Paybacks and Temptations

Hello friends!!! Another week down! I've somehow been out for 7 months... how??? Time flies when you're having fun I guess 😊 this week was full of a lot of funny stuff.
- We went to a surprise birthday party for one of our friends we're teaching, the thing is she doesn't know many people because she's new to the area. We brought some friends with us and her host family invited some people, so most of the guests had no idea who they were celebrating and only half of them spoke English haha. But still it was a fun time! 
- We got referred a girl who the elders described as "probably YSA aged." Well we stopped by and ended up getting stuck on the porch talking for about an hour because this lady was literally 90 years old and would not stop talking. Pretty sure they just did that to get back at us for sending them a referral who answered the door naked... whoopsie. 

The highlight of this week was definitely our all mission conference on Saturday! We had the chance to hear from Elder Peterson (an area 70), President Christiansen (the area president), and ELDER UCHTDORF. AHHHH! We took a picture with the whole mission and Elder Uchtdorf and guess where I got to stand?! RIGHT BEHIND him!! I was very tempted to touch his silky white hair... but I didn't don't worry lol. Stay tuned for that pic, the mission hasn't sent it out yet. Anyways, the conference was INCREDIBLE and reminded me why I am here!! Elder Uchtdorf said that as missionaries it is our job to "make disciples." Our purpose is to help people come unto Christ and enter the waters of baptism, but it doesn't end there! We want these people to truly be converted and to STAY! We help them stay by ministering. Our mission has been going to all the priesthood key holders and auxiliaries in the stakes and sharing a presentation that President Call made about just that! It is based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk from General Conference and how important it is so minister to and care for our brothers and sisters. We got to share the presentation with him, so now we can say it really is "Uchtdorf approved" ;) It was so incredible to hear from and shake hands with an Apostle of the Lord. I know that he represents the Savior because of the Spirit I felt at the meeting. 

Speaking of ministering... our friend Andy, who got baptized earlier this year, was conferred to the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday!!! Woooo!! He was also given a ministering assignment and it was the happiest reaction to a calling I have ever seen 😂 he has had some really great ministers and so he said he's excited to be someone's "guy" like our friend Daniel was to him. 

I am so grateful for my call to serve. I can honestly say it's the greatest thing I have ever done!! The beautiful thing is that ministering isn't just reserved for full time missionaries. We all can and should minister because that's what Christ did on the Earth. We come to know our Savior as we live like him ❤