Elder Donovan and I are staying together!!!! Elder White left. Elder Donovan and I were the only zone leaders that didnt get changed. It's just him and I. I learn so much from him everyday. He's the foundation. I get crazy and don't think straight and he's there to help me see straight.
We have a great new investigater named Lee Holt in his 60's. We've learned all sorts of cool things from him. He's had 9 strokes and wants to make things right with God. He came to church. His first time going to a church in 50 years. He has a lot of questions and wants to be baptized. He is the perfect example of member missionary work. He told us "there was a lady that I used to talk to-but she was just a friend! I don't want you thinking anything otherwise. She's just a good looking young lady but we were just friends." she would tell him about the Gospel a lot and now he's investigating and wanting to be baptized!
There were a lot of struggles this past week. But everything is always in the hands of God. We also had a great zone meeting. Elder Donovan always feels so drained afterwards. We're exhausted but not tired. It's like being spiritually drained. The missionaries really liked it though. The theme was on being missionaries of power and authority. Elder Donovan trained on Faith, I trained on preparation and Sister Turner (the Sister Training Leader in the zone) trained on love. And then Elder Donovan and I gave a joint training on conviction. It was powerful. I love giving trainings. Even if they're spiritually draining haha.
We also saw Rachel!!! She still wants to meet with us but feels uncomfortabe doing this without her husband but he's interested in learning s we're excited! We love teaching families anyway! Everything worked out. We prayed and fasted so much for them. They will be so blessed from the Gospel
I found out that I have mexican relatives!! And I'm related to half the ward. President Atkinson's son's wife's family is the Whittings and they're related to over half the ward. And the Bedoys are related to them through something as crazy as my relationship. So they're family!!! We laughed a lot about that with them. I love them so much.
One of the new missionaries is struggling. It is SO hard. you have no idea what you're doing and there is so much pressure Satan attacks you with. It feels so dark and hopeless. I think it is because we've never lived as high of standards and are killing off the natural man and he's putting up a fight. Even if it's hard, we have to do it. If we stay comfortable then we'll never become anything greater. It has taken me a year to finally have questions answered, concerns resolved and understand why everything happened the way it did. I've learned so much about the Atonement and the infinite power in it. Every dumb intentional and unintentional thing we've ever done can be turned into a good thing IF we are willing to change and follow the commandments. I felt so much stress on myself when I messed up at the beginning and thought I was messing up so many things and hindering God's work. But when we use the Atonement all that we've ever messed up can be turned into a good thing for ourselves and others! Who doesn't want that? Is there anyone reading this email that does not want that? For all we've ever done wrong to be turned into a good thing? I will testify that it is IMPOSSIBLE without the Atonement. We are not wise enough to do something like that on our own. But someone above sees and understands everything and CAN do that IF we allow Him to. If we do those few things that He has asked us. If we give up those things that really don't matter in the first place and do those things which will bring the most lasting joy. I know that full access to God's power is only accesible through His authority which is the Priesthood found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and it is NEVER impossible for someone to change. Whether you're an old rich person stuck in your ways, a poor young drug addict, or a struggling teenager, change is so possible.
I love you all!!!
-Elder Edgel
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