Week 55 - I Don't Know What to Title This

Hello Everyone! I took the time to actually right an email this week

One cool moment that happened this week was when we were out trying to visit less active members. We ended up in a familiar neighborhood and I remembered another inactive lady that lives there that we tried to visit a few weeks ago, but she didn't answer. I hesitated at first to visit her again, not for really any reason. Just because we already stopped by, and still had other visits planned. But I decided we'd just see if they're home and they were! She's an older lady living with her daughter who takes care of her. She's been super ill and that's why she hasn't been to church. She said she saw our card that we left a few weeks ago and she wanted to call us to give her a blessing, but was feeling too sick and never got around to it. She asked if we could give her one right then and we did. It was really cool and she was super grateful. I just thought it was cool that we caught her at a good time because her health is really hot and cold. I'm so glad we decided to go by. I am trying to get better at always being open to the spirits guidance because I have the tendency to not think about it when we already have a planned schedule. 

Our friends are doing ok. We haven't met with a lot of them recently. We were supposed to meet with Jeannie who we met last week but she has people in town so we'll have to reschedule. Our other friends have been rather silent which is a little sad.

I'm doing well enough. Sometimes it's hard for me to have the right mindset and focus, but the best cure for me has been those awesome Missionary moments when you see someone be touched or affected by the gospel. The spirit is so awesome and you can feel it so strongly at those times. So that's what I'm trying to focus on because lately I've felt like I'm just getting by. But those kinds of moments make it worth it. I just wish they were more often and that there were more people who are willing to let God prevail. So many people simply don't seem to care. I think a lot about Alma 29 and wishing that everyone knew what I knew. Sometimes I feel the urge to just shake people by the neck like "How are you not getting this?" This is important! And it's the most important thing they'll ever hear. My mom told me "Everyone chose Christ when they saw clearly". But now, so many people don't see clearly and don't open their hearts to it. It's really sad how many people don't know about the Gospel. 

If you Hey to know what I'm thinking about, that's what it is. I love the Lord and I love what this Gospel brings. It's hard but it's worth it. I love you all!

Pictures:

Week 54 - Just Some Photos

Hey Guys. I almost didn't write but I still rally didn't want to break my perfect streak. All I have today is some photos. Things have been crazy and I wish I was able to write a whole email but it's getting late. Just know that I love you so much and they this work is true!

Week 53 - Late Scrambled Thoughts

Sorry for the late email. I need to go to bed in a few minutes but I wanted to keep my streak alive of sending an email every week. Here are some quick highlights:

- Had exchanges with the ZLs this week and it was really good. President Merritt has had us doing overnight exchanges again and it was my first one. Went from 9pm-9pm Fri and Sat. I learned a lot and it's nice to have a mix up every now and then.

- We've set a goal as a zone to implement two initiatives to increase productivity and avoid routines. There's been a culture in our missiom of doing all our studies in the morning and lunch, and then we begin going out and about around noon or so. Because we have Personal, comp, and additional study for training, it can make the mornings not as fun. So, we've been working towards doing 2 hours of work before lunch, and shooting to have lessons scheduled for 8 (Because it's harder to do normal finding during that time). We've done it for a few days and I feel like it's had a big impact so far for me and my mood. 

- Spiritual thought would be Mosiah 26:20. It was just a scripture I needed at the time that I read it and it's stuck with me. I've really felt just the power that comes from covenants. We have made covenants with God, and he with us, and we just need to hold faithful.

Much love

- Elder Wride

Week 52 - 365 Days

I have officially been a Missionary for 1 year now. Sept 5 was when I got set apart and today would've been my first morning in the MTC. Wild stuff. 

I honestly don't have really anything to say this week. Some highlights could include:

- There was a fire on Wednesday between El Capitan High school and Highway 67. We live right next to the high school so that was fun. We weren't in our apartment at the time but we saw it from where we were. The school got evacuated and there was a helicopter going around and trying to put it out. The roads nearby were blocked off too. Don't really know much else about it. The school didn't burn down and there wasn't a ton of destruction. Just some shrubbery I think.

- It's been really hot this week. In the 100s. I feel like it hasn't been too terrible. I normally like the cold over the heat but I've adjusted to the warmth here a little. I still would prefer the cool, but I think the weather here is making me more of a wuss for when I return to Utah and Idaho winters.

- I also just got contacts today. Been trying to get them for a few P-days buy my eyes haven't been cooperating. But today they finally got used to having contacts put in and taken out. 

- My Spiritual thought is this scripture I came across that I really like. It's 2 Cor 4:15-17 "(15) For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. (16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;". I like this scripture because we go through a lot of afflictions in life. But in the span of eternity, our whole life is but for a moment. And if we endure it well, it works for us a far more weight of glory. The truth is we just need to hang on and cling to Christ, and all will be well.

I love you all very much. I didn't take any pictures this week but I'll be better. Here's to year 2!

- Elder Wride