Expectations

12-5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DYM8hzqfMfgxUFWZ7


Wow.
Transfer #3 is over.
So i'll tell you the important stuff now so you don't have to read the rest.
I'm going to the ASL program.
It's in Fremont cuz there's a school for the deaf there.


Anyways, good week- well, like yes, but also not really lol.
I got my cast off on Wednesday. I let president know and we texted a bit about the plan and decided i'd wait one more transfer to do ASL(yes, turns out the lord had different plans)
I got a silly piece of plastic with velcro on it that I'm supposed to wear now. I can take it off though- so I do. Alot.





Then we went to the temple and it was wonderful. I gadda see my trainer Elder Prestwich! And my other favorite missionary Elder Davis! And I got to participate in temple ordinances and that's always wonderfully amazing. Then we got on the bus and had sandwiches.

I guess this is worth sharing- we had a member give us 100$ worth for Outback steakhouse and we got there and had wonderful steak and we went to pay but somebody already paid for it. We found the guy and guess what- his son is on a mission in Boise right now! So I'm like "that's where I'm from!" It was mega cool.


Then we got transfer calls.
And despite my huge expectation and desire to be training- i'm going to ASL. I saw the call from the president and i was so happy cuz i thought he was gonna ask me to train.
But nope "Elder Owens, im calling to let you know the Lord wants you to do ASL this transfer" he acknowledged my broken wrist and said i'll learn faster and easier this way. I was feeling pretty discouraged and not great and he could tell so he said we'd call every week and see how i'm doing with it. So that'll be good but also it's gonna be tough.


Then on Sunday I had to tell Huseyin I would be leaving and hebwas pretty sad. He said he'll just come to Fremont to visit me. Then I packed everything into suitcases (why are they called suitcases? I hate putting my suits in those.) I hate packing. Alot. But whatever i guess.


One thing I've learned is how much expectations can affect our emotions. I expected to stay here and train- that didn't happen so now I'm upset. But logically I should be super happy- I'm going to be an ASL missionary! That's what I have been working towards for a few months now! And now I get it! But I guess our brains don't always work logically? Cuz I'm upset. But whatever. I am looking forward to a new comp and a new apartment. That'll be cool.


Anyways. I love yall. I miss ya a bunch. Merry Christmas. Invite every friend you have to your ward Christmas parties. Learn something in ASL and send it to me.

️

Adventures of the spirit.

 Well

We went to a Chinese family and elder Slade taught them in chinese. I caught about 2 words. But they were really nice. They gave us coconut water in cartons. They had such a blast watching our reactions they busted out real coconuts, cut the top of and stabbed straws in then for us. So I got to drink a whole coconut. They also shared some walnuts, the most nutty tasting nut I've ever had. 

We had our district council and the sisters are both mega going through it, lots of trials that we really can't help with going on ( the district is just me, elder slade and the 2 sisters right now).

I kinda without realizing it asked if they wanted blessings and in tears they said ya. These 2 blessings were extra special. I've known one of the sisters my whole mission and the other is one I love hanging out with on p- days past 2 transfers. Since I knew them so well and really cared for them, the words came so easily and everything felt right. Both blessings I gave were totally different but I knew it was what they needed. 

Blessings are mega powerful. If you feel like asking for one- do it. If you don't have a priesthood holder- find one.

If you feel like offering a blessing- do it.

Other experience- teaching Natasha, she was in a very interesting mood. She asked us how many people we've converted then told us she feels like God doesn't love her. She told us she prays to Mary and that doesn't do anything for her at all. So we mega testified of the book of mormon, the atonement, and the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints being Gods restored church. She told us she'd make Converting her new year's resolution. 

Another experience- at church Huseyin introduced me to members of another ward like this " This is my brother, Elder Owens. He knows everything, all doctrine, all scriptures. He's shown me the way"

I was like " huseyin, i don't know everything- you've taught me a lot too!"

In Sunday school they asked me to share Husyein's whole story and introduce him to everybody. It was really tender and the first time I've teared up around people in a while. I love Huseyin so much, he's become one of my good friends. I'm so happy I was able to meet him and teach him.

Then we got invited to dinner! Us missionaries and Huseyin too. It was great. 

Last experience- the talk " adventures of the spirit '' Robert E Wells 1985.

