Snow Time!

 The usual on Monday. We had to pick up our car that Elder Elliott crashed into a wall attempting to hit a squirrel lol. Throughout the rest of the day we did what we always do. Hang out with the district and play games. What was different about this preparation day was that we went bowling. After an hour we got bored and had to go home. 

Tuesday were zone leader exchanges. I looked forward to this day thr whole transfer. I got paired with Elder Houskeeper and I got to stay in Bay City. The literal perfect combination for me. Elder Houskeeper and I found two new friends and had so much fun in the work. I forgot what it was like to be laughing throughout the day. I'm getting kind of depressed out here with my current companion. Elder Houskeeper is a lot like me and has very similar humor. The day went by too fast and I got back to reality. 

Wednesday a miracle happened. After hearing that my Christmas package said it was delivered and it was nowhere to be found there was speculation it was stolen. At around 1 o'clock we get a knock on the door and it was the construction worker currently working on apartment 301 to fix it up with my Christmas package in his hand. Oh what an answer to our prayers. This package is getting me through this transfer. Thank you guys. I love you!!!

One of the nights this week we had a lesson with one of our new friends Noah. Noah is a college guy about 23 years old. We met at the church and then was like do you guys want to go to Culver's? It's on me. Sweet! We got free food and got to teach him a bit. Win win.

Thanksgiving!!! Such a fun day. We got to do a turkey trot and turkey bowl with the Bay City and Bad Axe district. It was definitely needed, I love serving around missionaries! We were really only supposed to walk a 5k, but I made everyone take a wrong turn so it was more like an 8k. Oh Elder Clouse.  At around 2 o'clock we got to drive to cracker barrel and have members feed us there. Always a pleasure eating for free. Went back to the church with our district to play some board games and call home. Ended the day with an hour devotional with our mission that had a rap, finding activity, kahoot, and spiritual thought. What a fun Thanksgiving!

The weather finally hit cold. I had to break out my snow jacket brrrr. It began snowing a bit and now it is starting to stick. I got my Christmas music blasting! I am looking good in my winter coat and I'm ready to baptize Michigan. 

Sunday we saw a miracle. Jazzii entered the covenant path through baptism and is now enduring to the end. I had the chance to dress up in white and baptize her! What a privilege it was to be in all white back to back weeks. One of my first lessons on my mission was with Jazzii. What a sweet experience it was to be able to baptize her.

Quote of the week:

"There's no such thing as a loss when you're on the Lord's side. It's always a gain." 

This came from the man, the myth, the legend President Heap! An elder quoted in during a morning devotional and its straight heat. President Heap will probably be a general authority soon. 

One thing funny is that I am known around in my zone for my testimony of Joseph Smith. Everyone knows I love that man so much. AS I SHOULD! As I do more reading on Joseph Smith and what he did, he is just built different. D&C 135:3 says it best, "Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it." I sing praise to the man daily and it'll be a sad day when that is taken from the hymn book. HAIL TO THE PROPHET!

I love you guys! Even though I talked to you guys on like Thursday, hit me up! #FindTime4Me 

Work. Work. Work.

 Had another packed P-day! Monday we had to drop off the car due to Elder Elliott crashing the car back in August, so now I am in charge of fixing it. We got picked up by the Zone Leaders and they hung out with us for the day. The office elders brought us a car to drive so we didn't have to walk everywhere. Later, Sister Evans offered to make us homemade spaghetti and meatballs. They were fire!!! While our district was hanging out at the church, Elder Johnson and I had to head to Sister Andrew's home, which is three minutes from the church, to do our laundry. We left it there until 5 o'clock and when we got there it was all folded… man these old ladies are so nice! I ended the night past nine calling Elder Moore! I truly miss him, he is doing amazing! 

Sister Painter, the new trainee in our district, had to get rushed to the ER a couple of times last week due to her tonsils and her coughing up blood. Pretty nerve racking and especially since it is her first transfer on the mission. She has been bed sick for the past week with no signs of recovery. On Tuesday she showed signs of slowly recovering. So that's a miracle, prayers are being answered! 

