'Twas the week before Christmas!

Dear All,

This week has been interesting in so many ways. I can't help but smile for 2 reasons; 1, my Companion told me that during the holidays everything slows down and no one wants to visit with us, however since Thanksgiving we have seen an increase in people wanting to take lessons- young and old, male and female, non-member and less active alike; 2. The three Sacrament meetings we went to I took notes on all the talks given- 3 wards, 6 talks, 2 subjects: one on temple worship and 2 on personal revelation. I thought by the third Sacrament meeting, I was going to hear the same stuff I'd heard from the other wards, but to my surprise they were all unique and gave helpful perspective to the matter to be able to see it a little more fully. I plan to type out the notes I take on my mission and assemble a binder full of all the notes on various subjects to be able to, as Elder Scott puts it, "if we are casual about the teachings of the spirit we lose the ability to feel them", so that it will show how much I cherish the knowledge the Lord has entrusted me with. And the other to have it for my posterity to read and see what they should do.

I was surprised this morning when another Elder called and asked my campanion and I to give him a blessing because he had food posioning. We went and took him and his comp gifts to help make the day better.  Before we gave the blessing, Elder Henassy said something to the effect of "you guys will heal me", and the manner he said it got my companion and I laughing. But while I laughed I could see that he had the faith to be made whole if it was the Lords will. The other surprise we got this morning was that a guy we are teaching called and told us his fiance returned home with their kids. So it appears we will be teaching him and his spouse-to-be. Hearing that caused me to be happy for him. It also got me thinking that is how our Heavenly Father feels about us- He is sad when we are and is happy when we are and is pleased when we do what's right.

We met a new investigator the other day, and his experience with missionaries was a negative one. He was not going to swear off a whole group of people because of one or two bad apples, though. Which reminds me NEVER EVER EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TELL SOMEONE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HELL AND HAS SENT THEIR FAMILY THERE TOO. I recall a statement made by Robert P. Swensen that states "do not belittle or mock other religions, we make good men better". This guy is a great guy. We didn't teach but just talked. Somehow I could compare some of the things we spoke about to gospel related subjects. So even though my companion told me we wasted our time,  I see it as a opportunity to progress the teaching we will do later (and yes we could have done better, but the Lord is able to work with what we have).

 

I ATE ELK LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!! That is some really good stuff! Never had elk, but darn, it was totally different than what I expected. I thought the steak would be tough and fatty, but it is quite lean and tender. Really good, too.

 

I need to figure out a time to call on sunday....... we'll figure it out.

I decided I was sick of talking to invisible people and pillows so we took a pillow we cared not for and put a shirt and pants on it and sat him on the couch in our apartment. We put shoes at the bottom and a hat when his head should be..... and then I put my coat on him... called him "Trent"..... I'm going to buy some stuff to add more realisim to him, and maybe throw our housing cordinators for a loop :) They are suppose to be going to all the apartments and doing inspections... could be fun! I took a couple pictures with "Trent" but left my flash drive at home so i'll have to send them next Monday.

 

We have seen a few houses decked out in lights. My companion and I think we should do a contest and whichever house wins will get a lesson. :)

 

I am learning to be careful how you pray to get patience, too.

 

Well,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Hedgecock