Good, Better, Best

 Preparation day started as a flop, but did not end as bad as we thought. We finished all our chores immediately and then began calling people. It turns out that in the middle of the day, the maintenance guy knocks on our door and began installing a new electronic lock on our door. We do not know the code since it got sent to the mission office. We tried calling the office and we got no answer. We had to wait at home until we heard back from the mission office. While we waited, I hit another workout. We ended the pday with some sledding with the other elders. No injuries so it was a good one. 

The week began with ZL exchanges. I was with Elder David Meyers in Battle Creek for the day. They decided to send Elder Madsen to a college campus to get him out of his comfort zone. We had a fun day overall in Battle Creek. Elder Meyers is from Orem, Utah and he was actually MTC companions with Brecken Fonnesbeck. Miss that guy. I set some lofty goals for the next couple of months that I hope to accomplish.

These emails for some reason are harder to write the longer I have been out here. Thursday was a day. We had 9 lessons scheduled and only 3 of them went through. It was truly unfortunate. It seems the area has slowed down, but then I look at our schedule and it does not feel that way. I usually think of the mission as a marathon, but right now we are on a sprint. 

Well, another week has come and gone. That is crazy. I just completed my first transfer training Elder Madsen. He's stuck with me for another. It has been such a good transfer honestly. I really enjoy being around Elder Madsen and training. Training a new missionary has given me the push I needed to keep giving the Lord my all. It begins to get harder the longer you have been out here. The days go longer, the weeks seem slower, and the work seems repetitive. Training has gotten me out of that slump I would say I was in prior to this transfer. 

I just recently began another Book of Mormon read this week and I am focusing on the Christlike attribute of humility. I am in the first book of Nephi and that man exemplified humility. When I focus on a specific attribute when I am studying the Book of Mormon, I seem to take more out of my studies. For example:

In 1 Nephi 5:10, it speaks about how when the sons of Lehi returned from Jerusalem with the brass plates, the first thing Lehi did was give sacrifice unto the Lord. If I was Lehi, I would be like,"yo let me see those brass plates you just got!" It is interesting how Lehi put first the sacrifice rather than searching the brass plates with his genealogy. I bet he was pretty thrilled to have those things. There is a good, better, best principle in this verse. Searching the brass plates first would still be good, but honoring the Lord and giving sacrifice was the best thing to do first. Christ loves all things that are good, but do not forget to think of the good, better, best principle. 

I miss you all. Excited to see you all sooner than later. Reach out  

Love,

Elder Clouse

	5:06 AM (9 hours ago)