Wednesday was the Midland Zone Conference. I love seeing other missionaries because I have such good relationships with everyone. I truly love this mission with my whole heart. They fed us Panda too! So that was pretty delicious. At the zone conference I had the chance to see and talk to Elder Reynolds. Elder Reynolds is an office elder currently.  I miss him so much, but he is doing so well in the office. He is happy where he is and he's enjoying his mission. It makes me so happy! Sister Painter and Mamata couldn't go to Midland because of her sickness, but they were there via zoom haha!

Thursday was Elder Johnsons birthday! He didn't care where to go for lunch so the Sisters decided. We ended up heading to Applebee's. While we were sitting in the parking lot a guy pulled up in his black Tahoe and handed Elder Johnson a 10 dollar gift card to Applebee's! Happy birthday to him. We were finishing up eating and Elder Johnson paid for my food on HIS birthday. I had money and everything, but he insisted. This Elder is too generous. For his birthday I talked to everyone we were teaching and posted on our ward page to wish him a happy birthday. He got like 100 wishes.

Friday we had the most depressing lesson of my mission thus far. We were teaching our friend Austin who has been meeting with missionaries since May. We were talking about the three degrees of glory and he said I will not make it to the Celestial Kingdom, I don't deserve it. Austin then said I feel way more comfortable with the devil than I do God right now. He doesn't agree with Satan, but that's how he feels.The lesson had to end after an hour because we had another one following. I just got into the car and went into tears. I love this guy so much and I don't know how to help him. 

Every night in our district chat we send a companionship selfie. Now you get some more photos to bless your lives. This is one one if not the most unified district in the mission. It's crazy. The Lord is blessing Bay City immensely!

Quote of the week

"Don't SLIP, if you do, repent fast"

This was said at our past zone conference from one of our assistants Elder Stone. He actually departed home on Saturday. Zone conference was a spiritual Feast! The assistants held a fire training. Nothing much more to say on this quote than just do it.

I decided to weigh myself this week. Turns out I'm 160 now instead of 150. No worries guys, it is probably all muscle.

On Saturday morning I listened to a BYU speech by Brad Wilcox. This 30 minute talk was probably one of the greatest talks ever. It is titled,"His Grace Is Sufficient." Elder Wilcox is such a legend. If you are interested in listening to it, I can email it to you. It speaks on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His Grace. If you really understood Jesus Christ's grace, you would never fall away. Period! I listened to it three times already. 

Sunday we got to see one of the sisters' friends, a 13 year old girl named Jerzie enter the waters of baptism. I had the opportunity to give her the Holy Ghost. I was also asked to help her into the font since she had a sprained ankle so I got to be in all white. Feels good to be in the white pants! I have such a strong love for the priesthood, Joseph Smith restored it! It's crazy to think that 4 months ago I was nervous to give priesthood blessings. Ah good times. 

This past week towards the end I began to get down on myself. I was looking at all the negative things in my life and my problems. In the big scheme of things, this is nothing. I literally am a complainer. I read a letter titled, "The Ricciardi Letter." It took me about an hour and a half to read, but this completely switched the outlook I have. It's about a missionary who was extremely consecrated and because of him he baptized 100 plus people during his two year service. 100 plus people! It got me so amped to go out and work. The solution to everything is work. Why complain? Work. Work. Work. So that is my plan for the rest of the transfer. If I work I know I will be happy. You won't see any complaining from Elder Clouse… hopefully. 

I love you all so much! I know and feel all the prayers you send me. They help immensely. Hit me up! #FindTime4Me 

Cigarettes and Marijuana

 The week started with a fun Preparation Day! We went to the clock tower with our district and walked throughout downtown. Who knew one of the worlds largest antique stores is in Bay City Michigan. Concluding our Pday we had to go pick up photos I printed at Walmart a week ago. Elder Elliott and I are starting a trend of putting a framed photo of you in the apartment. It will probably die out, but it was great while it lasted. Since it was only 9 cents for a photo, I printed like 70. I put them in my room as a collage, I'll make sure to add it to the photos.

