This week I got to see the Medalens twice! They live in the zone so when I was on exchanges with those missionaries we went to go see them. It was so nice to see how amazing they're doing. Steven is a worthy priesthood holder and husband and father. Leanne is a member and you can feel so much more peace between them. Kaleigh and Yazzmina are still joined at the hip and great member missionaries at school and have gone through the temple for baptisms for the dead. While waiting for everyone to get home Kaleigh went tracking with us and it was so special to hear her bear her testimony about praying to know this is true. Oumiama was 17 last time I was here and is now 19 even though it's only been about 10 months... Muslim girls only know what year they're born and guess how old they are pretty much. But she received her Patriarchal blessing on Sunday and is serving a mission in a year so is going out with the Sister Missionaries. Luke told me about how he was at the pool thinking about being baptized and then felt the Spirit so strong telling him he needed to be baptized as well. Such a saint. David hasn't joined yet but Steven has high hopes for him. Tali lives with her grandma is doing amazing.
I also got to serve with my Southerner MTC convert missionary companion from Kentucky, Elder Rafferty. It was awesome working with him. We got mean remarks from the people and slammed doors all day long and I was impressed with his love and patience regardless.
It's been a rough week for sure but everything is getting better. It's kind of a shock after coming from Delta where things were never better. It was the best time of my life and best transfer of my mission so far. I can't wait to make this transfer and next transfer the same way.
Proselyting time has been very limited this week with doctor appointments and zone leader stuffs to do. One day we got a total of 20 minutes to proselyte... The roads were exceptionally backed up with the slippery snow. I thought for sure that this week we would have all the time in the world for proselyting but how wrong I was. So a lot of learning to accept God's will and looking for little ways to share the Gospel when I can. I've learned a lot on how to move past mistakes, worry about things I can control, how to righteously influence others and share my opinions, how to be happy with what I have and how to loose myself more fully in the work.
Last night Elder Rhoades and I were talking and he shared the interesting insight on how we will never get this opportunity again. There will never be anything like what we're doing ever again. Not even a senior mission will be the same. Not even being an 70 or Apostle will be the same going out everyday to knock doors and teach non members everyday about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's a small window of opportunity that we get as young men and young women to do this. It's amazing to me how the Lord puts the future of his Gospel and church in the hands of the young men and women of his church. He calls the weak. I don't know of any business or corporation or cult or other religion that can successfully do that. If the church wasn't true the missionaries would have ruined it by now. But God qualifies those he calls. He makes weak things become strong to show forth His power and that He is able to do His own work. Despite how immature, how unlearned, how foolish, how lazy, how pushy, how crazy we may be, He puts it in our hands along with his utmost confidence. Man I wish I could do exactly this in the future for a second time.
I love you all to the moon and back!
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