Duty to God

Well, hello again!  The largest (and only real) skyscraper in Iowa is called the 801 Grand. I often forget how close I am to Des Moines while I've been serving here in Ankeny, but sometimes on the edge of town I look south and see that tower, and I remember how close I really am. I am practically in its shadow.  In exactly the same way, home is looming closer and closer each day. Sometimes I forget how close it really is. It doesn't seem real most of the time.  But some days when the shadow of the 801 (my home area code) looms a little closer, I realize how close it actually is. Those moments are terrifying.  Anyway, this week was loaded with those moments, especially the Badgers departing zone conference this last Tuesday. That wrecked me. I'm exhausted, I can't wait to see my family, I am excited to see the mountains again, and I can't wait to take a nap. However much these things mean to me, I don't want to go home. The friendshi...

Aye, what is good my people?  It's been another week for the books! The Lord is keeping us quite busy, and I feel like I'm sprinting this last lap of the race. Life is so good, I'm more exhausted and more happy than I've ever been. Missions are the greatest thing folks. Anyway, our lady Jane is working hard to be ready to be baptized. To help, Elder Koyle gave her a CTR ring and she has not stopped coming up with new versions of the acronym. Christ the Redeemer is an excellent example. Most recently, with a bunch of opposition hitting her, she's decided that it means to Cut the ridiculousness. I got a kick out of that.  Shirley is also doing well! We had a pretty miraculous thing happen with family history during our lesson this week, as we found that her Grandma (who is largely responsible for her desire to be baptized) was baptized in the Seattle temple at nearly the same time that she first encountered missionaries. Tears were shed and the spirit was...

Hello my people! It's been a great week! Transfers all went down, and ya boys in Ankeny mostly stayed the same (s/o to E. Harvath) . The only change was my boy Elder Stoddard got sent to the land of my inheritance (Quincy), and was replaced by Elder Diaz-Pacheco. Good stuff. Things were pretty chopped up due to transfers this week, but some good stuff did happen. On the fun end, we got to go to Des Moines for p-day and said goodbye to my main man H. Fuller, s/o to him for a dank two years in Iowa. We did have a great lesson with Jane, she's trying to stop smoking and we had a great talk about that. She and Shirley are progressing good, and we're super excited for them. Anyway, hope y'all have a good week! Godspeed.  Elder Housholder  Pics:  1. RIP E. Fuller  2. The Zone 3. Our girl Shirley 

Our zone motto this transfer is No MOBP'S. That stands for, "missed out on a big play". Like in sports the plays that change the game, the big ones, require the most involvement and dedication. In the grand contest of missionary work, we are privileged to participate in many big plays, and this week has been full of those.  Brothers and Sisters, I can honestly say that there is no more rewarding experience than working for the salvation of others and finding yourself in the right place at the right time, as God calls a play that will change someones entire life. What an honor to be a part of this great work of Salvation. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a missionary, I love it more than anything in the world. That all being said, this week was great! We did have some crazy weather at the beginning of the week, flash flooding particularly, but all is well.  We had an amazing district council on Thursday (s/o to Elder Webb). He talked about the differe...

Hello my glorious creations, It's been a quick week! Time just keeps going faster and faster and faster. We had zone conference though, which was super fun, but also sad because it was my last normal one. I have loved all the things I've learned in those meetings. Also shoutout to Elder Stoddard and Harvath, my intrepid zone leaders, for their training.  We also had an amazing experience teaching this lady named Shirley! She has been looking for the truth for her entire life, and said that she's been waiting since she was a little girl to feel the way that she felt around her grandma. As we read the words of Christ with her and invited her to be baptized, she was over come by the Spirit, and, "felt like her grandmother was holding her hand". Wow. God is so aware of our individual needs and teaches us in the exact way we need. Anyway, everything is going super well otherwise. John will be baptized this Saturday, Shirley will be later in June, and a ...

Hello again. This week has been amazing. The Lord is so good, and we've just been showered with blessings this week. We had interviews with the Badgers for the last time. It's super sad how soon they're leaving. But it was amazing to have a chance to reflect on the growth and miracles we've seen over the last two years. I love them, and I'm definitely looking forward to when Sister Badger and I get to make bread together.  The coolest thing about this week was our lesson with Shirley. She is literally the nicest old lady in the world. We invited her to read last time, and she did. I've honestly never seen the spirit teach someone with as much clarity and power before. She literally has been so touched by the Book of Mormon that she is already sharing it with her friends. She will be baptized.  Love you all. Godspeed. Have some pics

Hello friends and family, It's been a great week, we saw lots of miracles. Keira got baptized, John is still on track for his baptism, and the members here are getting more and more excited about missionary work! Things are so good.  Otherwise, I've been pretty sick this weekend, and that has pretty much sapped my motivation to write more. I love you all! Keep the faith.  Godspeed.  Elder Housholder  Pics: 1. Keira!  2. The bros at the Pad. s/o to E. Harvath