We were in a trio this week and I hated the third guy but learned a ton from him.

 That was fun. 

Starting last Tuesday I had the most incredibly awful growth on my forehead. It's funny because just a few days prior I expressed to Heavenly Father that things were starting to get easy and I was ready for a challenge, ready for something to humble me.

Then on Tuesday morning I awoke with a giant thing on my forehead. Dark dark red and absolutely awful. I didn't want to leave the apartment. I didn't want anybody to see me. However, we had district council and zone council. I tried to drape my hair over it-nope. Nothing could cover this up. 

District council was great. I hit the leviticus 5: 6-7, 11 and talked about what kind of sacrifice we are giving but also telling them as long as they're doing their best, their offering is accepted. 

That night all the Indians we talked to had to comment about the guy on my forehead and offer advice and tips on how to get rid of it. It actually hurt a ton and I was ready to just walk out. 

I think it's unfortunate how much my appearance really matters to me and those around me. It is so so great to be attractive and handsome and have people think you're cute- but it is so much more important to have a pure heart, beautiful personality, social skills, sense of humor, and strong spirit. I suppose that's what really makes us attractive- true beauty comes from the inside. I know I am a beautiful person. But having a lump of dumbness on my face made me feel pretty ugly even though I'm still the same person.

Anyways. 

We went to the temple and did sealings. THAT was a special opportunity. One thing I learned/started learning is that really the entire mission of the gospel is to help everybody receive the new and everlasting covenant and become part of the Abrahamic Covenant and know how to keep that covenant forever.

We visited the Gill family a few times this week and it's just so crazy. They have so many extra people living in their home right now. We try so hard to take control of the situation but there's SO MUCH happening! Neither me nor the guy on my forehead could focus. 

However, last night, I had enough. In the middle of the chaos I just stood up and was like “can everybody be quiet and can I get all the Gills over here. Please give me your attention for the next 15 minutes.”

Then we just boldly straight up told them if you want to be baptized you need to do all the things we have asked you to. If you cannot read the book of Mormon everyday then you will not be ready for baptism on the 16th. They nodded and said they'll do better. We started asking about how the Word of Wisdom had been going and just like that their extended family came over and was like “no tea? No coffee???” In hindi, but little did they know, both me and my constant companion, Elder Red Pimple-Mountain on my forehead have been studying hindi a ton and so I knew she was not saying very encouraging things. 

Then, like a legend, Sana shut them down by saying she knew what we said was true and she knew God had asked her to remove those things from her life. I'm so proud of her.

Sandeep offered a prayer and he pleaded for strength and help for his family to be ready by the 16th. Then he thanked God for sending 2 angels to his home. So sweet. I don't know why he said 2, we are clearly in a trio this week. (Elder Lewis, me and my friend on my forehead) 

They also gave us a ton of curry and I had a ton, afterall, I am eating for 2 right now.

The most powerful verse I found from the Old testament this week was 2 chronicles 20:12 I will cut it down so it's a little more simple but it says:

“[my] God, [I] have no might, neither know [I] what to do: But [my] eyes are upon thee” 

This is from king Jehoshaphat when a GIANT army of Ammonites is headed to them set on destroying them. Jehoshaphat tells everybody to fast and pray and this was part of his prayer. I think this is exactly how we should face trials. The most important part is that our eyes are upon God, we focus on him. 

Not that we don't know what to do or that we are powerless- but where our focus is. 

The story continues and the prophet Jahaziel tells the king that the lord is with them and nobody will even need to fight the Ammonites. His prophecy is fulfilled and all the opposing armies destroy each other.

Sometimes our trials are like that,but often our trials don't always end this way! Sometimes we actually do get hurt! Sometimes we lose! Sometimes we get a huge red Brother on our face!

“But our eyes are upon thee”

Jesus Christ makes everything right. He can take trials away, he can also help us through them so that they make us better. “His hand is stretched out still” we just need to look to him and trust his will and everything will work out.

I know this is true because I woke up this morning and my forehead looks normal. It's gone! It was a tough week and now i'm gonna wash my face even better lol but in the end- everything was ok!

Love you all!

Have a fire week and keep the fire burning (levi 6:13)