I'm going to do my email a bit differently this week. I usually just have like a travelogue of my week, but I am going to try something different... bear with me.
This week was fantastic! But sadly, it was Elder Brown's last full week as a missionary. He goes home on Friday back to his home in Benjamin Utah. It was great serving with him, and I learned a lot from his example and skills. He will definitely be remembered by the people he served, and by me.
Not a whole ton happened this week though. Over the weekend, we sent out transfer texts and found out where everyone would be going. We also went on an exchange to Revere, and I went with Elder Bateman, who I found out later would be my next companion! I served in a district with him before, and so I know him pretty well already, and he is a great guy. He is originally from Idaho, and went to BYU-I for a semester before he came out. He loves to ski, which is something I would love to get into when I go home. He is also a man who truly tries to listen to the Spirit and many other things I want to learn from him. I am excited to serve with him
We met with Shabab a couple more times this week and taught him The Restoration and the Plan of Salvation. He always has such great questions and is so willing to learn. One of my favorite things I have loved to experience on my mission has been to see people gain a testimony of a principle of the gospel. It is amazing to see the difference in the way they see the world and the way they see God. I am amazed by the power of the spirit in peoples lives.
Everyone has been on vacation out here, so it has been a bit slow. Pretty soon, everyone will be getting back, and we will begin to teach more people.
However, Sunday night, we were tracting and met a man who knew a little about our church but wanted to learn more. We taught him about The Restoration, along with his wife, who was listening in from the other room as she was getting their kid ready for bed. As we talked about God, their daughter began to ask them questions about God, and it was a learning experience for all of them and us. We invited them to read from the Book of Mormon and to pray about it and to ask God if it is true. They trusted in the promises in the Bible and of the Book Mormon that God would answer their sincere prayers if they were willing to act on the answer they receive. I love being a missionary. I love being able to share what I know to be true with others and to feel the spirit as I do so.
I love you all. I hope you can see the little things that God has made bring joy to the world. The world truly is a beautiful place.