4-11-16!

Hello hello the people! This week was good. Repetitive but true. Always good weather where you are!

Events I experienced:
Monday was a great day. Nothing special, really. Moving on!

Tuesday. My mom's birthday and Elder Richmond's birthday! Happy birthday!

Wednesday! Exchange with Elder Thangaraj. Super fun! We did a lot of good stuff. He told me some of his story, getting active in the church again. What an inspiration. His companion Elder Walker is awesome too! Blitzing them was fun.

Thursday! Zone training. Role plays with the Book of Mormon. We had to find a scripture from the Book of Mormon to answer the ami's question. I'm grateful that I read it everyday, it helps so much to have scriptures at your disposal. I got to meet Elder Swanson and Elder Dunn in my district as well, and they're awesome. Elder Swanson would have been my best friend if he went to SEHS I swear.

Friday was incredible!! Exchange with Elder Richmond. I love that man. Our whole day fell through, but it was still a blast.

Reading Moroni 7 w/ Mil...
Mil: Why are there only ever men in the scriptures? Why does it always say "brethren"?
Me:......Because Mormon's talking to his brothers.
Mil: Oh, ok.
*Elder Richmond loses it*
Haha false doctrine! But I didn't really have a good answer for her, I'll have to tell her on Sunday haha. We went to see Nes, he's not doing too well. He just lacks motivation to go to church. I love him so much, it really hurts to see him like this. Patience man. Mosiah 23:21.

Saturday. More Mosiah 23:21

• I realized my foot pain was an ongle de pied incarné. Ingrown toenail. It hurts. So I tried to take it easy on my foot. Which I hate doing. Grrr.
• We saw San, and she's not doing well. The government told her this week that they're keeping her daughters for another year. It's completely unjust and preposterous. One of her other kids doesn't like church, and so she prefers to be with her kids rather than go to church on Sunday. It's pretty difficult.
• Our RDV with J-L fell through, because it's the second time this week he's gotten stung by a bee. Why was he stung, you might ask? He was trying to save it from drowning. As admirable as that is... At least put gloves on!!! Once again, his various health problems might keep him from church. Frustrating. I'm thinking about making him sign a contract, promising to never try to save the life of another bug, ever again. Uggg.

I was very stressed and frustrated. Perplexed. Vexed. Still am, if you haven't noticed by my writing. But I prayed a lot, and eventually I felt better. Prayer works! "Anyone who esteems himself capable of navigating the emotional mires of life without celestial correspondence understands neither God nor His divine qualities, plan, and love- to say nothing of himself." Bonus points if you can figure out who said that. It might take some searching!

Sunday! Church. Lunch with J-L, Mil, Mama Brig, and Elo right after church. A good day.

Lessons I learned:
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" ~1 Peter 2:2 I laughed inside when I read this scripture. Sometimes the Bible has funny ways of saying things. This scripture makes sense. I suppose the translation is alright enough. But am I correct in saying that the imagery is a little unorthodox. Peter said "ye...are a peculiar people." You're right Peter, that is a little peculiar.

"As you consider the question of what kind of  person  you will become, you must understand the dynamic process of life. You not only can change but  you  do change all of the time. Sometimes people do not believe this. They excuse their failures and weaknesses by saying: "That's just the way I am." "I am just short tempered, impatient person." I  can't  get up in  the morning. That's just the way I am."  "That's my nature." Or, "I'm just shy. That's all. That's just who I am." "I am not really a spiritual person." To believe that weaknesses  and deficiencies in your character are unchangeable is to reject the central truth of the plan of salvation." Lawrence Corbridge lays it down! We can all change, we all should change, we all must change.

(free) Advice I have:
"To the Bishops of the Church" by President Hinckley, Oct. 1988 Gen Conf. President Hinckley says: "You have been called, ordained, and set apart as shepherds to the flock. You have been endowed with discernment, judgment, and love to bless their lives. In the process, you will bless your own."
Really good talk. Directly to bishops, yes, but just as applicable to us who are fortunate  to not be bishops!

I love you all! Thanks for the emails! Peace be unto you.
Love, Elder MacArthur

Zone training!

I finally got the speculoos....it was amazing

Me with R and A! R is adorable.