So... It's been pretty wild the past week and a half.
So on Sunday, I got Elder Lavold back from
"isolation." I was so glad to be his companion again! I love that
man! It's also hard to be in a trio. On Monday afternoon, I played an
accompaniment with a few sisters in my zone singing for a special music number
for a devotional for incoming Senior missionaries. The song was If You Could
Hie To Kolob mixed with Come Thou Font. It was a beautiful arrangement and so
fun!!! I'm glad my piano playing was able to be of some use. The title for this
week was from Elder Dansie in my district when we were talking about the
church's addiction recovery program. I love elder Dansie! He is a crazy
wonderful man.
I left the MTC on Wednesday morning on a van that took us to
Idaho Falls. I was both sad and excited to go. I grew to become so close to my
MTC district. I loved all of them! And my teachers in the MTC, Sister Grigg and
Sister Bell, were the best teachers ever! They prepared me so much for the
field, and grew my testimony so much as well. I loved learning from them. I was
glad to be finally going out in the field and teaching people however. The
thing about the MTC is that it builds desire in you to share the gospel and
love the people you are called to serve.
We arrived at the mission office in late afternoon and we (the
8 or so that were in the van going to Idaho Falls) met our missionary
president, President Hurley! So far, I am so impressed by him and his testimony
and desire to build obedience and consecration in the missionaries he is called
to take care of. Partly because of him, there is so much work in this area. In
December alone, over 500 new people were found in the entire mission! We had
dinner at his family's house. The next morning we got some training and we
received our first companion and were told our first area. My trainer's name is
Elder Leavitt and we are serving in the Sugar City area, near Rexburg!
I could not have asked for a better companion than Elder
Leavitt! He has been out 13 months, and he is one of the most consecrated and
obedient missionaries ever. His testimony and love for the people is so strong,
and I am so grateful to have him as my first companion. I think we are going to
do some wonderful work here in Sugar City! In fact, we are teaching and finding
people like crazy, and we have already seen several small miracles. One miracle
we had is that we stopped by a house of a person we received a referral for,
but they weren't home. We decided to knock on the house on the other side of
the street, who we thought were nonmembers. We were greeted with a big smile
and a happy "Hello Elders!" Apparently they were return mission
presidents from Mexico. They gave us some advice that I really needed, and
overall just uplifted us with their kind spirit. It was a cool experience.
There's a lot I could still tell you (like how the members
have given us so much food and candy) but I think the most important thing I
could share is that you, every single one of you, are loved by God. You are his
child, and he wants what's best for you. Never forget that when you are down,
lonely, depressed, or discouraged you have a Savior that has gone through what
you are going through. He loves you and wants to comfort and take care of you.
You just have to turn to him.
Interesting Idaho Fact: Idaho exports more than 13 Billion
pounds of potatoes per year. I guess you could say that's potato-tally crazy!
(I know. I'm cringing over that horrible pun as well.)
Pictures:
1. Elder Leavitt and I
2. Two kids, Caden and Colton, that we are teaching (Caden
plans on getting baptized on the 29th!)
3. Me preparing to go down a slide in the mansion of a
devotional we went to Sunday
4. Yep. I'm in Idaho.
5. My mission president and his wife
6. One of the best meals in the MTC we received
7. My MTC district with our teacher Sister Bell
8. Me, elder Bailey, and Elder Lavold from our district who
all went to Idaho Falls
9. Nicholas Cage on a piece of ham. What happens in the MTC,
stays in the MTC. Nuf said.
10. My MTC district with our teacher Sister Grigg
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