Well this week when I was on exchanges it was awesome. When I was with Elder Thomas I struggled a lot. Thats how to describe this week. So forst part from Tuesday to Friday Morning was the best! Friday to now has been... well, a lot harder to say the least.
So basically this week we exchanged with the Zone Leaders. I got to work with Elder Tanner for the day and it was awesome. We had some awesme lessons and people really responded. People were looking forwars to future visits from us and I didnt want to schedule them when I wasnt there so we scheduled the, for later. We had Malinda Stone who had a lot of questions but the spirit was so powerful she wanted more! It was awesome! We then taught the Tennis family. Ethan and Leslie Tennis. Cool thing about them is Ethan is 6'11 and is jacked. Super cool guy and Leslie is future relief society President material. Like it was cool! Elder Graham was there for the Tennis family and raved about how cool that lesson was.
I then got to go to Cleveland for 2 days. What was so cool was how quick all of those we taught we were able to bring a special spirit to them. They grew attached to us and asked Elder Udall if I was staying. If not, those who were being baptized wanted me there for that and if I was on exchanges again there I needed to come back. It was just so cool to have that special spirit with them. The highlight though was Archie. (Picture below) He is one cool guy and words couldnt do the lessons justice. But tender mercy was the 2 lessons we had with him. The first lesson we talked about his questions and then talked gospel stuff for awhile and how he wants to earn back his families trust. He had made a ton of mistakes in his life and was the head gang guy. I then brought up love and how love could fix it. More specifically charity. I alsp told him how I loved him like a brother. He didnt know how to respond and said an off the wall topic because he didnt know how to respond. The next lesson we had he told me that he now knew what real love was. How I could come in and tell him I loved him so quick was special to him. All of his life nobody had ever told him they loved him. That was cool for me. He then was super upset I was going back to Dayton. I promised him I would be at his baptism though. (Btw he is coming out with a legit song. Hes a rapper and its all about his conversion and his story. I will let you all know about it when he comes out with it!)
We also had 2 baptisms. Rosie and Luddie were baptized and it was super exciting to see that happen! I was so glad they made the decision. It was a lot for them tp make the decision. Rosie had a hard time because she didnt feel like she was ready for awhile or if she had an answer. The talk I showed her last week helped her make the decision. I had the amazing opportunity to confirm them and it was so special to do that as I felt the spirit in the process. The love I have for these girls is something special and I know that they are excited. They are little sisters to me and they see me as their older brother.
One other funny/special thing is the youth here dont want me to leave. If I ever mention potentially leaving soon they threaten to chain me to a chair and lock me in a room so that I cant leave. I am cpnsidered family here and i consider them to be my family. They are always looking to help me when i struggle and help motivate me when I feel down.
My thought for this week is on trials. The scripture I wanted to share on trials is 2 Nephi 2:11 which reads,
11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility
Though I am struggling and doing my best this trial is teaching me as well. It is teaching me more on what good and bad is in a companionship. I felt that a lot this week. I felt the difference between when I was with Elder Thomas and when i was with Elder Tanner and Udall. In the end I will appreciate so much more the companions I have down the road and in the past compared to this experience. Day by day is how this will go. Hour by hour. With God all things are possible.
I love you all and hope all is well. I appreciate the prayers and support as I go through this hard time.