The spirit can teach us ALL things!

Hey hey hey! This was quite an amazing week. There were so many miracles, I couldn't keep track of them all. But to name a couple, one would be our amazing lesson with Gabby on Wednesday. In that lesson, the spirit could be felt soo strongly that she stopped us and asked what the feeling was that she was having. We explained that it was the spirit and she could feel that always if she would be baptized. And when I slid in with the question, she agreed to be baptized on November 4th!!!! Not only that, but we are planning on going to Cole’s house and teaching his whole family! 

One of the other wards had a drive-in movie on Thursday and watched “Onward”. I'm salty that I didn’t see it when I had the chance, because it looked so good! But instead of watching that, we watched our weekly devotional and boy did we get a treat. We heard from President Ballard and Elder Holland! They beasted it and started preachin to the choir! One thing President Ballard said that I loved was, "if you ever feel depressed or grumpy, get over it!.... get over it on your knees." I really needed that advice and will be better about keeping the best of attitudes through everything.

Even through all of these miracles, I have felt the spirit of contention a lot this week and especially these last couple days. I keep praying and that gives me most of the relief I need. All in all, I just think this is a trial of my patience and endurance. I know I can get through this and that even when opposition may arise and ‘the very jaws of hell shall gape open wide to swallow me’, this will all be for my good and give me experience and knowledge for later times in life. I love you all so much and feel your prayers each day. I hope y’all feel mine! Falouuuu!

 

Testify!

This week I was balling it up in the name of the Lord and went to visit a nuclear plant that's in my area. By balling it up, you know I mean literally. When we played volleyball with Gabby and Cole on Wednesday, I decided to take it a step forward with Cole and give him a Book of Mormon. We explained how it came to be and about Joseph Smith. Cole talked about what had been happening in his life and his relationship with God, and I decided to bear my testimony. In my testimony, I said that I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that he loves me. After I said that part, I was just over taken with the spirit. I had already had faith and known that He loves me, but dang, that just hit me hard at that moment. We are planning on following up with him this week on how reading 3 Nephi 11 went and to answer his questions. Over all, this last week was BEAST and passed quicker than I expected it to. I just hope I keep using my time for good and the improvement of God’s work here in Fuquay. Have a good one y'all!

Games for God

Yoyoyo everybody! This week was a dooozy. On Wednesday, we went to a grass court to play volleyball with Gabby. She took soooo long to get there so we decided to play before she came. A guy named Cole came up and asked if he could join in. While we were playing, he asked about what we do and said he would be interested to learn more about our beliefs and the next time we play volleyball. She finally showed up and we played only a little bit before we had our discussion. On Thursday, I pulled up into the church parking lot and the young men were playing one of the best games ever! It's called gaga ball. It's like free-for-all dodgeball, but you are in an arena and you are only able to slap the ball at other people's feet/legs. It was my first time ever hearing about it and it was way more fun than I expected! On top of all these fun games, we played even more games the next day by going to Womble Park and playing frisbee, soccer, and football! A bunch of people showed up and they all asked when we will do it again. Cole and his friend Dylan even showed up!!! We are going to do that every Friday and have the priests bring their friends. At the end of each time, we will give a small spiritual thought and challenge. Elder Morlaunt is going home, which means one person will be filling his spot, but besides that, the whole district will be the same for another transfer! Crazy I know! I guess it's a tradition for the Elders to go to Bass Lake and wait for our transfer results. And while I was there, I caught this ‘lil snek’. Besides that, it was a good week and I can’t wait to see how the Lord will bless me even more in this next one!! 

General Conference Slapped!

This was quite the spiritual peak for me in the mission. General Conference was more exciting than watching the superbowl and I learned sooo much! Idk how it was for you guys back at home, but listening to conference in the field slaps differently. I wrote down a butt load of notes but I forgot them at home, so sorry I won’t be able to state a lot of the things that I liked. If I were to state one of the things which stood out most to me, it was when they kept saying to prepare and secure yourselves – especially in the women's session. Gosh, why does the prophet have to drop all the knowledge during the girl stuff instead of telling everybody. Y’all don’t know how happy I was after President Nelson's talk on preparedness because I know that the Durante, Krispin, and Hunter clans have food storages and enough guns to arm our armada of a family!  But besides conference, I still had quite a good week and am proud to say that I have the opportunity to be teaching such an awesome gal. Her name is Gabby and she is the BOMB! She played volleyball in high school, so I am going to have to show her what real volleyball looks like when she comes to play with us this Wednesday! We had a lesson with her this past Sunday after conference and she said "when are we going to do this again?!" And I was shocked because I've never had someone so excited and golden. Transfers are next week so everybody place your bets. Will I bop out of here? Stay? Train? These are interesting times and I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for me. Like President Nelson said, "The Lord is gathering those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives. The Lord is gathering those who will CHOOSE to let God be the most important influence in their lives. For centuries, prophets have foretold this gathering, and it is happening right now! As an essential prelude to the Second Coming of the Lord, it is the most important work in the world!" Let me emphasize the part where he said the gathering of Israel is the most important work in the world. Wow! I think he said that a few years ago too, but it didn’t slap me as hard in the face as it did yesterday. The work truly is going forward and I am glad to say I am a part of it. And let me tell ya....I ain’t about to stop this grind any time soon, in or out of the field. Love yall!