Blessings on Blessings on Blessings

 I want to apologize for how poor I was at texting on Monday night. I had to hop off the call with mom and dad because I was struggling with some issues that were going along in the apartment. We are still figuring it all out and I should be better at texting and talking today. 

We had a really cool spiritual experience that happened on Monday night. We were sitting on my bed because we were deciding where we should go knocking that night. Elder Elliottt said an inactive member and the spirit confirmed to me this is where we needed to go. We drove her to Sister Ramos' home. In the past we have been trying to meeting with her and her boyfriend because her boyfriend is interested yet we can't get ahold of them. Right when we knocking on their door they opened it and said we can come in. The boyfriend Robert just got home 15 minutes from a work trip. We got the whole family to sit down and we taught the restoration of thr church of Jesus Christ with him. Such a powerful and spirit led lesson. I am struggling with trying to feel and follow the spirit in missionary work so this was such an amazing experience why we need to allow the spirit to direct us. That was not me who wanted to go to Sister Ramos' home. It was the Lord. 

The Larson family is untouchable right now. They sent me an amazing Halloween box with a Sonic AND Little Caesars gift card. Everyone in their family also wrote me a note. I truly miss them and they gave me candy so it might be their fault I am fat when I get home. I love them so much! If any of them are reading this, all of you rock, and I miss you guys!!!

Triple blessing Tuesday. Tuesday was Zone Leader exchanges and I was paired with Elder Zacher. It was definitely an unplanned day because it did not go according to what we thought. I gave Elder Zacher a blessing right when we first got there because he is struggling with some things. Later in the day we joined a lesson with the sisters to give one of their friends a blessing. Yours truly did it. The final blessing I gave was unexpected. Elder Zacher and I were knocking and then we received a phone call from the sisters. They said,"President Heap told us to call you and come over to our apartment to give Sister Hill a blessing." We were okay since the President said so. Elders aren't allowed to go near Sisters apartments and the fact he asked us to go in the apartment was crazy. Elders get screwed on the mission because the sisters' apartments are NICE. We live in a dump compared to them. Anyway, I gave Sister Hill a blessing and it was really cool. Blessings on blessings on blessings. Spirit was there! The priesthood is restored and I hold it. LETS GOOOO. 

On Wednesday we were stressed. We went to get our oil changed. Right when we got there we gave them the keys and they just yanked our TIWI cord out of the outlet. If a TIWI cord gets pulled out of your vehicle you usually get your driving privileges revoked. We were laughing about it and we were like we better let the Driving Coordinator know. As we were waiting for our car to be done we saw they had a free Starbucks machine. We went up and looked at it and it had hot chocolate in it as well! I pounded like three free cups of hot chocolate. Elder Elliott told me to stop because people are going to think it's coffee, but I still drank em. Free hot chocolate hits different.

Let me tell you about the unfortunate event that took place on Wednesday night. Elder Elliott and I were being stupid and pranking each other. I decided to stand on my desk then made the choice to jump onto Elder Elliots bed. Right when I jumped off, my new desk broke. The top of the text caved in and all the stuff on the desk flew over the room. My new desk I built during our quarantine is now broken lol. I can still say it was worth it to prank Elder Elliott. 

As of right now we are sort of under a quarantine lol...again. Elder Reynolds is extremely sick and since he just got tested on Friday, we have to wait until his results are back. We are back to sitting in our rooms all day and Facebook Finding… The Lord loves to give us trials to grow. On Sunday we found out we don't have to quarantine anymore, LETS GETS IT.

This is a bit cool. A while back I chatted with you all about a man named Uriah. Uriah is the person the Lord led me to while Facebook Finding. Turns out the elders in Arkansas put him on date for baptism on Friday. LETS GOOOOO. The Lord works in mysterious ways. 

We found out today that we have to move into our new apartment before next monday. We have been in a temporary apartment for almost 6 months now. All of a sudden they are in a hurry... This is literally the worst week to do so because we have so many lessons planned due to Elder Elliott probably leaving next week to a new area. It is going to be a busy week...

Quote of the Week:

" *GASP* NO WAY "

This quote is said by Brit from Crime Junkies, or Ashley, but whoever the annoying one that adds pointless commentary. I found out that Elder Elliott used to listen to Crime Junkies and we both got onto talking about the annoying girl who adds pointless stuff in the podcast lol. It was so funny because we were laughing about it for a while. Who knew Elder Elliott would be into Crime Junkies as well!

