Week 85. Week of Meetings

 Lots of meetings this week but it was still good. Also just wanted to make a disclaimer: even though I only talk about lessons with Mos, we are teaching other people, they just happen to be weekly and not as funny so it doesn't make it on here. So without further ado, here are the highlights: 

Relief society activities - being a missionary is awesome because it means you can still go to RS activities even though you're a guy. We painted some pots and now I'm growing a plant. Hopefully it actually grows

Zone Conf - it was pretty cool. Our portions went really well and they talked about Holy week and that was super interesting. 

Blitz - we had a goal as a zone to go out and talk with as many people as possible in an hour and it was super fun. We talked with lots of people at stores and I even had one of the store employees ask me if I worked there

MLC - right after the blitz we went to another meeting. It was super great because we made a goal as a whole mission together and hyped us up. 

Mos - so the weekly update on Mos, this one will be short. He read Doctrine and Covenants 89, about the Word of Wisdom, and had questions. So we taught him, explained how we couldn't have tea and coffee ("hot drinks") and asked if he'd be willing to do that. He said yes, which was actually super cool. And then he asked why we could drink soup when that's a hot drink, so that was fun

Shoreview - I went on an exchanges with Elder Taylor. He's a stud. When we exchanged back they had us come to their member dinner with Sister krabs. A 99 year old lady who is super spry in mind and body, she was great. Pic below

Kat - doing normal p day activities and then around 3:30 we get a call from Kat telling us her mom just texted and said if she got baptized they might disown her. We went over, she was at the Institute, we gave her a blessing and then hung out to help her not over worry and have a panic attack. Then that night she called again to tell us that she had the thought to read the Book of Mormon even tho she wasn't sure she'd find something to help her. She was in chapter 20 of Alma. It's about king Lamoni's father not being happy about his son's conversion. And gave him an ultimatum too. In the end, God helps them and he is converted too. 

She was so happy after reading that because she knew that God is aware of her situation and that He'll get her through it. 

Spiritual thought - just to add on my testimony, I know God knows each of our struggles and situations. And is trying so hard to help us everyday, and if we trust in Him, He will take care of us. 

I love y'all here are the pics 

S. Krabs, Wednesday run, cool wall art 

Week 84. When you forget about your weekly email

 Hey. I promise this week happened. Here are the highlights:

Sports - basketball and volleyball this last week was pretty odd, not many people showed up like normal, but then this Monday we had 5 on 5 and it was tough. On splits with Elder Claridge and playing with some ward members, friends on the basketball team, and this one tall kid who could dunk. It was super hard, super fun, and I played better than the prior weeks. It was a fun time and hopefully they can keep coming and ask some questions 

Mos - another funny lesson with him. He asked why we joined this church and not the Muslim church, we were a bit confused but just answered how we got our own testimonies and felt the Spirit. He said he felt the Spirit and he loves talking with us. 

New Missionary Training - got asked to instruct a portion of the meeting for new missionaries. Nothing too exciting, it was just really funny because we started late and some other portions used up a lot of time so Elder Lusk and I sped through our portion and talked really fast. 

Saturday - Saturday was all over the place. It was Elder Lusks departing temple trip so before we met up with everyone we went to a Kendo tournament and supported one of our members. She made it to quarterfinals. Then we hurried and swapped comps, so I went with Elder Page in Lynnwood and spent the rest of the day doing service for this somewhat crazy lady. She's pretty cool, but kinda scatterbrained. It was super fun and I enjoyed it. 

Miracle of prayer - we had a missionary meeting with the ward and we asked them all to pray for missionary work in the area and then at church we had 3 visitors and that night we got 2 referrals. It was so cool. Love God, prayers, and miracles.  

 

Spiritual Thought - for DC we focused on how we'd teach Jesus Christ to someone who didn't know a lick of Christianity. It was super cool to think how you could be the one who introduced the Savior into someone's life. Think about it if you didn't know Christ and His Doctrine, how everything amazing about the Gospel you just don't know yet. And then one person mentions it and you get this really nice feeling inside, like you've heard about this somewhere before and you know you'll love it. 

If you can imagine that, then I'd like to invite you to share Jesus with someone and see how it makes an impact on their life. 

Love y’all, pics

Seattle Hot dog 10/10, stopped by the bridge, the MoM museum (it was closed), Kendo, Elder Page, Pikes Place

Week 83. The best passover week and Easter

 Hey Everyone. This week was pretty fun and I actually took some photos. Here were the highlights:

Exchange/Splits - Tuesday went on exchanges with McCreary and it was pretty fun. Got to see a lot of downtown and do some pickleball finding. Then we ran the next morning and almost died because of the hills but we good. Then Thursday was splits with Arthur. He showed me this cool game store, and we went knocking and talked with some cool people. It was a great time. 

Mos - he had questions about the Godhead and we tried our best to answer them, I thought we did pretty well. But I don't think he took in most of what we were saying. He kept getting distracted by some other things that he thought connected. He's an awesome guy, and he loves to learn, but sometimes some things take a bit longer to sink in and it's really interesting to see what does and doesn't. 