We went to a lesson on Tuesday and man it reeked of cigarettes and Marijuana. It was this guy who has been in and out of jail for countless years. When we left their home all of our clothes smelt like smoke and it was just caked into my skin. It was gross. I had to scrub it off my skin and immediately wash all my clothes. Gotta love Michigan Ganders. 

One of the days this week I decided to make mom's BBQ chicken recipe. I was then broiling the chicken on high. My timer went off and I put on the hot glove to grab it out of the oven. The thumb part of the oven mit was wet and instantly burnt me. My reaction was to use my other hand and grab it to put it on the stove. Now both my hands got burns on them, but nothing bacitracin can't fix.

On Wednesday, one of the sisters calls us and asks us for a priesthood blessing. We all met up at the church at 8 o'clock. This was such a spiritual experience. They were all struggling with some things within themselves. Elder Johnsom gave a priesthood blessing to one of them and I gave the other. It was so powerful, for some reason I began to tear up mid blessing. I LOVE THE PRIESTHOOD. I love Joseph Smith. I love this church. The gospel has been restored. 

This week we had a ward council meeting on Tuesday night. The reason we are having this via zoom is because we were talking about reopening the church. We came to the conclusion that we are going to postpone church one more time due to covid. Right when I get on the zoom link I am usually muted. Turns out when I got on this link I was unmuted. I immediately saw Bishop and Brother Rase and I go,"YOOOOO SQAUADDD!!!" Brother Rase let out a laugh and I was like oh snap I'm unmuted. The high councilmen and Stake members just laughed and shook their heads. Moral of the story, do not say something before you are muted haha! 

This past week my stomach has been acting up. Just been Gassy and I bet you all missed that. Elder Johnson gets a little bit mad, but hides his emotions about it haha. Its my bowel movements I can't control them. 

On Friday we had a companion inventory. This was needed even though we already had companionship unity. We talked about our differences and Elder Johnson opened up with his struggles. The solution for this is work. I will work this transfer with all my heart and serve my companion. I already truly love Elder Johnson, I really do. I have been placed here for a reason and I am learning a ton from his example. I love my mission so much!

Jazzii after one month of not one peep from her IS BACK. I could've gone into tears when she texted, AHHHHH MIRACLES. I love it here, she's back and she's ready to go. We had a lesson with her on friday and she still remembers every lesson we told her and she is so prepared by the Lord. Might become a son of mosiah so I can extend my mission 12 more years. 

This week I found a kid named Nate on Facebook. We set up a time to meet and we went over to his home. He lives in the ghettoest part in Bay City called Bay Town. This is usually where the drug deals and shootings go down. He is always high or drunk and it turns out he's only 17 years old. It makes me so sad because I have learned to love this kid, but he's going down such a bad path. We are meeting with him often to try and get him on the right path. It is hard to feel the Spirit during our lessons because of his vulgar language. His house reeked of cigarettes and Marijuana, but not as bad as the house earlier this week. I even snagged a photo with him, so you'll see that! It truly means the gospel is for everyone.

Sunday was the first snowfall in Bay City this winter. Living in snow is pretty cool. The snow did not stick, however it is cool to live where snow falls. I know I know I'm not going to like it when it doesn't ever go away, but as it says in D&C 122:7,"All these things shall give thee experience." I'm reading to preach the gospel in the snow! 

Quote of the week, I know I missed it last week. 

"Elder that is not okay"

I was putting up my collage full of photos from my first two transfers on my wall. Elder Johnson sees two photos of Elder Elliott and I when we were slumped on my bed taking a nap. He states, "Elder that is not okay." He then pulled out the standards to say Elders sleep in the same room, but not the same bed. I laughed about it and said we did that because Elder Elliott and I had so much companionship unity. I was laughing a lot because he is actually concerned about me and told me to burn photos since it wasn't allowed.  