I have been really pondering this week Alma 26:12. This is what it says,"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things;" Alma is one of my favorite people ever in the book of Mormon. One of the greatest missionaries that ever walked this earth. He was extremely humble as well. I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God. Such a powerful use of words. All things I do in this work I know it is not me. I am nothing without Him. Nothing. It is extremely hard in this day and age to not be prideful, I really want to be a more humble man, I really do. Hopefully when I get home I am a more humble person. I am so grateful to be born in such a gospel centered home, I cannot thank Heavenly Father enough. We will always be in debt to Him. 

I Guess You'll Never Know

This week was such a fun one! It began on Preparation day! We decided to go to a pumpkin patch AND corn maze. It was really good bonding with our district because we needed it. The Zone Leaders even tagged along and I really like the new Zone Leader Elder Boyce, we get along very well. The following day Elder Elliott and I did a lot of searching. We are having a lot of fun in this work while we are doing it! On Tuesday night we decided to do a photoshoot around downtown Bay City. We even have matching profile pictures. How cute. There really isn't a period of time we aren't laughing, I love Elder Elliott so much!!

I wanted to touch on the aspect of gratitude with you. We had the chance to give a priesthood blessing to a mother and her son. Her son is battling cancer and is only 23 years old. He will probably depart from this earth very soon. This opened up my eyes to how much I am blessed to be placed in such a safe and loving home. I am sure dad does not see the prettiest things at work even though I'm sure his work done on patients is the prettiest. It was extremely difficult to see this 23 year old man who just had a child on his deathbed. One thing I am trying to be better at is humility. I was not the humblest youth ever. An aspect of humility is being grateful. I am eternally grateful for all of you guys and the influence you had on my life. I truly love all of you with my whole soul.

I believe I might be addicted to Smarties. A while back while we were cleaning the church, the amazing widow Sister Andrew's knew I loved Smarties. She decided to bring me a ziplock fill of Smarties. I pounded the whole bag of Smarties in like 30 minutes, it was way nice. Recently, my mother sent me a big bag of Smarties in the package I just got about 2 weeks ago. I opened it on Tuesday and by lunch time on Tuesday it was gone.  I had like 40 during personal study, I believe I am expected to get fat on my mission. 

Wednesday night was one to remember.  We met with our friend Jazzii! We extended another baptismal date with her and she accepted. She is getting dunked on Halloween, the last Sunday of this transfer! Every night we text our ward council chat on what we did for the day and this is what I sent," What is going on ward! Today was a great day as a missionary. We knocked some doors for about two hours and it feels we are doing a lot of seed planting.  We had a beautiful lesson with Jazzii today and she is back on date for baptism and is planning on being baptized on Halloween!!! She is going to feel the holy GHOST this Halloween. Anyways, we sure love you ward, have a great rest of your night!" I thought that was a pretty good one. At night we had to make a video for our zone chat and it was FIRE. I'll make sure to send it on messenger:))

Thursday we had Zone Conference. Our zone conference was combined with Traverse City and us (Midland Zone). It was so fun seeing all the elders that I hsvent seen in awhile. I just love all the missionaries in this mission. Our mission counselors as well as President Heap are totally soon to be apostles, such powerful and spiritual leaders. I am living in the Great MLM.

I don't believe I have ever mentioned to you about our ward missionary leader. His name is Brother Joe Hemstreet Rase. He got reactivated 6 months ago after not going to church for 10 years. Homie is on FIRE. I love thr man to death, he's 29 years old and we are his personal hype men. He always goes on dates and I am like," LETS GOOOO!!!!" He knows how to pull some women in Bay City.  We went over to his home this week and just chatted after we had a lesson. He travels to Provo every year on vacation to visit friends and family because he went to UVU so I could see him post mission. He is one of my favorite members of the Bay City ward.

I want to chat with you guys about the hilarious lesson we had with the Waibel family. Sister Waibel is the definition of the GOAT. She is an elderly woman who is married to a non-member who carries thr Bay City ward. We went over to her home to visit with her and her husband. His name is Ben. He doesn't want to be baptized, but he wants it. He doesn't know it, but he knows it. Everytimr we go over there he always brings politics and economics. This.lesson he brought up bisexuality. He was like,"THAT ISNT EVEN POSSIBLE?!?" We couldn't agree more with the man, what is up with our society. We just need to all follow the two great commandments. Love the Lord thy God and love thy neighbor. Instant perfection. 

