So this week in Louisiana, on Tuesday, I led out for my first time! Which means we have exchanges and I stay in my area and am the senior companion for the day so I'm in charge of everything. Elder Mote came up from Lake Charles and we spent the day together. It went pretty well. We went and saw the Italian again. He promised us he would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and we promised him he would come to know it was true if he truly did that with an open mind and heart. We haven't had a chance to go see him again yet but I'm praying he was able to do it.
Wednesday we ran into this super less-active family. They were all fine except they all yelled at each other about everything. They were are super downgrading to each other... even the 80 year old grandma was yelling stuff. It really goes to show you how important the gospel is for families. Raising a family in the gospel is really the only way that will work out in the end. Without Christ being the center of a home, families get lost in the things of the world.
Thursday we had a tri-zone meeting in Kingswood, Texas. Elder Donald L. Hallstrom and his wife came to meet with us. He has spoken in General Conference a few times, even this last conference. He and his wife showed us all so much love. It was really cool because they built us up through Christ-like love and showing us the way instead of just tearing us down and yelling at us for the things we are doing wrong. Because honestly, that rarely works. But they had a lot of good things to say and a lot of cool insights.
Also, I got to see everyone again at the conference. It’s always nice to see familiar faces. I occasionally get to see Elders McBride and Horikami because they are in my zone but Elders Osborne and Davies I don't get to see as much. So it was nice to catch up with them :)
That night we stayed with the Beaumont zone leaders because it was too late to travel all the way home. They are super fun and it's been so cool to get to know all the elders here and hear the stories from past elders. Apparently David Archuleta’s little sister left this mission right before I came in. And every mission always has those crazy stories of things that have happened... Haha, oh man.
Anyways, this last Sunday it was the primary program! :) It was so cute. My branch only has about eight primary kids but they all sang super loud and proud :) Then we went down to a town on the edge of our mission to try and find some members to teach and we ran across this family. Oh man, I think they are my favorite members I've met so far. The mom and grandma are from Idaho and they have a lot of animals. They are super real and have kids aged 4 to 16. The little 4 year old girl took me all around their farm and showed me all the animals. She "helped" me get some eggs and bottle feed their baby sheep that she named "Oakshaw" ;p But the mom was super nice and they were so welcoming to me and Elder Jones. It was a nice change from the usual "send the pit bulls after you" response we have been getting. But yeah, they invited us to dinner and said we are welcome anytime. Their dad is a police officer and they are all super active. Hopefully we can find some more families that can be super good additions to this branch :)
Today we woke up early and went and got haircuts. Then we headed to Lake Charles to meet the Elders there and then we headed to Holly Beach! We stopped on the way by this river/marsh and went crabbing. Haha. We tied some chicken to some string and caught some crabs and just had a good time. I caught one with my hands and picked it up for pictures ;p We also pulled out a few slimy bottom feeders.
Then we went down to the beach and hung out there for the rest of the day. We took "so cute" companion pics and played soccer and built sand castles and such. It was a good last get together with our district since transfers are next week. Plus, you know me, I love the ocean... It was kinda hard since I can't swim but it was super pretty :) and then right before we left, I found a bunch of jellyfish that had been washed up! So I touched it because when else am I gonna be able to touch a jelly fish? But yeah, that was my week in a large nutshell.
Love,
- Elder Wood
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