"Did You Just Kiss In Front Of The Elders? Now That Is Disgusting"

Quote of the week goes to Tatum Hurley (President and Sister Hurleys 8 year old daughter)

This week was full of surprises, good and bad.. 

Last week's email was brief, I talked about a 17 year old Isaiah who had his 20 year old brother die. After a conversation with him he was visibly feeling better and we could see the gospel start changing his life. We were so excited to continue teaching him and the NINE others that were in the home. 

We stopped by their place late Monday night and they were kindof frantic. The dad didn't want to talk (because he was stressed out of his mind) and the mom was pretty heavily intoxicated. We took Isaiah (17) and Jojo (15) and went to a church building to shoot hoops briefly and have a chat. After the two boys were telling us they felt so good about having a new life out here they hung their heads and said, "We are going to move to Washington tomorrow, our mom is having a really really hard time"

That took us by complete surprise and we had some more conversation about thought processes as to WHY. Elder Cano and I ultimately realized that we couldn't change the parents choice but we could help them prepare for what's ahead. 

Initially I was SUPER sad but Elder Cano's example reminded me that I can choose how to react to this change of events. I have mentally ingrained in my head that I can

"zealously (strive) to [...] (explain) the prophecies and scriptures to all who (desire) to hear them." (Mosiah 27:35)

(Zealous meaning with enthusiasm and with active interest)

I have an increased desire to be an

"(instrument) in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth (and to) the knowledge of their Redeemer" (Mosiah 27:36)

HOW LUCKY AM I!? 

I get to publish peace and declare unto all that God lives, that He loves them, that no matter how far gone they are they have an opportunity to be HAPPY. 

Despite the super sad things that have happened this week I AM HAPPY. 

I love you all! Choose to be happy!

Pictures:

1. Jojo and Isaiah. (Jojo is the tall one, Isaiah is the one in the hat) I'll miss them so much

2-3. Elder Loggins and I went on what I call a "Service Exchange" from sunup to sun down we made a cow corral in BONE Idaho. It was really fun to see him start to glow. (We played a game where every hour we had to say something we're grateful, and after the 1st three hours you run out of stuff to say so you really have to think. It was a really fun exercise) (that's Elder Loggins with the tractor) (205.captured still influences me every once in a while)

4. After mine and Elder Loggins' day together #sunburnt in November

5. More exchanges in Arco

6. Elder Trezise exchange! He is the most inspiring missionary ever! Everyone needs to be around him! (fun fact, we slept in a sub 32 degree house that night.) woke up and we could see our breath!

7. Now this just looks like a normal hand in mine but what you don't know is that this 5 year old asian, down syndrome boy was sitting on his dads lap in church and he just looks at me, pauses, and grabs my hand. Most tenderest thing EVER

8. This last one also has a story. We had an hour long fireside at the Visitors Center and as you can see it was PACKED. President Hurley, being the man he is, saw that his little daughter Tatum needed him. So for about 30 minutes he was kneeling on the hard floor just so his daughter can hold on to him.

MY dad does the same thing, he makes so many sacrifices for my family that go unnoticed at times. But they make the world of a difference to those that are near or far (like in Idaho)