It's time to talk about our pet. Elder Reynolds was about to take his nightly bath when he looked over and saw a centipede crawling out of the drain. He trapped it in a cup and we put it on the table.  We kept it around for three days and Elder Eccles named it Frank. When Elder Elliott and I were cleaning the apartment on Sunday morning we knew it was time to kill him. We drenched him in some simple green cleaner until he didn't move. We then placed him in the garbage disposal and turned it on. Rest in Peace Frank the centipede. 

Quote of the week:

"I'd pay you to give me a wedgie?"

Now you might be thinking, who said this?!? Well as you know I am always trying to find friends through Facebook because it is a pond that has not been touched much by missionaries. Since I am messaging a lot of people on messenger, you find a lot of suspicious souls. One kid hit me up and proposed this question, I honestly have no idea what is going through some peoples heads when they say this stuff. It was actually so funny though because it caught me off guard. I really hope he was kidding, but as kanye would say, "I guess we'll never know"

When I tried to think of a spiritual thought, nothing came to my head. I recently started reading Doctrine and Covenants from the beginning as well as the New Testament. I feel I just should share my testimony on these things with you. All of these scriptures are the reason we have so much happiness. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know for a surety the book of mormon is true. I encourage you all again to read just ½ a verse a day. 10 words. It will change your life. Not that it might, or it could, it WILL. It continues to change and build me. If you are reading this far down in my email just know I love you and miss you!

Due to Elder Elliott and i's photo shoot and zone conference this week I have a lot of pictures I will be sending on Facebook Messenger. From this week forward I will be sharing all my photos on a google photos page. So everyone on here should've gotten an invite to it. BE PREPARED. Anyways, hit me up on Facebook, I love each and everyone of you #FindTime4Me 

 

There Is Always Next Week...

Many of you might know by now what happened at the beginning of the week, but I feel it's important to write about it in my email. Since Elder Elliott has been having COVID like symptoms we have to take all the precautions we can. Sister Heap told us we need to get tested and quarantined until we receive our results. We believe it is just a cold spreading around, but as representatives for Jesus Christ its important we follow the procedures. The "quarantine" I was in during March of 2020 was extremely better than it was now. The quarantine in Bay City means we can't leave the apartment lol, I guess we didn't follow the quarantine rules in Arizona. I also had to get my first real covid test. I did it in the drive thru while the doctor looked at me. It is really uncomfortable and it just feels like water up your nose. When I pulled it out there was a boogie on there and Elder Elliott and I were laughing a lot about that. My results are going to be so accurate.

Recently the other elders got stuff for our apartment since they just opened a new area and moved in with us. They do not have room for anything because we have a small apartment for four elders. They got one desk and a whiteboard from the mission office. Since they don't have room for the desk I asked them if I could snag it and build it. They said sure because they will probably both be leaving this transfer and I will still be in Bay City. I put the IKEA desk together so well, call me Elder Saviano or Bob the Builder, I will take either or. I messed it up a little, the drawer for the desk doesn't go all the way in because somehow the desk is a little crooked, but hey it serves its purpose.

We only had two full days in quarantine which is a miracle because we thought we were going to wait for 5 days. On Wednesday night during our last day of quarantine we decided to play MASH. It just reminded me when we used to play it when we were younger in sacrament meeting. Apparently according to MASH I will be married to Brooklyn, be a banker, make 110k a year, have a jeep truck, a cat, one kid, and become a bishop. I guess it's my new life now. The following morning we got our test results back and we were both negative. Finding people who are being prepared by the Lord is a go. 

On Tuesday I received a letter from Brooklyn in the mail. As we were walking to look if there was mail Elder Elliott was like let's go grab your dear john letter not knowing if we had any mail. I found a Brooklyn letter and Elliott was goofing. I opened the letter and the first words were dear john. I knew it was a joke because I was just talking to Brooklyn the previous day. The other elders in my apartment thought it was rather humorous. Brooklyn is one of the only girls I find funny so kudos to you girl. 

I honestly shouldn't put this out to the public, but if you know me this story is hilarious. We decided to go do some service for this dude named Dan who needed help with his nursery in his home. We went over there for two hours and just talked with him, we actually didn't do anything, but he did ask us to come over lol. Anyway, I started to feel sick and got the rumblies… Taylor knows the pain. So I was like yo can I use the restroom? Dropped a quick Hiroshima in there and got out. 10 minutes after I left the bathroom, we had to go help him hang something up in there… Oh no.  Elliott and I were absolutely goofing because it reeked and the man didn't say anything. Ah, I love this mission. 

Also, HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY to Taylor and Dallan. I was reflecting on the photos I had and it was literally fire. That wedding was so fun and we got all the food at Barros for 50% off for the family dinner. I took all those fun times for granted .  Anyways besides the point I love you guys and I hope you stay married!