On Friday a gave a short training on 1 Nephi 8 to our zone. Verse 12 it says, " And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." All of us in our family have tasted a little nibble of this fruit. Some others might have eaten half of the fruit like dad.  It is just important to partake of the fruit continually. The fruit is Gods and Jesus Christ's love they have for us. The way we can feel that love is through the Book of Mormon. I extended an invitation to the missionaries and I'll let you ponder what you will do. Take a bigger bite. The Lord needs people to take a bigger bite. How will you take a bigger bite [of the fruit]? Don't take too big of a bit because if you do you might choke. 

You guys are so awesome! If you are reading this, just know I love you so much! Hit me up on messenger when you guys get a chance.

I Almost Died

 As I was talking to Brooklyn last week she was telling me about how she and Aubrey put their twins together and made a mega bed because they were scared of a movie they just watched. This reminded me how I should do that. The last night I was with Elder Elliott it was only necessary to mega bed. We put our beds together as a goodbye memory. Crazy to think that was only a week ago.

The start of the week was bitter sweet. I had to say goodbye to Elder Elliott at transfers because he was going up to Traverse City to be a Zone Leader. Elder Elliott handed me down the posterity tie and I gave him one. The posterity tie is handed down after you train someone. So my great great grandpa in the mission field had this tie and it has been passed down from generation to generation. I gave him a pink tie and signed it, you'll see the pictures. 

My new companion Elder Johnson was supposed to get to the church where all of us missionaries meet at 12:15, but they were delayed 2 hours. Elder Candland who was driving them down hit black ice and spun off the side of the road resulting in totaling the car. Elder Candlands last day in the field was totaling a mission car. 

My new companion is a quiet guy. He is from Idaho, he's 6 foot 4, he's a ginger who LOVES peanut butter (the theory is still correct), and he's a very loving companion. He is extremely spiritual which is cool. He is a lot different from me, but hey I will make the best of it and we will have a beautiful time here in Bay City.

Our new district is actually so hype. We got a new sister who is training, her name is Sister Mamata. She's a poly sister and she is a hype beast. She hypes up the district more than I did which is impressive. This is going to be a dope six weeks serving around these beast of missionaries. 

It finally happened. I choked. I made Elder Johnson and I some chicken, rice, and broccoli for dinner. It was 5:40 and we had a lesson at 6 so we were munching it down. Then it hit me, a piece of chicken was stuck in my throat. I got up and walked towards my bathroom to dry and drink some water with my hero or spit it out. It wasn't budging. I then began coughing and was puking a little in my room. Kinda nasty. I came out to the kitchen where Elder Johnson was and I hovered over the sink and he was smacking me on the back. I barely let out a voice and said ,"heimlack." It took about 30 seconds and it finally came out. My throat feels bruised from it. I was in shock a little, a bit shaky, but we recovered and went to our lesson at 6. Satan can't stop me in this work. The Lord has me tangled in His vineyard. 

On Thursday night we had the chance to go to Brother Rase's (our missionary ward leader) work. He works at a warehouse and so we got to put on hard hats, vests, and glasses. It was so fun. I even snagged some photos! We taught him a lesson and got to know him a bit more. The lesson was more of a get to know Elder Johnson.

We have had a great week of missionary work in Bay City. We got a number of people to the zoom church, found new friends, and taught some lessons. Elder Johnson and I teach really well together and I am learning a lot from him. I am struggling a little bit with him because we are two completely different people. Right when we get home everyday it's lonely and depressing because we don't talk at all. It's just quiet. One of the key reasons I am staying alive is because of my district. They are keeping me sane. However, I have great faith that The Lord put me here for a reason. I also know trials are meant for me to grow. I have gone out of my way to be a good companion by serving and just loving him. This situation to be honest with you isn't good, but it's supposed to happen. Keep sending prayers my way :). 

