Well, I am spiritually full. And even that is an understatement.
We just had such an amazing weekend, which was much needed, and was truly such a blessing.
Nice to see how your week went! Two sets in an area.... you must be blessed! Have you ever heard the story about the Kingston Branch from when President Monson was the Mission President there? I will attach the link in the email. It's a story that they told us in the MTC, but it occurred to me this week that you might have not been able to read it!
Regarding Skyping this week, I was thinking maybe like 2:30? We get out of our second Ward at 2.... So that would be best. But whenever would work out great! Coordinate with Brother Hurst maybe? Do it soon, so we can figure out everything not last minute. So, yes, it will be with the Hursts! If I can't see Emerson, it wouldn't be the end of the world either. I'll see him at Christmas :)
So, the week!
Monday-Thursday were a struggle bus for Elder McLawhorn, for the most part. We didn't do much on Monday, he just couldn't do it. I even wrote his letter home for him! Haha. We had our song practice for the Mission Conference, and then we had dinner with the Bigelows!
Tuesday was decent. In sick pretty much all day. In the evening, we spent some time with Alex and Mireya and painted Mireya's room! It was tons of fun, and we were able to share 1 Nephi 3:7 with them, which proved to be inspiration!
Wednesday we spent 4 hours typing up our Stake Reports. Honestly, it probably didn't have to take that long.... But we got distracted with some things. We went out with Matti that evening, and saw some of the recent move-ins in our ward, and then had dinner with him and his mom. Then we had an appointment with a new investigator! She is great, and is planning on coming to church this Sunday. We will see what happens!
Thursday we had interviews with President and Sister Felix, so we set up for them in the morning and greeted them, and then went and did some Weekly Planning, and then we came back for our interview. I really do love them so much! President and I talked a lot about how crazy it is that the time is almost up, and Sister Felix talked with all of the missionaries about goal setting and making inspired plans to achieve those goals. It was a very uplifting interview! We were given Subway for dinner, and that was great, and then Elder McLawhorn went and met with a doctor that evening in Santa Maria. Turns out, his back was pretty messed up, and this doctor (who is a chiropractor) said that a few visits and he would be good to go. I hope that it will work!
Friday morning we went and saw Doctor Martin, about 35-40 minutes away. That was great. Elder M said he felt better afterwards, so we will see how this week goes! We practice our song one last time before the big day, and it was all sounding good! I will send a video. That night, we were able to go with the Hursts to a Priesthood Commemoration campout and have some dinner and some fun! I lost in horseshoes by the way. By a lot. Elder McLawhorn is way better than me at anything and everything! Went home that night, and got ready for the early morning the next day!
Saturday. Left Santa Maria at 6:30. Got there at 8:30. Was a great ride, but an even better meeting. In walks Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Looks just like he always does. Shake his hand, and we're off to the races. Oh, and since we were singing, we were in the front row. Sister Felix talked about setting goals and making plans. President Felix talked about humility, charity, and obedience. Elder Ren S. Johnson of the Seventy talked about applying what we learned that day. We sang our song, which was awesome. They announced it as Joseph Smith's First Prayer, and you should have seen everyone's faces when our pianist started playing If You Could Hie to Kolob. Priceless. Like I said, if I can figure out Elder McLawhorn's camera, then I will send it to you! Elder Christofferson's turn. We talked about our Purpose, and helping people overcome the effects of sin and misery. It was amazing. Then he opened it up to questions, and some amazing questions were asked. To close, he felt the need to pronounce an Apostolic Blessing for us, and it was such an incredible experience. I felt like his hands were on my head and he was giving a personal blessing to me. Things I really needed to hear were said, and when comparing notes with Elder M, we both heard different things. Something that was impressed to my mind during the meeting was that Elder Christofferson truly is a man. Just like any of us, he is a man. Yet, he has been chosen by the Savior to be a SPECIAL witness of Him. He said that we, as missionaries, act under apostolic authority to preach the gospel to the world. Amazing. On the way home, we were able to stop in Santa Barbara and have some milkshakes with Elder Alder and Elder Portillo and their companions. Then, we went to Art Kappelmann's baptism, someone who Elder Hunter and I found over a year ago. My trainee, Elder Campbell, baptized him! Such a neat experience. Then, we hurried to Santa Maria to be with Noah at his baptism. I got all dressed in white, and I gave a talk about Noah's story, and then dunked him. Funny story, we both forgot towels. He dried off with my white shirt, and I used my top..... Gotta do what you gotta do! Oh, and we got a text from Alex that quoted 1 Nephi 3:7, and it looks like some moves are being made..... More details next week. Such an amazing day, full of amazing experiences, and definitely one that I made SURE to go into detail in my Journal.
Sunday. We had both wards, and then had a lesson with Cruz. We talked about prayer and receiving answers to prayers. It was a neat lesson! Then we had dinner at the Rusts, went to the YSA Broadcast, saw Sister Benson, who lives in Pismo Beach Ward, and who I was in the MTC with! So that was weird. Oh, and a Sister who served in Mexico came home from her mission as well. I was here in 2015 when she left...... GAH. We then went to the Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting. President Kileplainen wanted us to be there with all of the Ward Mission Leaders to give feedback. It was great.
And yeah, great week! Our area is amazing, and we are continually working harder and harder, and it seems like the Lord is making it easier and easier.
Thought for the week comes from Elder Christofferson.
"Without Him, we have nothing. With Him, we have everything."
Remember Him! Testify of Him! And spread that fire of the covenant to every living soul around you!
Have an amazing week!
Love,
Elder Harvey
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