Goodbye Sense of Smell

Week number 99 down in the books (not sure if that's true or not but it's close) and we hit the grind and we saw some fruits of our work. 

First off shout out to mah sista for graduating from high school. Knew you could do it. Love you Ken! 

We had exchanges Thursday which was pretty fun. I went to the other area with Elder Bidó whose from the D.R. and we hit the grind. It was was weird cuz it was the first time I was with a Latino that was taller than me. We're basically the same height but yeah. Someone called us the twin towers which was pretty funny. That day we basically visited all of the widows in their area. OK not all but we visited a good amount. But it was fun because they were so nice and happy for us to pass by and share something. Oh also part of their area you have to cross a bridge that crosses a canal that's pure sewage. The "water" is black with floating substances and man did that smell delicious! In winter the saying is that the cold freezes you nose hairs, but this did the opposite. My nose felt like it was burning and my lunch wanted to take a peak at what was going on and come out but we hauled out of there. By the end of the day we had crossed about 4 times but the last 3 we did one of those deep breaths and then haul across. We got some funny looks because it was a good sized bridge and by the end we were kinda running. Good times haha

Saturday night the lady that normally gives us dinner was at the ward mothers day activity so she cancelled. Another family offered for us to come over and we could cook with their kids. That morning I had the idea to make some good ole Breakfast for Dinner. I wanted to make some French Toast cuz its been about 2 years since I've had some so we bought the ingredients and we made it with them. Their faces were kinda funny because they kinda looked scared to try it. They tried it and let's just say I'll be opening my own breakfast Café when I get home ;) but they liked it and I also made homemade maple syrup with the mapleine that mom and dad hooked me up with so shout out to them. While we were cleaning up they went to the freezer and grabbed the little ice that accumulates on the edges, and threw it at me while I was washing the dishes. We had a little water fight and ended with some good towel flicking. It was a good time and we had some good laughs. The awesome thing is their parents aren't members and yesterday their mom came to church so we were pumped about that. Speaking of people coming to church we had 7 people come. Yes that's right 7 investigators came and we were pumped out of our minds! Although there have been some big challenges for me lately, as I have used them to make me focus in,  miracles have happened this changes. I love being a missionary! 

This week one of the lady's that gives us dinner is going through and hard trial in her life and she was sharing as we were eating. A scripture came into my mind that when we finished sharing she asked for us to frame it in big letters so she can read it tons. That scripture is one of my favorites and is found in Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-9,

7  My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

8  And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

9  Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands

This life is hard. Trials and challenges come. Heavenly Father and Jesus are there to comfort you. The good thing about life is the hard times pass by. Endure with a positive attitude and patience. You can do this! You're not alone! Turn to Him and find comfort and hope.

Elder Beardall