Week 23

 What's upppp? This week's been pretty good. Here are the highlights:

Michael- we talked with him over the phone and he sounds like a very cool dude. Hopefully we can meet with him soon.

Piano- So I've been practicing a bit before district council before we start and then this last one Elder Donaldson asks me to play the opening song. So I played Sweet Hour of Prayer with my right hand because my left hand wasn't to tempo yet and that was interesting. Then we have a member baptism this Friday and the mother asked if I could play so I stole the Elders Keyboard and I'm going to start practicing at night.

Hedricks- We met with them again, it's been a bit and so we talked for a bit and did come follow me with them and then invited them to take the temple prep classes so that they can finally go to the temple, and they agreed so that'll be awesome.

Zls- They came down to South Whidbey to pick up our mile sheet and see some of their members and so they stopped at our apartment and I cooked lunch for them. Made philly cheesesteaks, thanks mom.

Taira- We had another lesson with her, and brought new people with us. It's kinda funny that every lesson we have brought someone new but she is learning more people in the ward so that's great. Especially since we don't have a second hour in person so she can meet new people at church. But we went through the baptismal questions and taught her all the commandments. It was pretty awesome and she is so ready. Then at the end Elder Moake springs his question and asks her who she wants to baptize her and she said me. Not going to lie, it feels awesome. 

Sunday- So like three of the families that come just didn't and they make up like a third of the ward that comes and 90% of the young men. So it felt kinda empty, but I got to bless the sacrament so that was awesome. Then we visited a few people and had two lessons it was pretty awesome.

Today - We went to Ebey state park and messed around there. We found crabs, starfish, cool views and more. I'll probably attach more pictures next week as I don't take a lot.

***I'd like to apologize now, the spiritual thought got super long***

Spiritual thought for this week goes with a story a member told me. He really likes fishing and because he can't hear well and he likes to share he will randomly tell stories, and I really liked this one. 

There was a man fishing and he was surrounded by fog and couldn't see. But he didn't need to. He knew where the water was and he could feel if a fish ate his lure. And so not being able to go to shore due to the fog, the man kept fishing to no avail. It wasn't until the very end, right before the fog cleared up, that something jumped into the boat. And when the man could see it, it was a big salmon. 

Our lives are like that a lot. We have a mist of darkness we can't see through, but we do know what we should be doing: always striving to be like Jesus, be kind to others, and_____. And after a while we might get dejected because nothing is happening as we would like it to. But God is a loving God and He knows the effort you have put in and if you have stayed faithful and done your best, He will bless you. 

But before I end this I just wanted to say, to all of those who feel like they haven't done their best, who maybe didn't keep casting out the line, or maybe to those that were and just think that it wasn't enough... God loves YOU. He's not asking for the best, He's asking for your best. We sometimes compare ourselves unjustly. Whether it be to someone else, or maybe it's a high standard we have set ourselves. I have been there and I know how terrible it feels and how it doesn't help us grow. And so I invite each of you, especially those that feel this way, read the parable of the Laborer (Matthew 20:1-10). He doesn't care if you messed up earlier or started later than someone else. As long as you try each and everyday to be better than the day before. Sometimes you might take two steps back instead of a step forward, but that doesn't mean that tomorrow you can't a step forward. We often think worse about ourselves than God does of us. So please don't be the one to hold yourself back when the most loving and caring and powerful being, your Heavenly Father, is on your side. 

I hope that made sense and I hope you all know how much Iove you and how much more God loves you. Until next time... Pictures!