This week was rough so it will not be as long of an email...sad. We have had back to back weeks of not much success in Bay City. People are not progressing how we anticipated, we aren't finding people to teach, and we were quarantined. So it was tough. Sunday was a beautiful refresher though, I went up and bore my testimony on the power of daily prayer. I expressed how it was hard leaving my family, friends, and girlfriend and Heavenly Father has helped me feel his love. I guess I didn't really express that it's not hard for me now because everyone came up to me after it was like," you are doing great work Elder Clouse!" They think I'm like depressed or something and they were hyping me up. I am not depressed guys dont worry. This week was a test of faith, but there are still people out there that need Elder Clouse's help! There is always next week.

Quote of the week:

"I am Alpha and Omega. Amen."

This comes from this week's Come Follow Me in Doctrine and Covenants chapter 112. All of the Doctrine and Covenants are fire. I told you guys I'm reading the Saints book about all the early members in the 1830-1840s. I read 300 pages of it this week lol. Joseph Smith is literally a legend, the man did so much for this church. People discredit him, but like guys c'mon he's an imperfect human like you, don't disrespect the man. He literally is following what The Lord tells him. When the Lord is speaking he includes I am the Alpha and Omega. I can confidently say that Magnus is not Alpha nor Jared nor me, but The Lord is. He is Alpha. I think Magnus needs to have Jesus wear the blazers he bought. Jesus Christ fulfills God's plan for us. I will leave you with a question, are you letting God prevail? I am not even fully doing this yet, I wish I did more when I was back home. I feel as if I did not sacrifice enough. We have to be willing to let God be the author of our lives through Jesus Christ. He is the Alpha and Omega. 

I love you and continue to pray for you all. Hit me up and hopefully Facebook Messenger doesn't crash again. #FindTime4Me

 

I Am A Certified Missionary And Therapist

This week on Thursday we had our apartment inspected by an elderly couple. On Wednesday night we went absolutely ham on this apartment. I was in charge of the kitchen and it was spotless. The inner Jen Dog came out. Magic Elder. Our apartment was disgusting even though we cleaned it 2 days prior… The elderly couple was supposed to go to the sisters apartment at 11, but the sisters canceled so we just thought they were going to cancel ours since they live in Saginaw. Being the smart elders we are, after the district council we headed to B-dubs during the time we were supposed to get inspected. While we were at B-dubs, the couple called us asking which apartment number we were. I was like uhhh 301, our meeting ran a little late, but we are coming home soon. Anyways, it all worked out and they inspected our apartment. Brother Debel, the person doing it said that the kitchen was absolutely spotless. I wonder who did that??! Moral of the story is be there when you have a scheduled inspection. 

One thing I have learned as a missionary is that people trust us way too much. People just open up with us and go on and on and on about their problems. We just sit back and listen to them for like 15-20 minutes at a time. We call these people MichiGanders. Michigan Ganders. We taught this 26 year old named Jake and we were planning on teaching the Restoration in 20 minutes. Turned into an hour and a half lesson. Man was going off about his life and how he's having a child and his lady problems. It honestly doesn't bother me because I find all that stuff super interesting. This is how I am being trained as a missionary and a therapist. 

One of the nights this week Elder Elliott told me to clean my ears. Elliott is super on top of cleaning his ears because he produces so much ear wax or something wack like that. He even has a tool Elder Reynolds gave him to help with it. We were sitting in a lesson outside and he could see directly into my ear. After he was like you need to clean those bad boys up. So he literally cleaned out my ears because he was satisfied by them. He was literally Brooklyn when she used to do my ears. It made me realize how much Brooklyn used to clean my ears and face with her facials. I don't get that out here .   Elliott literally said that he felt dopamine in his system when he did it. Watch, this man is going to become an ENT because one of his companions let him clean out his ears. There was so much ear wax that it made me gag. It was nasty. I am not going to be a doctor or do anything with the body. Sorry not sorry Dad. Elder Reynolds was kind enough to bestow unto me one of his ear cleaning tools he has not used to me. This is an honor because Reynolds does not give out things often. My ears will now stay spotless. 

