Bear With Patience Thine Afflictions, and I will Give you Success

Hello everybody! 

For starters, I need to confess something very serious. I have actually started playing basketball. To make matters worse, I'm starting to enjoy it. Thanks a lot Elder McCain. 

As far as my week went, it's been a rollercoaster! We had a lot of fun, but due to the holiday, we had very little time to work. 

Tuesday was AWESOME! We were able to go to the temple with Rachel and Kevin and do baptisms for the dead! They loved it, and can't wait to go back. It was such a special experience for me as well, to see them be able to do work for their ancestors, just a few weeks after they had those same odinances done themselves. It was beautiful!

Wednesday was mostly spent in Hannibal in conjuction with District meeting. The best part about that day though, was the meal the members provided for the district. The brother who cooked is actually from INDIA!!! For the first time in months I had homemade indian food!!! I've never eaten so much in my life. The Tikka Masala was phenominal! So happy. 

THANKSGIVING!!! That day was pretty good, we played basketball all morning, then brother Atwood picked us up for the big meal!  I love them so much! Then we came back and played some card games with the Zone Leaders. It was definitely different, but it was a good reset for me. 

Then Friday got pretty shot with some service and weekly planning. We only had time to knock a few doors, and as we were driving, we got a call from the Zone Leaders, saying they were talking to some long-lost investigators! We got pumped about them, went and found their house, even though they were obviously still on the other side of town, with the ZL's. Then, for some crazy reason, we ended up at a gas station we never go to, filling up. I looked up, and THERE WAS BIRON!!!! Oh my goodness, we'd lost him a month ago when he got evicted, even though he was progressing so much! We reconnected and got his new information. Within the one hour we went out over the last few days, three people just fell into our laps! It was definitely miraculous! 

Saturday was pretty weird though. It was Richards baptism, so I should've been super pumped, but I just felt so contentious all morning. We tried to visit Biron, and the other two investigators. Turns out Biron gave us all the wrong info, and is lost again. The other two are both young enough to need parental permission, and when we showed up, we found their mom had flipped out, and made them throw away their Book of Mormons, and told them they couldn't meet with us again. I got so angry. All day, I just couldn't feel the spirit. 

But then the baptismal program started, and after the prayer I was filled with an incredible peace. I was then able to perform the baptism. It was truly humbling. Richard had received a testimony of the Book of Mormon 8 years ago, while in jail. Since then, he has read every page written about our church and doctrine. He understands so much more than I do, and he teaches me more than I teach him. Yet, I was trusted to perform that saving ordinance. I can only imagine how John the Baptist must have felt baptizing Jesus. It was a very tender experience. 

Then on Sunday, Richard told us he'd talked to one of our former investigators, Linda. Elder Hadfield and I met her out knocking on my 7th day in the field. She was so promising, but we weren't ever able to get a return appointment with her. So we moved on. He told us though, that she was still interested. So as a last minute attempt to get someone to church, we visited her. Long story short, she came to see his confirmation, stayed for all three hours, and told us that God was in our church-that she wanted to be a part of this. She's honestly crazy prepared, and wants to be baptized on the December 23rd. Miracles do happen. 

Here's the poem! 

~~

What is this feeling in my chest? 

These waves of warmth and joy?

Caress my heart, my fears destroy, 

Commit my soul to rest. 

For a moment, in my view, 

I know for sure, that this is true. 

Because within, I feel His light.

A fiery faith is burning bright. 

So as with all, truths can be sure. 

But just for a moment, when it is pure. 

Then the doubt, fear creeping back, 

Satan and armies commence their attack. 

So write down those times, 

Moments when sure, 

Then in the conflict, 

Your knowledge remember. 

~~

Love you all, hope you had a beautiful thanksgiving! 

Elder Housholder

At the temple with my favorite people! 

INDIAN FOOD

One of the most stunning sunrises ever

 Richards baptism!

The Bishop's son, taking the Christmas spirit too far at church

Elder Hutchings and I on a secret mission for the primary