Week 16

Saturday- 

A miracle day. We had so so many people cancel on us but that night we called a bunch of people who were taught in the past and we found 6 new beautiful friends. A wonderful day. Poor old lady was on the ground outside and her son couldn't pick her up. We were able to help and it was a wonderful experience. Got wind that Elder Kearon was made an apostle and I was so pumped about this. I got to meet him a few months ago during stake conference. He spoke but then did a zone prayer with just us missionaries and it was beautiful, wonderful and amazing. I had guessed he would be the next apostle so way exciting to hear that from today. 

Sunday- 

About a minute after our morning meeting we got a call from someone we had called yesterday. They were taught in the past and were so excited to hear from us. Shortly after that, one of our other friends showed up. Kind of crazy. Well to sum up the day an old man kissed the side of my head. Sister Hoyt panicked and didn't know what to do. Sister Hoyt got voluntold to say the closing prayer in front of a giant audience and about threw up. 

Had a wonderful day. 

Monday- 

A good P day nothing super exciting other than we taught a guy and we were lovingly bold with him and it was wonderful

Tuesday- 

Nobody answered today. Knocked around In some gross wind. Got pranked by two middle school boys. Nothing eventful. A guy asked me and sis Heaton if we were twins. We got Chipotle. 

Wednesday- 

Our most beautiful lesson yet. The most important thing of the day was we taught our friend Micheal. He had attended church and a devotional. He was told about the Book of Mormon and got what we call the firehose summary of our beliefs in our church meeting. We were a little concerned that he got too much at once from everyone before we got the chance to teach him but this man came with beautiful questions and an earnest desire to learn. Sister Hoyt forgot her Bible and bom that's all marked up in the car and was left to use one at the church. She was a bit nervous but silly her she forgot how cool the lord is. Multiple times throughout the lesson she needed a scripture and a miracle occurred. The scripture verses would pop into her head. I'm telling all yall I do not have jack squat memorized but the Lord can do wonders. Our discussion went so beautifully at the end of it Micheal was already saying he knows this has to be the truth he's been missing. He wanted to come to church and meet again. Right after our lesson he joined the men who were playing pickleball! We had a recent member in our lessons and he snuck out of pickleball before we left and just asked how Long we had been out. He smiled and said it was the best lesson he had ever received or sat in on. Sis Hoyt was flabbergasted. This man is a literal king. He was 19 when he was baptized and now it's been a year and he still attends church every week by himself. He is powerful and he's over here giving crackhead sis hoyt a compliment. To say I was doubtful and honored would be an understatement. Anywho watching Micheal play pickleball for the first time was so precious. I can't wait to see him make convents with the lord. 

Thursday- 

Spit spiritual bars at our friend Anna left her with no counterarguments. Did some knocking. Did some teaching. Had a fancy dinner and felt so bad because it was expensive and a cute member insisted she pays. 

Friday- 

8:50 am a whole crowd of dudes showed up at our apartment to replace our furnace. No heads up nothing. So we had to take everything to the car to go to the church to do our mission morning call and weekly planning. Super grateful we were finally getting a new furnace though. Waking up to 52 degrees is not the funnest but good memory material. We had a powerful day. Would recommend it. 

Saturday- 

Had a fantastic day. Two of our friends came to our Christmas party and talked with all the members. We were able to teach them both! Doug is so pumped for his baptism!! Micheal is super interested in the church and coming to know if it's true. Knocked the most elect streets. Everyone was so nice, not one bad interaction. A few promising people. Made me actually enjoy knocking. Skipped lunch and took a nap instead was great. 

Sunday- 

Had three friends come to church!!! One was our French friend who now knows quite a bit of English. Keith came and Micheal. Micheal sobbed and had to step out of sacrament meeting. He then came in and hugged our member who has come to all his lessons and said it has clicked and its hitting home. Such a miracle. Found out we have to move Doug's baptism back a week. Super sad but it's okay. Socrates is wanting to be baptized!!!! Nothing super eventful happened today besides that. Ended the night with pizza hot chocolate and a Christmas devotional. 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHTS 

I was asked many common questions this week. There is one I want to focus on

  -Why do we have to follow the Word of wisdom to earn Gods love?

• I want to share a simple testimony on this question. God loves every one of us. It is because of that love he has given us the Word of Wisdom. Now one cup of coffee may not hurt you or one glass of wine. What does hurt you is not choosing Jesus. We give up things to show Jesus Christ we love him. That we are willing to put him above all our desires and to follow him even when we don't see the why behind what he asks. I invite you to ponder this for any of the commandments. If the Savior came down and asked you personally to give up ----- would you? If you think the commandments are followed to earn the Lords love I invite you to come to know your Savior and your loving Heavenly Father.

- Alma 27:8 "...... if the lord saith unto us go, we will go...."

• Alma 26:27, 37 " Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us....... " 

" Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen." 

The Lord knows YOU. He sees you, he knows your joys and he knows your sorrows. He will comfort us. He never promised immediate relief but that's because the gospel is not a finite game, this gospel is an infinite game. We are in it for the long haul. We play to progress, not to win and be done. We will find peace, comfort and joy in the Lord, yet our ultimate reward awaits us after this life.