lesson again with the very drunk individual I mentioned in last weeks email. We decided this time to intentionally visit them and talk with them and "coincidentally" they were outside sitting by the front door. We came up to him and his wife and they began to shed a tear or two. Something that I hadn't realized is after we had began talking a little bit we sat down on the ground with them as we consoled to their needs and their sorrows. Christ did the very same thing. In fact, He has sat below where we currently are and is always ready to bring us up with Him when He stands. We taught them the beautiful message of the Plan of Salvation and they were open to accepting a Book of Mormon and to read and see if it's true. The Spirit was so strong and once again my heart was just so full for these two individuals! I will never forget their faces when they saw us come up to them that morning.

I'm sure for many of you General Conference was eye opening and inspired some self reflection and pondering. It was so awesome to hear from our living Prophet who guides us today. I do have a strong testimony of President Nelson and his calling as a Prophet of God! I heard so many inspiring things this last weekend and I won't share them all with you here for the sake of your eyes and brain. We had the opportunity to watch it with some friends and we had our dear friend Rachel Sparks cry as she said that her questions had been answered and that they truly spoke to her. This work, again, is so amazing.

Everyone reading this, I could go on and on about how amazing this work is. I reflect often on my days past and how difficult they all have been but I can truly say I can't think of anything better. I want to work so hard that I come crawling off that plane back to Utah. These people here deserve the truth and happiness through Christ! I have never been so exhausted and tired before, but it's only grown my testimony as the Lord has consecrated my efforts. Please please please join me in the gathering of Israel. Whatever capacity you can do is sufficient. I can't think of a better thing to do than this. You're all amazing, thanks for reading! Be safe please!

2 Nephi 33:10 - And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good