On Saturday evening we were asked to make a hype video for our zone chat. It was rocky themed, there are some bloopers in it as well. The video turned out pretty fire. It's attached in the Google photos. 

This morning we aren't paying for washers and dryers anymore. We posted on our Bay City ward Facebook group and asked if anyone in our ward would allow us to use their dryers on Monday mornings. Of course people said we could. Our clothes are going to be fresh as well as free. 

The spiritual thought this week I think is necessary to be 1 Nephi 16:2

"The guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."

This scripture was the one I wrote on the tie I have to Elder Elliott. We used this scripture as an inside joke throughout our whole time together. If you get mad at something, you would say this scripture. As much of it is a joke it is true. In missionary work it's important to be bold, but not overbearing. It's also important to be bold when you aren't a missionary because missionary work doesn't only happen when you are set apart for 2 years. I encourage you all as opportunities open up about being bold as a witness of Jesus Christ please do. Dad was a great example last week when he chatted with someone about our non negotiable truths in the restored Church of Christ. As you tell someone the truth (in the most loving way) they will probably be mad no matter what because Satin loves to make people prideful. You can now think in your head ohhhh yeah, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard. 

I love you all and I am praying for you. Please send prayers my way that I will continue to be possessed by charity and patience to Elder Johnson. Also, please chat with me because I need to talk to other people, it makes me happy.  #FindTime4Me

I am Not Sure Why Yet

 Let's start off with Monday. We started doing all of our chores and then a member agreed to cut our hair at her salon. Her name is Sister Idalski, she is the wife of one of the members in the bishop brick (that was for you Weston). After she gave us a nice cut, she was nice enough to give us 65$ to pay for our whole district for lunch. We all pounded some Rally's which made me feel nasty lol. We played some board games at the church then we had service at 5:30. We helped an elderly lady move and it took three hours. My job was to organize all her boxes into her new house. I nailed that job to a tea #bestorganizer

Tuesday was President Heap interviews. They were fire!!! I love interviews because President Heap is the nicest person ever to talk to. While you are waiting in between interviews you talk to Sister Heap and she is a queen. Our mission leaders beat out everyone else's. After the interviews we decided to go eat some Texas Roadhouse. It was so good. I needed some fresh rolls and cinnamon butter. Made me a little sad because I only really ate there with you guys. Anyway it was a great day in Bay City. I am writing this on Tuesday night and from the interview I had with President, I am staying in Bay City and I am receiving an obedient missionary to greenie bust me.

Wednesday was an exciting one. We were packed with member lessons and our Facebook work is finally paying off. It seems like everyone we message now wants to do a video call. It's awesome. You get the gospel, you get the gospel, you get the gospel. We picked up two new friends through Facebook AND dropped off copies of the Book of Mormon at their homes. Such a reward feeling and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints just makes sense. We are built different. 

Thursday was a moving day. The office elders who reside in Lansing drove up to help us move. The main reason they came was to pick up Elder Reynolds because he is going to be the next housing coordinator. Usually the office elders and APs go in about 5 days early to get trained before they are left on their own. The office elders helped us move for an hour and then it was just Elder Eccles, Elliott, and I. We moved for about 5 hours. All we had to do was move one floor down, but man missionaries have a lot of crap. We are now living in such a LAVISH apartment. It is all hardwood floor… which will suck in the winter. Anyways, there are actually corners in the kitchen with a brand new fridge, stove, and dishwasher. I am about to make this place our new home. Even though we are living in the same apartment building, our apartment is like 20 times better now. 

I don't think I have mentioned this, but every Thursday for dinner we get a Gulino's pizza. They are kind enough to give us two XL pizzas of our choosing every Thursday. The gulinos are a family in our ward and we actually got a photo with them this week. We bought some of their long sleeve shirts we have as a souvenir. I look good in a long sleeve red shirt. I can tell you that.

