23 Near Falls 1 Actual Fall

Its slippery y'all. Just when I thought I was getting used to the snow it starts to melt. The slush / ice combo is fatal. Idaho weather is weird. 

Life is so great out here though, all of us are getting along and the area is poppin. Transfers are on the 31st and I dont know if they're gonna keep me here. I sure hope they do. All this walking is keeping me in shape! -also I guess I love people too-

Some people I got to spend time with this week is Jack (14yo) boy who has some social challenges but loves when we come over. 1. Because he feels like we are a friend. 2. He likes the way he feels when we're there. 3. He wants to learn and come closer to Heavenly Father and he asked us to help him on that path.

We took him on a church tour and it was very very neat, he asked us if we could give him a blessing. His faith is growing and that gives me the most joy.

Another guy is Joseph(65yo) and his friend Ron(60's). Joseph introduced Ron to the Church but Joseph always gets distracted and goes off on a tangent when Ron asks a question. Joseph called us in and asked if we could simply answer some of Ron's questions. Ron isn't a member but knows that we hold the Priesthood (that we have the authority to act in God's name) and he wants to know how he can have that Authority as well. We told him the steps he needs to take and he willingly agreed. Ron lives outside of our area but will be moving into it hopefully soon. Ron studied a lot of religions and he says that the Spirit has touched him and prompted him to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That's a fun thing to be told when you're a missionary :) 

I have a lot of different thoughts I'd want to share with yall but I think I'm going to keep it down to 2.

My first one came to me as I was in Church and one of the Hymns stuck out to me and made me really think. The words are, 

"As I search the holy scriptures 

May thy mercy be revealed

Sooth my troubled heart and spirit

May my unseen wounds be healed"

As I pondered on those words the more and more I knew they were absolutely true. As a missionary I have around 2.5 hours dedicated to scripture study a day. I have seen situations when I normally would be troubled but I wasn't because of the knowledge that I gained through my studies. My unseen burdens have been lifted. I feel at peace with myself when I read. My day is better every time I read. 

Scripture study is a way we can prepare ourselves for the blessings we are seeking.

My second thought I had came after a service project on saturday and during a talk in sacrament. This past week we got to deal with fire and it was so fun burning trash and stuff. In the talk the guy said the words "fire of faith" and then I got lost in my thoughts. I struggle with getting my thoughts out so bear with me.

There are things necessary to keep a fire burning once it's started, the most common is, it's necessary to keep fueling it. 

Same with the "fire of faith". We all have felt a little burning inside of us. Regardless of it's a bonfire or a birthday candle. 

How do we keep our "fire of faith" burning? 

Sometimes getting the fuel to strengthen our faith requires us to hike, climb, and step out into darkness. Trusting and Expecting to find more fuel. As we explore, and as we seek and gather fuel, our "fire of faith" will grow. And our confidence in the Savior will be strengthened. 

(Camping we do the same thing, once a fire is burning out we get all the near branches. But soon they burn out as well. Requiring us to stretch a little further to keep it going) 

Some of us are happy with the "fire" or situation that we are in. It is great to feel happy with where we're at but it isn't good to stop trying to improve. 

Satan will "pacify and lull [us] away into carnal security, (in hopes that we say) 'all is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well' ". This is how the Devil "cheats [our] souls and leads [us] carefully down to hell." 

(2 Nephi 28:21)

I hope none of us cheat our souls and never quit "the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1) 

There will always be someone that we can venture out and help.

There will always be windows of opportunity that we have to crawl through, not knowing what's on the other side. 

Have faith, and if not, have a "desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until [you] believe" 

(Alma 32:27)

When we "yield to the enticings of the 

Holy Spirit" (Mosiah 3:19)

And as we "put off the natural man" (Mosiah 3:19)

We will be have blessings 

"Poured out that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (3 Nephi 24:10)

I am a witness to these blessings. I pray all of you try it out for yourselves.

For you "[don't] receive a witness until after the trial of [your] faith" (Ether 12:6) 

My companion is sick so I got to spend a little more time with my email, I hope you read through. If not. Here's what you're scrolling for:

Pictures:

1. The fire

2-3. Youth activity where the kids marked and tabbed copies of the Book of Mormon for us! :)

4. District lunch

5-6 Elder Ramirez time!! WARNING! if you are easily offended please know it was Elder Ramirez that had these picture ideas. I am not here to be political. If you want to talk politics my brother Luis will be glad to take any calls. He will give you the truth, Accurately and effectively. 

7. Also Elder Ramirez. He's normally the quietest guy ever so we made him yell and it was the greatest thing ever. He's breaking out of his shell:)