Week 47. Tallman is back at it again

 Hi. Blaine rocks. Lots of stuff here's the highlights:

Wednesday - we ran this morning and had a pretty great district council. We celebrated E. Wilson's birthday and I made tres leches for that. It was really funny because once everyone was done eating. E. Wallace tried stuffing the rest in his mouth. That guy has got some talent. 

Sandra - so we went over and had a visit with her and her daughters and it was pretty funny. We talked about faith and tried to see where they are at. The mom has a belief, but the daughters are more into the activities right now. But not a problem with that. 

Cunninghams - they are a recently new member family and they wanted to talk about temples and that's exactly what we planned on doing. It was pretty awesome. 

Patty - She's super awesome and wants to be baptized. But even tho she is learning from us she plans on getting baptized in another church. So that's weird. 

Ploghofts - old couple we did service for. It was disgusting. I found a dead rat that was basically mummified and then I had to pick up soiled pee pads and throw them away. 

Hansen - She's an old lady who has started coming back to the church and had some questions. We met with her and she had a super awesome testimony of the Plan of Salvation. And so we just helped her connect some pieces. 

Kevin - We taught him the Restoration and he really didn't get too much from it sadly. He's waiting for his sign and is reading the Book of Mormon and praying so I know he'll receive it, but I think he may be looking for a grandiose sign. But it'll work out. 

Lewis - he hasn't been to church in a while and so we decided to pull up and say hi but it looked like they were having a party. So we weren't sure but they already saw us so we full sent it and they invited us in, fed us, and we talked and played some games. It was super awesome and was a definite miracle. We're going to see him again and I got this cool handmade spoon from it. 

Garlicks - they are an older new couple, if that makes sense. The man is a member and the other was raised Methodist, but she would come every once in a while to church. Eventually she started reading the Book of Mormon with him and got all the way to Helaman, and then said she'd like to talk to the missionaries. Super awesome miracle, she's prepared and ready to learn. So that's pretty exciting. 

Spiritual thoughts are going to be a bit short(maybe) and maybe repetitive. When I write these I look back on the week and see what stood out the most to me. This week I was reminded that this is the Lord's work and I'm here on His behalf. I heard this awesome quote from someone, "God doesn't take salvation lightly."

I thought it was super cool and it's so true. Another of my other favorite quotes is from President Nelson: "God will do everything He can, short of violating your agency, to help you not miss out on the greatest blessings in all eternity."

I love this. God is always there for you, no matter what, to get back to Him. He listens, He helps, He guides, He strengthens, and He blesses us so much. He cares for you so much and wants to help you, let Him. Pray to Him, turn to Him, follow His Son's example, and look for those miracles He has and will bless you with. I promise that as you seek Him, He will be there and you can feel His love and support for you. 

I love you all and you have an awesome week ahead of you! Enjoy it 

Week 46. Back on Car🚗😎

 Hello everyone! This week has been a blast! For all of you who don't know I'm now in Blaine and it's amazing up here. I've walked to Canada and met a ton of people in the short time I've been here. It's awesome. Here are the highlights:

Temple trip -  on Tuesday I went to the temple for the first time in 10 months. It was so amazing and such a blessing. I encourage all who are able to go as often as you can because it's so awesome. 

Transfer Day - the day we've all been waiting for. It was a little bit different with the new President and he had us stand in front for everyone to see. My new comp is Elder Hansen and he's awesome. 8 months out but one of the best missionaries I know. It's going to be a fun 6 weeks. 

Jacob - so my first night in the new area we called the district and as a joke one of the Elders challenged me to sleep in pros(proselyting clothes) and promised that we'd find a friend the next day. Literally the next morning we get a referral and meet Jacob. He's struggling with an addiction and is hoping getting a better relationship with Christ will help him overcome it. We had a really good lesson and almost got him to church. So that was pretty cool. 

DC - first one as DL and I had a great idea, #HolyGhost, but the execution could've been better, #beingHuman. I still feel like it went pretty well and it's going to be pretty awesome. 5 companionships, 10 people, we could play volleyball all by ourselves. 

Smith's - awesome Family, pretty funny, and apparently had a relation to someone who served with my dad. Small world

Today - so we got to the church at 10 for volleyball and we could all definitely be a bit better. But that's okay. Still had a ton of fun. Then we got lunch and had a mini miracle. They accidentally made me the wrong sandwich and so they gave me that one and my original order. I was so full it was awesome. 

Spiritual thought - miracles. They are everywhere. Big and small, little and large. But all very meaningful and awesome. Sometimes we just don't see it. 

I love how Alma puts it in chapter 30, verse 44

" all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."