Jello Pretzel Salad - so it turns out nobody here knows what jello pretzel salad is. And if you don't, shame on you. So taking responsibility for their gustatorial salvation, I made some and shared with everyone. It was a big hit. 

I know what you're thinking. You're like, there's no way that tastes good. The combination won't go well together. To all the nonbelievers: you're wrong. That's what they all thought and now they are all converted to the sweet and savory dessert.

Easter Tableau - the Shoreview ward performed this portrayal of The Last Supper painting. They had 13 people, 3 of them missionaries, stand in a single pose for 30 minutes while a narrator depicted the scene and people. It was super good. Pic below 

Taira's Temple Trip - this was on Saturday. One of the greatest days ever. I baptized her a little over a year ago and was able to be with her as she went through the temple and received her endowments. It was honestly the best thing ever. I love Taira and I love Temples. And I'm so glad she loves the Gospel and is following Christ. 

God places people in your path. 

Easter Dinner - so funny story, we didn't have anyone signed up for tonight. So as a joke I dropped our meal calendar by the bishoprics' feet and said, oh looks like you dropped that... Here ya go. And then he invited us over. Super awesome dude, making food, and awesome spirit there.

Spiritual thought - this will be quick and simple: Christ is Risen. He lives and because of that, He can be a constant support. He didn't just take upon your sins, He continues everyday to help you become better, to find joy and peace, and to feel love. 

Just let Him in. 

Love y'all and hope you're having a great week

Week 82. I got great news and sad news

 Hey Everyone, this week was pretty awesome with lots of great stories, but there was one sad one: Chuni died. She's my dog. I didn't know til Sunday. I joked that I'd go home if she died and I think that's why my parents waited to tell me, but don't worry, I'm finishing strong. 

Here were the  highlights:

Tuesday - had some really good lessons with our friends. Mos, Kat, and Hannah. The next night Kat had some doubt come out of nowhere and asked for some spiritual help. We sent her two awesome talks and Daniel 3. Doubts come up and can be very hard. But when you ask for help, God delivers, just ask in faith. It doesn't matter if you only have a little. Just ask, that's all He needs. 

English Conversation - there were a bunch of new people there this week and I got put at a table with a bunch of girls. It was pretty funny. But you don't have to worry because I had nothing in common with any of them. They did love it when I showed them a picture of my dog so I'll remember that for when I get home. 

Exchanges - went with Elder Hardy in Lake Forest Park. It was pretty fun and memorable because he forgot the church keys so we changed behind a wall at the church for a service. Also got to play some volleyball and we knocked 7 doors in a row and everyone was super nice which was a big change from the rest of the day. It was a nice tender mercy. 

Saturday Conference - before the first session we had a breakfast potluck with the Zone and it was so good. Waffles, bacon, sausage, eggs, and like the best mashed potatoes. Then we all watched in the chapel. It was awesome. Loved the speakers. 

The next two sessions we did at the Institute building and had dinner with the senior missionaries. Also got to play Elder Hardman at pool in-between sessions and won. 

April Fools - so we forgot to give an Elder one of his letters. The day is almost over and we haven't pranked someone. So, we bought a fish from the market, a whole dead one called a banzini or something, and wrapped it up and taped the letter to it and drove over and dropped it off. He sadly didn't open it while we were there, but as we parked at our apartment we get a call from him and his companion and he tells us how confused he got and at first he thought it was a large gummy or something but when he took it out and realized it was an actual dead fish he freaked out. Super funny and totally worth it. 

Games - in-between sessions I played a game of pool with the senior missionary, Elder Hardman and won the second game and then Sunday I played chess with a member and won in like 6 moves with no casualties. It was crazy.  

Sunday Conference - first session was at a bishopric house, Larry. He made waffles afterwards for everyone and Caitlin came! It was the first time seeing her in a while. Also played a member at chess and won in like six moves. I was lucky.  

Last session was at the Institute again and we watched with a couple of the members. Dylan popped in for a bit which was unexpected but he only stayed for 5 minutes before he had to leave. But it was also good. 

Bam - we had a lesson with her afterwards. She's going back to Thailand for a month so it'll be the last time Elder Lusk sees her. We talked about conference and the Book of Mormon. And she shared how she felt the spirit with both of them. Answering a question as she was reading, and she believes in our church and Buddhism so she watched Conference with the question in mind of, do I have to only do one. and one of the last talks answered her question and now she knows. She's just a little afraid to act on it yet. So please pray for her, that she can continue to build her testimony in Thailand and that her family will be okay. 

Spiritual Thought - one of my favorite talks from conference was Elder Vern Stanfill. He talked about Peter walking on water and what Christ might have said after the story ended:

"I love you, dear Peter; you got out of the boat."

I really liked that because sometimes I judge myself for not being good enough and faltering. But in this instance Jesus is just grateful that Peter tried. That he got out and started taking steps of faith. 

I hope that if any of you are struggling with feeling God's love, that you can realize how much He loves you unconditionally and that it only grows as "get out of the boat" and take steps of faith towards him. Satan wants us to believe it's hard, impossible, or too late. But in reality Jesus made it possible, easy, and gives us as many chances. 

I love you all. Here's pics