New Year New Son

 What a strong start to the week. It is going so well. Monday was a very relaxed day again. It was getting to me to be honest. It seemed like we had a three day weekend with Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and then preparation day. I was glad to get back to work on Tuesday, but it seems like I forgot. 

Tuesday morning was transfer day. We had to wake up at 530am to get ready and head to the transfer van that arrived in Battle Creek at 645 am. Since I am training, I will not receive my companion until Thursday. Elder Monson was my temporary companion for the day since he is training as well. We had a full day of failing. That is exactly how I could describe it. We kept forgetting things, lessons were canceling, and it was a stretch; however, we tried to give the Lord our all during transfer day. At 6pm that evening we got another Elder to be with us making us a trio. We got Elder Tillotson. He is the other Elder that will be in our district training, he's from Pennsylvania, that's like unheard of. 

Wednesday flew by and miracles are being poured out in the creek. Let me tell you about it. We are just so booked heading from lesson to lesson having so much fun. We have been laughing a ton throughout the day and into the night. In the apartment there was a trash couch that an elder found off the side of the street to bring into the apartment about a year ago. Since I am the one staying in this apartment now. I decided to donate that bad boy immediately. The miracles that are being poured out upon the Battle Creek area are because of the willingness of the people! Facebook especially is going crazy. So many people are replying and wanting to meet. It seems like the Lord wants the missionary coming to the creek to be ready to work! There is no excuse. 

We also found a new family to teach and oh my! We found them about a month ago and the dad finally called us back and was willing to let us come over. We taught this precious family about the Book of Mormon and eternal families. The restored truths in God's restored gospel are unmatched. This is where I would say mic drop and then "BOOM BABY" (in Dad's voice). 

New year new son. The new missionary who will be my companion for the next three months is Elder Austin Madsen. He is from Pleasant Grove, Utah. When I first received him he was very quiet and I was thinking in my head, I can't do this again. On the road home he opened up and we clicked well. He is a mixture of Seth Ogden and Bransen Crockett. He does not like any sports at all which is extremely unfortunate, but we will survive. 

This is one way I could tell I will enjoy my time with Elder Madsen. I was eating my lunch at the dinner table for a second. I turn around and Elder Madsen is deep cleaning the microwave. Home dog was literally arms deep in the microwave scrubbing that thing. Also keep in mind I cleaned the microwave last week so he's definitely on the same standard I am. 

We have had no time to breathe! We have been going from lesson to lesson and seeing so many miracles. It is actually crazy. As I have sacrificed more and been more diligent, the Lord has provided. One cool thing you get to be a part of for training a new missionary is the In-field preach my gospel program. There is so much you can literally learn. Everyday companion study is an hour to an hour and a half. I honestly enjoy it. It has taken me back to training since I forget that Elder Madsen knows absolutely nothing about missionary work. I am learning a lot of patience and charity. The Lord has to teach me something. 

I keep writing this email slowly, but surely. Every Night when I reflect about the day, I am in awe. Literally more miracles keep occurring in every single finding pond. Elder Madsen has not experienced any rejection since everyone is accepting us. We have taught so many lessons and we are running around Battle Creek with our heads cut off. I LOVE it. As I have sacrificed more for the Lord, I am happier and I can feel the Spirit work more in my life. The Lord is aware of me and wanted me to be better which is why I was put in the position I am in currently. 

This has been a needed week for me in the mission field. It was starting to seem like I was remaining idle as a missionary just going through the motions. This allowed me to keep it fresh and change things up. I do love being a missionary and knowing that God works through me to bring souls back into the fold. I know personally that God is aware of me. Don't forget about you.

I just read back on this email and you can tell you I am a missionary by the amount of exclamation marks I use. Hope you feel my energy. This is such a needed pday. I am exhausted from this week. 

Miss you all so much. Reach out to me. Stay in touch. 

Love, Elder Clouse