Week 81: Zone conference, Stake Conference, and Tim

So this week was super cool. We had zone conference. There was a lot of cool takeaways for me, but we applied something that the mission president's wife talked about. She talked about earning referrals through members. While we were on Exchanges, Elder Adam's and I decided to knock a members house and we were like hey we're looking for more friends to teach, and she referred us to her neighbor 2 doors down, and we had a really awesome lesson about the restoration. He basically said yes to baptism. We also went public contacting at the park and met Tim. He is recent life is pretty traumatic and he talked about trying to find God and more healing in his life. He came to both the adult and regular session of stake conference. He loved it and is super open about everything. But God has for real been preparing him so much. About a week and a half ago he happened to be driving through midland and stopped by our church building. He had no idea what church it was, but he just walked inside. Idk why it was unlocked, but he just walked in, went to the chapel and started praying. Anyways, he loved coming to stake conference. It was a powerful meeting. Also there was a baptism this week! Noelie got baptized yesterday, and it was just so cool. And I get to go to the temple again on Saturday!! Yaline will be going to do baptisms for the dead for her first time. She said she wants everything. Step by step, but everything. Paso a paso, pero todo. Please keep praying for Odessa!!

Week 80: Faith brings Miracles

So this last week was so so cool. Odessa Spanish has been very blessed. As a district, we have 4 people that are planning to be baptized in August. Noelie, Yaniuska, Reimel, and Idalmis. Please pray for them! Yesterday was especially awesome thoughm a few days ago the sisters called my comp and I and asked us to give one of their friends a blessing of comfort and council. She was likely going to be separated from her family and not be able to come to church or meet with missioanries anymore and anyways, it was just super sad. We had a super spirit filled lesson with them though, and then we gave her a blessing. Then we all fasted and prayed for her, and they were all able to come to church! She bore her testimony about faith and miracles, and another member of the family bore her testimony on the Book of Mormon, and neither of then are members. The spirit was super strong and definitely the most memorable sacrament meeting I've ever had. Odessa is just so blessed. Please keep praying for the people here!! Love you guys

- Elder Wride

The other Elders in our district thought it would be a funny prank to put raw chicken under our sink and not say anything. It was disgusting

Week 78: good week

Sorry it's such a short email, but I don't have a lot of time. We got transfer news, and I will be staying in Odessa for another transfer! I'm also going to be the leader of the Spanish district here, so that'll be fun. I also hit exactly 18 months today. Anyways, the sisters in our wardshare had a baptism this week, and that was awesome. Alethia is incredible and was definitely ready for baptism. We also put Noelie on date for baptism on August 9th, and she is going to do great. Anyways, the work is great here, and I love it. I love you all

- Elder Wride

Week 77

So the past 2 weeks have been great, sorry I didn't write. I don't have much to say. We've been working hard. It's weird, because I'm still the only missionary covering my area. We're going to be in a trio until the end of the transfer, so we'll see what happens after that. Here's some pictures though!

Week 75: So I guess I'm 20 now

My birthday was this week! That was pretty fun. It was on the day of zone conference. The STLs gave me a birthday boy pin that I had to wear the whole time, and then a crown for lunch. My district is so fun. So I've been in a trio for a week now. I still have no news about my new companion, so I'm still working alone in my area. That's kind of weird. But it's been really fun, and we've been working hard, and having lots of incredible lessons. We had 8 friends at church, and Yaline is incredible. She's such a good new member/missionary. We've had a join us for a few lessons, and her testimony is so powerful. 

I want to share something I've been experiencing this week. I think sometimes I read the Book of Mormon too slowly (which is sometimes really good), but it think I've been limiting the effect that the Book of Mormon had been having on me. I recently set a new goal to read the whole Book of Mormon before this transfer is done, so that's about a month. I'm not writing anything. I'm just reading and highlighting everything that points to or testifies of Jesus Christ. So far, every page is marked multiple times. It's interesting, because it the 3 days that I've started this new goal, I've already felt a dramatic decrease in temptation. I'm not saying the temptations aren't there, but my interest in them is so much weaker. I don't think I've ever fully felt the power of the Book of Mormon like this, but it's great. So please read the Book of Mormon, and you don't need to make it hard to read by trying to mark too much. Just read it with an open heart and see what happens. If it's true, it's true. And if it's true, it's powerful. Love you guys! Sorry I didn't have much else to write!!

Week 74: Training to Trio

So we dropped off Elder Boyle this week. I'm gonna miss him big time. I was told I should be getting a new companion, but while I wait, I'll be in this trio! I'm with the other 2 Elders in our district, and they are so much fun. They're hilarious. I don't think I've ever laughed so much in one week.

Something super special this week was we had Yalines baptism. It was an experience I will never forget. She had asked me to be the one to baptize her, and it was a sweet sweet experience. I traded ties with Elder Boyle before he left, and I decided to wear his tie to the baptism on his behalf, and it also happened to match her dress! It was a powerful service. She was super excited and nervous, and when I pulled her out of the water, I heard her gasp and saw tears rolling down her face. I swear, I don't hug women on the mission, because its against the standards, but I did not have a choice here. Please forgive me. She said later that as she came out of the water, she saw incredible light everywhere. The spirit was so strong. Her testimony of Jesus Christ, the Church, and the Book of Mormon is so so strong. She is so elect and it was a privilege to get to teach her.

Anyways, it's been amazing here in Odessa! Please keep praying for Elder Boyle, and that I'll get a companion quickly (preferably Elder Boyle). I love you all!!