11/20/17...What a blessing it is to have the power to act in God's name for the blessing of His children.

Wow y'all looked like you had so much fun in Nicaragua and Costa Rica! That must have been such a good experience. It was probably fun to practice your spanish too. We teach an English class on Thursday nights and we have some people come, one actually came to church this week with the sisters, but it's fun to work on my spanish. I've lost a lot of stuff since high school. Also that I didn't try very hard to keep much of my spanish. I wish I did though. 

We had a busy week! This Saturday we had a super solid lesson with the Nigerian family and her husband was finally in the lesson. He was in the hospital 2 times last week and it was pretty serious it seemed like. He is going to get a big surgery soon. But we went over and we asked if we could give him a blessing. Just as we were about to start his uncle came in and we got to share with him what a priesthood blessing is and by what authority it was done by. What a blessing it is to have the power to act in God's name for the blessing of His children. Great way to talk about the Restoration. So we have him a blessing and the Spirit was just so strong we say down and started talking to him about his relationship with God. Then we asked him a question, don't remember what but he then shared that he noticed the light this his family has now that they are meeting with us and coming to church. He also said I chose this church for my family and you know I chose this church because my family is there on Sunday, they would not be there if I didn't chose it. That lesson was probably the highlight of the week. 

We are really trying to figure out all the new things and ideas that salt lake has told us to pilot. They gave of us a ton of good ideas and new ways to do things but didn't give a whole lot of specifics on how to utilize them and use our time effectively, so we are really trying to figure the best ways to use our time, they pretty much told us any door knocking is a waste of time, so whenever we knocked on any doors we almost felt guilty because they told us it was ineffective. But this week we really are starting to understand the ways that they want us to use our time. Mostly spending it for our investigators and members homes. We will go into members homes for about 30 minutes and then use the new planning guidelines that we got to say who do you know that would benefit from the Gospel, then make goals and plans to help them progress in some way, the goal could be super simple too. Then in 2 weeks reevaluate that goal and make more plans. The new planning guidelines are really good, they are a little tough to follow when you have a whole day to plan for sometimes but they are great in helping people progress in their faith. It would be super good for you mom, in your new calling it could be really good. It just sparks a lot of ideas by asking questions about what they need and how to help. I'll send them to you. 

This Sunday we had an investigator at church and one of his friends from Connecticut walk in and they got to talk and meet again it was super fun, they took us to breakfast this morning and it was really fun, they brought their son and we had a good time. I told him he should take Sarah on a date and he said he would. Ya never know haha. 

Saturday was a super busy day. I'll go through the schedule for ya mom! So we woke up at 5:30 went and played some basketball against the assistants and some other elders. 4v4. Then came back did some panning but our day was pretty booked. Studied for and hour and 15 min. I studied from the Book of Mormon, New Testament and Preach My Gospel. Then went to coordination which was great, our ward mission leader helps us out a ton. We went to get our weekly pho with Star and Jason after that. I live for the weekly pho now haha I love that stuff --I'd never had it before Jason invited us! Then we drove down to a baptism in rock hill, from a lady Elder Ward found in his last area. She called the church and he answered. It was really great. 

I love missionary work. I've just seen so much how easy it is to share the gospel, I really want to take these things I'm learning and use them the rest of my life. Elder Ward and I came up with a ton of fun ideas to share the gospel, but unfortunately many of the ideas are not dignified for a missionary so we said we'll do them so when we get back. One was a lantern festival to kick off light the world. The other was kind of a modern Santa in the city photo booth promoting light the world. And some other fun ideas. After that we went and got some dinner with a member to a pretty good restaurant which is always fun. Then went and saw some people in the area and had a lesson with Maureen after that! Then it was a night. That's a solid day, also got a lot of people contact info so we can hopefully start teaching some more of them this next week! Overall awesome week! 

Qs

—Will you email the Coach Waddoups and ask what all needs to be done ahead of time—application etc. I want to make sure you are dialed in. I talked to Debi about Connor going to Salt Lake Community with you or to LDS Business College. She thought it was a great idea.
I'd love that! We gotta make that happen, it'd be so fun to room with him. 

—how are the workouts going? You looked great in the video!
They're still goin!
—do you need more protein or anything from Amazon Pantry?
Ya you could send some, I just don't have a ton of faith in them right now, ie, I didn't gain a pound from the other 15lb bag lol. But why not try. 
—what are your plans for Thanksgiving?
Got a good lunch set up and good dinner with a guy that loves to cook so it'll be super fun! Hopefully we can talk to some families at home without bugging them. 
(I think we are heading back down to Utah on Wed to be with Gma and Gpa at Becky’s. Then we will go to the cabin in Heber later with my fam....you know—the same old, same old)

Not really wanting to do Black Friday shopping...but Sarah is working that night at JCrew so maybe we will have to go haggle her!

—are there any families in your ward or that you are teaching that we can help with Christmas?? I could get presents and send them to you...and you and Elder Ward could doorbell ditch or be Santa...
Not that I can think of. I'll let you know next week if we find out! 
—what are your favorite things to make for yourself to eat?
Chicken and rice mostly. I don't know how to make many delicacies lol, maybe send me some easy recipes....that would actually be awesome!
—what is your typical daily schedule?

Check above! 

Love you so much mom! Don't stress too much about your calling or how other people might compare you. Comparing is the worst thing that we can do it just doesn't help thinking about any of that stuff, I did that a lot to myself at the beginning of my mission, comparing myself to other missionaries who I thought were "better" than me. Just focus on the Savior, think about how you can be a Christlike leader and that'll be best! 

Love you!