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