Week 89, 6/13/17

What a week.... holy eh? 

  

Well the main highlight from this week was undoubtedly Elder Ballard's visit.  I could literally write for 4 hours about it and not cover even half of the awesomeness of it, so I'll just get right to the meat.  He wanted to shake all of our hands before the meeting started, so he did, and then before he spoke we took a 15 minute break.  When he came back in the chapel, President Pattison wasn't in the chapel yet and Elder Ballard wanted to get going, so he told an elder to call me over to him and then instructed me to tell everyone essentially to sit down and be quiet -haha.

 

Another inspiration filled MLC!

After I did that (he was standing right next to me) I got to have a super brief conversation with him right there by the pulpit!  He asked me if I was enjoying my mission, where I was from, and we talked about Utah for a few seconds, and then he gave me some good pats on the back and shook my hand and that was that. Before Saturday the closest in person I had ever been to an apostle was in the conference center, so I was pretty excited about that.  Elder Ballard gave us a little bit of everything when he spoke.  He told some awesome stories, gave us some pointers for missionary work and things we can focus on to have more success, told some good jokes, and bore sincere, powerful testimony of the Savior.  Without a doubt the spiritual highlight of the meeting and one of the spiritual highlights of my mission took place after he said, "In the name of the Lord and by the authority of the holy apostleship which is in me...". He bestowed an APOSTOLIC BLESSING upon our mission!!!! I was mesmerized by the spirit during those few minutes.  Such an amazing experience!   

Everyone knows me by name at the donair shop

It was also pretty amazing how not only some things Elder Ballard said but things every speaker talked about were things that we have been emphasizing in our mission as of late.  Things like planning, companionship study, always finding and talking to everybody, treating Sunday like "game day" with getting investigators to sacrament meeting, and a few more small things.  It was strong testament to me that President Pattison truly does hold the keys to preside over this mission and receive revelation for what we need.  Last bit about Elder Ballard then I'll be done: after we closed the meeting and when he was walking out, after he came off the stand (we were all standing to show him respect), he stood at the front of the chapel and shouted "Adios amigos!" And waved goodbye and then headed out haha.  He is honestly a super funny guy with a really dry sense of humour that I can appreciate.  So grateful we got to spend a few hours with him!   

In other news Elder Hunsaker and I got a third companion!  His name is Elder Johnny Griffin, from Thatcher Arizona.  He loves football possibly even more than I do, so we will enjoy life together.  We did a lot of finding this week and found some really solid looking people, but none have quite turned into actual investigators yet.  I honestly love finding people to teach, its kind of like stress relief, especially when its perfect weather outside.   

Well that's all for this week, I hope youre all having an magical summer.  Byeeee.    

Poor E. Hunsaker - threw up 44 times in two days but kept working hard - what a warrior

Weekly Scripture: Moroni 7:31-34- its a long one this week 31 And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him. 32 And by so doing, the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof; and after this manner bringeth to pass the Father, the covenants which he hath made unto the children of men. 33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. 34 And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved.

Exchanges back in Ellerslie with E. Moody

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