The reason I have so many photos with members is because it was Elder Elliotts last week here so i tagged along in all the photos so i have some. Be prepared when you go into Google photos.

Ten whole families in the Bay City ward have COVID. They decided to cancel church for the next two weeks...We are in charge of doing our own sacrament for us and the sisters. We can never get away from quarantine. It kind of sucks for the other elders who are leaving and now don't get to say goodbye to everyone. When Sunday rolled around we met at the church building at 10 am. We were supposed to watch the Midland Sacrament meeting (another ward in the state) via zoom. Turns out that was from 9-10. We missed it lol. We decided to do Sacrament and Sister Evans offered that We should watch an episode of The Chosen. We watched episode 1 of season 2, maybe I'll end up finishing it before I get home. 

We got our transfer calls on Saturday afternoon. The Lord loves to give Elder Clouse trials. I am receiving a companion named Elder Johnson. I am not going to lie to you guys. This next transfer is going to be hard. I will need all the help I can get through prayers. I just know I have been placed here with Elder Johnson for a reason I am not sure why yet.. Elder Elliott is going up north to be a Zone Leader in Traverse City. 

On Saturday we went to a wedding ceremony and reception for a couple in our ward. Daniel and Morgan Bond. It was a fun wedding and reception. We met some people that weren't members and just chatted with them. We met a college student named Logan, and we instantly became friends with him. We even took a photo with him. Elder Elliott and I took some fire photo booth photos. Since they are printed out it's hard to get a good photo of them.

Since we are now living in an all hardwood floor apartment we cant vacuum. When Sunday cleaning rolled around I swept the whole place and then mopped it. Mom would've been so proud, had to get on my hands and knees to do it all, I don't know how mom does it. I used the new cleaning supplies she gave me in my last package I received. Floor is spotless and we are in a fresh new apartment. I also decided to make the apartment feel like home. I made a Jesus Chirst/Joseph Smith shrine, maybe someday you will see it. Today we are also printing out photos of Elder Elliott and I around the apartment to have a memory wall ;(.

Quote of the week

"I know this church is true… I'm not sure If that's my testimony"

This quote was said by Patrick Trombley. Patrick was the recent convert we baptized and confirmed at the beginning of this transfer. I am so lucky I got to begin my mission with him. He was actually the first lesson I ever taught. During the lesson he stopped us and said, "I know this church is true… I'm not sure If that's my testimony." We reassured Patrick that it was. It was such a powerful moment, I could've gone into tears on how happy I felt in that moment. He was a member of his pentecostal church for 30 years. To see him flip around in 8 months to know for a surety this is Jesus Christ's church is amazing. I am so glad I will stay here for another transfer at least to continue to meet with him. 

It was such a long week. A ton of stuff happened and I am wiped. Elder Elliott and I decided to end this week with pazookies. Chocolate chip cookies with Salted Caramel Graze ice cream. I have probably eaten about 2 gallons of that ice cream since being here in Bay City. It is my new favorite. 

This past week I have been trying to finish the book The Power of Everyday Missionary. I had to finish it this week because Elder Elliott is leaving and it's his book. It's a book by Clayton M. Christensen and it is amazing. It's about 150 pages and it has changed my outlook on being a member. If you all find time, order it and read it, Elder Christensen is a member of the 70 and he is a king. I can't say much more about it then read it haha. 

You thought I forgot. HAPPY 49TH BIRTHDAY DAD! I love you so much and am so grateful for how you and mom raised me. Without you guys I wouldn't be where I am now in Bay City! The more I progress on my mission, the more I see how grateful I am to have such loving parents who are both active members of his church. I want to thank you dad for all you constantly do for our family (and you mom, it's dad's birthday so he gets the spotlight). If you are reading this you should all text dad or Doug (@brooki) and say one thing you love about him. I will ask dad when I call him tonight if anyone did it. Keeping you all accountable.