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

Week 51 - Long Suffering

Hello dear friends and loved ones. It has been yet another week

1. Long Suffering

2. Prayer lesson

3. Update on the Work

1. Transfer News for today! I am staying in Lakeside for Elder Johnsons second week of training, but I'm also District leading. I shared last week that I kinds was hoping to be transferred just because training is hard and I didn't want to do it anymore. The main thing that's hard is that I feel like Elder Johnsons not grasping a lot of things. He still doesn't really know what to do for planning our day, lessons, or anything else really. I'll talk to him to get his opinions or thoughts on anything so we can be more united, but I feel like I'm doing it all on my own. I've told him how I feel as well but it hasn't been helping. Were getting better, but he's still more closed off. I would say if this last transfer had a theme it would be long suffering. I've learned a lot about Gods long suffering, and how I need to be long suffering with myself as well. One of the biggest things was Brad Wilcoxs talk "His Grace is Sufficient". Very good talk. But, as we were nearing the end of this transfer I was hoping for a little break, but I'm still training. I am also now District leading again which was hard for me as well a few transfers ago. I thought that was kind of funny. I'm doing good though. While I'm not going to get what I wanted, I trust that it's what's best and it will all be great I'm sure. 

2. A big highlight of this week was a lesson we had with a member family. It's a single mom and her kids. When we got to the lesson the mood was kinda low. They had a court case that day and it didn't go well. Something with their dad. They talked about it for a while and kinda let it out but the attitude was anger and frustration. We went into the lesson planning to have it Missionary work focused, but I felt like we should teach prayer instead. I have this object lesson I like to do with a tie. We did the lesson and read Alma 37:36-37. The mom really was touched by the verses and had a lot to share. She had a realization moment where she said that she and her daughters had been praying that the court case would go well, and that they would be able to trust in God's will. But she said it was so rude of them to pray to ask God's will, for him to show his will, and then they begin to try consulting against what he has planned for them. She cried and it was a sweet moment for me. She said the lesson was exactly what they needed, and it felt so good to be a part of that. I wish those spiritual lessons were more often because they're so fulfilling. 

3. Here's an update on some things. Our Friends are depleting, but our inactive members are doing better! We had one come to church for the first time on Sunday which made me so happy.

- Daphne Barry is doing ok. We reviewed the Baptismal interview questions and it became more apparent that she really needs to read the Book of Mormon and strengthen her testimony of the Restoration. That's a pretty important thing haha. But she just hasn't been reading. She's been residing a lot of fantasy books, but not the scriptures

- Our other few friends are basically in their same spots. Some are still sick with long term health conditions, others are very hard to reach. My boy William was just out of town but he's doing great at reading. Hopefully we'll meet soon.

That's all I can think of for now. I hope you know I love you all

- Elder Wride

Pictures:

- Doing some Member calls at Lindo Lake

- My Mom sent me a Star Wars Lego set. She knows me well. Best present ever

Week 50 - Hello Again

Hey All, sorry I am really short on time. But, here are a few points

- Had exchanges with the APs this week and it was good. If any missionaries need some tips for mid day hours, it's a good idea to visit old members in the ward, active or iactive who aren't up to much

- Sister Barry is doing good. We talked a little bit more about Baptism and covenants to understand more of where she's at. When we meet this week we are going to go deeper into what promises we make in Baptism next time we meet. I think she's closer to getting Baptized.

- We've been trying to just stack our days with lessons. It's been good, but members have been feeding us a lot and I'm trying not to gain weight.

- We had interviews with President Merritt this week. We talked about a lot of things: long-suffering, aligning our will with God's, focusing on attitude, grace, etc. A lot of the things could be covered in 2 talks I listened to this week: "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox and the one Elder Holland gave called I think "Becoming a Saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ". Just trying to work on my attitude and focus. It's going better.

- Overall I'm doing ok. A little tired because of training. I just don't like doing pretty much everything and it feels like Elder Johnsons not getting a lot of stuff. I worry if I get transfered that a lot of the things were doing are going to die. But, I will try to help him and also keep the areabook set up for the next missionary. I do somewhat hope I get transferred just because I'm a little tired of training.

Week 49 - 19 Years

Happy Tuesday everyone. I hope you're all having a great day

1. Zone Conference 

2. The Work in Lakeside 

3. 19 Years Old

4. Exchanges

1. Zone Conference was really good last Wednesday. I have a string testimony of Zone Conference and our mission leaders being able to receive revelation on what to help the mission with because it feels like it hits the nail on the head everytime. This Zone Conference I won't go into everything, but the main point I liked was when we had a training which was called "But if not". They shared Daniel 3 where King Nebuchadnezzar is going to cast Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego into the fire. In verse 15 He says :"But if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." So the key thing there was Where they say "But if Not" and I thought it was super cool. We have faith in God, not in our expected or wanted outcomes. And while we need to have the faith for Christ do perform miracles and things in our lives, we also need to have faith for those things not to happen and trust in God's will. I won't go too much further but I recommend this talk by Elder Bednar which we also read in preparation for Zone Conference:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2013/01/that-we-might-not-shrink-d-c-19-18?lang=eng

2. The work is going ok in Lakeside. We have dropped about 15 people this transfer which has been discouraging (4 households: Family of 8, 3, 3, and 1). 1 household was no longer nterested, 2 we haven't been able to contact after many phone calls and visits to their house, and the last family of 3 we probably should've dropped a long time ago. We'll still probably meet them soon because they're an inactive part member family and we're trying to work with the member dad. But the rest of the family isn't interested which makes it hard. It's sad because we have 3 of the people we're teaching could be put on date, but 2 of them right now have been ghosting us too and may get dropped if it continues much longer. But, we had a cool experience with Sister Barry (The lady who's been taught for many many years). Her main problem is she basically believes all religions point to God and so there doesn't need to be one I guess. But she comes to church every week and really enjoys the church. I felt prompted to ask her what she was currently thinking and feeling about Baptism and she said it's actually been on her mind a lot recently. She thinks she could be baptized and keep the covenant, but she doesn't see herself progressing towards the Temple. She doesn't have a goal to, and has been pondering about if she's ok with being a member that doesn't progress that much in the church. Shes going to give it more thought and prayer but I think this is good for her. We'll see how it unfolds. 

3. I turned 19 this week as well. I still feel like I shouldn't be, because I feel like a child. But then again, I also know adults who are just children trapped inside adults bodies. I think 20 years old will hit harder for me. But it was a good birthday. Pretty average day for me but I felt loved from all the messages I got, and things like that. I also got gifted many cookies that day, and had a California Burrito. But yeah, I guess I don't have much to say regarding my birthday. Nothing super unusual happened, just an average working day. 

4. Exchanges were good this week. I went to Alpine which is another city next to Lakeside. But this area covers like halfway to Imperial Valley which is pretty good. We drove around their area doing visits and probably sat in the car for about 2 hours driving. It was honestly kind of nice just because I think driving is good for clearing the mind. It put me in a good and relaxed mood, but because of that I felt pretty knocked me out for the rest of the day. But I think I needed it just because I've felt pretty frazzled training and just doing normal and busy Missionary work for so long. Unlike a few weeks ago I don't have an exchange story. 

Love you all and thanks for reading. 

- Elder Wride

Pictures:

- Zone Conference pics

- I made a custom Birthday Burrito. Thanks for the candles grandma. I tried to light them but I kept burning my finger with the tiny lighter we had. Couldn't figure it out I guess. It was the cigarette lighter kind.

- Members house smores