It's God!

 A member on Monday took us out golfing in Charlotte! His name is Bro Mayhew, he is 77 years old and he's so cool. He's our ward mission leader. He paid for our golf too and just so you all know I didn't lose my groove that I had. I never played better in my life. I was driving 225-250 yards straight off the tee. Lance wouldn't even have recognized me. Elder Nelson and I played on a team vs Bro Mayhew. We ended up losing. We went 8 over through 9 and Bro Mayhew went 6 over through 9. 

Lots of door knocking this week since it is nice out! I am getting a little taste of what Jared had to go through being in the Philippines. The high this week was 83 degrees and humid. I honestly didn't mind it, I am getting a little burnt, but I'm getting that tan on! It is honestly rewarding ending the day all swearing because you worked hard furthering God's work!

Wednesday we had our interviews with President Heap. We found out that I will most likely be staying another in Charlotte with Elder Nelson! Let's goooo. I am actually so hype. I love Elder Nelson so much. The other big news we found out was that the sister training leaders that were currently serving on MSU are moving to the city of Jackson with the Zone Leaders and now they fall in my district. I now cover 14 missionaries in my district that I am in charge of. Two sets of sisters, the sister training leaders, the zone leaders, and two sets of senior couples all fall in the Charlotte district. It's funny because if any of you remember Sister Evans who I served with for four transfers in Bay City is now in my district that I lead over again haha. This next transfer is going to be so fun.

Service filled day on Thursday. We first began by doing service at the usually Helping Hands that we serve twice a week. We heard news last week that President Heap approved a zone wide service project in Lansing. You already know we pulled up! We were there for two hours outside and we loaded 44,000 pounds of food onto trucks to take to food pantries. It wasn't as hard as it sounds. It was 90 degrees outside and it was amazing. I absolutely loved it. Elder Nelson and I got FRIED, but this also piqued our interest. We are going to start laying out on pdays to get that nice tan. The UV here still gets up to 8, it isn't 11 like AZ, but I will make it work. It was really fun being with the whole zone serving. We also had more service after that in Eaton Rapids for another hour. Roughly 5-6 hours of service, but it wasn't too bad. It is always nice to have some sort of change from your daily schedule. 

Friday was special. We drove up to Mount Pleasant which was about an hour and a half from Charlotte. Three zones gathered together to hear counsel from Elder Bennett of the seventy again. The spirit was so strong and we were all taught so powerfully. The meeting was about 3 and a half hours. It was amazing! I loved every second of it. You left that building just on fire. Elder Nelson and I drove through Lansing to get back home and we decided to dine in at Olive Garden. It did not disappoint. Later that day we had a baptism in Holt that we attended. The Holt Sisters baptized someone named Chelsey who had such a sweet conversion story. We brought two of our friends with us too, Lonnie and Allen. Such a good experience. God is so good. There is no denying that this is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and that the Church of Jesus Christ holds the proper authority to perform saving ordinances. 

I have to share this crazy fact. Background info: one thing you need to know about Michigan is that there is roadkill EVERYWHERE. I decided to count on the way to and from Mount Pleasant on Friday. I counted over 120+ dead animals on the side of the road. Michigan is wilding. 

I have to share this bizarre story. So Elder Nelson and I were in a lesson with a single mother and her four kids that were present. To conclude the meeting we always ask if there is anyone they want us to pray for. Elder Nelson then offered the prayer anticipating to pray for everyone by name in that room. He had a stupor of thought and blurted out the name Kiara. Kiara is not the name of anyone present there nor did I know a kiara. During the middle of the prayer Courtney (the mom) looked directly at Tiana (16 year old daughter) astonished BECAUSE Kiara was the name of Courtney's 19 year old daughter who we didn't know existed. Elder Nelson had a prompting to say Kiara during that prayer and it left them knowing that we represent the Lord and this is the real deal! I hope that made sense because I was literally shook. Elder Nelson is a spirit led man. 

On Saturday I woke up not feeling well at all. I had a sore throat, my allergies were out of this world, and i had a bad headache. As I was going through the motions during the day it dawned on me. One of the people I was with earlier this week tested positive for covid. I thought it would be best to go get tested to be safe. I'm…. negative! Phew. That would have been rough. Being in quarantine as a missionary is depressing. God did not want us to go through that. We then went to Walmart and copped the necessities… Neti pot, NyQuil, cough drops, etc. I then asked Elder Nelson to give me a priesthood blessing so I could be healed. This was the first blessing I have asked for on my mission. The last one I received was from dad before I came out to Michigan. It was so cool just feeling that priesthood power again. It is so real. That comfort that comes from a worthy priesthood laying his hands on your head to give you a blessing hits different. 

Courtney (the one where we had the cool lesson with) came to church with all three of her kids. They were so hectic during the Sacrament meeting, but the members did a great job helping her feel comfortable. The kids were running up to the speaker, screaming, and just running around the chapel. Courtney left that meeting wanting to come back next week and promised the members she would. We promised her that if she had a desire to come to church her car would start. She looks at us after and she's like my car randomly started like you promised. We're like,"Courtney it's God!"

Today we are doing a zone pday… virtually. A little background on the mission is that we are trying to become as obedient as possible. We are only allowed one district pday every 6 weeks so we emphasize the importance of staying in our areas and feeling the spirit more. So on Saturday night our ZLs and STLs hop on a big call saying there is a huge announcement. They then say,"WE GOT it approved by the President to have a ZONE PDAY (everyone just got so hype and then he crushed the news).... over zoom!" It was a depressing time, but we are now doing an hour zoom call on pday to help the zone build unity. We shall see how this goes. 

I love you all so much. We might go golfing today at 11 am. The weather is nice, it's 70 degrees and partially sunny, but it did rain last night. I look forward to speaking with you. Hmu! I will be waiting. #FindTime4Me