Finding Light In The Rain And The Work

It has finally rained in Washington

Today is the first day it has rained since I arrived here. I'm actually excited for the rain. I've been told that I'll get sick of it at some point, but I'm excited for that as well.

This week has been an interesting week although the last two days weren't all that much because, as it so happens, one of my companions got really sick and we had to stay in our apartment Sunday and Monday.

A member in our ward let me play his guitar while we were visiting his house. He told that I should find a way to involve music in my mission because of how much I "lit up" when I played. So I bought a guitar this last P-day. It's been fun I'm learning hymns on it and my companions also play instruments so we might get invited to play at a ward Christmas party so stay tuned for that.

I had my first Zone conference Friday. It was really good we learned about this one conquistador that burned all his ships so none his crev would think about heading back to Spain. We talked about how we should burn our ships by remembering to leave behind all the things that we had back at home before our Mission. So am I going to burn my guitar. No that's too expensive, but I have been working on burning all my "ships" and will continue to do so.

We gave James a priesthood blessing on saturday. He really does have a strong testimony in the church, but he still doesn't feel ready for baptism. He told us yesterday he'll come to church this week though. So that's exciting.

Still haven't been rudely rejected yet. The most we got was someone hanging up on us as soon as we mentioned Jesus. Still people politely say no or talk about the church they already go to. A lot of people actually say they respect the things we some people even say they love us. We're kind of celebrities around here.

I feel I should mention the hard things because my mission just sounds like the perfect area and it is. Some hard things that we go through is maybe that people are too nice. We get ghosted a lot and people say they want to hear our messages but never respond to us when we ask to set up a time. Some even set up a time and either don't answer the door or say "they're too busy" when we get there. Even with the people we do get lessons with and they show that they know the things we taught them are true. They still struggle with the commitment to be baptized because they can't forgive themselves from their past or they don't feel worthy. It's just sad and I wish some people just understood the Atonement of Jesus Christ. You won't be perfect, but through him you can be and you can keep making corrections. He has forgiven you already you just need to reach out your hand.

Anyways even though I struggle it's still a really good area. I'm still hopeful for my mission holds in store for me.

Amen.