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