May 20, 2019

Hi sorry for writing so late! We were literally able to sit down and relax for only a bit today. We drove some Elders around so that took up some time too. We went to Costco today with a member to shop and she literally paid for all of our groceries and some. She is an absolute SAINT. It made our day/week. Then we went to a trampoline park and then chilled at the mission home and watched Love, Kennedy. Lemme tell ya, if you want to cry, watch that movie. A bunch of dudes crying in a basemeny is quite a sight to see.

Anyways this week was a slow one. We've been struggling to find and teach and we don't really know what to do. Members here are great but referrals seem non-existant. I have been humbled a lot recently and man lemme tell you how important it is to listen to chastisement with patience. I've got a lot to fix and change while I'm still a missionary!

We had many encounters with cops this week it was wild! Old Town Pocatello is usually busy with cops or illegal stuff and hasn't been too popping recently but it's happening now. We helped get a dude arrested for domestic battery, and a lady we visited had a wanted man on the run commit suicide at her house/lawn (not too sure what happened though).

For district council on Friday, I invited Brother Egan to come speak to us. He was the high counselor over missionary work when I was serving in Tyhee a year ago. He is an AMAZING teacher and is hilarious. I want to do what he does and be just like him! It would probably be blasphemy to say I don't have a man-crush on this man. Anyways, he talked to us about consecration and following the spirit. It was probably (and by probably I mean was) the clearest and most powerful lesson I've ever been taught on my mission. It truly changed my life!

As I reflected on what I've learned and the blessing it is to repent everyday, I was taught how when we fully and willingly submit our wills, desires, habits, concerns, temptations, fears, anxieties, and challenges to the Savior. When we lay it all at the altar and say "Ok, I'm ready. Take it." That is when we become who God intended us to become. He can send spiritual information or promptings all day if He wanted. Christ said, "The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (Mark 14:38). When we let our spirit take over, who is ready to change, over our physical appetites, that is when we become who God intended us to become. God, who sees our divine potential not only of who we can become later in life, but who we can become now, is anxious to help. "And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more." Grace is there to change us instantly. Our pains or whatever our trial or many trials, we can remember our pains no more. Gone. Completely. Christ descended below it all. Completely. "Art thou greater than he?"

I can say with literally zero doubt or even skepticism in my mind and heart, that Jesus is the Messiah. He is the one who was sent to save us. He already has. Completely. Trust in His amazing grace. It really is amazing. Then do what is right... It's not hope the right will happen. It's choose the right. Even when it's hard.

I love you all. Be good. Do good. Turn to Him who is Good. Our loving Savior. Even Jesus the Christ!