This past week probably has been one of the slowest weeks compared to the others. We didn't find anyone, but we do have a bit of potentials. In our zone chat on messenger you are supposed to send your new friend ("investigator") you found into the chat. So everyone is like going ham sending these names in. Elder Elliott and I are like what, how are you doing this right now. It definitely is a test of faith for us. Sometimes you got to suck it up and press forward! #TheLordLovesEffort

Another week, another package mom sent me. After the second session of the General Conference we went to check the mail and I get these two big boxes, and they were heavy. Mom sent me 36 packs of Kettle Con and a 24 pack of Gatorade with some Welch's fruit snacks. This was a blessing because we have only been really snacking on chicken and rice. Hey dad if mom wants to keep sending me stuff I don't see why she can't . HA, I'm kidding, thank you for all the stuff I am getting. I am immensely blessed to have you guys as my parents. I love you.  

Quote of the week:

"Dawg Conference on your mission hits different! Spiritual Feast!"

This quote was texted to me by Elder Tueller who is currently serving up in Traverse City. I met him at the past zone conference and he's dope. He has I think a crazy good scholarship for football at Utah State #GoAggies. Anyways, what he said to me was 1000% facts. I have never watched all the sessions of conference until this past weekend. No wonder why mom and dad want me to watch Saturday and Sunday sessions, they are "Diesel" as DallanySunnyBunnyLunny would say. Elder Elliott had a fever this past weekend so we watched ⅔ of the sessions in our room. I put it on the speaker and set up my phone. I had some questions in mind and of course they all got answered because Apostles and Prophet = Called of God. 

I finished reading the President Nelson Autobiography and now I am sad. I have learned so much about that man and he was literally being prepared to be a prophet when he was born. I now get to read the Book Saints: Volume 1 all thanks to Seth for sending it to me. Maybe when I conclude volume 1 someone could send me Volume 2. Reading on the mission just hits different. 

I think it's good I write about this in my email. Every morning I am up at 6:30, being out of bed at 6:30 is a different story HA! We wake up and usually just play some hymns on my speaker. The hymns aren't playing like mom loud when she is cleaning the house, but like just medium loud. If you close the door you can't hear it, so it's definitely bearable if you don't appreciate it. Everytime we turn on music the other elders get up, close their door and go back to bed. They ain't about it. All I'm trying to do is invite the spirit because hymns = instant spirit.

The General Conference Miracle. To get a background you have to know that the way missionaries have service on their phones is because one elder has a SIM card while the other elder is connected to their Hotspot. Elder Elliott and I were chilling in bed waiting to watch the final session of conference from our room. Elder Eccles comes in and asks me if I can go to the church with him to watch conference because they were in charge of unlocking the doors for people to come watch. The reason he didn't ask his companion was because Elder Reynolds was sleeping lol. Elder Eccles and I are both the ones with the SIM cards in our companionship, so If we both leave then our companions won't have service. Anyways, this happened. Elder Eccles and I departed to the church with both of the SIM cards. Elder Elliott soon realized after his internet went out, but it was too late, we had already left. The first thing Elder Elliott did was pray. He prayed that somehow and someway he would be able to watch conference. He looked up at the clock to lay back in bed and it was 6:03 pm. Elder Eccles and I are driving to the church and I look over at the clock and it says 6:03 pm and then it clicked. The other elders do not have service and can't watch conference. We immediately turned around and went back to give them one of the SIM cards so they could watch conference. How did I remember looking at the digits 6-0-3 on the screen. I DON'T KNOW. The one thing I do know is that God answers prayers!

On Friday I finished the book of mormon from cover to cover from when I entered the mission field. I can't say I understood every little detail, but reading the book of mormom especially on your mission, you understand 10 times more than you would back home. President Heap said that we need to finish reading the BOM before the General Conference and focusing on aspects of charity in the BOM. Even though I started one month late I set a goal I would. The power of the Book of Mormon brings a new light into our lives. I would like to use a quote from President Thomas S Monson in 2017 after speaking about the power of the Book of Mormon, "However, once obtained, a testimony needs to be kept vital and alive through continued obedience to the commandments of God and through daily prayer and scripture study." I joked to Elder Elliott right after I finished the BOM and was like, "alright I'm done, I read it, check the box." That was my mindset when I "read" (listened) to the BOM when I was 8. Constant study in the BOM is vital. I recognized when I was back home that I was poor at reading the BOM before my Senior year of high school. Shoutout to Weston because when I called him on Monday he was on a three week streak of reading the BOM before school. I love you Budday! I hope that after my mission I continually read the BOM daily. I hope that this missionary mantle isn't the reason why I'm reading it. I invite you all to read the Book of Mormon daily even if it is ½ a verse. Just one half of a verse each day will change your life is you haven't already started.

I love all you guys! I'm on Facebook Messenger all day, shoot me a text and as always #FindTime4Me