Dang. I stumbled on this after searching "kneeling in prayer" or something. This talk instantly became a favorite. Its full of tender miracles and the incredible blessings of missionary service. It makes you treasure spiritual experiences you have and anxiously crave to have more! I needed that talk so bad.

I have seen recommendations for talks and stuff in emails and texts before- I too almost never actually click on them. So- you mega dont have to- but if you can then you should listen to it:

Adventures of the Spirit

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1985/10/adventures-of-the-spirit?lang=eng

Luv u guysss

Its brutal out here

 11-21

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DYM8hzqfMfgxUFWZ7

Lets see, this week was good. I got to go to the chinese branch's karaoke night. Didn't understand a single word but I had a lot of pumpkin pie. 

A wonderful beautiful break from the norm.

It was the most meh week ever really.

Basically nothing happened. 

I did pass off another set of scriptures with president's wife, Sister Smith. Now i'm working on the 3rd lesson, the gospel and doctrine of Jesus Christ.

I cleaned out all the cupboards and the freezer so that was nice. 

Ummmm 

Be a missionary but as my friend Bishop (President)(?) Griffith always said:

"The first leadership is SELF-leadership, you can't lead others where you're not"

Mega mega truth 

How you gonna invite somebody to read the book of mormon every day if you arent reading it every day yourself? How you gonna invite them to take charge of their testimony if you havent been nourishing your own? How you gonna invite them to let God prevail if you arent making Christ the focus in your life and striving to align your will with His? 

I learned this alot our here. I invite people to make very difficult changes in their lives, it would be impossible to do thst effectivley without having expirienced repentance before. 

I wish and pray for all of you to be effective leaders in the gospel, and that will be because of your self- leadership.

I love you guys. 

Mega miss yall right now

bruh

good week. dunno what time is anymore. I had a monster drink for the first time and felt like fire inside my chin, kneecaps, and lungs. So I'm not gonna do that again. but hey- I did have an excess of energy. 

ASL is coming pretty easy somehow. im remembering everything from School and have been watching general conference talks and primary songs in ASL and its just epic.

my wrist feels fine. it just is inconvenient and makes alot of things really hard.

my comp is going through some stuff and were working together to make things work. thats what most of this week has been about. we also spent a total of at least an hour tryna make a good voicemail message. 

my mom sent my Mint chocolate soylent meal replacement shakes and i love them (yes, i know about soylent green) 

our wards started this new thing called the bowtie schedule basically 

one ward has their sacrament meeting then another ward (Not the other one we cover, another in the stake) meets with first one to do second hour church then the other ward has their sacrament meeting. 

so our whole area got messed up cuz now both of OUR wards are bow tying with other wards in buildings on opposite sides of the area. Also, our keyfobs don't work to get into churches anymore :(

So this'll be fun to see what ends up happening cuz last sunday was a mess.  But it's fun. I love it. It's great to experience new problems and challenges. Rather than being frustrated or disappointed with the way things be, me and elder Scott just laugh or focus on good stuff. Like the smoked Oysters we found at Walmart or looking forward to sharing a can of olives, or that our friend Huseyin, is passionate about being baptized and calls us almost every day.

its good. its real good.

if you know somebody who can go on a mission or is thinking about it do all you can to get them to go. the impact one missionary can have on one person is divinely precious and beyond any understandable value to that person. God knows exactly what He's doing when he assigns us to certain areas of the world. he also knew exactly what he was doing when He told us that every worthy young man needs to serve a mission through his prophets. Also if you're not "worthy" then go talk to your bishop! pornography, drugs, swearing, immorality-- Satan wants you to keep it a secret and try to take care of it on your own. Satan tells you the atonement is not for you and you're too far gone. It's literal crap. Go call your bishop and he can help you find your way to access the infinite and pure power of the perfect atonement. IT'S REAL. It's all real. get out on a mission. girls too!!! If you have a desire to be a part of the most important thing on earth go to your bishop and join the ranks. same with everything else, if you don't feel worthy, there is help and peace and happiness in the gospel of jesus Christ, a lot of it. the Atonement can help with any problem or difficulty, trial, weakness, struggle, pain, ANYTHING. 

ya. 

thats what i got this week.

i love you guys. 

and here is the link for the photos. . . . .again

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DYM8hzqfMfgxUFWZ7