God is a God of miracles and every day we have, every breath we take is a miracle and a gift from Him. I challenge y'all to look for them this week cause they are everywhere and they are awesome! Have a good week

Pics so my mom doesn't kill me

Week 45. Best last week of my second area

 Lots of stuff happened this week and it's been great. I love this area and my district is literally the best. And now I have to leave. I'll let you know where next week or you can just watch my Facebook. And I'm also going District Leader so we'll see how long it takes for President to realize that was a mistake. 

 But here's the highlights of one of the best weeks ever:

Machete - we were helping this family with their yard work and they had let it get real long and so their mower kept getting clogged up. So we grabbed two machetes and started hacking away. It was actually fun and super effective. Video below. 

DC - last DC with the best district ever. We shared our testimonies and had an awesome time

Meet + Greet - this was the official meeting where our New President said hi, introduced himself, and then gave us some instruction. It was super good, funny, and a really good learning experience. And afterwards got to talk to all my friends and past comps and that's always awesome. 

Miles baptism - we started at 4 and it was awesome! The talks that were given and the love felt there was so awesome. He was so nervous but afterwards his smile was so huge and he was so happy. I absolutely love this Gospel and I love him. Our bishop gave the final words and it really struck me what he said: He had interviewed Miles for a temple recommend and while people normally say yes or no, Miles said "with all my heart." I love that. 

Khimanis baptism - right after Miles baptism we hurried to another building for Khimanis baptism at 5:30 where I had the privilege of baptizing her too. It was also very sweet and cool to see how much love the members had for her after only knowing her for a short time. It was so sweet, as was the sugar I was finally able to eat. All in all it was a great Saturday!

Spiritual thought - this one is short but important. There was kind of a theme with the two baptisms. One of love. Love is one of the most important things. It motivates us, strengthens us, and it's what brings us together. As Moroni 7:46 says, "my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing"

He does not mince words. Charity, or the pure love of Christ is something for everyone to have, feel, and share. It's what everyone wants and you can share it. Please do, please act as our Savior would and show love to everyone, because whether they look like they need or not, they do. 

I love you all so much. I miss you so much. And I know that God feels that on a level we can't comprehend fully right now, but the little bit we can is amazing! 

Hope y’all have a great week!

Pics and link for video

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vNXua6f3GuaZm4LB7

Week 44. Food and Fireworks

 Wassup! Happy 4th of July! This week has been absolutely fire. And today topped it off. Here are the highlights:

Khimani - She is on date to be baptized, but was still struggling with the word of wisdom. Then on Tuesday we had a few lessons canceled and then she randomly texted and asked us to come over to teach her a lesson. Definitely seemed planned by God. So we went over and talked about the prophet Elijah and some of the stories in the Bible about him and we transitioned into being a follower of Christ and we challenged her right then and there to give up her addictive substance and she did! She's been going strong, and to make sure she isn't sacrificing alone, me and my comp are giving up sugar until she gets baptized on the 9th! Super excited and she asked me to do it!

Among us - we had a social media training and it's usually more of a social media pump up than a training. So we played Among us irl and had tasks and imposters. We were just normal peeps and we ended up winning so that was fun. 

New President - our new President is here and he's pretty awesome. I got to meet him on Sunday for my first interview with him and that was great, we had a ton of laughs. We had him and Elder Juarez stand together because they kinda look like Carl Fredrickson and Russell from the movie Up.

Mangum - Had dinner with our Bishop's family on Friday and had an awesome discussion on Doctrine vs Practice and it was super good. I really enjoyed it 

Eliza - She's a kinda new member that the Spanish Elders needed another male to teach. She's super cool and chill and was helping me speak spanish. So we talked about tithing and I tried sharing the story of Elijah with the poor woman in Spanish. It wasn't the best but it was something. I definitely switched to English to say my testimony. 

The 4th of July - so today we played basketball, volleyball, and Gator Ball with our whole zone. We also had a member bring his grill and make burgers for everyone, that was good. My body definitely felt beat up after all the sports tho,  but my whole district got some shirts and we looked amazing,  everyone was definitely jealous of our drip. Then we went to a member's house for dinner and saw a bunch of fireworks on the way home so that was cool. 

Spiritual Thought - The Lord is with you.

He cares so much for you and your well-being. I've seen and heard of so many miracles while on the mission and it really brings me comfort that I have an all powerful being in my corner guiding me through life. He's there for you too, He always has been, and He always will be. Because you mean so much to Him. 

I hope you all can know that personally for yourselves and keep it with you through your hard times. 

I love you all and I hope you enjoy these pics  talk to ya next week. 

1. Funny running meme

2. 4th of July drip

3. Finally got to run, not on a treadmill. 4 miles 

4. Fun pic

5. probably the first time I had my daily recommended greens on my mission 

6. Member who made us food

7. UP