I hope you all had a great tasting Thanksgiving Day! Elder
Wedel and I have plenty of leftovers that we haven't even tapped into yet
haha.
Last week was good; I got to go on exchanges with one of our
zone leaders Elder Jarvis in the Tongan Ward. It was an amazing time; we
visited a returning less-active family that was recently sealed as a family in
the Redlands Temple, and I could feel the Spirit so strongly in that moment. I
had never met them before, but instantly I had so much love for them and I
really cared about them! I have not felt the Spirit so strong like that for
quite some time. It felt good to have a surge of the Spirit. Elder Jarvis and I
also visited a young lady named Cici, who is paralyzed and is in an electric
wheelchair. We read a chapter out of 3 nephi with her, talking about how Christ
came to "draw all men" unto Him, and she expressed her gratitude and
knowledge of the Atonement. She especially has a strong testimony of the
Resurrection and cannot wait for the day when she will receive a perfected
body, free from illness, disease, or injury, and be able to walk by herself. We
had a scripture study class that night as well in the Tongan ward, and there
was a good turn out. We read 3 Nephi chapter 17, and the Spirit was so strong
in that room. Several people had some tears. Even I got a little misty-eyed; I
just felt so good being able to feel the presence and power of the Holy Ghost
so abundantly. The Tongan ward has some great members. I don't really know any
of them, yet I have a profound love for them.
Elder Wedel and our other zone leader Elder Low had a great
exchange as well. They were able to pick up a new investigator named Martin, a
nonmember husband of a part-member family. He has been coming to church with
his family for the past month or so, has been showing up at the church Saturday
mornings to play basketball, and thinks positively of the Church. They had a
spritually powerful meeting with Martin at his home. They committed him to pray
about whether or not the gospel is true. And the crazy part is that he would
never accept commitments from any missionaries that tried to teach him in the
past, UNTIL NOW!!! Miracles are everywhere!
Thursday we woke up early to play some basketball with some
members/nonmembers at the church. We had a good time, there was a good turnout
of guys that showed up as well. Elder Wedel and I truly had a feast for
Thanksgiving! We went to the Doss' in the Oak Hills Ward for dinner, and we all
had a great time. We were stuffed! Lots of food, and lots of leftovers haha!
Friday the Wrightwood sisters invited us to attend the
"lighting ceremony" of the community christmas tree (or whatever it's
called) where they said there was going to be free food, which was not the case
haha. There were probably more than 500 people there, a good turnout for a
little town like Wrightwood I'd say. We all did the whole 10 second countdown
for the tree to be lit up. Once the lights came on everybody cheered and
celebrated, then the crowd quickly dispersed and I heard some guy next to me
say to one of his friends "Alright, now back to the pizza and beer."
Probably one of the funniest things I had heard all day.
Saturday afternoon it started raining pretty good in the
afternoon, and by night there were really high wind speeds. It was cold! I
guess I've finally acclimated to the desert, because this probably is nothing
compared to winter back in Utah haha. It was snowing in Wrightwood, so before
Elder Wedel and I headed back home for the night we drove up there to check out
the snow. We were so giddy with excitement because we both hadn't touched snow
for more than a year, not to mention that we both like snow sports! But it
wasn't what we hoped it would be: only 2 inches fell for the day. We had a
snowball fight with the Wrightwood sister missionaries anyways; I forgot until
now just how cold snow is when it goes down the back of your shirt haha.
I love the Christmas season because it helps me remember the
Savior, and why he came here to Earth! The holidays are a wonderful time to
give of yourself to others and follow the example of Jesus Christ by serving
others. The Church has come out with a Christmas initiative for this holiday season,
called Light the World, with an inspiring video! I encourage you to check it
out! You can find it on mormon.org or on lds.org. It is so powerful, I love it!
Plus, as part of the initiative:
"Every day leading up to Christmas is a chance to look at
the things Jesus Christ did and resolve to do the same. To help, we'll be
providing daily inspiration, suggestions, and encouragement on how we can
follow the example of Jesus Christ and #LIGHTtheWORLD."
I am so grateful for our Savior, I love Him so much, and I
love and appreciate you all as well! Have a blessed week!
Thanksgiving with Brother and Sister Doss!
The Wrightwood
sisters and Elder Wedel and I in front of the special tree in Wrightood.
Ride em' cowboy!
Yeehaw!
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