Week 48 - Let the blackout year begin!

WHAT'S UP FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND THE BLOG WORLD.

Let the blackout year BEGIN (the year where you serve the entire time).

Wow, I've learned a ton in Sierra Vista, especially about myself. But hey, the work is slowly progressing in our zone which is awesome.

Our week started out by setting a date with a guy named Aaron. He's the bf of a member and they have 5 kids under 9 yrs old and are struggling. We've been trying to talk with Aaron, and now he's been taught the Restoration. YES. They didn't come to church because it stressed them out, but we're working with them and hope for the best!

During our awesome weekly planning session, one of our finding ideas was an 'appointment with the Lord'. So we set time aside to do it on Thursday.Wednesday night amongst the chaos of stuff, we looked at a map, said our separate prayers, and felt prompted to go visit this tiny place at the very northeast part of our area that wasn't really ever noticed. Woot, let's go there. So on our way up there, there was nothing but dirt roads, old stuff, very few houses, and a few tests of faith along the way. Heck, we still felt like there was someone waiting. 

This is where our 'appointment with the Lord' led us haha. Yup. There's people ready everywhere!

The first 4 or 5 houses (which we had to look for!) there wasn't a soul there...crap. Lame. The journey continued up the steep dirt hills until a house on the top of a hill looked awesome. As we pulled up, a lady named Lois came out and greeted us! YES! She was awesome and very nice. Her husband died 3 years ago and she was interested in the Plan of Salvation. There was no one around her, and it felt like we were in the ghetto of Deming or something. (There's a very angry lady on this table.) Lo and behold, someone was waiting for us. Satan sure does like to put doubts in our minds where being lazy seems to be the way out, but heck no. The Lord drives us and opens up opportunities as we get off our butts and work!

So that was cool.

The house straight ahead is Lois' house. Her husband restored cars, so there's cars everywhere.

The same night, we felt an inclination to go see a LA. Random prompting. A guy opened up whose named is Sam. He told us, "I was just waiting for the door to be opened." *everyone turns head to look at opened door* *laughter* it was awesome. He had been chillin' and going to the 'Cowboy Church' (yup!) where it's like a rock concert every time or something like that. He was interested in the Restoration and so an appointment was set. The Lord blessed us that day.

Being one of them Zone Leaders allows me to go to a monthly meeting called "MLC" (mission leadership conference). It is my favorite meeting because we all have a voice for the mission in the discussions and what not to see what can be done to help the mission out. It rocks.

Last PDAY we went bowling and a small hike with some members. The Whitney family! They are saints and are such sick people.

Yesterday while visiting lots of people before our now 1pm church (changed from 9am), we swopped out our truck for a mini van. Meh. It's for tomorrow for our temple trip so we can Caravan (pun) people to the temple. Anyways, I heard a leak from a tire....yup, we had a massive screw in the tire. Fetch. So after jacking the van up, and winding this jack thing to release a spare tire rim....there was no spare tire. SWEET bro. Luckily one of our members manages a BIG O here, so the van was dropped off there and we were picked up for church. Although we visited 4 people/families, not one of them showed up. Gah. Probably one of the most frustrating things of my mission. Only thing to do....is work.

 Pointlessly changing the tire.

This is Nathan! He has something similar to down-syndrome, and everytime we're over there, he brings out hangers and pretends they're guns. Such an awesome kid.

This morning, once a month, our zone goes to a food bank here in SV and helps out! It's run by a Catholic church and they like our help. About half of our zone showed up, since our zone is so far apart, and it rocked face. We helped people carry their food to their cars or wherever. If you want to care for people, just go out and serve them. Mosiah 2:17!

This morning volunteering at the food bank from 8-12!

I wrote a poem while waiting *tard alert*:

Right now, I be chillin' in a Library.

Hold up, wait a minute, no computers are free.

I can rap "Please Stand Up" until I bleed.

But please, let's be honest, no computers are free.

My family and friends are waiting, yes indeed.

I love the ATM, but it's PDAY, let it be!

Get off the computers, so at least one can be free.

I say it all the time, but there truly is nothing better I'd rather be doing. The blessing and protection missionaries have if they're obedient, is just remarkable. To be able to be lead physically to people who are ready, is a blessing. Although this transfer I feel that sometimes my outlook on things may be different, the Lord is always there. We are definitely grateful for President and Sister Killpack!

New Year's resolution: Have more charity and patience for everyone I come across, in hope to be humble. Woot!

There's your enjoyment for the day. Now go rock someones face!

Luke 21:19 "In your patience possess ye your souls."

Jacob 4:7 - trials can show where we're at in life.

If one's path is difficult, their calling is higher!

Let's rock this world again!!

Guess what we did for New Year's? Went to bed. Heck yeah.

Love you all. Stay real Scranton.

-Elder Dallin Hales