About my Fathe's work

Once again another great week here in Colorado Springs! Surprisingly, the weather here has been really nice. It did snow pretty bad a while ago, but that has been melted for some time now. We even played football last p-day and that was super fun, we're getting ready to go play again today because it's pretty warm.

Elder Johnson and Elder Guy both got super sick this past week. Elder J half way through, and Elder Guy just Saturday and really bad yesterday. Thankfully they are both back in action thanks to lots of prayers. Because Elder J was sick on Tuesday, him and Elder Guy went back to the apartment while I went on splits with the ward mission leader, Brother Schwieder. We went on just a couple of visits. Brother Schwieder is a great man. He does an amazing job with his calling.

My favorite part of this whole missionary experience (outside of the gospel sense) is meeting people. I've met so many awesome people. On Thursday night, I got to meet one of our investigators that has been cancelling on us for over a month. He is an awesome person though. He is receptive to everything we have to say, and we can really see the desire he has to be baptized.

This week our zone started a new service project. On Thursday, we visited the Colorado Springs Rescue Mission. It isn't an LDS sponsored program, their goal however is to unite local churches and the community as a whole to support those in need. What was a great experience. We did a lot of cleaning and tidying up. We also put together several bags of clothing for another shelter that was coming later that day to pick up the clothes. We'll be participating in that specific service opportunity every Thursday, so I'm excited!

On Friday, President Rehm (our mission president) interviewed our zone for quarterly interviews. Him and I had a great talk. Him and his wife are awesome. I'm fully convinced this isn't a "reassignment". Of course, technically speaking, it really is haha, but one of the members of our ward pointed me out during the lesson. We were talking about fore-ordination, and this brother began saying how I was foreordained to serve here in the Colorado Springs mission, even if it is just for a little while. Everything happens for a reason. The hard part about this step in the journey is that I haven't really figured out what the reason of being here is. Yes, I know there's a reason, but I haven't figured it out yet. I'm starting to think there's somebody I'm supposed to meet, and I haven't met them yet, which is while I'm still here. It kind of gives me an extra boost. I know this is all part of the plan.

Me, Elder G, Claudia T. and Elder J.

The baptism of Claudia T. went so well on Saturday. She is already a great member of the Church. It was great to see how excited she was to enter the waters of baptism. On Sunday, when she was getting confirmed, as everybody raised their right hand, she raised her hand high in the air right back at them and started to waive at everybody. It was so funny. She's going to be a great asset to ward, just as each member is.

Sunday's tend to be my favorite day of each week. Yesterday was ward conference, so the Stake presidency joined us for ward council and sacrament, along with other stake representatives. I continue to be amazed at how wonderful the work of the Lord is. Every time I sit in ward council, I marvel at how much Heavenly Father truly cares about each and every single ONE of His children. Not his billions of children... each and every single ONE of His children. Every aspect of His work and His glory is to indeed "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Even in the simple things. Stopping by and visiting a less active family, or even a person in need can greatly effect those children of God.

From the miracles to every kind act, from the sermon on the mount to his suffering in the garden of Gethsemane, the Savior's mortal life was focused purely on doing the will of his Father. Each of us has the great responsibility to do the same. It may not be in the same way of the grand acts of Christ, but even by small and simple means can we do the will of Heavenly Father. So my invitation to you is to ask yourself: How can I become more dedicated to doing the will of my Father in Heaven? Whether it be inviting a friend to church, or even studying the scriptures a little bit harder. One of the things that makes me happiest is if at the end of the day I can look back and say, "I'm about my Father's business". I'm not sure what can bring more happiness than applying the gospel of Jesus Christ to our lives daily and striving more to become like Him.

I wish you guys the best week this week! Mom and Dad, I love and miss you so much!