It was strange going through this process as an Elder Elder instead of a baby Elder this time. It's actually strange every time we do anything because I recognize "hey, you need to be the leader here" when in the past I had no clue at all what was going on and just watched my trainers, Elder Rigby and Elder White. But now….I'm in their place? I just have 4 elders instead.
Let me tell you. 5 Elders is something crazy. The apartment is always so clean because there's 5 of us to do all the work! Just kidding, that's not true at all. 
. It's a mess and I have to laugh about it or I'll cry. There's just this smell. It's on everything.
. It's a mess and I have to laugh about it or I'll cry. There's just this smell. It's on everything. Dinners are crazy…a lot of people stopped signing up to feed us because they feel like they have to feed all 5 lol. It's great. Whenever we do anything together, I can see the aura of intimidation around us. And it's like "Brother, you have no need to be scared, they're all still in their first few transfers lol"
But they're amazing. I was worried I'd have a "favorite" but that hasn't happened. Even if I try- they're all my best friends. They're all completely different people and are good at different things and need help with different things. Which I should have expected lol. Makes sense right? I kinda thought after 1 week following me around they'd all be good and ready to train a new missionary themselves!
It actually took 3 weeks. 
That sentence was a joke.
That sentence was a joke.Anyways, I've been on a run and working out every day.
Then we had ASL Crazy Travel Day! We drove out of the mission to a city called "Mountain House" there's a service missionary there who has become Deaf! So we're teaching him ASL. That was great and reminiscent of my first bit as an ASL missionary. Every time he made mistakes I remember making I felt so validated lol. Then we drove to Pleasanton and somehow met a random Deaf Person walking into the place where we were supposed to meet the Deaf chick we were there for! Amazing. She said we can video call and teach her on Sunday!
So much ASL in 1 day, also a lot of driving…. Driving stresses me out quite a bit. I was praying that whole time. But hey! It was great. I did almost weigh the car on the scales though but was able to speed out of there in time
. Also even if the speed limit on the canyon roads is 50, don't take the corners at that speed.
. Also even if the speed limit on the canyon roads is 50, don't take the corners at that speed.I also stopped at my church house in Pleasanton on Paseo Santa Cruz, all my days as a trainee came back to me. It was a year ago this week that I had started my second transfer!
The following day the other 2 elders had exchanges so we had a zone leader with us, Elder Vest. And lemme tell you- brother is huge. His bench Max is 260- just for some perspective- my max is 150- and I'm insanely ripped. But this man is sitting at 260.
He told me to just drink ½ a gallon of milk every day. . .
That evening we stopped by one of our many recent converts' homes, Christie. Right when we were about to turn around and return to the car, a very sad and pale Christe opened the door and basically just started crying. She's been going through…ALOT. She also expressed we had knocked at her door the exact moment she needed us. As I reflected on why we were there I actually didn't really know. We had finished weekly planning and were headed home to eat dinner and it just kinda…happened. We didn't even talk about it as a companionship before-I just drove over there.
So that's a crazy miracle and loads of evidence that missionary work is truly led by God. I'm glad that God trusts me and my companions enough to send us to help his children.
Later we taught an Indian man named Rishi. Brother is hilarious. He has never heard the gospel before but every time we said anything he would mutter "correct." And he would say things like "wow, I've never heard that before. That makes sense"
We taught the gospel of Jesus Christ ( Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Endure to the End) and brother is like holding his hand out and saying each one and he's like "what's the fourth one again?" "The Gift of the Holy Ghost" then he's like "correct"
We also ready Alma 7:11-12 and he looked at verse 12 for a while and was like "wow, that's all one sentence" and I was like "correct"
It was actually a really good lesson, but this man is so funny. Then his wife came out and was like "Do you want an Indian treat?" Excitedly, we said yes! My companions like treats and I like Indians! So we were all excited. Well- she came back from the kitchen with sus bags of seeds stuck together….it wasn't… very good.
Then we had a pure ASL day. I just worked on a bunch of different videos and brainstormed as hard as I could but all I could get was like 1 cloud. So we're gonna start posting more frequently. Hopefully it helps.
Basic, right? Well then, why do people hurt other people's feelings?
I really want to be kinder. Sometimes I'm upset or angry about something and when that happens I get stuck in a bad thought cycle and everything just looks darker and worse than it really is. When I'm stuck like this, I tend to say things without thinking about it too much and I end up making jokes I shouldn't or say things that hurt people's feelings. I always regret it afterwards. Lately when I am upset I've started trying to consciously recognize it "Hey, elder, you're upset right now. Let's not throw anything, ok?" In theory, it should work but I haven't figured out how to fully apply it yet. Maybe next week I'll have it all figured out.
The words we say really matter and we can all step up and become better examples of peacemakers.
Love you!
Keep the fire burning! (Leviticus 6:13)
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