Week 23

 Monday, July 12, 2021

WEEK 23

Good Morning everyone! 

I had another great week here in Michigan. But, shoutout to my cousin Megan for getting married! And, my cousin Jake for getting engaged. I miss you all and am very excited as you step into these next phases of life!

I am starting to have a hard time writing these emails because everything blends together in a week and I forget what happens!! So, let me tell you about a few cool things that happened this week that I can remember. 

I had an exchange with my Zone Leader and good friend Elder Harding. He is from Idaho Falls, Idaho and his Dad has the same job as mine. And his Dad works for the same hospital system! How wild is that? He and I had a great time teaching, laughing and talking. He came here to Bay City and we had a great time! 

I had a really great time doing service. Just like last week, our friend Greg, who I found on Facebook, invited us to come help us with this woman's yard. Her Grandpa lived in the basement and he couldn't sleep down there because it was flooded with water! We helped break up the yard and grate it so the water would go away from the basement. We used sledge hammers and shovels and broke up the ground. I have never used a sledgehammer before, so it was pretty funny to watch myself on video swing that thing. I was swinging that thing SO HARD . The missionaries I serve with, Elder Reynolds, Candland, and Kofford were like "Dude, you don't have to swing that hard ''. I didn't think I was until I looked at the video later. You can watch it on Facebook if you want. But anyways, it was really fun to help serve this guy. I think the funniest part was that the lady was yelling at him the whole time and telling him he was doing it wrong haha! All of us were kind of uncomfortable because our friend Greg was yelling at this lady a few times because she was getting on his nerves. But, it all worked out and we were able to help dry out the Grandpa's basement, and he was very grateful. We also got Subway, so that was a plus. 

Just this morning, we saw a guy stopped in the middle of the road. He needed gas. So, I said "flip the car around, let's go help him". We flipped around and moved his car out of the middle of the road. The people in Michigan are wild! I was on the right side of the car, pushing it and helping guide him and the other missionaries. The other cars waiting behind us were not patient, and started driving by me. At the same time, this dude started turning the wheel of his car and I almost got hit by oncoming traffic! But, we pushed it off safely. I just love all the opportunities I have to serve! (Even if I almost die! haha)

Elder Kofford and I had some cool little miracles happen this week. Our mission is allowing "specified door knocking" now. Which means, people we cannot get in contact with we go and knock on their door. We have been really trying to reactivate the members of the Bay City ward. So, I used a tactic I like to call "inspired scrolling". It is when you say a prayer and scroll to a name you're supposed to talk to. My companion and I prayed, then scrolled and both came upon the same name. The Spooner family! Their name practically jumped off the page and when I saw them on the list, I yelled out loud. "Spooners!" So, we knocked on their door. They have a 4 month old baby and the woman has a boyfriend who is not a member. We are going to start teaching them!

Last one. Elder Kofford and I were finally able to get in contact with our friend Ashley. She is amazing, and she is really prepared for this message. Her boyfriend is not a fan of us or the church though. We had a lesson with her and then she dropped off the face of the Earth. We couldn't get in contact with her! But, we were finally able to get a hold of her a few days ago and her boyfriend wants to come to church with her next week!

Here are a few funny moments from the week:

I now know why Elders should not have trucks. Yesterday, after our Missionary Coordination meeting with the ward, we saw a pingpong table just sitting there! So, Elder Candland and I decided we needed it in our apartment. We pulled over and MADE that thing fit in the back of our truck. I was SURE it could fit up our stairs and into our bedroom. But, unfortunately it didn't clear the stairs. I actually broke it in the process because I tried shoving that thing so hard. I have a picture of the before and after below. It was a funny scene watching two missionaries push and pull as hard as they could trying to get that table up the stairs haha! In the end, we threw it away. (Which, we probably should have just left it where we found it to begin with).  

Here is my spiritual thought for today:

I love memorizing scriptures and this week, I memorized Alma 36:24

"Yea, and from that time even until now I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance. That I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste, that they might also be born of God, and filled with the Holy Ghost." 

This is my motivation and purpose as a missionary. Everyday I wake up and work hard because I want everyone I can to partake of this gospel message. There is no greater joy than I have felt so far in my life than by spreading this message to everyone I meet. I can testify, it is true. All of it. And I hope all of you can feel the joy that comes from being a disciple of Jesus Christ. 

Have a good week everyone!! 

-Elder Elliott 

(Just to be clear, I don't drink Mountain Dews. Just take pictures with them)

The fridge picture is some pics my little bro Bentley drew for me and sent to me