Spring?

Hello Brothers and Sisters, dear friends!

Well, the sky is finally blue again, and it has been over 40 degrees all day, so I'm praying that means spring is finally here! If it snows again, you might be hearing from me from a mental ward.

This week has been a long one, not for any reason in particular, but it just felt like a short eternity. We had a good time though! 

Monday was obviously p-day, and we had the Centerville Elders come up for the day and for an exchange that night. Elder Steed is the king of games, and brought a seemingly simple game called Coup. By the end of the day we must have played 100 times. It was nuts! Super fun though. 

Tuesday, still on exchanges with elder steed. Found my first new investigator here in Lenox, it was rad. We had some excellent conversations about faith unto salvation as  well. I'd encourage you to read Joseph Smiths lectures on faith, they are pretty great!

Wednesday was just cold. I'm just done with winter. We also had lunch with the Bloyds, they're pretty cool. That evening we drove to West Des Moines to spend the night there before having to drive back to Carroll the next morning. 

Thursday! We got up bright and early, drove to the mission office and I got to go on an exchange with the Martins. It was a great time, I love the office missionaries! We drove to Carroll to take care of some business, it took a few hours, drove back and got to hang out in the mission office. It was my first time there, it was a riot. All sorts of missionaries just show up there. It's fun to reunite with these people I just love. We drove back and spent the rest of the day in weekly  planning and hit the sack asap. 

Friday morning was district meeting! This was a nuts, stressful, exciting d-meet. The APs decided to come visit, so that was stressful, then the stls bailed on us at the last minute... It was stressful, probably just cause I care to much about what other people think. But! This was the district meeting when we got our smartphones! They're super useful, it's just gonna take a lot of adjusting, especially not having planners anymore

That part makes me sad. 

Saturday was fun. We had some great interactions with some of the members here. Definitely my highlight of the week came Saturday night at a dinner with the Ward's. They're the most savage, sarcastic, real family I've possibly ever seen... Elder Fuller warned me about them, and so I made a plan to mess with them. Just like the good old days at camp, I convinced them that I was from Scotland. It was so funny. I love people who don't try to put on a show for the missionaries. Don't be that guy. 

Sunday was sweet, I learned a ton and felt the spirit a lot. We were challenged to read 3 Nephi over the next month and look for references to ministering and doing things one  by one. I'm excited for this opportunity, and would like to extend the same invitation to you. I know this will bless your efforts to become more Christlike. 

Well, that's the week! I do have a poem this time, hope you enjoy it, I really love this one. 

--

"Pull up a chair, sit with me", 

Said a man whom I had wronged. 

I sat, and saw a banquet spread, 

But this kindness, my guilt prolonged. 

Confused at a gift, despite my debt, 

"Are you willing to eat?", he quietly said. 

His scared hands reached for my plate. 

He took, broke, and  offered me bread.

I lifted a portion to my lips, and ate, 

And felt my debt and doubts release. 

I looked up, and beheld the man, 

Smiling, for He had given my soul peace.

--

I love you all so much! Keep fighting a good fight! Godspeed! 

The only picture I have (I left my old camera at home...) Is another Elder Fuller-steals-the camera-picture. ​Enjoy.

I found this one on FB! So, luckily we get two photos.  ;) I believe this is when they picked up their phones.