Week 95 and 96. These are the last days

So I forgot to write last week. Sorry about that, and I'm not gonna write very much today because I played too much chair soccer. I left Lubbock, which I'm really sad about, and I am now in my last area. I'm in Midland! Im back in the permain basin, and I'm loving it so much. It's so fun, and my companions are incredible. We get along so well, and they are so funny. We have a good time. I don't really know what to write, other than to ask yall to please pray for the TLM, especially this December, as we strive to reach our goal of having a baptism in every companionship. I'll be fasting for it this sunday, and I would love it if everyone reading this would fast for it as well. We need all hands on deck. Here's some pictures! The church is true and it's changed my life!! The way I'm feeling right now as my mission is coming to an end is weird. Time is running out and I want to make the most of it. It's interesting, because we're told that we're in the last days of the final dispensation. I think we all need to be a lot more urgent in the gathering of Israel, because time is running out, and we have work to do. I love you all. I also got my fly home date. I'll be flying home on Dec. 30th, so I'll be home for new years!! It feels weird

Message to the Granite Ward

Hey Yall! One of the greatest things I've learned on the mission is the nature and power of Faith. There's a quote I love that says "Faith and Fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. You choose." The beautiful thing about God's plan and purpose for us is the role of agency. That we all have a choice. And we get to choose whether we will have faith in his existence, plan, and power, or have fear, believing that none of those things are real. Fear is simply when faith is placed in the wrong thing. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can bring anyone hope, joy, purpose, and peace, but only if we choose to place our faith in Him. While we live on earth, faith will always be required, and faith placed in Jesus Christ enables us to live the most enriching life possible.

Week 94: 94%

Google photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/X9ZMXpKhHh67i6L2A

Gee, I don't even know what happened this week. We did a lot of service, and a few exchanges, so maybe that contributed, but it's been good! We put 3 of our friends on date for baptism, so that's good, but none of them were able to make it to church on sunday. Please pray for Fred Villegas and his family, Arya and Andrew Escobedo, and Ray Javalera. Fred, Aria and Ray are all on date for either November or December.

I've been talking to my mission president about when I'm coming home, and I still don't know the exact date, but it sounds like it'll probably be at the end of december. I got about 6 weeks left. it doesn't feel real. Anyways, I'm sorry this email is more boring than usual, I don't have much to say, but we helped a lady move, and I almost died because of all the cat hair. I love you all, and I'm excited to see everybody soon! I'm also super sad to leave the mission soon. It's so good here

Week 93: 🤙BYU vs TEXAS TECH 👈

So this week was pretty intense. Haha, It was so fun. I'm sure many of you already know that BYU played Texas Tech on saturday, and the game was in Lubbock, which is where I live right now. We weren't allowed to go to the game for obvious reasons, although we blitzed with the college park district, and spent pretty much the whole day (literally 7am-4pm) walking around on campus during the game trying to find people to teach. We actually got a ton of people's phone numbers, and it was great, but my goodness... It was crazy. The atmosphere was intense, and the aura we carried as missionaries was hilarious. Some tech fans said some pretty crazy things at us, but even more of them were actually super super kind. Had a few people yell at us, the sisters got booed hard-core, some elders had a beer can thrown at them, and I got bashed by a drunk dude. It was actually so funny, he said John 3:16 says you can't add more scripture, so that was goofy. It was a nerve-racking, but super fun experience, and now one of my fondest memories. So sad BYU didn't win though, but we'll be back for the next one.

Also Johnny and Melvin went to the temple for the first time and got to do baptisms for the dead. It was super awesome, and they had an incredible experience there.

We also get to do service at a food bank here in Lubbock everywhere, and they came and filmed us this week, and we were on TV on I think channel 11? So that's pretty cool too. Let me know if you see me!

Week 91 and 92: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Sorry I didn't write last week. And I don't have a ton of time. Johnny and Melvin are doing great! They got their temple recommends and Johnny blessed the bread yesterday in sacrament meeting. Melvin is doing it next week, and I'm just so happy for them. They're incredible. I love the members here, I love my friends here, I love the mission. I don't have much to say, other than I'm happy and loving it here. We have a goal as a mission for each companionship in the mission to baptize someone in December. President called it a white christmas, so please pray that all the missionaries in the TLM (Texas Lubbock mission/the Lord's mission) will be led to those who have been prepared to make this covenant. We need your prayers! Also I made a Google photos album, if you wanna join I put the link below (:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X9ZMXpKhHh67i6L2A 

Week 90: Johnny and Melvin got baptized

So this was definitely a week to remember. Before I share the funny story, I wanna talk about Johhny and Melvin again. They have officially become members of the Lord's restored church. 

They were both baptized on Saturday at noon, and it was a special experience. So many people came to support them. Every seat was taken. Some other missionaries brought their friends, and one of them was a girl named Marie. She had met with missionaries once or twice in Arizona, but then she got sick and moved. After Johnny and Melvins Baptisms and confirmations, the Elder asked her what her thoughts were. And she said "is that what mine is going to be like?"  she's getting baptized in about 3 weeks

Johnny and Melvin were so incredible to teach. They both were ordained as priests on Sunday. Melvin was ordained first and was able to join the circle to ordained Johnny, and Johnny started crying. I love it here.

And now here's a funny story, we were eating dinner with some super cool members in the ward, and just talking about Brother Ritchies work (he's an eye surgeon), and we asked him what the craziest thing he's seen has been. And he was like I got some pictures, why don't I just show you. They were pretty gross, but still, I normally would've been fine. But we happened to be fasting for a friend that day, so I saw a bunch of bloody eye surgeries on an empty stomach. Suddenly, I just started to feel really weird, and the next thing I knew they were lifting me off the floor saying "are you ok?!" I had fainted, lol. It was the first time ever, but it was goofy. They said I just started to zone out and then I just fell to the left side out of my chair. They ran over and caught me though so I didn't hit my head on anything. Then they carried me over to the couch and I sat there for like 20 min. It was a fun experience. 

Anyways, the work is great! We got transfer news though, and my companion is leaving me  but my new companion is super cool, so I am excited. Love you all!

Week 89: "I think I found the right the church!"

So, I'm definitely gonna flex the fact that Elder Brown visited our mission a week and a half ago. His talk was incredible, and having met him in person made it feel so much more powerful. I loved his talk. Something super special though, was we watched the saturday afternoon session at the Foote family's house, and Johnny and Melvin both came to watch it with us as well. I enjoyed conference this year more than any other year, or 6 months I guess. I learned a lot. At the end of Elder Browns talk, Johnny lifted up his hands like he just won a marathon, and said "I think I found the right church!" It was super sweet. Theyre both dead set for their baptisms on the 11th. We then watched the final session at President and Sister Langevelds house. I loved Elder Oaks talk so much. I love my family. I'm just so grateful for this church, and the gospel. It makes me so happy. I love you all!! Have the best week ever

We also got hit by a car. I wasn't driving